IQRA.ca

A collection of 1123 posts

Real Lives

Lives Lived: The Very Reverend, the Honourable Lois M. Wilson

A reflection by the Rev. Dr. Karen A. Hamilton, CCC General Secretary (2002-2017). “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,  to undo the thongs of the yoke to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6 NRSV) This

Reflections

Friday Reflection: Cultivating empathy - A crucial element for fostering peace

By Muneeb Nasir Our global landscape is dangerously divided, and many perceive this era as one of the most perilous in recent history. Numerous policies, practices, and ways of life no longer appear sustainable, neglecting the fact that we are all interconnected neighbors. In the face of these challenges, we

Reflections Featured

Friday reflection - The success of Canadian Muslims lies in our relationship with Indigenous peoples

By Muneeb Nasir We are all settlers on Turtle Island. As settlers on Turtle Island, I believe we have much to learn about right relations, reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples and their traditions. The Indigenous peoples have always been gracious and welcoming of newcomers. This welcome has been

Reflections

Friday reflection: Do not lose hope in God's mercy

By Muneeb Nasir A consistent practice marked the life of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him — an act of such significance that he engaged in it countless times each day. This vital practice, he vowed to perform daily, saying, ‘I swear by Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent

Reflections

Friday reflection: In search of sanctuary: The enduring quest for refuge

By Muneeb Nasir The migration (hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his companions from Mecca to Medina stands as one of the most significant events in Islamic history. Faced with persecution, these early believers were compelled to leave their homes behind. The hijrah holds significant historical

interfaith

Religion and Belief among immigrants to Canada

Immigrants to Canada are significantly more religious and more open to public religious expression than non-immigrant Canadians. By JOHANNA LEWIS Introduction Canada prides itself on being a country that welcomes immigrants. When asked what makes their country distinctive, many Canadians point to the diversity that comes from people from all

Reflections

Friday reflection: Journey Towards the Eternal - Navigating challenges and strengthening Faith

By Muneeb Nasir During the early days of Prophet Muhammad's, peace be upon him, messengership, Muslims faced constant pressure, threats, and abuse. Allah's early revelations aimed to fortify the early believers with eternal principles of faith. These revelations taught them and teach us that the power

Reflections

Friday reflection: 'My Lord! Let me go back'

By Muneeb Nasir We perceive time passing swiftly, reminding us that one day we will face God on the Day of Judgment. On that day, it will feel as if we have lived, dreamed, and aspired for merely a fleeting moment. Our worship of the Creator will appear incomplete and

Reflections

Friday reflection: What leads to happiness?

By Muneeb Nasir What leads to happiness? Is it by acquiring wealth and having many luxury possessions? Today it seems as if there is no stop to the excessive greed and reckless living of people in societies around the world. One of the signs of these conditions is the relative

Reflections

Ethical concerns arise over Canadian Muslim relief agencies' voluntourism practices

By Muneeb Nasir and Irshad Osman Muslim Relief organizations are in overdrive, aggressively marketing to the Canadian Muslim community, and a new form of fundraising practice is cropping up among the larger charities - voluntourism, which combines tourism and volunteering. As a background on the extent of Muslim donations in

News Featured

`Eid Al-Fitr on Friday, April 21: Fiqh Council of North America

`Eid Al-Fitr will be on Friday, April 21, according to the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), citing astronomical calculations. The Fiqh Council of North America recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of Lunar months including the months of Ramadan and Shawwal. FCNA

Reflections

Friday reflection: We all have a defined benefit plan

Good deeds are our investment for the everlasting future and the returns are defined – it is our defined benefit plan. All of us should be looking to live, not just ‘a good life’, but a life of goodness. ‘A good life’ is generally understood as having a successful career, a

Reflections

Friday reflection: Turn to God - He is Loving and Merciful

By Muneeb Nasir Among the main purposes of religion is to heal the brokenness in our relationship with God as well as with fellow human beings and other creations of God. Indeed, the purpose of fasting in Ramadan is to restore consciousness, awareness and mindfulness of God leading to such

Culture Featured

Exquisite, centuries-old bowl graces new Eid stamp

Crafted nearly 700 years ago in medieval Iran, the elegant, hand-painted ceramic bowl on this year’s Eid stamp was made during Ramadan – one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, when Muslims in Canada and around the world fast as an act of worship, self-purification and spiritual growth.

Reflections Featured

Friday reflection: The Muslim community’s beautiful traits - generosity, compassion and hospitality

By Muneeb Nasir Generosity, compassion and hospitality are defining features of the Muslim community and they are on full display during the month of Ramadan. In homes, neighborhoods, and mosques, Muslims are engaged in hosting friends and neighbors for iftar (fast breaking meals), giving to the less fortunate and those

Lifestyle Featured

5 Must-Have Islamic Apps to enhance your faith

Are you looking for the best Islamic apps to help you strengthen your faith and knowledge of Islam? Whether you want to read the Quran, learn Arabic, or perform daily duas, there's an app out there to help. Here are five top-rated Islamic apps that are worth checking

Reflections

Friday reflection: Ramadan - a wellspring for the spiritually dry

By Muneeb Nasir Ramadan is a sacred time - it is the ‘anniversary of anniversaries’, a time that the One God, Allah, singles out sincere believers for rewards. God's Apostle, peace be upon him said, "God said, 'All the deeds of sons of Adam (people) are

News Featured

Canadians ready to welcome Ramadan this week

Canadian Muslims are getting ready to welcome the month of Ramadan later this week. According to the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), the month of fasting will start on Thursday, March 23. "The Fiqh Council of North America recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for

Reflections Featured

Friday reflection: In today’s world people could all do with a dose of Ramadan

By Muneeb Nasir There is great anticipation in the air - families are making plans, children are getting excited, homes are being cleaned and spruced up, special foods and ingredients are being purchased to welcome a most noble guest, Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, set to begin next week.

National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) Featured

Muslim woman threatened with knife in Toronto subway

On March 9th, a young Muslim woman was riding Toronto's subway near the Vaughan area when a man pulled a knife on her. He followed her into the train and asked her questions about her faith. She wears the hijab, or Muslim headscarf. He then asked, "What

Reflections

Friday reflection: ‘The real House of God - where those who have lost God will find Him’

By Muneeb Nasir Outside the sacred sanctuary of houses of worship, hospitals and health institutions are  among places where the most sincere prayers are offered. They are places where many people seek God for solace and comfort, and where they may rediscover and reconnect with God. Many years ago, I

Reflections Featured

Friday reflection: Let's change our way of relating to each other

A successful life is one in which we develop, maintain and nurture meaningful relationships with the One Transcendent God, Allah, with our fellow humans and other creations. We are a growing and beautifully diverse Muslim community in this city. However, one of the greatest challenges we face is how to

Reflections Featured

Friday reflection: Those who walk on the earth ever so lightly

By Muneeb Nasir The world is full of self-important, self-absorbed, self-promoting, brash, egotistical and arrogant people.  These are the people who lead the news. Look at the recent headlines – it is all about political leaders who are arrogant and brash; who proudly display their character flaws and feel no shame

Reflections

Friday reflection: Who are the Muslims next door?

By Muneeb Nasir Canadian Muslims truly stand out as being among the most enthusiastic group of Canadians - 83 percent of Muslims feel very proud to be Canadian. However, because Muslims have a religious and cultural background unfamiliar to most other Canadians they face questions about their commitment to becoming

Reflections

Friday Reflection - The days of our lives

By Muneeb Nasir First lesson as we go through the days of our lives: Appreciate that each day is a gift and live each day purposefully. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is reported to have said: “Purity is half of the faith. The praise of God fills the