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 [...]
Habeeba Husain On the rocks of Sunset Cliffs beach in San Diego, on an airplane up in the sky, in the halls of Madison Square Garden during a Knicks game, or on the freshly cleaned green carpet inside the walls of the Sacred Mosque in Makkah—these are just [...]
In a world where acts of charity are widely celebrated as expressions of human kindness, Islam introduces a unique and structured concept of obligatory giving called Zakah. For those unfamiliar with Islamic teachings, Zakah might initially resemble voluntary charity or even practices like tithing in other faiths, but it holds [...]
In 1964, one of the most influential African American leaders of the 20th century, Malcolm X, embarked on a life-altering spiritual pilgrimage that transformed his views on integration, racial equality, and human brotherhood. The Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, opened Malcolm's eyes to a [...]
Congregation Prayer: Social and Spiritual Benefits Explained Prayer in congregation is considered to have more social and spiritual benefit than praying by oneself. The congregation is led by a person called an imam, who is usually chosen as the person with the best knowledge of the Quran, preferably someone [...]
By: Abu Zayd Prophet Muhammad's Teachings on Charity: Even the Smallest Act Counts Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam, stated: “Every Muslim should give charity.” He was asked, “What if one cannot?” He replied, “Then he should go find work and help himself and others.” He was asked, “What if [...]
By: Syed Abul Ala Maududi The Origin and Significance of Hajj Hajj, or the Pilgrimage, is the last among those acts of Worship, which Islam enjoins upon you. Like the prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, it mounds your life and prepares you so that you may live in surrender to [...]
By: Ni'mah Isma'il Nawwab The Hajj: A Spiritual Journey for Muslims from All Over the World The hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, a central duty of Islam whose origins date back to the Prophet Abraham, brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most moving spiritual [...]
By: Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq Embracing Islam: A Path of Complete Submission and Endless Rewards Islam teaches us to submit completely and whole-heartedly. "O you who believe! Enter into Islam completely, whole-heartedly..." (Quran 2:208) It also calls for a submission that is spontaneous and conscientious, without any hesitation or resistance [...]
