Islamoblog

The Four Waves of Muslim Immigration to America

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:24:57 PDT

The concept of the Muslim in America is perceived to be a relatively new phenomena. The idea of the bearded man or the hijab-wearing woman prostrating en mass in a mosque to Allah (swt), instead of singing a hymn to Jesus in a church, is an image that has seemingly only really crept into the collective conscious of the American mind after September 11, 2001.The Muslim in America has been

Selling Islam: It's Song, Words, and Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:00 PDT

As an avid watcher of Mad Men; if there's one thing I've learned about advertising and sales, it's that you have to know who your audience is, and what they are looking for in your product.Now when it comes to Islam, I don't think the idea needs to be sold; but I do think there needs to be better public relations in the face of disasters.One thing I learned when I worked in retail was that the 3

Gainesville Church thinks 'Islam is of the Devil'?

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:48:01 PDT

If you haven't heard by now, there's been quite a controversy stirring in Gainesville, Florida, surrounding a sign posted outside an evangelical church. The sign states “Islam is of the devil”.The SignThe sign was put up in early July by Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center, a self-described 'New Testament, Charismatic, Non-Denominational Church that believes in the whole Bible

The Ancient Greek Origins of the Pashtuns' Attan Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:33:46 PST

Athena, according to Greek myth, was born out of Zeus' head, with a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. The Oracle, Gaia, had predicted a god from the 3rd generation of the Mt. Olympus pantheon to take over the reigns from Zeus.Revered by the ancient Greeks as the goddess of both war and intellect, Athena was believed to be that god/goddess.To celebrate her during festivals dedicated to

'Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta' Gets Extended Play in Toronto

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:23:33 PDT

If you live in Toronto and were aware that the Ontario Science Centre was playing the IMAX film 'Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta' in conjunction with their exhibit 'Sultans of Science: 1000 Years of Knowledge Rediscovered', you might also be aware that the exhibit and film were supposed to end their run on June 10, 2009.I never had a chance to visit the exhibit for myself, or

Is the Islamic World Heading into a Scientific Dark Age?

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:07:41 PDT

In a what have you done for me lately world, if you ask the average Muslim “What has Islam contributed to modern science?” you're likely to get a lot of names thrown at you. Names like Ibn Sina, Ibn Haytham, al-Kindi, al-Khawarizmi, etc. Ask them to name a modern Muslim scientist and you may get a name drop like shamed

Nazem Kadri: A Muslim in the NHL

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:02:00 PDT

For any hockey fans reading this, if you happened to catch the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, you might have seen Brian Burke at the podium, and heard him say "The Toronto Maple Leafs...are pleased to select from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, Nazem Kadri." With the 7th pick in the 2009 Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs

ISNA holding 46th Annual Convention in Washington DC

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:03 PDT

Well, this is the third week in a row you are being informed of a major Islamic convention is taking place. This time it is the 46th Annual ISNA Convention in Washington DC; taking place from July 3-5 at the Washington DC Convention Center. According to their website, ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) is an organization '

How the Canadian Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Promotes Sense of Community

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:09:37 PDT

So today (June 19, 2009), the American Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are gathering at their annual three day convention, coined Jalsa Salana (which actually means “Annual Gathering”). In my post last week, I gave you an overview of who the Ahmadi's are and what their Jalsa Salana is all about. Next week, like their cross-border

Ahmadi Muslims in America Hold 61st Annual Jalsa Salana

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:12:28 PDT

Did you know that one of the longest established immigrant Muslim communities in the United States are the Ahmadiyya Muslims? The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community set itself up in the 1920's through the missionary work of Mufti Muhammad Sadiq. After initially being detained for months by immigration, because he was a Muslim, he was

On Shares of Inheritance

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:52:53 PST

Encouragement To Learn About Inheritance2719 It was narrated from Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: O Abu Huraira. Learn about inheritance and teach it, for it is half of knowledge, but it will be forgotten. This is the first thing that will be taken away from my nation.”Shares For Descendants2720 It was narrated that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said: “The wife of Ibn Sa'd bin Rabi'

On Slaughtering

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:56:01 PST

'Aqiqah

al-Razi's View on Carnal Love

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:25:07 PDT

al-Razi objects to carnal love because he proposes it is similar to carnal lust and pleasure.He states that pleasure is a passion and thus, carnal love is a passion. Since passion is a blemish against reason, he proposes carnal love be avoided and suppressed in favour of reason. He states that love causes one to act irrationally, and that the beasts, children and lunatics are irrational and

al-Farabi's 3 Types of Reasoning

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:25:15 PDT

According to Farabi, there are 3 types of reasoning; rhetorical, dialectical, and demonstrative.Farabi describes rhetorical reasoning to lay in the premise of figurative language and similes. It is persuasive reasoning originating from the syllogistic arts of rhetoric, poetry and linguistics, and is commonly employed for use on the multitudes.Dialectical reasoning uses the premise of commonly

1. al-Ghazali, 2. ????, 3.Internet Meme?

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:25:25 PDT

I wrote an article a while back about al-Ghazali’s Philosophy regarding cause-n-effect. Basically, al-Ghazali argued that just because we perceive something to be the effect, does not necessarily make it a direct effect. There may be an intermediary action that is the real cause of the final effect. al-Ghazali argued that in some cases, like fire, we cannot always see the underlying cause, but

al-Razi's Philosophy of Reason

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:33:36 PDT

Of all the past Islamic philosophers/scholars, none are probably more interesting than al-Razi (864-925). His basic philosophy was basically that a person’s life should be governed only by reason. Sometimes, though, his rationale for reason went beyond what was reasonable, proposing ideas like emotion, pleasure, grieving, and bowel movements to all be irrational tendencies.However, despite his

The Battle Against Wahhabism in Chechnya

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:34:36 PDT

“Those killing innocent people must be either stopped or put behind bars or exterminated. This has to be done by whatever method. Our fatwa is that those who have shed blood, those who do not want to stop must be killed by any method” says the Grand Mufti of Chechnya. He follows this with “If it becomes necessary, I will take up arms and I am ready to fight against them."Most times, when you

Chishtiyya Tolerance

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:35:44 PDT

Watching what has transpired in Mumbai over the past ten days it seem it seems tensions between India and Pakistan are, unfortunately, growing. Consequently, this usually means tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India may possibly rise as well.The Muslim Council of India has done an excellent job of dissociating itself and Indian Muslims from the recent attacks with strong condemnations, as

The Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:36:19 PDT

After praising, and thanking God he said:"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim

The History Channel's Biography of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:38:50 PDT

For those who are unaware, The History Channel produced a biography on the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). While nothing in it was new to me, I thought it was insightful and worthy of sharing.I've posted all 6 parts, as found on Youtube.Enjoy.Part 01Part 02Part 03Part 04Part 05Part 06

Ibn Rushd's Arguments on the Need to Study Philosophy

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:40:10 PDT

ibn Rushd (Averroes) was one of the most important philosophers and theologians in Islamic history. Devoting most of his work to the defense of Aristotelian philosophy and reason, ibn Rushd, and the Mutazilites (an Islamic School of Thought) found themselves often in philosophical opposition with the Ashari (another Islamic School of Thought), and their iconic philosopher, al-Ghazali.On what

The Ahmad Kadyrov Mosque: A Symbol of Sufism's Resurgence in Chechnya

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:14:06 PDT

Islam permanently arrived in the 15th century, during the Ottoman expansions. Sufism subsequently spread, years later, and enjoyed rapid spread through this small Caucasus country, and has since remained an integral part of the local populations’ lives. It has remained with them through much of their turbulent history, including the occupation by Ivan the Terrible, the expulsion by Stalin to

al-Razi on Reason and Pleasure

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:45:31 PDT

al-Razi’s attitude towards reason and passion is one that discourages passion and encourages reason. He encourages reason to be the only mode of thinking required for all our actions. According to al-Razi, God has bestowed reason upon man so that we can be controlling and profitable from it. He cites the example of man’s progress as proof, claiming that reason has endowed man with the capability

al-Ghazali's Alternative Explanation for Cause-n-Effect

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:46:40 PDT

A lot of people remember al-Ghazali as the great Islamic Philosopher who, among other things, stopped Islamic scientific and philosophical progress. He’s been pointed to as a stagnater of the Islamic World’s intellectual progression. In my opinion, to say this would be a simplified conclusion of al-Ghazali’s works.Was al-Ghazali the cause of the Islamic world’s intellectual stagnation? Was his

10 Most Successful Muslim Rappers

noreply@blogger.com (Sule) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:47:21 PDT

So only recently did I find out that T-Pain is a Muslim. I guess I didn’t know this before because I would turn off the radio when I heard a T-Pain song. I guess I just can’t stand autotune. I guess I also am not a fan of the new rap music that has emerged over the past few years. Besides a few exceptions, I guess you can say I’m stuck in the 90’s, with my extensive catalogue, and repeated