New Islamic Directions - Imam Zaid Shakir

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Reflections on Black History Month

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Black History Month should be of interest to every Muslim, especially in America. It is estimated that upwards to 20% of the Africans enslaved in the Americas were Muslim. [1] In some areas, such as the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, and parts of Virginia, the percentages of Muslims in… Read More

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama, and the Fate of America

by Imam Zaid Shakir

As we celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on a national holiday dedicated to his honor, many people point to the surging presidential candidacy of Barack Obama as evidence of how far this country has come in terms of race relations since the days of the Civil… Read More

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History 1 on 1

by Imam Zaid Shakir

In fourteen hundred and ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue, An event that happened a bit too soon, ‘cause in sixty-nine they were on the moon. A happening not without precedent, The same place Galileo’s telescope went. Which isn’t to say we’ve become farsighted in… Read More

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Islam and Honor Killings (Revised)

by Imam Zaid Shakir

For that reason, we ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul for other than murder or spreading corruption in the land, it is as if he has killed the whole of humanity… Qur’an 5:35 One of the gravest charges levied against Islam, in terms of its… Read More

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The “Teddy Bear” Crisis (Expanded)

by Imam Zaid Shakir

The recent “Teddy-Bear” crisis in Sudan illustrates the failure of many Muslims to understand a stark reality; one that if left misunderstood will probably lead to a lot of unnecessary bloodshed in the Muslim world, and destroy the opportunity for many western, non-Muslim people to benefit, at a mass level,… Read More

34 Comments

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God’s Justice Will Not Sleep Forever

by Imam Zaid Shakir

The world’s greatest humanitarian crisis, as quiet as it is kept, is not in Darfur. While the situation there deserves the attention it is getting it is far less grave than the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Somalia. The nature of that crisis demonstrates much about the nature of US foreign… Read More

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Description of the God Conscious

by Imam Zaid Shakir

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… Read More

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Reflections on 9/11 and Ramadan [1]

by Imam Zaid Shakir

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… Read More

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A Glimpse at Early Women Islamic Scholars

by Imam Zaid Shakir

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… Read More

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Fasting During Sha’ban

by Imam Zaid Shakir

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… Read More

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Farewell to Rajab

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali mentions in Lata’if al-Ma’arif: The month of Rajab is the key to the months of goodness and blessings that follow it. Abu Bakr b. al-Warraq al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Sha’ban is the month to irrigate the crop; and Ramadan is the… Read More

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Fasting During Rajab

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Introduction Historically, one of the virtuous religious practices of Muslims is voluntary fasting during the month of Rajab. Unfortunately, there are a growing number of Muslims that consider this practice a blameworthy innovation. The following discussion, taken from Lata’if al Ma’rif fi ma li Mawasim al-‘Amm min al-Wadha’if (The Subtleties… Read More

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Eye of the Storm

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Eye of the Storm Today, Wednesday, August 1, 2007, early in the evening, I departed from Mecca, that physically barren, but spiritually rich Arabian city, after two incredible days filled with prayer, Qur’anic recitation, supplication and rest, joyous rest. With no lessons to prepare, no classes to teach, no meetings… Read More

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The Challenge of Madina

by Imam Zaid Shakir

It is related from the Prophet, peace upon him, that he said: “O God! Bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha’ban, and bless us to reach Ramadan.” (Imam Ahmad, Musnad 1/259) I have been truly blessed during this month of Rajab by being able to spend a good… Read More

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A Sense of Loss

by Imam Zaid Shakir

Surely, we will test you with something of fear, hunger, and loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. Give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Al-Qur’an 2:155 Two weeks ago, I was preparing to board a shuttle bus for a five minute ride from my hotel to the International… Read More

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Islam and Honor Killings

by Imam Zaid Shakir

One of the gravest charges levied against Islam, in terms of its alleged antipathy towards women, is the charge that it encourages a phenomenon known as honor killings. This un-Islamic practice consists of the murder of female family members who are seen as dishonoring their families through real or perceived… Read More

104 Comments