Marc Manley

Many Prophetic statements paint an undoubtedly unpleasant picture of the future. But is this something that should be revelled in? Or is it perhaps instead a twisted way of abdicating ourselves out of the responsibility and challenge of carving out a dignified existence even in the midst of hardship?

Imam Ali said, “Study the Qur’an for it is the best of speech. Teach it to others for it is like the springtime of hearts.” We are in need of a return to a simpler way of approaching the Qur’an: by actually reading it.

The hyper-fixation of Muslim families on material wealth, ethnicity, and class — to the exclusion of all other considerations including choice and happiness — will only continue to erode the Muslim community from within. While it is convenient during a Trump presidency for Muslims to pour all of their fears and anxieties in his administration, we ignore the self-inflicted wound that is just as likely, if perhaps not more so, to contribute to the glum feeling many of us have in our community.

Islam is not a race or a marathon. It’s a way of living prescribed by the Creator, as demonstrated by the Prophet ﷺ. There is an intended balance that ought to be struck between immediate repentance and living to fight another day.

The Prophetic way is to work to find balance in our lives and to enjoy being a Muslim.

Our frustration with the apathy of our community on issues like Ferguson cannot be chocked up to leadership alone. The rank and file Muslim also shares a healthy dollop of blame.

If you feel like you're struggling with your religion, it is most likely that you are struggling with yourself. Islam is, while broad and expansive, something specific.

In an attempt to cope with my own powerlessness in the face of the Almighty, I needed to revisit some critical notions of what Islam is founded on: submission, the limits of human reason, forbearance, steadfastness, and personal honesty.

If Islam is to take off and thrive–not merely survive–in America then Muslims here will need to be imbued with the power to legitimize themselves and their environments around them. This may result in differing cultural norms for Muslims in America that may, at the surface level, look different when compared to other parts of the Ummah.

I have often had young (and not so young) Muslims come and ask me about the significance of prayer. Often this inquiry is triggered by doubt and skepticism in their lives as the result of sins they’ve committed. But what is most curious about this line of questioning is the trajectory it has taken to get here: it’s backwards. To understand the “why” of prayer, one must first understand one’s insignificance. What do I mean?

Imam Marc Manley weighs in on the Muslim Hipsters, discussing the importance of being cool and being a moral Muslim, and critiques the reaction to the video in the community.

What is the role of an imam? How does it differ from other religious traditions? And how is it seen specifically in the American Muslim context?