Islam

Islam

Thursday, 23 October 2025

How Can We Find Allah?

 


Is everyone born in a state of Islam (Fitra)?

First, I want to explain that everyone is born in a state of Islam (Fitra). That is pure, innocent and free: 

“No baby is born but upon Fitra. It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist. A person said: Allah’s Messenger, what is your opinion if they were to die before that (before reaching the age of adolescence when they can distinguish between right and wrong)? He said: It is Allah alone Who knows what they would be doing. (Sahih Muslim)

Free Will: A Punishment?

Free will is a blessing in disguise. Allah, the All Just, has given us the chance to ponder upon things and make choices. Some may argue that as humans we are unfit for free will as then we will inevitably make wrong choices and may lose our way. What better than having a free ticket to Paradise?

True, but still Allah gives us  infinite chances to repent and get back on track every time we err. What honors us as humans is Allah’s gift of choice through comprehension and recognition, etc. 

Allah says (meaning): He taught Adam the names of all things, then He presented them to the angels and said:

“Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true?” They replied, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. You are truly the All-Knowing, All-Wise.”Allah said, “O Adam! Inform them of their names.” Then when Adam did, Allah said, “Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?” (Quran 2:31-33)

Can someone have a blind heart?

Rest assured that Allah will not do injustice to anyone. Everyone has a chance to go back to their fitra along the way, even those who continued to be raised as Muslims can fall into disbelief but they are always given a chance for guidance if they do not shut its door.

It is through choice only that someone decides to disbelieve. Even the people of Quraish at the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) knew that they were disbelieving but their arrogance and blind following of their  ancestors stopped them from embracing Islam. 

That is: a blind heart is a personal active choice. When we think we can play God and constantly question and debate this and that..who are we to fathom Allah’s Divine Knowledge?

Did the True Message Reach Everyone?

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 

The fate of disbelievers is left only to Allah to decide.”

If it happens that some people do not hear about or fully understand the message of Islam, it is out of God’s mercy that He will not punish them for not following Islam. Allah says:

{[…] And never would We punish until We send a messenger.} (Quran 17:15)

Can Shaytan Fool Us?

Only if we let him. Allah has promised us:

When you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed. He certainly has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as a patron and who—under his influence—associate ˹others˺ with Allah ˹in worship˺. {Quran 16:98-100}

Infinite Justice

So, dear sister,  Allah does not do injustice to anyone. 

Those people who live good and honest lives and worship God as they understand him, and those who have not come into contact with Islam, will surely be judged mercifully by the All-Merciful.

References:

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/256427/does-man-have-free-will-and-choice

- aboutislam.net

About Suzana Nabil Saad, MA
Suzana Nabil Saad is a Community Manager and a Live Chat Agent at aboutislam.net. She previously worked as an editor for Ask About Islam and has written more than 30 articles. She has many years of experience in outreach and holds an Ijazah in Quran recitation.She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the Faculty of Languages, Ain Shams University, Egypt. She obtained her Master’s Degree of Arts in English Literature from Gothenburg University, Sweden.She currently resides in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and three kids. She loves reading, hiking and traveling.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Does The Quran Say Men Are Superior to Women?

 


Are Men Superior in the Sight of Allah?

The answer is one hundred percent NO!

There is a notion mentioned in the Bible that women are created for men. In 1 Corinthians 11:7-9

“7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.…

8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man.…

9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.”

But, this is not the Islamic perspective.

Does The Quran Say Men Are Superior to Women?

Allah Almighty explained clearly that both men and women are equal before Him as worshippers, and their rewards are according to their tests and deeds.

Allah says:

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Quran 9:71)

And Allah Almighty also says:

And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.” (Quran 4: 124)

And The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said:

“Indeed women are the counterparts of men.” [Sunan Abi Dawud]

And Allah very articulately mentioned women and their virtuous deeds being equal in His sight with men, like in this verse:

Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 33: 35)

So, no, women are NOT inferior in the sight of Allah, and this perception is not befitting of Allah, The Just, The Wise, The Merciful.

The Misinterpretation of the Word ‘Qawamoon’

Regarding the verse you mentioned, one mistake that people often fall into is neglecting the context and the proper understanding of the language of the Quran/hadith they’re trying to understand.

So, let’s understand the verse you mentioned clearly.

The translation of the verse in English goes something as follows:

Husbands [are qawamoon] should take good care of their wives, with [the bounties] God has given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own money.” (Quran 4:34)

  • First, what does the word “qawam” mean? The word qawam is a superlative form of the word ‘qama’. When we say someone is “qawam” at night, it means he stands earnestly in worship at night.
  • Qawam means in charge of taking care of something in particular. It is not “Saggan” (Imprisoner or oppressor). It is “Qawam” which is the protector, the maintainer, the one in charge of taking care of the affairs of…etc.
  • So, qawam is someone who works to serve and take care of something/someone else.
  • When the verse in the Quran says:

    Husbands should take good care of their wives, with [the bounties] God has given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own money.” (4:34)

This means that men are in charge of serving and taking care of their women with what Allah has given them like their physical strength (protection of women) and money (spending on women).

Honor & Protection of Women

Islamically, a woman is not obligated to work or spend on anyone or to put herself in any physical danger/harm.

If a woman chooses to work and has her own money, then she keeps her own money to buy whatever she wants for herself. She is not instructed in to spend her money on her husband or the house.  If she did out of her own desire, it will be counted for her with Allah as charity towards them!

Men are Commanded to Protect and Spend on Women

However, men don’t have this luxury or choice. Men are commanded to protect and spend on women.

  • In matters of protection and spending, Allah instructs men alone to take care of that. This is why they’re qawamoon, with the obligation and bounties given to them to fulfill their role. And this should be understood and respected. It’s not about both husband and wife doing the exact same role. Equality is not about sameness, it is about understanding the capabilities and needs of each party and dealing with them accordingly.

Allah Almighty instructs husbands and wives to consult one another.

For example:

Upon the father is the mothers’ provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father’s] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.” (Quran 2: 233)

So even in the issue of weaning a child, they’re instructed to communicate and consult one another.

Bottom line: Qawama is a responsibility and mandate upon the man, it is not an honor bestowed upon him. It is a responsibility that he will be asked about.

Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Dina Mohamed Basiony
Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

Why Did Caliph `Uthman Burn the Qur’an?

 One of the questions that many people ask is: Why did the third Caliph, `Uthman, burn all copies of the Qur’an during his reign?

Some people may view it as something sacrilegious or indicating that the Qur’an was wrong.

Cultural Difference


There is cultural misunderstanding here, because from the Islamic tradition when you burn the Qur’an you are not disrespecting it; in fact this is the way to respectfully dispose of it, which is the exact opposite from the Western tradition.

Our religion teaches us that when you have a worn-out copy of the Qur’an and you have to dispose of it, you don’t just throw it in the trash; that is disrespectful. Rather, you disintegrate it.

They didn’t have paper shredders back then so how would they disintegrate the Qur’an respectfully? Simply they would light a fire and burn it because they didn’t want people to trample on it; they didn’t want people to throw it in trash can. They wanted to get rid of the sacredness of the Qur’an in a manner that is not intentionally disrespectful.

So, this is the cultural difference; when Westerners hear about burning books they think of sacrilege; they think of angry mobs chanting. But that was not the mindset behind the burning of the Qur’an.

The purpose of burning of the Qur’an was to respectfully dispose of unofficial copies of the Qur’an.

The Qur’an was compiled within two years after his death. So the official compilation took place when every single one of the major companions of the Prophet was still alive.

But this official recension of the Qur’an was not made obligatory upon the entire Caliphate, upon the entire Islamic nation. People would simply copy with their own hands any copy that they had and obviously human errors occurred.

Therefore, the need arose to have authoritative copies that are free of any errors.

Join Dr. Yasir Qadhi in this video and learn more about the circumstances of `Uthman’s order to burn Qur’an copies and the measures he took to ensure that only accurate and authentic copies of Qur’an are available and circulated. - aboutislam.net

Monday, 20 October 2025

Is an Empty Prayer Better than No Prayer?

 Is an empty prayer better than no prayer? Is this statement correct? The answer is yes it is.

Sometimes it feels like when we pray we are just going through the motions. We are not connected at all spiritually to the prayer or to Allah. It feels we are not spiritually growing through our prayers.

When that happens to us we feel what is the point in praying? This is Shaytan who is encouraging us to cut off our connection with Allah. However, as long as we have that connection we will find our way back to Allah. - aboutislam.net

Sunday, 19 October 2025

How Islam Balances Personal Piety and Relationship Responsibilities

 


Islam balances personal piety and relationship responsibilities by teaching that fulfilling one’s duties to Allah and to others are both acts of worship. A Muslim cannot neglect their spouse or family while focusing solely on personal devotion. True piety lies in giving each their due — as the Prophet affirmed, “Your Lord has rights over you, your body has rights over you, and your spouse has rights over you.”

Islam teaches us to live balanced lives, fulfilling our obligations to Allah and toward His creation.

It is stated succinctly by the Prophet’s eminent companion, Salman al-Farisi, when he told his friend Abu Ad-Darda’, “Your Lord has rights over you; your body has rights over you; your spouse has rights over you; so, you should give each one of them their due.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Salman gave the above advice when he observed that Abu Ad-Darda was solely occupied by worship, ignoring his wife’s rights. He wanted to teach him that Islam is all about balancing our rights and duties without neglecting anyone’s side.

When the Prophet learned about what Salman told Abu Ad-Darda; the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Salman is right.” 

Therefore, if your wife wants to please Allah, she cannot do so at the expense of neglecting her spousal duties as a wife. She can never expect to please Allah by going to such extremes. 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “You will gain rewards (of charity) through your act of sexual intimacy with your spouses. On hearing this, the companions exclaimed, “You mean we gain rewards for fulfilling our sexual desires?” he replied, “Of course. How about if you were to go and fulfill it outside the bounds of marriage? Will you not be punished for doing so? They said, “Of course’;’ and then he said, “Likewise, you will be rewarded for fulfilling your sexual desires within the bounds of marriage.” (Reported by Muslim)

Therefore, ones wife could lead a balanced life by fulfilling her duties towards Allah without sacrificing her spousal responsibilities. That is the Islamic way, and that is the only way for her to gain the pleasure of Allah.

Almighty Allah knows best.

About Sheikh Ahmad Kutty
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Saturday, 18 October 2025

Prayers and Healing

 


As healing is from Allah, doctors and medications are merely instruments of the Healer.

Sending the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Allah says that reading the Qur’an and believing in it will also cure all your physical illnesses.

The first part of this article sheds light on how the Holy Qur’an contains rules of guidance which, if followed, promote good health and healing.

Use of Meditation in Prayer and Healing

Meditation includes acts of remembrance and communications with God as ordained to us.

1. “When my servant asks you (O Muhammad) about me, (tell them) I am close to them: I listen to the prayer of each supplicant when he asks Me. Let them listen to My call and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way” (Qur’an 2:186).

2. “Your Lord says: “Call on Me and I will answer your call” (Qur’an 40:60).

3. “Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of God, for in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest” (Qur’an 13:28).

4. “Remember Me, I will remember you; thank Me and reject Me not” (Qur’an 2:152).

5. “Remember thy Lord much and praise Him in the evening and morning” (Qur’an 3:41).

6. “Such as those who remember God standing, sitting and reclining” (Qur’an 3:191).

7. “and men who remember God much and women who remember God, God has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward” (Qur’an 33:35).

8. “O you believe! Remember God with much remembrance and glorify Him in the morning and evening” (Qur’an 33:41-42).

Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad, like all other prophets of God, was engaged in the remembrance of God most of the time. He is known to have said:

1. “There is a polish for everything that removes the rust and the polish for the rust-of-heart is the dhikr (remembrance) of God.”

2. He was asked which people are most virtuous and most highly esteemed by God on the Day of Judgement.

The messenger of God (P) replied: “Those who remember God often.”

3. It is narrated in a hadith Qudsi (direct revelation to Prophet Muhammad) “God Most High says I am as my servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me by himself, I make mention of him to Myself. If he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than his. If he comes closer to Me a hand span, I come closer to him arms-length, if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running.”

Thus meditation/remembrance has been a practice of all Sufi sheikhs. In the words of Sheikh al-Mursi “dhikr (meditation) pleases God, defeats and drives evil forces, increases livelihood, makes the personality more prestigious, cleanses the heart, removes the faults and saves the tongue from lying, gossip, backbiting, and hypocrisy while engaged in the remembrance of God.”

Seeking Help with Prayers

According to Imam Ghazali, illness increases faith and brings man closer to God. Knowing this nature, we are told by the Qur’an – “O you who believe, seek help with patience and prayers, as God is with those who patiently persevere” (Qur’an 2:153).

The Prophet Muhammad used to comfort the ill when he visited them and would say the following prayer:

“O Allah remove the hardship, O Lord of mankind, grant cure for You are the Healer. There is no cure but from You, a cure which leaves no illness behind.”

He would also make the following prayer for his own health:

“O Allah cure my body, cure my heart and cure my eyesight from any illness” (repeated 3 times).

Do Prayers Work?

Yes, they do.? Dr. Larry Dossey in his book “The Healing Words” has documented the healing effects of prayer. Citing one example from the research conducted by Dr. Byrd at San Francisco General Hospital in 1988, 393 critically ill heart patients admitted to the intensive care units over a 10-month period were divided into two groups.

Patients categorized into group (A) were prayed for by name until they left the hospital.? Those in group (B) were not prayed for. Those giving the prayers were not told how to pray. The results were very interesting.

Those who prayed for left the hospital early, had a lower incidence of cardiac arrest, 2-1/2 times less incidence of congestive heart failure and required 1/5th fewer antibiotics.

The research team also observed that prayer combined with loving care worked even better.? Men who had angina pectoris and a loving, caring wife, reported a 50% reduction in angina than men who were single or divorced.

Prayers work for us even while we are sleeping. The Prophet Muhammad advised us to say prayers from the Qur’an (Surah Ikhlas, Al Falaq, Annas and/or last verse of Al Baqra (2:286) before going to sleep.

My Own Practice

I do dhikr in all my free time, especially while driving, and I pray for myself, my family, my friends and my patients by name knowing that cure is only from God.

One time I visited a critically ill patient who had an adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma) and was in hypotensive shock. I asked her what I could do for her and she, out of desperation (doctors had told her she wouldn’t make it) asked me to pray.

So I placed my hand over the site of the tumor and made the prophetic prayer and left. The next day when I came, I was surprised to see her sitting up in bed smiling.

She told me that in the evening, the radiologist x-rayed her again and found no trace of the tumor. He could not explain it but thought that the arteriogram might have infarcted the tumor.

The Sufi Practices

In the treatment of diseases, Sufis use prayers and the knowledge of specific verses of the Qur’an and the names of Allah. This is called the Science of Tawidh (Taweez). They use the science of numerology associated with Arabic alphabets. Some sample tawidh is given for illustration.

One must know the healing is not in a piece of paper, words or numbers, but only from Allah. In my humble opinion, Tawidh is only a way to become God-conscious and receive His mercy as a result.

- aboutislam.net

About Shahid Athar
Shahid Athar, M.D. is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Athar is also the Chairman of the Islamic Medical Association of North American and a member of the Islamic Academy of Sciences (IAS).

Friday, 17 October 2025

How Do I Repent Properly to God?

 


Reflects a good intention and a sign of somebody having a seed of a piety in his/her heart, which springs off a sense of guilt and remorsefulness, and that’s a first important condition and ingredient of Tawbah Nasuha (sincere repentance) opening the door of acceptance and forgiveness from the mighty creator, bi iznillah, as Allah says in the Quran: “O you who believe, repent to Allah with sincere repentance! Maybe your Lord will absolve you of your misdeeds and admit you into Gardens (Jannah) with streams running in them…” (Quran 66:8). 

This type of repentance is also one of the prayers and supplications of the Prophet (pbuh) indicating its significance: “O Allah, grant me sincere repentance before death”. 

 So I would say “congratulations” sister for having that spirit “of having genuine remorsefulness, and please stick to it, our Lord is “lord of mercy”, and as He said in his hadith qudsi “Verily, my mercy prevails over my wrath”, and based on this He forgives all the sins (except shirk – polytheism); meaning that  if  we  repent sincerely even our major sins can be forgiven. Haven’t you heard the story of a man who killed 99 persons and yet never felt despair in Allah’s mercy. In his quest for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, he killed another person, making it hundred; despite all this, Allah subhanau wa tahala forgave him, Subhanallah!

So here are what I would recommend for you to do:

1- Capitalize of that good spirit you have now (as mentioned above) and process it properly towards a level of “genuine sense of guilt and remorsefulness”

2- Never despair in God’s mercy: Move towards your Lord, get closer to Him, feel Him in your heart and cry unto Him, seeking His forgiveness and mercy, as the Quran says:  “Flee to Allah; indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner” (Quran 51:50) — While doing this, don’t let Satan weigh you down or discourage you, Allah is there for you always. 

3- Tawhbah Nasuuha (sincere repentance): As mentioned above, let me quickly reiterate here that you will need to follow the above step with a sincere repentance which means that you would have in your heart a strong avowal of dutifulness and intention not to go back again, and that you will henceforth try to be an obedient servant of Allah, and He will certainly help you on that, because repentance is certainly the most cherished act of obedience in the eyes of Allah. May Allah accept it from us and help us attain the level of His devotees and pious servants, Ameen

- aboutislam.net

Thursday, 16 October 2025

Why in Islam a Wife Has to Obey her Husband?

 


I read recently on the Huffington Post by an non-Muslim woman arguing that Muslims are the True Feminists.

It shows how Islam and the lifestyle that Allah Almighty has planned for us essentially liberates women and gives them much power and control. You can take a look at the article if you will, it is quite an interesting read.

And I can tell you that, as a Muslim woman, the more I read and learn about Islam, the more I truly and genuinely feel and become fully convicted that the Creator Allah Almighty quite outstandingly honors, elevates and raises the status of women in a manner that I haven’t found anywhere else- and Allah is my witness to that!

Allah, The Most Powerful, Most Knowing, Most Wise Creator has chosen women- not men- but women to be the carriers of life into existence!

We are the creations that are honored and chosen by Allah to bring life into this world. A woman’s womb in Arabic (rahm) is extracted from the name of Allah Himself ArRahman (The Most Merciful). In-and-of itself, this is a sign of elevation and closeness that the woman has with The Creator, The King of kings, the Giver of Life.

The noble Prophet says in a hadith:

“The word ‘Ar-Rahm‘ (womb) derives its name from ‘Ar- Rahman‘ (i.e. Allah, The Continuously Merciful). So whosoever keeps good relations with it (womb i.e. Kith and kin), Allah will keep good relations with him, and whosoever will sever it (i.e. severs his bonds of Kith and kin) Allah too will sever His relations with him.” [Sahih Al Bukhari]

This is the value and status of the woman, the source and the foundation of the society, the link that ties the entire community together.

Allah made men “maintainers” of women. Meaning, wherever she may be (at her father’s house or her husband’s house) the women must be fully taken care of and protected.

Her father or husband are obliged  by Allah to take care of all her needs; her financial needs, her spiritual needs, her intellectual needs…etc. all must be met. They get rewarded for doing so, and they get held accountable before Allah Himself if the didn’t.



The Prophet says:

“Whoever has three daughters and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink, and clothes them from his wealth; they will be a shield for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.”[Grade: Sahih. Sunan Ibn Majah]

If she wishes to work and make her own money, she is allowed to do so as she pleases. But whatever money she makes is solely hers. She can do or buy whatever she wants with it.

She is not asked or required in any way, shape or form to spend money on her family or her husband, and he is not allowed to ask her for her money. She is not obliged either by Islamic law to cook or clean in the house. But her husband, whatever money he makes, he has to maintain and spend on her! If he didn’t, he is held accountable before Allah.

If anything, Allah is treating us like Queens, sister! The Prophet says, “Be gentle with the glass-vessels (i.e. the women)”.

He describes women as very delicate and must be dealt with softly, gently and with care.

Narrated Anas: Once Um Sulaim was (with the women who were) in charge of the luggage on a journey, and Anjashah, the servant of the Prophet, was driving their camels (very fast). The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “O Anjash! Drive slowly (the camels) with the glass vessels (i.e., ladies).” [Sahih Al Bukhari]

Also in the hadith the Prophet said “Indeed women are counterparts of men.”

And Allah Almighty revealed that women and men are equal before Him. He said:

Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 33: 35)

Now, with regards to what you mentioned, we need to make one point very clear. Allah didn’t create men and women to fight with each other. Rather, He created them to complement one another and cover each other’s needs—which is a very beautiful understanding.

“They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them.” (Quran 2: 187).

Men and women- the husband and wife- are described as clothing or garments for one another, which shows the closeness, mercy and bond that must be there between them.

It’s important to realize and come to the understanding that the believing men and believing women are allies! We’re not competing with one another, fighting or trying to overpower one another.

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Quran 9:71)

The attitude of “why do I have to do this, not him” or “why do I have to do that, not her,”“Why do I obey him, why do I obey her” ….This is not mature way of thinking or acting for us and this is not befitting!

Again, men and women are supposed to collaborate and complement each other’s roles and have mutual understanding.

If you think something is unjust, why do you suggest fixing an injustice by imposing further injustice on the other? Do we fix something wrong by doing the same wrong to others?

Again, Allah created this world upon “balance”, there must be balance, and there must be agreement and coordination. We do not try to possess something completely or bring it completely to our side,or harm the other party to bring benefit to ourselves. That’s not true justice or true activism or feminism. This is imbalance and Allah didn’t call for that.

“And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you not transgress within the balance.” (Quran 55: 7-8)

Men and women are building communities together; pure, dignified communities. We are meant to bring goodness to this world together, raise children and serve humanity together.

It’s not befitting for us to say for example: why are men obligated to spend their money on their families while women aren’t? Or, why are women given the ability to give birth and men aren’t? Or, why there is a chapter in the Quran called “The Women” and there is no chapter called “The Men”?

Again, each of us have rights and responsibilities. Women are the center and the foundation of the family, the community and the Ummah. Men are maintainers and protectors of women. Together they complete and complement each other. While they’re unique in their roles and responsibilities, but in the Sight of Allah, they’re equally valued and rewarded…

I advise you to watch this beautiful talk about roles and responsibilities of men and women by Nouman Ali Khan. It is rather beautiful and explains thoroughly the verses that you mentioned. Insha’Allah it will benefit you greatly.

With regards to the verse you mentioned: no, it doesn’t allow men to beat women unjustly and ask women to stand there helplessly. Rather, it says that in severely extreme cases where women have repeatedly transgressed all boundaries, became harmful, abusive and immoral, men can stop their harm lightly but with limits.

That’s what the ayah does, it puts limits. It doesn’t invite people to beat their wives. Whoever transgresses those limits has wronged in the sight of Allah. Simultaneously, Allah didn’t put any limits on women as you mentioned, on the contrary, He left it open and didn’t even put restrictions on them in this regard like He put on men.

You can watch this very short but concise explanation of the issue of ‘beating’ women hereInsha’Allah it will benefit you as well.

Finally, I remember reading a quote by renowned Egyptian scientist and writer, Mostafa Mahmoud who said “Allah entrusted men with the responsibility of building buildings and constructions…etc., and He entrusted women with the responsibility of building the human being—which truly is a much nobler mission!”

Sister, Allah heard a woman who came to the Prophet to complain about her husband and He revealed verses from the Quran to give this woman her right back and to show how close He is to us, and those verses will be recited by all people in the Quran until the end of time… [Sunan Ibn Majah]

“Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing.” (Quran: Chapter 58: 1)

This same woman was reported to have stopped the most powerful man in her time, Omar Ibn Al Khattab, the Khalifa, the Chief of the believers, and she challenged him and advised him on matters of the ruling and he was listening to her humbly and attentively and didn’t speak back at her.

When she was gone and he was asked why he didn’t interrupt her when she took so long of his time, he said “shall I not listen to the one whom Allah has listened to!”

Such is the honor of women in Islam. They’re elevated, their bodies are sacred, and their sanctity, their intellect and their existence are dignified and protected, even serving them is rewarded.

So, have good expectations of your Most Beautiful, Most Wise, Most Just Creator, my sister. Ask Him to open doors of understanding for you, and to keep you among those who truly understand and properly practice their beautiful religion.

Learn more about Allah. How can we assume matters that are unjust about Him when His Name is The Just. Have strong faith in Him;faith like Hajar’s, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, who had such strong faith in Allah even in the toughest, most inexplicable moments.



But with her faith and perseverance, Allah made her a role model for all believers until the day of judgement. He made her a founder of one of the main pillars of Islam: Hajj. Her journey between Safa and Marwa Mountains have become a requirement for the fulfillment of a pillar of Islam: Hajj. [Al Bukhari].

That’s the status of women, sister, and this our Most Merciful Creator…

May Allah honor and shower you with wisdom, peace and light in this life and the next. Ameen

- aboutislam.net

About Dina Mohamed Basiony
Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.

Wednesday, 15 October 2025

The Power of a Thankful Heart

 


Sleep closes your eyes, but power continues to run through your veins and nerves, sustaining life in your body, never ceasing or slackening.


Who keeps them alive, active, and vigilant for you? Who created and caused them to work from nothing?

You were not created because you asked to be, or provided for while an embryo and a baby because you asked to be. Rather, it was the Generous Bestower and Glorious Maker Who did these things for you, out of His Grace. He truly is more merciful to you than you are to yourself.

Meaning of Thankfulness

Thankfulness is a word that – along with gratitude – means praise and exaltation, and herein lies its worth and merit.

What is important is that the tongue utters gratitude while feeling it in the heart, and acknowledging from deep inside that God, as the source of every good bestowed, deserves all thanks that is sent.

With every blink of the eye and beat of the heart, Allah acquaints mankind with Himself through the blessings He bestows and the good things He sends.

These blessings and bounties, which are renewed throughout every day and every night, should be received with recognition for and thanks to the One Who Bestowed them.

It is He Who made the night and the day follow each other, for such who desires to remember or desires to show gratitude. (25: 62)

If you provide someone with food, give him shelter, pay off his debts, or raise him to a high rank, and he then frowns upon you or gives you his back despite the kindness shown to him, you would perceive him as someone without whom earth would be a better place.

What do you think about the Lord of existence – Who creates out of nothing, provides sustenance and clothing, and showers down His Graces and Favors year after year – when He sees that those living and rejoicing in His Blessings are stern and steadfast opponents of Him!

He has created man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then behold, this same man becomes an open opponent. (16: 4)

Ingratitude

Ingratitude is baseness. The incessant flow of bounties is just repaid with turning the back to their Giver and disobeying Him in His watchful Presence.

With persistence in such behavior, the right to more is diminished to nothing. Therefore is the command to mankind to thank and express gratitude to Him, their Lord.

Gratitude is not a difficult duty that has to be borne with patience; rather, it is the road to perfection that people must walk with determination and purpose.

O you who believe, eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and give thanks to Allah, if it is truly Him that you worship. (2: 172)

Thankfully acknowledging Allah’s Favors with sweet composure and acquiescence of the heart towards the Maker makes a person worthy of receiving more. Blessings in his hands are like water poured on a fertile land that bursts with flowers and fruits. Pouring more cannot be withheld or reduced.

Contrarily, watering a barren land is a waste, and therefore water is cut off.

If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless, verily My Punishment is indeed severe. (14: 7)

Severe punishment is thus deserved for the evilness of ingratitude.

What will people lose if they enjoy the Blessings of Allah with a thankful heart that acknowledges the Bestower and says to Him, “Thank You.” Or is this too difficult?

The Prophet’s Thankfulness

Gratitude is more a feeling than mere movement of the lips, a feeling that was superbly translated into sincere actions and behaviors throughout the day and life of Prophet Muhammad.

Whenever he woke up, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who restored to me my soul, made my body healthy, and allowed me to remember Him.

Whenever he finished eating, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who fed us, quenched our thirst, and made us Muslims.

Whenever he returned from relieving himself, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who made me taste its (food) good flavor, retained within me its power (strength and energy derived from food), and removed from me its harm.

Whenever he wore a new garment, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me, with no power or might from myself.

Whenever he returned from traveling, he would say:

We are returning, repenting, worshiping, and praising our Lord.

Whenever something happened that pleased him, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah by Whose Blessings all good things are perfected.

And whenever something happened that displeased him, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah in all circumstances.

And he prayed:

O Allah, help me remember You, thank You, and perfect my worship of You.

Satan’s Plan

What plan did Satan have against mankind after he was expelled from heaven?

His vengeful endeavors were to rob mankind of contentment and make them ungrateful.

His vengeful endeavors were to distract them and cover their insight with veils of heedlessness, so that they eat the Bounties of Allah and do not thank Him and see His Grand Signs and do not glorify Him.

When beasts find food, they devour it, sensible of nothing else. And when they lack food, they feel hungry, sensible of nothing else. When healthy, they run and jump. But when sick, they lie down and rest, sensible of nothing else.

They know no patience with affliction or thankfulness for bounties.

This is the kind of life that Satan wants mankind to live, neither to remember nor thank Allah.

This was the oath of Satan on the day he was driven out of heaven.

I will surely lie in wait for those on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from in front and from behind and from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful (to You). (7: 17)

The Consequences of Ingratitude

The worst of ingratitude is when it is a collective feeling into which an entire nation slides. As if there is a written agreement among them not to mention anything good about Allah, and to gorge His Bounties and ascribe them to anyone other than Him.

Were previous nations, such as ‘Ad and Thamud, destroyed for any cause other than ingratitude?

It was said to ‘Ad:

Remember that He made you successors after the people of Nuh (Noah), and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed on you) from Allah, so that you may be successful. (7: 69)

It was said to Thamud:

Remember that He made you successors after ‘Ad (people); and gave you habitations in the land, you build for yourselves palaces in plains, and carve out homes in the mountains. So remember the graces (bestowed on you) from Allah, and do not go about making mischief on the earth. (7: 74)

The flood of blessings and bounties that flowed throughout their land was nothing to these people. Consequently, they were deprived of what they were ungrateful for; dispossessed of what they denied, and torment was justified against them.

Mankind is warned not to tread such pernicious paths.

Remember Me, I will remember you. And be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful. (2: 152)

But despite Allah’s Warnings, only few are those who acknowledge His Favors or feel grateful.

But few of My slaves are grateful. (34: 13)

_____________________

From the book “The Emotional Side of Islam” by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali. Translated and adapted by Haya Muhammad Eid and edited by Emily Katharine Richardson.

- aboutislam.net