(posts)
Posts
-
Friday Meditations – 1-3-25 – Rajab & al-Bāqir
"Indeed, the number of months with God is twelve [lunar] months in the register of God [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them."
-
Friday Meditations - Vices and Virtues: On Despair
Before we dive into the analysis of the vices of despair (al-yaʾs) and despondence (al-qunūṭ) we need to make a note. Today, we often talk about despair, despondence, depression as a clinical reality—a mental-health issue. We should not conflate the physiological/mental analysis of depression with the spiritual vice of despondence or depression. These do not match one-to-one; there may be a complex set of relations and interactions between the two but that is beyond the scope of these reflections.
-
Friday Meditations – The Will to Change
Encouraging taqwā is the central purpose of the Friday Prayer. Taqwā is typically rendered as “piety” or “God consciousness” in English. It is helpful to think of piety as a spiritual power that helps us navigate the world on our own terms – that is, in line with our decision to harmonize with the Divine.
-
Eid al-Aḍḥā 2020
So when they had both submitted [to Allah’s will], and he had laid him down on his forehead, We called out to him, ‘O Abraham! You have indeed fulfilled the vision! Thus indeed do We reward the virtuous!
-
Sacred Roots Chronicles - Ramadan 2020 | 1441
The Sacred Roots team began planning for its first set of Ramaḍān programs in early 2020, eager about its first public-facing programs to celebrate the spiritual bounty of the month of Ramaḍān in Chicago. We were excitedly planning catering, programming, and were on our way to sending out invitations. However, in late February it became clear that we would not have the opportunity to commune with our burgeoning community in person due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Eid al-Fitr 2020
The Sacred Roots team wishes you and your family a beautiful and blessed Eid al-Fitr! We pray that our community members' fasts, nightly vigils, charitable giving, prayers, and acts of kindness throughout the month of Ramadan were accepted; and we pray that whatever good we have developed in ourselves this month will continue throughout the year.
-
General Goals for the Nights of Decree (Qadr)
The last days and nights of the month of Ramaḍān are of particular spiritual significance. While we may tend to want to rest on our laurels as the last days of fasting pass us by and the prospect of ʿĪd comes into view, our tradition teaches that during the last ten days the Prophet (ṣ) intensified his spiritual efforts and went into secluded worship. On the Nights of Decree (Qadr) he would stay up all night in vigil, orienting his soul toward God, and asking for well-being for the next year.
-
On the Path to Mercy: Striving Spiritually During the Month of Ramadan 2020 | 1441
As we approach the high season of spiritual and community life—Ramaḍān—those who live near communities or extended family gear up to gather at mosques or in homes to break the day’s long fast, to pray together, and to teach our little ones generosity and sharing. Our community centers gear up to feed the broad Muslim community, many of whom only attend during peak season.
