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The Mind

(part 1 of 2) Mind and reason are an essential part of Islamic thought and legislation. One could not exist without the other. What exactly do we refer to when we talk about the mind? There are two kinds of reasoning by the mind that have been identified. The first is intuitive reasoning that includes: … Read more

Piety and Wickedness

“O Mankind! Partake of what is lawful and good on earth, and follow not Satan’s footsteps: for, verily, he is your open foe and bids you only to do evil, to commit deeds of immorality, and to attribute unto God what you do not know.” (Quran 2:168-169) God addresses all of humanity, the faithful and … Read more

The Common Origin of Humanity

“O mankind! Be conscious of your Lord, who has created you from one soul (Adam), and out of it created its mate (Eve), and out of the two spread many men and women. And remain conscious of God, in whose name you demand [your rights] from one another, and of these ties of kinship. Verily, … Read more

Dates: Relief of Pain

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

Health in Islam

(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

Work and Wealth

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

The Population of Muslims

(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

Literacy in Islam

(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

Nation of Islam

(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

Why Muslims Love the Month of Ramadan

Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon, therefore because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar, Islamic months “move” each year. This year (2008) the Islamic month of Ramadan coincides almost exactly with the month of September. For Muslims the coming … Read more