Sincere advice ( naṣīḥah ) is a foundational principle in religion — if not the very essence of it — based on Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) saying: “The religion is sincere advice (al-dīn al-naṣīḥah). The Companions said: “To whom, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims, and to their general public.” When Prophet Hūd (peace be upon him), addressed his people, he said: “And I am to you a trustworthy advi

When Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was challenged about his Lord, the irrefutable proof he offered of the Benevolent and Merciful Creator’s existence was His guidance. Ibrahim (pbuh) declared: “Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while He has guided me?” (6:80). This statement highlights the profound reality that guidance itself serves as undeniable evidence of Allah’s existence. Without it, a person remains lost - misguided in perception, blinded to the truth, constrained

As we are welcoming the new Hijri year, the year 1447, it is in the spirit of our faith to remember the days of Allah (swt) with facts that help the believer gain more strength on the journey to Allah (swt). Nowadays, the new Hijri year is mostly remembered around the Muslim world with certain traditions not truly related to the faith, such as the preparation of special dishes! Alas, the Hijra is only now remembered as a tradition, not as a Spirit and a Gift! We all tend to f

For optimal management of the Nafs, consider it as a separate entity from the being; this will help to better manage it and better understand its behavior. Such a way helps contain the actions of the Nafs within the concordance of the true purpose of life. In fact, if the Nafs is not governed in an upright way, it will then take the lead, commanding the mind and imprisoning the heart.  Knowing the reality of the Nafs is quite complex, however, the Nafs can be described as a f

“Allah is the One Who has subjected the sea for you so that ships may sail upon it by His command, and that you may seek His bounty, and that perhaps you will be grateful. He ˹also˺ subjected for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth—all by His grace. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.” (45:12-13). Pondering on Allah’s creation is a necessary act of worship for the believers to safeguard their mindfulness and awareness of the journey of lif

Just take a pause to think about the very essence of life and existence, the present and future, the pre-eternity and eternity, your position in this mega cosmos and your destiny unto the eternity … The first words a believer would utter after a deep dive into his/her thoughts on this matter would be: “AlHamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) the One Who has guided me to know that He (swt) is my Lord, the Originator and Creator of the universe, the Owner of death, life and resurrec

“By the dawn; By the ten nights (of the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah). And by the even and the odd (of all the creations of...

Most people follow the same trend in seeking happiness. It is all about achieving something in this life, which is believed to confer that ever-sought after great feeling of fulfillment. But, in reality, happiness is unattainable. Like a mirage, the closer one gets to it, the farther it seems. It is not pessimism that drives this thought, but it is the reality of human nature. At every achievement, the self longs for more, compelling itself to embark on the next journey searc

“O Humankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, for the ˹violent˺ quaking at the Hour is surely a dreadful thing. The Day you see it, every nursing mother will abandon what she is nursing, and every pregnant woman will deliver her burden ˹prematurely.˺ And you will see people ˹as if they were˺ drunk, though they will not be drunk; but the torment of Allah is ˹terribly˺ severe” (22:1-2). On this day, nothing can bring reassurance to the hearts of the believers, except the call of the Mo

It is well known that the highest level of worship is Ihsan (excellence in worship) — a state of the utmost mindfulness and adoring/ being in awe of The Creator, defined as worshipping Allah as if seeing Him (swt). This form of worship allows the servant to attain the loftiest levels of servitude possible and, through it, to experience the most profound sense of Divine closeness and the love of Allah (swt). There is no one who does not aspire to reach the station of Ihsan, gi

“O, Believers! Believe in Allah, His Messenger, the Book He has revealed to His Messenger, and the Scriptures He revealed before” (4:136). This call to have faith after one has already believed is essentially a call to correct, solidify, and deepen one’s faith. It is a call setting one on a continual self-examination of Iman, to preserve and firmly anchor its roots in one’s heart, so that Iman does not become vulnerable to being overtaken by impure elements, leading to the co

Confining one’s vision of existence to a worldly life and a dying world, ends with a person deliberately accepting the submission to a materialistic life in which the ultimate worry is tomorrow. In this tomorrow, one wishes to receive the good news of the long-awaited achievements and the fulfillment of dreams. Driven by hope, he/she continues to wish to attain that tomorrow. But then, death comes prior to one having lived that tomorrow. Narrated Anas bin Malik, the Prophet M

In times of distress; being touched by a storm of trials, the earth despite its spaciousness seems constrained and the self feels suffocated. There is no need to flee anywhere; it will not help to get away. Indeed the pains are in the chest, and wherever one goes they will still be there... What then, is the way to a near relief?   Know first, that relief is neither gained by getting back what one has lost, nor getting what s/he desires. Nor also, by the happening of a specif

One’s conviction regarding existence is the cornerstone of one’s true religion. In fact, conviction constitutes a sort of a foundation to one’s beliefs. For example, an adherent to a materialism-driven conviction would seek success, happiness and wellness through a materialistic perspective, and certainly not through a spiritual one. As conviction controls one’s perception, all that the heart sees is purely materialistic! There are others also who adhere to this view, not out

It is innate within human character to care about things the heart holds dear. In fact, the dearer the thing is to one’s heart, the more...

The servant’s faith and awareness of the essence of the truth revealed in the Quran serve as a source of steadfastness on the path of...

Undoubtedly, Allah is The Most Merciful, The Compassionate, The Oft Forgiving and Pardoning of all sins. “Say, 'O My servants who have...

Allah (swt) forbade the believers from weakness, which strips from the heart determination and focus on one's purpose; it throws one on...

There is nothing better for a servant in the matters of his/her life to ensure balance and blessings but to surrender completely to...

Believers in this society are between two paths. One path has been embraced unconsciously – being part of the reality of the world in...