When I get the chance to lay my prayer mat across the floor and place my forehead on the ground, I feel such utter bliss. It’s hard to put my finger on what that bliss is. Some may say that it’s a moment where my consciousness is present in the now, whereas others may say that it is exclusively an effect of connecting to the Divine. I’m not sure what it is and I’m not exactly sure if I care.... Read more
Adolescence is hard to go through. During the pre-teen to young adult years, a person’s body, brain, and environment are constantly changing. They are developing a new awareness of the world and themselves, and this includes questioning the norms and values they were raised with, as well as trying to develop independence and a personal identity. All of this is a healthy part of adolescence, if it is responded to with patience and understanding. Unfortunately, many adults have a tough... Read more
In the beginning, there was only an atom of energy, and that burst of energy spread out to create the infinite universe as we know it. That was the Big Bang. Many religions believe that this was God created, and that God is light and energy with a personality. All things in the universe, wherever you may be, all follow the same law and order. There is a system and a great beauty within it. We all look up to... Read more
The transition to wearing hijab full-time can be a difficult one for many women. We often have internal and external barriers which prevent us from feeling totally comfortable and confident in the hijab. It can be a confusing time. Here are 3 mistakes to avoid as a new hijabi, which may help make the transition easier: Judging Yourself This is a common pitfall which people are susceptible to in any area of life, but when it comes to religion, it... Read more
Some parts of life suck. That’s just how it is, no matter how much we might try to change it. Life will never be perfect; for most people, it’s riddled with hardships, tragedies, and mistakes. So imagine my surprise when I witnessed a whole group of people of various backgrounds say that they wouldn’t change their past, even if they could. I was in class, and my professor asked if anyone would go back and undo their mistakes or prevent... Read more
Written by Dr. Shadee Elmasry Race and religion are often mentioned together in the same context, as if they are equal. But the right stance on things is more important than all the other good traits a person might have. Beliefs are not just accidentals, like ethnicity or skin color. So I want to say, stop trying to pair “race and religion” together all the time as if they’re equal. Race and religion are not even close to being equal.... Read more
Regret is one of the most painful feelings to experience because of the knowledge that we brought it upon ourselves. But it also has a positive side, which is that in many cases, it can be prevented. Our choices are within our own control. They say that hindsight is 20/20. However, there is actually an easy way to attain that 20/20 vision right now, without having to look back someday to attain it. The key is to try to look at... Read more
Written by Rabbi Allen Maller There were many Jews who supported Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he first arrived in Medina. One of them was Rabbi Mukhayriq, according to Dr. Muqtedar Khan, the founding Director of the Islamic Studies Program at the University of Delaware. In an article published in December of 2009 on Islamicity, Dr. Khan says there are many stories that contemporary Imams rarely tell their congregations. The story of Rabbi Mukhayriq is one of them. Dr.... Read more
The subject of sexual abuse in very taboo when it comes to Muslim women. It is something which is usually not talked about openly. But with the recent “Me, too” movement, many women are now talking and revealing their past sexual abuse experiences. In the Muslim world, women are often punished and blamed for their past sexual abuse experiences. Many have been considered to have committed fornication or adultery, and are punished for the abuse they have experienced. Some are... Read more
Written by Dr. Shadee Elmasry In every era, in every society, there’s a common phrase people use to praise a person. In ours it’s the generic expression, “good person.” So… What exactly is a “good person”? If someone saved four lives, but it was then discovered that he killed his mother and father in cold blood with no regrets, would they be considered good? He saved four and took two, so the net is a positive two. But if you... Read more
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