The prophet Muhammad said: “He is not one of us who calls for asabiyyah, (tribalism/nationalism) or who fights for asabiyyah, or who dies for asabiyyah.” [Abu Dawud] On one occasion during the time of the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wa sallam), a party of Jews conspired to bring about disunity in the …

It’s a classic movie scene, almost cliche: a grown child leaving home as his parents standby watching. The mother, usually weeping, is being consoled by her husband. Today’s children think that it was the parents who were losing in these situations. Typically the child is beaming, excited at the new …

As Hurricane Sandy heads towards US and people all over the East Coast prepare to bunker down, this verse from the Quran comes to mind: “Certainly, We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss of wealth, lives and fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to (As-Sabireen) …