R Gauhar

We live in a world where infliction is on the rise. We harm ourselves with our own actions and subconsciously harm those around us too. Psychologists are unveiling several personality disorders and toxic dynamics which many past generations endured and suffered from—both within themselves and at the hands of their loved ones. Our elders believed in the preservation of the family, which simply meant keeping everyone alive, fed, and culturally intact. The public image had to remain strong, no matter what. If something seemed off behind closed doors, there was no room for questioning, especially if an elder’s mental struggles were evident. Instead, there was an expectation of absolute silence a

'Then look again and again—your sight will return frustrated and weary.' What came to my mind was a vivid sight of a narcissistic, who challenges everything around himself, versus his ego, to the point of disbelief. It always starts small, but when not nipped in the bud, the concept of always being right no matter what, and the feeling of pride, ie; 'I'm the best', solidifies in their character. This gradually builds up, leaving no thought for reflection, humility, empathy and sincerity. When a man reaches such extremity, then he gets blinded of appreciation and gratitude. Its where he rejects everything beyond his frame of reference. He has put himself on such a high pedestal, Allah

فَإِنَّهُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ لِّىٓ إِلَّا رَبَّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٧٧ They are ˹all˺ enemies to me, except the Lord of all worlds. ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَنِى فَهُوَ يَهْدِينِ ٧٨ ˹He is˺ the One Who created me, and He ˹alone˺ guides me. How comforting these verses are to the soul. Truly you have no one but Allah, who resonates with you on another level- a level so scincere, sacred and secure. Humankind wont ever be able to provide such solace, that you find, after pouring your heart out to the Supreme. Every prophet was turned away by their respective nations. Yet the prophets turned to Allah to overcome despair and grief. Surah Ad-Duha was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saw) at a time when he had not r

Chapter 18 : The Cave, Verse: 10 ˹Remember˺ when those youths took refuge in the cave, and said, 'Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our ordeal.' (10) Wherever you are, Allah is aware of your situation and condition. Take these youths for instance, the landscape had changed, the generations moved on, the currency had altered, all while they'd slept in the cave, for 300 years! There was a stark advancement in the era, everything changed, BUT Allah was always there taking special care of them, turning them from side to side, so their bodies would keep functioning. Moreover, Allah made sure they were getting adequate sunlight too. 'And you would have see

Hajj Mubarak! These ten days are the most sacred days of the whole year. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most virtuous days of the year, in which Allah (swt) has blessed his Ummah with opportunities to multiply their rewards through His infinite mercy. These days are so sacred that Allah swears an oath by them:‘By the dawn; by the ten nights’ [The Noble Qur’an, 89:1-2]. And Allah also reminds us: ‘Remember Allah during the appointed days’. [The Noble Qur’an, 2:203] Therefore, we should increase our acts of worship during this sacred time. The Prophet (saw) said, ‘There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than in these (ten) days’. [Abu Dawud] Allah has de

What are the qualities that a man and woman bring, respectively, to their healthy household? This is a hugely overlooked topic in many families, where ego stifles each others' rights. The mere fashion in which we speak brings out the true character of the person. Allah says; وَقُولُوا۟ لَهُمْ قَوْلًۭا مَّعْرُوفًۭا 'and speak to them kindly.'

Just look at how beautifully our prophet (pbuh) would converse.

Ubadah ibn al-Samit reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'Speak what is good and acquire gains, or refrain from speaking evil and be safe.' Source: Musnad al-Shihab al-Quḍāʻī 666

Anas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'I a

Allah says in verse number 185 in Surah Al Baqarah; 'Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity, with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramadan˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.' And who hasn't felt that Ramadan comes every year as a rehabilitation for our spiritual, emotional and physical health? It comes to lift you up when you are at the brink of drowning

Allah says; 'O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.' And how better way to commence our beautiful Eid festival with this verse as a reminder. The Sunnan of Eid are based upon the above verse; On the day of `Eid, there are some Sunnah acts that we should do, among which are the following: 1. Engage in takbir (saying 'Allahu akbar') from fajr until the imam comes out for salah. Takbir is recommended for males, females, young and old. 2. It is also important to make sure that zakat Al-Fitr is given out before the salah. Ideally, it should be given in advance so that the poor can enjoy their `Eid. 3.

In Surah Al Mulk, verse 19 , Allah says; 'Have they not seen the birds above them, spreading and folding their wings? None holds them up except the Most Compassionate. Indeed, He is All-Seeing of everything.' SubhanAllah. Indeed Allah's creation are signs for mankind to take in awe and reverance. Right from the tiniest seed that germinates beneath the soil to the vast blue sky (which also reminds me of a verse in Surah Ar Rahman; 'As for the sky, He raised it ˹high˺, and set the balance ˹of justice˺') it's just beyond perfect. We should never overlook the fact that what flies overhead doesn't come crashing down, or there would be chaos, Nauzubillah (نَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ). Moreover, Man took ins

Allah says: 'Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood.' We all can tell night from day, right? The problem lies in the human's mindset. Some deny what they see, while others act upon it accordingly. That's where the role of preachers come in. However no preacher - be it a scholar, teacher, parent etc - can impose an idea on anyone. As the saying goes; WE PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH. When we see someone also doing what they are telling others to do, then it comes upon us naturally. Influence. Influence, is an invisible yet, powerful force. Many don't even realize the process in which they cultivated a new practice. And not all influence is positive

Allah says: 'And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.' It gives us a sense of anticipation, to reap up galores of blessings, reward and acceptance -before the night ends. Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet (ﷺ) came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarreling with each other. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such-and-such persons were quarreling, so the news about it had been taken away; yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (of Ramadan).' The mankind should have a sense of importance, to fulfill th

Allah is the All-knowing, The All-seeing. He knows every situation, from the state of a broken heart masked behind a smile, to the most perilous struggle that affects nations. 'So their Lord responded to them: 'I will never deny any of you—male or female—the reward of your deeds. Both are equal in reward. Those who migrated or were expelled from their homes, and were persecuted for My sake and fought and ˹some˺ were martyred—I will certainly forgive their sins and admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah. And with Allah is the finest reward!' What better consolation than that. My heart and mind went straight to the Palestinians. They are being expelled from t

Hazrat Luqman was not a prophet. He was a noble, wise man. Yet his advice to his son was so precise that Allah quoted it in the Holy Quraan. 'O my dear son! Establish prayer, encourage what is good and forbid what is evil, and endure patiently whatever befalls you. Surely this is a resolve to aspire to. 'And do not turn your nose up to people, nor walk pridefully upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful. Be moderate in your pace. And lower your voice, for the ugliest of all voices is certainly the braying of donkeys.' When we listen and read these verses we realize how clear and clean a fatherly advice is supposed to be. Unfortunately not every child is fortun

Subhanallah, this verse just triggered mixed emotions of gratitude, security and satisfaction. ˹He is the One˺ Who gives you fire from green trees, and—behold!—you kindle ˹fire˺ from them. Most people overlook nature and the purposes it serves mankind. It's hugely taken for granted. Take this ayah specifically; trees are one of the biggest sources of oxygen. It cleanses the atmostphere, by the will of Allah, and serves as a canopy; aids in pollination, produces fruits and what not. It is the same source that is used to ignite - to burn as a fuel- to cook or provide heat. The core substances that are being used to this day are sourced directly from nature. And Allah has made a perfect syst