Kutibh Chihabi
myRamadan: An Islamic Center’s Strategy to Restore Order
It is a Saturday evening and your racing endorphins put you on the edge as you prepare to attend your first ever Qiyam-Al-Layl, a Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions to stand up in worship all night long. You napped during the day just to get the energy to [...]
It’s Just Steam: Thoughts over a cup of tea
My father happily walks into my room handing me a mug of tea, hoping it would make me smile. As I take a whiff, I smell the aroma that teases me from a distance on my desk. Just like the smell of pie teases passerby’s from the kitchen windowsill in Saturday morning cartoons. The aroma [...]
Pakistan Emergency: A Call for Our Help this Ramadan
The grave news from Pakistan emerged last week with the devastating flooding. The death toll has now reached over 1,500. There are shortages of food, water, clothing, shelter, and supplies and, yet, the water continues to rise in the region. In Punjab, 15,000 homes have already been destroyed, leaving what is to be called “a [...]
The Hummingbird: A Reflection on Nature
Taking a short walk outside this hot, sunny day in Riverside, California exposed to me to one of Allah’s miracles. In my backyard, perched in the tiny space of one of the lamppost’s corners was a tiny nest. Resting on that nest was a mother hummingbird, gracefully feeding her young. As I approached it out [...]
Akhira not the Dunya
What is the purpose of life on earth according to the Qur’an? Why did God create us?
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Qur'an, 51:56]
What is the significance of this verse? In this verse, our Creator is [...]
Oh Allah, how wonderful is Your creation
Oh Allah, how wonderful is Your creation
Every day I see it’s majestic foundation
And I try very hard to understand its wisdom
To be able to comprehend the very power of the prism
Through these miracles do I see Your signs
Blatant as is a diamond in the mines
Yet, such wisdom only comes through education
So please grant us knowledge [...]
The Importance of Da’wah
Da’wah, which in Arabic means an invitation to Islam, is one of those words that many members of the Muslim community turn a blind eye towards. Many people acknowledge its importance but at the same time fear it because they wrongly presume it takes lots of knowledge. The reality is far from the fact. Anyone [...]
