Parenting

There was once a time when Muslim scientists and inventors were ahead of their counterparts, in the European Middle Ages. Amongst some of these were Abu Nasr Al Farabi, Ibn Sina, Al Battani, and Ibn Al Haytham.

With the holiday season approaching, many Muslims look forward to using their free time to get together with family and friends.

For many, gratitude is foremost on our minds as Thanksgiving approaches. We reflect on the many gifts Allah has given us, including family, food, shelter, health, friendship, and most of all, our beautiful religion, Islam.

It is true that while many of us possess so much, beyond our basic needs, a sense of contentment never settles within us. As much as this is the case with tangible things like having a house, a car, fancy clothes, and a variety of food choices, it can take shape in the form of intangibles, too.

Just about every Muslim girl or woman who has worn a hijab or head scarf, has encountered  someone who either curiosly or condescendingly asks “what is underneath”? Author Hena Khan has a beautiful response in her book Under My Hijab.

 “O Allah, You have beautified my features, so beautify my character as well.”

(Ahmad)

Back in 2006, I developed a lecture titled, The Unveiling: The Truth about the Muslim Woman, that I presented in various universities across the Northeast U.S.