Muslims often talk about the importance of being thankful. That’s not surprising since there are many instances of the words “thanks,” “thankful,” “grateful,” and “gratitude” being used in the Qur’an. …
Narratives, Interfaith Dialogue, and Transformation
Narratives are important. They are central to how we understand ourselves and betoken not just the chronology but also the meaning of our lives. Narratives are the stories we tell …
The Spiritually Alive Parent or Teacher
On the website incultureparent.com, London-based writer Umm Salihah described the authoritarian upbringing she experienced: “My parents and grandparents grew up in Pakistan where it was the norm to be smacked …
Women and Men: Complementary Halves
Sarah had heard many negative characterizations of Islam, especially that the religion oppressed women. She didn’t spend much time thinking about these things, one way or the other. It remained …
Happiness: Contentment, Optimism and Joy
Life today is stressful and statistics clearly show that people are not coping well, with all the indices of unhappiness sky-high. As of 2010, 36 percent of Americans were obese, …
The Test of One Believer is a Test for All Believers
“And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lonely cry of a whippoorwill or the arguments of the frogs around a pond at night. I am …
Why Know Muhammad? (pbuh)
History has catalogued many successful leaders. Some have been great in military affairs, others in political governance. Many of them, however, were self-serving and quite willing to use cunning, deception, …
A Perspective on Free Speech and Common Sense
As protests against the anti-Islam film spread throughout the Muslim world, information has become available about the man behind “Innocence of Muslims.” Nakoula Basseley Nakoula is a convicted criminal, twice …
Shariah in the Presidential Race
The Republican presidential candidates, with the exception of Ron Paul, have too often resorted to messages of fear to garner votes. Romney, Gingrich, and Santorum have all voiced concerns about …
Beautifying the Heart with Sincerity
In The Alchemy of Happiness, Imam Al-Ghazali writes: ”His five senses are like five doors opening on the external world; but, more wonderful than this, his heart has a window …