Archive for the ‘Islamic Character’ category
The Stinginess of Jealousy
By Usman Siddiqui Jealousy is a difficult emotion to understand. Yet each of us—or at least, too many of us—suffer jealousy in some dimension from time to time: it may be a sudden impulse, or it may be a deep-seated feeling that grows within you against an individual. Whatever the case may be, our beloved [...]
Beauty & Body Image
Reconstructing Beauty Series: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Americans spent nearly $10 billion on over 9 million cosmetic procedures in 2011. The latter represents a whopping 197% increase in the total number of procedures performed in 2007.1 [...]
Well-Formed Goals
By Huda Shaka Whether it’s losing weight, quitting smoking, or memorizing Qur’an, I have recently learnt that developing a “well-formed goal” is half way towards achieving it1 . Not only that, the remaining half becomes easy and even enjoyable. Too good to be true? Try it out for yourself. Below is a checklist describing a [...]
Gems From Imam ibn al-Jawzi
In a previous post, I compiled some of my favorite gems from Imam ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah (swt) have mercy on him). Imam ibn al-Jawzi, who is often confused with ibn al-Qayyim, is yet another scholar who has popular works on the heart and soul. Outside of books on purification, ibn al-Jawzi wrote extensively on [...]
Showing Kindness to All Creatures: Lessons From an Azhari Scholar & a Cat
Commentary and Translation by Shazia Ahmad The historic Masjid al-Azhar (Azhar Mosque) in Cairo offers a number of classes and lectures to the public in the rooms that surround its famous courtyard. Along with the usual human attendees, it is also common to see cats seeking to enter through the mosque’s open doors and make [...]
Asking for Mercy
Mercy. Allah’s Mercy. It’s what we crave. It’s what we pray for. It’s the only means for getting into Paradise. We know that we are constantly sinning and that without His Mercy, none of these sins will be forgiven. We know that without His Mercy, not only will our entire lives be filled with misery, [...]
Defining Islamic Spirituality
Scriptural References to the Spiritual Imperative of Islam There are numerous ayat (verses or signs) of the Holy Quran that indicate the importance of spiritual purification. God talks of the nafs (self) and says: “Whoever purifies it has succeeded; and failure is the lot of whoever corrupts it,” (Qur’an 91:9-10). Furthermore, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be [...]
Al-Haleem
Names of Allah Series: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII | Part IX | Part X | Part XI | Part XII | Part XIII | Part XIV | Part XV How do you feel when are caught doing something wrong, but the person who catches you lets it go and doesn’t punish or embarrass you? There is a mixture [...]
The Legendary Tree of Good Manners
By Ishrat Ali Once in a town in Egypt lived a young boy named Zahir. He was very mischievious. Everyone in the town knew him for his bad behavior because he liked to prank people all the time. He never cared about what people thought of him. When he talked, he would say whatever he [...]
The Chapter of Etiquette
Imam Suhaib Webb begins to explain Surat al-Hujurat (Chapter of the Rooms, Quran 49) at ISBCC’s Friday night halaqa (circle, group). Part I | Part II
Grandeur in the Miniscule
It was a breathtaking view from my window. Thousands of feet up in the air, I was passing through heaps of white cotton candy spread across the sky. The clouds swished by and a chain of giant mountains pierced boldly through the atmosphere. Glistening in the sunlight was a vast ocean, with its little white [...]
True Knowledge
By Chad Earl Last week I finished the last of my nine written exams to enter Al-Azhar. I had been preparing for these exams for months, but as the time drew near I realized that I hadn’t put as much time into preparing for them as I should have, and felt a serious race against [...]
A-cuss-tomed to Profanity
By Sabeen Mansoori There is a path that I walk on almost every day. It is a curved, narrow strip of concrete between a patch of lush woods and a winding road. In the early morning when it is deserted, it is easy to step on it and get lost in thought. There is the [...]
Guarding Our Tongues
By Mansoor Ahmed “And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.” [Qur’an 17:53] How many times has the following happened to us? We’re driving down the highway and suddenly, a car swerves in front of us and cuts [...]
The Satisfaction of an iPhone
By Deena Majeed You have owned an iPhone 4 since it came out. You accessorized it with different covers, a wall-charger, and even a car-charger. Then in October 2011, the iPhone 4S emerges. Suddenly, you want the new iPhone, you need the new iPhone, you envision the new iPhone in your hands. So you upgrade, [...]
Slippers for Sale
She quietly slipped onto the train, and if our eyes hadn’t met, I wouldn’t have noticed the tears at all. They hung, in her eyes, waiting for any moment to pour forth. I glanced down at her feet and noticed they were bare, her slippers in her hands. In her arms was a baby, wrapped [...]
Righting a Wrong
I sped through the parking lot. I was late for my early morning final and I was willing to compromise speed limits, especially when there were only a handful of cars parked. I neared a parking spot and saw another person getting out of their car. As I parked and started walking, I realized it [...]
The Prophet’s Patience with Guidance
We now live a global village; whether on the internet, in one’s own country, or by traveling, people of all different backgrounds are meeting and interacting in a variety of venues. This is a crucial thing for Muslims as it gives us the opportunity to, and indeed also tests us by, representing Islam and calling [...]
Riya’ Through Action
Lecture by Suhaib Webb | Transcribed by Fuseina Mohamad Surat Al-Fatiha Series: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII | Part IX | Part X | Part XI | Part XII | Part XIII | Part XIV| Part XV | Part XVI | Part XVII | Part XVIII | Part XIX | Part XX | Part XXI | Part XXII The fourth one is ar-riya’ bil ‘amal: riya’ (arrogance) through one’s actions. This means you do certain actions – like [...]
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