The external teachings of religion should be matched by a reflective, inner spirituality because ultimately that is what all of the teachings of religion lead to. We are not who we are because of our bodies but because of our rūḥ. Allāh created the rūḥ first. It is the rūḥ that was breathed into the… Continue reading Is Your Body Changing?
As we approach Ramaḍān, we should think about the purpose of fasting. The goal of the fast is to work on the rūḥ. In the entire Quran, Allāh only mentions one specific and direct objective of fasting: to create taqwá. In Sūrat al-Baqarah, Allāh says: “Oh Believers! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it… Continue reading Goal of Fasting
The custom of most of us is to lavish attention on our bodies and neglect our spirits. The love of life drives us to ensure that we remain healthy so that we can live longer. We train and exercise to look good and to prolong life. Healthy eating, exercise, and diet are ultimately about prolonging… Continue reading Is Your Body Your Temple?
We focus a lot on children’s tarbiyah at a young age but then stop at a critical time during their teenage years. We never focus on the tarbiyah of adults. Rasul ﷺ did tarbiyah on the sahabah. Who will do our tarbiyah? We are in need of nurturing and cultivation. We are need of someone… Continue reading Stopping at a Critical Time
Some deny the existence of the spirit but Islam tells us that it is really only the spirit that lives in man and makes us who we are. The spirit is more important than our mind or body. We are not our body or mind rather the spirit as it is our spirit that existed… Continue reading Brief Sojourn on Earth
Our whole life hangs by a thin thread and that thin thread is the spirit (ruh). It is amazing that we devote our entire attention to our body not our spirit. This body is a cage; the real spirit resides within this cage. The body is only a means of transport. It is a vehicle… Continue reading The Real Passenger