Articles by Guest Authors:

Reem Salahi, Megan Wyatt, Khadijah K, Heba Alshareef

Chocolate Chip Cookies

By: Maryam Adham I have a problem. I love to bake. And when I get an impulse to bake something it is almost impossible to shake it. Now, the problem is, since I bake so much I often run out of staples (butter, eggs). So this leads to frantic internet searches for substitutions and alternate recipes. Sometimes these turn out to be total flops. Other times they actually turn out good enough to make again (butter-less, egg-less,... Read More →

Warning: Is Your Social Life Making You Fat?

How to withstand the societal pressures of food and basically eating at every occasion By Sarah Hassaine-Nadoona Exercise Consultant “What do you want to do?” “I don’t know, what are you thinking?” “We can grab dinner or dessert?” “Yeah let’s do dinner and then grab coffee or something?” “Ok, cool.” And so it goes right? I think we all have this conversation at least once a week while coordinating... Read More →

Dinner Time: Lasagna

by Maryam Adham Lasagna is one of those meals that I could actually eat for a week (or more!) without getting tired of it. It’s warm, cheesy, filling, cheesy, and perfect for the cold fall days we’re having now. Did I mention it was cheesy?  Add to that the fact that it’s a meal that everyone in the family can eat without complaining and it automatically shoots up to the top of my favorite meal list! Lasagna... Read More →

Against the Current

By: Fatima A. Not too far away in Alaska, a scaled red salmon slithered and writhed upstream. The fish danced its way across rocks and its gleaming body charged up and up and up.  What a strange sight it seemed. The salmon that tried and succeeded to swim against the currents. The Alaskan salmon is a fascinating creature that can offer us points of wisdom through its life. The salmon hatches into fresh water at the spawning... Read More →

Ordinary Heroine: Ameena Jandali

By: Afshan Hai An ordinary heroine is Ameena Jandali.  I’ve respected her eruditely outspoken demeanor, mothering style (since she did not let being a mom limit her activism) and Islamic character.  She has been a huge asset to the Muslim community in the Bay Area and I wish there were many more “Ameena Jandalis”.   From the late ‘80’s, when she was at UC Berkeley (Cal) herself, through the early 90’s,... Read More →

Teaching of the Muhaddithaat

By: Umm Khawla Teaching both men and women The teaching offered by the muhaddithaat was not restricted to other women, but extended to male students as well. Since the time of the Companions, it has been a well-established practice that women modestly obscured behind the screen may teach hadeeth to male students. Al-Suyuti records this: ‘The ancestors learnt ahadeeth from Aishah and other mothers of the believers,... Read More →

Muslim Women and Body Image: Part II

By: Asiyah A. Part II After understanding the problem, how then do we learn to care for ourselves? First, realize that we have a choice not to participate in the culture; we can reclaim our bodies and redefine beauty for ourselves. Beauty is not a scarce resource; there is more than enough for everyone. As one sister put it, “ALLAH MADE ME BEAUTIFUL! He made me without any physical deformities that would make people... Read More →

Who Am I to Judge? On Imagined Humility

By Umm Zakiyyah “Are you so righteous,” the sister asked, “that you can now fix all the sinful?” Almost anyone who is actively involved in Islamic work can relate to hearing these sorts of comments in response to their da’wah efforts. And each time someone says this, the underlying message is clear: Because you are “pointing out others’ sins,” you must think you’re better than everyone else. Then... Read More →

Fasting: Will that help me lose weight?

Rumbles, gurgles, and growls. All too familiar noises associated with a fasting stomach. For one month out of the year, most practicing Muslims gladly orchestrate the symphony of stomach noises (and not to mention some funky breath) for the ultimate reward from Allah swt. With Ramadan around the corner, many of us are getting ourselves ready for the yearly ‘restart’ button to life. But can this form of worship translate... Read More →

Why I Took Off Hijab: Open Sin vs. Hypocrisy

Open Sin vs. Hypocrisy: Why I Took Off Hijab© By Umm Zakiyyah “Wearing hijab is making a big statement,” the woman said.  “I don’t want to be a hypocrite.  I know I don’t represent what hijab stands for, so I took it off.” It’s one of the most heartbreaking things to hear a Muslim say… That in an effort to avoid hypocrisy, she [or he] has decided to openly disobey Allah… …And they imagine that... Read More →