Images of the yearly Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Makkah) continue to capture the attention of the world. As people witness the synchronization of actions and purpose of millions of pilgrims, they experience amazement and wonderment. People often ask, “Why is the Hajj important?” or “What is the purpose of pilgrimage rituals in this day and age?” In this paper, we discuss the power of rituals in general and focus on the various benefits and significance of the Hajj rituals in particular. In the...

Human beings were created with an internal drive to seek out purpose and to live for something greater than themselves. Explore the three levels of religious practice in Islam as expressed in the famous ḥadith of Gabriel: 1) Islām (outward submission to the will of Allah), 2) Īmān (faith), and 3) Iḥsān (spiritual excellence).

Explore how the Qur’an, in particular, encourages us to be grateful by looking at the various contexts in which the concept of shukr arises. In doing so, we hope that you will not only walk away with divinely-rooted motivation to express shukr in your own life, but to reflect on how the Qur’an offers us truly comprehensive guidance in living our most satisfying lives.

Why would the Prophet ﷺ marry a child? That is the question many want answered, but before we begin to address it, we have to admit it is more than a mere question; rather, it is an accusation and judgment of character. Underneath the question lies the notion that we should be troubled by the age of ‘Aisha at marriage, that whatever her age was, it is concerning, and—worse than that—however great the Prophet ﷺ was, the age at which ‘Aisha was married to him is problematic. The controversy ove...

Ḥayāʾ (healthy shame) is without doubt from among the foundational moral qualities, so much so that the Prophet ﷺ deemed it the very hallmark of Islam by saying, “Every religion has its signature character trait, and the signature character trait of Islam is ḥayāʾ.” Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the intonations and pronunciation of certain words may not reflect human speech patterns. For the original written research paper check out https://yaqeeninstitute....

This paper is an english translation of Ibn al-Iraqi's book presenting 27 opinions on the timing of laylat al-qadr, and the various signs of laylat al-qadr, including where: the occurrence of laylat al-qadr has been abrogated (one opinion);the timing of laylat al-qadr is entirely hidden (one opinion);laylat al-qadr is a fixed night every year (23 opinions); andlaylat al-qadr shifts from year to year (two opinions).Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the intonatio...

If the Qur’an is truly one timeless, unchanged book, how can it be read in multiple ways? What is the meaning behind these multiple readings (qirāʾāt), and how many are there? This paper introduces the concept of multi-formic Qur’anic modes of recitation and provides a brief account of the origins and canonization of the qirāʾāt, the nature of their differences, and their number and geographical distribution. Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the intonati...

In this paper, Dr. Tamara Gray describes the benefits of tahajjud or qiyyam ul-layl, and shares practical advice on how to cultivate this nightly prayer habit, particularly during Ramadan when spiritual habits naturally increase. Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the intonations and pronunciation of certain words may not reflect human speech patterns. For the original written research paper check out https://yaqeeninstitute.org

The key to servitude to Allah is by loving Him, and we love Him by coming to know Him, and we come to know Him by reflecting on His names and attributes. This paper endeavors to reflect upon the names contained within the last verses of Sūrat al-Ḥashr, particularly in terms of their sequence and relationship to one another, in an attempt to increase our knowledge and love of Allah and thus better our relationship with Him. Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the ...

There is no day or night that has been emphasized more than the night known as laylat al-qadr (the Night of Decree). The Qur’an’s 97th chapter is dedicated entirely to this night: Indeed, We revealed [the Qur'an] during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. (97:1-5) This pap...

Worship is an art. It is an art that every worshipper must master. Yet few ever do. Parents and preachers, shaykhs and masters, groups and spiritual orders, books and lessons all may play a role. But it is you who must learn to make your connection to God a thing of beauty. In this paper, Dr. Ovamir Anjum explores the art of worship and how to make the most of your Ramadan nights by seeking a deeper connection with Allah. Here are five practical tips on how to achieve this, and God-will...

The Qur’an is more than a text to be recited; it is divine nourishment for our souls. Yet, its transformative power is only realized when we pause, ponder, and allow its wisdom to penetrate our hearts. Without reflection, even the most eloquent recitation may remain superficial, leaving the heart untouched. This paper delves into the essence of tadabbur, exploring its spiritual significance, and sharing practical strategies to cultivate a deeper, more reflective engagement with the Qur’...

In this Ramadan guide for new and newly-practicing Muslims, learn about the virtues of fasting, why we fast, and what we hope to gain through our acts of worship in Ramadan. Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the intonations and pronunciation of certain words may not reflect human speech patterns. For the original written research paper check out https://yaqeeninstitute.org

Part 1 of our parenting series by Sarah Sultan and Najwa Awad discussed the importance of resilience in developing confident Muslim children, and introduced an Islamically Integrated Resilience Model (IIRM) for parenting that is inspired by Sūrah Luqmān in the Qur'an.In this paper from the parenting series, we discuss the importance of attachment, and the crucial links between resilience in children and attachment to Allah, parents, and the righteous. What is the importance of ...

Why do some people accept Allah’s sovereignty intellectually, but not spiritually? Why do they struggle to surrender to His decrees and commands? We believe that at the core of this spiritual struggle is a distortion in people’s perceptions of Allah. A distorted image of God fosters misunderstandings of the intent behind His commands and decrees, and subsequently rebellion. The aim of this paper is to unpack how divergent understandings of God develop and, in turn, impact our worship...

The Qur’an was revealed long ago in a very different context. Some verses were revealed in direct response to specific events, addressing particular people and scenarios. Others are concerned with the prophets and nations of the past. How does the Qur'an continue to be relevant for us in the modern age?Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the intonations and pronunciation of certain words may not reflect human speech patterns. For the original written research pap...

Allah does not send us trials without also giving us the means to seek relief and to make our success easy. The real test of hardship goes beyond worldly concern and discomfort and extends to how we choose to respond to it. So, how do we overcome what seems beyond our comprehension and control? How do we overcome anxiety, fear of the unknown, and feeling isolated, while finding purpose and solace?Note: The audio files are generated using AI technology. As such, the intonations and pronun...

The Prophet’s ﷺ marriage to Zaynab bint Jaḥsh (rA) stands unique among all of his marriages because of its explicit pronouncement in the Qur’an. Despite the stated theological, social, and legal goals the Qur’an posits as the reason for its contraction, the marriage has remained a topic of contention for centuries. This paper examines the many internal and external contradictions that characterize the story, many of which render the lovestruck narrative logistically unfeasible. It will ...

There are a myriad of criticisms against Islam propagated by non-Muslims in today’s age. One of these criticisms accuses the Prophet ﷺ of marrying a child because of the ḥadīth mentioned in Bukhārī and Muslim. This paper focuses on two questions. First, are the claims that she was actually in her teens when she married accurate and are they strong enough to make us discard ʿĀʾisha’s ḥadīth? Second, why did this become an issue in modern times when it was not an issue at the time the marriage ...

Many modern Muslims view the Islamic legal tradition as needing a complete overhaul with many among them calling to bypass the madhhabs in favor of the Qur’an and Sunnah. This approach is based on the incorrect assumption that the maddhabs are not evidence-based but simply the guesswork or opinions of a few jurists. This paper on Exploring the Role of Islamic Schools of Law will explain what the madhhabs are, how they emerged and what their function is in Islamic law. Learn about the importan...