MuslimMatters.org Discourses in the Intellectual Traditions, Political Situation, and Social Ethics of Muslim Life

The marketing, or perceived "commercialization" of Islamic knowledge, has been a huge source of controversy over many a cup of chai for budding Islamic activists. I want to take the discussion to a more macro level and force us to evaluate how the manner in which we market Islamic programs affects the perception of Islamic organizations, and to some extent 'ilm in general? Read More »

He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted for the whole year. [Muslim] There's about 2 weeks left in Shawwal, so please remember to fast all 6 before the month is up. It is part ... Read More »

alḥamdulillāh one of the things I have found myself doing more this Ramadan is searching the YouTubes for Qurʾān videos and recitation. I have posted my personal favorites below. There's no particular rhyme or reason to these – they just happen to be ones I enjoyed. So check them out ... Read More »

Gateway to all Ramadan related posts on MM Khutbah by Shaykh Shpendim Nadzaku Notes on the Khutbah (from Tayybah.com) Praise be to Allāh. Ramadan is just around the corner. It is a special month, a long-awaited month. Sometimes we do not even understand for ourselves the desire for this month. ... Read More »

A few weeks ago, I was asked to deliver one of the most difficult khutbahs of my life - a preparing for Ramadan khutbah on the Friday just before the start of Ramadan. How can I possibly motivate people about Ramadan? This was compounded by the fact that I myself was not yet mentally prepared for the onset of Ramadan. Truth be told, more than the forgiveness and virtues of the month, most of my personal discussions simply lamented the fact that the fasts this year were going to be SOOOO long. Read More »

A brief look across recent reports of the Uighur Muslim struggle in China in light of recent violence and protests. Read More »

You are at a gathering in an unfamiliar area when suddenly, out of all the people assembled, you get the burden of determining the direction of the Qiblah for salah. That's right. The burden of making sure everyone's salah is offered in the proper direction is in your hands. Should it be incorrect, wrong corner, opposite way - then you get the wrath and blame of everyone else. Read More »

How does your masjid handle requests to announce programs? What if you're hosting an event, how do you determine who you allow to market and who you don't? These are some of the questions I began contemplating after an unexpected incident at the masjid one night. My day had started ... Read More »

Questioner: Shaikh, my question is: About the young lady who has not reached adulthood, what is the ruling with regards to the following three situations: covering the face outside the house? And wearing pants in any form, situation, or reason? And the khimar in the Salah? Answer: This man is intelligent. He combined three questions in one, may Allah forgive us and him.... Read More »

Abu Abdissalam (from AlKauthar) has started up a new video blog which will focus on delivering 5 minute reminders to the reader. It's a new project that's just launched and the first video is below. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel to stay up to date on upcoming videos. Read More »