Licensed therapist Najwa Awad describes how trauma can impact faith and how our communities can begin to heal.

Ramadan Daily 2026

Cookie Consent Banner

Mohammad Elshinawy is a Graduate of English Literature at Brooklyn College, NYC. He studied at College of Hadith at the Islamic University of Madinah and is a graduate and instructor of Islamic Studies at Mishkah University. He has translated major works for the International Islamic Publishing House, the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America, and Mishkah University

Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy

Changed by the Qur’an is intended as a practical guide to remove the spiritual and intellectual barriers between every Muslim and their personal transformative relationship with the Qur’an

Changed by the Qur’an

Imam Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at SMU (Southern Methodist University). He is also the Resident Scholar at Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.

Dr. Omar Suleiman

Ismail Kamdar graduated from the ʿĀlimiyyah program in 2006 and completed a BA in Islamic Studies at International Open University in 2014. Specializes in the fields of Fiqh, Tafsir, and History. The author of over a dozen books in the fields of Islamic Studies and Personal Development. He is the founder of Islamic Self Help, and the research manager at Yaqeen Institute.

Sh. Ismail Kamdar

The Qur’an 30 for 30 Life Lesson Journal accompanies Season 6 of Qur’an 30 for 30, providing 90 powerful life lessons from 90 Qur’anic verses and journaling space for personal reflections.

Qur'an 30 for 30 Life Lesson Journal

Qur&#x2019;an 30 for 30 Life Lessons Journal

The Secrets of Salah: The Hidden Gems of Prayer companion journal helps Muslims improve their prayer. It includes commentary and gems for each step of salah, and journaling space for your reflections on your journey to life-changing prayers.

Secrets of Salah

Secrets of Salah: The Hidden Gems of Prayer Companion Journal

Secrets of Salah: The Hidden Gems of Prayer (Companion Journal)

Dr. Nazir Khan MD FRCPC is a medical doctor, clinical neuroscientist, Islamic theologian, and specialist in Qur’anic sciences. He is an Asst. Professor at McMaster University and a doctoral candidate in Islamic theology at the University of Nottingham. He memorized the whole Qur’an during his youth, has certifications (ijāzāt) in all ten readings of the Qur’an through both major and minor routes of transmission, and has also received certifications in the six books of Hadith as well as numerous works of Islamic theology.  He has served as a volunteer Imam for many years. He is also a consultant for the Manitoba Islamic Association Fiqh Committee. Following medical school, he completed his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Manitoba and his fellowship in Neuroradiology at the University of Calgary with dual-board certification. His expertise in both medical sciences and Islamic theology uniquely positions him to address challenging contemporary questions regarding faith, reason, and science. He is a Senior Fellow at Yaqeen Institute and served as the founding President of Yaqeen Institute in Canada.

Dr. Nazir Khan

The genocide in Gaza stands as a stark example of the moral failures of the dominant world order and its prevailing ideologies. This book explores how Surah al-Fatiha confronts and dismantles ten major ideologies afflicting our world, offering Islam’s ethical vision for humanity as an alternative.

The Straight Path

The Straight Path: How Surah al-Fatiha addresses modern ideologies

PhD in Comparative Fiqh from al-Jinan University, Pediatrician, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at Mishkah University, and member of AMJA permanent Fatwa Committee.

Dr. Hatem al-Haj

Explore 40 hadith that offer timeless guidance on maintaining our well-being.

40 Prophetic hadiths on health & well-being

40 Prophetic Hadiths on Health & Well-being

Enrich yourself with this compilation of insights drawn from the Qur’an, based on 4 seasons of Qur’an 30 for 30.

Qur’an 30 for 30: Thematic Tafsir

Unlock divine blessings by establishing a dhikr habit with the help of this companion guide—based on the video series Deeper into Dhikr.

Deeper into Dhikr: A companion guide

Deeper into Dhikr: A Companion Guide

Discover how a heartfelt du’a can change your destiny and deepen your relationship with Allah. This beautifully designed ebook features a comprehensive collection of the best du’as with insight from Dr. Omar and wisdom from the Prophet (s).

A Dua Away

A Du’a Away: A Companion Journal

A Du’a Away: A Companion Journal

Tahir Wyatt is a published academic, experienced interpreter, and instructor of Islamic studies and comparative religion. During his twenty-one years of studying and teaching in Saudi Arabia, he procured several degrees, including a doctorate in theology. In addition to Dr. Tahir's role as the Director of the Systematic Theology department, he also serves as an Associate Editor on Yaqeen's Editorial Review Board.

Dr. Tahir Wyatt

A collection of 29 du’as to learn and utilize during the month of Ramadan.

A Du’a a Day: Prophetic Prayers for Ramadan

Ismail Kamdar graduated from the ʿAlimiyyah program in 2006 and completed a BA in Islamic Studies at International Open University in 2014. He specializes in the fields of fiqh, tafsir, and history, and is the author of over a dozen books in the fields of Islamic Studies and personal development. He is the founder of Islamic Self Help, product owner of Yaqeen Books, and the research manager at Yaqeen Institute. He is the author of Productivity Principles of Umar II, Time Management & Barakah in Islam, Self-Confidence: The Islamic Way, Themes of the Quran, Earning Barakah, Homeschooling 101, Qur’an 30for30, and several other books about Islam and personal development.

Ismail Kamdar

Roohi Tahir has a BS with honors in Computer Engineering from Boston University and is a graduate of the BMAIS higher Bridge to Masters diploma. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Islamic Studies from the International Open University. She is a research fellow at Yaqeen Institute, and also the Founder and Instructor of Nourish Your Soul, a platform for Islamic education.

Roohi Tahir

This journal is designed to build a gratitude mindset through developing strong daily habits, reflecting on the Qur’an and Sunnah, and engaging in a variety of gratitude activities.

The Shukr Lifestyle - A Gratitude Journal

The Final Prophet powerfully proves the prophethood of Muhammad (s) in comprehensively detailed, rational arguments.

The Final Prophet: Proofs for the Prophethood of Muhammad

Najwa Awad is a psychotherapist who is passionate about helping Muslims heal, grow, and thrive after adversity. She has over a decade of experience providing online and in-person counseling to children, adults, and families at her practice Amanah Family Counseling. Najwa also enjoys giving workshops to destigmatize mental illness, address current mental health issues within the community, and promote psychological health from an Islamic perspective.

Najwa Awad

Sarah Sultan is a licensed professional counselor who strives to empower her clients through achieving healthier, more fulfilling lives and relationships while reconnecting with Allah during the healing process. Sarah obtained a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and has practiced therapy for nearly 10 years. She is also an instructor with Mishkah University, where she teaches a course about the intersections between Islam, psychology, and counseling.

Sarah Sultan

This book is a guide to understanding trauma and its far-reaching effects on the body, mind, and soul, utilizing the Duha Approach to deal with Trauma.

Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You: Addressing The Impact of Trauma on Faith

Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You: Addressing the Impact of Trauma on Faith

Dr. Tesneem Alkeik has a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies with a focus on the development of Islamic law from Georgetown University. She completed her undergraduate degree in Early Christianity and Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan. Tesneem serves as the Director of Expanded Learning where she works with her team to create curricula and other resources for communities to engage with Yaqeen’s research.

Dr. Tesneem Alkiek

Download the Habits to Win workbook to kickstart your habit-building exercises and find inspiration in related hadith and Qur’anic verses.

Habits to Win: Journal

Habits to Win

Hafsa Kapadia is a creative writer passionate about bringing information to life through lyrical storytelling. She holds an MA in Teaching from CUNY Queens College with a background in Middle Eastern studies and has served as an educator and youth coach.

Hafsa Kapadia

Jenn Fannoun has a degree in environmental education and communication. She also studied journalism and has served as a copywriter, columnist, grant writer, and editor for various newspapers, nonprofits, and Islamic organizations.

Jenn Fannoun

Hana Al-Harastani is a creative writer and storyteller. Equipped with a pen and a passion to serve her community, she uses the power of storytelling to connect people to knowledge. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida and has a background in English rhetoric and composition.

Hana Al-Harastani

So what would Jannah say if it could speak? This poetry anthology takes on Jannah’s voice to motivate us towards it.

In the Voice of Jannah

Powerful Dua ebook for protection and relief from calamities

Prophetic Prayers for Relief and Protection

Call for Papers | Anchored in Faith: Practical Guides for Muslim Contribution

The Meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah: An Annotated Translation of Imam al-Zarkashi’s Treatise on the Islamic Testimony of Faith

The Divine Wisdom Behind the Pairing of Allah's Names in the Qur'an

Love and Hate for God’s Sake: Revisiting the Doctrine of al-Wala’ wal-Bara’

Marriage and Gender Roles in Islam: Beyond Rights and Duties

Virtues of Surah al-Baqara: Healing and Protection in the Qur’an’s Longest Chapter

Surah al-Fatiha’s Benefits and Virtues: The Greatest Surah in the Qur’an

We Should Have Done More: A Tribute to Imam Jamil Al-Amin | Blog

Prophetic Solutions for Doom Spiraling: Cultivating Hope in a Cycle of Negativity | Blog

From Clock Time to God’s Time: Returning to Sacred Rhythms in a Digital World | Blog

Mary in the Qur’an: The Power of Faith in the Face of Pain and Scorn | Blog

How Yaqeen Institute Approaches AI: Integrating Technology with Islamic Ethics | Blog

The Politics of Representation: What Mamdani’s Victory Means for Muslims in America and Beyond | Blog

Dr. Osman Umarji

Anna Birawi

Dr. Tamer Desouky

Shaykh Abdullah Oduro

Becoming Muslim offers an illuminating dive into the transformative journeys of American Muslim converts, shedding light on the complexities, triumphs, and challenges they face. This unprecedented study, based on survey responses from 618 converts, unveils rich insights into their diverse demographics, childhood experiences, reasons for converting, and life after embracing Islam. From breaking stereotypes about their socioeconomic status to exploring their resilience in the face of societal and personal hurdles, the report paints a comprehensive picture of what it means to navigate life as a convert in America. Readers will uncover how Islam shapes converts’ relationships, family dynamics, and sense of belonging while highlighting the unique ways they enrich their communities. This report also challenges communities to rethink support structures for converts, urging a shift from a focus on initial conversion to sustained post-conversion care. It explores the vital role of mosques, imams, and Muslim friendships in providing spiritual and emotional grounding while addressing pressing concerns such as cultural inclusion, identity preservation, and the alleviation of religious doubts. With its data-driven insights and actionable recommendations, Becoming Muslim not only serves as a valuable resource for community leaders, researchers, and advocates but also offers inspiration and solidarity to converts themselves.

Becoming Muslim: The Lives of American Converts to Islam

Convert Report Page 1

Convert Report Page 2

Convert Report Page 3

Convert Report Page 4

Convert Report Page 5

Dr. Mohamed AbuTaleb

Sh. Ibrahim Hindy

Our imams lead us in prayer, teach us our religion, officiate our marriages, preside over our final rites, and so much more. These religious leaders provide invaluable service to our communities, paving the way for the success of generations to come. But how well do you know your imam, or other religious leaders, in your community? What do they love about their job? What challenges do they face? How can each of us help them thrive? We surveyed 205 religious leaders in 2022, probing the demographics, job responsibilities, job satisfaction, finances, family life, mental health and well-being, and other aspects of personal and professional experiences of religious leaders in the United States and Canada. This report presents an analysis of the findings and recommendations for Muslim community builders — you — on how we can work collectively to support our religious leaders, strengthen our institutions, and safeguard our masajid from becoming places with “beautiful walls and empty halls”. Download the report to learn more!

The Personal and Professional Lives of Muslim Religious Leaders in North America

Imam Report Page 1

Imam Report Page 2

Imam Report Page 3

Imam Report Page 4

Imam Report Page 5

Religiosity is a multifaceted construct. It includes beliefs, emotions, behaviors, and interactions with a community. This report highlights Yaqeen’s new tool to measure Muslim religiosity, which we call BASIC.

BASIC stands for Beliefs, Attitudes, Spirituality, Institutional Connection, and Contribution. We believe BASIC holistically captures some of the major markers of religiosity. Throughout this report we highlight different aspects of Muslim religiosity worldwide, including how religiosity affects well-being and mental health, the prevalence of religious doubts, and demographic differences in religiosity and religious doubts.

Abstract

What does it mean to be religious? Religiosity includes more than believing in Allah or praying five times a day. In this chapter, we explain BASIC, our holistic measure of religiosity. We then investigate how religiosity influences the mental health and well-being of Muslims worldwide. We find that Muslims are generally religious, and that religiosity positively influences their lives. Religiosity is related to having a higher purpose in life, life satisfaction, and overall well-being. Additionally, religiosity is associated with lower levels of religious doubts, depression, and anxiety.

Chapter 1 The Impact of Muslim Religiosity on Well-Being Outcomes

Every generation grows up in a different historical context. The use of technology, such as smartphones, is a fundamental difference in how younger and older generations interact with the world. The modern world may also have additional intellectual challenges with the spread of liberal values. In such rapidly changing times, how does the faith of younger Muslims compare to their elders? Do they have more religious doubts? Do attitudes towards uncertainty have anything to do with differences in religiosity and religious doubts? In this chapter, we investigate these questions and find differences between age groups in religiosity, religious doubts, and attitudes towards uncertainty. Younger Muslims report lower levels of religiosity and higher levels of religious doubt. They also report lower levels of tolerating uncertainty in life, which relates to religiosity and religious doubts. However, their approach to understanding doubt is unique in that they view it as an opportunity to grow more than any other age group.

Chapter 2 Doubt Among Generations: How Uncertainty Tolerance Affects Religiosity

Basic Report Page 1

Basic Report Page 2

Basic Report Page 3

Basic Report Page 4

Basic Report Page 5

A Holistic View of Muslim Religiosity: Introducing BASIC

Read

Trailer: Secrets of Salah | The Hidden Gems of Prayer | Dhul Hijjah Series 2025

The Name I Need with Dr. Omar Suleiman | Ramadan Series 2026 | Official Trailer

Du’a for Marriage and Children | Servants of the Most Merciful Ep. 10

Why Muslim Prisoners Are The Key to Ending Empires

The Man Who Outsmarted Salahuddin | Ep. 10 | The Salahuddin Generation

If You Really Cared About Ramadan | Khutbah by Dr. Omar Suleiman

Build Your Relationship With the Qur’an Before Ramadan | Real Talk ft. Dr. Tesneem Alkiek

Secrets of Salah | Dhul Hijjah 2025

Why Me

Trailer: Why Me? | A Ramadan Series on Understanding Qadar

Iman Cave

Series Trailer | Iman Cave

A Du'a Away

Trailer: A Du'a Away | A 2024 Dhul Hijjah Series

Imam Tom Live

Biryani Diplomacy: The Illusion of Political Influence & the "Flour Massacre" | Imam Tom Live

Explained

Rohingya Genocide Explained: Myanmar's Muslim Massacres

The Firsts (Sahaba Stories) | The Forerunners of Islam

Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid (ra): From False Prophet to Shaheed | The Firsts

Watch

Listen

Deck 1: Why Does God Ask People to Worship Him?

Learn

How to Spend Your Night in Worship

Living by Judgment Day's Promise | Infographic

Tadabbur: The Hunt for Qur'anic Treasures | Infographic

Building Character with Islamic Pillars | Infographic

"Why am I so unlovable?"

Infographics

Curriculum

Annual Report 2024–2025

Annual Report 2023–2024

Annual Report 2022–2023

Annual Report 2021–2022

Annual Report 2020–2021

Annual Report 2019–2020

Annual Report 2018–2019

Annual Report 2017–2018

The vision behind Yaqeen’s new look

About

A psychological and spiritual perspective on enduring emotional pain and suffering. This topic explores healing mechanisms found within Islamic traditions and modern psychology.

Trauma

Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You | Trauma Series Introduction

Why Do Bad Things Only Happen To Me? | Trauma Ep. 1

How to Cope with the New Zealand Mosque Shooting Tragedy | Trauma Special

I Should've Gotten Over It by Now | Trauma Ep. 2

Why Bother Living if the Future is Filled with Pain? | Trauma Ep. 3

How Can I Ever Trust Again? | Trauma Ep. 4

Why Does Allah Hate Me So Much? | Trauma Ep. 5

Addressing the Topic of Trauma and Faith - Sh. Omar Suleiman | ISNACON 2019

The Impact of Trauma on Faith - Sarah Sultan | ISNACON 2019

The Duha Approach: A New Model to Treat Trauma - Najwa Awad | ISNACON 2019

How Islam Addresses Grief - Dr. Altaf Husain | ISNACON 2019

Everything is Falling Apart | Trauma Ep. 6

The Impact of Grief on Faith - Sarah Sultan | ISNACON 2019

Understanding Traumatic Grief - Najwa Awad | ISNACON 2019

I Must Have Done Something Wrong - Is It My Fault? | Trauma Ep. 7

How Can I Ever Get Past This? | Trauma Ep. 8

Why is Everyone's Life Better than Mine? | Trauma Ep. 9

3 Reasons Why You Think the World Is Against You

Healing the Community | MASCON 2019

All Members

Fellows

Researchers

Fellow

Written by licensed therapists Najwa Awad, LSCW-C and Sarah Sultan, LPC, LMHC, this series of articles and videos seeks to address trauma through The Duha Approach, a comprehensive and Islamically sound approach to treating trauma from a spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical perspective. Each article and video in the series will address one of the ten most common types of cognitive distortions, or unhealthy ways of thinking, linked to common faith-based questions that may arise after having experienced adversity. The primary purpose of this series is to provide a refuge and healing for those who have silently endured trauma, perhaps not fully understanding what is happening to them and not knowing how or where to get help. The articles will work through depressive feelings, worries, and doubts that may impact faith while helping promote growth and healing.

Lecture

Video

This section provides research on trauma and adversity from a psychospiritual perspective and theoretical and empirical research on the psychological processes involved in belief, doubt, and religious identity.

Trauma: Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You

Transcript

Other series

40 Hadiths on Social Justice

Confident Muslim

Sayedaty

The Faith Revival

Proofs of Prophethood

To Know Him is to Love Him: Finding Answers Through Allah's Attributes

Khutbahs

Virtues of Dhul Hijjah

Firm Roots

The Firsts (Sahaba Stories) | The Forerunners of Islam

Connect with us

Yaqeen app

Ameen app