The Qarawiyyin Newsletter
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًۭا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا
You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly- if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do.
4:135
Welcome to The Qarawiyyin Newsletter!
February marks the 56th death anniversary of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, more commonly known as Malcolm X - one of the most influential Muslims of our modern times. A revolutionary, whose tumultuous life experiences as a Black man in America eventually brought him into contact with orthodox Islam, pushing him further in his fight for freedom, justice and liberation. May Allah have mercy on his soul and accept him as a shaheed. As Black History Month comes to an end, we have compiled some resources to further our knowledge of the Black Muslims who have shaped our faith and it’s history.
As we plan for the future of TQP, we would like to hear what our audience has to say regarding our content so far and the direction we are moving in. We appreciate all the feedback we receive, and are forever grateful for the encouragement, but more than that, the naseehah is most valuable. We kindly ask if you could spare a few minutes and fill out our feedback form, to see what we are doing well and what requires more work!
Healing with Faith: The Misrepresentation of Integrative Medicine
Afnan Abusheikha introduces the discussion of ‘Integrative Medicine’. Often placed diametrically opposite to science which is now almost synonymous with the truth, misrepresentation in the media means it is frequently undermined and mocked, discrediting not only it’s value but also that of religion in these spheres.
Barakah – The Black Woman who Rocked the Prophet’s Cradle
Aishah A. writes on Barakah bint Tha’labah , the Absynnian woman who began life in Makkah as a slave girl, and who would go on to become “a mother after my own mother” to the Prophet ﷺ . A woman who would remain loyal to him and the mission of Islam for the rest of her life, a cherished figure in the history of our faith.
Podcast Ep. 13: Reflecting on the Names of Allah | Jinan Yousef
The Qarawiyyin Podcast welcomes Ustadha Jinan Yousef for a discussion on her recently published book, Reflecting on the Names of Allah. We delve into what it means to truly know God ﷻ, common misconceptions about His nature, and practical ways to improve our relationship with our Creator.
We previously shared our Islam and Systematic Anti-Blackness book list, highlighting the presence and impact of Blackness in our Islamic history and Islam as a guide to liberation. Imam Dawud Walid (featured twice in the list!) just released his newest book: ‘Blackness and Islam’ which sheds light on the deviation between the egalitarian spirit of Islam and the lived experiences of Muslims.
Heraa Hashmi further reviewed ‘The Color of Law’, a relevant read for those not so privy to the African American experience, putting to question the illusion of progress in the West by focusing on the systemic nature of racism in the U.S.
Ayah Aboelela recommends ‘Educating Muslim Women: The West African Legacy of Nana Asma’u’, a book on an underappreciated yet integral figure in the history of the Sokoto caliphate. Nana Asma’u’s emphasis on education and leadership rooted in Islamic tradition makes her a figure worthy of our attention.
It requires no introduction, but if you haven’t already, crack open the widely recommended ‘Autobiography of Malcolm X’. Additionally, ‘The Dead are Arising: The Life of Malcom X’ is a newer work on the life of Malcolm X by Les Payne, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist. Thirty years of intense research coupled with extensive commentary on the American political and social scene makes it a super enlightening read and puts the plight of Malcolm into perspective (also recommended by Imam Zaid Shakir!)
As well as periodically updating our resource bank, here we share some other insightful contributions from prominent Muslim figures and organisations.
Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad’s most recent release has been met with mixed reviews, with many a think piece offering analyses and explanations from both fans and critics alike. Dr Usaama al-Azami reviews and critiques the work, which he asserts is an important contribution to European Islamic theological reflection.
Video: Dr. Ahmed Osman: The Martyrdom, Funeral, and Burial of Malcolm X, Yaqeen Institution
An incredibly intimate and insightful discussion with Dr. Ahmed S. Osman, one of the most influential people in Malcolm X’s life. He helped guide Malcolm to Orthodox Islam, organized his Hajj to Mecca, and even spoke at his funeral. Follow it up with Omar Suleiman’s article on how Malcolm X is still misunderstood – and misused.
Podcast: From Original Sin to the Colour of Skin, Treasures from Tradition, Imam Zaid Shakir [36 minutes]
What does the message of the Quran signify for humanity? In this episode Imam Zaid expounds on its impact to facilitate consciousness of God’s commands, avoid prohibitions, and insights into recognizing the historical ties that bind different races together regardless of class and gender.
Podcast: Islam In East Africa I: Somalia, Islamic History X [40 minutes]
Islamic History X cover the the historic relationship and socio-political climate of Arabia and Africa at the turn of the 7th century, the historicity of source material on Islam in Somalia and East Africa and the emergence of the Somali-Muslim city-states & dynasties.
Course: Black Lives around the Messenger, CelebrateMercy
In this free 10-part series, Shaykh Adeyinka Mendes will teach about the lives of many Black Companions of the Prophet ﷺ. Alongside their stories, he will also discuss the social dynamics of the Companions, the concept of race in Islamic history, and the celebration of Blackness in our tradition.
Reminder: The core of Worship, Safina Society
Du’a is the core of worship because unlike other acts of worship, people’s hearts are always present when they want something. Dr Shadee Elmasry provides a pertinent reminder on the nature of Du’a and the wisdom behind Allah’s plan.
If you have any questions, feedback or would like to feature in our next newsletter, let us know. Email us at contact@qarawiyyinproject.co or visit our website to find out more about our article submission process.
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Until next time, Assalaamu Alaykum.