I try to take a few moments at fajr to do dhikr or make dua, enjoy the stillness of this time of day and listen to the birds sing their dawn chorus. This is also a good time to quietly read Quran…

I can remember my first Ramadan and in my eagerness to succeed I overwhelmed myself. My plans included: read a juz (portion) of the Quran each night, pray 20 units tarawih each night, learn 5 new chapters, learn the Arabic alphabet. I didn’t complete every…

My own experience at my university mosque was incredibly positive. I was welcomed into the circle of sisters with open arms, met up regularly to study and forged lifelong friendships. My contributions to discussions and lessons were valued and I was never…

Loving for the sake of Allah is a selfless love. It’s doing something for someone with no wish for anything in return. Better still, it’s doing something for someone we don’t even particularly like but doing it solely for the pleasure of Allah.

Wearing hijab and growing a beard are also a difficult milestone to reach. You do not have to do this the day after your shahadah. If you can, great! But if you absolutely can’t because you’re afraid or you just aren’t strong enough yet then that’s ok.

Everyone knows the basics of visiting a mosque; dress modestly, men and women in different sections and no shoes. Simple! But no one warned me about the kissing! I’ve lived in France, so “la bise” was not unfamiliar. But in the mosque it’s a slightly more complex issue.