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

Assalamualaikum kids!  Today we will hear from a Turkish international exchange student in Munich, Germany.  Read on to find out what she discovered about the way people around her celebrate various holidays. Muslims' Image Vs. Apple's Image in Christmas By Ayse Seyyide Kaptaner Christmas has just passed a month ago. ... Read More »

By Maryam Sultan   Yellow is my favorite color.  It's the color of the purse my sister gifted me on the day that I completed my memorization of the Holy Qur'an.  It's the color of flowers that my husband makes sure to include in every bouquet he brings home.  It's ... Read More »

Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘The warrior is the one who strives against his lower soul in obedience to God.' Read More »

By Musa Furber for The Washington Post. See original post here.   The horrific and heartbreaking news from India is tragic enough on its own: two alleged victims of gang rape have died, one a 23-year-old woman who succumbed to her wounds and a 17-year-old girl who took her own life after being pressured to marry ... Read More »

Many times the word إيمان 'Eman' is casually translated into "faith" without one having a deep understanding of what it implies. This word comes from ء م ن, which literally means "safety, security, and guarantee." Security from our own bad thoughts, from punishment because of our sins, from committing what God has told us to stay away from, from doubt, and from living a purposeless life, etc. Read More »

Ever see your friend wearing shorts on a hot summer day while you’re wearing a pair of black, saggy jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with a bland hijab? If you answered yes, I know what you are going through. Many pre-teen Muslim girls go through this, dreading the day they will have to start wearing hijab all the time. Read More »

Lecture by Ismail Kamdar | Transcribed by Zara T. [The following is the video and transcript of Ismail Kamdar's lecture "Tolerance in Fiqh Issues"  The transcript includes slight modifications for the sake of readability and clarity.] The lecture can be viewed here.   Indeed all praise is due to Allāh , our Creator, our ... Read More »

There are, we are cautioned, certain pitfalls along the path which we must steer clear of; and it is not uncommon for those committed to religious observance (“practicing Muslims” is the usual term) to stumble headlong into such dangers, corrupting works of faith and poisoning the Spirit and health of the heart. Of these pitfalls is... Read More »

Dhikr is for the heart to feel the presence of the One being remembered, by freeing it of distractions, maintaining its constant attentiveness and making it fully aware of what the tongue is uttering. For the best dhikr, and one yielding the greatest fruit, is one that involves the heart and tongue together; if not, then the heart; and then just the tongue. Read More »

Brotherhood (ukhuwa) is a great principle of Islam. It is a brotherhood obliged by God. It is a brotherhood, the bonds of which are rooted in love of God and love in God. Islam’s teachings all ensure that these bonds are allowed to flower and flourish, and that whatever stands in the way to prevent this, or to incite discord or division between Muslims, is disowned by the shari‘ah. Read More »