October 9th, 2015 It is not often that we are blessed with beautiful examples of what it means to be good. Coach Salah Abdul-Razacq was one of those examples. I visited Ustadha Zaynab Ansari and Abu Salah, as his wife lovingly and respectfully referred to him, in their home last year. I was struck by […]
Eulogy for Abu Salah Read More »
I often wonder what might have been written about the Prophet ﷺ if he had visited Japan, Europe, or the indigenous peoples of the American continents. We know, for example, that the Prophet ﷺ ate in the most beautiful way: clean, tidy and in the custom of the Arabs. He ate with his hands. If
Adab: The Distinguishing Quality Read More »
In 1947 an unnamed Muslim woman in Aleppo stood up against oppression, violence and political fury. This was the year that the United Nations voted to create Israel. Anger and outrage erupted amongst Arabs as they watched in disbelief as the global community decided to turn over an entire nation to another people. That anger
Happy Women’s History Month Read More »
Three people killed in the safety of their homes. Vandalism towards an Islamic school. The mysterious murder of a young man in Canada. Atheism secretly spoken of amongst our children. Sexual abuse allegations against leaders. As the headlines, tweets and posts swirl around and around and around, we are dizzy and sad and scared.
There is a truism in every field and every domain: Those who know very little believe they know quite a bit, and those who know more recognize how little they know. In the junior high school classrooms teachers smile patiently at the loud and angry voices that are certain that, were they in charge, they
To Know or Not to Know: It Is Not a Question Read More »
It is 2015. I cannot believe it. I am old enough to remember when it was 1985! In November, 1984, Ronald Reagan beat Walter Mondale and became president of the USA. I was unhappy because on Election Day I was still not able to vote, since my birthday was November 8th and Election Day that
She walks down streets that curve and turn, balconies reach across the street and graze the vines of neighbor’s walls. These are old streets. Rūmī, Ibn Taymiyya and Imam Ghazālī walked up and down these streets. She turns the corner and finds wide black metal doors greeting her with a tiny doorbell. She pushes the
Reaching Out and Reaching In Read More »
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Who does not thank people, has not thanked Allah ﷻ.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi) Thank you Rabata Board members for agreeing to get on this roller-coaster ride in 2012 when it looked like we were only going to be arranging tours, and then sticking by me and the work when it grew into
“Hajj is ʿArafāt…” ﷺ On this barren plain millions of people stand and sit asking Allah ﷻ to forgive them a lifetime of sin and misdeeds. Some are inside tents, others are standing under the beating sun. Some are in tears as their lives pour out into their duʿāʾ, others cannot think of anything to
Hajj Chronicles #2 Read More »
The night was still dark as I stopped and handed over 5 riyals for a wooden cane. The short climb from the bus to the top of the hill, the point where the stairs began that led up, up, up into the starry sky, had been difficult. I figured I wouldn’t make it up those
