Echoes of Salahuddin: A Lesson for Our Time

ON OCTOBER 2ND, 1187, Salahuddin al-Ayubi, rahimahullah, marched into Jerusalem. After 88 years of Crusader occupation, the holy city was once again in Muslim hands. But this victory did not come easily. It was not won through force alone. It was earned through patience, through strategy, and above all, through unity. Before he could liberate the land, Salahuddin had … Continue reading Echoes of Salahuddin: A Lesson for Our Time

I Sit With My Elders

(Inspired by Surah Yā Sīn ayah 12 and an earlier article.) I sit with my elders—silent, still, Their faces are maps of time’s quiet will. Eyes that have watched generations unfold, Hands that have weathered both fire and cold. Knotted by age, those fingers once strong Built homes, cradled infants, righted the wrong. What scenes … Continue reading I Sit With My Elders

Capitalism in a Teacup: The Exploitation Beneath a Global Commodity

IF YOU’VE EVER travelled to Sylhet in the northeast of Bangladesh, it’s hard not to be captivated by the beauty of its tea gardens. The dark green terraces stretch across rolling hills, occasionally shaded by tall trees, creating a landscape that is as serene as it is breathtaking. But behind this calm, green elegance lies … Continue reading Capitalism in a Teacup: The Exploitation Beneath a Global Commodity

Hijras and Gender Identity Politics: An Islamic Response

THIS YEAR IN Dhaka, I saw something more noticeable than before. Whenever we stopped at a traffic light, someone would tap on the car window asking for money. These individuals appeared physically male but were dressed in saris, with bindis on their foreheads—clearly identifying themselves as women. Who Are the Hijras? The term Hijra refers to a … Continue reading Hijras and Gender Identity Politics: An Islamic Response

Raising Muslims, Not Mini-Me’s: Navigating Personal Preferences in Islam

  RECENTLY, SOMEONE COMPLAINED to my parents about the length of my son’s hair (somewhere below his earlobes but above his shoulders), saying: “Children of good families don’t keep their hair long.” If I were to ask my son, now 19, to respond, he’d probably be surprised. He might remind them that the Messenger Muhammad … Continue reading Raising Muslims, Not Mini-Me’s: Navigating Personal Preferences in Islam

Graveside Reflections

I CAN MAKE du‘a for my loved ones who’ve passed away from anywhere in the world — and I know that Allah hears me. His Mercy isn’t limited by distance. But still… there’s something different about standing at their graves, like I did recently. Something quiet, humbling, and deeply human. The Prophet ﷺ once said: … Continue reading Graveside Reflections