As business analysts appear on the media almost every single hour preaching their ‘economic wisdom’ to the layman, it has become a common knowledge now, at least for observers, that there is a serious problem in the world economic system. This problem, as controlled by and economy running on capitalism and free markets, has become systematic and cannot be tolerated any more. Ok, this is not a call for socialism or communism, nor it is a leftist conspiracy against globalization or a call for policing the economy, but even if you were the least bit interested person in business and economy, or someone who hates numbers, charts and figures, this current crises should concern you as it affects your life directly and indirectly.

Since the beginning of this current rise in gas prices, how often have you been monitoring gas price signs on the gas station next to your home, business or even school? You probably never even noticed the sign or the gas station ever existed until you became concerned with the issue. Have you noticed that gas prices have changed your daily driving habits? Now at least, you keep looking at the gas gauge more often than you used to do before, and you probably have started to plan your refueling trips more carefully.

Oil prices today are causing greater threat to global stability because of the pressure placed on the world food market. If you live in the west or any country with a rich economy, you could feel that your dollar value has shrunk dramatically. Remember the good old days, when you used to get out of the Wal-Mart on a shopping spree with a cart full with all these goodies for less than a hundred dollars?! Well, it’s getting harder today to enjoy the same old habits without feeling the pain creeping out of your heart before your pocket. Starbucks is closing 600 of its locations because common people decided to cut down on unnecessarily expenses; after all coffee is coffee anyways. In addition, whether it was Starbucks or Seven Eleven; it will now, even if you had doubts before, taste the same. For people living in countries of poor economies, the dream of immigrating up north or to the west is becoming more of a necessity than fantasy. The harsh conditions of their daily life activities and the struggle to survive in this age of global economical inflation make one wonder if we were on the verge of global uprising, or massive human disaster.

So, what is the problem then? (more…)

In my career as an instructor of “Fiqh of Love” and “Love Notes” with AlMaghrib Institute, the activity and survey sessions conducted in the class environment included many personal questions submitted by students (both men and women), regarding marriage and marital life. Through this, and the overwhelming marriage counseling sessions and advices given in the course of the past four to five years, I was able to collect enough data and statistics to open a window on the status of social life in the Muslim community in America and provide an insight into the crisis of marriage we face here. The findings com from multiple locations all around the country including places such as Houston, New Jersey, New York, Chicago, The Bay Area and elsewhere - and the results were startling. The marriage crisis is a big crisis indeed, and while many of our respected older generation are unaware of it, or at least act like that, the youth were left helpless and sometimes hopeless.

In my lecture at Ilmfest in NY “The Crisis of Marriage” back in March 2008, I attempted to speak for the youth, voice their concern and highlight some of these findings, which I’m working on publishing as a separate research insha’Allah. Many of these problems fall into systematic categories that can be summarized into three: (more…)

2. Provision

Second on your Hajj check list is Provision.

One of the earliest scenes of Hajj, which reminds you of what is yet to come, is the check-in lines at the airport. You wait for hours and hours depending, of course, on where you’re traveling from.

One basic reason for this entire wait is the luggage. Some people decide to carry with them stuff, and literary ‘stuff’ hoping to save some money while in Makkah and wound up wasting time, energy and probably their Hajj, and on top of that they still spend more money.

Some might carry with them food and pots and all what is needed to survive the desert of Arabia. Little they know the last thing they need to worry about in Makkah is food.

It’s an early reminder of the Akhira. The more load you carry the longer the wait will be. Hajj is a virtual reminder of the events of the Akhira.

Provision is essential during the Hajj. Food as a source of nutrition is required to ensure you have the energy your body needs to fulfill, the optimal way, the obligation of Hajj. Allah even mandates this provision ‘And take a provision (with you) for the journey’ Al-Baqarah 2:197.

For those who don’t know; the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah is called the day of ‘Tarwiyah’ –watering or quenching thirst- because (more…)

The Hajj list usually includes things like: Hajj manual, Ihram, safety belts, slippers or flip flops, enough clothes, water bottles, umbrella, sun screen, cash money and Oh yah, your ticket and passport. And did I mention the Hajj visa?

Unfortunately, people become so busy in the last few days before they travel to Makkah preparing for their journey that they forget about the real Hajj check list. Besides learning the practical rituals of Hajj and the smart tips to ensure our safety and the safety of others while there -which are usually the main focus of any regular Hajj seminar- Have we ever thought of creating a Hajj list that ensures this -probably once in a life time experience- is done correctly with no flaws? After all, a faultless Hajj receives no reward other than Al-Jannah.

If you plan to go to Hajj then you need to prepare a special check list besides the regular one.

These are what I believe are the most essential items on your Hajj check list. (more…)

(Part 1 can be found here)

There is no doubt that the Qur’an is the book of Allah, His eternal word and divine miracle. Muslims know that and believe it with all their hearts. They know it was sent down to Muhammad, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in order to guide humanity to the straight path which leads to success in this life and in the Hereafter.

“A. L. R. a Book which we have revealed unto thee, In order that Thou might lead humanity from the depths of darkness into light - by the leave of their Lord - to the way of (Him), the Exalted In power, worthy of all praise!”

Allah, subahanahu wa ta’aala, has set the criterion of reward for the Day of Judgment. Taqwa and righteousness will be the key to the heavenly bliss so long as (more…)

Why do we have this anxiety? What is it and what really happens to us? Is this a positive feeling? Are we betraying our faithfulness to Allah when we experience such weird feelings? Even though we know that this is Ramadan, a month of Mercy and worship?

There is always a sense of concern and restlessness that swarms all over our minds and hearts whenever we think of the commencement of Ramadan. Not because of the anticipation of moon-fighting, but for another fundamental reason – the reason why fasting Ramadan was prescribed to us in the first place.

We are probably experiencing the Ramadan syndrome or the essence of fasting Ramadan, Taqwa - ‘righteousness’ and fearing Allah.

It can confidently be said that this is the main objective of fasting in general which we are all required to observe throughout the whole blessed month of Ramadan and onward.

Allah subhanahu wa ta’aala says: (more…)

Fourteen hundred years ago Al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj or ‘The Night Journey’ brought to the world something that changed the course of history.

This article is neither about discussing the validity or invalidity of this celebration, nor it is about the argument over the actual date and year this journey took place. Furthermore, it is not designed to create a narrative discussion over the details of this journey, how and what had happened there, or what the Prophet had seen there entirely. Those kinds of discussions must be done separately, and there are many opinions mentioned in books of Seerah and history regarding them. Those who have an ardent desire to explore it further can look it up there insha’Allah.

Our discussion here –from a believer’s perspective- is about the essence of this journey. The subtle messages embedded with every bit of the story. Why did it happen? Why the Prophet Muhammad? Where was he taken during that journey? Why there and not somewhere else?

Why did he meet with the prophets and led them in Salat? Why did Musa salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam interfere with the divine command of Salat for the benefit of the Ummah of Muhammad? (more…)