Ruba Mahfouz-Alkotob was born in Michigan to Syrian immigrant parents and now resides in the suburbs of Flint with her family. She describes herself as deeply blessed—married to a supportive husband and mother to four remarkable children, with her eldest son married and faithfully visiting each weekend.
Student of the Month – March Read More »
We are excited to introduce December’s Student of the Month. Dr. Renas Almubarak’s journey is one of devotion—to her family, her patients, and her faith. Originally from Sudan, she immigrated to the United States in 2010 to pursue her dream of working with children. After graduating from medical school, she completed seven years of training in pediatrics and emergency pediatric medicine, living in five different states along the way. Today, she and her family have finally settled in New Jersey, where she balances life as a pediatric emergency doctor, wife, and homeschooling mother of four children, aged seven to thirteen.
Student of the Month–December Read More »
Our lives are like fields. We sow seeds through our actions, words, and intentions, and what we plant determines the harvest we leave behind. What will my legacy be? The Prophet ﷺ taught us that when a person dies, their deeds come to an end—except for three: sadaqa jariya (continuous charity), knowledge that is beneficial, and the prayers of a virtuous descendant. In a world where so much fades, possessions break, money is spent, and accomplishments are forgotten, these three legacies endure, continuing to send blessings to the believer even after they have returned to Allah. If you are able to produce knowledge and share this knowledge, please do so. If you can publish a book, then do it, but if not, teach something. Create a video. This will stay for you as long as people are benefitting from it. You will continue reaping the benefit from this harvest.
Harvesting Knowledge Read More »
Born in northwest Indiana and raised in a Christian family, Chloe Porter Dixon embraced Islam in 2015—a decision she describes as “the best I have ever made.” Though the path came with challenges, it also brought countless blessings.
Now living in North Carolina with her husband (who is also a convert) and their cat, Chloe works full-time in human resources. “Together, we’ve made an intentional choice to center our lives around Islam and always strive to continue learning the deen,” she shares.
Student of the Month – October Read More »
Over the past two decades, I have inhabited many roles in relation to Arabic—learner, teacher, researcher, and curriculum developer. The question “Why is it important to study Arabic?” has been a recurrent one during my journey. The simple response is that the answer depends on the questioner. For some, the value lies in religious goals; for others, it lies in heritage, academic ambitions, or even politicized motivations. In reality, there is an answer—and an Arabic—for everyone.
Why Is It Important to Learn Arabic? A New Answer to an Old Question Read More »
Born in Bangladesh and now a longtime resident of Florida, Panjeton Noor has built a life centered on learning, teaching, and family. She completed her bachelor’s in psychology from UCF, graduating summa cum laude, and went on to earn her master’s in education from USF. During her graduate studies, she worked for four years at the Department of Children and Families, and after graduating, she taught at Universal Academy of Florida until her retirement.
Student of the Month – September Read More »
Born and raised in Philadelphia as one of six children, Salimah Shaheed grew up in a Muslim household shaped by the courage and conviction of her parents who are both converts to Islam. Today, she lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and two children. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master
Student of the Month – June Read More »
The process of purification is like planting a tree which requires attention and tendering. I connect with the relevance of how tazkiyah or purification is—which involves growth. In order for my tree to grow, I need to pay close attention to tending to it, making sure it’s getting the right nutrients, and also the process of weeding, i.e. cleaning the heart from anything that would taint it.
Consistent Purification Read More »
Covid-19 did not do us many favors but one of the best things to come out of that trying time was the proliferation of online methods of study. At Ribaat, we have been at the forefront of digital knowledge spaces even before that time and we find our numbers of students accessing our classes increasing every year. This is indeed a sign of more and more women seeking out knowledge and finding that online spaces to learn can be just as effective. As a teacher at Ribaat, teaching women on this online platform brings me joy. As Anse Najiyya pointed out last month, our students are of all ages, life stages and levels of knowledge.
Importance of Etiquette when Seeking Knowledge Read More »
