When ideas modify the mapping of thoughts, a new realm of perception develops through which all the aspects of life are evaluated. They create a sort of “truth” to which everything should abide. The ideologies which have prevailed in the late centuries are evidence of such a fact. Take the examples of communism, capitalism, nihilism, anarchism, etc. Anyone adhering to any of these ideologies, you would see him/her defending it, advocating for it, and often naming the opposers

On the believer’s journey of life, it is an obligation to work wholeheartedly on attaining the level of Ihsan. Ihsan is perfection and excellence in action – attaining the status of good-doer the way depicted in the Quran. It is also having focus and devotion in the servitude of Allah – worshipping Allah as one sees Him, as defined by the Prophet (pbuh). One should note that reaching the level of Ihsan is not gained by one’s effort, rather it is a favor from Allah (swt) besto

It is in the morals of the believer to strive with every breath to hold firm to the path leading to the pleasure of Allah. This striving is actually the action which we call Taqwa. Toward the end of Surat Al-Kahf, which is recommended to be recited every Friday, it reads: "Say: ‘Shall We tell you the greatest of losers in respect to (their) deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds!’" (18:103-104).

Within the account mentioned in the following noble verse lies profound lessons for those who reflect – “Have you not seen those who left their homes in the thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them: ‘Die!’ Then, He gave them life. Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to the people, but most people do not give thanks” (2:243). Indeed, cowardice and fear neither avert harm nor prevent death, nor do they bring any benefit whatsoever. As Allah says: “Say, 'Never will fleeing benef

No one truly benefits from the Quran’s warning except the one who is spiritually alive, “This ˹Book˺ is only a Reminder and a clear Quran, to warn whomever is alive and justify the word [i.e., decree] against the disbelievers” (36:69-70). In the sight of Allah, the “living” person is the one who takes heed of the Quran’s admonitions, interacts with it, finds tranquility in it, submits to it, follows its guidance, and allows themselves to be led by it — such a person is alive.

“And ˹remember˺ when you said, 'O Moses! We cannot endure the same meal ˹every day˺. So ˹just˺ call upon your Lord on our behalf, He will bring forth for us some of what the earth produces of herbs, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions.' Moses scolded ˹them˺, 'Would you exchange what is better for what is worse?'” (2:61). This verse contains a clear indication of the doctrinal transgression committed by the people of Moses (peace be upon him). It marks a decisive boundary b

A sincere and deep look into one’s inner self reveals that doubt regarding the existence of God is, in reality, impossible. A person’s very being is a clear and manifest proof of His existence. Those who torment themselves with existential questions, striving to deny the existence of a Higher Being, are merely caught in deceptions born of a heedless soul — veils that divert them from the truth and from their innate natural disposition (fiṭrah). The simple, yet profound, answe

A deep reflection is needed to grasp the wisdom in Allah’s saying, exalted is He: “As for the sky, He raised it high and set the balance” (55:7). The key to this reflection lies in the pairing of the raised sky with the establishment of the balance. The word “sky” (as-samāʾ) is used in both its literal and figurative senses. Literally, it is among the signs of the Creator’s perfect design and the realm of the angels. Figuratively, it refers to the origin of divine rulings and

The plea of the man who concealed his faith from the people of Pharaoh was: “And O my people, indeed I fear for you the Day of Calling, the Day you will turn your backs fleeing; there is not for you from Allah any protector. And whoever Allah sends astray — there is not for him any guide.” (40:33). It is the plea of one who fears with compassionate fear — he knew, he was certain, and thus he feared and felt mercy for them. Similar to him is the man in Surat Ya Sin who came fr

The deed by which a servant is honored on the Day of Resurrection, and through which one is granted success by the permission of Allah (swt), is to come to Allah having established Tawheed (the oneness of Allah) in the heart and having acted according to it throughout one’s life. Establishing Tawheed in the soul is embodied in one comprehensive act: truthfulness, as Allah says: “This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness” (5:119). Here, two words a

In Surat Al-Araf, Allah, Exalted is He, addressed His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), saying: “And recite to them the news of him to whom We gave [knowledge of] Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of the deviators” (7:175). Recite to them this profound account — a story rich with lessons and layered meanings. It tells of one who committed a grave transgression: he was entrusted with the signs of Allah, yet he cast them

When Allah (swt) called upon Moses and spoke to him, He entrusted him with a mission, saying: “Go to Pharaoh; indeed, he has transgressed” (20:43; 79:17). In response, Moses (peace be upon him), supplicated his Lord, asking Him to expand his breast, make his task easy, and support him through his brother Harun, (peace be upon him). He then explained the purpose of his supplication, saying: “So that we may glorify You much and remember You much. Indeed, You are ever seeing us”

The very first quality by which Allah (swt) describes the muttaqīn (the God-conscious) is belief in the unseen: “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the God-conscious — those who believe in the unseen” (2:2-3). The muttaqī is one who conducts every aspect and every moment of life according to the principles of servitude to Allah, as He says: “They are those who have faith and are mindful of Him” (10:63). Thus, the foundation of life lived under the

To the wrongdoers who spread corruption in the land, oppress others, and act unjustly, Allah — Exalted be He — addresses them with the following warning: “And warn mankind of the Day when a severe punishment will overtake them. Then the wrongdoers will say, ‘Our Lord, grant us respite for a short while, and we will respond to Your call and follow the messengers.’ (But they will be told): ‘Did you not swear before that you would never face decline?’” (14:44). It is these very

“We have sent down the Quran in truth, and with the truth it has come down” (17:105). Being sent down in truth means that it contains ultimate reality and encompasses guidance that leads to the straight path. Being sent down with the truth means that Allah (swt) revealed it as a mercy to His servants, guiding them, enlightening their hearts, showing them the straight path, and warning them of the Day of Judgment. Those who are endowed with knowledge, when they learn of it, fa

Every soul will surely taste death – it is an inevitable and unavoidable reality. When a servant dies, the record of deeds is closed, yet the impact of the deeds left behind continues – enriching the record and bringing comfort to his/her soul. In a Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The intelligent one is he who holds himself accountable and acts for what comes after death, while the incapable one is he who follows his desires and merely places vain

In a Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever says, ‘I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion, and with Muhammad as my Prophet,’ Paradise will become obligatory for them.” Guidance to this state of pleasure can only be attained by following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who reached the highest degree of Allah’s pleasure and honor – for Allah (swt) forgave his past and future sins. The Prophet (peace and blessin

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” (21:107). In the blessed month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, the gifted Mercy to creation – Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) – was born. He himself said (peace and blessings be upon him): “O people, I am but a gifted mercy.” On the anniversary of his birth, one should reflect on his noble qualities and exalted status, for remembering them inspires one to emulate him. Yet, this remembrance must re

True believers are those whose Iman (faith) compels them to act and drives them to hasten toward good deeds. There is a difference between Iman as a mere foundation and Iman in practice — the kind of Iman that transforms the heart and becomes a constant force of motivation in a person’s life. Iman manifests itself through the inner conscience it plants within the believer’s soul. This inner restraint becomes a powerful drive that awakens concern, attentiveness, eagerness to d

“No disaster strikes, except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah – He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things” (64:11). No calamity befalls anyone in this worldly life except by the permission of Allah — that is, by His will and His enabling. It is as though the calamity itself is directed toward the servant, entirely dependent on the will and permission of the Almighty. When a calamity descends upon believers, they are granted a special gif