Conviction

Predestination vs. Free Will in Islam: Understanding Allah’s Qadr

How can we reconcile two apparently contradictory facts that Allah has absolute power and sovereignty over all creation, and that at the same time we are responsible for our actions? Are we forced to do what we do, or...

Anonymous Guest Author

The Infinitely Merciful and the Question of Hellfire

Introduction In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Grantor of Mercy Is Allah really more merciful with us than even our own mothers? How can that be possible when He created Hellfire and will cast some people...

Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy

The Structure of Scientific Productivity in Islamic Civilization: Orientalists’ Fables

Abstract The popular analysis (promulgated by Orientalists) on the rise and decline of scientific productivity in Islamic civilization dichotomizes the events of Islamic history as a conflict between religion and reason...

Asadullah Ali Al-Andalusi

Finding Hope in Faith: An Optimistic Outlook During Hardship

Even amidst such widespread negativity, there are those voices we all naturally gravitate toward and secretly wish to adopt as our own – those of the optimists who see the proverbial glass as half full.

Roohi Tahir

Religious Minorities Under Muslim Rule

Religious minorities are often depicted as oppressed and vulnerable victims of their Muslim rulers. This portrayal, however, is far from accurate. This brief paper seeks to reorient our understanding of the rights and...

Dr. Tesneem Alkiek

How Muhammad ﷺ Confronted Hate and Became The Most Influential Person in History

Introduction In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful To delegitimize the Messenger ﷺ is to call into question the entire message.[1] During his time, the Meccans called him a poet, a...

Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy and Dr. Omar Suleiman

Stoning and Hand Cutting—Understanding the Hudud and the Shariah in Islam

Introduction Often the only things people in the West associate with Islam are stoning and hand chopping. These images permeate our culture, from the trailer of hits like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) to straight...

Dr. Jonathan Brown

Modern Pathways to Doubt in Islam

Acknowledgments This project benefited tremendously from the time and contributions of many, first and foremost our skilled research team. We are sincerely grateful to Hena Zuberi and Tasneem Siddiqui, who together...

Dr. Youssef Chouhoud