Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy, was a Russian author, essayist and philosopher born Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy on 28 August 1828 into a long line of Russian nobility. He is well-known for his epic novel War and Peace (1865-69), Hadji Murad (1896-1904), and many others. He was a deeply thoughtful individual who concerned himself with the divine, the meaning of life, and the moral ideal. What is well-known is Tolstoy's contribution to society in the field of literature and philosopher, but what is uknown is his deep respect and understanding of Islam and Muhammad (saw).

The following is a book compiled about Tolstoy's appreciation of and for Islam:

Tolstoy About Muhammad (Pbuh)

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al-Sawm صوم‎

The following is a lecture by Imam Bilal Malik on what is al-Sawm in terms of it's purpose, need, and what it entails in preparation for the upcoming month of Ramadan:

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Be a Muslim!

The following is a recording of short talks by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, and Imam Siraj Wahhaj:

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Building Islamic Institutions

The following is a discussion with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, and Prof. Hatem Bazian regarding Islamic Institution building, specifically the new upcoming Zaytuna College:

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Identity- Shaykh Hamza

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is a renowned scholar both in North America and in the Islamic World. Having learned from from many scholars of the highest calibre, Shaykh Hamza has 'ijazas to teach the Islamic Sciences, notably from Shaykh 'Abdallah bin Bayyah. He's lectured in some of the most prestigious Institutions and circles throughout the world, including the University of al-Karaouine in Fes.

The following is a lecture he delivered at the annual Islamic Society of North America conference 2009:

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Jum'ah Khutbah- Imam Magid

Imam Mohamed Hagmagid was born in Sudan, the son of a leading Islamic Scholar, who was an Azhar graduate and the Mufti of Sudan. Imam Magid studied at the hand of his father and other notable scholars, gaining ijaza in several disciplines, including Ghazali's 'Ihya Uloom al-Deen. His duties, as the Imam and Executive Director of the ADAMS Center, include giving Juma Khutbas and teaching classes in many aspects of the Islamic Sciences.

The following is a Khutbah he delivered at the Islamic Society of North America 2009 annual convention before more than 30, 000 Muslims:

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Shock Dead, Everybody's Gone Mad

As the world examines, reflects, and reminisces on the life of Michael Jackson, it is incumbent that we do not overlook his monumental work for human rights and the significant milestone of his conversion to Islam, which although conveniently left-out from mainstream media, was likely the reason for his recent stability, contentment, and success.

Even though most will remember him as the "King of Pop", or simply Michael, we as Muslims should remember him for Mika'eel, his name after accepting Islam, because that is what will ultimately help him and allow him to have the stability and contentment he lacked in this world in the Hereafer insha'Allah. Ameen. The following is an article by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf on the passing of Mika'eel Jackson:

Shock Dead, Everybody's Gone Mad: Reflections on the Death of Michael Jackson By Hamza Yusuf

On the news Everybody's dog food Bang bang Shock dead Everybody's gone mad... From "They Don't Care About Us" by Michael Jackson As a little boy, Michael Jackson had an extraordinary charisma -- as well as an absolute innocence -- that was disarmingly charming. It captivated millions of Americans and eventually people around the world. As the years went by, his career took strange turns and he slowly turned white, transforming his face eerily into a pale and ghastly masque, perhaps to conceal the pain of alienation from his own self and family. He was also rumored to have unsavory predilections that would never have been suggested if one used the rigorous criteria of Islam before hurling an accusation. Despite the rumors, he appeared to have had a genuine concern for children, wanting to provide them with a world that was denied to him as a child due to the abuses he claimed to have suffered. I was very happy for him last year when he reportedly became a Muslim. He had apparently followed the footsteps of his dignified and intelligent brother, Jermaine, who converted to Islam 20 years ago and found peace. It seemed befitting that Michael sought refuge from a society that thrives on putting people on pedestals and then knocking them down. He was accused of many terrible things, but was guilty of perhaps being far too sensitive for an extremely cruel world. Such is the fate of many artistic people in our culture of nihilistic art, where the dominant outlet for their talents is in singing hollow pop songs or dancing half-naked in front of ogling onlookers who often leave them as quickly as they clung to them for the next latest sensation. In the manner of Elvis or the Beatles, Michael is unwittingly both a cause and a symptom of America’s national obsession with celebrity, currently on display in the American Idol mania. Celebrity trumps catastrophe every time. Far too few of us make any attempt to understand why jobs are drying up, why mortgages are collapsing, why we spend half-a-trillion dollars to service the interest on the national debt, why our government’s administration, despite being elected on an anti-war platform, is still committed to two unnecessary and unjust wars waged by the earlier administration, wars that continue to involve civilians casualties on an almost daily basis. Instead, we drown in trivia, especially trivia related to celebrity. And the response to Michael’s death is part of the trivial pursuits of American popular culture. The real news about death in America is that twenty Iraq and Afghan war veterans are committing suicide every day. But that does not make the front page nor is it discussed as seriously as the King of Pop’s cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, Michael’s very public death notice is a powerful reminder that no matter how famous or talented or wealthy one is, death comes knocking, sometimes sooner than later. Michael has now entered a world of extraordinary perception, a world that makes his “Thriller” video seem mundane. It is a world of angels and demons, and questions in the grave, a world where fame is based upon piety and charity. Given Michael’s reported conversion to Islam last year, Muslims count him as one of our own, and we pray that he can finally find the peace he never found in this world and that he is in a place, God willing, of mercy, forgiveness, and solace.

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