By Aia JaberContent warning: This post contains graphic descriptions of death and violence. Part of what we memorialize and commemorate during Ashura is the sermon delivered by Zainab (as). Following the massacre of Ahlul-Bayt and their companions, our Lady Zainab (as) delivers a sermon in the court of Yazid, forever becoming a beacon of strength for Islam…
By Fatema BhallooIn Shia tradition, Muharram is not only the beginning of the Islamic calendar but marks the period in which we remember the sacrifice of Prophet Mohamed (SAWW)’s grandson, Imam Hussain. Therefore, during this month Shias remember and lament the tragedy that occurred between Imam Hussain (AS)’s small band of followers and Yazid, the governor of…
By N.H. KhimjiEvery year, upon the emergence of the crescent of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, Shi’i Muslims around the world cloak themselves in black garments and prepare to mourn Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family. On the day of Ashura, the…
By Najah Al-AtassiThere is a story in the Quran that I find very liberating. The Quran tells us about a time when Abraham, peace be upon him (PBUH) asked, “Lord, show me how You revive the dead. Lord replied, “Have you not believed?” to which Abraham said, “Yes, but to reassure my heart.” The Quran tells us…
By Aiyah AdamInfertility is a broad term with a rather simple definition: inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. Perhaps in hushed tones, you’ve overheard the phrase being murmured about a family member. Infertility is a diagnosis that is common, affecting 1 out of every 8 women. Yet, it is one of those conditions that…
By Jummanah Abu Samra, Maliya Naz, Azmia RicchuitoIf you’ve been trying to keep up with Ms. Marvel, then you know the superhero is championing new milestones for Muslim representation on screen. When you hear breakout star Iman Vellani and co-creator Sana Amanat tell it, you realize their real superpower is taking the notion of representation to a totally new level: normalization. Iman…
By Sara KadirOur Islam is a religion of peace, and those who submit to its teachings are said to find peace through that submission. And yet, statistics show that depression and anxiety in Muslim-majority countries are on par with the average levels found in the rest of the world. Why is it that we do not seem…
By Sara KadirIf you are lucky, at some point in your life, a tear will appear on the edges of your world. And if you are brave enough to pick at the tear, you will be given a glimpse into the great unknown, where angels, demons, hope, and darkness exist — not as delusional of one’s imagination…
By Zoha RazaSpringtime of 2022 was approaching. It had been two years since the pandemic first began, and COVID-19 became a normal word in our vocabulary. I’d grown accustomed to hearing about people getting COVID, how they would be a bit sick, and then back to normal for a few days. I had not been infected and…
By Gbemisola IbrahimI was heading back home from the market when I noticed a group of boys lurking around some closed shops in the market. Some were lying on the floor, fast asleep, oblivious to their surroundings. Some were play-fighting as young boys do. They looked unkempt, with countless stains on their clothes, which were not even…
By Aisha Kabiru MohammedThe first few encounters I had with the practices of Islam were when I was about 10 years old. My brothers and I would follow my father’s friends and his wife and daughters to the prayer ground for Eid prayers, and even though I had no idea how to pray, I always enjoyed going. I…
By Ifrah AkhtarNothing brings quite as much joy and unity to the Muslim community as Ramadan. It’s that time of year when we get excited about working on our spiritual selves and bonding with family and friends over meals. In recent years, Ramadan has also boomed into a major industry aimed to sell decorations, lights, and other…
By Mina MohamadPutin’s latest attacks on Ukraine and its current refugees have reminded the Middle East of the death of innocent civilians of Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Palestine. The death of innocent and innocence itself is what combines the mentioned countries and Ukraine’s oppression. Civilians flee and become refugees. There is no choice left: either you leave everything…
By Lajward ZahraWhen Ramadan is around the corner, many of us start to look forward to all the blessings this month brings. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has said Ramadan is “when the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” It is a time to reflect on our ‘deen,’…
By Aina MarziaTwenty-one years ago, on September 11, 2001, a part of America was shattered and has not been repaired since. We all remember 9/11 as the day that two Twin Towers collapsed, the day a plane was hijacked, the day America lost 2977 lives. And while this is all true and tragic, the tragedy of 9/11…
