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Building Good Character, Page 104

Culture and Islam

Sadly, many children grow up developing a strong resentment towards Islam, because their parents impose intolerable burdens on them, cultural burdens, in the name of Islam. Some examples are: the oppression of women, denying girls the right to education, genital mutilation i.e. female circumcision, forced marriages and so-called ‘honour’ killings. None of these despicable and barbaric practices has anything at all to do with Islam. They are pre-Islamic traditions that are totally forbidden for Muslims. Yet some uneducated Muslims behave as if this is part of their religion…

Seeking Unity

“Truly Allah loves those who strive in his way as if they were a solid structure”; this Ayah indicates that as an Ummah (community) we need to be like a solid structure, and for a structure to be solid, we must have solid foundations along with a good framework (both from within and without)…

Inculcating Taqwa in our lives

How to cultivate Taqwa: an awe-inspired awareness of Allah, based on Love, Fear and Hope: loving Him for His generosity, fearing His punishment, and ever hopeful of his forgiveness, His mercy. The reward is a renewed sense of social responsibility that grows out of our maturing spirituality…

Qadr: Destiny

Sometimes we hate things that are good for us, and we love things that are harmful for us. We should accept that only Allah has the full picture. Our judgement is very limited.

Strengthening Muslim Unity

Differences of opinion are quite normal and healthy. We must respect one another to strengthen Muslim unity. Always focus on the wider picture.