articles

Pledge of Mutual Respect and Cooperation Between Sunni Muslim Scholars, Organizations, and Students

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 24, 2007 at 9:56 pm

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 religion and turned into factions, you have nothing…

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Description of the God Conscious

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 24, 2007 at 3:20 pm

It is related that a devout worshipper by the name of Humam came to Imam ‘Ali, may God ennoble his countenance, and asked him to describe the God conscious people so vividly that he could almost see them. Imam ‘Ali responded: “Their speech is truthful; their clothing is moderate; and…

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Ramadan Lessons: Lesson One

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 20, 2007 at 12:04 pm

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 from ten up to seven hundred times—God…

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Dear Self: A Year in the Life of a Welfare Mother

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 19, 2007 at 3:00 pm

Dear Self is a penetrating journal that documents a year in the life of a poor welfare mother in a public housing project in the Northeast United States. That year, 1973, was one of transition for America. The roll-back of Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” was gaining momentum, the Vietnam War…

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Wisdom Pt. V

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 15, 2007 at 8:29 pm

(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 companion of…

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Statement Concerning the Beginning of Ramadan

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 12, 2007 at 10:34 am

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 months upon the initial physical sighting of the waxing…

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Reflections on 9/11 and Ramadan [1]

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 11, 2007 at 1:42 pm

By Imam Zaid Shakir September 11, 2007 This year, the birth of the invisible new moon, an event that will be followed in a day or two by the beginning of the month of Ramadan, upon the sighting of the waxing crescent in the evening sky, will occur on…

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A Glimpse at Early Women Islamic Scholars

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 04, 2007 at 1:59 pm

The following is a transcript of a lecture delivered by Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi of Oxford University, on the role of women scholars in preserving and transmitting prophetic tradition (Hadith) in Islam. The original transcript has been edited by Imam Zaid Shakir to enhance readability. The Female Scholars of…

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Wisdom Pt. IV

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 22, 2007 at 1:55 am

(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 time…

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Fasting During Sha’ban

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 19, 2007 at 4:30 pm

Sha’ban is a month of good that introduces the great month of Ramadan. The Prophet, peace upon him, used to fast voluntarily during this month more so than in any other month. One of the motivations for that, as we will mention below, is that Sha’ban is the month during…

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