Articles
Do you really need to recline your seat?
I was on an international flight recently, and in true capitalist fashion, the airline packed us in like sardines.
It’s a flight. You deal with it. The discomfort is temporary.
But about two hours in, the chaos began. A few folks in my line of sight decided it was time to recline their seats. And just like that, three arguments broke out.
MORE INFOForbearance in Times of Madness
Just as our Prophet never lost control of his emotional state, we too must strive to keep a level head during these times of madness. It’s a matter of perspective: we can either choose to be nervous and afraid or we can continue to take solace and remain positive. In the end, we can only focus on the things we can do and can control— seeking assistance through patience and prayer, which will be difficult except for the people of humility. It is arrogance of the worst order to demand that Allah do something when we haven’t done anything. The people of humility are those who realize that they are not powerless. Their seemingly feeble prayer, supplications, avoidance of the prohibited and utterances of remembrance have the power to delay the coming of the Hour. We must continue to be Muslims and civic citizens to the best of our ability: to be in the service of Allah and all of His Creation, because that is what the people of ḥilm (forbearance) do because they follow a Prophet who embodied that same ḥilm.
Three Suggestions in the Wake of the Presidency of Donald Trump
Donald Trump is President-elect of the United States of America. Many are celebrating the symbolism of America having a White male conservative as the next Commander in Chief as well as breathing a sigh of relief that Hillary Clinton will not be in the Oval Office in 2017. Others, however, are upset that Trump won, believing that Trump will usher in a historic low which America has never seen. Within this framework coming off of the most divisive presidential election cycle since the turbulent year of 1968, the socio-political divide in America probably will not mend anytime soon.
Given that we truly do not know where America is heading though there are forecasts which can be made, I offer three piece of advice for American Muslim.
Make Someday Today: The Cubs, Baseball, and Your Spiritual Path
More than any other sport in the American consciousness baseball holds arguably the most symbolism to life and spirituality. A long-suffering Cubs fan reflects on the lessons Muslims can take from the historic World Series win of the Chicago Cubs after a drought of 108 years.
Focusing on the One: Lessons from the Tazkiyah Retreat
The 2016 Al-Madina Institute Retreat on Purification of the Soul was a deep and powerful experience structured to purify one's soul. At the conclusion of the retreat, participants had the opportunity to share their moving reflections with the rest of the group. ImanWire will be sharing several of those reflections that describe the internal spiritual journey each participant was experiencing during this retreat.
Guidelines For Muslim Political Engagement
In a recent discussion with some American Muslim scholars, politics was on everyone’s mind. This is no surprise, as the pressures on the American Muslim community have never been greater, from self-admitted enemies calling for our expulsion to potential allies offering aid. Knowing how to position oneself in regards to these forces is difficult to say the least. And knowing how to deal with how other Muslims position themselves is no easier. Muslims in the West need more sophisticated instruments to help them navigate questions of political engagement and disagreement within our community. In an effort to help improve this paucity, here are three maxims to live by.
A Different Kind of Fear: Growing up Muslim in the Age of Trump
In our roles as Muslim mothers, fathers, teachers, leaders, counselors and many others, we worry. We worry about our children, our students, and all the young people already struggling in a world that tells them they are not wanted, not loved, not good enough, not American enough.
The Perils of Fame: How to Be a Famous Muslim
In our day and age it seems like everyone is trying to get famous. Activists, leaders, and everyday Muslims alike are putting themselves ‘out there’ to gain likes and subscribers, and to reach a large audience with their special brand or message. Many Muslim entertainers and fashionistas have found a niche market through social media and are thriving in the spotlight. Their efforts are often met with a huge response, with followers in the thousands and even millions as young Muslims seek out content and people they can feel a personal connection to and who can relate to their experiences.
While there is a huge potential for using these avenues for healthy and meaningful creative exchanges, there are also some concerns that must be considered.
Incest & Widow Burning: How Much Can Muslims Stomach?
Can the Shariah facilitate acts which are considered reprehensible? The affirmation of a party’s free choice to engage in a wrong does not entail approving of it. It only recognizes something that the Quran, the Sunna of the Prophet ﷺ and Muslim scholars since early times have all affirmed: that human societies are too diverse for us to enforce even the most rightly guided systems of law or morality on all.