Top 10 Posts of 2008 on MuslimMatters.org

The year 2008 saw much for MuslimMatters.org. A new layout, ginormous climb in fanbase, and a whole lot of fun along the way. All praise is to Allāh and we would like to thank you for your support and constructive criticism along the way.

Here are the top 10 posts for 2008 by view count. Check 'em out if you haven't already!

#10. The Grey Lady of Bagram: Dr. Aafia Siddiqui – Amad

There have been many other different claims surrounding Dr. Siddiqui: That she was the mysterious Grey Lady of Bagram (Prisoner 650), whose screams of pain were heard and recorded by Moazzem Baig and others; that she was a top al-Qaeda operative (does anyone else find that this label is getting a bit old?); that her life as a “normal Boston mom” was really a cover for a sensational double life that involved the diamond trade in Liberia. My cynical eyes find this more akin to the plot of the next Bourne movie than a bona fide case of terrorism.

#9. A Letter to Obama – Guest Post, Muniba Hassan

Dear Senator Obama: Please allow me to congratulate you on winning the nomination for the Democratic Party in this year's Presidential Race. As a long time supporter of your campaign and your causes, I and many Americans, were deeply disappointed and taken aback by your comments made this month at the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) convention.

#8. The World from the view of a Single Brother – Haytham S.

Muslims as a big community should be able to relate to our single brothers' needs. If not, more family and social issues will start appearing. Issues such as fornication, depression, girls running away from their families house, Shiyook marrying girls without having wali (guardians), guys taking advantage of innocent girls, and much more. Ask the Shiyok and Psychologists about the cases that they see, I know of stories that are terrifying.

#7. Response to The Jewel of Madīnah – AnonyMouse (Zainab)

There is no reason to write and publish a fictional account of our Prophet's life, especially focusing on (what is to others) more “controversial” issues, except to generate money and tabloid fodder. If she were truly interested in Islam, in the exceptional and beautiful life of Muḥammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and his companions, then she would respectfully keep her trap shut and pursue further education regarding this Deen of ours rather than undertake such a ridiculous and ill-fated endeavor. May Allāh guide her, āmīn.

#6. CIC Vs. Maclean's: The Most Embarrassing Episode in the Canadian Muslim Community's History – AnonyMouse (Zainab)

Let us hope that the Muslim community of Canada is able to not only take note of the lessons to be learned from this incident, but that we are able to implement those lessons in the future. If we wish to be a community which can have its concerns listened to and seriously considered by the government and the media, if we wish to be a community which can have a positive and significant affect on the society we live in, then we need to take the measures needed to be that kind of community.

#5. The Role of Atomism in the Groups of Kalam – Yasir Qadhi

A short essay by Yasir Qadhi demonstrating, inter alia, the reason why orthodox scholars of the past (viz., the Ahl al-Hadīth and those who followed them) disapproved of kalām. The question was with regards to atomism and the role that it had on the groups of kalām, in particular the Ash'arites, and is posted here, as is.

#4. A Conversation with a Jinn: The Exorcism Experience – Umm Reem

Umm Reem describes her attempt at exorcism and the conversations that occurred during this experience. Please note that this questions of fiqhi nature may not be addressed, as this was not intended to be a course on the methodology of exorcism. Finally, please do not try this at home!

#3. A Wife is a Wife – Amad

This seemingly innocent picture of a lion and his lioness sparked a lot of hits (and comments) in just a day. Click to see why!

#2. Smart Muslim Chicks Who Inexplicably Scare Off Guys – iMuslim Mehzabeen

For some reason, educated Muslim women are finding it hard to find a suitable match. In fact, some proof of this phenomenon comes from the existence of a Facebook group, from which I derived the title of this post. Here are a few “symptoms” written by group members, which are apparently associated with being a “smart Muslim chick who inexplicably scares off guys.”

#1. Hookah / Sheesha (Shisha) Smoking: Safer than Cigarettes? Haram or Halal? – Amad

As if our youth didn't have enough distractions and bad habits readily available to pick up, we now have the hookah fad. Step aside cigarette smoking, there's something cooler in town (for our youth to destroy their bodies with)! Different flavors, different settings, a “Muslim export”… how cool is that? Actually not cool at all. And what's worse is that some Muslims are actually promoting this lifestyle.