Surat Al-Fatihah has a lot of nick names, such as the Mother of the Book, and the seven oft-recited [verses], as Allah mentions in Surah Al-Hijr: {We have given you the seven oft-recited verses and the whole glorious Qur’an} (Al-Hijr 15:87) Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said about this noble Surah: “I …

Pedestals are for Prophets and plants. This has been my mantra since I nearly let someone destroy my heart with their short comings. I put someone high up on a pedestal and it was unfair to them and to me. Pedestals are unstable structures. And that inevitable fall from a pedestal is hard and painful. …

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life it is always important to take a step back, slow down and reflect. This reflection on blessings  puts life into perspective. These reminders by our respected Imams point out that reflection and prayer are both  important and good for us. Master Reflection in Islam Once we master reflection we will be …

For me and so many converts, Christmas is a really hard time of year. Our nostalgia about Christmas isn’t tied to Jesus’s birth; it’s not the religious aspects that we miss.

The term ‘Iman,’ that linguistically means “faith” or “belief,” is used in this article in its comprehensive sense. It includes belief that resides in the hearts, words uttered by the tongue, and actions that follow. It includes rituals as well as character. It is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) meant when …

To attain a faithful relation with the Quran, you need to read it with no purpose other than to receive guidance from your Lord, to come nearer to Him, and to seek His good pleasure. What you get from the Quran depends on what you come to it for. Your niyyah (intention and purpose) is …

What is the purpose of Hijab? Is the purpose to stay within the limits set by Allah? Or is the purpose to be always un-beautiful,ugly and unappealing in front of unrelated men? “Though Allah equates men’s spiritual purity and righteousness  with men’s own actions and choices, today Muslim women are taught that male purity and righteousness rest …

There are 1.8 Billion Muslims on the planet and only 3 million of us are granted permission to make the major pilgrimage annually. I will say how incredibly grateful I am to be embark on this Hajj pilgrimage. Allah has truly honored me today.

Surat Al-Fatihah is the opening chapter of the Qur’an; it is a prescribed reading in every day Salah, and as such, it occupies a pride of place in the daily liturgies of every Muslim. The crucial nature of Al-Fatihah is because it is the essence of the Qur’an. The seven verses that make up this …

There is a lot to do and catch up with after Ramadan for most of us. And somehow life looks and feels different after Ramadan. Somehow, a sense of calmness and serenity now prevails compared to what it was five weeks ago. I remind myself to try to…