It is a long-established custom among Muslim parents to put a piece of well-chewed date (or other available sweet fruit) in the mouth of a newborn baby. Muslims do this following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, believing him to bee, as the Quran says, … Read more
(part 1 of 4): A Holistic Approach Islam comes from the root word “sa-la-ma”, as do the words Muslim (one who follows the message of Islam) and “salaam” (peace). The root word “Sa – la – ma” denotes peace, security, safety as it does submission and surrender to Almighty God. This security is inherent in … Read more
Western tradition regards work and labor as a cost incurred by those who want to consume the goods thus made available to them. The natural condition of mankind is considered to be one in which the earth will not satisfy human needs except when human beings work to make it do so. It is neither … Read more
(part 1 of 2): Statistics & Data Islam today is a global religion. It is no longer confined to Muslim majority countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia or Indonesia. Small but significant communities exist across Europe, the Americas and Australasia. For some time Muslims have been an invisible presence in the western world but one … Read more
(part 1 of 3): Books in Baghdad Baghdad was hit by a series of explosions. The city raked by violence. Baghdad equals chaos, death, and destruction. Baghdad is a city screaming in pain and dying in the smokescreen. As we watch the tangled mess on our television screens, it is hard to imagine that Baghdad … Read more
(part 1 of 2): When is a Muslim not a Muslim? Many of us have heard the term ‘Nation of Islam’, and may think that it is merely a different way of expressing the phrase Ummah of Muhammad, meaning those who follow the teachings of Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon … Read more
(part 1 of 3): Rights for all of Humankind Just what exactly are human rights? Is it just the right to life? Alternatively, is it the right to freedom, liberty, and justice? Do human rights include having the right to security, and a safe haven? Since the end of World War 2, Western international politics … Read more
(part 1 of 2): Purity of Intention in the Religious Realm It is narrated on the authority of Umar ibn al-Khattab who said: I heard the Messenger of God say: “All actions are judged by motives, and each person will be rewarded according to their intention. Thus, he whose migration was to God and His … Read more
(An explanation of Quran 3:14 – 18) (part 1 of 2) The Quran is the book that Muslims believe to be the direct and literal words of God and it is God’s greatest gift to humanity. It is a book like no other book; it is not a history book or a story book or … Read more
What is time, what causes it? Is it a dimension, can you slow it down or speed it up? When we think of time we tend to think of the ways in which we measure the passing of time, a clock or watch, or we think of a measured interval of time such as an … Read more