You see someone attractive in your class, or at your friend’s birthday party, and you think to yourself, “How do I approach him without seeming too desperate?” Not to mention, with various opinions on the dangers of dating and the ever-present haram police everywhere, how do you go about approaching this cute guy the halal…
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What’s in a Name? Why Mispronunciation Is Still Colonization
“Why do people even give their kids’ a difficult name when they can go with an easier one?” I overheard the other day. Even though the comment wasn’t directed toward me, I felt triggered. As a Muslim living in the United States with an obvious “foreign” name, I know it’s often seen as difficult. I…
Understanding Mental Health, Trauma & Triggers Through Imam Sajjad
A therapist once told me that I could never be fully happy and that if I ever want to be otherwise, I should be reliant on anti-depressants. It was an immensely painful diagnosis, to have a specialist tell me plainly that I was a lost cause. In the contemporary world, mental health is either dealt…
8 Things To Consider While Forming Friendships in College
What constitutes strong friendships? A partner in crime? A person that accompanies you to the movies? A person you share highs and lows with? Friendships include two or more people enjoying time with one another while appreciating the individual they have chosen to cross paths with. The relevance of my prior sentence stems from the…
World Cup Highlights: Morocco Wins Over Spain and Remembers Palestine
Morocco became the first Arab nation and fourth from Africa to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Achraf Hakimi celebrating with his mother after defeating Spain in the Round of 16. The Moroccan team recites Surah Al Fatiha right before the penalty shootout with Spain. Morocco raises the Palestine flag after their 2-1 victory over Canada in…
Allah’s (Swt) Miracle: The Wonders of a Honeybee
Bees. Tiny insects that produce honey. To most of us, they are just that – an insect that produces honey and will sometimes sting us if we agitate them. But bees, for all their simplicity, are one of Allah’s (SWT) most magnificent and miraculous creations. Honeybees are responsible for at least one-third of the food…
Are Dogs Really Haram in Islam?
The idea of Muslims owning dogs is constantly met with controversy, with differing opinions based on culture, hadith, and matters of cleanliness. Where do these ideas come from, what can be said in defense of or against these common beliefs, and what ideas can be gained from an Islamic perspective? Here we will look into…
Here Are 10 Ways To Nurture Friendships as a Muslim
At some point in the course of our lives, we connect with different people from various backgrounds and upbringings. Some of them stay with us through thick and thin, and others become acquaintances who we happen to meet in our lifetime. For most, there will come a time, maybe only once if we are lucky,…
6 Places to Visit if You Love Islamic History
Stunning turquoise hues, intricate Arabic calligraphy, astonishing mosaics inspired by nature–the beauty and depth of Islamic architecture never fails to be awe-inspiring. Though I may fail to be objective as a Muslim when it comes to this topic, I truly believe that the work of Islamic artists and architects are some of the most beautiful…
Are You Ready for Robots To Recite the Holy Quran in Mecca?
Saudi Arabia has recently devised a plan to launch robots that will be stationed at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The role of the robots will be to recite the Holy Quran and deliver sermons to the millions of Muslims that visit the holy site. The launch is a component of a wider “strategic plan”…
Henna: An Ode To Islamic Tradition
The art of henna, or mehndi, has been a widely practiced Islamic tradition in parts of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East for over 5,000 years. While we are accustomed to see henna designs on brides, it actually has great Islamic significance. Additionally, both men and women can use henna because of its health…
Do You Know How To Ask for a Religious Accommodation?
The 2022-2023 school year is well under way for thousands of students across the nation. With it, many are hoping for a year of renewal and change. Broadly defined, universities are obligated to provide their students with reasonable religious accommodations so they can practice their respective faith. The first amendment of the constitution includes the…
As a Child, the Quranic Education System Made Me Feel Like a Bad Muslim
7-hour detentions. Documented abuse in madrasahs. After school sessions and no homework completed. Learning the Quran as a child can be challenging for so many reasons. To be frank, one main reason is the pedagogy. As Yasmin Mogahed once mentioned in a lecture, “We teach our kids what to fear. This is halal and this…
The Chaos at Woodstock ‘99 Shows How Societies Normalize Violence Against Women
Content warning: This article discusses sexual assault, violence against women, sexual exploitation, and includes imagery of rape. If I could describe the docuseries “Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99” in one word, it would be “chaotic.” The series did an outstanding job outlining salient elements bringing the three-day festival to its absolute worst. The terrible planning, execution, infrastructure,…
Parents in Kashmir Worry That K-pop’s Influence Will Lead to Cultural Erasure. Teens Are Fully Embracing the Hallyu Wave
There is a place in Kashmir, called Srinagar, known as Zero Bridge, that connects the residency road area directly to Rajbagh. Rajbagh is a bustling hub for coaching centers, where many teenagers go for their academic studies. When I was traveling there, I witnessed a handful of girls wearing outfits that resembled Korean fashion. Throughout…