Many of our loved ones continue to struggle with the mental, emotional, and psychological toll that comes with this pandemic. We read this ayah every Friday, and in it is a remedy for this difficulty. Surrounding ourselves with, and always reaching out to those who will, time and time again, ever so patiently and lovingly, remind us of the larger lesson and the greater goal, is the perfect prescription. They never fail to remind us that calling on Allah and asking of Him alone whenever we may be feeling down is the way to keep moving forward and keep motivated. These are the people that will help us put things in perspective, help us see the positive in all that we are facing, and remin

Be a force today This statement appears in the middle of a verse that speaks of Allah sending his tranquility to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companion, Abu Bakr, who were in a cave taking refuge. (Chapter 9, verse 40) This particular line has always called me to question, 'How am I a force of God?' Allah appoints whomever and whatever He wills to fulfill His commands, whether it be humans, insects, angels, or forces of nature around us. The circumstances that exist in our midst are a function of Divine will and intervention, not a matter of chance or 'coincidence.' Everything we see in nature is appointed by God, and not just a mere accident. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'God has appoint

Let me explain the example of Anti-Vaxxers, Covid-deniers and 'Plandemic' fans in usul al-fiqh terms. It's known in the field as the 'two types of ignorance': simple ignorance, and compound ignorance. Simple ignorance is basically not being aware of the facts, but you *know* that you're not aware. So you say 'I don't know'. You understand your limits, you realise that you don't have the answer and so you stay silent, or you keep your opinion to yourself. Complex ignorance however is the absolute disaster that you are all witnessing on your Whatsapp and social media from all your Anti-Vaxxer friends. This is where a person doesn't know the facts, but they think they *do*. So they wal

So many of you have told me Ramadan in quarantine was painful. You weren’t able to be with your family. You struggled with crippling, isolated depression. You couldn’t hold a community janaza or even bury your loved ones when someone you held dear more than the world itself passed away. Being indoors with small children at all hours stripped away your emotional ability to focus on anything extra. Working from home while fasting in the covid reality caused you to miss deadlines. You have told me you feel guilty because you look forward to Ramadan ending. I want you to remember that the Battle of Badr took place in Ramadan. Allah could have chosen to keep Ramadan as a month where

So every Ramadan, and even more so with

, I am overwhelmed by the abundance of Ramadan programs, seminars, series, 'gems', fundraisers, reflections, diet programs, exercise programs, dhikr programs, charity programs, advice, and calls to do good. Im really just tired of it. This ayah, for me, cuts through the noise. It's simple : 'Good wipes out the bad' No analysis, no deep tafsir or 10-part course on how to get closer to Allah - no notes to take, not even much thinking required. Allah here gently reminds us, that 'Good deeds wipe out the bad ones' - a simple cure for those who have piled up sins. A tangible hope for those who are drowning, like I am, in this

and

From More to Enough Abu Maisarah narrated from 'Aishah that they had slaughtered a sheep, so the Prophet (s.a.w) said: 'What remains of it?' She said: 'Nothing remains of it except its shoulder.' He said: 'All of it remains except its shoulder.' The sheep that is mentioned above is slaughtered and distributed to those most in need- the poor, the widow, the orphan, the wayfarer. In a few words, our beloved Prophet (sas) teaches us that this is ultimately what will last with us; what we give away will be what we hold onto when we meet our Lord (swt). This time of quarantine has forced a huge perspective shift. Where we would wake up every morning thinking of what we desire, the more w