The overall character of Islamic decorative arts is enhanced by the creative use of colors. Colors play an important role because of their remarkable qualities that can easily have an effect on people. Effects that colors can have on people are psychological, intellectual and spiritual. For instance, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali wrote that of the four…
With heads slightly tilted, right hands facing up to receive the light and beneficence from Allah (SWT), and the left facing down to deliver such blessings unto humankind, Dervishes start and keep on whirling in a systematic movement that is an active practice of Dhikr… With heads slightly tilted, right hands facing…
The Muslim architect always exerts himself to ensure that a new structure serves a noble purpose, regardless of whether it is a mosque, school, dwelling, caravansary, hospital, fountain, mausoleum, etc., whereby God alone is meant to be worshiped and adored. – Function of Islamic Architecture Instead of standing alone amidst the marvels of…
Sufism is more of an ascetic way of life, that doesn’t involve any deviation from Shariah, Islamic law, or deviation from the teachings prescribed by Allah (SWT) through the Quran and the traditions of His Messenger (peace be upon him). Beyond Rumi’s Poetry, the whirling Dervishes, detachment from worldly life, and recitation of…
The house is an institution that has a clear mission and vision. Not just possessing houses but also rearing the favorable socio-political and economic conditions where planning, building and acquiring suitable houses would be a norm, does Islam see crucial. The house in Islam is not just a shelter or a place to…
“There are two types of people, when they are good and righteous the whole community becomes good and righteous, but when they are bad and morally corrupt the whole community becomes bad and morally corrupt, those two types of people are scholars and rulers.” It is an undeniable truth that a proper education…
While revealing the causes of the spiritual ruin of certain people in this worldly life, Allah singles out the trap of excessive love for houses in which many people fall, as one of such causes. People tend to adore unduly their houses making use of them either as the end of their flawed spiritual cravings……
Islamic housing is a blend of the belief system, teachings and values of Islam, on the one hand, and the prerequisites and influences of indigenous cultures, climates, topographies, building materials, talents, technologies and economies, on the other… It is divine. The latter, however, fluctuates and varies from one region to the other, and from…
Allah Almighty says: [And He is the One Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Each is swimming in its orbit.] Scientific discoveries have proved that we live in a huge universe that depends on rotational motion. Allah the Almighty says: [And He is the One Who created…
Islamic architecture is not concerned about the form of buildings only. Islamic architecture signifies a process where all the phases and aspects are equally important. It is almost impossible to identify a phase or an aspect in that process and consider it more important than the others. The Islamic architecture process starts…
Jihad, an Arabic word derived form the root “Jahad”, means to struggle- And struggle takes various forms: either spiritual, physical, or mental- Group or individual strugle. It can be struggle against one’s base desires, against enemies, against anger, or to fulfill one’s goals in life. The concept of Jihad has always been mistakenly defined as…
Some people may have practiced Sufism even before knowing much about its doctrine or implications- It’s the natural inclination of a pure soul to engage in a spiritual communion with its Creator. Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that involves transcending through an esoteric exercise to reach a state of spiritual euphoria, ultimate purity…
“The best people are those of my generation, and then those who will come after them (the next generation), and then those who will come after them (i.e. the next generation),…” says a Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) narrated by Imam Bukhari. This is the origin from which stemmed the term ‘Salafi’, beyond any defiling…
Sawm or fasting is obligatory on every Muslim who is physically and mentally sound, to be observed during the month of Ramadan. However supererogatory fasting throughout the year is generously rewarded by Allah Almighty. “O You who believe, fasting has been enjoined upon you as was enjoined upon those before you so that you…
Idiomatically Zakah means purity and involves the annual deduction of 2.5% of each individual’s net property, whether money, livestock and cattles or other treasures, after spending the basic necessities, expenses, and due credits of the year, provided that it reaches the Nisab. Zakah is an obligatory act and duty on every sane Muslim who’s…