"March 8 has been designated as International Women’s Day. The day has been set aside to celebrate the social, economic and political accomplishments of women. March is a most appropriate month for such a celebration..."
"Commencement of the spiritual season for every believer, starting with Rajab and ending with the month of Ramadan, has begun. The three months of Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan are unmatched in their importance. Ibn Rajab used to say: 'The year is like a tree...'"
"Being married takes work. It is about giving and investing, it is about sharing and developing, it is about growing and understanding, it is about loving and being deeply connected. Marriage takes work because it is not simply a state of being – but a process of becoming. Marriage is about being employed by Allah in the lifelong career of love and mercy..."
“Books are to the mind what windows are to a home!” Imagine living in a home with no windows. How dark, how stale, how dreary!...
The amount of attention parents display in their kid's education is shown in the performance of the students in their exams and their attitude towards their teachers.
Below are a few suggestions on how parents can have their children extract the most out of Weekend School...
"...These are small ways to instill a love for the blessed Prophet ﷺ while showing what a critical role his example plays in every Muslim's life..."
"...The teen years are among the hardest for youth and their parents. They are a time of physical and emotional upheaval. In practical terms, that can mean heated arguments, misunderstanding, and miscommunication as young Muslims struggle to deal with pressures in and outside the home, and negotiate an Islamic identity in both worlds..."
"The Quran teaches us that if any untrustworthy person [faasiq] comes to us with news, to verify and confirm it before sharing with others 'lest you harm people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you have done.' The Arabs say that once a word is spoken it is like an arrow shot from its bow, impossible to take back; what then of news stories that may incorrectly discredit someone or inappropriately cause panic or outrage?"
"In reflecting about Thanksgiving we must ask ourselves, as Muslims, how should we process this and how do we help our children identify with what’s going on in our country at this time? In examining the practices that occur during Thanksgiving, we find..."
By Shaykh Abu ‘l-Hasan ‘Ali al-Nadwi
This is a transcription of a speech delivered in Dewsbury, UK in 1982...
While researching tips to help Muslim parents talk to our children about Halloween, I came across the following segment of a young American Muslimah’s blog that really illustrates a common problem many of us face:
"My objective is to outline some guidance for those who use the internet and smartphones, specifically in relation to messaging, email and using social media applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook. By sharing with readers some essential Islāmic teachings in this regard, inshā'allāh, we will be able to use technology productively, safeguarding ourselves from harmful activities..."
"I know I’m supposed to have a solid daily routine. No matter what I do, it doesn’t work, and I’m stuck in a rut. Maybe I’m not meant to be a morning person. It seems like every single morning is an unbelievable exercise in willpower to try and wake up..."
Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijri calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified...”
Once again more than two million believers were honoured to become the ‘Guests of Allah’ and through Divine Guidance have completed the rituals of Hajj with great love and enthusiasm. How fortunate are these souls who are blessed with the following words from Rasoolullah ﷺ:
Dhu ‘l-Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar. Literally, it means “hajj.” Obviously, this name of the month indicates that the great annual worship of hajj is performed in this month, which gives it special significance. Some specific merits and rules relevant to this month are mentioned below.
Allah the Most High & Exalted says: “By the Dawn; By the ten nights” [Surah Al-Fajr:1-2]
This oath substantiates the greatness and sacredness of these ten nights in the eyes of Allah. This is an extraordinary oath; it is very reliable and significant and the wise men can understand that by this oath, Allah too attaches great importance and value to the ten nights of Dhul Hijjah...
Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islām, and obligatory upon every Muslim male or female who meets its requirements and who has been granted the capability to carry it out by Allāh ta'ālā. If there are no Shar'ī excuses to prevent you from fulfilling the obligation of hajj, you should not delay...
"Marriage is the oldest traditions known to mankind. It is a continuation of that holy communion that took place between our first parents Adam and Hawwa (May Allah ﷻ’s peace be on both of them) in the garden of al-Firdaws. Adam (as) enjoyed the bounties of his Lord in paradise. He knew no needs. However, as time passed by he yearned for human company..."
The advent of the month of Shawwāl brings with it the remembrance of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām and his memorable hajj. All over the world, those who are fortunate make preparations for this great spiritual experience. Hajj is from the five pillars of Islām and is farḍ upon every sane and mature believer who possesses the means to perform hajj...
"Shawwal is the first of the three months named Ashhur al-Hajj (the months of hajj). Although the major acts of hajj are normally performed on the first ten days of Dhu ‘l-Hijjah, yet the whole period starting from the first of Shawwal up to the 10th of Dhu ‘l-Hijjah is held to be the period of hajj because some acts of hajj can be performed any time during this period. For example..."
‘Ā’ishah RA tells us: “The Prophet would exert himself in worship during the last ten nights more than at any other time of the year.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
"It is time to reap the harvest of our training from Rajab and Sha’ban as we begin the blessed month of Ramadan. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) reminds us in the Qur'an that these are limited precious days, with an extraordinary opportunity to reach out and connect to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) tells us of this powerfully...'"
"Many people view Ramadan as a month to prepare the best meals, since not eating all day should be rewarded with exceptional evening meals. However, Ramadan is an annual opportunity to wipe away our sins, change our life styles and get closer to Allah, so when it is over we stay on the right track and continue the good deeds and habits we developed during Ramadan...'"
"Sha’ban is the meritorious month that precedes the much anticipated month of Ramadan. It is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is defined as ‘branches out or emerges’; it emerges between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. In spite of this, it is often overlooked...'"