Introduction to the Muslim Nikah Ceremony This wedding beautifully united a Pakistani Muslim groom and an Afghan Muslim bride. The groom requested that a portion of the ceremony be delivered in Urdu—a request I was honored to fulfill, as Urdu is my mother tongue. While the ceremony was primarily conducted in English, it included Arabic…
A Nikah ceremony is one of the most cherished and meaningful events in a Muslim couple’s life. It represents love, unity, commitment, and the blessing of family and faith. Recently, a remarkable milestone was reached: the 60th Nikah among 587 weddings officiated across rich cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity. This inspiring story highlights not just…
Honoring Egyptian, English, and Colombian Traditions A special thanks to the groom’s Egyptian family and friends, as well as the bride’s English and Colombian friends, who honored the mosque’s traditions. The groom’s parents, originally from Egypt, incorporated several Egyptian customs into the ceremony. One such tradition involved reciting the 99 names of God—with 99 symbolizing…
When Pastor Jones announced his intention to burn 3,000 copies of the Quran in Mulberry, Florida, our community stepped in to help diffuse what could have become a deeply divisive and painful situation. While Pastor Jones had the constitutional right to exercise free speech, we also had the moral responsibility—and the same right—to appeal to…
Introduction to Nikah In Islam, Nikah refers to the Islamic religious marriage agreement or ceremony that formalizes the union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. The term “Nikah” is an Arabic word meaning marriage or matrimony. It is both a sacred and legal agreement in Islam, establishing the rights and responsibilities…
Introduction Is thinking in Islam called for? Absolutely. The Quran itself is filled with verses that invite reflection, reasoning, and contemplation. For years, I’ve used the slogan: “If it is not common sense, then it is not Islam. ©” This message is also reflected in my work at World Muslim Congress. For nearly two years,…
Polygamy and Its Cultural Contexts Some religions and cultures still approve polygamy. For instance, what if a boy initially marries a girl and later takes a second wife? Polygamy is not allowed in Western societies, but it is permitted in many Muslim societies. In Hindu culture, the practice is often overlooked rather than formally accepted.…
Introduction Farrukh Shaikh from Dallas wrote, “This is a warning to all Muslims in this forum that Mike Ghouse’s religion is not Islam; he is Ismaili and a misguided person. If anyone needs more information about his religion, please let me know.” Really? Aren’t Ismailis Muslims? Aren’t Ismailis Muslims? So are Sunnis, Shi’as, Bohra’s, Ahmadis,…
Who Wants to Live in Tension? A Loving God Desires Harmony Who wants to live in tension? The loving God desires His creation to live in harmony. To achieve this, He encourages men and women to marry those with whom they are compatible, allowing them to experience daily peace and unity. Verse 60:11 of the…
Understanding the People of the Book – A Universal Perspective The Quran encourages deep reflection, wisdom, and intellectual reasoning. Numerous verses emphasize the importance of using intellect, such as: “Surely in these are signs for people who reflect” (30:21) and “for people who use reason.” Allah declares that the Quran is clear, straightforward, and meant…