What is your Personality type
By Michelle Schafieh
Islam’s Invisible Chain Reaction
On my commute to and from school, I sometimes watch Islamic lectures on my smartphone. Not too long ago, while I was on the bus, I remembered a post on the UCLA MSA page mentioning Hamza Yusuf’s “Life of the Prophet,” so I decided to listen to it. Right next to me was a man,…
Love Quiz
Think of a person that you may have fallen in love with or are already in love with. Then answer Yes or No to the following questions to determine if your love is real. Does your heart race every time you hear his/her name? Do you feel at peace every time you are around him/her?…
The Qur’an and the Value of the Arabic Language
“Say: ‘If mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.’” [al-Israa’ 17:88] My parents taught me how to speak Farsi, and although they also attempted to teach me the Arabic alphabet, I never learned it. However, I…
What Would the Prophet (pbuh) Do?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said; “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.” [Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book of Good Manners, Hadith. No. 6114] Have you ever been in a situation where you felt uncontrollable…
How do you know there is a God?
“Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]?” (Quran Surah 52. Ath Thuur verse 35) During my first year at UCLA, I decided to go to a Dawah workshop held by one of the brothers involved in the MSA. The goal of the workshop was to teach Muslims how to…
The Power of Dua
“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.” (Surah At-Talaq: 3) One summer, my dad and I went to the airport to…
Maintaining Focus During Prayer
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “When anyone of you stands for the prayers, Satan comes and puts him in doubts till he forgets how many rak’at he has prayed. So if this happens to anyone of you, he should perform two prostrations of Sahu [forgetfulness] while sitting.” Sahih al-Bukhari 1232, When it came to salah, often…
I’m a Believer; Therefor I’m an Optimist.
We’re always finding ourselves concerned about school, money, careers, safety, happiness, finding the “one”, etc. With true reliance and tawakkul (trust) in Allah, all these concerns are diminished. “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to him, He will grant them a way out, and will provide for them in ways unimagined. And whoever…
Gems from Tajdeed Retreat
The theme of Tajdeed Retreat this year was “Clarity in Consciousness: Achieving Taqwa By Knowing Your Lord”. Throughout the weekend of October 9th to the 11th, 2015, students from across the state came together to listen to thought-provoking talks and learn from beloved teachers Imam Yama Niazi, Ustadha Lobna Mulla, and Imam Jihad Saafir, discuss…