The Life of Muhammad documentary film airs in a first for the We

Jul 11,2011 The BBC’s airing of the Life of Muhammad, a first-ever documentary on the life of the Prophet Muhammad screened in the western world generated animated discussion even before its broadcast on Monday night. The three-part series, commissioned by head of Religion & Ethics Aaqil Ahmed, was the target of attack by Iranian authorities in the month prior to its broadcast on British state-ru...

The Hijra: Movement of God's People

The Islamic calendar does not begin with the year of Muhammad's birth (as the Christian calendar begins with the birth of Christ), nor does it begin with the commencement of revelation to Muhammad. Rather, it begins with this purposeful move of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to what became known as Medina. This migration, the Muslim Exodus, established the model community under Muhammad's rule ...

Introduction To Islam -Part IV

  INCORPORATING THE PRACTICES OF ISLAM INTO DAILY LIFE In a Muslim's daily life, it is important when with family or friends, to pay careful attention to the planning of worship, doing charity, and demonstrating good behavior as a means of education. For example, when making plans to go out with children, thinking out loud about where and when the ritual prayers will be performed and narrating ho...

Introduction To Islam -Part III

  PERSONAL PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT AFFECT BELIEFS Reading the Qur’an can result in mental discord regarding a certain subject. A ruling on a certain matter may contradict our egos. Certain memories or past experiences may cause a sudden loss of faith. No matter what the excuse, we may very well be able to convince ourselves that we have no need for God. Regardless of our current circumstances, perhap...

Introduction To Islam -Part II

  POLYTHEISM / CREATING ALTERNATIVES FOR ALLAH In the Qur’an, the oneness of Allah is mentioned more than the existence of Allah. According to the Qur’an, the existence of Allah for humans is so indispensible and natural that expressions of astonishment are used for those who do not believe that. Atheism (denial of God) is something that is developed as a reaction against religion.Nowadays, the n...

Introduction To Islam - Part I

WHAT IS FAITH? Entering into Islam is only possible with faith. It is not possible to consider someone a “Muslim” if that person does not believe in the principles that are brought by the Qur’an. In Islam, faith is innate. God created each person with a potential that is to be fulfilled through full belief in the Supreme Might. When belief fully in a supreme being cannot be reached, the person is...

Introduction To Islam - Part I

WHAT IS FAITH? Entering into Islam is only possible with faith. It is not possible to consider someone a “Muslim” if that person does not believe in the principles that are brought by the Qur’an. In Islam, faith is innate. God created each person with a potential that is to be fulfilled through full belief in the Supreme Might. When belief fully in a supreme being cannot be reached, the person is...

Islamic Ruling on Female Circumcision

The following has been translated from the fatwa issued in Arabic by Egyptian Islamic Theologian Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars. "Praise to Allah, and may the peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and companions, and followers of his guidance."  Ever since I was a student at Al-Azhar University, I have seen people debate over the...

What really is a Black Hole?

This Quranic concept of the beginning and the end of the creation is undoubtedly extraordinary. It would not have been less amazing if it had been revealed to a highly educated person of our contemporary age, but one is wonder-struck by the fact that this most advanced knowledge, regarding the perpetually repeating phenomenon of creation, was revealed more than fourteen hundred years ago...

Christmas and New Year

  In an age when the world has become a large village with the increase of mass communication technologies, Western culture is making its presence felt in every field. Christmas is a religious holiday regarded by Christians to mark the birth of Jesus (p.b.u.h.). However, nowadays Christmas is being confused with New Year celebrations by many people, and they are even identified with e...

Mustafa Cagrici, The Mufti of Istanbul, on the events of Karbala

Mustafa Cagrici, The Mufti of Istanbul, on the events of Karbala December 16th, 2010 (corresponding to the 10th of Muharram, 1432 Hijri) is the anniversary of Karbala, one of the saddest events in Muslim history. We asked Dr. Cagrici about the day of Ashura and how present day Muslims should approach the events of Karbala. His message, which emphasized that the incidents which took place at Karba...

The Day of Ashura and its Place in the Religious Life of the Ott

The Day of Ashura was celebrated in the Ottoman period by Muslims according to the identity of their sect, either as a day of mourning or as a day of celebration. Throughout the Ottoman period, leadership in the Ashura traditions belonged to the palace. The necessary ingredients for cooking the Ashura pudding would be sent to the Topkapı Palace kitchens from the royal larder a few days before an...