Driving eastbound to my home at maghrib time just now I saw the moon hanging full and low, slightly orange in color, shining bright. Alhamdulillah, tonight is Nifs ul-Sha’ban, the middle of the month. Only two weeks left until Holy Ramadan. Tomorrow is a day RasulAllah often fasted, in a month he fasted much. Don’t […]
Tag Archives: Islam
The Importance of Qasidah
There are so many beautiful habits and customs that have become commonplace in countries where Islam has existed for centuries, like reciting salawat after Adhan or joining the du’a of the Imam after salat, that have not yet permeated the muslim community here. Most palpably lacking is the invoking of praise on the Propet, peace […]
Bali
The recent bombing in Bali is terribly unsettling, coming as it does a few months before my departure for Malaysia. As horrific as it is, though, it doesn’t change my plans, and I don’t think it will be a “first step” on the road to something more terrible, God willing. Eric Boehlert of Salon.com has […]
Mawlid from Malaysia
I was browsing through my site stats and noticed that somebody had found my site by googling for “Nasheed and Mawlid from Malaysia”. Now that is a visitor I don’t want to disappoint! So I’ve collected what I could find on the subject: Alhamdulillah, recitation of praise on the Prophet (saws) is regularly practiced in […]
Isra wa al-Miraj
The 27th of the holy month of Rajab is traditionally celebrated as the date of the Prophet Muhammad’s (saws) miraculous journey to Jerusalem and his ascension from there to the highest heavens. A full description of this very important Islamic holiday and the recommended adab, or ettiquette, for the observant is detailed here. It is […]
Wahhabis not Welcome
On September 11, 2002, the [Islamic Supreme] Council unequivocally calls on all leaders of traditional Islamic communities and Muslims at-large to immediately establish “Community Watch” groups across the nation. While typically such groups are designed to prevent external threats, these community-based groups will protect our mosques, schools and centers from the threat within our ranks, […]
Transnational Sufism and Islamic Change
Transnational Sufism and Islamic Change in Contemporary Sri Lanka by Dennis B. McGilvray In the context of spectacular Sinhalese and Tamil forms of religious austerity and mortifying vow-fulfillment — such as the hook-swinging, kavadi dancing, and firewalking so prominently displayed at Kataragama — the so-called “cutting and stabbing work” of the Bawas is the only […]
Islamic Philosophy Online A truly
Islamic Philosophy Online A truly massive collection of Islamic Philosophy in English. I won’t even pretend that I’ve read or will read any of this. Far too highbrow for me; I’m more a bhakti kind of guy. But if kalam is your thing, this is the place for you.