Shaikh Yasir Qadhi & anti ex-Muslim bigotry
Note: This article is a response to a post by Sheikh Yasir Qadhi attacking ex-Muslims – the original post is available at https://www.facebook.com/yasir.qadhi/posts/10156029124118300 Salaam, Shaikh Yasir. While I have no intention of entering into a debate with you online, there is so much in this post that is so exhaustingly ironic, …
Cartoongate: The Sermon That Wasn’t Given
Today being Friday and all, I dusted off my old khutbah-writing skills to compose a sermon warning against the scandal-mongering we’ve seen following Maajid Nawaz’s tweeting of a cartoon. Brothers and Sisters, as we reflect upon the recent uproar that has engulfed sections of our community following the distasteful depictions …
The Bottle Opening: A beer drinker’s prayer
1. All praises are due to Ninkasi, Goddess of Beer. 2. The Beloved, The Dear 3. Bringer of joy to those far and near. 4. In YOUR name do we drink and for YOUR sake do we cheer. 5. Raise us to your Highest Tier. 6. The Tier of those …
Reading Radical: Initial Reactions
I usually prefer reserving judgment on any piece of writing until I’ve completed it. Nonetheless, Maajid Nawaz’s captivating book, Radical, has so far stoked so many memories and sentiments in me that I feel an almost urgent need to commit some of these thoughts to writing, if only to allow …
Allah’s Kingdom: The Saudi regime’s attempted monopoly over Islam
“Our grandfathers gave allegiance to the sons of Saud. How can we come after them and betray them? How can we withdraw our hands from obedience to them when Allah has said, ‘Oh you who believe, obey Allah, obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. (Qur’an 4:59)’ ?” …
Hearing Allah: Why acknowledging the Qur’an’s influence upon violent extremism is an important part of combating it.
It was an eerily solemn and calm night in the illuminated city of Allah’s Messenger. The usually bustling streets of Madinah were quiet and the shops and stalls surrounding the magnificent Mosque of the Prophet were shuttered down for the night. The vast marble piazza, usually alive with pilgrims from …
A response to “Apostates and cuddly toys”
I’d like to take a moment to compile my thoughts regarding Da Masked Avenger’s piece, “Apostates and cuddly toys,” in which he presents his perspectives on the nature of apostasy from Islam and the behavior of some of those who have left the faith. This is by no means intended …
The No True Muslim Fallacy
Last week, I received a series of tweets from Adam Deen, founder and director of the Deen Institute. Now, I know nothing about Mr. Deen. I have no clue where he was born or what his nationality might be. I don’t know if he was raised a Muslim or if …
By Any Means Necessary? Is Islam a means to human rights?
When I was in elementary school, I participated in a play put on by my local mosque about the life of Malcolm X as part of our annual Eid celebrations. The audience, full of believers from around the Muslim world, watched on as my peers and I reenacted the life …
What is in a word?
Words are curious little things. They’ve always fascinated me with their ability to preserve thoughts, convey ideas, and spark emotions. It is wondrous, really, the way that through so many different perceptions and possible interpretations, we still manage to generally agree on what words mean. This is why I find …