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Ḥajj, a Divine Rebuke of Racism By Agha Shabbir Abbas Racism, or ‘asabiyyah (clanism) as it is known in the Islamic lexicon, demands that a human believes he is superior to other fellow humans based off of slight differences, particularly ethnicity, language, or nationality. Be it in the American civil rights or South African apartheidContinue reading “Hajj, a Divine Rebuke of Racism”

Visiting and Constructing Mazārāt : Practice of the Prophet (s) and the Companions (r) By: Agha Shabbir Abbas In the month of Shawwal, Muslims solemnly mark the destruction of Jannat al-Baqi’ (1345 AH/1925) and other religious sites, specifically gravesites, throughout the Hijāz (region consisting of Makkah and Madinah), by the Saudi family and their para-militaryContinue reading “Visiting and Constructing Mazārāt : Practice of the Prophet (s) and the Companions (r)”

As a Shi’ah who recently visited Palestine/Jerusalem, I awaited till this day, Yawm al-Quds (Quds Day) to speak about my experiences, and specifically on what changed my outlook on the entire conflict therein. For those who have visited ‘Israel’ before can confirm, if you travel there on an American passport they cannot deny you entryContinue reading “The Experience of Entering ‘Israel’ as a Shi’ah Muslim…”

Three Prescriptions From the Pharmacy of ‘Alī (‘a) By: Shabbir Agha Abbas As it is the birth month of ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib (‘a), Rajab al-Murajjab, it would be more than beneficial to revisit the vast pharmacy of wisdom that is the collection of sayings, exhortations, and advice of our beloved Imām. The way itContinue reading “Three Prescriptions From the Pharmacy of ‘Alī (‘a)”

Written By: Agha Shabbir Abbas Who are the Rawāfiḍ? The term روافض Rawāfiḍ derives from the tri-consonant root ر ف ض which means ‘to reject’ or ‘to refuse,’ hence the Rawāfiḍ are the ‘rejectors.’ This term in the Muslim populace is seen as something derogatory in nature, analogous to the label ‘Refusenik’ put on theContinue reading “Who are the Rawāfid?”

Islamic Unity? Written by: Agha Shabbir Abbas Before delving into what Islamic unity actually is, let us first understand what it isn’t. Many of those in opposition to Islamic unity allege that the advocates of unity are in fact trying to create a new universal madhab (school of thought) based on commonalities, excluding all differences. ThisContinue reading “Islamic Unity?”

Written by: Agha Shabbir Abbas It is most certain that the majority of readers have taken a course in Psychology, either in high school or in university studies. In this field of psychology, there is a huge study called personality and behavioral psychology.  Within this study, a major focal point is the concept of the humanContinue reading “Modern Psychology in the Qur’an: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”

Written by: Agha Shabbir Abbas bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The terms ‘Qalb’ (s) and ‘Qulūb’ (pl) are used multiple times in the Qur’an by the Almighty, to denote the heart. For the heart is the focal point of the being, physically and metaphorically. In regardsContinue reading “Taqwá Al-Qulūbi”