Limitless Rewards

Ramadan is upon us, and although it may not always feel like it, every day of fasting is a gift from Allah.

We are told in the hadith that Allah says “Every deed of the son of Adam will be given a ten-fold reward, up to seven hundred. Except fasting, for it is for Me, and I shall reward for it, for he gives up his desire and his food for My sake…”. This tells us there is no limit to what rewards we stand to gain from fasting.

So in this month, let us strive to fast for the sake of Allah. Let us control our cravings and desire, our thoughts and temper, and when the difficulties of fasting manifest, let us use that as an opportunity to remember Allah more. And be more willing to sacrifice for Him more.

Through this, we can hope to build a closer relationship with Him. And insha Allah He will give us the best of this world, and the Next.

Fasting was given to every nation

Greetings to all believers, because the holy month of ramadan is again with us. We pray to Allah to make it easy for all of us who are qualified to keep the fast that we will be able to do so.

Remember Allah reminds us in His Holy words, He says, Wa anta suumu Khairul lakum If you keep the fast it will be better for you.

My brothers and sisters, fasting is a principle of Islam. But it is something that Allah has given to all human beings, because Allah says in the Quran, O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you, as it has been described to all those before you, in order that you may develop piety. So that Muslims should thank Allah that we have been blessed to make the month of Ramadan one of the institutions that will make us better in this world, as well as in the next.

Going Beyond the Material Life

We are in the blessed month of Ramadan, and the month is moving very quickly. We pray to Allah to make it easy for all the believers to keep the fast, and benefit from the blessings that Allah has made available in the short time that is quickly passing, during this blessed month.

We need to keep in mind one very important thing. Allah tells us in the Quran Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you. That is, it is not only for Muslims fasting was prescribed, but it is for everybody. Why?

We must understand that we represent our Lord here on the earth. And we are here for just a short span of time. But the earth will continue, so that, as long as we are here, don’t make the earth your be-all and end-all for everything, but understand that you are using it to get you a better place in the hereafter.

Death is not the end of life, but it is the beginning of a new phase for every human being. And what Satan has done is he makes some people forget that they will be leaving all the materials things behind, and going in the grave with nothing. So that they spend all their time busy with material things, and then only to realise that when death comes, none of these things will be of any importance and value.

The message of Islam is to send something before of the material things of life so that it will benefit you as you go along the journey in the next phase and onwards. And that is fasting on one hand and zakat and charity on the other.

Fasting helps us to develop restraint, and abandon something of the world for the sake of Allah. We feel hungry and thirsty, but we persevere, because we are fasting and following the command of Allah.

Zakaat and charity help us to sacrifice some of what we have in this world for the sake of Allah, and teaches us an important lesson. Don’t hoard all the material things and keep it as though that is your personal possession and only you have the right of it, and no others should benefit from it.

Take care, and Allah will bless you in this life, as well as in the onward journey.

If you abide by the teachings that the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) gave with regards to the distribution of your material assets of life, and you will be taking with you the blessing that come from your generosity on one hand, and your giving of what Allah has bestowed on you on the other.

May Allah make it easy for every one of us to benefit from this life to represent him properly here on earth, and to be blessed with the blessings that come with fasting, and all the requirements that go along with it, as we go along the journey.

May Allah forgive us, have mercy on us, and make the fasting easy for us, and blessed, so that we too can benefit from it in this life and onwards insha Allah.

Ramadan Hack for Your Physical and Mental Health

Almighty Allah tells us in the Quran 2:184 You should fast it is better for you.

We are told that fasting holds the promise of limitless rewards. Today we are discovering in the science of intermittent fasting that some of these rewards are immediate and for our personal benefit.

• Physically fasting helps to stabilize our blood sugar, our blood pressure, and even weight. It helps with cellular repair, brain and heart health. The shock to the physical system of not eating and drinking for the day puts our bodies on reset.
• Mentally it helps with cognition and learning, stress reduction, mental resilience and clarity, neuroplasticity, and even helps to reduce onset of neurodegenerative diseases. The mindset we gain from fasting helps us to evaluate our priorities and stresses.
• Morally it forces us to be mindful of our behaviors – what we think, what we say, what we do. How we treat others and respond to provocation. We don’t want to spoil the fast by engaging in improper conduct.
• Spiritually we obey the command of Allah, make sacrifices for His sake, and through these He brings us even closer to Him. We become more God-conscious, and are assured of the promise of limitless rewards.

So we are being commanded to do something that entails sacrifice, but is beneficial for us physically, mentally, morally, spiritually…

Allah confirms this in the Quran 2:185 Allah intends ease for you and not hardship.

I pray we see each day as the gift that it is, and make full use of every opportunity during the month and afterwards to be good, do good, think good, control baser instincts, and become stronger physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. In so doing we can hope to live the best life, for both worlds.

Ramadan Mubarak from Markaz al Ihsaan – The MAI Institute.

Showing Love to Almighty Allah

Surah Baqarah verse 165 says… “Those who believe love Allah the most.” This love of the believers for Almighty Allah is described in the Quran as ashaddu hubban – the most immense love.

How we will know that we love Allah with that level of love? The holy month of Ramadan provides us the opportunity to feel, improve increase and demonstrate this love for our creator. We as believers become a portrait of Allah’s love throughout the holy month – when we stop doing many things we like to do in our normal life for His pleasure. In fact the practice of fasting is a way to say: Oh Almighty Allah we love You the most.

As the month of Ramadan begins, we start to sacrifice our nightly rest by standing in Taraweeh salaat which is a prayer of long duration.

Then we get up early in the morning, sacrificing our sleep and our sweet dreams, to obey the command of our Lord. Only passion of love can make this happen.

During the daylight hours, we stop eating delicious foods and block ourselves from sipping cold water and sweet drinks even though we feel hungry or thirsty because we love Allah and we want Him to be pleased with us.

Giving charity and sharing food also certifies that our love for Allah has priority over love for the material world.

Through all these acts of worship, we crave to prove to Our Most Merciful Lord that we love Him the most. Our body language keeps expressing day and night; Oh our Lord we love You so much that we can sacrifice our desires, our sweet dreams, our tastes and physical needs for your sake.

Dear brothers and sisters, after working hard throughout the holy month of Ramadan to earn the spiritual wealth of Allah’s love we should keep it protected and alive until we meet Him.

And remember to ask yourself that if I can restrain myself from Halal for Allah’s love than why should not I get over the Haram?

Eid Mubarak to you and yours, from Mufti 
Chishtie, and Markaz al Ihsaan.

Changes in Governance

[Trinidad, April 2024] – The Markaz al Ihsaan (MAI Institute) wishes to announce changes in its leadership and operational address to better serve its mission and community.

Please be advised that Haji Imtiaz Edoo is no longer on the Board of Directors of MAI. We extend our deepest gratitude to Haji Edoo for his invaluable contributions during his tenure and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We note that his efforts and support, alongside director and Principal Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed, have contributed to the dissemination of Islamic education and media for 2 decades.

The MAI Institute is also relocating its operational headquarters. MAI is no longer located at or connected to the Hermitage Village Mosque. This change is an opportunity to facilitate improved efficiency in our operations, ensuring that we continue to deliver and extend our provision of impactful edification services, humanitarian assistance and community development programs.

“We are grateful for Haji Imtiaz’s dedication and service to the MAI during his time on the board. His contributions have been instrumental in sustaining our mission until this time,” said Faheem Mohammed, Director at MAI. He added, “We are confident that with the support of our dedicated team and partners, the changes at the MAI Institute will augur to making even more meaningful strides in serving our communities towards a brighter future.”

For inquiries or further information, you can visit our website at https://maiinstitute.com, or contact our administration team via email at admin@maiinstitute.com.

About Markaz al Ihsaan (the MAI Institute): The MAI Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed, and is dedicated to providing authentic Islamic education to further the human representation of Almighty Allah in individuals’ intentions, actions and conduct.

Web: https://maiinstitute.com; Email: admin@maiinstitute.com

Muhammad (pboh): A Model of Personal Development

On the occasion of Milad un Nabi we take the opportunity to learn more about our Holy Prophet Muhammad peace be on him.

In the Quran Allah tells us in chapter 3.31

Say, O Prophet, if you sincerely love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

One of the examples the Prophet peace be on him left for us to follow is to method of personal development – how to become better versions of ourselves, and live a life to earn the best of this world and the next.

He gave us the formula to make that happen. In fact, he lived it. He strived consistently and selflessly for 23 years to establish Islam. For the first 10 years he was vilified and subject to ridicule and abuse by others, including his own family. This was in addition to dealing with the personal loss of his son, his wife and his guardian uncle. But he never gave up. He kept striving. Even after he migrated to Madina, he faced 3 wars in addition to burying 4 of his children, while in his 50’s, before he conquered Makkah. He was alive only 2-3 years after that, and buried 2 more children, before he himself passed away.

Today, he is recognized for his achievements – uniting the tribes, changing social behaviors and values, shifting the focus away from material wealth and fame to knowledge and conduct. He is acknowledged by Muslims and non-Muslims alike as one of if not the greatest leader who ever lived, based on achievement.

The principles he established have led to the formation or formalization of bodies of knowledge – developments in optics, astronomy, navigation, formalization of subjects like chemistry, biology, pharmacology, healthcare; in social sciences establishing the foundation for such disciplines as pedagogy, history, anthropology, sociology, economics; algorithms and algebra; and furthermore consolidation of world knowledge at the time, from civilizations across Greece, India, China, and North Africa.

He left an example as a husband and father, as a neighbor and as a friend. As an orphan, an employee and a migrant. As a social advocate, a revolutionary, a teacher, an Imam, a spiritual guide, a negotiator, a judge, a mediator, a stateman and leader.

He came to show us strength – he had every reason to be depressed; and have anxiety attacks; to be bitter and seek revenge. He chose faith and trust in Allah, and he chose forgiveness. He chose kindness, gentleness, caring and selflessness, even to those opposing him. He knew that everything happened for a reason – everything happened for the best – it was all part of Allah’s plan. In the meantime, he knew he had to do, what needed to be done, and he did it with patience. And endurance.

Today, we know that success in this world is the result of consistency, and success in the hereafter is the result of selflessness and total submission to Almighty Allah.

So how do we achieve these?

Consistency is achieved through discipline and perseverance or endurance.

Discipline we get from routine and habit. Doing something at fixed times every day, whether you want to or not. What helps you build routine? As Muslims we have salaat. Perform these actions within specific time periods during the day, every day. The thing about discipline is once you master it, adding to it becomes easy. You know when you have money you begin to see opportunities to make more money? It is the same with discipline. When you can achieve it, you see opportunities to add more effort, and maintain it easily. So we have a means to build discipline.

The next aspect of consistency is perseverance and endurance. These are achieved through sacrifice – sacrificing preference for patience. Now for later. Sacrifice builds drive and motivation to stay the course even when you are discouraged. Even when you are not seeing results. What helps you build endurance? As Muslims, we have fasting. Voluntarily give up very natural things – eating and drinking – for the duration of the daylight. When you want to control yourself, one of the best things you can do is fast. When you want to tame a wild animal, starve him first and then feed him. It is the same with our nafs. Starve it, then feed it, and you gain control over it. Then you can persevere in other efforts more easily – even when things get difficult you will be more able to see it through to the end.

So we have the means to build our capacity for consistency through discipline (salaat) and perseverance (fasting).

What of selflessness? We get to this point when we can we suspend our ego and care for others as much as we care for ourselves. Even more. In Islam, we are told to love for our brothers what we love for ourselves. How do we achieve selflessness? One way to do this is to give charity. Give charity, even if it is a little bit, often. You give of what you have and remind yourself that you are a custodian of all that you have – you don’t really own it, and the value is what it can do to change lives, not earn bragging rights. It makes no sense amassing it to stand above others, when you can help them instead.

You can also achieve selflessness through Hajj – making the pilgrimage, retracing the steps Bibi Hajar made to save her son, and in doing so becoming lost in the crowd with each person focused on only Allah. No importance is given to you beyond basic safety. It’s a humbling experience and tends to erode one’s ego.

So we know the formula. Consistency and selflessness. We have the tools – salaat, fasting, zakat and Hajj – that’s 4 of the 5 pillars of Islam. All are geared to help you build yourself and live your best life.

In the Quran 12:108 Allah tells prophet Muhammad peace be on him

Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me.

On the occasion of Milad un Nabi, may we follow the example that we were given. May we achieve consistency and selflessness in all that we do, so that we earn the best for this life, and the next.

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Tags:Holy Prophet Muhammad, the messenger

Youth perspective of Submission to Eid ul Adha

The word submission according to Collins Dictionary is the act of submitting, surrendering something to someone or yielding to someone or to something.

However, my dear brothers and sisters, the word submission, In Islam, means “submission to the will of Allah Almighty, alone”

What does this mean “submission to the will of Allah Almighty?” Simply put, it is the state of mind of anyone who recognizes Almighty Allah absolute authority and reaches a conviction that Almighty Allah alone possesses all power; no other entity possesses any power or control independent of Him.

Wa mai yabtaghi ghairal Islaami deenan falany yuqbala minhu wa huwa fil Aakhirati minal khaasireen

 “And whoever seeks a way other than this way a submission (Islam), will find that it will not be accepted from him and in the Life to come he will be among the losers”

(Sura Al Imran, 3:85)

So, my dear brothers and sisters, in this life, we have a choice: either be among the winners, i.e., Islam or among the losers.

Nowadays, the focus is on our youth to become additional pillars of Islam and in the analogy of a concrete pillar, it is only as strong as its construction. Unfortunately, with the advent in technology, many of our youths are increasingly tempted to cross the threshold of being lost to the material needs of this duniyah, this world, where our existence is finite and definite.

We are seeing presently that most of our youths today, instead of being present in the Masjids for the five daily salah or other activities, they instead prefer to be at other venues. Now, we cannot wholly and solely cast blame on them for this behavior, as there are various sources of reasoning.

How, my dear brothers and sisters, how can we encourage our Muslim youths to return to the folds of Islam, to increase their Iman and only be submissive to Almighty Allah?

All the Prophets, from Adam (A.S) to Muhammad (saw) were once youths and they themselves were subjected to numerous temptations and many persecutions, which they could have easily given up. However, these temptations were futile and in fact, served to increase their Iman, their dependency, their submissiveness to Almighty Allah, to resolve their situations.

إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ آمَنُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَاهُمْ هُدًى

innahum fityatun amanoo birabbihim wazidnahum hudan

indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.

(Surah Al-Kahf, Quran 18:13)

Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was born into a family of idolaters and in fact, his father was a famous idol sculptor. He was born in a generation where people either worshipped the idols made of wood and stone or the planets, moon, sun, and stars.

However, miraculously at a very early age, Almighty Allah blessed Prophet Ibrahim (AS) with wisdom and spiritual understanding. This made him question everything that he saw, and regardless of how much his father tried explaining to the child their faith, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) never felt content and satisfied deep down in his heart.

In his childhood, Prophet Ibrahim (a.s), used to call out to the passersby and asked them, “Who will buy my idols? They will not hurt you, nor will they help you.” He would then mock the idols by forcing them to drink water to prove to the people that there is no point in worshipping the Gods that cannot even defend themselves. On listening to this, Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) father scolded him and asked that he leaves the house.

In short, even after being born in a house of idol worshippers, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) keenly searched for the true light and the real God throughout his childhood. One day, Allah SWT granted him the blessing of becoming the Messenger and Prophet of the Almighty.

Prophet Ibrahim (a.s), after many generations of seeking Almighty Allah mercy to grant him and his wife Hagar a child, was answered with the birth of his first born, Ismail (a.s).

My Lord! Bless me with righteous offspring (Surah Al Saffat 37:100)

So We gave him good news of a forbearing son (Surah Al Saffat 37:101)

From an early age, Prophet Ismail (AS) walked in his father’s footsteps and was a devoted believer of Allah SWT. When he was an infant, the gift of Zamzam was given to satisfy his thirst, when Almighty Allah commanded his father to leave Ismail (a.s) and his mother, Hagar, in an uncultivated valley in the Arabian Peninsula.

After Ibrahim (A.S.) had helped his wife and child to dismount, he left them with a small amount of food and water which was hardly enough for 2 days. He turned around and walked away. Hagar hurried after him asking: “Where are you going Ibrahim, leaving us in this barren valley?”

Ibrahim (A.S.) did not answer her but continued walking. She repeated what she had said, but he remained silent. Finally, she realized that Allah Had Commanded him to do this. She asked him: “Did Allah command you to do so?” Ibrahim (A.S.) replied: “Yes.”

Then his great wife said: “We are not going to be lost since Allah Who Has Commanded you is with us.”

During those days, there was nobody in Makkah nor was there any water. Ismail’s (A.S.) mother went on suckling Ismail (A.S.) and drinking from the water she had. When the water in the water skin was consumed, she became thirsty and Ismail (A.S.) also became thirsty.

She started looking at her son, tossing in agony. She left him, for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of As-Safa was the nearest mountain to her on that land. She stood on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. Then she descended for As-Safa and when she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble till she crossed the valley and reached the mountain of Al-Marwa. There she stood and started looking expecting to see somebody, but she could not see anybody. She repeated that running between Safa and Marwa seven times.

When she reached Al-Marwa (for the last time) she heard a voice and she asked herself to be quiet and listened attentively. She heard the voice again and said:

“O whoever you maybe! You have made me hear your voice; have you got something to help me?”

And behold! She saw an angel at the place of Zam-zam, digging the earth with his heel (or his wing) till water flowed from that place. She started to make something like a basin around it, using her hand in this way, and started filling her water skin.

As reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari: 3362 and 3363, Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (saw) said, May Allah bestow His Mercy on the mother of Ishmael! Had she not hastened (to fill her water-skin with water from the Zamzam well). Zamzam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth.

One night, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) experienced a dream in which Allah SWT asked him to sacrifice his beloved son, Prophet Ismail (AS). Initially, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) took it as the devil’s trick on him and immediately dismissed it. However, when the same dream occurred for three consecutive nights, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) acknowledged it as a divine message from the creator, Almighty Allah.

Despite his love for his only son, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) intended to go through with the sacrifice. He took his child Prophet Ismail (AS) along with a knife and a rope to the top of Mount Arafat. Upon reaching the spot, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) told his son about the dream and the command of Almighty Allah.

The obedient son immediately obliged and asked Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to blindfold himself so that he does not have to suffer. Prophet Ismail (AS) also requested his father to tie his legs and hands so he may not struggle.

Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So, tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.”

(Surah Al Saffat 37:102)

Therefore, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did as his son had said. He tied the legs and hands of Prophet Ismail (AS) and blindfolded himself. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) then took the knife and fulfilled the wish of Almighty Allah. But to his surprise, when he took off the blindfold, he saw the body of a white horned ram in front of him, whereas Prophet Ismail (AS) stood beside him, completely unharmed. However, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) thought he had failed the trial, but then he heard a voice that told him that he does not need to worry, and Allah SWT always looks after his followers. This strengthened his faith.

We called out to him, “O Abraham!

You have already fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, this is how We reward the good doers.

(Surah Al Saffat 37:104 – 105)

So, my dear brothers and sisters, it is important for us to encourage our young people to emulate the youths in the Quran, as they would eventually become Almighty Allah vicegerent in this world and to use them as the present-day role models. All these youths it was not easy for them. It was difficult, and they had to go through trials and tribulations.

The significance of Eid-ul-Adha is that it commemorates Prophet Abraham (a.s), Hagar, and Ismail’s (a.s) trust and obedience to Almighty Allah.

Islam teaches that our life on earth is a test of our faith in God, our level of submissiveness, what we would sacrifice and how much for the sake of our creator. It is not limited to the physical sacrifice of animals.

Eid-ul-Adha reminds us to remain hopeful. Almighty Allah will rescue us from our difficulties and reward us with happiness, because that’s who Almighty Allah is, Al-Khaaliq, the Creator and to whom we belong and to whom we return.

Islam, Muslims and Mental Toughness

 Many people today are facing a lot of challenges:

• Some have lost their jobs or their source of income.
• Others are being overworked and underpaid.
• Some are struggling with their physical or mental health.
• Some are facing difficulties in their relationships
• Others have lost loved ones, close friends and family

The youths today have additional struggles to content with

• climate change and a sustainable future
• technology competing for our jobs
• the spiraling costs of living
• and increasing scarcity of resources
• There’s the social issues of how groups identify or relate by race, religion and gender.
• And of course, in the midst of all this, we are seeing international conflicts and competition like Russia-Ukraine, Palestine-Israel, and the rising BRICS alliances.

All the while the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, and everyone feels like they are in the matrix, and want to escape this life of economic slavery and poverty.

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Where do we start if we want to fix our situation? First thing we recognize is that success is about attitude, its 90% attitude 10% physical. And attitude takes you a great part of the way towards achieving your goals and objectives.

To that end today we are seeing online a range of different individuals and characters who are speaking to that issue and exhibiting traits or characteristics that persons are gravitating towards. We are seeing a lot of content feature from persons like Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson, David Goggins, characters like Thomas Shelby and even political figures in the international arena.

Content on these and others show huge viewership online and massive interest in what they have to say, people are searching for a way out of this matrix and the shackles of economic slavery.

The messages we hear are around the need for resilience, keeping the faith setting a goal and striving towards that goal, as the means to success. Content repeatedly resound on perseverance, patience, endurance, staying humble and staying committed, staying focused…

A lot of what we are hearing by way of solution are elements of mental toughness –

and by that we mean the ability to face challenging environments and stay focused, and continue to perform.

People who have mental toughness are able to survive and function in different situations,

• provide for dependents, and
• create an enabling or safe environment.

That person can achieve goals,

• is better able to source and organise resources,
• overcome setbacks or failure,
• stay healthy physically and mentally,
• control their emotions and behaviors, and
• and generally maintain a level of order in a volatile environment – faster changes with deeper impacts.

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Where does Islam fit in all of this?

It is expected that every single practicing believer is mentally strong. Every single one. Male and female. If you are following Islam you don’t have a choice. Mental toughness is inevitable. You cannot escape it.

We are told in the Quran that we will face trials in life:

We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops… but give glad tidings to the patient (patiently persevere) (Quran 2:155)

We are told also in the Hadith in Tirmidhi

Those whose religious commitment is strong, will be tested more severely, and the trials to the Prophets were strongest

You probably heard of this in the saying the strongest soldiers get the hardest fight. And we have many examples of this in the lives of the Prophets of Islam.

• Some were tempted (e.g. Yusuf by the Governor’s Wife).
• Some were ignored by their family and community (e.g. Nuh and his family; Hud and the people of Ad).
• Some were betrayed by their companions (e.g. Isa)
• Some were persecuted and driven out of their communities and their societies (e.g. Prophet Muhammad at Hijra),
• And some were tested repeatedly (e.g. Ibrahim as a child, or when ordered to sacrifice Ishmael; Prophet Muhammad on the death of his sons).

In the same way Almighty Allah tells us we will be tested, He also gives us a number of assurances, a social contract, if you will, in writing, in the Quran. And these help us to frame our psychology and thoughts in facing difficulties:

We are told in the Quran for example we will not be given more than we can bear (2:286)

And we are told in a Hadith: When Allah wants to give you more, He tries you (Bukhari)

“Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate some of his sins on account of his patience.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In fact, we are told in the Quran “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” (Qur’an 94: 5–6).

We are taught to build a direct relationship with God – we don’t need any intermediary, a priest or a pundit or even an imam. The Quran (33.3) tells us:

And put your trust in Allah; and sufficient is Allah as a disposer of affairs.

We are taught to ask Allah for anything we need or desire, even if it is a broken shoe lace.

Let each one of you ask his Lord for all his needs, until he asks for the straps of his shoe when it is broken.

Allah tells us when we put our trust in Him, He will provide for us from sources we never expect, and He will never let us down. (65.3)

And [We] will provide sustenance from sources he never imagined.

There are many ways Islam helps us to achieve success in this life, and build the mental toughness and resilience to not only survive but to thrive.

1 is salaat.

Pray 5 times a day. Winter or summer. Rain or shine. Tired or energized. Once it is binding on you, you have to do it. And we hear in the call to prayer Hay yaa allal falah Come to success…

Salaat brings discipline. It brings commitment to duty. It brings reliance on Almighty Allah, and helps us to persevere in our struggles. If we are struggling with a problem and 5 times a day we turn to Him and pray for a resolution, for ease, do you think He will let us down? Ignore us? No!

We are told in the Quran (2:186)

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

Another institution that helps build mental toughness is fasting in Ramadan.

Abstain from all food and drink and sexual relations from break of dawn to sunset, everyday for the month.

What happens when we fast?

Fasting helps us to build willpower. By obeying the command of Allah, we are putting ourselves through a difficult process whether we want to or not. I’m sure there are days when we just do not want to fast. Why cant we skip a day and make up for it afterwards. But we are told to fast for the month. Through fasting we learn that we do what we need to, and not what we feel to.

Fasting helps us to establish discipline in our time management and our lives. We have to wake up for suhoor to start the fast, we have to hasten to break the fast, observe the times for salaat (or else all our fasting might be in vain), all these help us to establish discipline and adhere to a schedule.

Fasting helps us to adjust and refine our attitude. Avoid backbiting. Slander. Cursing. Succumbing to temper – we have to show patience, and not allow provocations to overcome us and spoil our fast. And knowing that it gives us extra blessings is one thing, knowing that if we do not guard our conduct the fast might be spoilt, we learn to be patient in those trying situations we face.

Fasting teaches us perseverance. From the start of fasting, we know the time that it ends – at sunset. The duration may be 9 hours, it may be 14 hours, or even 20 hours. Whatever it is, we have to endure the period. And it gets difficult during the day – especially at the times we are accustomed to having a meal. But we have to endure, and we are given the reward for it – we are told in a hadith one of the 2 happiest times for a believer is when he has broken the fast.

Fasting teaches us contentment and helps us to identify with those less privileged, and be more humble. Some persons are accustomed to having elaborate feasts, or living in the lap of luxury. In Ramadan they too have to endure the humbling process of abstaining from food and drink and sexual relations. They too know what it feels like to be hungry, and there is nothing that can be done about it. A simple thing as a sip of water is a luxury when you are thirsty. We learn how to function when we are going without. And it makes us more sympathetic to those less fortunate, and more inclined to help them. And when fasting is completed, we can better appreciate whatever we were blessed to have, and enjoy it.

When we follow the tenets of Islam,  

• Physically our bodies undergo transformation, from the diet to habits, and time schedules.
• Mentally we build endurance, patience and perseverance, and adjust our attitudes to our lives, to others, and to Allah.
• Spiritually we become more devoted and humble, and more aware of what is and is not in our control.

By doing these, we become stronger. And by obeying the commands of Allah, we are in fact helping ourselves to become better, stronger and more resilient versions of ourselves that we were before we started. We are stronger for it, and set the stage for us to do more. Be more, and reach further in life.

May Almighty Allah allow us to obey his commands, and embrace them, and benefit from them, and grow through them, and be better able to cope with the changing conditions of life that we may experience, and through these grow closer to our Lord.

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Faheem Mohammed is a Director at MAI Institute (Markaz al Ihsaan), and is an Entrepreneur, Business Consultant and Educator by profession. To contact him you can email admin@maiinstitute.com.

A Message to Muslims on the Burning of the Quran in Sweden

Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression and Calculated Provocation

Rasmus Paludan, leader of Danish far-right political party Hard Line, burnt a copy of the Quran – an act for which he obtained a permit from the police – near the Turkish embassy as an act of protest against Islam and Turkish President Erdogan’s attempt to influence freedom of expression in Sweden.

This is an atrocious and hateful act designed to provoke, insult and disrespect Islam and Muslims, and we condemn the actions outright, and those who allow these actions to occur.

We note as well that this is the latest in a series of actions – from burning the Quran, to insulting the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) and his family, to persecution of Muslims and others wearing beards or scarves, to graffiti on and vandalism of mosques and places of worship.

What’s driving this?

The actions have in the past been justified by a difference of values and the insistence by some on promoting their values at the expense of Muslims and Islam, with attempts trying to desensitize Muslims from central aspects of Islam. Otherwise, these acts can be and, in some cases, have been, calculated to provoke a reaction for some personal gain – in this most recent case seemingly political and geopolitical positions around NATO applications.

We recognize the differences in values permitting these types of actions, as outlined in the Majlis ul Ulamaa paper Insulting Islam (https://majlistt.com/final-papers/4-insulting-islam/). Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN in 1948 states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” Alternatively, the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam (Cairo 1990), Article 22, says, in part, “Everyone shall have the right to express his opinion freely in such manner as would not be contrary to the principles of the Shari’ah…. It is not permitted to arouse nationalistic or doctrinal hatred or to do anything that may be an incitement to any form of… discrimination.”

But there is a difference between the right to offend and the right to be offensive. In Islam, we are instructed to not to provoke, slander, ridicule or jest with other groups, based on the Qur’anic ayat, “One group of people should not make fun of another group of people. Maybe they (the latter) are better than they (the former).” (Qur’an 49:11) Compared to Western perspectives such as “No idea should be sacred in the modern world. Instead, in order for us to progress as a species, every claim, every idea should be subject to debate, intelligent discussion, and when necessary ridicule… encourage even ridicule of the sacred Qur’an in the public media. The more frequently and openly this appears, the less threatening it will seem…” Krauss 2015.

Deliberate attempts to be offensive are irresponsible, naïve and reckless, and not in the teachings of Islam. We condemn outright the behavior of individuals or entities to do such.

We expect, however, that the ridicule and blasphemy would continue.

We note that these actions tend to be inflamed by on-going political and socio-economic situations across both the Middle East and Europe – the realities of immigration and current economic recession alongside the realities of oil, political and ideological warfare. We recognise as well the rate of the growth of Islam in Europe, which also ‘threatens’ core European values.

How should Muslims respond to those who insult Islam?

It is natural for Muslims to become offended by the ridicule and un-Islamic utterances and actions of non-Muslims. Some may even be provoked to retaliate, and can use – as some have in the past, misinterpretation of Shariah, as Islamic guidance for the basis of retaliation. Others see these actions as opportunities for personal gain or to promote specific agendas.

In general, we maintain the options of responses to include:

Vocal objection: The community can, and should make its objection heard, as strong as they need to, but non-violently and without hostility. This can include protest, commentary and other intellectual forms of condemnation. We are told in the Quran:

“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend. But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].” (Qur’an 41:34-35)

Boycott, divest, sanctions: social, political and economic protest of products and companies affiliated with those who engage in, condone or allow such behavior, at the individual, community and national levels are suitable and proven to be effective. We are told in the Quran:

“And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.” (Qur’an 6:68)

Enhanced dawah: such acts of ignorance and disrespect serve to highlight the beauty of Islam in its respect, tolerance, open dialogue and moderation. This beauty needs to be communicated to perpetrators of such hostile and ignorant actions. Until that time, we can strive to move more people towards Islam, and promote the adoption of Islamic values to those who prove themselves morally deficient. We are told in the Quran:

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best, and most gracious,” (Qur’an 16:125)

Patience: We as Muslims can choose to be patient, and not give in to immediate reactions. We are told in the Quran:

“Hold on to forgiveness, command what is right and turn away from the ignorant.” (Quran 7:199)

We know that the Quran is a compilation of the words of Allah, and persons would have to account to Him for their actions on a fixed day. Burning the Quran and disrespecting it does not in any way destroy the message of the book that came from Allah. It resides in the hearts and minds of people who recite it on an ongoing basis. Allah will be its protector: Allah says

“We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).” (Quran 15:9)

Furthermore, we are encouraged to pray for them, as our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pboh) prayed for those Makkahns who acted condescendingly and abusively towards him, when he said “O Allah, Guide my people, for they do not know.”