Consider us your Muslim Spark Notes.
By Samreen AnwarHave you joined in on the latest trending hashtag? Twitter user @SpanishKash1 started the hashtag #WhoIsMuhammad and it has now been tweeted over 170,000 times. The hashtag was created in response to Charlie Hebdo’s new cover depicting yet another offensive cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims around the world are taking part in #WhoIsMuhammad to share the positive teachings…
By MG StaffIt’s that time of year again. People all around the world have their noses crammed in books, notes, and power points, studying for upcoming exams. Whether you are a college student prepping for the GRE or final exams, or a high schooler getting ready for that big SAT, you are probably nervous just thinking about…
By emmaBy all accounts a woman of strong intellect and deep compassion, Zubaidah bint Ja’far (766- 831) used the enormous wealth and power derived from her position as the wife of the fifth Abbasid Caliph, Harun al-Rashid (786-809), to serve others as well as to promote Islam. The Abbasid Caliphate was the third Islamic caliphate, and…
By NidaEver since I was a young girl, flipping through the pages of my Islamic Studies textbook in Sunday school, I’ve been exposed to the history of Islam. Amongst the many paragraphs and historical text I came across, I found a list of martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam. I must…
By maha“Whenever women protest and ask for their rights, they are silenced with the argument that the laws are justified under Islam. It is an unfounded argument. It is not Islam at fault, but rather the patriarchal culture that uses its own interpretations to justify whatever it wants.” -Shirin Ebadi When we think about Nobel Peace…
By HabeebaRunning with fire in one hand and water in the other, Rabi’a explained, “I am going to burn paradise and douse hellfire so that both veils may be lifted from those on the quest, and they will become sincere of purpose. God’s servants will learn to see Him without hope for reward or fear of…
By SaniaAs one of the few Sahabiyat (female companions) who physically fought in battle in defense of the Messenger of Allah (SWT) and an advocate for Muslim woman’s rights, Nusaybah bint Ka’ab was not only renowned for her courageous efforts on the battlefield, but was also as a loving wife and mother. She was an Ansariyyah…
By SaraFatima al-Fihri isn’t a household name, but she should be, because she founded the world’s first University (which, incidentally, is still thriving today). She was born in Tunisia into a wealthy family; her father was a successful businessman. She also had one sister named Mariam (it is unclear if her mother died young). They were…
By HabeebaHave you ever heard a successful person say, “Confidence is key!” when she’s asked how she accomplished such-and-such a feat? I know I have, and that’s NOT an easy thing to hear when confidence isn’t embedded in your system. It’s tough seeing the go-getters around you rise to the top, take chance after chance, grab…
By HareemTHE JOB SEARCH You’ve got your resume, and you know how to write a cover letter. What’s next, you ask? Well, the simple answer would be: mail out your documents and hope for an interview. However, finding a job can often be the biggest obstacle on the path to employment. What do you do if…
By bubblesThe state of the world before the arrival of our beloved Prophet (saw) is known as Jahiliyah. Jahiliyah literally translates to ‘Ignorance’ in English, but also refers to Arabian society before Islam. Many evils existed during that time, such as tribal warfare, killing of female babies, the abuse and degradation of women, greed, racism, the…
By faeeFrom the Prophet’s lips to our books today It’s important to understand that the Qur’an literarily means ‘recitation’ from the word qira’a; it is basically what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Allah (SWT) , memorized by himself and his companions, and kept in an Allah (SWT) –inspired sequence since the beginning of its…
By kariimah“You will die and they will die, and Muhammad (SAW) is but a Messenger; of a surety, all Messengers before him have passed away. If then, he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels? Whosoever worships Muhammad (SAW), let him then know that Muhammad (SAW) indeed is dead; but whoso worshipped…
By SaraProphet Muhammad (SAW) was in grave condition. Soon after his last sermon, he was so weak that he could not move. He appointed Abu Bakr to lead the prayers in his place (a wise forethought, for Abu Bakr was to become the Caliph after the death of the Prophet.) Although he was dangerously ill, he…
By AmaniThe year 10 A.H. was one of the most significant years of the Islamic calendar. Leaders and tribes that one could have never imagined would show the least bit of acceptance towards Prophet Muhammad (SAW) began to embrace Islam as their faith, and multitudes of people were turning to the religion of Allah (SWT) ….
