Articles

For many, master calligrapher Hasan Celebi is seen as the reviver of Islamic calligraphy of our time, a living legend. Having started his life as an imam, Celebi's heart was filled with the words of God and His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). He took an interest in calligraphy and has been making history ever since.

Character strengthens the Muslim’s spiritual life. In Islam, the circle acts as a constant metaphor: just as character builds one’s Islam, so does Islam build character. And of character, Islam - practiced with the same deliberation and integrity of action portrayed by Imam al-Haddad - builds grit.

It is time we take a moment to reflect over what we have allowed ourselves to become and how we have allowed fear and hate to divide us and turn us against each other and support candidates whose positions are antithetical to our values as Americans and humans.

What would happen if American Islam and mosques devalued male participation and started to see a decline in male attendance as in other faith traditions? Would mosques dare become more civil and organized without board tantrums, would we only hear of love and mercy? Or would we see the emasculation of Muslim men and more harrowing realities? Solutions lie in valuing the contribution of Muslim men, asking them to step up and lead change emanating authentically from within the tradition, and be chivalrous enough to step aside and open doors for women so they can enjoy the same privilege, obligation, and pain we as men feel at Jummah and in board meetings.

How do car pollution choking the skies and endless drilling and fracking reflect our attitude with God? Khalil Abdur-Rashid reflects on this pearl from Surah Aadiyat in the Qur'an.

Sabah Muktar, an undergraduate student, was chosen to introduce President Obama at his historic visit to the Islamic Society of Baltimore last month. She shared her thoughts of the experience with ImanWire.

In this series of short commentaries on the verses in the Qur'an starting with "O you who believe", Shaykh Arsalan Haque discusses God's command to seek help through patience and prayer.

Muslims should not be uncritical in accepting mindfulness meditation as yet another attempt to treat the spiritual void generated by secular materialism. For all its perceived benefits, mindfulness remains a fast-food solution to the spiritual hunger of our times. It is a proverbial doughnut that satiates symptoms but does not address root malnutrition. Mindfulness is very much an integral part of Islamic spirituality, but with a profound difference: Islam prescribes Divine-mindfulness.

Shaykh Yasir Fahmy discusses the great companion of the Prophet, Bilal ibn Rabah, and the problem of racism in in our communities.

Shaykh Khalil Abdur Rashid discusses the importance of balance in life and the relationship between justice and ihsaan.

The story of then six-year old Ruby Bridges should serve as a source of inspiration for all of us. Her life teaches us what it truly means to be courageous in times of hardship.

In Part 2 of our interview with Shaykh Sa’eed Fodeh, arguably the most prominent Muslim theologian in the Ash’ari School today, Shaykh Fodeh discusses the idea of scientific miracles of the Qur'an and the relationship between science and religion.