One of our biggest mistakes is assuming the worst of one another. We witness one small, random action and allow our minds to warp it into something entirely different. We develop an entire story line and come to conclusions, all based off of one small data point.
This recent trend of earlier opening hours, now termed the “Thanksgiving Creep”, should make all of us reflect on what this says about our values and priorities. As Thanksgiving Creep cuts its way through family dinners and gatherings, Thanksgiving no longer becomes about giving “thanks” or spending time with loved ones, it becomes first about hunting for the best deals of the holiday sales.
There was something special about the night my friend took her shahada (declaration of faith). I remember it was after praying ‘isha (the night prayer) when the imam announced the news to the congregation; I cried as the whole masjid erupted in takbeers (Allahu akbar) to praise Allah and welcome a new member to our community. That night, I felt the support of community. I felt peace from Allah.
On Friday, October 26, Muslims all over the world will be celebrating Eid al-Adha, which occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar called Dhul-Hijjah. Eid al-Adha translates to “Festival of Sacrifice,” to which Muslims recall and commemorate the trials of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.). Eid al-Adha signals the ending of Hajj; a Muslim is obligated to take part in Hajj at least once in their life, provided that they are of able health and finance. The literal meaning of Hajj is – “to set out for a place.” In the Islamic context, it refers to the annual pilgrimage Muslims make to the holy city of Mecca to perform religious rites.
What’s a day in the life of a UCLA Muslim Bruin like? Check out this video on the truth about Sharia’h law made by fourth-year English major, Ranim Hijazi, fourth-year neuroscience and Arabic major, Tarik Takkesh, and third-year microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics major, Dania Takkesh.
On Sunday, August 19th, 2.2 billion Muslims all around the globe will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the celebration that comes at the end of the blessed month of Ramadan.
I am indeed a stranger in a strange land. It is nothing like the Ramadan that I’m used to. Yet, despite the environment that I find myself in, I have actually been quite blessed this Ramadan.
During the last few nights of Ramadan, Muslims engage in more acts of worship in the hopes of catching the Night of Power. Here is a glimpse of how some Muslims are spending their Ramadan nights in America and abroad.
They say that the last two minutes before iftaar is one of the craziest. It’s when we are quickly frying the last pakoraas or frantically searching for the dates in the fridge or staring at the plate of food in front of us while we wait for the exact second it officially becomes maghrib. Those last couple of minutes are wasted in acts like these and show us how we foolishly overlook one of the major blessings of Ramadan.
As we finish up the second ten days of Ramadan, the days of forgiveness, I stop to ponder – what are some different things I can do to attain Allah’s forgiveness?