Rihla 2013: Konya
Last weekend, LastProphet editor Dawud Helleman was in Konya for the Rihla. Some early reflections (interviews and thoughts to be posted later): Konya is an ancient city, a history stretching back to the Byzantine city of Iconium and perhaps before to the nearby site of Catalhoyuk, an ancient human construction. Our teacher, professor Tim Winters (best known as Abdul-Hakim Murad) spoke of the ...

Staying Vigorous With the Qur'an
How frequently does a Muslim read the Qur'an? How did the Companions do it, how do we go about this and is there an average measure to go buy? What is the status of our texts and transliterations readings that are read from one Ramadan to the next? A person who does not adorn their average days with worship and dhikr, how will they, spend important days and times, in remembrance of what? During ...

Following the Path of the Prophet
The rocky road of “Qur'an Islam” tries to distance Islam from all of the religion's visible aspect, imprisoning it in the labile world of feelings.  Accordingly, the Qur'an has not made alcohol forbidden; it has only seen it in a negative light. Women need not cover; the Qur'an rather places restrictions on dressing provocatively. What is banned in the Qur'an is not interest, but rather loan-shar...

Merits of Shaban
The scholars say that the linguistic root of the word Sha`ban is a branch, because the month of Sha`ban “branches off” and leads on to many good things. It acts as a bridge between the two blessed months of Rajab and Ramadan. In spite of this, it is often neglected. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) alerted us to this fact when he was asked why he was fasting so much...

Shaykh Abdulqadir al-Jilani on the Month of Shaban
On the Special Merit of the Month of Sha’ban ‘A’isha, the wife of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace, and may He be well pleased with her), is reported as having said: Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fast until we would say he was never going to stop fasting, and he would go so long without fasting that we would say he was never going to fast, but I nev...

Night of Ascension: The Basics
Lailat al Miraj, or the Night of Ascension, is a Muslim holiday that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's nighttime journey from Mecca to the 'Farthest Mosque' in Jerusalem where he ascended to heaven, was purified, and given the instruction for Muslims to pray five times daily. This is also the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's ascension to heaven; he was taken from Mecca, in his time of dee...

Omid Safi visits Meridyen Association in Uskudar
Professor Omid Safi spoke yesterday, June 3rd 2013, at Sehir University. His talk was entitled “Beyond the Clash of Civilizations: The Struggle for a Global and Holistic Justice” and discussed the ideas of Justice in the light of the Qur’an and human thought. Attendees included Sehir University students, Marmara University theology students, members of his tour group who have been touring Turkey ...

Bless Us in Rajab and Shaba'an...
O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan - Hadith Sahih, a prayer repeated by millions of Muslims over the past week

We pray that all of our readers have  blessed Rajab and Shaba’an, and with health and faith reach the blessed month of Ramadan. Tonight in Turkey will be celebrated as ‘Recep kandil’ or the first Thursday night in the m...

Last Prophet Publishes 'Life of Muhammad' Audiobook
  Last Prophet is pleased to announce the publication release of the audiobook of the "Life of Muhammad", Sal Allahu alayhi wa Salaam (Peace and Blessings be upon him). This book has been produced by a team of researchers and artists working together at the Meridyen Association offices here in Uskudar, Istanbul. Written by Casim Avcı and voiced by professional voiceover artist Andy Boyns, with ed...

What the Emigration Demands of Us
Starting from a narrow family-tribal environment Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) underwent 13 years of hardship and torment in Meccan society; with the immigration (Hijra) to Medina, a new stage began. This stage, if one takes into consideration the time that it took all religions to spread, is the starting point of one of the fastest religious developments in recorded history. In this sense, when one s...

Prophet Muhammad: the Founder of Muslim PR
Prophet Muhammad the Founder of Muslim PR, says Int'l Muslim PR Body Prophet Muhammad was recognized as the founder of Muslim public relations at the 1st Global Congress for Muslim Public Relations Practitioners held in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 05. Jointly organized by the International Islamic University Malaysia and the Kargozer PR Institute, the inaugural Congress, under the theme ‘The ...

Sadreddin Özçimi
Kelime-i Tevhid (Unity of Divinity) [audioplayer mp3="/images/upload/media/Sufi_Rhythms-Sultan-i_Ask_01_Kelime-i_Tevhid.mp3" ogg="/images/upload/media/Sufi_Rhythms-Sultan-i_Ask_01_Kelime-i_Tevhid.ogg" width="634"][/audioplayer] Durak (Stopping) [audioplayer mp3="/images/upload/media/Sufi_Rhythms-Sultan-i_Ask_02_Durak.mp3" ogg="/images/upload/media/Sufi...