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Beliefs and Practices of Islam, Page 28

Hajj, The Inward Spiral

By Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Tim Winter)

“Labbaik! Here I am, (at your service) O Allah!” is the heartfelt chanting of the Hajj. It is a logical echo of that original Shahada, (bearing witness) of that moment before time and space, when Allah called forth the souls of every human being that ever was and ever will be, to testify concerning themselves.  “Alastu bi Rabbikum?” (Am I not your Lord?), asked Allah. We all replied in one thunderous voice: “Bala shahidna!” (Yes we bear witness! lest we say on the Day of Awakening, that we were not mindful of this!)”

Modern Challenges to the spirit of Hajj

By Aslam Abdullah
“When the Prophet performed his only Hajj, the only provision that he had with him was worth of no more than four dirham as narrated in several books of ahadith.
Hajj was meant to teach the pilgrims endurance and perseverance for higher causes, yet it has been turned into an exercise in convenience. Hajj was meant to express the utmost humility in the presence of the rest of humanity by declaring that “Here I am, Here I am, I will not make anyone Allah’s partner. Allah is the one who is in control of everything and He alone is the one who is the source of all blessings and praise.” Yet, today, Hajj, for many has become, a badge, a symbol of spiritual pride…”

Reflections on the Hajj

By Arshad Gamiet
“Hajj is not only a journey through geography and history. It is perhaps most importantly, an inward journey to our own centre, to the human heart, the locus of our personality …. what emotions, what desires lurk there in the hidden recesses of the spiritual heart?”

The Goal of the Shari‘ah is Justice, Not Equality

By Abu Aaliyah
“IN SPEAKING OF JUSTICE, many well-intended Muslims are unconsciously secularised. For their discourse about justice (Ar. ‘adl, qist) is so often scarred by failing to grasp its Quranic essence: ‘To put a thing in its rightful place.’1 Which is to say, justice is to give things their proper due – at the due time, the due place, and in due measure.

This requires possessing knowledge about the value and measure of things, as Islam assigns to them, so as to give them their due. ‘Hence,’ Ibn al-Qayyim wrote, ‘knowledge and justice are the root of every good, while injustice and ignorance are the root of every evil.’2”

Resilience in Muslims, despite Islamophobia

By Dr Zubair Chaudhry
“Resilience is a wonderful thing. Allah has created it in our nature, so that when we’ve had a trial, tribulation or tragedy, we can endure it with patient perseverance and come out stronger for that experience…”

Tackling negativity and nihilism in youth

By Dr Zubair Chaudhry
Many young people, including young Muslims today, are affected by a sense of hopelessness, despair, depression about their lives. This is a serious mental and emotional condition that needs to be remedied. Dr Zubair draws on the Quran and Sunnah to advise us on how to deal with nihilism. Faith, Gratitude to Allah, Modesty and a sense of Shame is the remedy. Dr Zubair Chaudhry is a Clinical Psychiatrist who delivers regular speeches at the Jamia Mosque and Islamic Centre, Slough, Berkshire, UK

Generosity in Ramadan

By Dr Husni Hammuda

“One of the 99 Names of Allah in the Holy Quran tells us that Allah is the Most Generous. Those who worship Allah should also strive to be generous in all matters: money, possessions, time and attitude towards others. Ramadan gives us an excellent opportunity to be generous. Generosity in Ramadan is rewarded many times over…”

Fulfilling the Purpose of Ramadan

By Ibrahim Al Tamimi
“Allah reminds us that the purpose of Ramadan is not merely to get hungry and thirsty. The purpose is to attain piety, Taqwa, and to get closer to Allah..”