Year in Review: 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013
The new year provides another great reminder to take the time to reflect on the past – for VirtualMosque.com it has been a year of many changes! We saw the hosting of a virtual town hall, chose a new logo designed by you, the readers, and launched a completely re-designed website.
The following is a very brief sampling of some of the most insightful and inspiring articles from 2010. They are articles that resonated strongly with our readers, bringing knowledge and Islamic scholarship to bear on the most relevant topics experienced by Western Muslims today. The articles have been selected from categories such as relationships, society, personal development, Islamic studies, and history. A list of “not-to-miss!” posts from translations, multimedia, and current events are also included.
There were many, many articles of significant impact that are not on the list for brevity’s sake. Which articles really struck a chord with you? Tell us what your favorites were!
RELATIONSHIPS
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself – A compelling reminder on the importance of not judging others, humbling ourselves [in our hearts] and renewing our sincerity in all things.
Let’s Talk About Dating – Confronting the paralysis of the Muslim community when approaching the issue of dating due to fear of western values that accept pre-marital sex.
Am I Marrying the Right Person? – A much needed reminder that while many factors are used to determine compatibility, your feelings should be kept in mind as a very important factor.
How You Say It Matters! – The powerful effect of XYZ statements on your relationships, practical advice on ensuring healthy communication in any relationship, written by a qualified professional.
Hook Up with Allah, Allah will Hook You Up – An empowering article that responds to the pressures of changing oneself for the wrong reasons, particularly changing for the worse due to pressures to marry.
SOCIETY
Why All Americans Should Want a Mosque in their Neighborhood – Refuting the mosque has unjustifiably become a symbol of fear and worry in American communities.
Battling Temptation – Whether your struggle is at the initial stages of guarding your gaze and thoughts, or at the level of looking at porn, masturbation, or actual adultery (may Allah protect us all), some suggestions and tips to help in battling the temptation.
A Woman’s Reflection on Leading Prayer – Refuting the idea that a woman leading prayer brings women closer to achieving liberation.
Angry Hijabi – A short but powerful, stereotype-defying poem challenging misguided views on women in Islam.
Taking Off the Hijab – Sincere, detailed, and practical advice for a sister who is struggling with wearing the hijab.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Attachments: Emptying the Vessel – illumination on the greatest struggle of earthly life: the struggle to free one’s heart from all false attachments, to empty the vessel of the heart.
What would Mariam do? – A series on Mariam’s character (peace be upon her) and how to live with the best of virtue and honor.
ISLAMIC STUDIES
The Language of the Khutbah – A detailed explanation on the majority opinion that the khutbah may be a mixture of both Arabic and the local language.
Is a Woman’s Prayer at Home Better? – Answered by Shaykh Muhammad al-Hassan al-Dado | Translated and Abridged by VirtualMosque.com.
How to Taste the Sweetness of Prayer – An award-winning series on salah (prayer), filled with practical advice on how to reach the state of serenity, tranquility, and humility during prayer.
HISTORY
The Prophet’s ﷺ Sadness – An explanation of how to understand narrations describing a time when the Prophet ﷺ became so sad that he intended to throw himself from the tops of high mountains, but was compelled to stop every time.
How the Muslims Killed Dracula – A research-based understanding of Dracula like no Hollywood story has ever told before! Centering on the triumph of Radu the Handsome over the man who became known as Dracula.
TRANSLATIONS
- A Question on Migration to the Lands of Islam by Dr. ‘Abdullah bin Bayyah
- No Condemnation in Areas of Ijtihad By Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi
- The Statute of Tolerance in Islam by Dr. `Ali Gom`a
- On Celebrating The Prophet’s Birthday ﷺ by Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah
- The 30 Principles of Moderate & Balanced Thought
- Between Hardship and Ease: Imam al-Qarafi Drops Mad Science
- Muhammad ‘Abdu’s Advice for Educational Reform in the Ottoman Empire
- A Tribute to Shaykh Ahmed al-`Assāl by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradāwī
MULTIMEDIA
- Virtual Pulpit: Net Mosques, Congregations & Imams by Suhaib Webb
- The Essentials for Muslim Activists by Suhaib Webb
- How to Unlock iJannah by Suhaib Webb
- The Role of Muslim Students by Suhaib Webb
- Advice to Converts by Suhaib Webb
- Real Men Don’t Hit Women by Khalid Latif
CURRENT EVENTS
- Thoughts on the IslamOnline Tragedy and the Removal of Dr. Qaradawi
- A Response to Sh. Anwar al-Awlaki
- “Muslim Youth Radicalization” Townhall Recording
- Remember Malcolm X: Passing on his Legacy
- Declaring Apostasy (Takfir) on Muslims
JazakAllahu khair! This is awesome – all the great articles from this year in one place. Woohoo!