The Prophet Muhammad’s open and outward-looking worldview has been constricted over centuries into insular dogmas that circumambulate increasingly tighter circles. Contemporary extremists, particularly, seek to hold believers hostage in narrow confines. The Prophet’s establishment of…
Opportunities for interaction between diverse groups has today reached an unprecedented level due to innovations in communication, transportation, and virtual media. Nonetheless, people’s interactions are often superficial and limited, with the knowledge they gain of…
Before death takes away what you are given, Give away what there is to give. –– Rumi A number of reports released over the last decade by Oxfam and similar organizations have drawn attention…
In my previous essay I explored how the Islamic tradition lends itself to multiple interpretations regarding the Islamic theology of poverty. While there are traditions that endorse the acquisition of wealth and praise richness, there…
My neighbor passed away and I did not hear about it until sometime later. We had not really known each other but had been on greeting terms. The deceased was elderly and ill, and had…
Over the past six months, the IMTF online roundtable discussion has brought together a number of Muslim voices to explore the area of inquiry concerning Islamic virtues of the self, specifically with regards to their…
In the first set of essays posted for the IMTF online roundtable discussion on communal ethics, I asked scholars and thinkers from Muslim communities in different geographical regions and contexts to address the basic question…
Parts of what is called modern Europe saw the arrival of Jews and Judaism over two thousand years ago. Following which, approximately two thousand years ago, Europe saw the spread of Christianity. Christians of Jewish…
Islamic spirituality, in both its principles and practices, establishes an impetus and a framework to design businesses that support a positive social and environmental impact. Among them is the notion of faqr (poverty), raised by…
Three centuries of white minority rule in South Africa has left the African majority materially and psychologically impoverished. A record of mismanagement and widespread corruption have resulted in the state’s failure to meet the needs…