Faith & Spirituality

Imam Ali said, “Study the Qur’an for it is the best of speech. Teach it to others for it is like the springtime of hearts.” We are in need of a return to a simpler way of approaching the Qur’an: by actually reading it.

A new Hijrah year is a new beginning, a time to start fresh. Our predecessors, in choosing it as the beginning of the Islamic calendar, recognized it not only marked a new civilization, but a new realm of human possibility, where the soul is liberated, and society is freed from injustice and corruption. That can only begin until we accept that who we are now is not the way we want to be. Though that sounds simple, the reality is that while we might wish to be a better person, we still remain fundamentally satisfied with our flaws because it’s comfortable. We complain about the status quo, but we are scared to go through the difficult process of changing it. So we tolerate our condition, and blame our spiritual inertia on busy schedules, social pressures and our own fear.

For every pilgrim, going to Hajj and making visitation to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah are both communal experiences as well as deeply personal. Though this year was not my first pilgrimage, it contained a set of different experiences and lessons for myself yet had the familiar. I’d like to share a few aspects of my journey with you with the hope that these can bring some benefit beyond my personal self.

Being without a smartphone was about so much more than detaching from the nafsee-self — it was a call for reattaching to the heart.

A central, yet oft-neglected spiritual principle is that even in one’s mistakes, there is a path to divine compassion and providence. That late fajr prayer in a state of humility could be better than a lifetime of good deeds.

In the process of extolling the virtues of mothers, we sometimes neglect to give credence to an equally important member of the parenting duo: Fathers.

Ramadan often elicits childhood memories of our parents going to extra lengths to make it special, so as we honor our mothers and fathers, perhaps it is also time that we as parents also give thanks to our children for the special gift they gave us. So to all our children, thanks for the sleepless nights.

In this season of transitions and life moments, here is some important advice for graduates before entering the next phases of their lives.

The purpose of fasting is to grow in at-Taqwa (regardfulness), and is a reality well beyond abstaining from carnal appetites. Much of the what brings more benefit from fasting is connected to restraining our tongues, ears and eyes.

Sūrah al-Mā’idah comprises of some aḥkām (practical rules and regulations) of our daily human lives — which should be, for our own happiness, in accordance with what Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla instructs us, because He knows us better than we know ourselves.

As we enter this beautiful month of Ramadan, it is important to take the time to reflect on our relationship with Allah and how to strengthen our reliance on Him when facing trials. Here are two tools we must keep in our hearts every day and be ready to pull out in case of a spiritual emergency.

As we begin Ramadan, we ask Allah to give us the desire, and the energy with that desire, to behave and to do that which is most beloved to Him – during this month, after this month, and forever insha Allah ta'ala.