Society Archives

The Rights of the Poor in Islam

In the 2016 US Presidential Election Cycle, progressive candidates have taken to making the case for supporting the poor by taking back the earnings of the wealthy and helping support the poor. From the social standpoint of Islam, supporting society’s poor is…

Misunderstanding Transgender (1)

WITH EVERY PASSING year – indeed, with every passing month – Muslims are faced with new intellectual and societal challenges to their faith. Whether it’s atheism, scientific claims about evolution, or social matters related to gender and sexuality, many Muslims (especially in the West)…

What Advice Would You Give to Your 14-Year Old Self? | Maryam Amirebrahimi

ISLAM TEACHES US the importance of appreciating sound advice. The Prophet ﷺ has taught us: “The religion is naṣiḥa.” We said: “To whom?” He ﷺ said: “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common…

Polygyny: What It Means When African American Muslim Women Share Their Husbands: Book Review | Zainab bint Younus

POLYGYNY IS THE pink elephant in the room for so many Muslims – a topic both titillating and embarrassing, one that comes up in questions from non-Muslims and in debate in Muslim gatherings, a subject that elicits strong emotional reactions from almost…

How the Scientific Miracles in the Qur’an Brought Me Closer to Islam | Hina Qazi

You Are Muslim? But Are You Really? I AM NOT asking this question with the premise that claiming to be Muslim is actually quite a tall order. It is a huge responsibility that needs us to seriously sit up, realize and understand…

How To Fear | Part 2

IN THE FIRST part of this two-part article, we intimated that the modern English word “fear” lacks the sense of awe and respect when applied to Allah—thus missing the point of the Quran’s key term taqwa. When the Muslim is exhorted, Itaqi Allah!…

A Conversation Between the Faithful and the Revisionist | Dr. Jaafar Idris

ISLAM, EXACTLY AS it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and without any changes or alterations, is the religion that Allah chose for all people from the time he sent His Messenger ﷺ till the end of time. Islam is thus for…

Cousin Marriage: Revisiting A Misguided Practice

Fifty percent of marriages among Muslims are reportedly between first cousins, rising to 70% in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. This preference for cousin marriage is inspired by the fact that Prophet Muhammad married his first cousin, Zaynab bint Jahsh (RA) in 627…

Islam is the Antithesis of Extremism

By Ekram Haque PERHAPS NOT A day goes by without something bad happening to Muslims somewhere. Nations of the world are calling us extremists and worse. We are traumatized by such pejorative labeling, knowing Muslims are supposed to be a people of moderation.…

The Love Story of Musa

ATTRACTION TO THE opposite gender is not a sin; it’s like hunger in Ramadan, and it’s completely natural. Islam does not forbid love nor look down on desires asking us to curb them. In fact our Dîn propagates them and teaches us…