A lot of people–especially new Muslims–break their heads on this conundrum. What is the difference between fard and wajib? Are they the same? Are they different? What’s the scoop? Why do some people say fard, while others say wajib for the same things? The answer is simple. According to the majority of scholars, fard and wajib mean the EXACT same thing. There is no difference. They are interchangable. (Recall that fard means: an action that, if performed, entails reward, and if neglected, entails punishment.

Eman. So simple…yet we have failed to understood its true place in our deen. And the man asked, “What is Eman?” The Prophet replied, “It is to believe in Allah and…” What did the Prophet say about Eman? How does it relate to us? Listen to this podcast to find out the reality of eman, in Ilm Fruits’ exclusive Light of Eman series! Don’t miss out! Check the Light of Eman page for the schedule!

Bismillah. Learning Arabic as a second language may be difficult for many, so I decided to share some tips that assist with learning the meanings of words and their structures. Words that begin with ف usually will always mean something that breaks open, separates, or breaks apart. Check out these examples: الفجر (Al-Fajr) from ف ج ر means the dawn, but it literally means when the daylight breaks/crack through the darkness.

Bismillah. Reminders of the akhirah can have a great effect on our hearts and bring us out of the ghaflah (heedlessness) we are in. By looking at two words, Jahannam and Jaheem from the Qur’an, we are able to see what the real life is, the real ending and the real punishment. May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) make our best deeds our last and may He (سبحانه وتعالى) make us among those who will enter Jannah without reckoning or punishment.

Time comes and goes, life slips and goes forth, what is to come? No creation knows. Sometimes, things (سبحانه وتعالى) takes it away, because in His infinite Wisdom it is something which is not good for you. However, what is to say that same thing is not good for you later in life? Time can go by, a jewel can accumulate dust, but with a blow of the mouth and a brush of the hands, it sparkles like new just as it was before.

Fard: technically, it means any action which, if done, deserves reward from Allah; and if neglected, deserves punishment from Allah. (Yes, that’s right–you actually earn reward for doing all those fard actions!) Here, we discuss two classifications of faraaid–Sofa Fard, and Bucket-Seat Fard. Sofa Fard Sofa Fard (also known as Fard Muwassa’) is a fard which you have a choice of when you can do it. It’s like a sofa–you can sit on the left, on the right, in the middle, anywhere you want!

500 Years of Worship By Shaikh Abul Laith Samarkandi Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) told Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) the following incident: A man in the past worshipped Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) continuously for 500 years. He was granted a shelter on top of a mountain that was surrounded by salty water. However, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) caused a stream of sweet water to flow through the mountain for that individual.

“I have already donated enough to masajids. I want to help the needy, poor, orphans and widows. Its so hard to find these people here in the west. Back home, it was so easy.” This is the typical problem that many of us face. So if you are wondering, how and where should I spend my charity, follow these six steps: Niyah Check: Make sure that you are only doing it for Allah, not to please anyone else or get praised!

A Delayed Response of Du’aa An eye-opener for those who believe … While talking to himself, Ibn Al-Jawzi blamed his soul in a gentle way. He said: I found myself in trouble, and so I made du’aa (supplication) consistently, all the while requesting relief and comfort. The response to my du’aa seemed to be delayed, and so my soul became disturbed and worried. However, I rebuked it saying, “Woe unto you; look attentively at yourself, are you the one possessed or are you the possessor?

The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The Pen is lifted from three (i.e., their deeds are not recorded): a child until he reaches puberty; an insane man until he comes to his senses; one who is asleep until he wakes up.” [Recorded in Abu Dawud #4403, and Ibn Majah #2041] This is an important hadith, fundamental to usool-ul-fiqh. This hadith applies in practically every situation and with every issue.