New Islamic Directions - Imam Zaid Shakir

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Islam and Honor Killings (Revised)

by Imam Zaid Shakir

For that reason, we ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul for other than murder or spreading corruption in the land, it is as if he has killed the whole of humanity… Qur’an 5:35 One of the gravest charges levied against Islam, in terms of its… Read More

92 Comments

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The “Teddy Bear” Crisis (Expanded)

by Imam Zaid Shakir

The recent “Teddy-Bear” crisis in Sudan illustrates the failure of many Muslims to understand a stark reality; one that if left misunderstood will probably lead to a lot of unnecessary bloodshed in the Muslim world, and destroy the opportunity for many western, non-Muslim people to benefit, at a mass level,… Read More

34 Comments

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God’s Justice Will Not Sleep Forever

by Imam Zaid Shakir

The world’s greatest humanitarian crisis, as quiet as it is kept, is not in Darfur. While the situation there deserves the attention it is getting it is far less grave than the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Somalia. The nature of that crisis demonstrates much about the nature of US foreign… Read More

19 Comments

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Description of the God Conscious

by Imam Zaid Shakir

It is related that a devout worshipper by the name of Humam came to Imam ‘Ali, may God ennoble his countenance, and asked him to describe the God conscious people so vividly that he could almost see them. Imam ‘Ali responded: “Their speech is truthful; their clothing is moderate; and… Read More

22 Comments

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Reflections on 9/11 and Ramadan [1]

by Imam Zaid Shakir

By Imam Zaid Shakir September 11, 2007 This year, the birth of the invisible new moon, an event that will be followed in a day or two by the beginning of the month of Ramadan, upon the sighting of the waxing crescent in the evening sky, will occur on… Read More

33 Comments

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A Glimpse at Early Women Islamic Scholars

by Imam Zaid Shakir

The following is a transcript of a lecture delivered by Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi of Oxford University, on the role of women scholars in preserving and transmitting prophetic tradition (Hadith) in Islam. The original transcript has been edited by Imam Zaid Shakir to enhance readability. The Female Scholars of… Read More

114 Comments

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Fasting During Sha’ban

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Sha’ban is a month of good that introduces the great month of Ramadan. The Prophet, peace upon him, used to fast voluntarily during this month more so than in any other month. One of the motivations for that, as we will mention below, is that Sha’ban is the month during… Read More

18 Comments

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Farewell to Rajab

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali mentions in Lata’if al-Ma’arif: The month of Rajab is the key to the months of goodness and blessings that follow it. Abu Bakr b. al-Warraq al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Sha’ban is the month to irrigate the crop; and Ramadan is the… Read More

12 Comments

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Fasting During Rajab

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Introduction Historically, one of the virtuous religious practices of Muslims is voluntary fasting during the month of Rajab. Unfortunately, there are a growing number of Muslims that consider this practice a blameworthy innovation. The following discussion, taken from Lata’if al Ma’rif fi ma li Mawasim al-‘Amm min al-Wadha’if (The Subtleties… Read More

5 Comments

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Eye of the Storm

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Eye of the Storm Today, Wednesday, August 1, 2007, early in the evening, I departed from Mecca, that physically barren, but spiritually rich Arabian city, after two incredible days filled with prayer, Qur’anic recitation, supplication and rest, joyous rest. With no lessons to prepare, no classes to teach, no meetings… Read More

9 Comments

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The Challenge of Madina

by Imam Zaid Shakir

It is related from the Prophet, peace upon him, that he said: “O God! Bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha’ban, and bless us to reach Ramadan.” (Imam Ahmad, Musnad 1/259) I have been truly blessed during this month of Rajab by being able to spend a good… Read More

14 Comments

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A Sense of Loss

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Surely, we will test you with something of fear, hunger, and loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. Give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Al-Qur’an 2:155 Two weeks ago, I was preparing to board a shuttle bus for a five minute ride from my hotel to the International… Read More

40 Comments

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Islam and Honor Killings

by Imam Zaid Shakir

One of the gravest charges levied against Islam, in terms of its alleged antipathy towards women, is the charge that it encourages a phenomenon known as honor killings. This un-Islamic practice consists of the murder of female family members who are seen as dishonoring their families through real or perceived… Read More

104 Comments

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Challenging a “New” Type of War with True Faith

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Bringing an end to the ongoing war on “terror” will prove particularly vexing. One of the reasons for that is how easily fear can be manipulated to maintain the perception of imminent danger. For the profiteers prosecuting this so-called war, success or failure does not lie in the accomplishment of… Read More

10 Comments

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A Beautiful Religion: Part Two

by Imam Zaid Shakir

A Beautiful Religion: Part Two The beauty of Islam is directly associated with the beauty of Allah (God). The Prophet, peace upon him, relates the following tradition, “Surely God is beautiful and He loves beauty.” The beauty of God is incomparable. Therefore, the greatest delight of Paradise will be the… Read More

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VIDEO of Imam Zaid Shakir’s interview on Bill Moyers Journal

Here is the link to the full streaming video of the interview: Link to Video More video footage of the Muslim Women who were interviewed: PERSPECTIVES FROM MUSLIM WOMEN The treatment of women under some Islamic systems… Read More

222 Comments