There is a moment many people describe, somewhere in the middle of their journey toward Islam, when everything clicks. The theology makes sense. The Quran moves them and the Prophet's character inspires them. And then, almost immediately, another voice arrives: But I'm not ready yet. Maybe you have not [...]
Laura El Alam If you are not a Muslim and you are invited to a mosque, a Muslim’s home, or a country where Islam is the predominant religion, you might wonder if there are certain rules of etiquette you should follow. Rest assured, you can be yourself in [...]
Every year, something remarkable happens. Millions of people leave their homes, their jobs, their routines, and travel to a single city in the Arabian desert. They wear simple white garments. They walk together, pray together, and weep together. And then they go home, changed. This is Hajj, the annual [...]
Imagine you have a deep, personal concern, perhaps a secret hope, a heavy worry, or a moment of pure gratitude. Now imagine that to share this with the Creator of the universe, you did not need to book an appointment, find a member of the clergy, or stand in [...]
There is a question buried near the end of the Quran's 75th chapter that stops many readers cold. It is not a threat. It is not a command. It is simply this: "Does man think he will be left aimless?" Seven words. And yet they cut to something most [...]
Laura El Alam About twenty ago, a cashier at a store looked at me in my modest clothing and said, “You couldn’t get most women in this country to put on a headscarf.” “Well,” I replied cheerfully, “you couldn’t get me to take it off!” Although I tried [...]
Many people say: how can there be a God when evil exists? The question appears simple, almost intuitive. Turn on the news, study history, or reflect on personal hardship, and the challenge seems unavoidable. If God is powerful and good, why does suffering persist? Why are cruelty, injustice, and [...]
Most people have heard of Ramadan. They know it as the month when Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset, going without food and water from the first light of morning until the sun disappears at night. It is a striking practice, and it raises natural curiosity. [...]
Ghafran Abbas Step outside on a clear night and take in what surrounds you. Beneath your feet are oceans, mountains, cities, and forests. Each is a system made of smaller systems, all operating with remarkable precision. Above you is space, vast and quiet, governed by laws so exact [...]
Let’s start with a few numbers. In the United States, over 80% of adults have gambled at some point in their lives, from buying lottery tickets to betting on sports or trying their luck at casinos. One in four U.S. adults, 68 million people, wagered on events like March [...]
