My father happily walks into my room handing me a mug of tea, hoping it would make me smile. As I take a whiff, I smell the aroma that teases me from a distance on my desk. Just like the smell of pie teases passerby’s from the kitchen windowsill in Saturday morning cartoons. The aroma…
The grave news from Pakistan emerged last week with the devastating flooding. The death toll has now reached over 1,500. There are shortages of food, water, clothing, shelter, and supplies and, yet, the water continues to rise in the region. In Punjab, 15,000 homes have already been destroyed, leaving what is to be called “a…
Taking a short walk outside this hot, sunny day in Riverside, California exposed to me to one of Allah’s miracles. In my backyard, perched in the tiny space of one of the lamppost’s corners was a tiny nest. Resting on that nest was a mother hummingbird, gracefully feeding her young. As I approached it out…
What is the purpose of life on earth according to the Qur’an? Why did God create us? “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Qur’an, 51:56] What is the significance of this verse? In this verse, our Creator is telling us the purpose behind our creation. We were created…
Recall the story of Abraham and him asking Allah, how do you make the dead alive? And Allah told him to slaughter 4 birds and put them on the mountains. And then, Allah brought them alive… Many of us have heard this story. I offer a different take on this story, which by no means…
In the Qur’an (94:5-6), Allah says: “Surely, with every difficulty there is relief. Surely, with every difficulty there is relief.” The Qur’an contains many beneficial reminders that we can use in our everyday lives. This particular ayah (verse) has benefited me in many ways. Because Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) repeats Himself, this is a powerful…
I came to recall an important truth that all of us are already aware of, at least subconsciously, but most of us fail to incorporate into our daily life. I was re-reading Surah Al-Asr with careful attention to the translation, which is as follows: “By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and…
Da’wah, which in Arabic means an invitation to Islam, is one of those words that many members of the Muslim community turn a blind eye towards. Many people acknowledge its importance but at the same time fear it because they wrongly presume it takes lots of knowledge. The reality is far from the fact. Anyone…
“Love for the sake of Allah” Although we’ve heard the phrase many times have we ever stopped to think what it truly means? Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Rising, ‘Where are those who loved one…
Analysis of Piety (from ahmad fareed Hafidhullaah) From the morals and manners of the righteous was that they would strictly analyze their taqwa (piety) never claiming to be a possessor of such. Allah the Most High has said, “Therefore do not declare yourselves as being purified. He knows best who has taqwa.” [53:32] The Messenger…