#article | Giving Gifts
⏱️9 minute read

A beautiful #Sunnah

• The gifts of Allah Ta'ala
• Difference between charity and #gifts
• Rules of gifting
• Some gifts given to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam
• Repaying gifts

http://islamicfocus.co.za/giving-gifts/

#article | Lessons from Surah Hashr
⏱️14 minute read

• Situations can change drastically and rapidly
• #Unity, not Uniformity
• #Islamophobia and its reality
• Don’t give up

#Quran

http://islamicfocus.co.za/lessons-from-surah-hashr/

#article | Perfumes and the Sunnah
⏱️12 minute read

Selected aspects regarding #perfume from the #Sunnah, as well as some background so that we can gain a better appreciation of it.

• Practice of the Prophets
• Art of Perfume making
• Musk, Amber and Oud
• Occasions for Perfume

http://islamicfocus.co.za/perfumes-and-the-sunnah/

#article | Reflections on Earthquakes
⏱️15 minute read

The February 2023 #earthquakes which struck Turkey and Syria saw over 52,000 people lose their lives. It is an opportune moment to answer some questions surrounding earthquakes and take some lessons.

• Why do earthquakes occur?
• A time to reflect
• Earthquakes are a mercy
• A sign of the Last Day
• The positives from the recent earthquakes
• Our response
• Some noteworthy earthquakes

http://islamicfocus.co.za/reflections-on-earthquakes/

#article | #Mountains
⏱️17 minute read

Mountains are a creation of Allah Ta’ala which are mentioned in the Noble #Quran and the #Hadith. They played a role as the setting for significant events in the lives of the Prophets alaihimus salaam.

• What if mountains disappeared?
• Mountains as settings for the Prophets alaihimus salaam
• Mountains in the life of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam
• Do mountains have a sense of perception?
• Mountains in the Noble Quran
• Mountains close to Qiyamah
• Some lessons from mountains

http://islamicfocus.co.za/mountains/

#article | Lessons from Surah Mumin
⏱️14 minute read

Surah Mumin is the 40th Surah of the Noble #Quran. It is the first of seven Surahs that begin with the letters Haa Meem. Collectively they are known as Aala Haa Meem or Hawaameem.

• Decoration of the Noble Quran
• Passion for the Noble Quran
• Ways of protection
• Vividly evocative verses
• The effect of these verses
• Helping others become better people
• Getting the Angelic Duas

http://islamicfocus.co.za/lessons-from-surah-mumin/

#article | Islam and #Literacy
⏱️16 minute read

The quality of scholarship and a love and passion for #books, writing, #reading, literacy and academia was also embedded within Muslim culture from the very beginning.

• Islam's literary tradition
• Muslim contribution to literature
• Love for books
• Benefits of reading
• How to encourage kids to read
• Our recommended list

http://islamicfocus.co.za/islam-and-literacy/

#article | The Martial Spirit
⏱️14 minute read

Over the centuries nations flourished when their values were upheld, the values of integrity, honesty, loyalty, chastity, and a martial spirit. Once the morality of a nation goes that nation or community is on the path to destruction.

• The need for a martial spirit
• True masculinity
• Healthy eating
• Exercise and training
• Training the soul

http://islamicfocus.co.za/martial-spirit/

#article | Islam in Constantia
⏱️10 minute read

The area of Constantia in Cape Town is now an affluent suburb of the city. It was originally the forest used to supply the Dutch settlement in the Cape in the 1600’s. It formed the setting for what was possibly the first informal Madressa in South Africa.

• The first Madressa
• Masjid Mahmood
• Masjid Monier and the graveyard
• Early Masjids in the country

https://islamicfocus.co.za/islam-in-constantia/

#article | Notes on Libya
⏱️14 minute read

#Libya has a long and rich history. It is the fourth largest country in Africa and the 16th-largest in the world. The overwhelming majority of the people are Muslim, and the country has stayed firm on Islam since the early days of Islam.

• A beautiful country
• Long, rich history
• Colonial atrocities
• Heroic resistance

https://islamicfocus.co.za/notes-on-libya/

#article | The Napoleonic Code
⏱️5 minute read

Napolean used an Islamic book, Sharah Dirdeer ala Mukhtasar al Khalil, an authoritative Maliki Fiqh book, on which he based the first uniform set of French laws. This was known as the Napoleonic Code or the French Civil Code of 1804 which is still largely intact.

* Where did Napoleon get the book?
* Examples of similarities with Islamic laws
* Why a Maliki text?
* Ways Islamic law fashioned modern European law

https://islamicfocus.co.za/the-napoleonic-code/

#article | Wisdom in #Tests
⏱️10-minute read

People see Muslims undergoing tests, while seeing non-Muslims in positions of power and with great wealth. Questions go through one’s mind seeing the #Palestinians undergoing horrific genocide for months on end while their enemies are enjoying economic prosperity and power.

* Approach to adopt in the face of #suffering
* Wisdom in Muslims facing #defeat
* #Challenges as part of life

https://islamicfocus.co.za/wisdom-in-tests/

#article | Spotlight on #Gaza
⏱️15-minute read

Gaza is not some uncivilised, backwater place. It was inhabited around 5,000 years ago making it one of the oldest cities in the world. The name comes from Gazza which means fierce or strong, an apt name for the resilient people of the land.

* Gaza's long history
* Zionist stance on Gaza
* Why armed resistance?
* Islamic view on Gaza
* Lessons from the war

https://islamicfocus.co.za/spotlight-on-gaza/

#article | Preserving #Faith
⏱️15-minute read

Many a Muslim enjoyed the acts of worship associated with Ramadaan. But there were others who were falling short and some who did not even fast in the holy month. What was missing? The key ingredient, once we call ourselves Muslims, is to have strong faith (Imaan).

* Efforts to preserve and increase faith
* The town of Mareeba, Australia
* The Maktab system
* How faith leaves
* How faith was preserved

https://islamicfocus.co.za/preserving-faith/