Raiiq Ridwan Luqman (alayhi salam) is a character mentioned in the Quran quite briefly. However, it is an interesting conversation because he is giving advice to his son and does so in the best of ways. In Surah Luqman, Allah mentions firstly the qualities that made him worthy of being immortalized in the Quran. They … Read more
Raiiq Ridwan We always need something or other every day. Sometimes we feel the need to be loved. Sometimes we feel the need to be entertained. Sometimes we feel the need to sleep. Even when we want to do “nothing” we’re doing so because we feel the “need” to not want anything (as weird as … Read more
The next time you feel like complaining about the fact that you don’t have the latest smartphone, jeans, or running shoes, think about Najiba. Najiba Abdul Rahman lived in Turkish refugee camps for three years. She cared for two small orphaned grandchildren in a trailer that she shared with her daughter and her daughter’s family. … Read more
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم We recently got a letter from someone— we’ll call her Samina— who was having trouble with a close friendship. Samina felt betrayed by her best friend, and she wanted to know if she was justified in reducing the friendship to a polite distance. An excellent question, and the kind of thing … Read more
Have you ever encountered someone who seemed to have all the material wealth anyone could want but who did nothing but complain? Have you ever seen the joy flood the face of an impoverished child when someone offered her a new toy? If so, you’ve seen firsthand that it’s not material things themselves that bring … Read more
By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. [Surat Al-Asr, Quran 103] Many of us have memorised this short and sweet surat as part of our ‘’getting serious’’ about salah. Inshaa Allah if we … Read more
‘’I can’t go visit that family,’’ said Robert sadly. ‘’They often have bottles of wine sitting around. It’s just too tempting.’’ Robert wasn’t a Muslim; he was a recovering alcoholic for whom even the slightest relapse would send him reeling back into the torment that he had only by the grace of God escaped. His … Read more
‘’I’m so fed up with my old fogey parents!’’ she moaned. ‘’I want to be able to go to the café, wear short skirts, and hang out with both guys and girls! I just want to be free!’’ Shaima was a pretty sixteen-year-old with strict Muslim parents, and their monitoring of her life was wearing … Read more
‘’You won’t believe what I’m reading!’’ she gasped excitedly, flinging the end of her hijab over her shoulder. She pulled the book from her bag hesitantly, as if fearing being caught. ‘’You’re right,’’ I agreed when I saw it. ‘’I really can’t believe you’re reading this.’’ The book was all the rage, topping bestsellers’ lists … Read more