notes
The Flowers of Spring
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Like as the glistening snowflakes adorn the wintery expanses of fields, trees, and rolling hills in a soft blanket of downy frost, so do the flowers of Spring embellish our lives. Their colors charm us, their fragrances permeate into the depths of our souls and their voices join in serenading…
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notes
Their Religion is Hate
by Imam Zaid Shakir
We awakened yesterday morning, Easter Sunday, to the news of the horrific slaughter in Sri Lanka. Sensationalizing news organizations rushed to identify the religion of the perpetrators of such a nefarious act. Were they members of the Buddhist majority, the Hindu Tamil Tigers, or were they wretched Muslims who had…
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notes
To My Muslim Brothers and Sisters in Christchurch, New Zealand:
by Imam Zaid Shakir
With the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate I extend my deepest condolences to all of those whose family members, loved ones, friends, or acquaintances have been killed or wounded in the recent terrorist attack. Despite the natural and understandable pain following in the immediate aftermath of…
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notes
I Stand With Ilhan
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Today marks International Women’s Day. Among other things, the day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the amazing contributions women make to our lives, families and societies. With their grace, dignity, forbearance, sacrifice and courage, women enrich our lives in countless ways. Speaking of courage, what better day…
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articles
The Unfinished Business of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Imam Zaid Shakir
During these days many in this country are commemorating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929. While most remember Dr. King for his soaring oration, symbolized by his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered before a sweltering throng at the Lincoln Memorial,…
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notes
The Listening of the Soul
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Islam holds humans to be a special creation. Ennobled by God, they are His vicegerent on earth and look forward to a sublime destiny. Their ancestor Adam was the exalted creature in whose direction God ordered the angels to prostrate, even while his splendor drew the envy of Satan. They…
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notes
Where Islam and Nationalism Collide
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Islam contains teachings that clearly argue against the most important elements of nationalism. The nation-state, which involves wedding a specific people to a sovereign territorial entity, is a modern phenomenon. For example, the Italian city states did not unify into a coherent modern nation-state until the late 1850s. The unification…
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notes
Reflecting on Quiet Lake and Snow
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The sun she rises over quiet lake. To let the snow know that there’s no mistake. To let the morning know that she’s alive. To let earth know that she will survive The folly of mankind and all his wars The pain, disfigurement and all the scars,…
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notes
On The Passing of Dr. Sulayman Nyang
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I have been blessed to know Dr. Nyang for many long decades. He has been a teacher, mentor and an exemplary role model not just for myself but for countless others. He was a true giant who leaves a large pair of shoes that will be difficult to fill. When…
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notes
Final Follow-up on The Kavanaugh/Blasey Ford Affair
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I appreciate the spirited discourse around the previous post that has been removed as well as the constructive criticism, and I understand the anger motivating many of you. I appreciate the advice from the educated and that of the laity -our religion after all is predicated on sincere advice. I…
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notes
Siding With The Truth
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Yesterday, August 14, 2018, marked the passing of five years since the massacre of at least a thousand innocent protesters and the injuring of thousands more in Cairo’s Rabaa Square. Merely writing these words will generate charges of siding with the ousted Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, and the Egyptian Muslim…
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news
25 Influential Muslims
by Imam Zaid Shakir
By Daniel Burke and Madeleine Stix, CNN, May 4, 2018 We asked American Muslims to name the most influential people in their fields. Here’s what they said Who speaks for American Muslims? The short answer is, no one. No individual or group can claim to speak…
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notes
The Blessed Man
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The blessed man he asks himself, “Who am I meant to be?” The people come they praise his words, But him they cannot see. Am I for real? Am I a fraud? Am I the one they see? The blessed man he just stands tall
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notes
The Promised Land
by Imam Zaid Shakir
How many highways have we trod, In our unceasing journey unto God? The signs we pass are loud and clear, The path is steep the goal is dear. Onward we go by night and day This path we walk the only way. Some will give up their…
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articles
This is Who We Are
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Madeline Albright, infamously and casually agreed that over 500,000 dead Iraqi children who died during the six years US sanctions had been in place in Iraq to that point, “was worth it”. As the crisis over children being torn from their mothers’ arms at the US-Mexican…
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articles
The Human in the Qur’an
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The human being began his journey as a physical creature with the direct, unmitigated creative act of God.” “Once the human has been animated by the spirit, he can undertake his primary purpose: namely, to worship and to know his Lord.” Today, we can…
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articles
God’s Plan and Muhammad Ali
by Imam Zaid Shakir
It is time we started listening to Ali. It is God’s plan. The analytical methods which postmodernism has given birth to are qualified by many sad features. One is the rejection of the idea of greatness. These methods leave no space for great men or women. What we find instead…
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