There’s an intriguing contrast in how different spiritual traditions approach the concept of fasting and religious discipline. Some communities are particularly vocal in articulating their disdain for fasting as a worthless ritual practice, while simultaneously requiring adherents to observe what many outsiders would consider ritual practices themselves. At first glance, criticisms of fasting alongside emphasis …
This week marks the beginning of a significant season of fasting for many around the world. Ramadan will commence at the weekend for Muslims, Eastern Christians will observe the start of Lent on Monday (Clean Monday), and Western Christians on Wednesday (Ash Wednesday). The convergence of these fasting traditions is rare, occurring again next year …
In life, we are tested by whatever our hearts attach to.
The modern world loves its labels and categories. If the political alignment tools are to be believed, I’m simultaneously a Civic Pragmatist, situated on the Libertarian Left, with strongly globalist views and mildly conservative social leanings. I’m apparently a Mediator personality type, and my economic positions lean decidedly left. What interests me — and sometimes …
We walk similar paths.
This verse reverberates within. There is no escaping it after all I have seen. We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a witness? Yes, I have …
To dull my domineering nafs, I deliberately neglected treatment for several years. And, in my mind, it worked. I felt in control, my spirit subdued, my vigour vanquished. But that apparent spiritual success may have been a mere mirage. What I perceived to be progress may have merely been melancholy, and my self-restraint an intense …
is seeking you
To good and evil equal bent… both a devil and a saint.
Why do I always get deeply invested in what I know I will eventually have to leave behind?
“Look after your heart,” my wife tells me. “I need you.” In this case, she’s talking about my physical heart. She can tell I’m stressed, dealing with another of those days. Every phone call now delivers bad news. Even before looking, I know it’s the school. One after the other, it only seems to get …
I am afraid to say — though he is friendly man, at last fluent in English — that our young imam lacks the capability to guide his congregation. Not because he is not steeped in religious knowledge. Without a doubt, he has learned well and brings much to the youngsters he teaches. But he is …
It doesn’t escape me that family members occasionally like taking subtle digs at my beliefs and practices whenever we get together. I don’t let it bother me, though, because if they had any deep knowledge of their own religious tradition, they would quickly realise that they’re in fact mocking sacred precepts of their own. In …
If you’re a bloke and you become Muslim, are you duty-bound to start treating your woman badly? Only if you’re a jerk. If you can be a gentleman without the light of faith, something’s seriously gone awry if you think becoming a tyrannical monster is a measure of piety. This path is supposed to help …
Did we ever read the Book we claim to uphold, or were we too enamoured by our pseudo-intellectuals bamboozling us with their speech? Indeed, We have revealed to you the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which God has shown you. So do not be an advocate for the …
