Words are often spoken, aayahs recited, hadith quoted, heads nod in agreement, hearts soften; “Yes! Now I will go and seek knowledge!” Your degree suddenly takes on a new meaning, you wipe clean the dusty old Qur’an on the top shelf and devour the sacred and the very best of the knowledge therein. There is much to be said for the seeking of knowledge, the most important and the highest form of which is Islamic knowledge. However, there are other forms of knowledge which we ought to be seeking.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “My companions are as stars. Whomsoever of them you follow, you will be rightly guided.” When a man looks at a star, and finds his way by it, the star does not speak any word to that man. Yet merely looking at the star, the man knows the road from roadlessness and reaches his goal. Jalaluddin Rumi

The Golden Ages of Islam was an incredible era, an era that is now unfortunately swept under the rug in school history lessons. Most people refer to this time between the 7th and 17th century as the ‘Dark Ages,’ a period of nothingness, but this is far from the reality. This era, which should be known as the Golden Ages, was one where the richness of the Muslim civilisation had radiated throughout the planet.

The fundamental creed that unites us, that makes us brothers and sisters of one another, is our shared belief in the unity of Allah (SWT). Truly, this is our star spangled banner, a banner under which we are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to these stars and stripes.

Its that time of year again, roses are exchanged, promises are made, love is in the air! As valentine’s day approaches, many of us get caught up in the atmosphere and give in to temptation…