THE evening dinner started as usual with casual, lighthearted banter among us sisters who were present. In one comical exchange, a sister shared with us how terribly dry her feet were, so much so that they cracked often. “Sometimes I’m praying,” she said between chuckles, “and I have to keep …

The Jinn of Nasibain (From the Jinn of the Island) “Say (O Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wassallam): “It has been revealed to me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinns listened (to this Quran). They said: ‘Verily! We have heard a wonderful Recital (this Quran)! ‘It guides …

I contemplated the way some people, some of whom I have lived with for years, deal with others,. I do not ever recall them laughing, or even smiling at a joke out of courtesy, or reacting positively to the person speaking to them. I used to think that perhaps this …