Articles

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.

In addition to learning about the merits of al-Husayn, it would benefit us more to learn lessons from his martyrdom in hopes that Allah may grant us greater spiritual insight and moral clarity.

God’s Messenger (God bless him and give him peace) said: ‘O God, I love him and I love anyone who loves him three times!’”

Travel expands our minds, our experiences, our connections, and can be spiritually transformative and inspiring. The Qur'an encourages us to travel and reflect deeply on creation, and to ponder on the fate of those who came before us.

Although we have not had the opportunity to meet our Prophet ﷺ face to face, there is consolation in the traces that have been left to us. In this, and in everything, we have been blessed beyond measure.

In reproducing artwork, the calligrapher must try to obliterate his or her own stylistic preferences and give way to the essence of the original piece. Nuria Garcia Masip shares her attempt to reproduce a famous work from Abdullah Zuhdi from the Mosque of the Prophet.

After the Prophet's Mosque had been damaged, a young calligrapher, Abdullah Zuhdi, was entrusted with adorning the mosque of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺwith calligraphic inscriptions. The results of his work were among the finest examples of extolling prayers upon the Messenger.

While many still find strength in God during trials, the result of our individual and collective trauma is increasingly the opposite – distance from God and a loss of hope. Amidst so much pain, where do we find comfort?

Muslims are busy working on survival. We are dealing with internal strife, external stress, political and social upheaval and plain old fear. Most of our energy is concentrated in our own communities, our families and – when we have a minute or two – ourselves. We are exhausted. It is hard to even imagine mustering up the energy to do more. But the question still tickles in our heads and hearts: are we delivering on behalf of the Prophetﷺ? Are we carrying the responsibility of the gift of the message of Islam?

In the current socio-political environment, we must consistently measure what our responses should be based upon our spiritual tradition, not what is politically in vogue among politicians, pundits and activists who are not rooted in our spiritual foundations.

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As we seek the pleasure of our Creator during the month of Ramadan in which His compassion and forgiveness are magnified, let us strive to embody the qualities of compassion and mercy in ourselves when seeking Divine presence.