Contrary to popular opinion, following the news is not good for us because almost all news is bad news. Some of the most depressed people are those who consume a regular diet of news media. However, if you must follow the news, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani advises that you do so for two reasons:

• if there is going to be benefit
• if you are genuinely concerned

No Reward in Punditry

When you follow the news, realise that there is no reward in punditry. There is however, immense benefit in making du'a at every opportunity. Make dua when you hear bad news and when you meet someone. It can be in your own words and in any language you are comfortable in.

• How Should the Hands Be Held During Supplication?
• Can I Make Dua In My Own Language and Not In Arabic?

The Prophet made a tremendous promise with respect to those who respond to the adhan. This is particularly the case in lands where the adhan is not publicly given, and so people begin to leave and forget the sunnahs related to it. It is as if we don't believe in what the Prophet has promised us. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gives a step by step list of things to do when you hear the adhan.

There was once a known Islamophobe, Adi bin Hatem, who was the head of a monotheistic tribe. They worshipped the God of Abraham but lacked any further guidance. Adi bin Hatem was a man who hated Islam and hated the Prophet. His own sister had gone to see the Prophet and embraced Islam and this infuriated Adi bin Hatem even more. So when he visited Madinah, how did the Prophet treat him? A fascinating, uplifting true story, retold by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.