Meena Malik Islam has a holistic definition of worship, including sacred rituals and also mundane everyday actions. Muslims are encouraged to seek the pleasure of Allah in all aspects of their lives. Believe it or not,Islam does not command Muslims to stay in the mosque all day reading the [...]
By Laura El Alam Sometimes people feel their hearts are drawn to Islam, but they hesitate to call themselves a Muslim. Perhaps they are afraid that they don’t know enough about the faith yet, or that they’re not the “right kind” of a person to fit the description. Maybe [...]
By Laura El Alam “Marriage is half the deen (religion).” Muslims will often say this to emphasize the importance of finding a life partner. The actual hadith (saying of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) is: “When a person marries he has fulfilled half of the [...]
By Laura El Alam For converts in the United States, one of the most challenging aspects of embracing Islam is that people sometimes accuse us of being “less American” when we adopt an Islamic lifestyle. Over the past 23 years since I converted, I have heard comments like, “You [...]
By Laura El Alam Ramadan is right around the corner. If you’re new to Islam, and this will be your first time observing the holy month, you might have some questions. Here is a Ramadan Cheat Sheet to get you started. Fasting basics. Able-bodied adult Muslims fast from dawn [...]
Meena Malik One of the most important spiritual practices for Muslims is continuously reading the Quran for guidance. The Quran is God’s words directed specifically to people and it contains the recipe for success in this life and the hereafter. Therefore, understanding the meaning of the Quran is crucial [...]
By Laura El Alam New Muslims often have many questions about how to practice Islam properly. At the same time, they are often bombarded with unsolicited opinions, information, and advice. Whether it’s an unknown brother or sister in the mosque approaching them with a critique, or a random “born Muslim” [...]
Laura El Alam When I embraced Islam nearly 23 years ago, I remember making shahada by testifying that there is one God, and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His prophet. My heart and mind were at peace with this decision. Pressing my forehead to the [...]
By Melissa Barreto Recently, I was talking with a friend who was reflecting on her journey coming into Islam. She said, “...converts can make a lot of mistakes. People who are novices at anything make a lot of mistakes.” This simple admission resonated deeply within me and brought on a [...]
By Laura El Alam I’m considering becoming a Muslim, but I’m hesitant about wearing hijab. What should I do? For women in the West who decide to embrace Islam, wearing a headscarf (also called hijab or khimar) can be the most difficult step. There may be various reasons why [...]
