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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comAlhamdulillah — we made it through the first day. Thirty-eight degrees, and we’re still here.A reminder before we begin: Ramadan is a marathon, not a sprint. The temptation on night one is to go all out — packed masjid, high energy, maximum worship. But the goal is to still be standing strong in the last ten nights. Start with intention, build with cons…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comWhere do you find strength when you’re overwhelmed?In this week’s Tafseer Thursday, we dive into Surah Al-Muzammil — and the answer Allah gave the Prophet ﷺ when he was facing the hardest task of his life.Grounded is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The mission was heav…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comRamadan Mubarak.Every Ramadan, our community at Qaswa gathers to study one surah in depth — weaving tafseer into our nightly prayers. We’ve journeyed through Al-Baqarah, Ali Imran, An-Nisa, Al-Ma’idah, and Al-An’am. This year, we enter Surah Al-A’raf: 206 ayat, one of the longer Makki surahs, and a surah that carries a message every generation needs to hear.Grounded is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.If you're following along, the Surah Al-A'raf Study Guide and Workbook is your companion through this series — structured notes, key points, and reflection questions for each thematic section, designed to help you move from listening to living the lessons. Physical copies are available at the tarawih hall and Qaswa House. And if you're reading this on Substack, consider a paid subscription to receive a free digital copy of the workbook — your support also helps keep this tafseer series going.The Surahs Come in PairsOne of the beautiful structural features of the Quran is that the early surahs mirror and complement each other.Al-Baqarah purifies the heart — iman and taqwa. Ali Imran extends that inward transformation outward — Islam and submission. An-Nisa moves from the individual to the community, beginning with the most vulnerable: orphans and women. Al-Ma’idah scales further outward still — to national and international relations.Then Al-An’am, a Makki surah, brings us back to basics. Back to aqidah. It makes the case for Islam through reason — the logical argument of Prophet Ibrahim, who observed that a god who appears and disappears cannot be God.Surah Al-A’raf continues that argument — but shifts the angle. Where Al-An’am appealed to logic, Al-A’raf appeals to history. What happened to the nations before us? What became of the peoples who refused to listen?Makki vs Madani: What We’ve Been Getting WrongHere is something worth sitting with: roughly 70% of the Quran is Makki. Only 30% is Madani.The Madani surahs contain our laws — fasting, zakat, hajj, rulings on marriage and wealth and dress. Important, yes. But the bulk of Allah’s revelation is Makki, and the Makki surahs are concerned above all with akhlaq — character, ethics, the way we treat one another.The Prophet ﷺ was asked repeatedly: who is the best person? His answers: the one with the most beautiful character. The one who is most useful to others.Yet over 1400 years, we have narrowed our definition of a good Muslim to ritual: how many rakaat, how many khatms, how long the fast, how correct the recitation. We’ve let the 30% overshadow the 70%. We’ve mistaken the branches for the roots.Surah Al-A’raf will have something to say about this — particularly in the story of Prophet Adam and his expulsion from Jannah, where we will see what Allah identifies as the most important quality of a believer.

al-Muzzammil 5 - 9Assalamualaikum,It is Tuesday, that means it is time for Tajweed Tuesday. Last week we embarked our journey into Surah al-Muzzammil and read ayat 1 - 4.This week, insha Allah, we will read ayat 5 - 9. If you are listening to this episode as a podcast, I highly recommend that you watch the video as there are some concepts that are easier to understand by seeing.All right, without further ado, let’s get started. Remember, we are aiming for smoothness. Start slow as slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.I’d like to also take this opportunity to wish all subscribers of Grounded, Ramadan Mubarak. It is really apt that we are studying this powerful surah as we enter the month of the Quran. The month where we spend our nights praying extra and reading more Quran — just like the surah suggests.May Allah allow us to reach Ramadan and bless us with a fruitful Ramadan where we fast in a way that develops taqwa and spend our nights with the Quran. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comWhy Belief Must Come Before Practice: Introduction to Imam Al-Ghazali’s 40 PrinciplesUnderstanding the foundations of Islamic knowledge requires more than memorizing rulings or performing rituals. It demands a systematic approach to learning that begins with certainty in belief before moving to practice. This article explores the framework laid out in Imam Al-Ghazali’s The 40 Principles of Our Religion, examining why aqidah (creed) forms the essential foundation upon which all other religious knowledge is built.The Three Dimensions of Islamic PracticeThe Islamic tradition recognises three fundamental dimensions of religious life: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. This framework, derived from Hadith Jibreel (known as Umm al-Sunnah), provides the organisational structure for understanding our religion.Islam: The Science of PracticeIslam encompasses the ritualistic and practical aspects of religion, which later developed into the science of fiqh (jurisprudence). While four major schools of Islamic law are widely recognised today, the historical reality reveals far greater diversity. Scholars document more than 80 madhabs during the early period of Islamic intellectual development.The survival of a legal school depends not on the Imam’s knowledge alone, but on the continuity of transmission. Consider the madhab of Imam Al-Layth ibn Sa’d: despite Imam Al-Shafi’i’s assertion that he was “afqahu min Malik” (more knowledgeable in fiqh than Imam Malik), his school did not survive because his students failed to continue the work.The Importance of Unbroken TransmissionContemporary practitioners receive their understanding of Islamic law through an unbroken chain of transmission (isnad) extending back to the founding Imams. For Shafi’i scholars, this means a documented chain of teachers and students from the present day all the way to Imam Al-Shafi’i himself.This chain preserves not just the rulings, but the contextual understanding and technical terminology. Without this living transmission, legal texts become increasingly difficult to interpret accurately. Imam Al-Shafi’i’s magnum opus, Al-Umm, illustrates this challenge. Despite its importance, this foundational text is rarely taught in traditional Islamic circles today because the specific terminological framework has not been preserved in the same way as later works.Legal terminology evolves across generations. Early scholars often used cautious language when discussing prohibitions, preferring phrases like “I dislike this” rather than definitively declaring something haram. This reflected both their taqwa (God-consciousness) and their reluctance to claim authority over matters of divine law. In communities with high levels of religious commitment, such subtle expressions were sufficient to guide behavior.As communities changed, scholars adapted their pedagogical approach. The terminology became more explicit and categorical, even as the underlying rulings often became more accommodating. Imam Al-Nawawi’s strict position on Fatiha recitation—invalidating prayer for mispronouncing even a single letter—was later moderated by scholars like Imam Al-Haythami, who recognised that people from certain linguistic backgrounds might be physically unable to produce specific Arabic phonemes.This adaptation reflects not inconsistency, but the dynamic nature of fiqh as a living discipline that must address the reality of Muslim communities. A contemporary example: visiting a remote fishing village in Malaysia, one encounters Imams who are part-time dive masters or boat captains, leading congregations where the recitation quality varies significantly. The fiqh tradition accommodates this reality while maintaining standards appropriate to each context.Iman: The Science of BeliefIman addresses matters of belief, formalized into the science of Aqidah. Within this domain, several schools of thought emerged:Athari (textual): This approach relies primarily on scriptural authority. The Quran commands belief, therefore one believes. This circular reasoning functions effectively in majority-Muslim contexts where baseline assumptions about God’s existence and the Quran’s authority are shared cultural knowledge.Ash’ari and Maturidi: These schools, founded by Imam Abu Hassan Al-Ash’ari and Imam Mansur Al-Maturidi respectively, integrate revelation with rational argumentation. This synthesis became necessary as Muslims encountered diverse philosophical traditions and needed to defend their beliefs through reasoned discourse.Ihsan: The Science of Spiritual ExcellenceIhsan developed into the science of tasawuf (Islamic spirituality), which also encompasses multiple approaches:The Salaf approach emphasizes wara’ (scrupulousness) and zuhud (asceticism). Note that “Salaf” refers to a historical period—the first three centuries of Islamic history—rather than the modern movement called “Salafism,” which emerged several centuries later.Imam Al-Ghazali championed tazkiyah (purification of the soul), focusing on removing spiritual diseases from the heart and cultivating praiseworthy character traits.The Falsafah (philosophical) school, represented most prominently by Ibn Arabi, engaged with metaphysical questions and influenced Islamic mystical thought, particularly in Ottoman territories.This study focuses primarily on the tazkiyah tradition, as it addresses the practical work of spiritual development most directly applicable to contemporary Muslims.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comAssalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.Welcome back to Tafsir Thursday. We’re in a new year, a new term, and that means new surahs to explore together.But this term is different. Instead of diving into one surah, we’ll be studying two: Surah Al-Muzzammil and Surah Al-Muddathir. Why two? Three reasons: first, they’re both relatively short. Second, their meanings are closely linked together. And third, in terms of chronology, these surahs were revealed back-to-back. They were among the earliest revelations to the Prophet ﷺ.Grounded is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Context: Before we dive into Surah Al-Muzzammil, we need to understand when and why it was revealed.From a very young age, the Prophet ﷺ hated the evil practices in his community. He saw people worshipping idols, the rich abusing the poor, the powerful oppressing the weak. Women had no rights—treated as property, sold and traded. Children had no rights whatsoever. Daughters were buried alive.He didn’t like it. But he couldn’t find a solution.From age 35 onwards, he started doing spiritual seclusion. He would leave Mecca for days at a time, walk five or six kilometers outside the city, climb up a mountain, and settle in Cave Hira. There, he would worship Allah, make dua, and contemplate in the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim .Until one night when he was 40 years old, during the month of Ramadan, he was visited by a creature he didn’t recognize. It wasn’t a human being. The Prophet later described this creature as huge—so massive that wherever he looked (up, down, left, right), he could only see this being. It had wings that engulfed the entire horizon.The Prophet ﷺ was terrified.This creature—the angel Jibreel—told him: ‘Read.’ The Prophet said, ‘I don’t read.’ The angel then hugged him so tightly he almost couldn’t breathe, then released him. Again: ‘Read.’ This happened three times. Then the angel recited the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq, marking the beginning of revelation.The Prophet didn’t know what had just happened. Had he gone crazy? Was he hallucinating? Was he possessed by jinn?He rushed home trembling, shivering, terrified, and met his wife Khadija. He said to her: ‘Zammiluni’—cover me with a blanket, cloak me. And she did.As the Prophet calmed down, Khadija asked what happened. He told her about the encounter in the cave. And she reassured him: ‘Allah will never abandon you, for you have the most beautiful akhlaq, the noblest of character.’They went to meet Khadija’s uncle, Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a very learned man. Waraqah said: ‘You were visited by the very angels that came to Prophet Musa, Dawud, Isa, and all the previous prophets and messengers. That means you are a prophet, a messenger.’Grounded is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

al-Muzzammil 1 - 4Welcome back to Tajweed Tuesday. As we begin a new term and a new year, we’re moving on to study fresh surahs. This term, we’ll explore two powerful chapters: al-Muzzammil and al-Muddaththir. Though relatively short, both contain profound meaning and hold special significance—they were revealed very early in Islamic history, sent down back to back.Each Tuesday, we’ll follow our usual approach: reading the ayat of the week and exploring its tajweed rules. Remember to practice consistently and aim for fluency. As always, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

Beginning a New Text with Imam al-GhazaliAlhamdulillah, this session marks the beginning of a new text in our weekly Ratib & Reminders gathering. For those based in Perth, you’re warmly invited to join us live at Qaswa House every Thursday from 7:00–9:00 p.m. The gathering is open to everyone — men and women, young and old.After returning to Perth, it was a joy to be back at Ratib and to see the continuity of the program while I was away. We recently completed Arba‘ina Shamil fi Insanil Kamil, the 40 hadith on the perfection of Rasulullah ﷺ, and many were able to join the khatam we did live from Madinah. With that chapter completed, we now move into a new phase of study.The most common request I receive is to study the works of Imam al-Ghazali. While his magnum opus Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din is one of the greatest works in Islamic scholarship, it is also vast — effectively forty books in one. For this reason, rather than beginning something we may struggle to complete, we’ve chosen a shorter, more focused text that reflects Ghazali’s core project.Over the next two sessions we’ll introduce this new book and begin exploring its themes. After that, we’ll pause for Ramadan, as Ratib will be replaced by nightly taraweeh at Moresby Street Hall, Kensington, where we’ll be reading and briefly reflecting on Surah al-A‘raf. After Ramadan, inshaAllah, we’ll return to the text and continue the journey.Imam al-Ghazali had a unique way of teaching. He often wrote large, comprehensive works, then summarised them into medium-length texts, and finally into concise versions meant to be memorised. His belief was that knowledge only truly becomes yours when it is internalised — when you live with it, not merely read it. This approach shapes the book we’ll be studying together.The text we’ve chosen is Al-Arba‘in fi Usul al-Din (The 40 Principles of the Religion). Interestingly, it did not begin as a standalone book. It was originally written as an appendix to Jawahir al-Qur’an (The Jewels of the Qur’an). After guiding readers on how to approach and understand the Qur’an, Imam al-Ghazali addressed the next essential question: How do we live the Qur’an? These forty principles were his answer. Recognising their importance, he permitted the work to be published independently.For many, especially those who went through traditional Islamic schooling in places like Malaysia, the content of this book will feel familiar. Much of classical Islamic education has been shaped, directly or indirectly, by Imam al-Ghazali’s framework.To understand his project, we stepped back and looked at the foundation of Islamic scholarship itself — Hadith Jibril, often called Umm al-Sunnah. This hadith presents the religion through three inseparable dimensions: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan.Islam refers to the outward actions of the religion — prayer, fasting, zakat, and hajj — which later became formalised as the science of fiqh. Iman addresses belief, engaging the intellect before settling in the heart, and developed into the science of ‘aqidah. Ihsan focuses on spiritual refinement: worshipping Allah as though you see Him, and knowing that He sees you even when you do not.Over time, each of these dimensions developed its own sciences and terminology. These terms did not exist in the Prophet’s time, but they were created to preserve clarity and make learning accessible. Tasawwuf, when understood correctly, belongs firmly within this tradition — addressing the heart and soul, not as a replacement for fiqh or ‘aqidah, but as their completion.Imam al-Ghazali lived during a period of deep fragmentation in the Muslim world — politically, intellectually, and spiritually. His life’s work was to bring these dimensions back together, showing that a sound religious life cannot survive on law alone, belief alone, or spirituality alone. Each needs the others.It was during a profound personal crisis, after reaching the peak of his academic career, that Ghazali withdrew from public life for years of spiritual seclusion. From this period emerged Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, the first work to systematically unite belief, practice, and spiritual purification into a single guide for living Islam.Al-Arba‘in fi Usul al-Din is the distilled essence of that project. It is organised into forty principles: foundations of belief, guidance on practice, dangers on the path, and the means of salvation. This is the text we’ll be walking through together, slowly and practically, inshaAllah.This session served as an introduction to both Imam al-Ghazali and the book we’ll be studying. We’ll continue next week, before pausing for Ramadan, and then resume the journey together. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

Alhamdulillah, my heart is full.I recently had the honour of serving once again as translator for Habib Kadhim as-Saqqaf — a blessing I never take for granted.In 2022, Allah granted me the opportunity to welcome him to Perth for the very first time, and to serve as his translator during that visit. It remains a very precious moment in my life and one I am always grateful for.And now, on his third visit, I was able to receive him at Qaswa House in full action — with over 200 members of our Qommunity present: students, parents, and families all gathered to benefit from his wisdom, character, and prophetic gentleness.I am deeply thankful to Habib Kadhim for honouring us with his presence, and grateful to the team who made this trip possible — especially those who worked quietly and unseen in the background to make everything run smoothly.To be able to serve a scholar of his stature is a gift I cannot repay.To share that blessing with our Qaswa family makes it even more meaningful.May Allah accept from all, keep us close to the people of knowledge, and allow us to honour them always. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve entered a new term, and that means a new Surah! This term, we begin our journey with Surah al-Fath, a powerful chapter that opens with Divine reassurance and promise.In this episode, we recite and break down the first three āyāt, focusing on key Tajwīd principles such as:* Nun Mushaddadah: Learn how inna is read with two harakāt of nasalisation (ghunnah) – not rushed, but softly and smoothly from the nasal passage.* Makharij (Points of Articulation): Understand the correct way to pronounce letters like ḥā (from the middle throat) in fataḥnā and the ghayn in li-yaghfira (from the upper throat).* Idghām and Iẓhār rules: Identify when merging is complete (like min dhambika into mim dhambika) and when letters are clearly separated.* Mad Aṣlī (natural elongation): Spot the small alif or wāw that indicates a simple two-beat stretch.Practical Tip:🔁 Don’t rush your recitation. The golden rule is:“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”Break the ayah into chunks. Read slowly. Then combine. Tajwīd is about precision and beauty. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

Alhamdulillah, I was given the honour of delivering the Friday Khutbah at the Australia Open Pencak Silat International Championship 2024. It was the first time for Australia to host an international silat tournament.When the organiser approached me asking if I can deliver the khutbah at the tournament, my heart skipped a beat. For those of you who know me, will know my love for martial arts.Here’s some snippets from the khutbah. May Allah reward the organisers for their hard work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

Lessons from the SeerahWhen we look at the sīrah, in the seventh year of Prophethood, the challenges facing the Muslims were unbearable.At first, the Quraysh mocked and insulted. But when insults failed, by the fifth year they turned to violence—abusing, torturing, even killing some of the early Muslims. When that too didn’t stop the daʿwah, they escalated further: a total boycott against the Muslims and Banū Hāshim, the Prophet’s own tribe.No one was allowed to buy from them, sell to them, marry them, or even speak to them. Forced into the valley of Abū Ṭālib, the Muslims suffered starvation. At night, the Quraysh could hear the cries of hungry children echoing from the valley. It became so unbearable that some of the Quraysh nobles themselves—polytheists, not Muslims—like Muṭʿim ibn ʿAdī and Zuhayr ibn Abī Umayyah, stood up and said: This is not right. These are our people, even if we differ in religion.One day Zuhayr stood with his back to the Kaʿbah, facing the leaders of Quraysh. He declared: Our brothers and sisters are starving in the valley because of us. I will not sit down until this boycott is broken. And not long after, the boycott was lifted.A Parallel to TodayBrothers and sisters—this was 1,400 years ago. Today, history repeats itself. Our brothers and sisters in Gaza are starving—not because of food shortage, but because food is blocked, burned, or left to rot. Just last month, 500 tonnes of food were discarded because of the blockade.If Quraysh—who did not believe in lā ilāha illā Allāh—could act out of nothing more than blood ties, then what excuse do we have, we who claim faith? We say faith is thicker than blood—so why aren’t we doing more?Acting Within Our MeansYes, our anger is real. But we are Muslims—we act with discipline, bound by the Sharīʿah. That means we work within the legal framework of the country we live in. We don’t take matters into our own hands violently. Instead, we use the means available to us—and al-ḥamdu lillāh, here in Australia, there are means.And we’ve seen this before in our history. When Jerusalem fell to the Crusaders in 1099, the Khalīfah in Baghdad was doing nothing. It was a single qāḍī, Abū Saʿd al-Ḥarawī, who mobilised the people. After Jumuʿah prayer, he gave speeches, organised protests, and led the masses to demand action from the Khalīfah. Week after week, protest after protest, until the Khalīfah was forced to act.Power of ProtestThat’s how politics works. Leaders move when people move.We saw this not long ago in Sydney—hundreds of thousands marched across the Harbour Bridge. And within a week, the Australian government shifted its diplomatic stance. Suddenly, they were talking about recognising Palestine. Suddenly, they were criticising Israel—something unimaginable just months before. Why? Not because the Prime Minister had a dream, but because the people marched.Call to Action – Perth RallySo brothers and sisters, this Sunday, we have the chance to stand up and be counted. Yes, the weather forecast says it will rain. But what is rain? Just water. Al-ḥamdu lillāh, Allah created our skin waterproof.Our brothers and sisters are rained upon with bombs and bullets. We will only be rained upon with water. So bring an umbrella, bring a jacket—and bring your friends. Convince those who’ve never attended a rally before. Come shoulder to shoulder with your fellow Australians, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, demanding justice for Palestine.On SalahuddīnEvery time a calamity strikes Palestine, people ask: Where is our Ṣalāḥuddīn?But Ṣalāḥuddīn did not appear in a vacuum. He didn’t descend from the sky with angels. He was the product of decades of groundwork. It started with people like Abū Saʿd al-Ḥarawī, who mobilised the grassroots. Then came Imām al-Ghazālī, who strengthened the ummah spiritually. Then Nūruddīn Zengī, who prepared the armies. All three passed away before Palestine was liberated. Ṣalāḥuddīn simply completed the work.So the real question is not Where is Ṣalāḥuddīn? but What are we doing to build a Ṣalāḥuddīn for our time?AccountabilityOn Yawm al-Qiyāmah, Allah will not ask us whether we liberated Palestine—that’s beyond our means. But He will ask: What did you do with what you could?And even before the Day of Judgment, our children and grandchildren will ask us: You were alive during the genocide. What did you do? Will we say, I was busy on social media?The Quraysh only heard the cries of hungry children. We see those cries broadcast live to our phones. If that doesn’t move us, what will?Hope, Not DespairYes, the ummah is weak. Yes, we feel surrounded. But Allah reminds us: Do you think you will enter Jannah without being tested like those before you, until even the Messenger and those with him cried out: When will the help of Allah come? Verily, the help of Allah is near.We are a people of hope, not despair. Even today we see results: countries shifting, governments changing tone, and even the most Islamophobic nations being forced to recognise Palestine.ClosingSo I end with the same question that Zuhayr once asked the Quraysh: Are we eating our food while our brothers and sisters are starving?May Allah allow us to attend the rally in huge numbers this Sunday. May it be peaceful, impactful, and successful. May Allah open the hearts of our fellow Australians, and may He grant victory and liberation to our brothers and sisters in Palestine. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

Assalamu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh.Welcome back to BeQuranic. In this session, we’re looking at our ayat of the week — verses 9 and 10 of Surah al-Ḥujurāt. Today’s focus is Tajweed: we’ll read the verses together, highlight key rules, and talk about how to practise them for fluency.The Ayat of the WeekThese are slightly longer verses, especially ayah 9, so it’s helpful to break them down in sections. We’ll read them slowly, paying attention to the points of stop and continuation.﴿وَإِن طَآئِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّىٰ تَفِيءَ إِلَىٰ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن فَاءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ (٩) إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ (١٠)﴾Tajweed BreakdownLet’s go through the main rules you’ll encounter:* Ikhfā’: in وَإِن طَآئِفَةً, notice the nūn sākinah before ṭā. That requires ikhfā’, a nasal sound.* Madd wājib muttaṣil: in طَآئِفَةً and تَفِيءَ. The alif followed by a hamzah in the same word requires elongation of 4–5 counts.* Madd jā’iz munfaṣil: in إِلَىٰ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ. The madd occurs at the end of one word, and the hamzah starts the next word.* Qalqalah: in تَقْتَتِلُوا . Qalqalah produces a bouncing echo sound.* Ikhfā’ of tanwīn: in إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا, the tanwīn meets fā, so apply nasalisation.* Lafẓ al-Jalālah: in وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ, the lām of Allāh is pronounced heavy (tafkhīm) after a fatḥah or ḍammah.* Madd ‘āriḍ li-sukūn: in تُرْحَمُونَ, if you stop there, you can elongate 2, 4, or 6 counts.Practice Tips* Don’t force yourself to read the whole ayah at once. Break it into smaller phrases.* Smooth out stumbles by repeating short sections until they flow naturally. For example:* Start with wa-in → then wa-in ṭā’ifa → then wa-in ṭā’ifatāni.* Once each piece is smooth, join them together.* The aim is fluency with clarity. Tajweed is not about speed; it’s about balance, precision, and beauty.Closing ReminderThese two ayat emphasise unity and reconciliation among believers. Practising them with Tajweed adds not just technical accuracy but also depth in reflecting on their meaning.Take your time this week to master them. May Allah grant us fluency in His words and hearts that live by them.We’ll continue on Tafseer Thursday, where we dive into the practical lessons from these verses. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

Full transcript (AI generated)Alhamdulillah, we praise Allah for allowing us to gather on this beautiful—if a little chilly—morning. Alhamdulillah for this amazing weather.It was lovely to see the president of the Islamic society in red and white today. To our Indonesian brothers and sisters: Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan—Happy Independence Day. Eighty years since independence—may Allah keep your nation in peace and strength.If anyone needs proof that Islam was not spread by the sword, just look at our region. You don’t find armies forcing Islam upon the people there. Rather, traders—many from Hadramawt in Yemen—came to the Indonesian archipelago. The Indonesians were impressed by their honesty and akhlaq. The sultans and rulers accepted Islam, and as was common then, when a king accepted a faith, much of his people followed.Some argue, “But what about the Indian subcontinent—Pakistan and India—didn’t Islam spread there by northern armies?” Even there, the heart of Islam’s spread was da‘wah and reason, not compulsion.Look at Syria and Egypt. Egypt was opened by ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās in the time of ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb. Syria and Damascus were opened by Khālid ibn al-Walīd. Muslims ruled those lands, yet it took 500 years before Syria became majority Muslim, and around 300 years for Egypt. If Islam were spread by force, everyone would have “converted” within decades. History shows otherwise.Consider also the monastery of St Catherine in Sinai. It predates Islam, and they proudly claim to hold a letter from the Prophet ﷺ guaranteeing the safety of Christians in Egypt. Whether or not you accept the document, the point stands: Islam lived alongside other faiths. In greater Bilād al-Shām—what we call the Levant—multiple religions have long flourished.A stable nation is a great blessing from Allah. One of the early scholars said: I make du‘ā’ for our rulers, that Allah rectifies their affairs. When asked, “Why not just make du‘ā’ for yourself?” he replied, “If I pray for myself, only I benefit. If I pray for the ruler, everyone benefits.” Even if a ruler is flawed, there is no harm in asking Allah to guide them and make them just—because a just leader benefits all.When we talk about nation-states, let’s be honest: many borders are colonial lines. What separates Malaysia and Indonesia? We are one people in so many ways. We speak closely related languages. Historically, the region has been called by many names: the Malay world, the archipelago, even Jāwī—so scholars from our lands were known in the Arab world as “al-Jāwī,” whether they were Javanese, Malay, Bugis, Makassarese, or others. The difference between Malaysia and Indonesia today largely traces to the Dutch and the British.So how do we relate to nation-states? Two extremes exist. One says, “There is no nation—only the Ummah—restore the Khilāfah now.” The other says, “I will die for this colonial line.” The truth, as our scholars remind us, is the balanced middle path. We are one Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, and we also live in nation-states. Attempts to tear down states overnight have, in recent history, brought much harm. We live within reality while never forgetting the greater reality: every Muslim we meet is our brother or sister in faith, and that bond is sacred.The Prophet ﷺ himself showed us how to balance love of homeland. He loved Makkah—his birthplace, the land of his ancestors, home of the Ka‘bah built by Ibrāhīm and Ismā‘īl. He left only because it became unsafe—he was forced out. On his way out he turned back and said, “O Makkah, had my people not expelled me, I would never have left you.” But when he migrated to Madīnah, he loved it too, and made du‘ā’: “O Allah, make us love Madīnah as we love Makkah, or even more,” and, “O Allah, bless Madīnah twice what You blessed Makkah.”He became part of Madīnah’s community—integrating Muhājirīn and Anṣār, building a strong society—while his heart still loved Makkah. That’s balance.Many of us here were born elsewhere—Malaysia, Indonesia, Lebanon, and beyond—and migrated to Australia. Love your country of origin; that’s natural and from the sunnah of fitrah. But also accept the reality: we live here now by choice. So contribute here. Build here. Strengthen community here. Loving Australia doesn’t mean hating your country of origin, and loving your homeland doesn’t mean ignoring the reality and responsibilities of this country that has given us so much. Ask: How can I make this country, this society, this community better?I often say: loving the country you live in—serving it—is following the sunnah, because that’s what the Prophet ﷺ did in Madīnah. Wherever a Muslim goes, they make the place better. In Malay we say: a good seed grows wherever it lands—even on a mountain. That’s the believer: wherever we go, we leave goodness.Today I want to focus on Sūrat al-Ḥujurāt—a chapter I call the community’s Standard Operating Procedure. It was revealed in late Madīnan years—around year 9 AH—barely over a year before the Prophet’s passing. Year 9 is known as ‘Ām al-Wufūd—the Year of Delegations—with tribes pouring into Madīnah to pledge allegiance: sometimes politically, sometimes religiously.Look at the numbers to feel the context. In Makkah, after 13 years of da‘wah, roughly 80-plus men migrated with the Prophet ﷺ. Within two years in Madīnah, that number grew to around 300. At Uḥud, around 700 fought; by al-Khandaq, 3,000. At the Fath (Conquest) of Makkah in year 8, 10,000. By the Prophet’s Ḥajj in year 10, more than 120,000. Exponential growth. What fueled it? One key event was the Treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyyah in year 6: a period of peace. In times of war, growth was modest; in times of peace, da‘wah flourished. Islam spreads best with safety, honesty, and service—not with the sword.Now to al-Ḥujurāt itself—“the Chambers”—named after the simple living quarters of the Prophet ﷺ. Despite becoming the most influential man in Arabia, his home was about 5m x 5m. Think of an IKEA showcase room—that’s roughly the size. Before Khaybar, the Sahābah often tied stones to their stomachs from hunger. After Khaybar, prosperity came to the community, but the Prophet’s personal lifestyle didn’t change. When his household’s income increased, he didn’t buy a bigger house or a fancier camel. He increased in infaq—in giving. Some of his wives understandably asked for more comfort. Allah revealed that the Prophet’s family are held to a higher standard, choosing Allah and the Ākhirah over worldly luxury. (Brothers, don’t take this as ammunition against your wives—we are not prophets, and our families are not the Mothers of the Believers. Balance is key. The Prophet also taught that the best charity is what you spend on your family.)The sūrah begins: “O you who believe, do not put yourselves before Allah and His Messenger.” Our feelings and preferences take a back seat when the command of Allah and His Messenger is clear. But clarity matters—this is why the Ummah has tafāsīr and scholarship. In the time of ‘Alī and Mu‘āwiyah, the Khawārij claimed, “Back to Qur’ān and Sunnah!” ‘Alī brought the muṣḥaf and said, “Let the Qur’ān speak.” They said, “It can’t.” Exactly—we need scholars; the Qur’ān is interpreted and applied through qualified understanding.Next, adab with the Prophet ﷺ: “Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet…” The context: in the Year of Delegations, Abū Bakr and ‘Umar were assigning officials to receive tribes. Their discussion became loud—near the Prophet ﷺ. Allah revealed the warning that raising voices in his presence could nullify deeds. From then, they barely spoke above a whisper before him. One Companion with a naturally loud voice stopped attending the masjid out of fear. The Prophet ﷺ noticed his absence (as was his habit after ṣalāh) and reassured him.How is this relevant now? When you visit al-Rawḍah in Madīnah, remember your adab—don’t push, don’t argue. And more broadly: respect the Sunnah and ḥadīth. Don’t weaponise ḥadīth to defeat one another. Imām Mālik would bathe, dress well, and apply perfume before narrating ḥadīth—because these are the words of the Prophet ﷺ. His mother told him when he was a child: “Learn your teacher’s manners before his knowledge.” Many giants of our tradition were raised by remarkable mothers—may Allah increase the piety of our families.Now, the central ayah for our time—49:6:If a fāsiq brings you news, verify (fatabayyanū), lest you harm people out of ignorance and become regretful.Another qirā’ah reads fatathabbātū—establish the truth carefully. Both meanings are needed: verify the facts(tathabbūt) and clarify the context (tabayyun). Something can be factually true but contextually misunderstood. This ayah was revealed when a zakat-collector panicked at the stern-looking welcome of a Bedouin tribe, returned to Madīnah, and reported refusal to pay. War was nearly launched—until the matter was checked and clarified. It was simply a misreading of their manner.Brothers and sisters, we live in an age of instant forwarding. “Shared as received” does not absolve us. Better not to share than to spread harm. The Prophet ﷺ said it’s enough falsehood for a person to relay everything they hear. We will be accountable for what we circulate.Next, Allah addresses conflict: “If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them.” Note: believers—disagreement and even fights can sadly occur in this world. Our job is to be peacemakers—afshū al-salām—not arsonists who inflame tensions.Then Allah forbids mockery, belittling nicknames, and demeaning jokes. A one-off joke may pass; repeated “teasing” cuts the heart. Joke with people, not at them. Give good nicknames—like the Prophet ﷺ did with Abū Hurayrah, “father of kittens,” because he loved cats.Finally, the universal ayah—49:13:“O mankind, We created you from male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another…”Islam doesn’t merely tolerate difference—it celebrates it. Li-ta‘ārafū—so you can truly know one anothe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comAssalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and welcome back to BeQuranic.It’s Thursday, and that means it’s Tafseer Thursday—where we go beyond recitation and Tajweed, and dive into the practical reflections that help us live the Qur’an every day.This week, we’re looking at Ayat 6 to 8 of Surah al-Ḥujurāt. But before we jump into them, let’s do a quick…

📖 Ayat of the WeekWe’re reading and breaking down Surah al-Ḥujurāt, verses 6 to 8. These āyāt are rich in Tajweed opportunities—perfect for practice.🎯 Tajweed Focus1. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا* This is a classic case of Mad Munfaṣil (detached).* The word “يَا” ends in a mad and is followed by a Hamzah at the start of the next word: “أَيُّهَا.”* You read this for four ḥarakāt, though up to six is also accepted.2. آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ* “آمَنُوا” is Mad Badal, but in Ḥafṣ it’s read like Mad Aṣlī — simple two ḥarakāt.* “إِن جَاءَكُمْ” starts with a nūn sākinah followed by jīm = Ikhfā’.* “جَاءَكُمْ” is Mad Wājib Muttaṣil (required & connected)—must be read four or five ḥarakāt, not shorter.3. فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا* “فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن” is again Mad Munfaṣil.* The mad and Hamzah are in separate words.* You may read four ḥarakāt; we keep it simple.4. بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا* “جَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا” – Tanwīn + fā’ = Ikhfā’* “فَتُصْبِحُوا” = Mad Aṣlī, basic two counts.5. وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ* “أَنَّ فِيكُمْ” – Idghām bi-ghunnah* “رَسُولَ اللَّهِ” – Lafẓ al-Jalālah is heavy (mufakhkham) because the preceding vowel is a fatḥah.6. وَزَيَّنَهُ* “وزَيَّنَهُ” – we learn a new rule here:* The هاء ḍamīr in “زَيَّنَهُ” or “حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ” is followed by a letter with ḥarakah.* When it carries a small wāw or yā’, it becomes Mad Ṣilah.* Ṣilah Qaṣīrah (short) if not followed by a hamzah = read two ḥarakāt* Ṣilah Ṭawīlah (long) if followed by a hamzah = read four or more ḥarakāt7. أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلرَّٰشِدُونَ* Mad Wājib Muttaṣil again in “أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ”8. فَضْلًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً* “فَضْلًا” – remember the ض sound is not a full stop and not a qalqalah. Extend the sound slightly, don’t cut it short.9. وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ* All clean: Mad Aṣlī, Idhār on “ḥā’” from throat letter.🧠 Key TakeawayThis set of āyāt has almost every major mad:* Mad Aṣlī (natural)* Mad Badal* Mad Munfaṣil (detached)* Mad Muttaṣil (connected)* Mad Ṣilah (connecting mad)* Ikhfā’, Idghām, Idhār, Iqlāb — you name it.Great portion to revise and consolidate your Tajweed knowledge.🗓️ What’s Next?Join me again this Thursday for Tafsir Thursday, where we’ll explore the meanings and practical lessons from these very āyāt. It’s not about academic depth — it’s about becoming more Qur’anic.Until then, keep practising, and may Allah beautify our tongues and hearts with the Qur’an.والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comWe’re going to dive into the meanings of the ayat we’ve been reciting this week, and explore the practical lessons we can take home and apply in our daily lives—so we can be more Qur’anic in how we live.Today, insha’Allah, we’ll be looking at Ayat 3 to 5 from Surah al-Hujurat.Surah al-Hujurat is a Madani surah—revealed in Madinah, and in fact, revealed …

Tajweed Tuesday — Surah al-Hujurat, Ayat 3–5Assalamu ʿalaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,Welcome back to BeQuranic. Apologies for the delayed post. I know today is Wednesday, but here you go, Tajweed Tuesday.This week, we’re continuing our journey through Surah al-Hujurat, looking at Ayat 3 to 5. Let’s begin with the recitation of these verses, followed by a breakdown of the key Tajweed rules.1. Ayah 3 – Pronunciation & Tajweed Focusإِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَغُضُّونَ أَصْوَاتَهُمْ عِندَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ* إِنَّ – Wajib al-Ghunnah (with shaddah on the noon, held for 2 counts).* الَّذِينَ – Madd asli on “الَّذِي” (basic elongation).* يَغُضُّونَ – Note the ضاد, a thick letter produced by pressing the side of the tongue to the upper molars. Be careful not to turn it into a heavy د or make it a tip-of-the-tongue sound.* أَصْوَاتَهُمْ – Ṣād is a heavy letter (tafkhīm). Remember, heaviness comes from the back of the tongue lifting, not from the lips. Don’t incorrectly say Aw-swaatah; say it clearly: Aswāta.* رَسُولِ اللَّهِ – Here, the Lafdh al-Jalālah (the word “Allah”) is read lightly because it is preceded by a kasrah.* أُولَٰئِكَ – This is madd wajib muttasil — when a hamzah follows a madd letter in the same word. Stretch it for fourcounts.* قُلُوبَهُمْ – Madd asli on “قُلُو”.* مَّغْفِرَةٌ – Idgham mithlayn sagheer (two meem coming together).* وَأَجْرٌ – Qalqalah on the ج and Idgham bighunnah for the Tanween + و.* عَظِيمٌ – Madd ‘āriḍ lis-sukūn at the end of the ayah if you stop.2. Ayah 4 – Clarity in Recitationإِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُنَادُونَكَ مِن وَرَاءِ الْحُجُرَاتِ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ* مِن وَرَاءِ – Idgham bighunnah because min + wāw.* وَرَاءِ – Madd wajib muttasil – again, 4 counts due to the wave sign.* أَكْثَرُهُمْ – Watch your ك here – don’t make it too heavy.* يَعْقِلُونَ – Qaaf is a heavy letter. Lift the back of your tongue slightly to maintain correct tafkhīm.3. Ayah 5 – Clear Articulation & Disciplineوَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ صَبَرُوا حَتَّىٰ تَخْرُجَ إِلَيْهِمْ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ* أَنَّهُمْ – Wajib al-ghunnah on the shaddah.* صَبَرُوا – Be sure the ṣād is heavy — lift the back of your tongue.* تَخْرُجَ – Also has a خ, which is a heavy letter. Emphasise that thickness.* إِلَيْهِمْ – Clear idh-har (no merging here).* لَكَانَ – Madd asli* خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ – Idgham bila ghunnah on tanween + lām. No ghunnah, just merger of sounds of ر and ل.* وَاللَّهُ – Here the Lafdh al-Jalālah is heavy because it’s preceded by a fatḥah.* غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ – No ghunnah idgham on the shaddah in r-rahīm.🧠 Key Tajweed Reminders:* Madd asli: Basic elongation (2 counts)* Madd wajib muttasil: Stretch for 4 counts (madd meets a hamzah in one word)* Wajib al-ghunnah: Hold nasal sound (like in inna, anna) for 2 counts* Idgham bighunnah: Merge with nasalisation (noon/tanween into yā, mīm, nūn, or wāw)* Qalqalah: Bouncing effect on ق ط ب ج د (especially when sakinah or at pause)* Heavy letters: Use the back of the tongue (like خ, ص, ض, ط, ظ, غ, ق)* Lafdh al-Jalālah (Allah): Light if preceded by kasrah, heavy otherwiseHomework:* Practise reading all 3 ayat again slowly and fluently.* Pay attention to your tongue placement and stretching the correct letters.* Don’t rush through the recitation — focus on clarity and smoothness.See you Thursday for Tafsir Thursday, inshaAllah!Wassalamu ʿalaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

Don’t Give Up: Hope in Bleak TimesBismillah.The past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for the Ummah — especially for our brothers and sisters in Gaza.And it’s not just these few weeks. It’s been 23 months. Almost two years of relentless destruction. Every time we think we’ve seen the worst, we’re proven wrong. Every time we think we’ve hit rock bottom, Israel and the powers that support her prove that evil has no limit.We are now witnessing full-blown famine. Starvation. Infants with nothing between their skin and bones. And on top of that — we hear of America burning 500 tonnes of food rather than allowing it to reach Palestine.At times like this, it’s tempting to throw in the towel. To say:“We’ve done everything we can.”“We’ve shouted, we’ve protested, we’ve boycotted, we’ve flooded social media.”And yet, the powers that be… remain.But when that sense of despair starts creeping in, we must pause. We must take a step back and remember:We are looking through the lens of our short lives.We live 60, 70 years — maybe 50 as adults — and from that narrow perspective, it feels like there’s no hope. But history tells a different story. When we zoom out, we see a sunnah of Allah unfold:Evil never wins in the end.No matter how powerful. Fir’aun claimed he was God Most High — Allah destroyed him. Yet many lived and died under his tyranny and may have thought:“Where is Allah’s help?”“Where is our du‘a?”Allah addresses this feeling directly in the Qur’an — in the verse I opened with. He speaks of previous nations, believers who were so shaken by hardship that even their Prophets asked, “When will the help of Allah come?”And Allah replies:“Indeed, the help of Allah is near.”But near from whose perspective? Not always ours.That’s why in Surah Ibrahim, Allah reminds us:“Do not think that Allah is unaware of the actions of the oppressors. He is merely delaying them for a Day when eyes will stare in horror.”We are people of hope. We do not despair when times get tough. And in this brief khutbah, I want to share three points in history to remind us: we carry the torch of hope.1. The Trench in the Cold of MedinaYear 5 after Hijrah.The Battle of the Trench.After the losses at Uhud, Quraysh saw an opportunity to wipe out Islam. They gathered the largest army Arabia had ever seen: 10,000 strong. They were backed by Banu Ghatafan from the north, and allied with Jews from Khaybar, including Banu Qurayzah from within Medina.Rasulullah ﷺ had only 3,000 companions to defend the city. It was winter. The Sahaba were hungry, cold, and exhausted. Salman al-Farisi suggested digging a trench — a Persian military tactic. And they did. Day and night. Starving, shivering, digging non-stop.Then they hit a boulder they couldn’t break. They called the Prophet ﷺ. He struck it once — a spark flew.“Allahu Akbar!” he cried.A second strike — another spark.“Allahu Akbar!”Third strike — the boulder shattered.“Allahu Akbar!”The companions asked: What was the takbir about?Rasulullah ﷺ said:* With the first spark, I saw Persia falling to the Muslims.* With the second, Rome.* With the third, Yemen.In the darkest moment, he gave them light. He gave them vision.He didn’t just say “Have hope.”He gave them reasons to hope.And history proved him right. Islam triumphed. Not through numbers, but through divine help — a storm that forced the enemy to retreat. A month-long siege broken without a single full-scale battle.2. The Fall of Baghdad (1258 CE)Hulagu Khan — grandson of Genghis Khan — invaded Baghdad.Within days, 800,000 were slaughtered.Libraries burned. Books tossed into the Tigris until the river ran black with ink.Muslim writers thought it was the end of time.Non-Muslim historians wrote:“This is the day Islam died.”But Islam didn’t die.Baghdad fell, but Cairo rose. So did Damascus. The Delhi Sultanate grew. And from these ashes, the Ottomans would eventually rise.Even Hulagu’s cousin, Berke Khan, accepted Islam.Within a generation, the very dynasty that destroyed Baghdad became a Muslim dynasty.And amidst all of this — scholars kept working.* Imam al-Nawawi, who focused on preserving and teaching knowledge.* Ibn Taymiyyah, the scholar-warrior.* Ibn Ata’illah, who focused on tazkiyah and purifying hearts.* Al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salam, who spoke truth to power and engaged with the rulers .Despite the devastation, they didn’t stop. They carried on.3. The Fall of Apartheid (1994)From 1948 — the same year Israel was created — South Africa began enforcing apartheid. For decades, the people resisted: boycotts, protests, global pressure.In 1994, apartheid fell.The same Nelson Mandela who was once branded a terrorist by the West was now hailed as a hero — by the very same powers that had supported the apartheid regime.Let that sink in.The same powers that supported apartheid in South Africa are the ones supporting apartheid in Palestine today.And just like before — they can be defeated.Social Media: Double-Edged SwordToday, we have a powerful tool: social media. It’s helped shift global opinion. It’s brought awareness.But it’s also draining us.We doomscroll.We see starvation, death, suffering — again and again.Two things happen:* We either fall into despair…* Or we become numb.We start thinking this is normal.So yes — use social media, but set a limit. 15 minutes. Half an hour. Post, share, amplify — and then get back to work. Real work.Know Your Role, Play Your PartNot all resistance looks the same.Imam al-Nawawi didn’t fight with swords. He wrote books that still strengthen the Ummah today.Ibn Taymiyyah led at the frontlines.Ibn Ata’illah focused on hearts.Al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salam engaged with the rulers.Some of us are better behind the scenes. Some are activists, some are scholars, some are thinkers, some are organisers. Some are better on the mic, others behind a pen.Don’t judge someone’s contribution just because it’s not the same as yours. We need all hands on deck.“Allah will not ask you about what you couldn’t do — but He will ask what you did with what you could.”May Allah give victory to the oppressed.May He feed the hungry, clothe the exposed, and strengthen the weak.May He unite our ranks and guide our efforts.May He grant us clarity, discipline, and sincere hearts in service of this Ummah. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundeddaily.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit groundeddaily.substack.comWelcome back to BeQuranic. This term, we’re diving into Surah al-Hujurat, a short but powerful surah that speaks directly to the heart of what it means to live as a Muslim — not just with belief, but with adab (proper conduct).Last term we explored Surah al-Waqi‘ah, where we reflected on the categories of people in the Hereafter. Now, we’re bringing the…