The Meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah: An Annotated Translation of Imam al-Zarkashi’s Treatise on the Islamic Testimony of Faith
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Hindutva and Anti-Muslim Violence: How to Navigate Hindu Supremacy
Safa AhmedHindutva does not only harm Muslims in India; it has found resonance in diasporic communities, involves itself in transnational repression, and openly pledges its allegiance to other far-right movements. Its supporters amplify Zionist propaganda that enables Israel’s genocide in Palestine, provide...
The Divine Wisdom Behind the Pairing of Allah's Names in the Qur'an
Jinan Yousef“Allah has ninety-nine names. Whoever preserves (ahsaha or hafidhaha) them will enter Paradise.” Such was the teaching of the Prophet ﷺ. Many of us have heard this hadith, but fewer of us have internalized the true scope of its meaning. To preserve Allah’s names is not simply to memorize them—it is...
Love and Hate for God’s Sake: Revisiting the Doctrine of al-Wala’ wal-Bara’
Dr. Hatem al-HajProperly reconciling commitment to God and compassion for man is among the most pressing needs of today’s world. It is no secret that Muslims’ relationship with the “other” (including fellow believers of other theological orientations) has become such a major trial for many—particularly those...
Marriage and Gender Roles in Islam: Beyond Rights and Duties
Dr. Tesneem AlkiekOver the past two centuries, Muslim societies confronted what often felt like insurmountable trials: from colonial domination and military defeat to political fragmentation and institutional decay. And yet, even as the Western world began to stagger under the recoil of the very ideologies it...
Virtues of Surah al-Baqara: Healing and Protection in the Qur’an’s Longest Chapter
Sh. Suleiman HaniOne night, standing underneath the vast stretch of the starry sky, Usayd ibn Ḥuḍayr found himself reciting Surah al-Baqara. His horse, tied beside him, suddenly grew agitated. When Ibn Ḥuḍayr paused his recitation, the horse fell silent. He resumed his recitation, only for the horse to again become...
Surah al-Fatiha’s Benefits and Virtues: The Greatest Surah in the Qur’an
Sh. Suleiman HaniSurah al-Fatiha is the greatest surah in the Qur’an, the foundation of Islam, the summary of truth, a healing for illnesses, a comfort for worries, a protection, and a fortress. Surah Al-Fatiha is an unrivaled divine revelation to the final nation, recited at least seventeen times a day by Muslims...
Finding Comfort in Allah's Mercy after a Tragedy: How to respond to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria | Blog
Dr. Usaama al-AzamiIn the aftermath of a disaster of the magnitude of the recent earthquakes in the Middle East, it is all too normal to feel paralyzed and helpless, both physically and mentally. Many of us might know people from these regions. Some of us may have lived there for a time. Suddenly, the familiar and...
Does History Only Repeat Itself? Remembering the Rohingya in Light of Palestine | Blog
Yaqeen InstituteIn August 2017, the world bore witness to the unfolding tragedy of the Rohingya genocide, an atrocity that continues to smolder in the shadows of global indifference. Men, women, and children—targeted solely for their ethnic identity as the Muslim minority in Myanmar (also known as Burma)—faced...
Jesus (peace be upon him) has a special status in Islam. He’s the servant of God and the bearer of the Gospels. Jesus is one of the 5 greatest messengers sent to man, and God mentioned him specifically 25 times in the Qur’an. God encouraged Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to take inspiration...
Is God male because masculine pronouns are used to refer to Him? This is a normal thing to wonder about, but there are several things to keep in mind. First, the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic and not in English, so Allah never self-identified using an English pronoun. There is no such thing as a...
Finding Comfort in Allah's Mercy after a Tragedy: How to respond to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria | Blog
Dr. Usaama al-AzamiIn the aftermath of a disaster of the magnitude of the recent earthquakes in the Middle East, it is all too normal to feel paralyzed and helpless, both physically and mentally. Many of us might know people from these regions. Some of us may have lived there for a time. Suddenly, the familiar and...
Does History Only Repeat Itself? Remembering the Rohingya in Light of Palestine | Blog
Yaqeen InstituteIn August 2017, the world bore witness to the unfolding tragedy of the Rohingya genocide, an atrocity that continues to smolder in the shadows of global indifference. Men, women, and children—targeted solely for their ethnic identity as the Muslim minority in Myanmar (also known as Burma)—faced...
On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī
Sh. Yousef WahbThis paper explores the different scholarly opinions on the timing and signs of Laylat al-Qadr with proof from prophetic reports.
Focused on the concept of Sirat al-Mustaqim, this series provides clarity and direction in an increasingly complex world. It draws upon foundational texts to help believers stay grounded in their faith.
A Sober Second Thought: When and How Should Changes in Islamic Law be Made?
Amir Abu-Ghudda
It is common for us to hear talk about the need for change and adaptability in Islamic law. The unprecedented developments that human society has gone through since industrialization have made dramatic change the rule, not an exception. This is true even since the advent of the smartphone and...
Finding Truth in the Age of Fake News: Information Literacy in Islam
Anonymous Guest Author
Information literacy is the set of skills needed in the modern age to discover, evaluate, interpret, and use information properly and truthfully. With the worldwide proliferation of misinformation on the internet, information literacy is rapidly becoming the most important human competency of the...
Shari'ah in Today's World: Renewing Islamic Discourse
Dr. Hatem al-Haj
Renewal of religious discourse in Islam (tajdeed) has taken center stage due to the turmoil in Muslim lands nowadays. While the concept of tajdeed is legitimate, the implication (occasionally stated explicitly) that religious discourse is the root cause of the many problems from which...
In Defense of Faith: Principles and Guidelines for Islamic Apologetics
Dr. Hatem al-Haj
This essay has been summarized based on an intensive course delivered by Dr. Hatem Al-Haj entitled Islamic apologetics in December 2019 and presented in essay format by Dr. Nazir Khan with additions and final essay verified, edited, and approved by Dr. Hatem al-Haj. Introduction The principles...
Why We Need Ulama: The Importance of Seeking Islamic Knowledge From Scholars
Dr. Usaama al-Azami
Why should Muslims seek Islamic knowledge from ulamāʾ, known as scholars of Islam? Learn about the importance of seeking guidance from islamic scholars and why it is essential towards upholding our practice of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Focused on the concept of Sirat al-Mustaqim, this series provides clarity and direction in an increasingly complex world. It draws upon foundational texts to help believers stay grounded in their faith.
A Sober Second Thought: When and How Should Changes in Islamic Law be Made?
Amir Abu-Ghudda
It is common for us to hear talk about the need for change and adaptability in Islamic law. The unprecedented developments that human society has gone through since industrialization have made dramatic change the rule, not an exception. This is true even since the advent of the smartphone and...
Finding Truth in the Age of Fake News: Information Literacy in Islam
Anonymous Guest Author
Information literacy is the set of skills needed in the modern age to discover, evaluate, interpret, and use information properly and truthfully. With the worldwide proliferation of misinformation on the internet, information literacy is rapidly becoming the most important human competency of the...
Shari'ah in Today's World: Renewing Islamic Discourse
Dr. Hatem al-Haj
Renewal of religious discourse in Islam (tajdeed) has taken center stage due to the turmoil in Muslim lands nowadays. While the concept of tajdeed is legitimate, the implication (occasionally stated explicitly) that religious discourse is the root cause of the many problems from which...
In Defense of Faith: Principles and Guidelines for Islamic Apologetics
Dr. Hatem al-Haj
This essay has been summarized based on an intensive course delivered by Dr. Hatem Al-Haj entitled Islamic apologetics in December 2019 and presented in essay format by Dr. Nazir Khan with additions and final essay verified, edited, and approved by Dr. Hatem al-Haj. Introduction The principles...
Why We Need Ulama: The Importance of Seeking Islamic Knowledge From Scholars
Dr. Usaama al-Azami
Why should Muslims seek Islamic knowledge from ulamāʾ, known as scholars of Islam? Learn about the importance of seeking guidance from islamic scholars and why it is essential towards upholding our practice of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
An Open Letter to Muslim Men: The Sunnah Trumps Toxic Masculinity
Dr. Jonathan Brown
This article is addressed to young Muslim men. Others are welcome to read on but please understand that I am addressing a specific audience. Today’s world is polarized along the lines of how people understand religion, what culture they see as deserving, which values they see as determinative, and...
The Fate of Non-Muslims: Perspectives on Salvation Outside of Islam
Dr. Jonathan Brown
What is the fate of non-Muslims after death? This essay lays out three different answers that Muslims have proposed regarding non-Muslims who have had the message of Islam reliably presented to them (since those who have not are not considered responsible) : 1) the view that Islam is the only true...
Exploring the Faith and Identity Crisis of American Muslim Youth
Dr. Omar Suleiman
Islam has a centuries-long tradition of inspiring its adherents to contribute to humanity based on conviction in its tenets. Previous generations of Muslims were on the forefront of contributing to medicine, philosophy, architecture, and governance among other areas. With the rise of Islamophobia,...
Courage & Commitment: The Femininity of Muslim Women
Dr. Tamara Gray
The term ‘feminine’ conjures up images of flowers and pink fluffy fabrics, soft smiles, and sweetly spoken words. Years ago, girls in Minnesota who preferred soccer to sewing were called ‘tomboys’ because their hobbies were not feminine or ‘girly.’ Today, children are questioning their very...
Black and Muslim: How Chaplains Can Empower Marginalized Students
Anonymous Guest Contributor
Being Black and Muslim on college or university campuses poses both challenges and opportunities. It’s one thing to be Black and Muslim on a campus such as Howard University or any of the other Historically Black College or Universities (HBCU) where everything associated with being Black is...
