LEARNING ISLAM

The last ten days of Ramadan represent a vital spiritual phase for Muslims. If we follow the guidance of Allah as stated in the Qur'an, the ultimate goal of fasting is for mankind to reach the status of "muttaqin" those who possess taqwa (piety/consciousness). This is established in Surah Al-Baqarah: 183: يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (muttaqin)." Defining Taqwa In reality, when asked the simple question, "What is taqwa?", many Muslims do not fully understand it in depth. Some scholars or teachers define it generally as "performing Allah's commands and avoiding His prohibitions". However, I will define taqwa through semantic and linguistic (balaghah) approaches. This aims to help us evaluate whether our fastin...

Many stories of the prophets' families in the Quran did not always run perfectly; so, is that imperfection what is considered ideal by Allah? Many people today imagine the ideal family as what we often see in movies, romantic dramas, soap operas, or social media posts. A romantic husband, an ever-understanding wife, obedient children, and a household without conflict. Perfect, isn't it? However, the Quran provides a very different picture. The Quran does not hide reality; instead, it shows that even the families of the prophets were filled with trials. And from there, we learn the true meaning of an ideal family. Trials of Faith and Spouse Imagine living for decades with a partner who does not believe in your mission. That is what Prophet Noah and Prophet Lot experienced. Allah Himself mentions this story as a lesson for humanity. ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلٗا لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱمۡرَأَتَ نُوحٖ وَٱمۡرَأَتَ لُوطٖۖ كَانَتَا تَحۡتَ عَبۡدَيۡنِ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا صَٰلِحَيۡنِ فَخَانَتَ...

This year, during Ramadan, we are faced with a truly shocking phenomenon. A few days ago, the United States and its allies suddenly launched an attack on Iran at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2026. The attack reportedly killed Iran's Grand Imam, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, along with several senior Iranian officials. Ironically, some of our brothers, particularly from Salafi or Wahabi circles, have shown joy over the American attack on Iran, including the passing of the Iranian spiritual leader. This attitude is usually based on opinions attributed to several preachers who strongly criticize Iranian authority. Based on these views, some Salafi/Wahabi groups believe that the destruction of Iran is something to be grateful for. Some of the reasons often cited include: 1. Theological Issues: Iran is seen as the representation of Shia Islam, which is accused of declaring some companions of the Prophet as disbelievers (kafir). On this basis, they argue that Iran deserves to be des...

Altering Allah's creation (taghyir khalqillah) in Islamic law is ruled as haram (forbidden) based on Surah An-Nisa: 119. However, intriguingly, this ruling changes when the alteration is for medical treatment, removing a physical defect, or following the sunanul fithrah (such as circumcision, clipping nails, or cutting hair). To understand what kind of "altering Allah's creation" is actually prohibited according to the Qur’an, we must examine it further. As usual, to draw a conclusion from a verse, we must first study its context by looking back a few verses. An-Nisaa (4:117–119) إِن يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ إِنَٰثٗا وَإِن يَدۡعُونَ إِلَّا شَيۡطَٰنٗا مَّرِيدٗا "They invoke instead of Him none but female deities, and they actually invoke none but a rebellious Satan," لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُۘ وَقَالَ لَأَتَّخِذَنَّ مِنۡ عِبَادِكَ نَصِيبٗا مَّفۡرُوضٗا "Whom Allah has cursed. For he had said, 'I will surely take from among Your servants a sp...

In previous studies, two important concepts in the Qur’an have been discussed: berkah (blessing/barakah) and fadhilah (bounty). Berkah relates to the stability and sustainability of the natural systems that support life, such as water, soil, trees, and various other ecological elements. From this system of blessing, various natural energy supplies are born, which in Qur’anic terminology are referred to as fadhilah, the surplus of potential available in the universe for human utilization. From the existence of this fadhilah, the next concept emerges, which is crucial in human life: rizki (sustenance/provision). The Definition of Rizki in the Qur’an Conceptually, rizki can be understood as something consumed by living beings that functions to support the process of growth and the sustainability of life. In this sense, rizki is not merely money or material wealth, but everything that can provide growth support for living organisms. In the Qur’an, the concept of rizki is frequently li...

In previous discussions, it has been explained that barakah (blessing) is related to stability, sustainability, and the supporting factors of human life. Water, trees, soil, and various other natural elements are manifestations of this barakah. These elements maintain ecosystem balance while providing the basic necessities for human survival. However, from this system of barakah, another concept emerges in the Qur’an, often referred to as Fadhilah. Etymologically, the word fadhilah originates from the Arabic root ف-ض-ل (fa-dha-la), which means surplus, excess, or excellence. In the cosmological context of the Qur’an, this term can be understood as the surplus supply or energy potential available in the universe that humans can utilize to enhance their lives. In other words, if barakah is the stability system that sustains life, then fadhilah is the surplus potential available to be developed and utilized by mankind. 1. Fadhilah as Nature’s Energy Supply The Qur’an describes the u...