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Do I have to tell my shaykh I’m leaving?

Do I have to tell my shaykh I’m leaving?

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم The decision to leave a shaykh or religious community can be a difficult decision with conflicting emotions and considerations. However, once you have made a decision to leave, there are further considerations such as whether or not to tell the shaykh you are leaving, and whether or not to maintain contact …

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Muslim Influencers: Instant Reminders and Reflections

Muslim Influencers: Instant Reminders and Reflections

A hadith on the disappearance of knowledge states that after scholars die, people will take ignorant people as their leaders. They will answer questions when asked, but being misguided themselves, they will misguide others and lead them astray.[1] The wording in this hadith is quite different from literature on evil scholars. The blame here lies …

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Spiritual Abuse and Mental Preparation- Shaykh Tarik Ata

Spiritual Abuse and Mental Preparation- Shaykh Tarik Ata

Shaykh Tarik Ata Shaykh Tarik emphasizes the importance of being prepared for instances of spiritual abuse. He shares that one of his own teachers would tell him about individuals using religion for self-gain. This prepared him to not be shocked when encountering issues of religious corruption. Shaykh Tarik shares different levels of practice we may …

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kashf, spiritual experiences, and corruption: lessons and reflections from my tariqa experience

kashf, spiritual experiences, and corruption: lessons and reflections from my tariqa experience

The following account is written by a friend of mine. We studied Arabic together in the mid 2000s and then I lost contact with him. Some friends of his found In Shaykh’s Clothing helpful for the corruption they witnessed in Sufi tariqas and brought the work to his attention. When he looked at it, he …

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A Field Guide to Dubious “Zakat-Eligible” Claims by American Muslim Nonprofits

A Field Guide to Dubious “Zakat-Eligible” Claims by American Muslim Nonprofits

By Ahmed Shaikh You have wealth, and the world has people in need.  In a universe where “zakat-eligible” means anything it may seem zakat has become meaningless.  It only is though if you let it. Zakat is an act of worship that relies on your judgement. This article is for those who want to donate …

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Analysis of “Fallout”: Using Ruqya for Sexual Violations, and The Cult Justifications

Analysis of “Fallout”: Using Ruqya for Sexual Violations, and The Cult Justifications

Below are 20 points from the Fallout Story that deserve an analysis and explanation.  The story revolves around a shaykh forcefully kissing and touching multiple women and the group justifying it through bogus spiritual reasoning. “Ali” who was once a murid of the shaykh took a stance against the abusive shaykh and was outcasted and …

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Heretical claims and threats-Interview with Zayd Mia on leaving an abusive tariqa

Heretical claims and threats-Interview with Zayd Mia on leaving an abusive tariqa

Murids leaving an abusive tariqa face all sorts of backlash. Please read this interview with Zayd Mia on his experiences in an abusive tariqa and subsequent backlash.   Danish: What initially drew you to the Shaykh and tariqa? Zayd: I was drawn to the Shaykh mainly due to a family connection. I had a handful …

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The Journey of the Dark-Skinned Student of Knowledge

The Journey of the Dark-Skinned Student of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم By Ustadh Muhammad Ahmed To the dark-skinned student of knowledge, I say to you: “Don’t be disheartened by the racism you may find, even if it is within the circles of knowledge.” I begin this post with a reminder for the young black or dark-skinned Muslims who have undertaken the study …

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The Commodification of Worship: How Automation Dilutes the Meaning of Seeking Laylat al-Qadr

The Commodification of Worship: How Automation Dilutes the Meaning of Seeking Laylat al-Qadr

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts. Quran 22:32 Writer and consultant Edward Bernays revolutionized advertising with his deep understanding of human desires. He is called the father of public relations and one of his strategies of selling was …

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