Faith
24 articles
- I’ve Been Repenting, Why Is My Life Still Like This?Istighfar thousands of times, but why does it feel like Allah isn’t listening? My sustenance is still the same, my problems aren’t resolved, and my life feels like it’s stuck in place.
- Be Patient, Don’t RushIn today’s fast-paced world, we often want everything instantly. Yet rushing can lead to poor decisions, damaged relationships, and eventual regret.
- Stay Positive In Any SituationLife always brings joy and hardship that cannot be separated. However, true happiness is not determined by the situations we face, but by how we respond.
- The Deadline for RepentanceHow often do we postpone repentance? 'I'll do it later,' 'I'm still young,' or 'There's plenty of time.' Yet have we considered this question, what makes us so sure that we will see tomorrow?
- Jihad Beyond the BattlefieldWhen the word 'jihad' is mentioned, many people immediately imagine war and violence. However, the meaning of jihad in Islam is far more comprehensive. Every Muslim has their own jihad to pursue, based on their abilities and situation.
- Finding Your Purpose And DirectionHow do we know if the choices we make are right? How can we be sure that we are on the right path? It turns out that living in alignment with our values not only brings us peace, but also helps us find meaningful direction in life.
- Your Character Reflects Your FaithWe often hear people claim to have faith, yet their behavior actually hurts others. True faith, however, will always shine through good character. Remember, Allah doesn't judge by how we look, but by our hearts and what we do.
- Small But ConsistentOur worship enthusiasm is often like a roller coaster, super diligent at the start of Ramadan, then slacking off after Eid. We read the Quran daily when motivated, but once life gets busy, we skip days. Yet what Allah loves is not abundant deeds done briefly, but small deeds done consistently.
- The Ways Allah Responds to PrayersWe tend to judge if our prayers are "answered" by whether we get what we asked for. Ask for a spouse, get a spouse, means it's answered. Ask for a job, get a job means it's heard. But what if we haven't gotten it yet? That's when the doubts start. The thing is, Allah's ways of answering prayers are so much broader than just giving us exactly what we ask for.
- Islam Prohibits SuicideHave you ever reached a point where life felt too painful to continue? Or known someone who has thought about ending their life? These feelings of despair are real, and you're not alone in facing them. But before those thoughts go any further, there's something important you need to know, that Islam strictly prohibits suicide.
- When Are Prayers More Easily Answered?Allah always hears the prayers of all His servants, whenever and wherever they may be. However, here are certain times that Allah has made special moments when servants are closer to Him, times that Allah has designated as special gateways to answered prayers.
- Wishing for DeathHave you ever felt so exhausted with life that you thought, "I'd rather die than live like this"? This feeling might come when facing problems that seem unbearable, such as illness, poverty, or deep sadness.
- When Too Much Worship Becomes a ProblemImagine being so dedicated to worship that you forget to eat well, sleep enough, or spend time with your family. This was the reality for Abu Darda, a deeply devout companion of the Prophet. But when his friend Salman came to visit and saw what was happening, he did something unexpected, he stopped him. Salman taught him a powerful lesson: your body has rights over you, and so does your family.
- How to Stay GratefulWhat did you feel when you woke up this morning? Did your mind immediately jump to the problems ahead, or did you take a moment to feel grateful for another day? Most of us forget that every breath, every heartbeat, is a gift we can't put a price on. Staying grateful when life gets busy and challenging isn't easy, but it's what makes the difference between a calm heart and a restless one.
- Don't Misinterpret Islamic Teachings"This verse clearly supports my opinion!" someone confidently says while quoting a verse whose context they don't actually understand. "This hadith proves I'm right," even though they only read bits and pieces of the translation without understanding the scholars' explanations. With the rise of religious debates, more and more people are interpreting the Quran and hadith according to their personal desires, just to justify their opinions.
- Taking Care of Personal HygieneWhat is the connection between bathing and faith? Between wudu and Paradise? It sounds strange, but this is what Islam teaches, a religion that strongly emphasizes cleanliness. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Cleanliness is half of faith." It's not enough to be diligent in worship if personal hygiene is neglected. Cleanliness isn't just about appearance in the eyes of people, but a reflection of the quality of our faith before Allah.
- New Muslims Receive Forgiveness and RewardWhat happens to a person’s deeds before they embrace Islam? Are the good things they did counted? Are their sins forgiven? These are important questions, especially for new Muslims who have just embraced Islam.
- Religion is Easy, Don't Make It Hard on YourselfHave you ever felt burned out from worship? Praying night prayers every day until exhausted, fasting so often you feel weak, or attending Islamic lectures back-to-back until you have no time to rest? You feel like you have to do everything, or else your sins will pile up. Yet your body is already tired, your mind is stressed, and your worship becomes less sincere.
- Be Wise in Giving CharityYou feel obligated to help everyone who asks for help because you're afraid of sinning. Someone asks for a loan, and you immediately transfer money even though your own savings are low. But by the end of the month, you struggle to pay your bills or sometimes even have to go into debt. Giving charity is noble, but it doesn't mean we should empty our wallets to the point of burdening ourselves or even others.
- The Practice of Zuhd (Detachment)When people hear the word "zuhd," they most immediately picture someone living in poverty, owning nothing, wearing tattered clothes, and avoiding all worldly pleasures. Zuhd and poverty seem to go hand in hand. But is that really what it means?
- Sources of Islamic LawWhere do we actually derive Islamic law from? Is it only from the Quran? Or also from hadith? What if something isn't explained in either? These questions are crucial because they determine how we live our lives as Muslims.
- Stop Praying with Doubt!Have you ever prayed with doubt? "O Allah, if You're willing, grant me this... but if not, that's okay." Or perhaps you pray while thinking, "There's no way my prayer will be answered, I've done too many bad things." Without realizing it, we sometimes pray filled with doubt, as if we're uncertain Allah will answer.
- Riya (Showing Off) in WorshipEver caught yourself praying extra carefully because someone's watching? Or reading Quran with a better voice when people are around? Or posting about your worship online hoping people will notice? You might be slipping into riya, performing acts of worship not for Allah, but to be seen and praised by people.
- Don't Just Follow the CrowdEver felt pressured to go along with the crowd? With all the social pressure and environmental influences around us, it's so easy to just drift along. Being good when others are good, being bad when the environment turns toxic. But Islam teaches us something different, to stand firm on our principles, regardless of what others are doing.