life lessons

Student of the Month – April

In the vibrant mosaic of the Ribaat Academic Program, the journey of each student adds unique shades and patterns, enriching our collective narrative. This month, we are thrilled to spotlight Fara Rasiman, April’s Student of the Month, whose life story is a testament to the beauty of diversity, the pursuit of knowledge, and an unwavering dedication to community service. Hailing from the culturally rich and humid landscapes of Malaysia, Fara’s multicultural background has shaped her into a true global citizen. Her career has spanned various sectors, including startups, tech, sustainable energy, and nonprofits, touching lives across the Asia-Pacific, European, and North American markets.

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Student of the Month – March

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Meet our Student of the Month, Saskia Eddarkaoui, a German convert to Islam, living her enriching journey alongside her Moroccan husband and their four children, aged between 3 and 11 years. Saskia has woven her life around faith, family, and the fervent desire to contribute to her community. Despite the absence of a robust Muslim community in her locality, her spirit remained unshaken, fueled by prayers for positive change, she resolved to still provide the right environment for her family and children.

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The Art of Spiritual Living

The Importance of Istighfar

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As-salāmu ʿalaykum ladies, we need to reflect on why Prophet Muhammad ﷺ needed to make isitighfar. A Prophet doesn’t sin. That would be against the nature of the Divine message.

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Write with Allah as your Audience

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In 2009, NPR put out a call for essays. They wanted to know more about Muslim identity in America. What could I possibly write about? I went from being a

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What is in a year?

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One year ago today, you were hooked up to a dialysis machine. It was the last thing to try to keep you here. Within a few hours of it starting,

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Student of the Month – November

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In the throes of world-wide isolation, Dr. Aaisha Vawda felt this separation more poignantly as she migrated across the Atlantic, from South Africa to Canada. The loss of family, friends, and familiarity left the introverted Aaisha in search of something more, but still hesitant to venture out into her new community. After a few months, her mother, recognizing her loneliness, shared the Rabata instagram page with Aaisha, encouraging her to explore the organization. Dr. Aaisha obliged and soon found her spiritual and emotional lifeline, a family away from family, a much needed space.

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Back to Writing

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To my dismay, I didn’t have another ready-made story idea burning a hole in my pocket. And when I thought of a few (really good ones, actually), a malicious voice always overrode my enthusiasm: This idea requires too much research… That one has a good premise but where would it go from there? And worst of all, You did it once, but you know you can’t do it again. The voice paralyzed me for years.

Then I remembered my red spiral notebook.

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For the love of the Quran

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Passion Corner: The Quran Every year since I converted I would read through the entire Quran in English as I listened to Sh. Sudais on a CD set given to

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“A woman with a good bit of life behind her is able to absorb lessons and teach them to others with years’ worth of examples and stories that bring the learning to life. She is able to teach with both an authoritative presence that helps her guide others through the rough waters of self-reflection and a knowing tranquility that is the cozy spiritual equivalent of being 'squishy,' as my granddaughter raves about my middle-age pudge.” Anse Najiyah Maxfield

Students of a Certain Age

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When I first began studying at the Ribaat Academic Institute, back before there even really was a Ribaat, I sat down and cried. Not because I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to study seriously in my own home. Not because I was so spiritually moved by the Companions in the pilot class that I just couldn’t contain my tears. And not because I enjoyed the exercise of heart and mind that was the final exam. No. I cried because all the other students were in their twenties…maybe thirties…and I was the only one beginning my studies at 50 years old.

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