Dr. Bilal Philips, Founder and Chancellor of Islamic Online University presents a series of lectures during his I`tikaf at Masjid Abu Ad-Darda, Doha, Qatar. He explains the principles of I`tikaf in general and other issues such as bathroom and eating etiquettes; purification, the life of some of the Companions of the Prophet, and the significance of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Islamic Online University Insights: Lectures on I`tikaf

The Shahadah is the key to the gates of Paradise, but in order for it to work, be accepted by God, it needs to have the right ridges. Learn about them here…

The Conditions of the Shahadah to Be Accepted by God

How does one acquire knowledge of and belief in God, His Attributes, His Law and the Day of Judgment?

How to Acquire Knowledge of God?

Where should I say the Shahadah? Being one’s own choice, why should it be in public? Is it just a kind of ritual practice?

How Should I Declare the Shahadah?

What are the Five Pillars of Islam and what is the origin of this expression? Which comes first, and why? Are they all what Islam is about? In other words, do I need anything beside them to be Muslim?

The Five Pillars of Islam: Their Meaning and Priority

What might we do to attain a higher position in our relation with Him? And why do we need to get closer in the first place?

The Friends of Allah: Who and How?

Islam is the greatest blessing that Allah has bestowed upon mankind and the Qur’an is the greatest book that Allah has given to whom He has chosen from amongst His creation

Islam: The Greatest Blessing Bestowed upon Mankind

How can one get closer to God through specific acts of worship? Is it through obligatory or supererogatory acts we may reach such closeness?

Dhikr: Closeness through Worship

As He is One in His Lordship without any partner, He is also One in His servitude. What does it mean to believe in Allah’s servitude? What are the principles of believing in His Names?

What Does It Mean to Believe in Allah? (Part Two)

How iman (faith) is related to Islam? Who is the Muslim, and who is the mu’min? Is there Islam without faith? What makes a Muslim true and staunch?

The True Muslim between Islam and Iman

Islam means obedience to God. And it is common sense that this obedience cannot be complete unless man knows certain basic facts of life and places firm faith in them.

Islam’s Code of Life: Between Faith and Obedience

Allah created all of mankind to have belief in Him (their Creator). What is the evidence to that? What does it mean to believe in Allah?

What Does It Mean to Believe in Allah? (Part One)

The adhan, although it has very few words, covers all essentials of the faith. How is that? What does it indicate, and how was it legislated?

The Adhan: Its Virtues and History

When the Muslim community migrated to Madinah, they faced all sorts of new questions – like when exactly is prayer time over here?

When Did the Adhan Become the Call to Prayer?

What is the importance of prayer in Islam? How could one perform ablution (wudu’)? How to perform prayer in the correct manner? How to prepare for offering prayer?

Step by Step Guide to Prayer

How can we truly feel the presence of God at all times, and make His remembrance (dhikr) permeate and affect every aspect of our lives?

How to Develop Your Level of Faith through Dhikr

Everything good or bad, all moments of happiness or sorrow, pleasure or pain, come from God. What does this practically mean? Living with this fact, do we have to make any effort?

The Muslim and Belief in Divine Decree

To do dhikr is to strive to fill all your moments, all your thoughts and all your actions with God’s remembrance. Why do we need to reach such a state of belief, and for what purpose?

Dhikr: God’s Always Open Door

Why are we obliged to worship God? How do we properly meet such obligation? What guarantees a valid act of worship?

For Valid Acts of Worship

If you seek to become a sincere Muslim, be on the straight path of Islam, achieve success and fulfillment, there’s no other way but the faith in God’s last Prophet, accepting and following his teachings.

The Last Testimony of God