Did Muhammad command Muslims to defend his honor? No.

Last updated on: February 9, 2015 at 3:25 pm By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Saima Sheikh Anti-blasphemy laws that punish profane or contemptuous speech, writing or actions concerning God or anything held as divine are nothing new. They’ve been around for centuries. According to a 2012 Pew Research study, a quarter of the world’s countries have such laws, with punishment ranging from fines to death. Western countries such as Ireland, Canada, Germany and Poland have these laws, although they’re not enforced. Some countries are considering repealing these laws after the Charlie Hebdo attack, while Middle... Read more

Christians Can Worship In Mosques Too

Last updated on: February 9, 2015 at 3:10 pm By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Saima Sheikh It seems that Christian extremists have found a new hero, Christine Weick. She is the woman who disrupted the Muslim Friday prayer service in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. last November. Christine alleged that the Muslims took over the National Cathedral to make a statement. Muslims didn’t take over the Cathedral but were invited and hosted by Rev. Gina Campbell. At last Thursday’s ‘Texas Muslim Day’ in Austin, organized by CAIR (Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations),... Read more

Molly White’s White Lie About Islam

Last updated on: February 3, 2015 at 10:29 am By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Saima Sheikh I have been a naturalized U.S. citizen for more than 25 years and a proud Texan for 22 years. But this past Thursday, I felt ashamed and offended because of the xenophobic comments by Texas State Rep.Molly White on her Facebook page. She states, “Today is Texas Muslim Capitol Day in Austin. The House is in recess until Monday. Most Members including myself are back in District. I did leave an Israeli flag on the reception desk... Read more

Atheists and the blind belief in free will

Last updated on: February 2, 2015 at 12:13 am By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Imam Rizwan Khan Follow Imam Rizwan Khan on Twitter @ImamRizwanKhan This post is a follow up to Imam Rizwan Khan’s previous article on atheism and belief in the unseen: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/islamahmadiyya/2015/01/belief-in-the-unseen/#ixzz3QYrqR2rk If a Christian ever challenged me and asked, “What scientific proof do you have for the existence of Allah,” would I start giving him evidences? Obviously not. I would respond, “What right do you have to demand evidence when you yourself believe in the existence of the Trinity?” This is exactly how... Read more

Women: Equal Space in Islam, Equal Space in the Mosque

Last updated on: January 21, 2015 at 5:43 pm By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Ayesha Noor Today I happened to read an article titled “Why are women not made more welcome in mosques” written by Nabeelah Hafeez of Muslim Women Council, UK. The title immediately caught my attention and I agreed with every word she penned. I agreed with her frustration and her annoyance for being considered a second-class citizen at the mosques. I salute her decision for bringing this issue up. Fortunately, my mosque experiences have, without a doubt, always been pleasant and... Read more

Three Facts About Women in Islam

Last updated on: January 18, 2015 at 7:37 am By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Saima G. Sheikh Follow Saima on Twitter @SaimaGSheikh In a recent interview someone brought up the issue that Muslim women are not treated equally under Islamic Shariah law. Their analysis is on the basis of what they have seen in Muslim majority countries such as Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia doesn’t speak for Muslims nor did the Holy Quran or Prophet Muhammad appoint Saudi Arabia as the final say in Islamic law. The status of women or any Islamic law is... Read more

Three Examples of Prophet Muhammad’s Compassion

Last updated on: January 11, 2015 at 6:04 pm By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Saima G. Sheikh Follow Saima on Twitter @SaimaGSheikh The events that unfolded in France this week starting with the brutal murders of journalists in the Charlie Hebdo office, then the subsequent manhunt and the hostage situation in the Kosher market have once again shed a negative light on Islam. Islam means ‘peace’ and these terrorists have defamed the name of Islam and its founder, Prophet Muhammad. Once again, Muslims are being asked to defend their religion and explain why... Read more

Prophet Muhammad Was Compassion Personified

Last updated on: January 7, 2015 at 3:39 pm By Muslims Writers Guild of America

by Ayesha Noor Follow Ayesha on Twitter @FriendlyMuslim Al Qaida has committed yet another atrocity today – against Islam and against humanity. In their twisted minds they have avenged Prophet Muhammad by killing 12 civilians in Paris. In actuality, they are the ones who have failed Prophet Muhammad on multiple levels. The Quran prescribed two fundamental duties for every Muslim i.e. service to God and service to humanity. Throughout his life Prophet Muhammad championed these two services and reached them... Read more

Belief in the Unseen is a Religious and Scientific Principle

Last updated on: January 5, 2015 at 7:30 am By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Imam Rizwan Khan Follow Imam Rizwan Khan on Twitter @ImamRizwanKhan Atheists often mock those who believe in the existence of God, saying that such an absurdity is contrary to common sense. They say that though the existence of God cannot be conclusively disproven, neither can the existence of Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, or unicorns. Those who are critical of theism often object on principle, presenting their ideas as diametrically opposed to the idea of belief in the unseen. However,... Read more

Protest Before God With Prayers

Last updated on: December 28, 2014 at 11:16 am By Muslims Writers Guild of America

By Saima G. Sheikh Follow Saima on Twitter @SaimaGSheikh I was speaking with someone the other day about the Peshawar attacks and how heartbreaking it was for me to learn of the senseless and brutal murder of so many innocent children. They were distressed by this as well and invited me to a protest being held for the Peshawar attacks. I explained to them that members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community do not participate in street protests but we pray to... Read more