Mohammed Saleem

Even if we are not on Hajj this year, our situation is no different. We navigate through the complexities of our daily life, immersed in the never-ending responsibilities of work and family, inundated with the intrusions of technology and social media into every minute of our lives, moving from place to place and idea to idea.

s

A new Hijrah year is a new beginning, a time to start fresh. Our predecessors, in choosing it as the beginning of the Islamic calendar, recognized it not only marked a new civilization, but a new realm of human possibility, where the soul is liberated, and society is freed from injustice and corruption. That can only begin until we accept that who we are now is not the way we want to be. Though that sounds simple, the reality is that while we might wish to be a better person, we still remain fundamentally satisfied with our flaws because it’s comfortable. We complain about the status quo, but we are scared to go through the difficult process of changing it. So we tolerate our condition, and blame our spiritual inertia on busy schedules, social pressures and our own fear.

Ramadan often elicits childhood memories of our parents going to extra lengths to make it special, so as we honor our mothers and fathers, perhaps it is also time that we as parents also give thanks to our children for the special gift they gave us. So to all our children, thanks for the sleepless nights.

The Prophet ﷺ wondered where Bilal ibn Rabah could be. It was time for the dawn prayer, and Bilal, the first muaddhin (caller to prayer), his beloved Companion whose footsteps were heard in paradise by the Prophet ﷺ, was inexplicably late.

Whether you watch the Super Bowl or not this weekend, don't be like those who sit on the sidelines every game. Many of us with unique talents stand by while our communities cry out to us for help. To give of ourselves is to thank God.

Shaykh Muhammad Yaqoubi. From the Al-Madina Institute 2012 Moroccan Spiritual Tour.

The day of Ashura is unfortunately not given its full due because we choose to observe it through the polarizing lens of our own personal ideology. Some observe Ashura as if the death of Imam Husain never happened on this day, while others observe Ashura as if only the death of Imam Husain happened on this day. Others are apathetic about observing it at all. In all of these circumstances, this blessed day is being shortchanged, and we are the only ones who lose out. With Thanksgiving season approaching, a reflection on gratitude may lead us to a more comprehensive and unifying perspective on Ashura.

While we preserve the Divine Names, we often neglect the names given to describe the Messenger ﷺ himself. It is a reflection of our modern disconnect with the Muhammadan reality that today we have largely forgotten these names.

American Muslims, especially from the immigrant community, still struggle for relevancy because of a failure to integrate the call to Islam with the call to justice. This stems from a disservice to the legacy of Malcolm X, racism and an indifference to the Muslim convert.

The destruction of the tomb of Imam an-Nawawi is evidence of a greater assault on the sacred, which feeds a pattern of violence throughout the world. The only remedy is in embracing the principles by which he lived.

Imam Zaid Shakir & Shaykh Muhammad Ninowy

The Prophetic example is one of profound spirituality—and also humor. Why then is our community filled with gloom? Keeping it light helps put others at ease and has its own personal benefits, but it originates from within.

After seeing our brothers and sisters praying Salat-ul-Istisqa (prayer for rain) in the Bay area this past weekend, and the subsequent rainfall, let us remember the story of the man who once interrupted the Prophet's khutbah, asking for rain:

Frustrated that you haven't met your spiritual goals because of the burdens of family, work, and social responsibilities? Here are four things to remember to have a truly wonderful life and a positive impact on the world.

Mandela did not just speak for the freedom of South Africans. He spoke for all those who were marginalized and oppressed, even when it was unpopular to do so. Even when he and his people were in the weakest position of all, he remained an advocate for the oppressed throughout the world. His world view was never myopic, because he realized that oppression in any part of the world was a problem for the entire world.

On this and every Friday, let us not forget the value of time and the precious opportunities Allah gives us. Even if we work all day, hustling between work, Jummah, and then back to work again, hardly taking a breath. Read a brief tafsir of Surat al-Asr.