Articles

The Madrasa of Gaza al-‘Izza

What is ‘izza? English translations of the Qur’an typically translate ‘izza as glory, might and honour. And therefore: To Allah, His Messenger ﷺ and the believers belongs all glory, might and honour. But the etymology of the word ‘izza denotes many meanings: strength and power; rarity and preciousness; and even difficulty and unattainability.

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In the Shade of the Fig Tree

While we may long for an opportunity to purify the soul through a removal of the self from its current existence, in reality we are given the opportunity for purification of the heart over and over again throughout our daily life.

Why We Must Recapture Scholarly Discourse from Extreme Bloggers

One cannot deny the move towards rhetoric and practice in the Western Muslim community that is more liberal, reformist, and progressive, but the extreme position some have taken in response to it is not only harmful, ineffective, and unwise, but decidedly un-Islamic.

Living and Dying on a Prayer: How Jumu’ah Orients Us to the Next Life

In the wake of last Friday’s tragedy in New Zealand, we may find ourselves consumed by the images and the reporting, which then gives way to fears of future copycat attacks or reprisals. It is in such moments that each of us should look deeply at the significance of Jumu'ah and our central rites and traditions, as a way to connect us to the enduring reality of God.

Goodnight Tales for Little Muslims: Chester and the Stomper

Goodnight Tales for Little Muslims is a collection of ridiculously interesting and thankfully short bedtime stories with spirit, soul and Islamic lessons for little ones.

Spiritual Commentary on the Burdah: Part 6 - Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui

The aspirant realizes that he cannot tame his nafs by himself. We must tame the horse of our nafs/self by holding onto its reins.

My Spiritual Visit to Ahl al-Bayt in Morocco

To embody our tradition we need to connect to those before us who transmitted and embodied the sacred law and spiritual refinement.

Goodnight Tales for Little Muslims: Ibrahim's Secret

Goodnight Tales for Little Muslims is a collection of ridiculously interesting & thankfully short bedtime stories with spirit, soul and Islamic lessons for little ones.

Keeping Our Intentions Clean in Turbulent Times

Our prayers and donations should be done for the pleasure of Allah, seeking nearness to Him. Worldly recognition should never be the primary motive.

The Most Famous Poem Ever Written: Examining the Burda of Imam al-Busiri

The Burdah of al-Busiri is from among the most famous poems composed in honor of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. In this introduction to a new series of commentaries on the Burda, Iyad Ammar sheds light on the life of Imam al-Busiri.

The One With Two Coarse Cloths – The Martyr of Tabuk

It is not only the famous Companions who are gifted an elevated status. There were many hidden ones, some whose stories have come to us, and some, undoubtedly, whom we will never know. And, to this day there are people amongst us who are beloved to God but who live in obscurity.

How Self-Reliance Fosters Spiritual Contentment

When we become more self-sufficient and rely solely on God, the natural consequences are that we free ourselves from needing other people, which means we have less expectations of them and thus suffer fewer disappointments.

Ashura: A Parable for Islamic Activists

Ashura is the date of two important events in Islamic history: the freeing of the Bani Israel from the oppression of the Pharaoh, and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Both of these stories give Muslims lessons in how to fight oppression, while simultaneously basing our activism against oppression on an Islamic epistemic.

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