What do you call a Muslim girl donning a radiantly illuminating headscarf, at an altitude of 1050 M, travelling at a velocity of 115m/s?

An MMDG – Muslim Meteor Defying Gravity?

Well... Before the illusion of being a shooting star is agonisingly tattooed on to my brain, I have to be quick to tell you, that it was me on the British airways flight, on the way to Oslo!

There I was, sitting, peering out of the plane window, oblivious to the fact that my crimson red organza head scarf was drawing soooooo much attention (now the so has many o’s for a reason!) Continue reading "Just ask..."...

Saliha Mahmood is a Guest-Writer on Muslimsinengland.com

Old and withered, a broken man
His days of youth no more.
Blow after blow and a heart so ill;
A timid warrior, an internal war.

A tall form, now stooped and worn
A dashing smile gone wilted.
His crippled soul, a chornic pain;
A destiny readily accepted Continue reading "Poem"...

Spearheaded by 25 year old Rehan Iqbal, the Birmingham-based likeMEDIA.tv was launched officially in October 2009 by a group of young social entrepreneurs to help to generate a “portal of high quality Islamic knowledge for the online community”. Rehan and his team were aware that much of the useful information and advice aimed at young people was being lost at one-off events and forums. They decided to create likeMEDIA.tv as a platform from which to film as many of these events and talks as possible and put them online in a fresh, dynamic, and accessible format.

likeMEDIA.tv activities are based around taking 'a fresh approach' to Islam for people who want to ask about religion but may be afraid to ask out loud or in public. It’s not always easy for young people to talk about religion, but likeMEDIA.tv provides an effective and user-friendly solution by harnessing the power of the internet to educate and inform in a format that appeals to young Muslims. For example, their “Now That’s What I Call Islam!” series of events in October last year used popular song titles to discuss issues such as drugs, clubbing and relationships from a religious perspective. They had a succession of events at leading UK universities including Cambridge and Nottingham with titles such as 'Where is the Love?', 'In Da Club' and 'Man in the Mirror'. Continue reading "'A fresh approach' to Islam"...

This article was sent-in on behalf of Mohammad Rana Farooq

Islam is a natural Din (practical and complete code of life) which enjoins tolerance and moderation in everything that matters. The Holy Qur'an states explicitly:

Kuloo waishraboo wala tusrifoo innahu la yuhibbu almusrifeena.

"Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters." (7:31)

Salat (prayer), fasting, zakat (obligatory charity) and hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) are all ritual practices of worship but these too are characterized by moderation. There are occasions when offering prayer is forbidden by Shariah. The observing of fast is tempered by sahr and iftar (having pre-dawn and post-sunset meals before and after fasting). The Shariah has imposed strict restraint on constant fasting without taking recourse to sahr and iftar at a stretch. In order to safeguard one's chastity the institution of marriage has been made compulsory so as to realize the natural urges of biological need. Spending in the cause of Allah is a laudable act but it is conditioned by limits so as to ensure a balanced approach that one may not squander away all and go himself a begging.


Continue reading "So, what's up with music in Islam?"...

I looked at her once, and twice, and yet again. I did not smile at her as I did to everybody else, oh no, I wasn’t about to make her the recipient of my affection. Instead she smiled at me, the cheek of it all, but I merely looked away, ha! A smirk passed over my face and my eyes became cold, devoid of emotion. I crossed my arms and held my chin high. My heart suddenly clenched, what was unseen though was the little green arrow that pierced it. I didn’t realise, but the arrow rapidly spread a vile poison throughout my body and my mind gulped it all, producing all sorts of loathsome thoughts about that girl. Just because she has the beauty, wealth, and authority, just because she has it all, she thinks she’s better than me. I became certain that if I had all that, I would be so much higher in status than her… I became envious.

Zainab is a Guest-Writer on Muslimsinengland.com

Slowly but surely a modest smile appears on my face as I sit and remember having innumerable arguments with my mother regarding how my brother and I were treated so differently. ‘Why is he allowed out after dark and I’m not? Why is he allowed to travel to Italy with his friends and I’m not? Why is he allowed to wear what he wants and I’m not?’ It wasn’t fair. My mother’s vague answers didn’t convince me, but it was not long before I began to appreciate that I wasn’t un-equal, but simply different mentally, physically, hormonally, and definitely emotionally.

Ten months ago Allah (swt) bestowed upon me a beautiful baby girl.

I find that for some reason parents are more concerned about the security of their daughters than they are about their sons. This is not something I totally agree with, but fourteen months ago when my husband and I received the news that we would be having a baby girl, reality struck and even before she was born our nights were spent discussing the dos and don’ts of how we would bring her up. One thing that stuck in our minds was the beautiful hadith where the Prophet (saw) said "Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood - he and I will come (together) on the Day of Resurrection - and he interlaced his fingers (meaning in Paradise)." (Reported by Muslim). However, living in a Western society full of materialism and distraction makes this task a great deal. More difficult for the modern Muslim parent. Continue reading "Daughters"...

Written By: Susan Lucci. Susan Lucci is a guest-writer on Muslimsinengland.com from Chicago

“This isn’t my home, I’ll be leaving soon,” Mary declares as I escort her to the first floor to join the rest of the residents at “Casino Night” the afternoon of October 27th. “I’m just here to recover from the shock treatments they gave me for depression,” she explains matter-of-factly. It didn’t matter to me whether her story was fact or fiction, my goal was simply to entice her to join the afternoon’s socializing in the lobby. “They are serving orange punch and cookies,” I attempt a bribe. “Oh, why not, just for a few minutes, it would be a good break for my eyes,” Mary agrees, “I’m feeling foggy and not quite myself today.” I sympathize with this petite octogenerian. Continue reading "Acting with intentions"...

I looked at her once, and twice, and yet again. I did not smile at her as I did to everybody else, oh no, I wasn’t about to make her the recipient of my affection. Instead, she smiled at me, the cheek of it all, but I merely looked away, ha! A smirk passed over my face and my eyes became cold, devoid of emotion. I crossed my arms and held my chin high. My heart suddenly clenched, what was unseen though was the little green arrow that pierced it. I didn’t realise, but the arrow rapidly spread a vile poison throughout my body and my mind gulped it all, producing all sorts of loathsome thoughts about that girl. Just because she has the beauty, wealth, and authority, just because she has it all, she thinks she’s better than me. I became certain that if I had all that, I would be so much higher in status than her… I became envious. Continue reading "The Green Arrow "...

Fahaad Naveed (14), little cousin of Azeem Mirza, writing from the US.

Islam defined as a religion. I believe that a Muslim should define Islam as a friend. I as a Muslim have always believed that Islam should be treated as a friend. Treat it as one's own parent, that meaning respect Islam as you would respect your own parent. Islam is a religion that should not be ridiculed in front of other Muslims that would be the same as disrespecting the Quran and the same as your parents. I believe that Islam should be on the top of the list in life. For me, reading the Quran is like reading an interesting novel which you can't keep your eyes off. My knowledge of Islam is not too far in deep. We Muslims should encourage Islam around the world not just in our country. I will pray for the world to remain in peace through the ages. Continue reading "Islam is my friend"...

Many of us have over time had to face the storms of life, when times of trial, despair and sadness loom over us. I've heard many people, including myself at some stage, ask why? and wonder about all disasters that can and do strike at anytime and take away everything of worth and things we value. There is evil caused by humans, natural disasters occur, individuals suffer and large numbers of people that suffer. But what about the flip side of the coin? Besides the negative aspects of life, we also see beauty, love, affection, health, life, birth, wisdom, prosperity and growth. We see sincerity, happiness, charity and piety in people. Continue reading "The Sunnah Bag - An ounce of patience is worth a pound of brain"...