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"And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance" 54:17
The Storylines of Hajj: Exploring the different ways to experience the pilgrimage of Hajj
The first time I performed Hajj with my family, I didn’t realize the profoundness of the rituals so it made very little sense to my juvenile mind. By the time we performed our last Hajj as a family, my father had introduced me to a sheikh who took the time to explain to me what was really going on.
Editor’s Rant
I keep track of the story of my life through two things: Ramadan, and another global recurring event that I prefer not to disclose here out of embarrassment. I have a weak memory and often forget important occasions, to which my wife and mother can both attest.
The Divine Command to Read
In the name of Allah, the most merciful to all of His creation and specifically to those who love Him, we read. For too long we have taken that first command in the final piece of divine communication for granted.
From Intention to Arrival: A First-Time Pilgrim’s Heart-Centered Guide to Preparing for Hajj
This guide is a personal reflection on preparing for Hajj for the first time, focusing not only on the practical steps but on the deeper spiritual work required before the journey begins. The author shares personal snippets from navigating the Nusuk process with patience and tawakul to renewing her intentions long before hajj starts. Ultimately, it is a reminder that the goal is not just to complete the Hajj manasik, but also to return transformed.
Signs in the Skies
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night, there are signs for people of reason. (3:190)
Tazkiya Reflection: A Renewed Appreciation for Prayer
I have been reflecting on how tazkiya sessions have altered my experience. A new level of internal awareness has been installed in my psyche, offering a more well pronounced, albeit imperfect, internal observation system.
The Sacrifice of al-Adha: Giving Modern Relevance to an Ancient Tradition
Thousands of years ago, an extraordinary act by our forefather and one of the greatest of Messengers, the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), was singled out by Allah as an act to be commemorated by countless generations to come.
Preparing for Ramadan With the Brain in Mind: Mercy, Gradual Change, and Practical Matters
Ramadan arrives each year as an invitation to transform. We often speak about preparing our hearts, our homes, and our schedules, but far less about preparing our brains.
The Missing Element from the Self-Care Conversation
There is no shortage of information available that encourages women to care for their health and well-being. The element that is sometimes missing however is the element of the soul.
Beyond the Rites: What Hajj Teaches Us About Collective Leadership and Unity
Drawing inspiration from the synchronized rituals of Hajj and the historical resilience of the early Muslims in Abyssinia, this article highlights the profound Islamic imperative for organized, collective leadership. It serves as a powerful reminder that successfully navigating our modern challenges as a minority community requires us to face them not as fractured individuals, but as a unified body.
Understanding the Inner Aspects of Fasting During Ramadan
Ramadan is one of the most blessed times of the year for the Muslim Ummah. The blessedness of this month has multiple aspects to it.
The Abundance Problem
We live in an era of unprecedented digital access. With a few taps on our phones, we can access information and knowledge from across the world. But this ease presents a new challenge.
From Memory's Keepsake: Reflections on Some Practical Aspects of Hajj
These reflections were written following my Hajj trip in 1430/2009. Some of those memories were pleasant, others were a cause for concern, and some were outright scary. I am sharing those memories because they are still as relevant today (1447/2026) as they were 17 years ago.
The Sweetness of Faith and Community
I grew up next to my grandparents. In Ramadan, I would frequently accompany my grandfather to break our fast in the mosque of our village. My only task was to tote the basket.
An Answered Du'a
This is an essay I wrote as I was reflecting on how sometimes we make really moving du’a’s and then forget about them- only to realize later that so many seemingly disconnected events and unexpected blessings in our lives are all connected and they are all means through which Allah is answering our du’a.
Ramadan: A Reset for the Anxious Mind in an Uncertain World
In an age defined by political instability, economic volatility, information overload, and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, anxiety has become a dominant psychological condition.
Labbaik: The Journey of Submission
Labbaik: The Journey of Submission is a reflective poem inspired by the history and rituals of Hajj. From the sacrifice and trust of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and his family to the final sermon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the poem highlights themes of obedience, tawheed, mercy, unity, and devotion to Allah that continue to guide millions of believers today—reminding readers of the timeless lessons carried within every step of the pilgrimage.
Ramadan Pre-mortem Planning
Picture this. It’s the last night of Ramadan. You're sending out Eid greetings, planning the finishing touches to your Eid outfit, and deciding with friends and family when to meet for Eid prayer.
The Sacred Art of Letting Go: What Eid al-Adha Teaches Us About Healing Through Sacrifice
This Eid al-Adha, we are reminded that true healing does not always begin with putting ourselves first. Drawing on the story of Ibrahim and Ismail (AS) and the Islamic concept of haqooq ul ibaad, this piece reflects on how the quiet, daily act of sacrificing our own desires for others — our families, our communities, our neighbours — is not a loss of self, but a path to becoming more human, more empathetic, and more beloved to Allah (SWT).
Ramadan Boosters: 10 Steps to Prepare for the Blessed Month
"من صدق العزم،رزق الحيلة" This is a saying my Qur’an teacher often reminds me of whenever I procrastinate or try to find excuses not to do a task, because I am “too busy”. It translates to “The one who is sincere in their will to do a task will be guided to and eased into the path to complete it”.
Miracle in the Sacred Valley
A creative narrative through the eyes of a bird, witnessing the miraculous journey of Hajar striving to survive in the valley of Makkah. Showing us that true tawakkul is not passive, but a balance of unwavering faith and continuous effort.
Purpose of Fasting
The first thing we notice is how Allah introduces fasting. He begins by calling to all believers—a call that you and I must respond to with "O Allah, we hear and we obey."
Personal reflection on Hajj
In this reflection, I share how Hajj transformed my understanding of Islam and the Muslim ummah. What began as a long-awaited personal journey became, for me, one of the clearest proofs that Muslims from every background can come together with a single purpose: to worship Allah.
Hajj: A Journey of Disconnection and True Connection - Reflections on the deeper meaning behind the rituals of Islam’s Fifth Pillar
Every movement, every step, every sacrifice, even every silence encountered on the journey of Hajj carries an invitation to detach from the illusions we have built around ourselves and return to Allah more honestly. Same appearance, same rituals, same location; but only the ones who come with true awareness of its essence and its purpose will walk away with the grand prize. The journey will eventually end, and you will go back to your pre-hajj life sooner than later, but the real test remains if the journey within you will also come to an end.
It was Spring Yesterday
It was spring yesterday. I walked through the woods on a clay path, perfumed with loam. Early in the morning. In the stillness, what were once bare branches, bore small buds. Unseen at first but when noticed, in the thousands.
What is Dhul Hijjah?
Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Its name literally means, ‘the month of Hajj,’ reflecting the pilgrimage to Makkah, the fifth pillar of Islam. Within this month, Muslims who are physically and financially able commit themselves to the rites of Hajj.
Between Two Worlds
This personal essay reflects on growing up Muslim in London, Ontario during the season of Dhul Hijjah and Eid al Adha. Through memories of crowded Eid prayers, community iftars, and moments of kindness at the mosque, the article explores themes of sacrifice, belonging, faith, and Islamic identity in Canada. It highlights the quiet sacrifices made by immigrant families and young Muslims while showing how local Muslim communities create spaces of comfort, connection, and spiritual belonging.
Palestine 36 Film Reflection - Resistance is Existence!
Personal reflection on the Palestine 36 film highlighting the Islamic, historical, political, and activist themes.