Category: Islam
-
Understanding the Hadith of the Three Best Generations, by Imam Luqman Ahmad
One of the most foundational statements of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is his pronouncement regarding the virtue of the early generations of Muslims (the Salaf). Recorded in authentic collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, and narrated by different companions such as, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, Abu Hurraira, Aisha, Abdullah ibn Umar, and…
-
The Islamic Ruling Regarding How Much a Man has to Pay in Maintenance Clarifying the Legal Scope of Nafaqah (Maintenance) according to Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Imam Abu Laith Luqman Ahmad
The financial maintenance (nafaqah) that is legally obligatory upon a husband is precise and well-defined. It does not encompass an open-ended list of personal preferences, social activities, or external luxuries. Across the major schools of thought, nafaqah strictly comprises the essentials required for human survival and dignity: food (ta’am), clothing (kiswah), suitable housing (sukna), and…
-
Real Talk: The Dilemma of the Muslim Mental Health Practitioner in the Modern Age, Imam Luqman Ahmad
Let’s keep it real with each other: for a Muslim mental health practitioner today, walking into the clinic every day can feel like standing at a major, existential crossroads. This isn’t just a niche issue for a single demographic; it is a profound dilemma facing Muslim professionals and believers across the globe, particularly those living…
-
Spiritual Abuse: A Flawed Terminology That Muslims Should Retire, Here’s why, Imam Luqman Ahmad
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم و به نستعين In recent years, a new phrase has quietly woven its way into the vocabulary of the Western Muslim community: “spiritual abuse.” Borrowed from modern psychology and Christian theological discourse, this quasi-psychological term is increasingly popularized to describe situations where religious authorities, such as Imams, community leaders, Islamic teachers,…
-
Ruling on Sneezing and a person responding “yar’hamuka Allah” during the Friday khutba (sermon), by Imam Luqman Ahmad
When a person sneezes while the Friday sermon (khutba) is being delivered, the rulings regarding saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ and responding with Yarhamukallah are as follows: Saying Alhamdulillah: The person who sneezes should say Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) quietly to himself (silently). He should not raise his voice. Saying Yarhamukallah: If someone hears him sneeze and…
-
The Notion of Single-Gender Accountability in Islam, Kufr in Disguise, by Imam Abu Laith Luqman Ahmad
A troubling double standard has permeated parts of the modern Black American Muslim dialogue. While a man is rightly condemned for fornicating, the woman involved is frequently absolved of blame, treating the sin as if it were exclusively his responsibility. This asymmetric view mirrors ideological frameworks that frame the man as the sole perpetrator and…
-
Scholarship Versus Entertainment: A Historical and Modern Crisis, Imam Luqman Ahmad
In the classical Islamic tradition, scholarship (Ilm) and public oratory (Khatabah / Wa’z) were treated as distinct, often separate specializations. While many major jurists possessed deep linguistic competence, not all engaged in public preaching or were historically celebrated as orators. Understanding this distinction illuminates a profound irony in how the Muslim community approaches religious leadership…
-
Beyond the Therapy Room: Finding the Ultimate Blueprint for Life in the Book of Allah, Imam Luqman Ahmad
In an age dominated by self-help podcasts, therapy culture, and endless streams of psychological frameworks, humanity is constantly searching for a manual on how to live. We look everywhere for guidance on how to set boundaries, fix our relationships, navigate marriage, and correct toxic behaviors. Yet, in our pursuit of modern clinical solutions, we often…
-
Beyond the Screen: AI, the “Terminator” Scenario, and the Ultimate Control of Allah, by Imam Abu Laith Luqman Ahmad
If you have ever watched Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines or Terminator Salvation, you likely remember the chilling turning point. It is not just about a single cyborg assassin sent back in time; it is the broader, terrifying realization of Judgement Day. In those films, humanity hands over its defense grid to an advanced…
-
What’s going on in the earth? This is a time for Reflection: Signs in the Storm, Imam Luqman Ahmad
From the towering plumes of Canadian wildfire smoke that darken skies thousands of miles away, and here at home, to the scorched earth left in the wake of relentless flames, and wild fires, from catastrophic, nation-spanning floods that swallow highways and homes, to torrential rains that turn Philadelphia streets into surging rivers, to the tornadoes…
Imam Luqman Ahmad Mosque Without Borders 