mental health & psychology
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Lessons for Grief from the Life of Jacob, peace be upon him
In perhaps its deepest look at sorrow, endurance and hope, the Qur’an tells us in the bittersweet story of the Prophet Jacob and his immense grief over the loss of Joseph; peace be upon them both: And he turned away from them saying: ‘How great is my grief for Joseph!’ And his eyes turned white… Continue reading
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Offer Hope Amidst the Meaninglessness and Despair
In one of those quirks of history, a feature of today’s Britain is its quietly declining Christianity now offset by a conspicuous and vibrantly growing Islam. But Muslims find themselves in a country; in fact, a continent, in an acute crisis of modernity and inner emptiness. Britain no longer has God. So beneath the surface… Continue reading
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On Praiseworthy Trials
While describing the ordeal endured by Imam Malik in which he was severely beaten, to the extent that ‘his arm was wrenched out of its socket and a huge injustice had been perpetrated against him. Yet, by Allah, Malik didn’t cease to be held in high esteem,’1 Imam al-Dhahabi wrote the following: ‘This is the… Continue reading
correct response to trials and adversities, Imam al-Dhahabi on praiseworthy trials, Imam Malik and his trials, Islamic view on trials and ordeals, not to become obsessed with those who mistreat us, purpose behind life’s trials and tribulations, sins lead to trials and divine punishment, why do people suffer trials and ordeals? -
Tranquility in Our Age of Angst & Anxiety
The main thrust of this piece is a short discussion from Imam Ibn al-Qayyim concerning how his shaykh, Ibn Taymiyyah, would recite the six “Verses of Tranquility” in the Qur’an whenever he would feel under pressure or find himself in straightened circumstances. Ibn al-Qayyim writes that when he tried this spiritual remedy for himself, he too… Continue reading
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Allah Knows Us, Cares for Us and Understands Us
Three core ingredients go into making up the religion of Islam, and they are expressed in three simple words: iman – the ‘faith’ or ‘belief’ one must have in Allah, His Prophets and the Afterlife; islam – outward ‘submission’ to Allah in terms of things like prayer, fasting, avoid the forbidden, and moral uprightness; and… Continue reading
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Grief & Loss: On Putting Our Sorrows to Slow Slumber
The following was written for a close family, to help console them on the loss of their dear loved one.1 ♦ Many are the emotions that assail the heart, but grief, without doubt, is the hardest of all. The pain felt at the loss of a loved one awakens grief, yet seldom is much gained… Continue reading
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How Our Outward States Affect Our Inner Moods; and Visa-Versa
‘It was autumn, and the Indians on the reservation asked their new chief if it was going to be a cold winter. Raised in the ways of the modern world, the chief had never been taught the old secrets and had no way of knowing whether the winter would be cold or mild. To be… Continue reading