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notes
Giving Thanks
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The Hadith of Gabriel (Jibril) is considered by most Muslim scholars to be one of the fundamental texts of our religion. It presents, in a comprehensive way, the foundations of Islam. This is made clear by the fact that the Prophet, blessings and peace upon him, mentions to Umar ,…
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The significance of Abraham in Our World Today Needs to Be Asserted
by Imam Zaid Shakir
God mentions the origins of the pilgrimage, when He orders Abraham: “Proclaim the pilgrimage to humanity; they will respond, coming to the Sacred House on foot, riding every possible conveyance; coming from every distant path.” (22:27) It is related that Abraham responded by saying, “My Lord! How can I call…
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9/11 and A Tale of Two Cities
by Imam Zaid Shakir
This essay was begun a few days before the date marking the passing of ten years since the attacks of 9/11. I was unable to finish it until now. Charles Dickens opens his classic, A Tale of Two Cities, with this famous anaphora: “It was the best of times, it…
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We Are All Collateral Damage
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The Roads to Peace The roads to peace are paths of war, The gentle dove will leave her scar. The moral men to say the least, Will kill us all to get their peace. The roads that lead to victories gained, Are filled with people full of…
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Remembering 9/11
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I remember well the fateful day of September 11, 2001. I was locked in Jami’ al-Khayr at the far western end of the Damascene neighborhood of Muhajireen. Most masjids in Syria are locked between the prayers, with the exception of the evening and night prayer. However, the Imam allowed me…
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...and whatever you spend, God is well aware of it.
by Imam Zaid Shakir
On a recent flight from Europe, too sleepy to read and too uncomfortable to sleep, I watched a movie. The film was moving and powerful, The Grace Card. It dealt with the intricacies of race relations in Memphis, Tennessee. It culminated with an African American policeman donating a kidney to…
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Reflection on the Norway Massacre
by Imam Zaid Shakir
In the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11, the idea of terrorism has been utilized by a cabal of anti-Muslim bigots in a way that elicits, in the minds of many, an association between Islam and indiscriminate violence. This association has been reinforced by propagandistic lies such as, “Not all…
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Race To The Top
by Imam Zaid Shakir
“The fight against racism is not over; we must redouble our efforts.” As the level of racially-charged exclusionary politics grows throughout the Western world, Muslims will have to contribute to the developing discourse to counter this problem. Doing so will require a plunge into the murky waters…
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The Islamic Legitimacy of the Uprisings in Muslim Countries
by Imam Zaid Shakir
An earlier version of this article appeared in EMEL Magazine. It is reprinted here with slight modification in light of requests for clarification on this very sensitive issue. This is a theoretical essay and should not be construed as an endorsement of any particular movement, as each movement would have…
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Allah: The Loving
by Imam Zaid Shakir
A family friend recently attended a lecture by one of the propagandists crisscrossing the country to inform his audience of the reasons Americans have to stop the “menace” of “Shariah” that threatens to “take over” American society. If that proposition was not being taken so seriously by so many people…
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What Went Wrong? Funny You Should Ask
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The refrain from an old popular song goes as follows, “What the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of…” According to Nicholas Kristof, in his recent New York Times editorial, Is Islam The Problem?, the Muslim world doesn’t need more…
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Game Over…We Win?
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The current uprising in Egypt, coming in the aftermath of the popular revolution in Tunisia, is a monumental event that is altering all of the political calculations currently governing how we think about Middle Eastern politics. The emerging popular movements in the region have led to a swift reshuffling of…
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Speaking of Civility…
by Imam Zaid Shakir
America is understandably shaken by the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. That mindless assault claimed the lives of six individuals, including a promising nine-year-old child and a sitting federal judge. In the aftermath of that act there has been a call from many sides, including the President, for greater…
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Qur’an defeats Muslim Barbarism
by Imam Zaid Shakir
There has to be an honest and faithful understanding of the Qur’an”. One of the fundamental assumptions driving the current demonization of Islam and Muslims in the West is the idea that acts of wanton violence undertaken by isolated Muslim individuals, or the brutal…
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Letter to a Would-be Mujahid
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Recent developments have forced me to put some things on hold to write you this letter. You might ask how I know you. I have met you at student events, in mosques, and at conferences. I have listened to your arguments and I have made my counter arguments. Oftentimes, my…
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The Ethics of Chivalry Between Genders
by Imam Zaid Shakir
In the literature discussing Futuwwa, which has been translated as Muslim chivalry, there is the story of a young man who was engaged to marry a particularly beautiful woman. Before the wedding day, his fiancée was afflicted with a severe case of chicken pox which left her face terribly disfigured.…
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