Blog
Guarding the Tongue (Lecture Notes)
On Friday, August 3rd, Hamza Yusuf gave khutbah at a masjid in Abu Dhabi in which he spoke on the subject of just rulers.Just rulers are the first of the seven groups mentioned in the Qur’an who are in the shade of God on the Day of Judgment. Hamza Yusuf explained why: They are a great blessing to all of humanity. Furthermore, the sultan represe...
The Muslim Household (Lecture Notes)
Hamza Yusuf is currently visiting the Emirates. He studied there in his youth, and has maintained ties with his friends there over the years. He has been invited back many times to share his knowledge and experience with the people in the place where his journey of seeking knowledge began.Hamza Yusuf gave a lecture after Tarawiyyah prayers on Ju...
A Sermon from The Mercy to All the Worlds
O community of Muslims, roll up your sleeves, for the matter is momentous. Prepare for an imminent journey. Garner provision now as the journey is long. Lighten your loads, for before you is an ascent most steep! Only those traveling lightly shall bear its climb.O humanity, before the Hour comes, you will see wonders, vast tribulations, and diff...
When Children Suffer
I would like to write a follow up to a question someone wrote in response to a quote I posted on Facebook a few days ago. The question was regarding how God could allow the rape of a seven-year-old girl. First of all, I would request that people not be so harsh with those who have valid questions. Some Muslims are too quick to attack and condemn...
Critical Eyes in a Critical Time
“All of the strife in this world is due to three people: a newscaster, a news seeker, and a news listener.” This is quoted by Imam al-Ghazali, may God have mercy on his soul and sanctify his secret, in his book Tibr al-Masbuk, which is only partially his work. He quotes this statement from Ibn al-Qasim al-Hakim. When I first read this, I was dee...
If You Don’t Like the Mawlid, Watch Out!
The birthday of the Prophet, God bless and grant him peace, is a great blessing for our community and, indeed, for all believers. So if we know the day, it should renew our joy manifold times. The Mawlid (his birthday) has traditionally been a time to reflect on – and be grateful for – our Prophet, peace be upon him, and his life, miracles, and ...
Don’t Let Wikipedia Become Wickedmedia
Islam is rooted in the idea that knowledge is the most potent force on earth. The more one knows, the closer one gets to the One who knows all. The Prophet, God bless and grant him peace, loved knowledge, and it is the only prayer the Qur’an commands him to supplicate: “Say: O my Lord, increase me in knowledge” (20:114).I feel fortunate that I a...
The UAE: Where Murder Still Means Something
There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now ‘tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is’t to leave betimes?– Hamlet, William ShakespeareSalem Saif al-Mazrui grew up in Ra’s al-Khaimah, a beautiful p...
Ramadan: When Feeding Others in Need Supersedes Our Own Hunger and Greed
As Ramadan moves along, we realize the rapidity with which the month travels. The word “month,” derived from “moon,” essentially measures one lunar cycle: the roughly 29.5 days it takes the moon to circle the earth. A lag time is involved due to the earth’s spin and its own movement around the sun. The Qur’an tells us that fasting is prescribed ...
Where are the “No Smoking” signs in Medina? Since they are no longer in our hearts, at least put them on the walls.
Note to readers: I want to thank everyone who wrote recently and inquired about my health. I had a terrible fall a few weeks ago and had a mild concussion from it. I appreciate the wisdom of wearing a turban more. I am better, and the headaches have subsided – thanks be to Allah.Unfortunately, it prevented me from writing much. I have been ...
Ten Years Later: Reflections on my Post 9-11 Interview with Richard Scheinin in the San Jose Mercury
In the immediate aftermath of the attack on the U.S. ten years ago, I was catapulted into a position of spokesperson for a community. My history of criticizing American foreign policy complicated matters for me, given the almost inquisitional environment that began to arise in the U.S. since then. Some have attempted to present any criticisms Mu...
The Prayer of the Oppressed (al-Du’a al-Nasiri)
The power of this prayer of Imam Muhammad al-Dar’i lies in its simplicity, its purity, and its sincere supplication. It is essentially a plea to God that our transgressions be overlooked, that divine mercy be bestowed upon us, that social justice be restored in spite of us, that wrongs be righted, and that righteousness reign once again in our l...
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