Tagheyyur.

This is a companion piece to the previous blog I wrote, called: British Muslims & their Strategies for Living in the UK (which can be read here ). Here, I will discuss a few of the principles which ought to animate our engagement with wider society and our fellow citizens; and how, in the time honoured tradition of Abrahamic monotheism, we are called upon to hold a mirror up to society and help steer it away from self-harm. One Qur’anic verse is particularly telling on this point, for it says: Thus have We made you a middle nation, that you may be witnesses over mankind and that the Messenger may be a witness over you. [2:143] Thus this ‘community of the middle way’, distant from all types of extremism; this ‘best part of everything,’ 1 has been tasked with the burden of being witnesses over mankind: witnesses to the truth of God’s Prophets and to the monotheistic message they each came with, and witnesses to the truth that a life lived in hedonistic pursuits w...

The current state of our planet is one wherein there is huge imbalance and pollution; where the equilibrium of our Earth has been greatly corrupted. Armed conflicts and wars are increasing across the globe; the economies of an ever-increasing number of countries are in meltdown as global capitalism spirals out of control; and we continue to inch ever closer to environmental destruction, to a point where it could be beyond repair. Modern man, instead of being a caretaker of the earth, has become its most deadly predator: damaging the planet, devouring its natural resources and destroying his fellow man! The Qur’an says: Corruption has appeared on land and on sea for what men’s hands have earned, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, so that they may repent. [30:41] Corruption (fasad, in Arabic) is defined as: khuruj al-shay’ ‘ani’l-i‘tidal – “A thing leaving a balanced state.”1 In other words, corruption is when something has become ruined, contaminate...

"Go to Pharaoh and say, 'We are the messengers of the Lord of the worlds, [Commanded to say], "Send with us the Children of Israel."'" [Pharaoh] said, "Did we not raise you among us as a child, and you remained among us for years of your life? And [then] you did your deed which you did, and you were of the ungrateful." Quran (Ash-Shuara [26:16-19]) Sheikh Abdul Nasir Jangda explains the ayah (in bold), that when a person, who had had a bad past, for example; he/she was sinful, disobedient or non-believer at a certain time period in their past, comes to you with something good, or calls you towards Allah; make dawah, then don't scoff him/her away. Or look down upon them or remind them of what they have been because at that time we'll act exactly like Pharaoh did when Hazrat Musa (Moses) aleyhs salam went to him and called to him to Allah, and then later asked him to free Children of Israel and let them go with him. Pharaoh laughed at ...

The death of Shahzeb Khan has really affected me. It makes me think about so many things among which is, uncertainty of death itself. There's a general believe that people die when they are old. And it is true to an extent. The young/children die in special cases like wars, epidemic, or brutal injustice. Shahzeb's death has left me thinking how much time do I have. It's true that nobody knows when one will die but still. When one dies, all doors are closed on that person. The time for action is up. What I shall have would be the product of those action. What are we doing with our life? Where are we spending our precious time which is silently creeping away. What we shall reap in hereafter? These questions haunt me most of the time. And I earnestly pray for Shahzeb that whichever way he spent his life, may Allah have rehmah on him. May Allah shower his blessings on him and give him place in His glorious gardens. And this prayer is for all who are living or dead. May Allah...

by  Brother Ali Ruqaya It was related by Anas bin Malik that the Prophet   (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)  said:  “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.”  [ Sunan Ibn Mâjah ] However, as with all things in our Deen, there are proper ways of going about doing things. We have a certain way of taking wudhu, making salaah, tasbeeh, zikr, fasting and hajj. Here we give you 7 etiquettes for knowledge seekers in sha Allah: 1. Have a sincere intention An example is: I am studying to help the ummah with this beneficial knowledge, to enlighten my intellectual growth...

(Guest post by Nimra Khursheed) ‘‘Who is going to come for the summary of what has been delivered uptil now?’’  The teacher demanded for a direct impromptu presentation.  Now? At hand presentation? Amidst a crowd of 60 people?! ‘‘And would like to gain a positive marking?’’  The teacher added eyeing the students.  Silence loomed from every corner of class. Fidgeting in their seats as to whom the teacher would now ask to present ; the students found the offer devouring , but they all had a common excuse: WE ARE NOT PREPARED!                                                                                                                           ...

Do you think that our conception of God influences how we see our role in the universe?  How, or how not? This was the question asked in our recent lesson. This lesson gave us a chance to explore the possibilities of a human in the light of Iqbal's third lecture in  Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam .  There are five elements in the Islamic conception of God, i.e. God is (a) the Infinite Ego; (b) Creative; (c) Knowing; (d) Powerful; and (e) Eternal What I understood from this lecture (and Mr. Khurram's discussion)  is that  the human  reflects in his actions and deeds whom he worships.  The character and color of the one who is worshiped are  automatically transferred into the worshiper. If someone worships  a mere statue then  ultimately they retain the habits of [the material] of their god. This is the case if someone worships money, and could be why the hypocrites are detested so much be...

"There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord [during Hajj]. But when you depart from 'Arafat, remember Allah at al- Mash'ar al-Haram. And remember Him, as He has guided you , for indeed, you were before that among those astray." Al-Quran (Surah Baqarah:198) "Then depart from the place from where [all] the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." Al-Quran (Surah Baqarah:199)   "And when you have completed your  rites, remember Allah like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance. And among the people is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share."  Al-Quran (Surah Baqarah:200)

"Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding." Al-Quran (Surah Baqarah:197)

When religious thought was on the verge of destruction God sent Iqbal to carry out its reconstruction For five centuries, it had been stagnant Rose of intellect was no more fragrant Thinkers wonder, “Does God exist”? Iqbal asked, “Does man exist”? What is the true comprehension of reality? All discourses fail on departure from spirituality Is their a possibility of religion? Higher levels of consciousness are the beacon Why do we need religion? It soars above philosophy’s region It unveils Science’s inadequacy With reality, it seeks intimacy What is time and space? Thought’s mortal imprint on the Ultimate Ego’s face God isn't a current flowing through every particle Each infinitesimal itself is His disclosure Universe is a mere concept God is the actual percept God is to nature what man is to personality At stake is a cosmic struggle for immortality Heaven and hell aren’t locations but states Wholly undetermined is the realm of...

I am tired of people abusing openly at social network sites. and they don't even pause for a lady. they have apparently brought down all walls. The civility which was attached to 'educated' is nowhere to be seen. The degrees and job descriptions written after your name on these sites are of no importance if one checks out your tweets and the things you say-even to ladies. This is audacious. I was plainly shocked when I read that tweet. My eyes physically hurt when I read something like this. And it was ReTweeted-meaning forwarded to others. Lord. What an age. I was thinking about un-following all the people who used hate as their weapon but than I realized I will be following very few. If this is freedom of expression than God forbid we are better without it.  Though I am enraged and want to say more but ending it on few quotations IF 'they' would just try to listen . "And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the t...

And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me." [89:15] But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me." [89:16] No! But you do not honor the orphan [89:17] And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor [89:18] And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether, [89:19] And you love wealth with immense love. [89:20]

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah - Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them , [2:1-2] and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward. [57:7] Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He will multiply it for him and he will have a noble reward? [57:11] "Do not withold your money or else Allah will withold His blessings from you. Spend in (Allah's cause) as much as you can." [Sahih Bukhari] *In Allah's cause. :)