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(Addressed primarily to females, but relevant to males as well.) This is probably the hardest thing you will have to do as a new Muslim. For many people, it poses the prospect of opening up old wounds, risking hurt feelings on both sides, and threatens…
November 15, 2019
The proof of something existent is always easier than the proof of something non-existent. We can prove that the species of apple exists by showing only one apple. However, a person who claims that the species of apple does not exist can prove it only…
The Sixth Topic [This consists of a single, brief proof of the pillar of belief, ‘Belief in God,’ for which there are numerous decisive proofs and explanations in many places in the Risale-i Nur.] In Kastamonu a group of high-school students came to me, saying:…
[This Word consists of Two Stations] First Station In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. So God sets forth parables for men, so that they may bear [them] in mind * Such are the similitudes which we propound to men that they may…
Introduction I created not jinn and mankind except that they might worship me.4 According to the meaning of this mighty verse, the purpose for the sending of man to this world and the wisdom implicit in it, consists of recognizing the Creator of all beings…
The Supreme Sign1 AN IMPORTANT WARNING AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Not everyone will be able to understand all the matters discussed in this most significant treatise, but equally nobody will remain portionless. If somebody enters a garden, he will find that his hands cannot reach…
Second Chapter Concerning Proofs of the Divine Unity [The traveller who had been sent to the world in order to attain faith, who journeyed through the whole cosmos in his mind in order to ask all things concerning his Creator, to seek his Sustainer in…
Let’s consider some positive arguments for the existence of spirit beings. • Matter serves life, not the other way around. Science cannot explain life or how organic matter acquires life. Although matter appears to be the basis for or serves as a receiver of life,…
The perfection of existence is through life. Moreover, life is the real basis and the light of existence; consciousness, in turn, is the light of life. Since life and consciousness are so important, and a perfect harmony evidently prevails over the whole creation, and again…
Starting from the clues above, it should be possible to do formal studies to determine the worth of such propositions as the following: • God first created “pure light” (nur) and then light. The process of creation followed a gradual, regular accumulation of identities and/or…
• All Prophets, numbering 124,000 in reliable religious sources, report the existence of angels, spirit beings, jinn, and Satan. All saints and religious scholars agree on this invisible realm’s existence. We hardly need to say that two specialists in a matter are preferable to thousands…
Following death, the spirit is taken to the Presence of God. If it led a good, virtuous life and refined itself, the angels charged with taking it there wrap it in a piece of satin and bear it, through the heavens and all inner dimensions…
The intermediate world is the realm where the spirit feels the “breath” of the bliss of Paradise or the punishment of Hell. If we led a virtuous life in the world, our good deeds (e.g., prayers, recitations, acts of charity) will appear as amiable fellows….
The spirit is from the world of Divine Commands. There are many other worlds than those we commonly think of, such as those of plants, animals, human beings, and of the world of jinn. Our visible, material world addresses itself to our senses. From tiny…
Science cannot define or perceive the spirit. While matter or anything in the material world is composed of atoms, and atoms are made up of more minute particles, the spirit is a simple, non-compound entity. We cannot see it, but we can know it through…
The spirit has deep relations with the past and the future. Animals have no conception of time, for their God-given primordial nature causes them to live only for the present, without feeling any pain for the past or anxiety for the future. On the other…
Our body’s cells are renewed continuously. Every day, millions of cells die and are replaced. Biologists say that all bodily cells are renewed every 6 months. Despite this continuous renewal, the face’s main features remain unchanged. We recognize individuals through their unchanging facial features and…
Judge: When did you commit the crime? Defendant: One year ago. The judge announces the verdict: Since the murder was committed a year ago and the defendant’s cells, including those of his trigger finger, have been completely replaced, and since it is therefore impossible to punish the actual…
Angels are created from light. The Arabic word for angel is malak. According to its root form, malak means messenger, deputy, envoy, superintendent, and a powerful person. The root meaning also implies descent from a high place. Angels build relations between the macrocosmic world and…
Their supervision of plants, in particular, consists of representing in the angelic tongue the plants’ glorification in the tongue of their being. In other words, these angels proclaim the praises and exaltations that all plants offer to the Majestic Creator through their lives. These angels…
On the other hand, we struggle with our evil-commanding soul and Satan. While angels invite us to true guidance, inspire us with belief and good conduct and virtue, and call us to resist the temptations of Satan and our evil-commanding selves, Satan and our evil-commanding…
The literal meaning of jinn is “something hidden or veiled from sight.” As mentioned earlier, jinn are a species of invisible beings. A short Qur’anic chapter is named for them, and in it we learn that a band of jinn listened to Prophet Muhammad, upon…
Angels and jinn can assume any form or shape and appear in this world. Here, we observe movement from the visible to the invisible: water evaporates and disappears into the atmosphere, solid matter becomes a liquid or a gas (steam), and matter becomes energy (nuclear…
Some people can go into a trance and contact beings from the invisible realms. However, we should remember that whether these are angels or jinn, invisible beings have their own conditions of life and are bound to certain limits and principles. For this reason, one…
The spirit issues forth from the world of unconditioned existence, where Divine commands are carried out instantly and directly. However, like energy requiring cords or bulbs to function, the spirit needs matter to function in this world, although matter restricts its activity. So, to make…
Such beloved servants of God, whether Prophets or saints, make predictions only if He allows them to do so through His permission and power. He declares: My servant can draw near unto Me in no safer and better way than performing his obligatory religious duties….
Jinn live longer than us, are active in broader dimensions (realms) of time and space, are much quicker than us, and can see things that we cannot. However, they cannot see the future and we should not believe their predictions, even though a very few…
Those who deny spells and sorcery do so either because they do not believe in anything related to metaphysics or what they suppose to be connected with religion, or because they are unaware of realities beyond the physical realm. A man in his fifties once…
Prayer is a form of worship rewarded primarily in the Hereafter. For this reason, we must not say that our prayers are not answered when we do not receive that for which we prayed. Just because a prayer is “answered” does not mean that it…
The jinn we know as Satan was created from fire. Before his obedience and sincerity were tested through Adam, he had been in the company of angels, acting and worshipping as they did. Unlike angels, however, who cannot rebel against God (66:6), Satan (called Iblis…
It is the same with humanity. By fighting Satan and their evil-commanding selves, many “worthless” people have been lost in exchange for hundreds of thousands of Prophets, millions of saints, and billions of men and women of wisdom and knowledge, sincerity and good morals. All…
While you sleep with your eyes closed, your ears deaf, your tongue mute, and your arms and legs motionless, how do you travel, meet people, and do many things in a few minutes or even seconds? When you get up in the morning, you feel…
For example, clear water there might correspond to knowledge here. If you see your own waste matter, it may be interpreted to mean that you will earn money in lawful ways; if the waste matter belongs to others, its may mean that money will come…
All human beings have an intrinsic feeling of eternity, and so feel imprisoned in the narrow confines of the material world and yearn for eternity. Whoever can hear our conscious nature will hear it pronouncing eternity over and over again. If we were given the…
Since the death of fruits and vegetables and meat in our stomachs causes us to rise to the degree of human life, in this sense their deaths can be regarded as more perfect than their lives. Since the dying of plants is so perfect and…
The Arabic word translated as destiny is qadar. In its derivations, this word also means determination, giving a certain measure and shape, dividing, and judging. Muslim scholars of Islam define it as Divine measure, determination, and judgment in the creation of things. Before discussing Divine…
In Relation to Divine Knowledge. God is completely beyond our abilities of comparison and conception, and so we can acquire only some knowledge of His Attributes and Names, not of His Divine Essence, by meditating on and studying His acts and creatures. To understand His…
After birth, everyone is registered in a Registry of Births. Then, based on this information, everyone receives an identity document. Similarly, everyone’s complete personal characteristics, particularities, and future life-history are registered on the Supreme Preserved Tablet, which then is copied by angels. They record all…
The existence of human free will is asserted on the following grounds: • We feel remorse when we do something wrong. We beg God’s forgiveness for our sins. If we trouble or harm someone, we ask that person to excuse us. These actions show that…
God takes our free will into account when dealing with us and our acts, and then uses it to create our deeds. Thus we are never victims of Destiny or wronged by Fate. However insignificant our free will is when compared with God’s creative acts,…
For example: A train travels between Istanbul and Ankara. Considering its speed and characteristics, the railway’s condition, the distance between the two cities, as well the number of stations along the way and how much time must be spent in each, a timetable can be…
We may summarize the discussion so far in seven points: 1. Divine Destiny, also called Divine determination and arrangement, dominates the universe but does not cancel our free will. 2. Since God is beyond time and space and everything is included in His Knowledge, He encompasses the…
Divine Decree means carrying out Destiny’s decisions or judgments. It simultaneously includes our actions and God’s creation of them, for God allows us to do what we will to do by bringing it into existence. The Arabic word translated here as Divine Grace is ‘ata’,…
Why did God create us with different levels of provision and intelligence, lifestyle and physiology? Why does He allow hardship and poverty amidst ease and luxury? Such questions, besides relating to Destiny, also have some bearing on understanding the Divine way of acting. We Must…
That means that we will hunger, thirst, tire, and encounter hardship in the world. This must be so, because in this world we sow the seeds that will be harvested in the Hereafter. Those seeking only to gratify their desires most probably are the ones…
Question: Are we victims of Destiny? Do we have any part in the calamities befalling us? Answer: As this question has been discussed earlier, I will a summarized account. No one is a victim of Destiny. God does not destine our acts; rather, He creates whatever we…
Now we will answer the question. Intention. Our intention is critical. The Messenger of God, upon him be peace and blessings, says: “Actions are judged according to intentions. Whatever you intend to do, you get the reward thereof. So, whoever emigrates for God and His…
Even if we all worked together, we could not create even one fruit, one leaf, or one blade of grass. Denying the existence of the One Who can do all of this, and Who created this huge universe and gave us dominion over it, is…
Question: What does guidance mean, and can we guide someone else? Answer: Guidance is a light that God kindles in you because you use your own free will in the way of belief. Only God guides one to the truth, as pointed out repeatedly in the Qur’an:…
Science considers any fact established through empirical methods to be scientific. Therefore, assertions not established through observation and experiment are only theories or hypotheses. As science cannot be sure about the future, it does not make definite predictions. Doubt is the basis of scientific investigation….
•Everything is contained in the Qur’an, but at different levels. Therefore, not everything is readily apparent. The Qur’an’s main duty is to teach about God’s perfection, essential qualities, and acts, as well as our duties, status, and how to serve Him. Thus, it contains them…
Since the Qur’an was sent to perfect us, it only alludes to those future events pertaining to the world, which everyone will see at the appropriate time, and only opens the door to reason to the degree necessary to prove its argument. If everything was…
Despite the disasters caused by science and technology, their mistaken approach to the truth, and their failure to bring human happiness, we cannot condemn them outright and become pure idealists. •Science and technology do not bear the full responsibility for humanity being devalued, human feelings…
Although science might be a deadly weapon in the hands of an irresponsible minority, we should not hesitate to adopt both it and its products and then use them to establish a civilization in which we can secure our happiness in this world and the…
Before answering this question, we should point out one important fact: Considering science as opposed to religion and scientific study as separate from and independent of the Qur’an is just as mistaken as trying to reduce the Qur’an to a science textbook by showing that…
*The Qur’an is not a science textbook that has to expound upon cosmological or scientific matters; rather, it is the eternal interpretation of the Book of the Universe and the interpreter of all natural and other sciences. *It comments upon the visible and invisible worlds,…
Below are further examples to illustrate the Qur’an’s allusions to scientific facts and developments. • The Creator, Who is not bound by the human concept of time, informs us that, in a general sense, the future will be the age of knowledge and information, as…
The verse explicitly presents the universe as a single miracle of creation. Each thing in it is an integral part of that miracle, and contains signs that prove its claim. Everything is interconnected, just like the leaves of a massive tree—they are all different, but…
Such is the richness of the Qur’an, which explains many truths in so few words. Here, in only four words, many vague things were clarified at a time when people generally believed that the sun made a daily circuit around the Earth. • Another inspiring…
We refer to science and scientific facts when explaining Islam because some people only accept scientific facts. •Materialists and both non- and anti-religious people have sought to exploit science to defy religion and give their ideas more prestige than they deserve. Through this approach, they…
FAULTS IN BELIEF AND FELLOWSHIP Question: Feelings of fellowship between people can be damaged because of some unexpected behavior, and thus goodwill towards one another can easily be weakened. Is this situation a result of a fault and immaturity in our belief? How can we…
CRYING OF THOSE WITH SAD HEARTS Question: It is stated that sometimes God grants mercy to an entire world upon the crying of one sad heart. Today, it seems that we do not feel deeply troubled and sympathize enough for humanity’s suffering, so as to…
CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN MEDIEVAL ISLAM All over the vast Islamic world, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, various services that are fundamentally important to society have been financed and maintained through charitable trusts. Godliness and virtue is not that you turn your faces towards east…
DIALOGUE WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK The attitude of believers is determined according to the degree of their faith. We believe that if the message is put across properly, then an environment conducive to dialogue will be able to emerge in our country and…
TOLERANCE AND DIALOGUE IN THE QUR’AN AND THE SUNNAH The Qur’an always accepts forgiveness and tolerance as basic principles, so much so that “the servants of the All-Merciful” are introduced in the following manner: And the servants of (God) the All-Merciful are those who move…
ISLAM AS A RELIGION OF UNIVERSAL MERCY Life is the foremost and most manifest blessing of God Almighty, and the true and everlasting life is that of the Hereafter. Since we can deserve this life only by pleasing God, He sent Prophets and revealed Scriptures…
A RELIGION OF TOLERANCE Islam is a word derived from the root words silm and salamah. It means surrendering, guiding to peace and contentment, and establishing security and accord. Islam is a religion of security, safety, and peace. These principles permeate the lives of Muslims. When Muslims stand…
TOLERANCE AND DIALOGUE Dialogue means the coming together of two or more people to discuss certain issues, and thus the forming of a bond between these people. In that respect, we can call dialogue an activity that has human beings at its axis. Undoubtedly, everyone…
MAKING THE ATMOSPHERE OF TOLERANCE PERMANENT Knowledge, research, work, work method, organization of the workplace, helping one another, and reading the book of the universe are some of the things we have lost. Among the many things we have lost, perhaps the first and most…
FORGIVENESS Humans are creatures with both exceptional qualities and faults. Until the first human appeared, no living creature carried such opposites within its nature. At the same time as humans beat their wings in the firmaments of heaven, they can, with sudden deviation, become monsters…
TOLERANCE As a nation, we are experiencing an intense fervor of recovery and revival. If a wind of opposition does not hinder us, the coming years will be our “years of becoming.” However, there are differences in the methods of recovery and revival. There has…
TOLERANCE AND LIBERALITY Be as vast as the oceans and take every soul to your bosom! Let faith keep you alert, cherish a never-ending affection for humanity, and leave no broken heart forgotten or ignored! Applaud the good for their goodness, appreciate those who have…
EDUCATION FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE Introduction The main duty and purpose of human life are to seek understanding. The effort of doing so, known as education, is a perfecting process though which we earn, in the spiritual, intellectual, and physical dimensions of their beings, the…
UNIVERSAL MERCY AND EDUCATION The adage nowadays is that we all need love. So many people are talking about this. Islam teaches us that God’s act of creating humanity was an act of mercy and compassion. Compassion represents the love between parents and children as…
WHAT GENERATIONS EXPECT FROM EDUCATION What do we mean when we mention education and training in relation to our current and future generations? How should we teach our values to new generations and who is to undertake this sacred duty? We have to find the answers…
DIALOGUE IN THE MUHAMMAD (PBUH) SPIRIT AND MEANING We can recite tens of verses, one after the other, that is concerned with forgiveness, dialogue and opening one’s heart to all. This demonstrates the all-embracing nature or universality of Islam. For example, the Qur’an states, “peace is good” (An-Nisa 4:128)….
Question: It is stated that the devoted souls who will realize a new revival are supposed be no different than ordinary people. On the other hand, they are continuously encouraged to be the cultured people who represent the best way by personal example. How can we…
Two-Winged Spirit of Guidance, with Knowledge and Humility Let us expound on these two aspects a bit. In order to achieve a thorough representation, a Muslim, first, needs to “read” very well the contemporary age, social structure, contemporary events, and Divine principles operating in the universe, and…
The Most Modest Person As it is stated in the Qur’an: “Assuredly you have in God’s Messenger an excellent example to follow…” (al-Ahzab 33:21), the Messenger of God presented the best example in every respect in all of his attitudes and behaviors. The Prince of both…
The topic of this book, “adab in practice,” is part of the larger concept of akhlaq, that is, morality. In fact, from one perspective, adab in practice is fundamentally practical morality and ethics. Therefore, the essence of these concepts will be explained first, beginning with a short introduction to akhlaq, and only after this…
THE NATURE AND TYPES OF DUTY Duty is the moral responsibility of a person who has reached puberty when they have been asked to do something good or helpful. Accordingly, Islamically there are two types of duty. One is the obligatory (fard) group of duties, that is,…
Individual Duties Each person has some duties toward their own self as well. Some of these pertain to the body, and some to the spirit. The following are the main duties that fall into this category: Training the body: For everyone it is crucial that the…
Social Duties Human beings have been created as social beings, and as such they live in social groups and have formed civilizations. Socializing is one of our basic needs, and social life involves certain expectations between people. When these are disregarded, society breaks down and people…
THE WORD ADAB The Arabic root “adb” means “feast or invitation”; the word “adab,” which is derived from this root, carries the meanings of “decency,” “politeness,” “reverence,” and “high regard,” as well as “refined manners that have been socially adopted.” Adab, then, refers to all guidelines about words and deeds that are…
The best adab, the best morals, those which will never become outdated, are those taught in the Qur’an and applied in the life of Prophet Muhammad, the Best of Creation. God, Who created the universe in the most perfect order and the human “of the best stature…
Raghib al-Isfahani says, “Taqwa is to keep one’s soul from sin; this is begun by avoiding that which is forbidden, and completed by avoiding that which is questionable. According to the hadith, ‘The permissible is clear, and the forbidden is clear, but there are questionable…
Adab means acting with good manners, ethics and morals in all interactions and dealings with people. The behavior that we find in the life of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, even actions in minor matters, like greeting people, smiling, and keeping nails trimmed,…
The basis of acquiring knowledge is reading and studying. The first revelation of God’s Word to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the first command of his Prophethood, began with the command, “Read!” This announced a fundamental principle. Let us revisit these verses in Sura Alaq,…
“Knowledge is power,” or as the Qur’an says, “…whoever is granted the Wisdom has indeed been granted much good” (Baqara 2:269). In this verse, the word al-hikma—often translated as “the Wisdom”—means “beneficial knowledge.” Knowledge that is beneficial to people will also elevate the status of the person who knows. The…
One of the most esteemed Companions of the Prophet, Ibn Abbas, gave the following advice: “Tell people one hadith per week. If this does not seem enough, recount two or three. And never cause people to become bored with the Qur’an! When people are talking…
The Qur’an mentions the adab of sitting in the gatherings where a scholar or spiritual guide is teaching to increase one’s faith and knowledge: O you who believe! When you are told, “Make room in the assemblies (for one another and for new comers),” do make room….
TEACHER–STUDENT RELATIONS Ali ibn Abu Talib said, “I would be the slave of anyone who teaches me one letter.” This saying expresses the great respect that is due to teachers. Throughout Islamic history, educational institutions have always remained free of association with governmental or…
TEACHER ETIQUETTE Just as the adab of teaching and learning applies to students of all kinds of knowledge, not only religious knowledge, all teachers, no matter what their subject, should practice adab in their duties. The following are some guidelines for teachers: A teacher should be up to date…
Good character is not only taught but can also be caught. Being a person of good character can best be achieved by learning what is good and bad, observing the limits set by God in the Scripture, witnessing good conduct in daily life, and emulating…
RESPECT The dictionary definition of “respect” includes: “the feeling that arises from holding someone in high esteem which inspires conduct that shows the person they are valued”; “valuing someone and desiring not to disappoint them”; “a type of love which causes one to act with care and…
Treating the Elderly with Respect In Islam, the general rule is that those who are older than us should be respected, and those who are younger than us should be loved. In addition, it is commendable to care for those who have fallen on hard…
We will now examine the Qur’anic teachings on the adab toward parents. In the Qur’an God commands, “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him alone, and treat parents with the best of kindness…” (Isra 17:23). It is notable that two of the central themes of the…
The following verse, just like the fourteenth verse of Sura Luqman, states that the weaning period for a child is two years and refers to the pregnancy and nursing of a child as consisting of thirty months: Now (among the good deeds) We have enjoined…
The Islamic term used for the care of kin is sila al-rahm which encompasses visiting one’s parents and relatives, asking after their welfare, and making them happy. Islamgives importance to relationships with people, particularly the mother and father and then other close relatives. Visiting them should become…
Since it has been commanded by God and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, to visit and care for relatives, it would be appropriate here to examine how this should be done. There are certain “degrees” of sila al-rahm: The absolute minimum is to speak…
The term relatives usually implies close relations such as immediate family, cousins, aunts or uncles. There are special benefits in treating these relatives well. The Messenger of God said, “An aunt is like another mother.” Likewise, an uncle is like another father. It is only natural that…
Quarreling among siblings may often be a result of their ages or stages of development. For example, the endless “why?” questions of a three-year-old may be intolerable for a ten-year-old sister or brother. Or, a small child who likes to sit quietly and play with their toys…
Members of the family should respect the sanctity of each other’s privacy in the family. The adab of asking for permission before entering a room is especially important for privacy in home life, and this adab can be gained and developed with practice. According to the Qur’an, mothers and…
Regular sleep is necessary for the purpose of rest and rejuvenation. On average, we spend one third of our day sleeping. Such a large part of daily life should be examined to make sure that this time is spent in the right way and not…
The Prophet said that “cleanliness is half of faith.” Therefore, we should recognize the importance of both inward and outward cleanliness, and keep our living quarters and environment clean. In Islam there is a great emphasis on cleanliness, both physical and spiritual. After the occasion of the…
Wearing clean and tidy clothes is the Sunna of the Prophet. It should be kept in mind that dressing in such a way is not a display of vanity or arrogance for a person who has the means to dress well. In fact, God has made it…
On the matter of outward appearance it is better to avoid broad generalizations concerning the issue of cutting hair so as not to cause any misunderstanding. It is best to mention the relevant hadith and comment on them briefly. Some reported sayings of the Prophet…
Hilm means being inclined to gentleness or mildness; this adjective describes a person who is quiet and peaceful, slow to anger, quick to forgive, and who is in control of their lower nature. It also encompasses good akhlaq because it embodies behavior like patience and tolerance in the…
THE HILM (GENTLENESS) OF THE PROPHET Our Prophet, both before and after his prophethood, was the gentlest of people. This is a quality that he carried throughout his life. God Himself protected the Prophet from ever losing his hilm, and was pleased with the Prophet because of it….
The Jewish tribes living in the Arabian Peninsula at that time were among the Prophet’s most relentless enemies. Some of them had a rancorous, jealous, greedy character. It should also be noted that these Jews took great pains to separate their own education, scholarship and…
The Prophet responded to words and actions that were turned against him with maturity, compassion, and kindness. He exhibited akhlaq to a level that others could never possibly reach. Abu Said al-Khudri narrates, “The Prophet was distributing the spoils from the Battle of Hunayn to the Companions…
Likewise, our Prophet treated all those under his authority and in his service with the utmost gentleness; he did not get angry with them or hurt their feelings. Even if they were negligent in their duties or did not do what they said they would,…
Harboring rancor and animosity means looking for revenge and retribution. The heart of one who is envious or rapacious has been darkened and their mental facilities are taken over by vengeance. This feeling of vengeance grows until it pushes out all the love and faith…
Anger that burns the soul brings a feeling of vengefulness to the heart and can feed vengeful actions. Some people easily lose their temper. They are merciless, severe, and cruel. Some people, though they have quick tempers, are also quick to recover from anger. In…
Wickedness is weak, even when it seems to be victorious. In fact wickedness cannot escape the destiny of its ultimate destruction. Goodness, honesty, and righteousness are the conquerors of the heart, and they are powerful in and of themselves. When good and evil truly come…
Just as one must refuse to heed slights and wrongs, it is also important to respond to wrongs with the best possible positive action. Adopt the way of forbearance and tolerance, and enjoin what is good and right, and withdraw from the ignorant ones (do…
Haya, an instinctive feeling of shame combined with the modesty based on Islam, forms the greatest safeguard against shameful or indecent behavior. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every religion has a moral code. And the moral code of Islam is haya,” …
Our Prophet personally answered the particular questions of women, and also had his wife Aisha teach them in his place. Aisha had these notable words to say about women who showed no shame in seeking religious knowledge: “What good women the Ansar women were. Their…
Honesty and being straightforward are characteristics that are manifested both in thought and deed. The honesty of a true believer can never be compromised. The Qur’an very clearly declares the greatness of honesty and integrity. God’s Word says, “O you who believe! Act in…
HONESTY IN SPEECH An important fundamental of Islamic morality is truthfulness and making every effort toward achieving transparency (this applies to business and personal relations on every level). The Messenger of God showed great care to ensure that children acquired the ethic of always speaking…
When kidding and joking with friends, the thing to pay the most attention to is not to say something that is untrue. Unfortunately, the majority of people actually “lie” when they joke. There is a good quotation from our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, about…
The Qur’an commands that people should not make fun of, embarrass, or ridicule one another, nor call each other by unbecoming nicknames. This is an important principle if there are to be good relations among people in a community. O you who believe! Let not…
MAKING A MOCKERY OF FAITH Another related topic addressed in the Qur’an is a type of hypocrisy. This occurs when people act one way while with believers, but make fun of the believers when they are not with them, thus showing their hidden identity. Just…
On the eve of the beautiful days of the future, days whose dawns are breathing festivities, it is clear that we face crises that seem insurmountable. Like social troubles, national problems, and natural disasters, the crises that besiege a society cannot be overcome or resolved…
A true person of ideals is also a person of wisdom. While observing everything from the comprehensive realm of reason, they also assess everything with the measures of their appreciative heart, testing them through the criteria of self-criticism and self-supervision, kneading and forming them in…
Etymologically speaking, the word Muslim and the verb sa-li-ma both come from the root silm. This means that for Muslims, every matter takes place in line with silm (security), salamah (safety), and Muslim-ness. Muslims are seized by such a divine attraction that all of their actions take place around…
Sincerity or Purity of Intention Ikhlas has been interpreted as being upright, sincere, and pure; being distant from show and ostentation in one’s intention and conduct; and being closed to whatever clouds or fouls the heart. Purity of intention, straightforwardness in thought, pursuit of no…
Meaning true thought, true words and true actions, sidq is reflected in the life of a traveler on the path to God as follows: he or she does not lie or tell a falsehood, lives according to truthfulness, and strives to be a trustworthy representative…
Truthfulness caused the light of repentance to shine on the forehead of Prophet Adam, upon him be peace. Truthfulness served as a vessel of salvation for Prophet Noah, upon him be peace, when the world was flooded. Truthfulness carried Prophet Abraham, upon him be peace,…
Resignation means showing no rancor or rebellion against misfortune, and accepting all manifestations of destiny without complaint and even better peacefully. In other words, one should welcome all things and events, even those normally associated with distress and terror. Another beautiful definition of resignation is…
Resignation results in a thrilling joy or a heavenly breeze from God’s being pleased with the believer that is proportional to the depth of one’s fear and hope. It does not come from feeling God’s nearness, worship and devotion, the struggle against sin and the…
At this time when we experience occasions, of much sorrow and some contentment, we sense the promise in the advent of Ramadan, the month of mercy and forgiveness. In the climate of this month of light, we feel both spring and autumn at the same…
Nights are experienced more deeply and in consideration of the afterlife, and days are spent as portions of time dominated by resolution and strong will-power. Those fasting for God’s sake feel a thrill of joy, and spend every and each day in the excitement of…
Not long ago, we welcomed Ramadan with a mixture of feelings that overwhelmed our hearts and the hearts of Muslims all over the world. The hearts were and are full of hope, based on the promises and great tidings, given by Allah and His Messenger…
In the seventh century, Arabia was in a terrible state and had gone out of order. The humanity was savage and monstrous, and was away from nice qualities; there was not a period worse and more deviated from that one in the history of humanity….
November 14, 2019
The word Sahabi (Companion) is derived from the same root as the words “suhbah” (talk/conversation) and “sahib” (owner). A person who saw the Messenger of Allah as a believer and died as a believer is called a “Companion” (Sahabi). Sahaba and ashab are the plural…
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) mentioned his Companions by appreciating them and showed Muslims how they should act toward them. Some of the hadiths regarding the issue are as follows: “How happy is he who sees and believes in me. How happy is he who…
The Companions are in the highest level because they received light directly from the sun of the prophethood. The reason why saints cannot catch up with them no matter what they do is the Companions’ talking and listening to the Prophet. Conversation has a different…
The being that deserves to be loved after Allah is definitely the Messenger of Allah. Those who loved the Messenger of Allah most were the Companions. This fact is stated as follows: in the Quran: “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own…
A believer who saw the Prophet even for a very short time is called a Companion but among the people who saw him, there are those who became Muslims before the others, those who lived near him throughout their lives and those who made jihad…
There is no definite knowledge about the number of the Companions who were alive when the Prophet (pbuh) died but it is stated that the number is more than 100.000. For instance, 40.000 Companions took part in Farewell Hajj and 70.000 Companions took part in…
“Suffa” is the name of the place where the Companions who devoted their material-spiritual beings and lives to the service of our beloved Prophet (pbuh). It was a place built behind the Mosque of the Prophet for the Companions who did not have a house,…
We believed in the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) without seeing him; on the other hand, the companions believed in him by seeing. Is our belief superior or is the belief of companions superior? The birth of every human is based on (divine) providence and wisdom. Humans…
The second greatest person of Islam after the Prophet is Hz. Abu Bakr (r.a.). He was an example of self-sacrifice and a symbol of loyalty. His life is full of examples of high ethics, virtues and humanity. Hz. Abu Bakr (r.a.) was a luminous person…
Six years passed after the sun of prophethood started to illuminate the universe. The struggle between shirk (polytheism) and tawhid (oneness) was increasing day by day. The more the number of the believers increased, the more the oppression and cruelty of the polytheists increased. The…
Hz. Uthman, who was the third caliph of the Prophet and an example of modesty and good manners, was one of the lucky people who were promised Paradise when they were alive. Hz. Abu Bakr started to convey the message of the true religion to…
Hz. Ali was the son of Abu Talib, the paternal uncle of the Prophet. Abu Talib brought up the Prophet and took care of him for a long time though he was poor. He would not let anyone from his family start eating before Hz….
Abdurrahman was one of the first eight people who became Muslims and the fifth person who became a Muslim through Hz. Abu Bakr (r.a.). He was born in the year of the Incident of Elephant and was at the same age as Hz. Prophet (pbuh)….
Abu Ubayda bin Jarrah, who was one of the 10 luckiest people who were given the glad tidings of Paradise when they were alive, was one of the first people who accepted Islam. His names was “Amir,”; his nickname was “Abu Ubayda”. He was known…
One of the ten Companions who were given the glad tidings of Paradise while they were alive is Hz. Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas. He became a Muslim through Hz. Abu Bakr. He was the eighth Muslim. He was a relative of the Prophet (pbuh) through…
The stars of the Prophet in sky of the guidance were appearing one by one. As each star appeared, the darkness of the ignorance started to disappear and the world got brighter. The luminous horizon that will bring happiness to man was becoming more and…
Hz. Talha bin Ubaydullah, who was praised and complemented by Allah and His Messenger many times due to his heroism and unmatched virtues and whose heroism during the Battle of Uhud has always been mentioned admiringly, was one of the closest Companions of the Messenger…
Hz. Zubayr, whom the Prophet (pbuh) praised by saying, “Every prophet has a disciple; my disciple is Zubayr” [ Muslim, Fadail as-Sahaba: 48. ], is one of the first lucky people that became Muslims. He is the closest friend of the Prophet in his cause….
The Islamic state established in Madinah was growing day by day. The people who flocked to Madinah in tribes and clans listened to the talk of the Prophet and the lofty truths of Islam; then, they became Muslims. On the one hand, the Prophet was…
It is possible for those who adopt a cause without evidence and without investigation, and only by imitation to hesitate and even to give up the cause in the face of small problems they will encounter in the future. It is seen that those who…
Hz. Abdurrahman was Hz. Abu Bakr’s son. He was also the Prophet’s brother-in-law. Hz. Abdurrahman did not become a Muslim though all of Abu Bakr’s family became Muslims. He took part in the battles of Badir and Uhud in the ranks of the polytheists. He…
When the Messenger of Allah announced the truths of the Quran with a universal sound, he also cleansed the deep-rooted wrong customs and beliefs of the Era of Jahiliyyah. There was no such great revolution in the history of humanity. When the Prophet infused the…
Abdullah was the son of Hz. Abu Bakr’s daughter Asma and Zubayr bin Awwam, who was one of the ten Companions that were given the glad tidings of Paradise. He was the first child born out of muhajirs after the Migration. He was born in…
Hz. Abdullah was of Ansar. He took part in the Pledge of Aqabah. He was adherent to the Messenger of Allah with his whole heart. He took part in all battles with the Prophet. He fought heroically. He carried the flag of Sons of Harith…
After some of the students of Suffa School got married, they continued attending this school. One of them was Abdullah bin Unays al-Juhani. He was so adherent to the Messenger of Allah that he was ready to sacrifice his life. Abdullah bin Unays, who gave…
Hz. Abdullah, who became a Muslim in the first years of Islam, who was one of the muezzins of Prophet Muhammad, who was one of the first muhajjrs who migrated to Madinah and who was appointed as deputy 13 times by the Prophet during the…
Hz. Abdullah bin Suhayl became a Muslim in the first years of Islam. He was subjected to unbearable tortures of the polytheists. Upon the permission of the Prophet, he migrated to Abyssinia. He stayed there for a while. He was fine there. Nobody prevented him…
Islam had just started to win hearts. The verses sent down to the Prophet, who was the sun of bliss, called the whole humanity to the truth and true religion on the one hand and especially the people of the Book to this lofty religion…
Our Prophet had not migrated to Madinah yet. However, Islam was spreading rapidly in Madinah. The Messenger of Allah sent Mus’ab bin Umayr to Madinah to spread the light of Islam in Madinah and to teach Islam to Muslims. Fulfilling this duty in the best…
There is no doubt that all of the Companions made great efforts to value the Sunnah and to be subject to it. However, some of them were more adherent and devoted to the Sunnah than others. One of them was so adherent to it that…
In the first years of Islam, one of the rare people who accepted the sacred invitation of the Messenger of Allah, strived to spread the true religion to the world with their intelligent, power, strength and knowledge, spent their lives in this way, declared, the…
Abu Aqil was an individual who embraced the Messenger of Allah and sacrificed his life, property and wealth for his sake, who was eager to benefit from his blessed talk and who was praised by the Quran. He was a member of Ansar. Abu Aqil…
After the declaration of Islam, families were divided into two. While some of them were lucky enough to believe in the truths brought by the Prophet from his Lord, others continued to believe in wrong faiths blindly and insistently in. One of the people who…
There was sensational news all around Makkah. People were mentioning something in the street, at home and in the market. Everybody was talking about the cause brought by Muhammad (pbuh). Some people were astonished by what they heard and accepted his cause while others increased…
Hz. Dihya was from Madinah. His real name was “Dihya bin Khalifa”. However, he was famous for his name “Dihyatul-Kalbi”. He was the person with the most beautiful face among the Companions. Gabriel (Jibril) came to the Prophet disguised as Dihya several times. When the…
Hz. Julaybib was from Ansar; he was a bachelor. The Prophet wanted to marry him off. He asked somebody from Ansar to marry his daughter. That person said, “I will ask her mother about it.” He went to his wife and said that the Messenger…
It was the 10th year of the Migration. Makkah had been conquered and Islam had spread to more places. The surrounding tribes came to Madinah in groups and became Muslims. The saving hand of Islam also reached Sons of Bajila. They were on the way…
Hz. Jabbar was from Madinah. He was present in the Second Pledge of Aqaba. He participated in all wars with the Prophet beginning with the Battle of Badr. After Khaybar was conquered, Prophet appointed him to collect tax in Khaybar. Jabbar continued the same duty…
The Prophet carried out the duty of conveying the message of Islam to people secretly at first; he also worshipped secretly. For this reason, the way of Islam’s worshipping had not been known very well. Once, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was performing a prayer…
The preparations for the Battle of Uhud increased day by day. On the one hand, the Muslims were completing the preparations for the provisions under the supervision of the Prophet (pbuh); on the other hand, they exercised fighting with the sword and throwing arrows. In…
During the Migration, the Prophet came out of Makkah at midnight before the eyes of the polytheists and set off to go to Madinah; this infuriated the polytheists. They wanted to do their best to find the Prophet and Hz. Abu Bakr before they arrived…
Bilal was an Abyssinian slave. He was a slave of Umayya bin Khalaf. Bilal was looking for a high truth. What he was looking for was nothing but Islam. When the Prophet started to spread the religion of Islam, Bilal Habashi became one of the…
Hz. Bashir was from Madinah. He took part in the Second Pledge of Aqaba. He promised there that he would protect the Messenger of Allah from all kinds of dangers. He kept this promise throughout his life. He took part in all wars together with…
The Prophet invited people to believe. Bashir bin Khasasiyya was also invited by the Prophet. He accepted this invitation without hesitation. His name before Islam was “Nadhir” meaning “the one who frightens”. When he became a Muslim, the Messenger of Allah changed his name to…
Bara bin Ma’rur was one of the twelve representatives chosen among the participants of the Second Pledge of Aqaba. Hz. Bara spoke as follows when he paid allegiance to the Prophet in Aqaba: “Praise be to Allah, who honored us with Muhammad and made us…
Bara bin Malik, who was the brother of Anas bin Malik, who was a distinguished student of the school of Suffa in ilm and hadith narration, was a Companion who had material and spiritual conquests that made him distinguished along with religious services under the…
Hz. Bara was from Madinah. His father was a Muslim too. He became a Muslim at a young age. He learned the Quran from Mus’ab bin Umayr and Ibn Umm Maktum, whom the Prophet had sent to the people of Madinah to teach Islam. When…
“Ayyash” is the name of a Companion who was close to the Prophet. This word, which means “having a nice state, living healthily and well-off”, is also used in the sense of “cereal seller and baker”. Hz. Ayyash was one of the first lucky people…
Those who were saved from the darkness of polytheism, unbelief and oppression in the Era of Bliss had a completely different life after attaining the luminous light of Islam and they abandoned everything related to their old days. Anything that reminded them of their life…
It was a period when the most terrifying form of ignorance and oppression prevailed, and torture and brutality were committed in the most terrible way. At that time, helpless and weak people were enslaved; they were forced to work in jobs that even animals were…
Hz. Amir was the brother of Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas, who was one of the ten Companions who were given the glad tiding of Paradise. He became a Muslim in the first years of Islam through Hz. Sa’d. His mother was disturbed when he became…
One of the most important incidents that Amr bin Umayya, one of prominent Companions of the Prophets, experienced was the Incident of Bi’r Mauna, which resulted in the martyrdom of 39 Companions. The tribe of Sons of Nadr asked the Messenger of Allah to send…
Amr bin Thabit was known by the nickname “Uhayrim”. Amr was from Madinah. Although all members of his tribe became Muslims, he continued to oppose the Muslims on his own. During the Battle of Uhud, Uhayrim, who remained in Madinah, started to think. What was…
Those who were honored by the light of Islam in Madinah increased day by day. The Muslims who returned from the Second Pledge of Aqaba continued to propagate Islam even more enthusiastically and to expand the circle of Islam day by day. One of the…
Hz. Amr became a Muslim during the first years of Islam. He migrated to Madinah like the other Companions. He took part in the Battle of Khandaq. He fought heroically there. He wanted to participate in the Battle of Tabuk but he could not attend…
Abdullah was a young shepherd. He used to herd the sheep of Aqaba bin Abi Muit. One day, while he was with the sheep, two guests arrived. The guests told him they were thirsty and asked him for milk. The young shepherd said to them,…
Abdullah became a Muslim in the first years of Islam. He had to migrate to Abyssinia in the face of the tortures of the polytheists. He migrated to Madinah from Abyssinia and gained the thawabs of two migrations. He took part in the battles of…
It was three years before the Migration of the Prophet to Madinah… There was a celebration in the house of his uncle, Hz. Abbas. A boy was born. They took the child to the Messenger of Allah. He gave the boy the name “Abdullah”. He…
It was before the Migration… The Prophet (pbuh) sent Mus’ab bin Umayr, a young Companion, to Madinah so that he would spread Islam and teach the Muslims there. Hz. Mus’ab was a person who could speak well and could explain what he meant without offending…
There are sometimes such important moments in the lives of the people who represent a cause that a minor negligence by them can cause the destruction of many people and their self-sacrifice can be a means of happiness and salvation for many people. The Companions,…
One of the Companions who tried to announce and spread the cause of Allah all over the world with his sword in battlefields of jihad and with his knowledge and intellect at other times was Abdullah bin Abi Awfa. Hz. Abdullah was among the well-known…
Hz. Abdullah was Hz. Abu Bakr’s son and Prophet’s brother-in-law. He became a Muslim in the first years of Islam. He was a clever and skilled man. He played an important role in the Migration of the Prophet. The Prophet remained in the Cave of…
Hz. Abdullah joined the Second Pledge of Aqabah and promised that he would protect the Messenger of Allah at the risk of his life. He did not like idols at all. He and Sahl bin Hunayf used to break the wooden idols belonging to the…
Hz. Abdullah was the son of Umayma, the son of the paternal aunt of the Prophet. He became a believer in the first days of the call to Islam. Thus, he became vulnerable to attacks and he accepted to face all kinds of torture and…
The spread of the light of Islam worried the Jews along with the polytheists of Makkah. In particular, the Jews of Sons of Nadr could not accept the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh). They nurtured hatred, jealousy and enmity against the Messenger of Allah. They wanted…
Hz. Abdullah, son of Amr bin As, was among the notables of Companions though he was very young. He would follow the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) like a shadow. He knew that all of his statements were right and true; so, he believed they had…
It was the 13th year of the prophethood. A lot of people of Madinah accepted Islam through Hz. Mus’ab bin Umayr, who had been given the duty of conveying the message of Islam. When it was hajj season, a group of 75 people, two of whom…
Hz. Abdullah was from Madinah. He became a Muslim before the Migration. His real name was Hubab. The Prophet changed his name to “Abdullah” because he did not like his name. Abdullah was adherent to the Prophet with all his heart. There was no sacrifice…
Before Islam, service to the Kaaba was regarded as a holy duty. This holy duty was fulfilled by the family of Abbas, one of the noble families of Quraysh. They repaired the Kaaba and gave water to those who visited the Kaaba. Serving the Kaaba…
Hz. Abbad was one of the notables of Ansar. He became a Muslim through Mus’ab bin Umayr. He took part in all battles with the Prophet along with the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. He fought heroically in battlefields. Some Companions kept guard near…
In the first years when the sun of Islam rose, this light dazzled the eyes of some people and attracted others. The stars gathering around the light of Islam increased day by day; they were proceeding to happiness in both the world and the hereafter….
At the Battle of Badr, the Muslims fought against the polytheists, who were three times more than their strength and number, and attained victory. Many polytheists including some of their notables died and the polytheists left the battlefield leaving many of them as slaves behind…
It was after the Migration. The struggle between belief and unbelief was going on severely. The sun of Islam was enlightening more and more people as days went by. The Prophet (pbuh) sent envoys to the tribes living around Madinah and invited them to Islam….
When Madinah became “the city of the Prophet”, it began to be called “Madinah al-Munawwarah” (the Illuminated City). For, Allah’s mercy fell upon it like rain. There were almost no families that lived in the city of Madinah and did not embrace Islam. One of…
Shayba was yearning for revenge. His father, Uthman bin Abi Talha, his most beloved being, was killed at the Battle of Uhud by the Muslims. The killer was one of the close relatives of the Messenger of Allah. Shayba was doing his best to take…
Hz. Shuja was one of the first Muslims. He became a muhajir twice, migrating to both Abyssinia and Madinah. He took part in all battles and war with the Prophet, primarily Badr and Uhud. He fought heroically. One of the envoys the Prophet sent to…
He was from Palestine. He was one of the notable scholars of the Christians. He went to Madinah from Damascus with a delegation to see the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) in the 9th year of the Migration; he became a Muslim after talking to the…
The scorching desert sun continued burning the land and the people as usual. A small piece of shade, a handful of water and slight coolness gave great happiness to people. The most terrible thing was that the Arab land and Arabs were burned by unbelief,…
Hz, Tulayb (r.a.) was an active, fiery and brave young man. His spirit was not blemished by polytheism. When he was 14-15 years old, his common sense helped him and he believed in the Prophet. During the first years of Islam, the Prophet invited people…
One of the notables of Ansar, who showed the greatest hospitality of human history to the Prophet and the distinguished group of people and who were his friends in his cause, is Ubada bin Samit (r.a.). Hz. Ubada was among the Muslims of Madinah who…
One of the lucky people that the Prophet saved from slavery, included among the most honorable people and regarded as of Ahl al-Bayt is Hz. Thawban (r.a.). Hz. Thawban was from Yemen. He was sold as a slave in the market. The Prophet paid the…
Salman was born among fireworshippers (Magians). He was a small child among fireworshippers. His father, Buzahshan was among big farmers in Iran. He loved his child a lot and never left him alone. He was afraid to let his son go out as if somebody…
The Prophet explained it as follows: “The light that came out of the rock and that you saw when I first hit it enlightened the manors of the city Hira and the city of Madayin of the Chosroes. Jibril told me that my ummah would…
When the light of guidance that enlightened the horizons of Makkah was reflected on the hearts, a few people approached the lucid spring of Islam that cured people every day, drank that elixir of life and attained real relief and welfare by getting rid of…
It was the time period when the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed. There was a worried and restless waiting in Hudaybiyyah. The Companions gathered under the tree of Ridwan and paid allegiance to the Messenger of Allah on their “lives”. Salama bin Akwa, who was…
When the Prophet (pbuh) migrated to Madinah, one of the children who welcomed him was Hz. Sahl. He was about five years old then. His father, Sa’d bin Malik, had become a Muslim before the Migration; therefore, Hz. Sahl, was brought up in a Muslim…
Hanzala Ibn Abi Amir was a valiant man who longed to become a martyr. He got married one day before the Battle of Uhud and left home to fight the polytheists at Uhud the next morning. His dead body was washed by angels. He was…
Ubayda (r.a.) was one of the first Muslims. He was martyred at Badr. When the Messenger of Allah passed by his grave years later, he said, “The nice smell you notice comes from Ubayda’s grave.” Ubayda (r.a.) became a Muslim in the first years of…
Another distinguished Companion that read the Quran, our holy book, beautifully was Ubayy bin Ka’b. In the words of the Prophet, “he was the one that read the Quran the most beautifully.” He was also called “the Master of the Reciters of the Quran” and…
Uqba was a shepherd. He used to herd sheep on the meadows of Madinah. When he was on the mountain, he heard that the Prophet (pbuh) had migrated to Madinah. It was impossible for him to remain there any longer. He wanted to see the…
It was the 9th year of the Migration. Byzantines prepared an army consisting of 40 thousand people in order to eliminate Muslims. When the Prophet was informed about it, he started preparations. The weather was very hot. It was time of harvest. Besides, there was…
Makkan polytheists did their best to extinguish the light of Islam. They did not allow the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and the Muslims to practice their religion freely. They even tried to interfere with them in Madinah. Their aim was to eliminate Islam. However, Allah…
Umayr was the brother of Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas. He became a Muslim after Hz. Sa’d, when he was 13 or 14 years old. Hz. Umayr, who followed the right path despite the pressure of his mother, migrated to Madinah afterwards. He wanted to take…
Once, the Prophet (pbuh) left Makkah with Zayd bin Haritha secretly and went to Taif in order to convey the message of Islam to the notables of Taif. However, let alone accepting Islam, they insulted and mocked the Prophet. One of the notables of Taif…
Utba bin Ghazwan, who was one of the people of Suffa School educated by the Prophet with great care and sensitivity, was one of the great mujahids of Islam. Hz. Utba was among the Muslims who migrated to Abyssinia for the second time in order…
Usama bin Zayd was a heroic Companion who spent about 20 years of his life very close to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and who inherited his high ethics. His father was Zayd bin Haritha, who was the freed slave and loyal servant of the…
The people of Madinah needed a person that would teach them the truths of Islam because the Prophet had not migrated to Madinah yet. Therefore, they needed somebody to teach them Islam. The Muslims of Madinah applied to the Prophet and told him about this…
Long years passed after Hz. Hamza was martyred by Wahshi bin Harb. As the time passed, the polytheists got weaker day by day and Islam got stronger. In the course of time, Wahshi started to feel the guilt and agony of killing an Islamic hero…
He is the son of our Prophet’s paternal uncle Harith. Halima also breastfed him along with the Prophet (pbuh); therefore, they became foster brothers. He spent his childhood and adolescence together with the Prophet (pbuh) since they were peers. He loved the Prophet (pbuh) a…
Wasila, who had all of the pleasure and excitement of being a new Muslim, pushed for performing the morning prayer with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). After the prayer, the Messenger of Allah asked who that person whom he had never seen before was. Wasila…
He was the brother of Khalid bin Walid’in (r.a.), the famous Companion. He fought against Muslims with polytheists during the Battle of Badr, where he was captivated by Abdullah bin Jahsh (r.a.). Khalid bin Walid and Hisham bin Walid, who had not accepted Islam yet,…
Hz. Zayd (r.a.) is one of the two oppressed people who were caught together with Hz. Hubayb by the polytheists and taken to Makkah. When they arrived in Makkah, Safwan bin Umayya bought Hz. Zayd for 50 camels in order to take the revenge of…
Hz. Zayd lost his father when he was very young and became an orphan. Abdullah bin Rawaha took care of him. He stayed with Abdullah bin Rawaha for a long time. When Abdullah bin Rawaha became a Muslim, he became a Muslim at a very…
Little Zayd had to leave his hometown when he was only eight years old. He was captivated along with his mother when they were visiting the graves of their grandparents; they were put on sale in the Fair of Ukaz. Hakim Ibn Khuzam bought him…
“My brother Zayd became superior to me in two aspects. He became a Muslim before me and he was martyred before me.” Hz. Umar expressed the best witnessing for Zayd bin Khattab like that. Zayd bin Khattab was half brother of Hz. Umar. Zayd bin…
As the chapters and verses of the Quran were sent down, the Prophet (pbuh) memorized them himself and made other people memorize them; in addition, he called one of the Companions and made him write down the revelation. Those people who wrote the revelation were…
Hz. Zinnira was a slave. She heard that the Prophet called people to Islam. She saw that some people who believed in the Messenger of Allah were tortured. Despite these pressures and tortures, the light of belief started to enlighten her heart. She became a…
Umm Waraqa was a woman who wanted to fight in the way of Allah and to become a martyr. While an army was being established for the Battle of Badr, she went to the Prophet (pbuh) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Will you allow…
The Muslims of Madinah received the Prophet and those who believed in him with open arms. They were impatient to embrace them. 75 people, 2 of whom were female, went to Aqaba in order to invite meet the Messenger of Allah and to invite him…
One of the lucky women who believed in the Messenger of Allah and underwent a lot of trouble in the way of Islam is Umm Sharik (r.anha). This blessed woman, who persevered in her belief despite the trouble she underwent and who did not give…
The real name of Umm Sulaym was “Ghumaysa”. She was from Madinah. She was from Banu Najjar. She was the foster aunt of the Prophet. She was the sister of Haram bin Milhan, and Umm Haram, who was martyred during the conquest of Cyprus. She was married…
With this act, Hz. Umm Sulaym set an example to other women. She attracted attention to the fact that a Muslim girl or woman should not marry an unbeliever or a believer who did not practice his religion no matter how rich, famous or handsome…
Umm Sulaym was poor; she did not have many worldly possessions but she was abstinent and generous. When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) came to her house, she did her best to give him something. She sometimes stored some oil and food for days and…
Umm Ruman was a widow when she married Hz. Abu Bakr. Hz. Aisha and Hz. Abdurahman were born out of this marriage. She became a Muslim during the first years of Islam. She supported Hz. Abu Bakr during the days of trouble and torture. She…
The real name of “Hala Sultan”, whom we know as the spiritual guard of Cyprus, is “Umm Haram”. This great mujahid of Islam, who went as far as Cyprus from Madinah though she was old in order to be one of the people the Messenger of Allah…
Umm Kulthum was the daughter of Uqba bin Abi Muqayt, who was a ferocious enemy of the Prophet. She was Hz. Uthman’s sister. She became a Muslim in Makkah and paid allegiance to the Prophet. Umm Kulthum’s mother was Arwa bint Kurayz. She also became…
The Prophet lost his father before he was born and her mother when he was six years old. He grew up as an orphan. However, several women took care of him showing him the compassion of a mother. They did their best so as not to…
When Hz. Muhammad (pbuh) became 40 years old, Allah Almighty chose and appointed him as a prophet. Umm Ayman, who had taken care of him loyally since he was a baby, guessed that he would be an important person. For, she observed several wonderful incidents…
Hz. Khansa, who was honored to see the Prophet and listen to his talk, knew that children were entrusted to people by Allah. She believed that it was necessary to return the entrusted things to their owner. She grew up her four children with this…
Hz. Sumayya is the first woman in the history of Islam who sacrificed her life in the way of Allah and was martyred. She attained the rank of martyrdom and became the first martyred woman. Sumayya was Abu Hudhayfa’s slave. Abu Hudhayfa married her off…
When the rumor that the Muslims were defeated and that the Messenger of Allah was martyred during the Battle of Uhud reached Madinah, one of the women that ran to the battlefront was Sumayra bint Qays (r.anha). Hz. Sumayra’s father, husband, brother and son also…
During the Era of Bliss, there were some women who did not drop the torch of Islam from their hands, who struggled sacrificing their lives so that Islam would conquer hearts and who did not fall behind their husbands and sons. One of those Companions…
After preventing such a big danger, Hz. Safiyya went up to a high place and started to watch the battlefield. She felt worried. She was scared that the ferocious Muslims would harm her beloved nephew. Meanwhile, the news that “the Muslims were defeated” came as a shock….
When the Islamic army conquered Makkah, small street fights took place. After that, the Kaaba was cleaned from idols. The vast compassion and tolerance of the Messenger of Allah was in action again; those who left their swords and took refuge in the Kaaba were…
Hz. Hamna was the daughter of Umayma bint Abdulmuttalib, the paternal aunt of the Prophet. She was also the sister of Zaynab bint Jahsh, one of the wives of the Prophet. Thus, she was sister-in-law of the Prophet. She became a Muslim in the first…
The climate of Makkah was not good for newborn babies. It prevented them from growing up healthily and robustly. Therefore, some families who wanted their babies to grow up healthily gave them to wet-nurses who lived in the desert for a certain period. For, the…
It was when the call to Islam was done secretly. The number of the Companions who believed was 10. One of them was Hz. Umar’s sister Fatima. Hz. Fatima was married to Said bin Zayd. Her husband was also a believer. They worshipped together and…
Who does not want to do favors and help people when it is possible? If the poor person is an oppressed person who needs to be taken care of, we can forget about even our own needs and fulfill that person’s wishes. We will not…
The era of the Prophet was an era of knowledge. The Companions who were around the sublime Prophet learned many things from the source of knowledge. They asked the Messenger of Allah about the problems they encountered in daily life and asked him various questions….
During the first years of Islam, the polytheists tried to force Muslims to exit their religion through unbearable tortures and to intimidate and dissuade those who tended to be Muslims. However, the Companions whose strength originated from their belief persevered in their belief and did…
There were some bright personalities among female Companions. They tried to learn Islam by facing all kinds of hardships and trouble in the Era of Bliss and formed their lives by it. One of them is Hz. Abu Bakr’s daughter Asma. Hz. Abu Bakr brought…
After a while, these fearful days passed. For, the Prophet and Hz. Abu Bakr arrived in Madinah. When Hz. Asma was given this news, she became very happy. She thanked Allah Almighty for this. On the other hand, she felt a bit sad. Makkah was…
Hz. Asma was conscious of these facts. She welcomed illnesses with patience and reliance in Allah. Once, she had a terrible headache. She put her hand on her head and prayed as follows relying on Allah: “My head aches a lot but the sins that…
One of the most sensitive and oft-debated issues with regard to Islam concerns the status and role of women in society. Arguably one of the aspects of social life which the emergence of Islam affected most was the status of women, with “the Qur’an having more…
Moreover, in contrast to the central concept of Original Sin in Christianity and Judaism, the Qur’an never mentions that woman is the devil’s gateway or a deceiver by nature: The Qur’an clearly rejects any such notion of the “inherent” evil of woman. It explicitly demands respect for…
Prophet Muhammad personifies the roles of perfect father and husband. He was so kind and tolerant with his wives that they could not envisage their lives without him, nor did they want to live away from him. He married Sawda, his second wife, while in…
The Prophet’s consultation with his wives. The Messenger discussed matters with his wives as friends. Certainly he did not need their advice, since he was directed by Revelation. However, he wanted to teach his nation that Muslim men were to give women every consideration. This…
The choice God’s Messenger gave to his wives. The wives of the Messenger were given the choice of remaining with him or leaving: O Prophet, say to your wives: “If you desire the life of this world and its glitter, then come! I will provide…
It is not easy to merit being together with the Messenger in this world and the Hereafter. Thus, these special women were put to a great test. The Messenger allowed them to choose his poor home or the world’s luxury. If they choose the world,…
Khadija had already been married twice and she had by now closed all doors to such suggestions. She had reached a certain age and she no longer needed the support of anyone. She had what one could call an international business by today’s standards and…
Before long, Nafisa left that place and started to ask for directions as to where Muhammad the Trustworthy, peace and blessings be upon him, was. She quickly found him. She first saluted him and then said: “O Muhammad!” Our noble Prophet turned his whole body towards…
The time had come for the union that would shape their lives. Before long, the sons of Abdul Muttalib, Abu Talib, Abbas and Hamza would set off to ask for the hand of Khadija for Muhammad. Although the couple had given their consent, the usual…
But of course on that day no one’s happiness matched Khadija’s. She knew so much about him already, such that she had invited the nursing mother of Muhammad the Trustworthy, Halima as-Sadia, to the wedding; she wanted to share with her the happiness of the…
Another young man in the house was Hind, the son of Khadija from her former husband Abu Halah. The little Zubayr, too, joined this household for a while when his father Awwam passed away, and he too had the good fortune of growing up in…
Men (those who are able to carry out their responsibilities) are the protectors and maintainers of women inasmuch as Allah has endowed some of people (in some respects) with greater capacity than others, and inasmuch as they (the men) spend of their wealth (for the…
Due to their pure devotion to Allah, the family of Imran, [linked back to Prophet Dawud ( David) peace be upon him], was granted a special status on earth. His daughter, Maryam (Mary) peace be upon her had been mentioned 31 times in the Noble…
Even The best of Mankind , Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that Maryam ( peace be upon her ) is one of the best women that were ever created and she is among the 4 that were granted Jannah ( heaven…
Through the birth stories of Isa and John ( peace be upon them ) Allah teaches the upcoming generations of muslims that His powers have no limit and He is the Supreme Master of everything. And (in due time came the moment) when the angels…
So she conceived him, and then she withdrew with him to a distant place. ( Holy Quran , Maryam 22 ) Maryam ( peace be upon her ) knew what her fate would be if she gives birth in Jerusalem . She was aware of the…
(The infant) said: “Surely I am ‘abdulLāh (a servant of God). He (has already decreed that He) will give me the Book (the Gospel) and make me a Prophet. ( Holy Quran , Maryam 30 ) The term “ ‘abdulLāh (a servant of God) “ is…
The Stolen gold While they were in Egypt , Isa ( peace be upon him ) and his mother , lived in the home of a devoted believer. Since he wished to submit himself to Allah, he opened a shelter for those in need. He…
The children of Israel , while Isa (peace be upon him) was in a graveyard, asked him to bring a dead man back to life. By the Will of Allah , it happened exactly as they demanded. When the man saw himself back on the…
Those that had an important role in society and considered themselves superior wanted to get rid of the pure, weak worshippers that were following Isa’s ( peace be upon him ) path . Naturally, they wanted to defend themselves . This is when Isa (…
The return of Isa ( peace be upon him ) is an event all three Abrahamic faiths are waiting for. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings be upon him ) met Isa ( peace be upon him ) during his Night Journey when…
During these 7 years Isa ( peace be upon him ) will experience on earth, Islamic rules and regulations will be followed by everyone and Islam will have been established as the true religion of God. Everyone will live in peace and Imaan ( faith…
The hawk’s swooping contributes to the sparrow’s alertness and agility. Although rain, electricity, or fire sometimes harms people, no one curses them. Fasting may be difficult, but it provides the body with energy, activity, and resistance. A child’s immune system usually gains strength through illness….
a. Fasting ensures the unity and harmony of society Fasting (especially when observed in Ramadan) leads to a positive change in the attitudes of the believers towards each other. The sense of empathy it invokes helps the faster understand other people better and makes it…
Every human being has a body and a soul. Both the body and the soul have certain desires and they strive for domination over one another in order to fulfill their desires. Lustful and carnal desires pertain to the body created from dry clay; in…
b. Fasting helps the believer ascend to the level of the angels Human beings have characteristics and faculties that are both carnal and spiritual.When they avoid their carnal feelings, these feelings weaken and the spiritual faculties prosper. Allah the Almighty has provided humanity with the will…
e. Fasting exalts the soul The body, as well as the soul, has some needs and desires. The physical body of a human is comparatively small, but the soul is infinite. The countless tendencies, desires, feelings, dreams, thoughts, and ideas of humanity are like an…
g. Fasting protects a person against sins Committing sins is a kind of inner depression, perversion, and contradiction of the natural disposition. The sinners are wretched and miserable and they submit all their faculties and talents to Satan and thus expose themselves to the pangs…
h. Fasting teaches how to be trustworthy Fasting teaches believers to be trustworthy and to protect everything that is entrusted to them. Those who fast know well that Allah knows what is in their minds, and that He is the Knower of the Unseen (Ghayb), all…
The Effect of Fasting upon Human Health Introduction Muslims all over the world observe fasting in the ninth month of the lunar calendar. It is forbidden for Muslims to eat and drink from dawn (that is, approximately one and a half hours before sun-rise) until…
Human beings are created from a body and a soul. A body without a soul is worthless and a soul without a body cannot function in this transient world. Every course of action people take, every bite of food they eat, and every act of worship…
In order to function well, a machine needs to be maintained and repaired at regular intervals. Otherwise, it will either fall apart or become inefficient. A pupil is allowed to go on holiday after a period of attending classes. An employee works from morning till…