Tag Archives: Islam
God’s Attributes: Between Mercy and Wrath – Suicide in Islamic Thought – Part 02
God’s Attributes: Between Mercy and Wrath Classical discussions on the topic of suicide center not just on the act of suicide, but how this act is related to the divine attributes of mercy, punishment, and forgiveness. The texts related to these attributes are multifaceted and their interpretations must be contextualized and tempered through a holistic […]

Do I pay Zakat on savings only or on my checking account too?
Question: Do I pay Zakat on my Savings only or on my checking account too? Answer: Zakat is due on ANY surplus wealth. It must be more than the Nisab and is in your possession after one year passes. This includes: Savings accounts, checking accounts, actively invested shares or Mutual Funds. It also includes cash […]
Dear aspiring Khatib, A little advice…
Dear aspiring Khatib, Please pay attention to the following issues:
Fareed Zakaria Asks The Wrong Question
In a recent op-ed by Fareed Zakaria titled “Let’s be honest, Islam has a problem right now” he discusses the very public, very crude simplifications of Bill Maher that “Islam” is inherently bad, violent, or both as well as Maher’s guest Sam Harris who says that Islam is “the mother lode of bad ideas.” If […]
An Open Letter to Atheist Muslims – or – Is The Quran A Violent Text Or Is Your Reading A Tad Off?
Dear Self Described Atheist Muslims, Let’s start with what I am not going to do. I am not going to accuse you of never knowing anything about Islam. Most of you have grown up in Muslim families, attended Muslim Sunday school, gone to Muslim summer camp, etc. You know the drill and the day to […]

Circumcision in Islam
Circumcision for Muslims signifies a keeping with the covenant of Abraham. Following the natural disposition to worship his Creator, and keeping with his commands, he circumcised himself as a covenant with God. Muslims believe every human to be born with this natural disposition. Circumcision is seen as a reiteration of this belief and Abrahamic practice. […]

Video – Evolution & Religion: Are they compatible?
Here’s a link to my appearance on Al-Jazeera’s “The Stream” discussing evolution and religion (yeh I know I’m posting it a little late). It was a great experience, and I appreciate the other guests Salman Hameed of at Hampshire College and Stephen Law of Oxford, and the hosts and staff there at The Stream for […]