When every argument failed and truth stood clear, they had nothing left but fire. They gathered the largest flame they could build, threw Ibrahim (AS) into it, and thought they had won. But the One who created fire simply commanded it: "Be cool and safe for Ibrahim," and it obeyed.

“Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.” (حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ), the words Ibrahim said as he was thrown [Sahih al-Bukhari 4563], are the words of a heart that has no fear because it knows exactly who is in control.

May Allah make us people who trust Him so completely that no fire in our lives, no matter how large, can shake us. Ameen

One of our reflection prompts this week (Week One of Qur'an in a Year) is 'How do we believe in Allah SWT without seeing Him?'

As a recent revert (March 2022) who was coming from a position of near-atheism, I worried greatly for a while about how it would ever be possible to truly believe in God. But little by slow, Allah SWT, the Gentle and All-Aware, has manifested His presence and care in my life, time and time again.

There are so many examples. I'll write here about two of them. God wiling:

Help during Hajj ****** I made Hajj last year, Alhamdulil

JUZ 17 A GLOBAL MEETING OF THE UMMAH SubhanALLAH! These verses resonate with the horrifying events in Gaza right now. Muslims leaders need to read and understand the calling of this Surah. Muslim leaders need to implement the calling of these verses. Hajj season is more than just a season of worship. It represents a global meeting of Muslims. Our leaders should take this divinely-crafted opportunity to meet, plan and strategise. To be in a pure state; to be in The Haram; in blessed days. No better time and place to conceive a blueprint for the safety and security of the Ummah. May Allah save protect our brothers around the world especially in Gaza and Biladi Ash Sham  May A

The Best Companion: Befriending the One Who Never Fails You

When choosing a friend, a companion, or a partner, there are two qualities that matter above all: being appreciative and knowledgeable. If you find these in someone, there is no need to search further. But how do you recognize such a person?

Observe how they treat their friends. Do they constantly complain about them, or do they conceal their flaws in their absence and correct them in private? A knowledgeable companion will always enrich your understanding, not drain it.

Reflecting on this, I have found the most perfect companion—one who surpasses any friend, partner, or confidant. That companion is my Lord, the One I worship.

A

Az-Zubayr narrates: The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: 'Allah privileged Quraysh with seven things. He privileged them in that they worshipped Allah for ten years when no one else was worshipping Him. He privileged them in that He granted them victory on the day of the Elephant while they were pagans. He privileged them in that a surah from the Qur’an came down about them, not mentioning anyone else therein: ˹At least˺ for ˹the favour of˺ making Quraysh habitually secure [106:1] 'He also privileged them by placing prophethood among them, as well as the succession, the warship [of the Kaaba], and the office of giving [Zamzam] water.' [Sound: Narrated by at-Tabarâni in al-Awsat (9169)]

Anas b. Mâlik narrates: We were prohibited from asking the Messenger of Allah anything, and it used to please us whenever an intelligent man from the desert-dwellers would come; he would ask and we would listen. So a man from the desert-dwellers came and said: 'O Muhammad! Your messenger came to us and declared to us that you claim that Allah has sent you.' He responded: 'He spoke the truth.' [The man] said: 'So who created the sky?' [The Prophet (saws)] responded: 'Allah.' He asked: 'who created the earth?' He responded: 'Allah.' He asked: 'So who erected these mountains, and made therein whatever it was that they made?' He replied: 'Allah.' He said: 'So then by the one who created the sky

Mu‘âdh b. Jabal narrates: I was travelling with the Prophet (saws), and I ended up close to him while we were travelling one day. I said to him: 'O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action that would allow me to enter Paradise, and would distance me from the Hellfire.' He said: 'Certainly, you have asked me about a great matter, but it is indeed easy for whomever Allah makes it easy for: worship Allah while not associating anything with Him; establish the prayers; give the Zakâh; fast Ramadan; and make the Hajj pilgrimage to the House.' Then he said: 'Shall I not direct you to the gateways of good? Fasting is a shield, and charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire, and a man’

Ibn ‘Abbâs narrates that the Prophet (saws) said: 'There is no action done during any ten days better than the action done in these.' They said: 'Not even jihad?' He said: 'Not even jihad, except for a man who goes out, risking his life and wealth, and returning with nothing.' [Authentic: Narrated by al-Bukhâri (969)]

Ibn ‘Abbâs narrates: The first time women used girdles, it was from the practice of Ishmael’s mother, who used a girdle to hide her tracks from Sarah. Abraham then took her and her son Ishmael, as she was nursing him, to leave them near the [Sacred] House, near a wide tree above Zamzam at the highest part of the mosque. There was no one in Makkah at the time, nor was there any water. He left them there, and left with them a sack of dates and a vessel filled with water. Abraham then immediately took off. Ishmael’s mother followed him and said: 'O Abraham, where are you going?! Will you leave us in this valley that is void of any people or things?!' She repeated that to him over and over, an