Being Muslim- A Review

September 25, 2015September 25, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 3 Comments

Reviewed by Theresa Corbin

“Being Muslim: A Practical Guide is a new book written to help people learn how to live and practice the faith of Islam-to learn what Muslims believe, how to pray and fast, and how to perform the Islamic devotions appropriately.”

This is a book I really could have used in 2001 when I took my first shaky steps into Islam. As the author, Asad Tarsin, writes, when he was approached by a convert and asked for resources, he realized there really wasn’t much out there for the new adult Muslim.

The Best EVER Eid Cookies

September 18, 2015September 28, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 9 Comments

Eid Cookies

Written and test kitchen-ed by Theresa Corbin

In my family, we have a holiday tradition of baking and decorating cut-out sugar cookies. Baking day is my most favorite time of the year because it is the only time me and my three sisters get along. We spend the whole day working together, mixing tons of dough, rolling it out, baking it, whipping up an array of colored frostings, and decorating glorious confections.

Lullabies and Rhymes by Elizabeth Lymer: A Review

September 11, 2015September 17, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 4 Comments

Written by Stephanie Siam

Religious Rhyme Time! by Elizabeth Lymer

When I first picked up my copy of Religious Rhyme Time! to peruse its contents, I was initially confused by the cover art. Before obtaining the books, I was under the impression these were strictly Islamic children’s books, written by and for Muslims. Imagine my surprise when the first thing I notice on the cover of the book is the Star of David. Well, the Star intermingled with other stars and whimsical swirls.

After turning a few pages into the book, I reach the dedication page that explains the nursery rhymes are written to celebrate the faith of all three early Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Then I understood the Star.

Religious Rhyme Time! contains children’s religious rhymes set to the tune of popular kids’ songs like “Incy Wincy Spider”, “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “The Grand Old Duke of York”. Tying the poems together is a narrative including cartoon children as they go about their day, singing songs about the prophets and God. The cartoon kids also demonstrate the in-verse instructions for “acting out” the poems.

Myth v. Reality: Excavating Shariah – Law of Evidence Part II

September 4, 2015September 5, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 6 Comments

Law of Evidence

Written by Saadia Haq in collaboration with Theresa Corbin

Part I here

August 1947, Pakistan was created for its citizens both men and women as a state where they would live free of discrimination and deprivation, as stated by the newly born constitution proposals of Article 25 and 34. Its founding leaders strove for equality for both men and women in all spheres, but soon after this nation fell into the hands of corrupt politicians and dictators obsessed with a harsh view of Islam.

Myth v. Reality: Excavating Shariah – Law of Evidence Part I

August 28, 2015September 5, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 14 Comments

presenting

Written by Theresa Corbin in collaboration with Saadia Haq

Part II here

As a faith community, we are facing a serious crisis in human (and God given) rights violations. Many of those “in charge” are and have been misusing religious texts to cripple more than half of our population- women.

We are a global community and these issues have infected our lives on a global scale. Because of these issues, Saadia Haq and I are “Excavating Shariah” in an attempt to chip away at the fiqh interpretations (human understanding of the Shariah (Islamic) law) that have either intentionally or unintentionally ignored the female experience, oppressed women, or co-opted women’s religious dedication.

I Don’t Dream of Genie: My Jinn Experience Part 3

August 15, 2015August 17, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 11 Comments

jinn encounter

Read Part 1 here

Read Part 2 here

Written and experienced by Stephanie Siam

Warning: The following story contains material which might not be suitable for all readers. If you are easily spooked, please consider skipping this post and coming back next week. If you are brave, and have not yet done so, please read Part I and Part II of this story before proceeding.

As I wait for a response, I repeat the only consoling phrase I know under my breath, “Authu billahi min al shaytaan ir-rajeem.*”

Next to me on the bed, my daughter’s eyes continue to grow in despair. She is terrified, and I can’t bring myself to even tell her why I am so upset. Tears have begun to fall freely down my cheeks, and I wipe the back of my hand across my face so I can see the screen of the computer.

Please respond! Pleeeeeeease!!

I Don’t Dream of Genie: My Jinn Experience Part 2

August 12, 2015August 16, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 18 Comments

jinn encounter

Read Part 1 here

Read Part 3 here

Written and Experienced by Stephanie Siam

… We left off when my husband had just told me that he has a jinn attached to him. A female jinn. And she’s jealous.” …

I start thinking about what I know of jinn, and about things in our life together, and about my health problems, and my mind starts racing. Like I said before, I believe jinn exist, but I’d never thought about them ‘attaching’ themselves to people. I cross my arms over my chest and attempt to get more comfortable. “And. . .she’s jealous of. . .?”

He looks at me, and I can see he’s wondering whether to tell me the truth. “. . .You.”

I laugh. “Me?”

“Yeah. He said she’s jealous of you, and she’s causing problems for us. Like, she’s affecting your health and my personality, and other stuff, too. . .”