Category Archives: Islam
Welcome Greeting for Ramadan
This is a traditional greeting to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan. The origin of this greeting is unclear. But what is crystal clear is the command of the Prophet of Allah (upon him be blessings and peace) to honour and serve guests to the best of our ability and means. The blessed month of [...]
Khutba to Welcome Ramadan – 2
On the last day of Sha’ban, the day before the advent of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (upon him be blessings and peace) delivered this soul-enriching and heart-inspiring sermon [khutba] to his beloved companions (may Allah be pleased with them): “O people! There comes over you now a great month, a blessed month in which [...]
Khutba to Welcome Ramadan – 1
This khutba was delivered by the Messenger of Allah (upon him be blessings and peace) to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan: “O people! The month of Ramadan has approached you with His mercy and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months in the estimation of Allah. Its days are the [...]
The Inner Fiqh of Fasting
The proof of Islam [hujjatu-l islam] Al-Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazzali (may Allah be well pleased with him) has elucidated succinctly in his magnum opus, “ihyâ ‘ulûmu-d dîn” (Revival of the Islamic Sciences), the inner dimensions of fasting. The late “Sultan of translators” Sidi Mukhtar Holland (may Allah have mercy on him) translated the Imam’s sublime words in [...]
The Outer Fiqh of Fasting
As the fast of Ramadan is a once-a-year religious obligation, it is highly recommended to refresh our memories with the outward rulings pertaining to this sacred act. In this regard, we present here the summary of the Fiqh or “jurisprudence” of Fasting according to the Hanafi and Shafi’i madhahib or “schools of jurisprudence”. Hanafi The Fiqh [...]
Al-Ayyâm Al-Bîd – The White Days
The White Days [al-ayyâm al-bîd] or “the white ones” [al-bîd] is an abbreviated way of referring to “the days of the white nights” [ayyâm al-layâli-l bîd], which correspond to the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth of every lunar month. This term came into being as the said nights are brightly illuminated by the moon, which is [...]
Resources: Hanbali School
These are some of the recommended books and eLearning resources for the Hanbali Madhab: Books The Mainstay Concerning Jurisprudence [Al-Umda fi-l Fiqh] Product Page By: Imam Muwaffaqu-d Din ‘Abdu-Llah b. Ahmad b. Qudama . Translation: Mukhtar Holland This is a foundational text on the fiqh of the Hanbali madhab by the erudite Shaikhu-l Islam Ibn Qudama Al-Maqdisi. His [...]
Resources: Maliki School
These are some of the recommended books and eLearning resources for the Maliki Madhab: Books Matn al-Akhdari Unpublished. Read Online By: Sidi Abdu-r Rahman al-Akhdari. Translation: Shaykha Aisha Bewley A primer on the absolute basics of the Maliki Madhab viz. testification, purification, and prayer. The Helping Guide – Al-Murshid Al-Mu’in Product Page By: Sidi ‘Abdul Wahid b ‘Ashir. [...]
Hajj – Pilgrimage
Performing Hajj and ‘Umrah once in a lifetime is obligatory upon the Muslim who is free, accountable, and can afford to reach Makkah and return back to his home. This includes that one has in excess of his debts, appropriate lodging and clothing, and what he is obligated to spend on those whom he must [...]
Sawm – Fast
As we go through life, it is easy to become pre-occupied with satisfying our material needs. Some religions institute retreats for a few chosen people who dedicate themselves fully to religious service and renounce the worldly struggle for survival. Islam takes a more moderate approach where once a year everybody takes a “retreat” together. By [...]
