Currently Browsing: Notes
notes
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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Drilling and Killing for God
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Yesterday, September 3, 2008, United States ground forces swept into Pakistan in a raid that resulted in the deaths of 21 Pakistani civilians. This raid has evoked outrage across Pakistan, and is a clear and unnecessary violation of Pakistani sovereignty. It comes in the context of increasing attacks in Afghanistan…
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Peace and Justice in Islam
by Imam Zaid Shakir
We are living in a world where there could obviously be more peace. As Muslims, we realize this fact more than most people, as the peace of many of our brothers and sisters in various parts of the globe has been tragically disrupted –in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan,…
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notes
Peace and Justice in Islam
by Imam Zaid Shakir
We are living in a world where there could obviously be more peace. As Muslims, we realize this fact more than most people, as the peace of many of our brothers and sisters in various parts of the globe has been tragically disrupted –in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan,…
Read More
notes
Hopefully, Obama is Not a Used Car Dealer
by Imam Zaid Shakir
In my article, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama, and the Fate of America, I mentioned that one of the things viewed as unacceptable to the political mainstream in this country is “a fair and just solution to the problem of meaningful Palestinian statehood.” With his slavish remarks at…
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The Proper Approach to Debating
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Imam Shafi’i is related to have said: “Never do I debate a man with a desire to hear him err in his speech, or to expose the flaws in his argument, and thus vanquish him. Whenever I face an opponent in debate I silently supplicate, ‘O Lord, help him so…
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Signs for Those Who Reflect
by Imam Zaid Shakir
One of the skeptics came to Imam al-Shafi’i, May God have mercy on him and asked, “What is your proof for the existence of God?” The Imam replied, “The Mulberry leaf has a single taste, a single color, a single fragrance and a single shape. However, when the silk worm…
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