A question people often ask is whether Islam has a central authoritative figure, like a pope. Islam is a faith that does not have any institutional hierarchy that is similar to Catholicism. When the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was alive, he served as the ultimate religious authority. However, [...]
As followers of the Abrahamic faith, Muslims follow many of the same religious practices as Jews and Christians. Muslims believe in many of the same Prophets as Jews and Christians such as Abraham, Noah, David, Solomon, Moses, and Jesus, peace be upon them all. However, Muslims view all Prophets, [...]
By Laura El Alam People who embrace Islam are often called “converts,” and some members of the Muslim community insist that the correct label is “reverts.” Ustadh Wm. Halim Breinnis believes that both “convert” and “revert” are insufficient terms. In this interview, Usdadh Halim explains why these terms can [...]
By Uzma Saeed Several years ago, one of my very close relatives died leaving behind a pile of debt. Needless to say, his children were devastated. Their pain was two-fold; losing their beloved father and the unpaid personal loans he had taken from friends and family. He was an [...]
Are you a counselor with a Muslim client? There is a growing concern among Muslims that mental health professionals either do not respect their religious beliefs or simply are not aware of basic Islamic values, and thus offer a therapy that is incongruent with their belief system. This article proposes [...]
Saima Mehboob For most non-Muslims, what they learn about Islam is through social media or the Muslims surrounding them. The virtual environment can be a confusing experience. On one hand, there are reputable and reliable sources of knowledge; on the other, there is an ocean of opinions sprinkled with [...]
Interview by Melissa Barreto Candice Elam, DNP, FNP-C, accepted Islam 19 years ago. Like many converts, her choice meant practicing a new religion, navigating changing family dynamics, and learning how to maintain her own identity in the wider, and often ethnocentric, Muslim communities. This is her story and the lessons [...]
By Laura El Alam People from all walks of life and all corners of the world find that their spiritual journey leads them to Islam. In many cases, becoming a Muslim had never crossed their mind, but they eventually realized it was the best decision they ever made. What [...]
By Laura El Alam Which highly addictive drug is readily available in stores worldwide, sanctioned by most societies, and openly consumed everywhere from sporting events to business meetings? If you guessed alcohol, you are correct. Because it is so ubiquitous, many people don’t think of alcohol as a drug. [...]
Ayah Aboelela The semester I learned about orientalism as an undergrad marked a clear before and after in my life. Because once I understood what orientalism was, I simply couldn’t un-see it—and it was everywhere. From fantastical movies like Disney’s Aladdin, to classic, high-school syllabus books like Charlotte Bronte’s [...]
