How Does Ramadan Work? A Beginner’s Guide
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The Meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah: An Annotated Translation of Imam al-Zarkashi’s Treatise on the Islamic Testimony of Faith
Sh. Yousef WahbIntroduction In the forty-seventh sūra of the Qur’an, Sūrat Muḥammad, God commands, “So know that there is no deity except Allah.”[1] What makes this command especially striking is its timing; it was revealed approximately fifteen years into the Prophet’s mission, at a point when he and his companions already held an unshakable conviction in the oneness of God. Why, then, would such a foundational truth require reaffirmation? The verse suggests that knowing God’s oneness involves more than a one-time acknowledgment; it is an ongoing process that demands sustained reflection, deliberate cultivation, and inner renewal. Scholars have interpreted this divine command in various ways, many […]
The Divine Wisdom Behind the Pairing of Allah's Names in the Qur'an
Jinan YousefIntroduction “Allah has ninety-nine names. Whoever preserves (ahsaha or hafidhaha) them will enter Paradise.”[1] 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 to live by them. “To Allah belong the best names, so call upon Him (udʿuhu biha) with them.”[2] Duʿa in the Qur’an can refer to supplication specifically and worship more broadly, depending on the context.[3] Here, we are being told to call upon Allah with His names—for example, “O Allah, forgive me, You are the Most Forgiving […]
Love and Hate for God’s Sake: Revisiting the Doctrine of al-Wala’ wal-Bara’
Dr. Hatem al-HajIn the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful Properly 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 hailing from the Western world[1]—that it risks eroding the sweetness of their faith, or even pushing them away from it. The Islamic doctrine of al-walaʾ wal-baraʾ, often translated as loyalty and disavowal, has the power to remedy this conflict—if and when accurately defined. The equilibrium it achieves between obedience to God and compassion to mankind attests to Islam’s […]
Marriage and Gender Roles in Islam: Beyond Rights and Duties
Dr. Tesneem AlkiekIntroduction Over 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 violently imposed, Muslim societies remained remarkably resilient in one vital domain: the family. Muslim homes buckled down to weather waves of religious and intellectual onslaught. Marriage was not merely a social arrangement but a space for cultivating moral values and sustaining quiet resistance. But the storm has now caught up with us too, straining one […]
Virtues of Surah al-Baqara: Healing and Protection in the Qur’an’s Longest Chapter
Sh. Suleiman HaniIntroduction One 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 visibly distressed. He stopped, and again so did his horse’s agitation. For one final time he tried to continue his recitation, but to no avail—his horse was unsettled and worked up, and his son, Yahya, was too close for comfort. Ibn Ḥuḍayr, fearing that the horse might trample his son, bent down […]
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 praying their five obligatory prayers, a consistent conversation with the Creator, and a prescription for the hearts of creation.
Freedom through Surrender: Overcoming the Ego and Finding Peace in Islam | Blog
Celene IbrahimIn traditions of Islamic spiritual cultivation, unlocking the fullness of our human potential requires that we strive to free ourselves from the dictates of the commanding ego-self, the part of our consciousness whose sense of purpose has been attenuated by less than worthy pursuits. In its misdirected pursuits, the commanding ego-self pushes us to live an existence that is spiritually alienated from the goodness of God. This ego-self also acts as an inner saboteur and critic, keeps us trapped in thought patterns that do not take us anywhere new or better, and in bodily states that trigger physical, emotional, and […]
As we welcome the new Islamic year, we should take the time to reflect on ourselves and how we can make this year better than the last. One of the best opportunities to get a fresh start is by fasting the day of Ashura. Ashura literally means ‘the tenth’ and refers to the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar year. It is a day that our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fasted and encouraged us to fast as well. He ﷺ tells us that fasting on this day forgives our sins from the previous year! What better […]
Note This article has been excerpted from the author’s contribution to a larger chapter co-authored with Amal Qutub (registered social worker) and Mahdi Qasqas (clinical psychologist) entitled “Islam and Social Justice” in the volume Spirituality and Social Justice: Spirit in the Political Quest for a Just World (Canadian Scholars Press, 2019) available here. The chapter provides an introduction to, and overview of, the Islamic faith for Canadian social workers counseling Muslim clients with special focus on contemporary challenges facing the Canadian Muslim community. The portion of the chapter relating to Islamic theology and social justice has been excerpted and adapted below. Introduction The concept of justice […]
Ayatul Kursi is one of the most important verses in the Qur’an. It is known as the greatest verse in the Qur’an and should be memorized, understood, and often recited. It serves as a daily means of protection from worldly harm, and also as a means of protection from unseen sources of harm.
1. What is the hijab? Hijab is an Arabic word that means veil, but you might simply know it simply as a “headscarf,” or more generally, as the practice of a Muslim woman covering her hair and body, with a few exceptions like face and hands. The burqa and niqab are different from the hijab; they refer to styles of covering that are extended to the entire body, including the face. 2. Why do women wear the hijab? How is the hijab empowering? For many Muslim women, the hijab is worn out of a desire to fulfill a commandment of God. For […]
Freedom through Surrender: Overcoming the Ego and Finding Peace in Islam | Blog
Celene IbrahimIn traditions of Islamic spiritual cultivation, unlocking the fullness of our human potential requires that we strive to free ourselves from the dictates of the commanding ego-self, the part of our consciousness whose sense of purpose has been attenuated by less than worthy pursuits. In its misdirected pursuits, the commanding ego-self pushes us to live an existence that is spiritually alienated from the goodness of God. This ego-self also acts as an inner saboteur and critic, keeps us trapped in thought patterns that do not take us anywhere new or better, and in bodily states that trigger physical, emotional, and […]
Explore self-improvement tips and habits that facilitate personal growth on a spiritual, mental, and physical level through an Islamic perspective, utilizing resources like the 'Habits to Win' series and companion journal. Learn to cultivate consistency and success in both worlds by following the examples of pious predecessors and adopting small, transformative deeds.
The Power of Motivation
Dr. Zohair Abdul-Rahman
Abstract Motivation is at the root of our conscious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It provides the basis for experiences of happiness and joy as well as anxiety and sorrow. It strongly affects our judgments and beliefs about the world. The Qur’an describes the internal components of the self that provide the foundation for our motivational states. Continuing with the larger project of formulating an understanding of human psychology from an Islamic perspective, this article aims to shed light on the concept of motivation. The paper is divided into three sections, (1) Fundamentals of Motivation; (2) The Motivational State; and (3) […]
Repentance as a Way of Life: Islam, Spirituality, & Practice
Roohi Tahir
Abstract While the general notion of repentance may be familiar to most, the Islamic concept of repentance is far less familiar and is often the subject of misconceptions and doubt. Repentance plays a central role in Islam and is comprehensive in nature. Deeply rooted within the belief system, it manifests in multiple dimensions—as the core of Islamic theology (aqeedah), as a subject of jurisprudence or rulings (fiqh), and ultimately in practice as an act of worship (‘ibadah). Equally important are the spiritual and self-purification (tazkiyah) aspects of repentance which reside in the heart. This paper specifically addresses how to repent, with a […]
Repentance, Redemption, & Salvation: An Islamic Framework
Roohi Tahir
Introduction “Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.”[1] While seemingly counterintuitive, this profound statement from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a cornerstone in the understanding of repentance (tawba) within the framework of Islamic theology. Much can be gleaned from these few words; perhaps the most striking question is how one in a continual state of sin and repentance can at the very same time be regarded as the best of humanity? This question is even more significant given the darkness and negativity often associated with sin within our collective imagination, an association that […]
How to Overcome Addiction through Faith: Ibn Al-Qayyim's Rehabilitation Program
Dr. Zohair Abdul-Rahman
Preface A flurry of highly curated images, sounds, videos, lights and colors designed to captivate our minds flood our consciousness on a daily basis. Mass production of food products engineered in labs to tease our taste buds fill our pantries and satiate our appetites. Intoxicants have never been more widely available with the decriminalization of recreational drugs in a number of countries and the pharmacological use of illicit drugs for pain relief and mental illness. The opioid epidemic has surged onto public concern as middle-upper class populations in developed nations are in the grips of a drug crisis. The spirit […]
Faith in Mind: Islam’s Role in Mental Health
Dr. Osman Umarji
Introduction At Yaqeen, we consider Muslim mental health research to be a top priority. In the current study we examined the role of religiosity in Muslim mental health and well-being. Traditionally, the roles of religiosity and spirituality have been left out of definitions of mental health.[1] However, as Muslims we know that our purpose in life is to worship Allah,[2] and that the serenity of our souls is tied to our remembrance of Him.[3] Therefore, we want to start the conversation about mental health with God in mind. For the believer, spiritual health cannot be divorced from this equation, as religiosity and […]
Explore self-improvement tips and habits that facilitate personal growth on a spiritual, mental, and physical level through an Islamic perspective, utilizing resources like the 'Habits to Win' series and companion journal. Learn to cultivate consistency and success in both worlds by following the examples of pious predecessors and adopting small, transformative deeds.
The Power of Motivation
Dr. Zohair Abdul-Rahman
Abstract Motivation is at the root of our conscious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It provides the basis for experiences of happiness and joy as well as anxiety and sorrow. It strongly affects our judgments and beliefs about the world. The Qur’an describes the internal components of the self that provide the foundation for our motivational states. Continuing with the larger project of formulating an understanding of human psychology from an Islamic perspective, this article aims to shed light on the concept of motivation. The paper is divided into three sections, (1) Fundamentals of Motivation; (2) The Motivational State; and (3) […]
Repentance as a Way of Life: Islam, Spirituality, & Practice
Roohi Tahir
Abstract While the general notion of repentance may be familiar to most, the Islamic concept of repentance is far less familiar and is often the subject of misconceptions and doubt. Repentance plays a central role in Islam and is comprehensive in nature. Deeply rooted within the belief system, it manifests in multiple dimensions—as the core of Islamic theology (aqeedah), as a subject of jurisprudence or rulings (fiqh), and ultimately in practice as an act of worship (‘ibadah). Equally important are the spiritual and self-purification (tazkiyah) aspects of repentance which reside in the heart. This paper specifically addresses how to repent, with a […]
Repentance, Redemption, & Salvation: An Islamic Framework
Roohi Tahir
Introduction “Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.”[1] While seemingly counterintuitive, this profound statement from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a cornerstone in the understanding of repentance (tawba) within the framework of Islamic theology. Much can be gleaned from these few words; perhaps the most striking question is how one in a continual state of sin and repentance can at the very same time be regarded as the best of humanity? This question is even more significant given the darkness and negativity often associated with sin within our collective imagination, an association that […]
How to Overcome Addiction through Faith: Ibn Al-Qayyim's Rehabilitation Program
Dr. Zohair Abdul-Rahman
Preface A flurry of highly curated images, sounds, videos, lights and colors designed to captivate our minds flood our consciousness on a daily basis. Mass production of food products engineered in labs to tease our taste buds fill our pantries and satiate our appetites. Intoxicants have never been more widely available with the decriminalization of recreational drugs in a number of countries and the pharmacological use of illicit drugs for pain relief and mental illness. The opioid epidemic has surged onto public concern as middle-upper class populations in developed nations are in the grips of a drug crisis. The spirit […]
Faith in Mind: Islam’s Role in Mental Health
Dr. Osman Umarji
Introduction At Yaqeen, we consider Muslim mental health research to be a top priority. In the current study we examined the role of religiosity in Muslim mental health and well-being. Traditionally, the roles of religiosity and spirituality have been left out of definitions of mental health.[1] However, as Muslims we know that our purpose in life is to worship Allah,[2] and that the serenity of our souls is tied to our remembrance of Him.[3] Therefore, we want to start the conversation about mental health with God in mind. For the believer, spiritual health cannot be divorced from this equation, as religiosity and […]
Shari'ah in Today's World: Renewing Islamic Discourse
Dr. Hatem al-Haj
Introduction 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 Muslim-majority countries suffer is unfair. It deliberately overlooks a myriad of factors leading to these problems, which if examined, would show that these harms are partly self-inflicted and partly inflicted on Muslims by others. However, it would also be unreasonable to claim that the contemporary religious discourse is completely free of any guilt. First, let me state here that it is […]
Slavery and Emancipation in the Sharia: The Islamic Framework for Ethical Treatment of Slaves in the Minhāj fī shuʿab al-īmān of al-Ḥalīmī
Dr. Jonathan Brown
Translated and Annotated by Jonathan A. C. Brown The moral problem of slavery The topic of slavery is not an easy one. In part this is because many today live in societies still shaped by slavery’s racial hierarchies and inequalities. But it is also because thinking about slavery in any depth involves serious dilemmas about morality, identity, and beliefs. Today slavery is seen as an intrinsic evil—maybe the greatest evil—throughout time and space. “No evil more monstrous has ever existed upon the earth,” said the English poet Samuel Coleridge (d. 1834).[1] As the 2001 Durban Declaration stated, slavery is “a crime against humanity […]
Tahajjud: Fuel for the Self and Society
Dr. Tamara Gray
Introduction Damascus is a beautiful city. Jasmine vines and bright purple bougainvillea flowers grow on balconies all over the city and jacaranda trees sneak up in the small spaces between blocks and buildings. I used to live in a twelve-story cement block building that stood in a row of at least ten other buildings almost exactly like it. At maghrib time, the sun would go down and the buildings’ windows would light up with crystal chandeliers and fluorescent lights. People would go about the evening work of children’s homework, supper, and soap operas all up and down the floors. It was a […]
Shari'ah: From Diverse Legal Discourse to Colonial Misrepresentation
Dr. Tesneem Alkiek
Introduction Just over a century after the Prophet’s passing, Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ, the well-known Persian secretary and vizier to the second Abbasid caliph al-Manṣūr, penned his famous Risāla fī al-Ṣaḥāba (Epistle Concerning the Entourage), advising the caliph on how to confront the political troubles of his caliphate.[1] Among his handful of recommendations, Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ suggested that the caliph codify the growing corpus of what constituted Islamic law. Although the Caliph al-Manṣūr did not ultimately undertake Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ’s proposal, he did have another idea: why not simply use the respectable Imam Malik’s legal compendium, al-Muwaṭṭaʾ, as a standardized legal code?[2] When the caliph summoned Imam Malik to propose this idea, however, […]
Fard Kifayah: The Principle of Communal Responsibility in Islam
Sh. Yousef Wahb
Introduction In a world where the dominant culture is becoming increasingly individualistic and social isolation is on the rise, there is a need to revisit the factors necessary for Muslim communities to prosper. Muslim communities have obligations to not only perform acts of worship like establishing congregational prayers and funeral services, but also to provide a wide range of other essential social and financial services. As a community, we have a responsibility to look after the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of one another. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The relationship of the believer with another believer is like […]
