All Muslims know that alcohol is Haram (forbidden). Even if they do actually drink themselves, they know they are committing a sin. But the same is not always true of cannabis. "Man made beer, God made weed. I know who I trust," is what they might say. "It doesn't have any bad side-effects, it helps me relax and when I'm smoking I think really deeply about things." Is there any truth to these statements? Is weed really a harmless drug? Shouldn't the government legalise it? Didn't they already make it legal a couple of years ago? Is cannabis even forbidden in Islam?

By Imam Zahid Shakir
As we eagerly anticipate the beginning of the Blessed Month of Ramadan, the staff of Zaytuna Institute wishes all of our volunteers, friends, and supporters an accepted and purifying fast. We pray that this blessed month is a time of spiritual renewal for all of you, a time when you are able to fully benefit from the many Divine Gifts that have been offered to the worshipper during this most special season. Those who have failed to take advantage of the months of Rajab and Sha’ban to prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan should be especially careful to take full advantage of the latter month. Reflect on the poet’s words:

Harken! O you who was not content to sin throughout Rajab.

By Irfan Jalil

So your mum's on your back telling you to get hitched and move out. But all your cousins are married and you were never any good with meeting girls at college. What does a good Muslim boy or girl like you do? You get on-line and search for an e-bride or e-husband!

Khushoo means devotion. Khushoo is when one's complete attention during Salah is to Allah (swt). Yes, that is more than normal. Only thing is that the devil does not want you to do that. That pesky little bugger would rather that you concentrate on other important things. Like what you will have for lunch or thinking about the last EastEnders episode or you might be re-playing the last United game in your head.... Goal!!!! Oops, what was I doing? Anyway, time for the third Sajdah...

Anyway, you're probably wondering what the big deal is. Some of the sahaba asked "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah (swt) as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." (Bukhari 2:47)

Test Your Knowledge - Islamic Quiz 2008

1. In which city was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) born?

* Mecca
* Riyadh
* Madina
* Jeddah

2. Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) father, Abdullah, died before he was born, but how old was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when his mother Aminah died?

* 2
* 6
* 8
* 9

3. How old was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when Angel Jibra’il (as) appeared to him, in a cave at Mount Hira in Mecca, with the first revelation of the Holy Quran?

* 11
* 21
* 23
* 40

4. The Islamic year is based on the 12 months of the lunar calendar, not the solar calendar. What is the name of the last month in the Islamic calendar?

* Rabi Al-awwal
* Ramadan
* Dhul Hijjah

By Yaqub Bell & Alveena Salim

The Revival team had exclusive backstage passes at the swanky Excel Centre in London at the Global Peace and Unity Event in November 2007. We met up, collected our passes, went backstage and decided against sampling the tasty strawberry’s dipped in the chocolate fountain in case we smeared chocolate all over our tops and looked like fools when interviewing the performers.

After the short but sweet press conference the organisers arranged some interviews for The Revival. We interviewed a number of performers including the US based Nasheed group Seven8Six. The talented singing group consists of Shahaab Quraishi, Omar Razzacki, Zafar Razzacki, Muhammad Saadullah (Saad), and Muhammad Saeedullah (Saeed).

Q. Are Muslim students allowed to sit in Sex Education lessons? What does Islam say about Sex Education in general?

Answer by Shaykh Salim Ghiza

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent and Merciful.

Sex education is a very important part of life and all Muslims who are of marriageable age must learn what is permissible with their partners and what isn’t. However, the purpose of sex education in schools in the UK is not about teaching children how to refrain from sex until they are married but they teach them how to practice safe sex. As sex before marriage is not permissible in Islam this sort of education to the children is also not permissible and therefore Haram.

There are many words we read and hear but aren’t too sure what they mean. So The Revival attempts to define some Islamic terms used in this issue:

al-Kawthar – a river in paradise. On the Day of Judgment the faithful believers will be led to al-Kawthar where they will drink only once and will never thirst again.

Anbiya – are the chosen Prophets of Allah (swt). There have been over 124,000 Prophets sent to mankind. In the Qur’an Allah (swt) mentions the names of 25 Prophets. The 5 most well known Prophets of Islam are Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) Isa (Jesus) and Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all).

Selected messages received by the Editor

Salaam
The website is great and I think The Revival is doing a great job because it has certainly changed me. I started to pay more attention to Islam after I read my first revival magazine. So carry on with the great work, you are doing a great job in making today's generation realise what Islam really is.
Ayesha
Birmingham

Salam
Hi, I recently got hold of "The Revival" in Birmingham. I live in Sheffield and really would like this magazine to be available down here. It has absolutely opened my eyes and I'm sure many other young people would appreciate it as well.
Thanks
Muna Omar
Sheffield

Assallamu Allaikum