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Ramadan Lessons: Hope

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 22, 2009 at 1:14 pm

Ramadan Lessons Based on Lata’f al-Ma’arif, by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali Translated by Imam Zaid Shakir Lesson One: Hope Translator’s note: رمضان مبارك Ramadan Mubarak! May you all be blessed during this blessed month. The month of Ramadan combines fear and hope, hardship and relief. In the following section…

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A Moment in Your Love (Expanded)

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Jul 12, 2009 at 12:45 am

To spend a moment in your love, beyond this world of strife. To know the beauty of your face, beyond the realms of life. To pay the price you ask of us O Lord of life sublime! …

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A Poetic Reflection OnThe Life of Muhammad Ali

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Jun 06, 2009 at 2:40 pm

As we daily witness President Barack Obama making history as the first American president of African descent, it is critical for us not to forget the giants whose sacrifices have made his ascent possible. One of the those giants is Muhammad Ali. Here is a poetic reflection I penned regarding…

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Either Way We’re Enslaved

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Apr 16, 2009 at 8:22 pm

This poem is written by Hasna Abdul-Majid, the daughter of a longtime family friend, Saida Abdul-Majid. We first met them in Washington DC while I was a student at the American University. Hasna was born during those years. When we moved to New Jersey, I was pursuing a Masters Degree…

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I AM…

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Mar 27, 2009 at 6:17 am

“I AM…” is a poem by Hamza Abdul Malik who is one of our young scholars. Hamza, has memorized the Qur’an in both Warsh and Hafs and has studied Arabic and Shari’ah in Syria, Yemen, and is currently studying in Egypt. He wrote this poem after his wife’s eighty-year old…

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While We Sleep…

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Mar 18, 2009 at 12:14 pm

The following comment is by a sister who responded to one of the postings we made concerning our visit to Mali. What she mentions here is applicable to all of the Muslim parts of Africa, with the possible exception of Egypt and some other parts of North Africa. Generally speaking,…

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Gaza: In The Hangman’s Rope

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Jan 19, 2009 at 12:54 am

They see no death, no blood, no pain; too blinded by an ancient claim. So take the land, destroy the man, and bomb the babe in mothers’ hands, Uproot the olive, kill the dove, to Hell with charity and love. When those twain die,…

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Jihad is Not Perpetual Warfare

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Jan 15, 2009 at 1:39 am

This article is reprinted here from my book Scattered Pictures: Reflections of an American Muslim. It is hoped that it will add a new dimension to the evolving debate concerning the idea that the only strategic option available for Muslims, regardless of their strategic strength or weakness, or their…

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Searching for Words

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Jan 07, 2009 at 10:38 am

As I pen these words, the people of Gaza are suffering a terrible fate. We pray that God brings them relief and replaces their state of insecurity and war with one of security and peace. As of yet, I have not found the words to write anything meaningful and intelligible…

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Yes We Can!

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Nov 05, 2008 at 5:17 am

The American people have spoken in a resounding voice, “YES WE CAN!” and with that refrain echoing into the night history was made as Senator Barack Hussein Obama was elected to serve as the next president of the United States. Senator Obama’s election as the first African American president illustrates…

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