Being More Concerned of One’s Reformation than the Reformation of Others

Monday, 11 February 2019 15:05

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:

There is a great need for each person to be concerned about his own reformation and to correct his actions. Nowadays, we find that people have fallen into the sickness of worrying about other people’s weaknesses while they are unconcerned about their own reformation. This can be compared to a person who is more concerned about looking after the shoes of others while his own shoes and luggage get stolen due to him being unconcerned about them. How foolish is the action of such a person! (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/56)

Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za

Back to School

Thursday, 07 February 2019 15:49

The buzz word in the month of January is “back to school.” As the first day of school approaches, preparations are underway in full swing. While parents are generally very concerned about “back to school”, they should also be very much more concerned about “back from school” - about what their children are bringing back after their time at school.

Educating one’s children and equipping them with the skills required for day-to-day life is a necessity. We must nevertheless pause and take a deeper look at how we school our children. Long before a student reaches matric, he has not only learnt how to read, write and count, together with studying a host of other subjects, an effort has also been made to shape his mind and train him to think in a particular manner. Some of the values and the culture that are imparted at school, which very often leave a deep impact on the heart and mind of the students, could be at serious odds with the student’s own beliefs and values. If a strong counter-effort is made on him at home to maintain not only his Islamic identity but also his beliefs and the true Islamic mindset, Islam will insha-Allah dominate in his heart and he will remain steadfast upon the word and spirit of his perfect Deen. Otherwise, only Allah Ta‘ala knows what may become of his heart and how much of his Deen will remain.

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The Maktab

Wednesday, 06 February 2019 05:58

Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was once proceeding to a certain place for some task when he passed by a grave. On looking at the grave, Allah Ta‘ala showed him that angels of punishment were torturing the inmate of the grave.

Sometime later, when Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) had completed his task and was returning, he again passed by the grave. However, Allah Ta‘ala now showed him that instead of angels of punishment, there were angels of mercy at the grave, bearing platters of divine radiance!

Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was surprised at this sudden change in condition. He thus performed salaah and engaged in du‘aa, begging Allah Ta‘ala to reveal to him what had caused the punishment of the inmate to cease and be replaced with His special mercy.

Allah Ta‘ala sent revelation to Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) informing him thus:

Read more: The Maktab

Q&A: Winding up the Estate

Wednesday, 06 February 2019 05:59

Q: My father passed away approximately seven years ago. My brother is the sole executor of the estate. However he refuses to wind up the estate. Over the years since my father’s demise, my brother has continued to run the business and deal in the assets of the estate at his own discretion. Every few months we receive some money which we are told is “the inheritance”, but there is no detail, nor have we seen any financials to date. Everyone is keeping quiet to avoid any problems. Is it permissible for the executor to sell off any asset at his discretion and is it correct for him to refuse to wind up the estate?

Read more: Q&A: Winding up the Estate