New Islamic Directions
Essays and longer reflections by Imam Zaid Shakir.
Imam Zaid Shakir · January 9, 2008
The January 6, 2008 edition of the New York Times Book Review was devoted to “Islam,” as the header for the edition boldly proclaims. The edition aims to highlight some of the most relevant historical, literary, political and theological issues…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · December 12, 2007
Devotional Practice: Month Dhu al-Hijjah By Imam Zaid Shakir The first ten days of Dhul-Hijja are blessed days, which we frequently neglect. The Noble Prophet, Peace and Blessings of God be upon him, said, "There are no days in which righteous deeds…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · November 30, 2007
Yesterday was sobering. After spending many hours trying to work through my inbox, catching up on my backlogged emails, my wife received a phone call from Atlanta, Georgia. Exhausted from seven straight weeks of coast to coast travel, culminating in…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · October 24, 2007
When George W. Bush began making poignant references to what he termed “Islamic Fascists,” he shed more light on the nature of the ideology driving the neoconservative movement than he did on the ideology driving militant Islamic groups in various…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 25, 2007
Pledge of Mutual Respect and Cooperation Between Sunni Muslim Scholars, Organizations, and Students of Sacred Knowledge Hold fast to the Rope of Allah, all together, and be not divided . (Qur’an, 3:103) Surely, those who have made divisions in their…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 20, 2007
Based on Lata’if al-Ma’arif By Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali [1] Abu Hurayra, may God be pleased with him, relates that the Prophet, peace upon him, said: “The reward of every action undertaken by the human being is for him—and good deeds will be rewarded…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 16, 2007
(updated daily) 1. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: “Beware of being an executor for someone’s estate [if you can avoid it]. Because an executor might be unjust in his execution of the will, no matter how hard he tries to be just.” 2. Abu Yusuf, the…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 12, 2007
What follows is the statement of Zaytuna Institute concerning the beginning of Ramadan. We here at NID endorse Zaytuna's position on this issue. As Muslims we have a clear methodology for determining the beginning of the lunar month. We start all…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 22, 2007
(Updated Daily) Reflecting on the Reality of Death 1. Abu Bakr used to wish for death. When asked about that he replied: “I fear that I will see a time when good is no longer commanded and wrong no longer discouraged.” 2. Abu Hurayra used to say: “A…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 10, 2007
Introduction Nihilism has been defined as “belief in nothing as opposed to the absence of belief.” [1] Being divorced from conventional norms of virtue, value, or morality, such an idea is bound to manifest itself in a destructive cynicism. As…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 9, 2007
101. ‘Abdul Wahid b. Zayd used to say: “Hasan al-Basri did not reach the spiritual heights he reached for any reason other than the following: If he commanded people to do good he was the first of them to do act on his advise; and if he forbade them…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 28, 2007
[Updated daily] 51. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: “If Satan comes to one of you while he is praying and says, ‘You are dissimulating by lengthening your prayer,’ you should make your prayer even longer.” Note: What he means is that if you undertake…
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