The Prophetic Pace: in Between Running and Running Late
In the present day and age, which is characterised as one in which the slow fish is eaten by the big fish, the state of those who figuratively carry five or ten watermelons under their arm, and cannot spare time for their children and parents are on the one hand seen as hardworking and held in high esteem for this reason and on the other are regarded by those who study humans and societies as peop...

Why Give the Name Muhammad?
Ibn Arabi said "Beings come and are mirrors of the Divine names; they are seen and then disappear." Reflections of the Divine world can be found in names. Names like Abdurrahman are chosen from the Names of Allah for new arrivals in this world so that closeness to Allah can be expressed. People who are given such names become frequent reminders of the infinite mercy o...

The Names and Attributes of Prophet Muhammad in Divan Literature
Asma al-Nabi, which refers to the names and attributes of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), comprises one of the rich genres of our classical literature that is in fact intertwined with religious culture. Other examples of the genre concerning the Prophet include the mawlid, sirah, hilya, mi'raj-nameh, Hijrat al-Nabi (the migration of Prophet Muhammad), shafaat-namah, forty hadiths and a hundred hadith...

Mercy and Compassion Embraced Everyone
In order to understand to what degree the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is a mercy ("We sent you as a mercy to the world" Al-Anbiya 107), it is necessary to take a look at the situation of the world before him. It has been historically established that, just as in many regions of the world, idols were dominant in Meccan society and, consequently, a full human drama was taking place. According to a sta...

The Kindness of the Prophet Muhammad
Sep 21, 2011 I have now called Islam my religion and way of life for 10 years. During this decade, I have come to realize that the main obstacle to interfaith understanding and mutual respect between Muslims and non-Muslims is the shroud of mystique that still surrounds Islam, despite its spotlight media coverage since that fateful day in September 2001. Therefore, in order to really reach s...

The Prophet's Last Smile
Last smile in a finite world Even God’s Messenger, who said, “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much,” laughed at times. In actual fact, his face would light up with his smile and mercy, like the precious stone, mother-of-pearl. But was it the short-comings, weaknesses or shameful discrepancies of others that put a smile on his face? Let us try and underst...

The Prophetic Portrait: The Hilya in Calligraphy
    For Muslims who avoid visual representations depicting human beings, especially that of the prophets, the millenary expression within the Islamic tradition allowing for the portrayal of the person of Prophet Muhammad has been the hilya, his pen portrait. Denoting ‘quality, characteristic or form’, as well as ‘decoration or ornament,’ hilya, within the ...

The Real Meaning of the Relics of Muhammad
Contrary to certain claims, it is generally known that donning a beard for a man is a characteristic of Muslim identity associated with merit and piety, a tradition established by the Prophet Muhammad himself, which many Muslim men follow to this very day.  However, it is not the hair or the beard itself that is holy, nor the locks of hair that are cut after the Hajj pilgrimage (including t...

The Devotion of Youth to Prophet Muhammad
"Hello! I am indeed writing this letter to my Prophet Holy Muhammad with all my sincerity. They say that back in the old times many bad things used to happen. Then those days passed... Our Prophet arrived. With his arrival, every living thing came to life. When he came, we reached enlightenment after the days of darkness. Life became meaningful with his arrival. "I wish to deliver this letter...

Supplications often recited by Prophet Muhammad
"Prayer is the best form of worship." (Abu Dawud) It has been said that each part of the Prophet Muhammad's life entailed supplication and entreaty to God. The following is a brief compilation of suppllications often recited by the Prophet. 1.      "My Lord, I ask from You guidance and truth." (Muslim) 3.      "My Lord, I ask from You guidance, piety, chastity and wealth." (Muslim) 4.      "O Al...

Professor Hayrettin Karaman answers your questions about Ramadan
Islamic jurist and Professor Hayrettin Karaman will be answering questions that you have regarding fasting and the month of Ramadan throughout this holy month. If you happen to have questions to which you can’t find answers below, then please send your questions to Mr. Karaman at hkaraman@sonpeygamber.info -Can a toothbrush or miswaq&...

The names and attributes of Prophet Muhammad
Question: It is stated in one hadith that calamities, illnesses, troubles, the evil-eye, jealousy, sorcery, fire and the collapse of residence will befall those who write, read or display on their walls the names and attributes of Prophet Muhammad. Similarly, misfortunes such as poverty, being poisoned and anxiety will not be experienced by the members of households who bear his name. How true is...