Currently browsing category

Articles

The Purpose of Fasting in Islam

by Justin Parrott (Islamicity.com)

Al-Gazali wrote: “Know that there are three degrees of fasting: the fasting of common people, the fasting of the elite, and the fasting of the elite of the elite. As for the fasting of the common people, it is retraining the stomach from fulfilling its desires as has been mentioned. As for the fasting of the elite, it is restraining one’s hearing, sight, tongue, hands, feet, and all limbs from sin. As for the fasting of the elite of the elite, it is the fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts and to restrain it entirely from everything besides Allah the Exalted.”

Isra’ wal Mi’raj

From: Islamicity.org
What was the nature of this journey? Did it take place when the Prophet was asleep or when he was awake? Did he actually undertake a journey in the physical sense or did he have a spiritual vision while remaining in his own place? These questions, in our view, have been resolved by the text of the Quran itself. The opening statement: “Holy is He Who carried His servant by night from the Holy Mosque to the farther Mosque… “

The battle in 1806 that unbanned Islam in South Africa

By Arshad Gamiet
Thirty-two Muslim soldiers of the Javanese Artillery, firing their cannon on a windswept beach near Cape Town, dramatically changed the course of Islam in South Africa. Their colonial masters, Dutch forces under Lieutenant-General Janssens were already retreating to the mountains. Totally outnumbered and outgunned, they stubbornly fought on, firing salvo after salvo at nearly seven thousand Royal Marines advancing towards them.

Young Americans are picking up the Qur’an ‘to understand the resilience of Muslim Palestinians’

By Alaina Demopoulos
From The Guardian
“After 9/11, the Qur’an became an instant bestseller, though at the time many Americans purchased it to confirm biases they held about Islam being an inherently violent religion. “The difference is that in this moment, people are not turning to the Qur’an to understand the October 7 attack by Hamas,” Grewal said. “They are turning to the Qur’an to understand the incredible resilience, faith, moral strength and character they see in Muslim Palestinians.”

Hope, Patience and Action

By Majd Arbil

First published in Islamicity.org

During those difficult early years in Makkah, our beloved Prophet Muhammad sws and his companions were relentlessly persecuted by the powerful Quraish rulers. Despite those hardships, they left us a legacy of Hope, Patience and Action, as taught in the Holy Quran…

World’s first Islamic Experience Centre

By Abdullah Asiran
From Anadolu Agency
Joram Van Klaaveren is a former Dutch MP and member of the anti-Islam Freedom Party. He converted to Islam in 2019 and set up the world’s first Islam Experience Centre, using virtual reality, holograms and 8k sound. The centre seeks to remove prejudice and promote a better appreciation of Islam in schools, universities and work places. 

The mental health stigma

By Nadia Hawa
‘ When we treat ourselves holistically using all the resources we have access to, we can recognise and understand what is happening inside of us, and therefore stand better chances of helping ourselves.’

Hajira: Symbol of leadership and community-building

By Dr Aslam Abdullah
“God inspired Prophet Ibrahim to leave her in a barren land. She proved through her dedication, perseverance, struggle, commitment, and faith in God that women can lead community building. Given the opportunity, she can create a whole civilization and community by herself.”