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     Is It True That Whoever Gets Married Has Completed Half of His Religion? Evidence from                                     Islam Introduction Marriage holds a special place in Islam. It is not merely a social arrangement but a sacred relationship that provides companionship, affection, mercy, and an opportunity to live according to the teachings of Allah. Muslims often hear the statement that “Whoever gets married has completed half of his religion.” But is this statement authentic, and what evidence supports it from the Qur’an and Sunnah? To understand this matter correctly, we must examine the relevant hadith, its meaning, and the responsibilities that marriage brings to a Muslim. 1. The Hadith About Completing Half of One’s Religion A narration commonly quoted in this regard states: “When a person marries, he has completed half of his religion; so let him fear Allah reg...

  What Is the Concept of Engagement in Islam? Is Exchanging Rings Prescribed in Shariah? Introduction Engagement is a common practice among Muslims who intend to get married. In many cultures, an engagement ceremony involves exchanging rings, exchanging gifts, gathering with family members, and celebrating the couple’s decision to marry. However, it is important to understand the Islamic perspective on engagement and distinguish between cultural customs and practices prescribed by the Shariah. Islam encourages marriage and provides clear guidelines for the relationship between a man and a woman before marriage. So, what is the actual concept of engagement in Islam? Is exchanging rings an Islamic requirement, and what are the rules that an engaged couple must observe? 1. What Is Engagement in Islam? In Islamic terminology, engagement is known as Khutbah (خِطْبَة) . It refers to a proposal or expression of the intention to marry a particular woman. It is a preliminary step towards ma...

                  Is a Stepfather a Mahram? In Islam, the rules of mahram relationships are important because they determine matters such as hijab, privacy, travel, and marriage. One commonly asked question is whether a stepfather is considered a mahram to his stepdaughter. Who Is a Mahram? A mahram is a person whom one is permanently forbidden to marry because of a relationship established through blood ties, breastfeeding, or marriage. Because marriage to a mahram is permanently prohibited, certain rules of interaction are different from those between non-mahrams. Is a Stepfather a Mahram? Yes, a stepfather can be a permanent mahram to his stepdaughter , but there is an important condition. A man becomes a mahram to his wife's daughter when he has consummated the marriage with her mother . Allah says: “Your stepdaughters who are under your guardianship, born of your wives with whom you have consummated the marriage; but if you have not ...

     Wife Waiving Conditions Stipulated by Her                                   Guardian Introduction Marriage in Islam is a solemn covenant built upon mutual rights, responsibilities, trust, and consent. Islamic law gives great importance to the conditions agreed upon at the time of marriage, provided that those conditions are permissible and do not contradict the Qur’an or Sunnah. Sometimes, a woman’s guardian (wali) may stipulate certain conditions when arranging her marriage. After the marriage, the wife may decide that she no longer wishes to hold the husband to some of those conditions. This raises an important question: Does the wife have the right to waive conditions that were stipulated by her guardian? Conditions in an Islamic Marriage The Prophet ﷺ emphasised that the conditions connected to a marriage contract are especially deserving of being fulfilled. He ﷺ said: “The ...

  Ruling on a Believer Who Commits Some Sins Islam teaches a balanced understanding of faith, sin, repentance, and Allah’s mercy. A believer may sometimes fall into sin due to weakness, temptation, or human error. However, committing a sin does not automatically take a person outside the fold of Islam, as long as the person does not regard that sin as permissible or reject something that Allah has clearly made obligatory. A Believer Can Commit Sins Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jamaa‘ah affirm that a Muslim who commits a sin remains a Muslim as long as he does not consider the sin lawful. His faith may become weaker because of the sin, but the sin itself does not necessarily make him a disbeliever. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the adulterer commits adultery, he is not a believer at the time when he is committing adultery…” This does not mean that every sinful person becomes a disbeliever. Rather, it indicates that sins can diminish and weaken a person's faith. Faith increases through obedience an...

  The Ruling on Writing the Names of Allah and Muhammad ﷺ in an Interwoven Form Introduction In some places, you often see the names “Allah” and “Muhammad ﷺ” displayed together, sometimes in decorative calligraphy or with the letters of both names interwoven. The question arises: Is it permissible to place such a design on the door of a mosque or elsewhere? Islam teaches Muslims to honour both the name of Allah ﷻ and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. However, honouring them must follow the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah, without introducing forms of expression that may confuse the distinction between the Creator and His Messenger. Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ Are Mentioned Together in the Shariah The testimony of faith itself combines the two essential declarations: لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Similarly, the Qur’an and Sunnah frequently establish the relationship between belief in Allah and bel...

     Performing Aqeeqah for Oneself and Older                  Children, and Borrowing for It Aqeeqah is the sacrifice offered on behalf of a newborn as an expression of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a child. It is an established Sunnah in Islam and is accompanied by other recommended practices, such as naming the child and removing the newborn’s hair. When Should Aqeeqah Be Performed? The Sunnah is to perform the aqeeqah on the seventh day after the child’s birth . If you cannot do it on the seventh day, you may perform it later when circumstances allow. For a boy, two sheep or goats are traditionally offered, while for a girl, one sheep or goat is offered, based on the well-known hadith regarding aqeeqah. The important point is that aqeeqah is a Sunnah and should not become a source of unnecessary hardship for the family. What About Performing Aqeeqah for an Older Child? If aqeeqah was not performed during childhood...

  It Is Mustahabb to Isolate Oneself at Times of Tribulation When a Muslim Fears for His Religious Commitment Islam teaches the believer to protect his faith, especially during times of fitnah (tribulation, confusion, and widespread trials) . When a person fears that remaining involved in a particular environment may weaken his faith, lead him toward sin, or cause him to compromise his religious commitment, it can be mustahabb (recommended) for him to distance himself from that environment. This does not mean that Islam encourages a person to abandon society without reason. Rather, it is a form of protecting one’s deen, heart, and obedience to Allah when serious trials become difficult to withstand. What Is Meant by Fitnah? Fitnah can include situations in which truth and falsehood become confused, sins become widespread, religious values are mocked or neglected, or a person is repeatedly exposed to influences that threaten his faith. The Prophet ﷺ warned believers about such tim...

  The View of Ahl al-Sunnah Towards the Sahaabah and the Leadership of Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq رضي الله عنه The Sahaabah (Companions) رضي الله عنهم hold a unique and honoured position in Islam. They were the people who believed in the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, accompanied him, supported him, learned directly from him, and conveyed his teachings to the generations that followed. Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah regard love and respect for the Sahaabah as an important part of their faith and maintain a balanced approach towards their lives and disagreements. The Status of the Sahaabah The Qur’an praises the early believers who supported the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Allah says: “And the first forerunners among the Muhajireen and the Ansaar, and those who followed them with good conduct — Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.” (Qur’an 9:100) The Sahaabah sacrificed their wealth, families, homes, and sometimes their lives for the sake of Islam. They accompanied the Prophet ﷺ thro...

  Why Is Islam Called Islam? Introduction The word Islam carries a profound meaning. It comes from the Arabic root “S-L-M” (س ل م) , which is connected with meanings such as peace, safety, submission, and surrender. In Islamic terminology, Islam means submitting oneself sincerely to Allah, worshipping Him alone, and following His guidance . Islam is not simply a name given to a religious community. It describes a way of life based upon submission to the One Creator and obedience to His commands. What Does “Islam” Mean? The Arabic word Islam is derived from the root aslama (أسلم) , meaning to submit or surrender. Thus, a Muslim is one who submits himself or herself to Allah. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.” — Qur’an 3:19 This submission is not forced. Rather, it is a conscious submission based on faith, understanding, love, and obedience to Allah. Islam Means Worshipping Allah Alone At the heart of Islam is Tawheed —the belief that A...

                Conditions of Worship in Islam Worship in Islam is not limited to prayer, fasting, or pilgrimage. It includes every action, word, and intention that Allah loves and is pleased with—when it is done sincerely and according to His guidance. Islam teaches that worship must meet certain essential conditions to be accepted by Allah. 1. Sincerity to Allah The first and most important condition is ikhlas (sincerity) . A Muslim should worship Allah alone, seeking His pleasure rather than praise, recognition, or worldly benefit. Allah says: “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.” — Qur’an 98:5 This means that worship should be directed exclusively to Allah. Showing off in worship, known as riya , can undermine the sincerity of an act. 2. Following the Guidance of the Prophet ﷺ Sincerity alone is not sufficient. Worship must also be performed in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muham...

     What Does Islam Say About Redemption? Redemption is a concept found in many religious and spiritual traditions. In Islam, however, redemption is closely connected with repentance (Tawbah), Allah’s mercy, sincere faith, and righteous deeds . Islam teaches that no matter how serious a person’s sins may be, the door of repentance remains open as long as a person sincerely turns back to Allah. Allah ﷻ says: “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” (Qur’an 39:53) This verse beautifully demonstrates the Islamic understanding of redemption: a believer should never lose hope in Allah’s mercy. What Is Redemption in Islam? In an Islamic context, redemption does not mean a person is automatically freed from the consequences of wrongdoing through another person's sacrifice. Rather, Islam teaches that every individual is responsible for their own actions. Allah ﷻ says: “No bearer of burdens wi...

  The False Hadith About Adam Praying by                        Virtue of the Prophet ﷺ Introduction A narration is sometimes circulated claiming that when Prophet Adam عليه السلام committed his mistake and sought Allah’s forgiveness, he prayed to Allah by mentioning the virtue or status of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The narration is often presented as evidence for seeking Allah through the status of the Prophet ﷺ. The commonly quoted wording is that Adam عليه السلام said, in meaning: “O Allah, I ask You by the virtue of Muhammad to forgive me.” However, this narration is not authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ . Scholars of Hadeeth have discussed its chain of transmission and have judged the report to be weak or fabricated. Therefore, it should not be attributed to the Prophet ﷺ as an authentic hadeeth. What Is the Source of This Narration? The report is attributed to Anas ibn Maalik رضي الله عنه and is found in some la...

           Will Disbelievers Enter Jannah? Introduction One of the important questions discussed in Islamic theology is: Will those who die upon disbelief enter Jannah (Paradise)? According to the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah, Jannah is prepared for those who believe in Allah, accept His guidance, and die upon faith . Disbelief (kufr), when a person knowingly persists in it until death, is described in the Qur’an as a barrier to entering Paradise. At the same time, Islam teaches that Allah is perfectly just, perfectly merciful, and knows the circumstances and inner realities of every person . Therefore, Muslims should not make definitive judgments about the final fate of specific individuals unless Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have explicitly informed us about them. Faith Is the Foundation for Entering Jannah Allah tells us that those who believe and do righteous deeds will be rewarded with Paradise: “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds will have G...

  Meaning of the Hadeeth: “The Shaytaan Has Despaired of Ever Being Worshipped by the Worshippers in the Arabian Peninsula” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave his Ummah many teachings concerning Tawheed, Shirk, and the efforts of Shaytaan to mislead people . Among these is the hadeeth in which the Prophet ﷺ said that Shaytaan had despaired of being worshipped by the worshippers in the Arabian Peninsula, but he would continue striving to create conflict and corruption among them. This hadeeth is an important reminder that Shaytaan never stops trying to lead people away from obedience to Allah, even when certain forms of his influence may be weakened. The Hadeeth The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Shaytaan has despaired that the worshippers will worship him in the Arabian Peninsula, but he seeks to cause enmity among them.” This was reported by Muslim in the hadeeth of Jaabir رضي الله عنه. The hadeeth contains both good news and a warning . The good news is that Shaytaan was unable to achieve...