I Don’t Dream of Genie: My Jinn Experience Part 1

August 7, 2015August 16, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 20 Comments

I don't dream of genie

Written and Experienced by Stephanie Siam

As I write this, I’m sitting in a Starbucks in broad daylight. There’s a sign on the door that indicates this is a “Safe Space”. In shaa Allah (by the will of God).

Backstory:

In 2009, my mother and I were involved in an accident (not in a car) that put her in the hospital for weeks and herniated my spine in a way that would change my life. Alhamdulillah (thank God), we recovered – for the most part.

However, I ended up with serious chronic back pain and a weaker spine.

An Open Letter to “I”SIS

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 19 Comments

not in my name — http://wayvs.com/2014/09/22/muslims-social-media-campaign/

First thing’s first, pick a name (may I suggest neo-Kharijite?). Seriously. But leave Islam out of it. Because, between you and me and the rest of the world, we kinda all know you have no idea what Islam is. It is so obvious. We’ve all seen the pics of you attempting to pray and getting it all wrong. You don’t even know the basics.

ISIS praying wrong Read more ›

‘To Khul’ a Mockingbird’, or A Woman’s Right to Divorce

July 23, 2015August 18, 2015 by UmDayo ♥ 15 Comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: **UPDATED, This piece previously stated that two people who have been divorced by khul cannot be remarried later. It has been brought to our attention that khula is, in fact, not a permanent end between two people, should they wish to reunite later, assuming they draw up a new contract. We sincerely apologize for this mistake. May Allah forgive and guide us all, ameen.**

It was early April and my sister had just left Egypt. We enjoyed a wonderful family vacation to Luxor, Hurghada and the pyramids at Giza– all on her dime.

Something happened inside my heart being with my sister, being in this strange place with another person for the first time ever who really knew and understood me. I gained a new awareness of the true me I had been forced to repress for years. So when my husband began oppressing and neglecting me again after she left, I knew that I had had enough.

This was the final straw in 5.5 years of heaps of emotional, spiritual, mental and financial neglect.

It’s the Most Difficult Time of The Year

July 16, 2015July 26, 2015 by UmDayo ♥ 10 Comments

(Based on the original song by George Wyle and Edward Pola “It’s the Most Difficult Time of the Year”)

It’s the most difficult time of the year!

There are kids in the masjid

they’re running and screaming

and no one seems to caaaaare.

Humans of Ramadan: Humans Who Forgive

July 10, 2015June 14, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 4 Comments

Humans Who Forgive

Over the past month, we here at islamwich have been observing Ramadan in a communal way. We have opened up our home to the voices of many (read more here, here, and here) so that we can enrich our understanding of what Ramadan means to its observants.

This week, the last week of Ramadan, we shift focus from fasting to forgiveness. Ramadan is a month about many things and forgiveness is a huge theme. It is a month in which its observants draw closer to God, seeking His pleasure and forgiveness.

But God tells us that He forgives those who forgive others. So we thought it would only be appropriate to hear from Humans of Ramadan about how they have decided to not only give up food and drink but give up anger and grudges during Ramadan.

Humans of Ramadan: Experience May Vary

July 3, 2015July 29, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 13 Comments

So far in the Humans of Ramadan series, We have heard from humans about what Ramadan is to them in the original Humans of Ramadan. Then we heard from more humans about what it is like to be an observing Muslim and not be able to fast due to medical conditions in Humans Who Can’t Fast.

This week, we are getting a sense of what it is like to experience Ramadan and fast in different places around the world. I give you Humans of Ramadan: Experience May Vary … depending on location.

Humans of Ramadan: Humans Who Can’t Fast

June 26, 2015June 6, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 11 Comments

11650597_620845988544_914473754_n — graphic by Kaighla Um Dayo

Humans of Ramadan

We all think it. -Are people who are sick or really old required to fast? It seems like an unreasonable request. -Well, it is.

And that is why those who are sick temporarily or chronically; the elderly and weak; women who are pregnant, having post-natal bleeding, nursing, or on their period; and people who are travelling are not required to fast (for some in this list, fasting is not allowed at all because it would be detrimental to their health).

But how do Muslims who cannot fast still take part in the holy month of Ramadan? Do they feel different not fasting? Do they miss it? Are they happy they don’t have to fast? Are they judged by those who do fast? Well, I wrangled up some Humans of Ramadan and asked them these very question and more. Here’s what some humans who can’t fast, had to say: