A significant distinction that enables conscious action is focusing on process rather than outcome. Keeping our sights on what we can do is empowering.

On the other hand, when our eye is on the outcome, we can become discouraged and lose our will to take action. Many causes and projects are so huge that it is extremely difficult to see the benefit of doing anything about it. Protesting terrorism, oppression injustice, global warming all come to mind as examples.

 This principle is highlighted in the Quran in several places when Allah swt reminds the prophets that their mission and job is to deliver the message. They are not held responsible for the impact of the message or how many people pay heed. In fact, there are many instances when Allah swt highlights the fact how few people paid heed to the message in the lives of His messengers.

 On a smaller scale, becoming overly attached to people’s approval of our words and actions can greatly...

O People !

Indeed the blessed month of Allah has approached you laden with His Mercy, blessings and forgiveness.

Reflection: These are the energies that are abundant in this month, ours for the taking. The invitation is for all - not just those who are the most observant - it is addressed to mankind as a whole

It is a month which with Allah is the best of months.  Its days are the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours are the best of hours.

Reflection: Sometimes we ask ourselves what is the problem if we carried on with our normal lives, or spend the long days entertaining ourselves so that the time of fasting is easier. This statement, and the rest of the sermon answers this question. We can think of it in this way: if there was a sale at our favorite store, which was buy 1, get 70 free, there would be no problem in spending our time searching for something we did not need at another store. There would, however, be a major opportunity cost to doing so. It...

It has been said that the Holy Quran is a doing book rather than a reading book. What better time to live the verses of the Holy Book than the blessed month it was revealed in.

This Ramadan, let us connect to the Quran by taking verses and incorporating them into our daily lives.

Take a few minutes to browse some verses of the Quran that call you to action.

1) Read and write the translation of the verse.

2) Jot down HOW you will live that ayat. If you were living your life according to the ayat, what would it look like? What would you be doing more of? Less of? How would you be feeling?

3) What are some barriers that you have or might face?

4) How will you overcome them?

5) What is your accountability process? How will you keep on track?

Take a few moments to do this but DO NOT over think it. It is a very effective exercise if done quickly and simply. If you find yourself telling a story about the exercise or finding ways why it will not work, STOP! Keep at it, keep writing even if...

Regret in the Quran:

وَأَنْفِقُوا مِنْ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُنْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ 

[63:10] And spend out of what We have given you before death comes to one of you and he says: My Lord! If You would only reprieve me for a little while, I would give in charity and become of the righteous doers of good deeds?

The Quran often talks about those who do not spend time and resources wisely will be regretful upon death and on the Day of accounting. The Day of Accounting itself is called yawm ul hasrat, or the day of regret. Although regret may be present if we get warning of our impending death, we are told that the regret is most acute on the Day of judgement when we realise the full impact of the time we wasted in life. Today inshallah we will look at what is regret and how we can live life in a way that we are not regretful at the end of it.

In...

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
[14:7] And when your Lord made it known: If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe.
[Yusufali 14:7] And remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): "If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you; But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed."
Allah tells us again and again in the Quran: few of my servants are grateful. He asks us afala yashroorn? Why are you not grateful

وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ
[Shakir 36:73] And therein they have advantages and drinks; will they not then be grateful?

Shaitaan implies that we are more subject to his evil power when we are not grateful. When he is arguing with God and asking for permission to lead mankind astray, he tells Allah:

ثُمَّ لآتِيَنَّهُم مِّن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ...