ABU HAMID AL-GHAZALI Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE) is regarded by scholars as an Islamic intellectual giant. He is one of the greatest teachers and interpreters of Islam, other than Muhammad. Born in 1058 CE in Tus, (in what is now known as Khorasan, Iran), he was a well educated man, havin...

Al-Andalus served as a shining star of Muslim commerce. Strict moral codes governed the operation of the marketplace. These codes were overseen and administered by a qadi (judge), also referred to as a muhtasib. Ibn 'Abdun's Hisba Manual examines market regulations in Muslim Seville . The...

For decades, the situation in Palestine has been promoted as an "Arab" issue, or a "Palestinian" issue, and Muslims have, by and large, gone along with this charade. Such a belief gas proven fatal as the Zionists have succeeded in further dividing the opposition to their occupation of Palesine, wi...

In the broad world of Islamic art, it's not always easy to tell where the piece you're looking at comes from, in what period it was created, or what materials were used to make it. It can be complicated, as Islamic art differs from country to country and in some cases from city to city. Every area...

1.Religion and Violence: Catholicism, Islam, Judaism have historical periods of violence, either between factions within their religion or against other religions. Give a brief report on one of these with in the Catholic and Islam religions. How has religious violence been justified? Do you think th...

Key Areas of Concern: The recently released 9/11 Commission Report outlined forty-one specific recommendations necessary to protect the United States from threats to the safety and welfare of American citizens in the twenty first century. President Bush responded by announcing...

The Islamic Civilization contributed many ideas, discoveries, and inventions contrary to the hostile people who claim that Moslems only took ideas from others. The Islamic accomplishments in medicine were remarkable. Islamic physicians discovered the value of cauterization and of styptic agen...

The Hajj The definition of "Hajj" is "to set out with definite purpose". This "definite purpose" is to fulfill their duty to God. All Muslims able to complete the journey do so in the 12th month dhul-hijjah in the Islamic calendar. The Hajj is completed by all Muslims who are able,...

On September 11, 2001, a horrific terrorist attack was waged against the United States. Thousands of working men and women were killed in the attacks, leaving the country grieving and angry. On that day, I asked myself, "What could make those people hate America so much that they would do such ...

The Islamic faith is the second largest religion in the world today, composing one-fifth of the world's population. The word Islam is defined as the surrender to the will of God, and peacefulness in that surrender to God. A monotheistic faith, Islam is based on three doctrines; The Oneness o...

What is "Jihad"? The term 'jihad' is derived from the root word 'jahad' which means to strive, to be diligent. From that comes another specific verb 'jaahad' which means specifically, to endeavour, to struggle, to strive, to contend with, to fight against. 'Jihaad' (or as it is more com...

Do institutions shape a persons identity? This is a question that is starting to appear in many aspects of life today. Such as the war in Iraq and in how we are raising the young children who are the future of our country. The connection between what kinds of situations (institutions) we are raised...

The Great Mosque of Cordoba was considered a wonder of the medieval world by both Muslims and Christians. During that time, many people considered it the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Great Mosque was built on a Visigothic site, which was probably the site of an earlier Roman temple. The Great mos...

The Book, Book of Contemplation: Islam and the Crusades, by Usama ibn Munquidh. This is an autobiography about his eventful life. At 93, he was the most celebrated poet of his age. The book has a non-linear timeline. In one vignette Usama is a lad on his pony following his father on the hunt. In ano...

Unfortunately, the so-called Islamic world, from Africa to the Far East of Asia, is backwards compared to the Western world with doubt this is a false argument for the contribution of Muslims to human civilisation is a fact of history that cannot be denied. It is essential to look at some of the Is...

Islam is a major world religion founded in Arabia and based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. The Arabic word Islam means, "to surrender," but as a religious term in the Qur'an, it means "to surrender to the will or law of God." All devout Muslims, no matter what race the...

Islam The UnIslamic Nation of Islam The mention of the "Nation of Islam" will undoubtedly cause an immense number of responses in any situation. To some, this organization symbolizes blatant racism. To others, it is seen as a savior of the black community. Regardless of one'...

Islam: The First 150 Years By Vincent Ku Every year, thousands of Muslims make their pilgrimage to Islam. The reason for this is because they are following the steps of Mohammad, a Bedouin in 632 CE. That year, the Islamic prophet made the first Haija, (a holy pilgrimage to Mecca in pursuing to ...

Look at everything that is around you on earth; the plants, animals, and insects; the birds and the fishes. Look at what is above you in space; the sun, moons, planets and stars; the clouds, rain and wind. Aren't they all functioning properly and accurately? What about your own body? Your m...

Ramadan, the holiest month of the year according to Islam, is without a doubt described by many muslims as the hardest month of the year. Although the intentions of Ramadan are to fast for thirty rigorous days for Allah (god), the reason that muslims fast is because the month of Ramadan ...

Ramadan, the holiest month of the year according to Islam, is without a doubt described by many muslims as the hardest month of the year. Although the intentions of Ramadan are to fast for thirty rigorous days for Allah (god), the reason that muslims fast is because the month of Ramadan ...

Islam Like Christianity and Judaism, Islam recognizes Abraham as the patriarch of their religion and entire human family. Abraham went through many trials, tribulations, and made many sacrifices. Muslims consider him to have been trusted by Allah with the leadership of mankind. According to the ...

What is the nature of God? Belief in God shapes the way people live their lives. Belief in God gives people something to hope for, someone to believe in, no matter what their situation in life might be. The early Aztecs believed that only their rain god Tlaloc could relieve their farms from seve...

Orthodox Muslims believe that the practice of yoga is tantamount to idol worshiping and fear that it will erode their faith in Allah and Islam. The Hindu element of yoga is the major problem of orthodox Muslim; they see yoga as polytheism and the practice is considered forbidden. The controversy of ...

On September 11, 2001 Islamic terrorists hijacked American airplanes leaving from Washington DC and headed west towards California. After hijacking the planes the men flew two planes into the World Trade Center in New York and one plane into the Pentagon in Washington DC. A fourth plane hijacked cra...