Currently Browsing: Notes
notes
The Flowers of Spring
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Like as the glistening snowflakes adorn the wintery expanses of fields, trees, and rolling hills in a soft blanket of downy frost, so do the flowers of Spring embellish our lives. Their colors charm us, their fragrances permeate into the depths of our souls and their voices join in serenading…
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Their Religion is Hate
by Imam Zaid Shakir
We awakened yesterday morning, Easter Sunday, to the news of the horrific slaughter in Sri Lanka. Sensationalizing news organizations rushed to identify the religion of the perpetrators of such a nefarious act. Were they members of the Buddhist majority, the Hindu Tamil Tigers, or were they wretched Muslims who had…
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To My Muslim Brothers and Sisters in Christchurch, New Zealand:
by Imam Zaid Shakir
With the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate I extend my deepest condolences to all of those whose family members, loved ones, friends, or acquaintances have been killed or wounded in the recent terrorist attack. Despite the natural and understandable pain following in the immediate aftermath of…
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I Stand With Ilhan
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Today marks International Women’s Day. Among other things, the day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the amazing contributions women make to our lives, families and societies. With their grace, dignity, forbearance, sacrifice and courage, women enrich our lives in countless ways. Speaking of courage, what better day…
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The Listening of the Soul
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Islam holds humans to be a special creation. Ennobled by God, they are His vicegerent on earth and look forward to a sublime destiny. Their ancestor Adam was the exalted creature in whose direction God ordered the angels to prostrate, even while his splendor drew the envy of Satan. They…
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Where Islam and Nationalism Collide
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Islam contains teachings that clearly argue against the most important elements of nationalism. The nation-state, which involves wedding a specific people to a sovereign territorial entity, is a modern phenomenon. For example, the Italian city states did not unify into a coherent modern nation-state until the late 1850s. The unification…
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Reflecting on Quiet Lake and Snow
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The sun she rises over quiet lake. To let the snow know that there’s no mistake. To let the morning know that she’s alive. To let earth know that she will survive The folly of mankind and all his wars The pain, disfigurement and all the scars,…
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On The Passing of Dr. Sulayman Nyang
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I have been blessed to know Dr. Nyang for many long decades. He has been a teacher, mentor and an exemplary role model not just for myself but for countless others. He was a true giant who leaves a large pair of shoes that will be difficult to fill. When…
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Final Follow-up on The Kavanaugh/Blasey Ford Affair
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I appreciate the spirited discourse around the previous post that has been removed as well as the constructive criticism, and I understand the anger motivating many of you. I appreciate the advice from the educated and that of the laity -our religion after all is predicated on sincere advice. I…
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Siding With The Truth
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Yesterday, August 14, 2018, marked the passing of five years since the massacre of at least a thousand innocent protesters and the injuring of thousands more in Cairo’s Rabaa Square. Merely writing these words will generate charges of siding with the ousted Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, and the Egyptian Muslim…
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The Blessed Man
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The blessed man he asks himself, “Who am I meant to be?” The people come they praise his words, But him they cannot see. Am I for real? Am I a fraud? Am I the one they see? The blessed man he just stands tall
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The Promised Land
by Imam Zaid Shakir
How many highways have we trod, In our unceasing journey unto God? The signs we pass are loud and clear, The path is steep the goal is dear. Onward we go by night and day This path we walk the only way. Some will give up their…
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Today is Husband Appreciation Day
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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On “Punish A Muslim Day”
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Now that “Punish A Muslim Day” has passed uneventfully we should really take stock of the general immaturity permeating our community. This nonsense should never have seen the light of day. It is like the so-called movie denigrating the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) several years back. It had…
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Women’s Day 2018
by Imam Zaid Shakir
International Women’s Day is on 8th March. The day has been set aside to celebrate the social, economic and political accomplishments of women. March is a most appropriate month for such a celebration. In the northern hemisphere, March signals the arrival of spring and the blossoming flowers whose colors and…
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Let Them Fly: Ode to A Little Dreamer
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The butterflies can no longer go home. We have destroyed the grounds on which they nest. And if this little butterfly can’t roam Then how can we as a country be blessed? We pimp liberty like she is a whore. Racism, hatred and greed defile her…
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