Engaging in the Abortion Debate: Considerations for Muslims in the West
In light of the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, American Muslims are increasingly engaged in the abortion debate, yet their contributions thus far consist of little more than superficial claims to shari’a. There remain significant chasms and oversights in our understanding, ranging from the exact scope of Roe v. Wade to seriously grappling with the question of abortion as a moral question. What is most often ignored is the clear imperative that before arriving at a position on abortion rooted in sacred law, we must acknowledge the moral premises of an Islamic worldview. Continue reading Engaging in the Abortion Debate: Considerations for Muslims in the West
La muerte de la comunidad y el auge del individualismo
Mientras generalmente somos conscientes que vivimos en una época “moderna”, a diferencia de época “medieval” o “antigua,” con mejor tecnología y diferentes normas sociales, sin embargo, nos quedamos ajenas y desconocidos a los aspectos más grandes, totalizadores, y omnipresentes de nuestro mundo. Continue reading La muerte de la comunidad y el auge del individualismo
Logrando el equilibrio entre feminismo y antifeminismo
Como una mujer jóven, me interesaba el lenguaje de la igualdad y la justicia social y me sentí obligada a tomar una posición en el debate sobre el feminismo. “¿Cómo podría alguien apoyar la desigualdad o la injusticia?”, las feministas lo preguntarían acusatoriamente. “Defiende el lado correcto de la historia,” ellas dirían, presentando el feminismo como una posición predeterminada, un hecho consumado que yo solo … Continue reading Logrando el equilibrio entre feminismo y antifeminismo
Differences in Approaching History Between Reform Oriented and Traditionalist Muslims
Contemporary rifts between reform oriented and traditionalist Muslims might be traced back to differences in their respective philosophies on the progress of history. By first examining the three most prominent enlightenment philosophies of history, which share much in common, and then contrasting them with pre-modern philosophies of history, I will lead us to the possible formulation of an Islamic philosophy of history. Continue reading Differences in Approaching History Between Reform Oriented and Traditionalist Muslims
A Night at Topkapi Palace
The skies were stricken with a cacophony of arresting fiery hues growing brighter at the horizon’s edge. It was like watching a comet frozen in place as it scaled the heavens with a lingering trail of warm light. The whole court glared eagerly at the sun that refused to set and make way for the quenching cobalt blue of the evening. Continue reading A Night at Topkapi Palace
Quranic Soundscapes: Bonding Beyond the Meanings
God has arranged the human heart like a fiery stone: its warmth inspires the soul to a new state. Its aesthetic world of sublime inner echoes is called the world of consciousness. The recitation of the Holy Qur’an touches the hearts of its readers in this way. The wonderful supernatural power of the Qur’an is that it removes the worries of the mind and gives comfort to the soul. The Qur’an affects human life through more than its textual meanings. In this article, I refute arguments that discourage reciting the Quran without knowing its meaning. Continue reading Quranic Soundscapes: Bonding Beyond the Meanings
Reclaiming the Question
You wake up one day to find yourself in an ornate and decorated room. You have no recollection of who you are or how you got there. From the moment you are conscious, you are beset by a relentless curiosity: Who am I? Why am I here? You are attempting to make sense of the situation that you find yourself in. The aim of this metaphor is to illustrate an elemental fact: as humans, we find ourselves in an existential situation. We find ourselves participating in a reality – the cosmos – that is not our own making. We are, as Martin Heidegger put it, thrown into the world. As such, we are essentially constituted by a dynamic consciousness that is driven towards meaning in order to obtain insight into reality and its ultimate grounds. The search for ultimate grounds emerges because as humans, although we have a number of concerns (e.g., familial, financial, political, etc.), our ultimate concern is, and ought-to be, our existential situation that is embodied in two questions: where-from? And, where-to? Continue reading Reclaiming the Question
Exploring Spirituality within Ramadan
With the devils chained away, their assault on the kingdom of the soul is put on hold. The transcendental effects of fasting on our metaphysical anatomy allows our spirituality to come forth; the soul is restored as the rightful sovereign – order is reinstated across the kingdom. Continue reading Exploring Spirituality within Ramadan
Ramadan Traditions in Constantine
We should take note of Constantinian heritage not only because it is worth basking in its splendor, but because it serves a sentimental purpose. With Christmas being completely commodified, many of us may feel pressured to compete by curating a Ramadan ambiance through the same capitalist means. One cannot stress enough the importance of aesthetics in Islam, but we should not forget that we can create beauty out of time spent cooking traditional foods with our families, listening to melodies in praise of God and His beloved Messenger, and giving charity. Continue reading Ramadan Traditions in Constantine
Ramadan Book Recommendations 2022
This list was compiled in the hopes of facilitating a closer connection with the Book of Allah ﷻ and aid in perfecting our worship. Continue reading Ramadan Book Recommendations 2022
Traversing Tradition 