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Ramadan Lessons: Generosity
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Generosity We often focus on the fasting and Tarawih prayers during Ramadan. However, the blessed month is also a time when generosity is greatly emphasized. One should try to be exceedingly generous during this month. In this section (pp. 305-310) Ibn Rajab examines the generosity of the Prophet, peace upon…
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Ramadan Lessons: True Liberation
by Imam Zaid Shakir
This is the final installment of what we have translated from Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali’s work, Lata’if al-Ma’arif. In this section, he mentions the liberation from Hell that is a gift countless people receive during Ramadan. He also mentions many teachings from the religion that create a deep longing and love…
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Ramadan Lessons: Fear
by Imam Zaid Shakir
In this section, Ibn Rajab mentions some of the sayings of the righteous forebears to illustrate the magnitude of the fear they had concerning the acceptability of their acts. (pp. 375-376) We should not take for granted that our fast will be accepted. Rather, we should search for those areas…
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Ramadan Lessons: Hope
by Imam Zaid Shakir
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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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Go Forth Romantic Warrior!
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Go forth romantic warrior, to slay the beast of self. Go forth into the field of life, and relish in the wealth. Go forth romantic warrior, transcend the chains of time. Go forth beyond this world of strife, to learn of life sublime. Go…
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Misunderstanding Not Treachery
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The blog entry I wrote several days ago in defense of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf was based on my misunderstanding of the events leading up to Shaykh Hamza’s participation the malaria eradication program sponsored by the Tony Blair Foundation in Los Angeles, September 25, 2008. In reality, it was a lot…
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Imam Zaid’s ‘Id Khutbah
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I wish to extend warmest ‘Id Greetings to all of you. May Allah bless you all during this blessed season. Here is my ‘Id Khutbah. Insha Allah, you will find some benefit in it.
http://newislamicdirections.com/mediacast/id-khutbah-1429-2008/
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