CREAM CONES AND salted biscuits were the two simple snacks I adored as a child growing up in Dhaka. Ever since I moved away, I’ve often said—half-jokingly, half-longingly—that one day, when I return to Dhaka, I want to eat them again. Just once. My family always laughs when I say that. “That’s so 80s!” they tease. … Continue reading Cream Cones and Salted Biscuits
“WHAT DO YOU think? Dhaka has changed a lot since you last came. It’s very developed now.” We had just landed and were already speeding along the new Dhaka Elevated Expressway. What once took nearly two hours in gridlocked traffic was now a smooth 20-minute journey. High-rises now punctuate the skyline. The metro—with a stop … Continue reading Beyond Expressways and Metro Lines: Rethinking Progress in Dhaka and the Muslim World
I looked out, above the clouded veil, Where heaven’s silence lets the soul exhale. Seven skies, each layered deep and wide. Stacked in majesty, in flawless stride. No crack, no tear, no hurried line. Unlike the artist’s brush, divine. No smudge, no slip, no wayward hue, Just perfect order, perfect view. The Lord of Mercy … Continue reading No Flaw in the Sky
ON THE DAY of Al-Ahzab, the Messenger ﷺ instructed the sahabah: “None of you should offer the ‘Asr prayer except at Banu Qurayza’s place.” As the time for ‘Asr approached, some companions found themselves on the way. They differed in how to interpret the Prophet’s ﷺ words. One group said, “We will not pray until … Continue reading If the Messenger ﷺ saw Gaza Today, What Would He Do?
WHEN WE TRULY know him ﷺ, we cannot help but love him ﷺ. And when we love him ﷺ, the desire to be like himﷺ fills our hearts. لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example—for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.” (Al-Ahzab 21) But … Continue reading The Messenger of Allah ﷺ: The Man, The Message, The Mission
THERE IS A growing body of research showing that spending time in nature has a significant positive impact on mental health. This became especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many city dwellers — confined to their homes — experienced heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional fatigue. Interestingly, newer studies suggest that it’s not … Continue reading Nature, Reflection and Iman
IT’S NOT OFTEN that I leave a medical consultation feeling unsettled—not medically, but morally. As a doctor, my duty is clear: to treat without bias, to listen without judgment, to serve all patients equally. As a Muslim, I am bound to justice—true justice, rooted in fairness, mercy, and accountability. But what happens when these two … Continue reading When Conscience and Duty Collide: A Doctor’s Dilemma
HAVE YOU EVER thought about why Allah included so many battles and events in His Book? From Badr and Uhud to Ahzab, Banu Nadir, Khaybar, the Conquest of Makkah, Hunayn, and Tabuk—these events are not just history; they offer important lessons that remain relevant today. Why? Life is filled with tests and tribulations. And until … Continue reading Defeat Is Not the End: Lessons from Uhud to Gaza
IN THE PREVIOUS article, I mentioned a young student from Bangladesh who was experiencing mental distress following the fall of Hasina’s government last year. In that piece, I approached the issue primarily from a political angle, highlighting how systemic oppression is a natural byproduct of secular political systems. But there’s another important perspective we must … Continue reading The Impact of Oppression on Youth: A Call for Islamic Parenting
TODAY, I MET a young woman from Bangladesh. She came to the UK last year to study postgraduate finance, but now struggles with anxiety and depression. As we sat down, I asked her: “Why do you think you’re feeling this way?” Her answer was telling: financial pressure. She hasn’t been able to find work since … Continue reading Beyond Party Politics: The Islamic Political Vision
