http://www.marcmanley.com Muslim Writer, Thinker, and Educator Fri, 18 May 2012 13:57:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Copyright © Marc Manley Dot Com 2012 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ manrilla@gmail.com (Marc Manley) manrilla@gmail.com (Marc Manley) 1440 http://www.marcmanley.com/media/imgs/marc-manley-144.jpg http://www.marcmanley.com 144 144 An American Muslim writer, thinker, and educator, working to remove the accidental and the incidental from quintessential discussion on Islam in America. Muslim Writer, Thinker, Educator and Chaplain Islam, religion, spirituality, Muslims, American, Muslims, chaplain Marc Manley Marc Manley manrilla@gmail.com no no http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-a-sacred-life-style-loving-the-prophet/ http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-a-sacred-life-style-loving-the-prophet/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 13:36:16 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6334 http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-a-sacred-life-style-loving-the-prophet/feed/ 0 0:59:23 The following is a short video and full-length audio of a talk I delivered at Drexel University with Adnan Zulfiqar on loving the Prophet صلى الله عليه وصلم. The following is a short video and full-length audio of a talk I delivered at Drexel University with Adnan Zulfiqar on loving the Prophet صلى الله عليه وصلم. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/is-religion-fighting-for-its-life/ http://www.marcmanley.com/is-religion-fighting-for-its-life/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 19:11:45 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6316 http://www.marcmanley.com/is-religion-fighting-for-its-life/feed/ 0 0:18:52 In a technocracy, tools play a central role in the thought-world of the culture. Everything must give way... In a technocracy, tools play a central role in the thought-world of the culture. Everything must give way... "i"Mam, Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/musings-on-technopoly-and-when-technology-wounds/ http://www.marcmanley.com/musings-on-technopoly-and-when-technology-wounds/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 19:17:29 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6260 http://www.marcmanley.com/musings-on-technopoly-and-when-technology-wounds/feed/ 0 0:11:54 Are people losing their identities by using the Internet, Facebook, and other technologies? Are people losing their identities by using the Internet, Facebook, and other technologies? "i"Mam, Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/hamd-and-shukr-praise-and-thanks/ http://www.marcmanley.com/hamd-and-shukr-praise-and-thanks/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 19:20:42 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6247 hamd and shukr when dealing with life's difficulties.]]> http://www.marcmanley.com/hamd-and-shukr-praise-and-thanks/feed/ 0 0:05:43 Taking a walk to have hamd and shukr when dealing with life's difficulties. Taking a walk to have hamd and shukr when dealing with life's difficulties. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-a-sacred-way-of-life/ http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-a-sacred-way-of-life/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 00:07:27 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6242 http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-a-sacred-way-of-life/feed/ 0 0:29:38 Just how sacred is Islam to Muslims? How sacred is the Prophet to Muslim? God's Book, the Qur'an? Just how sacred is Islam to Muslims? How sacred is the Prophet to Muslim? God's Book, the Qur'an? Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/thinking-islam-anew/ http://www.marcmanley.com/thinking-islam-anew/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 19:29:52 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6235 http://www.marcmanley.com/thinking-islam-anew/feed/ 0 0:15:00 More thoughts on technology, education, Traditional Islam and Neil Postman's book, Technopoly. More thoughts on technology, education, Traditional Islam and Neil Postman's book, Technopoly. "i"Mam, Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/beyond-halal-whiteness-and-alternative-food/ http://www.marcmanley.com/beyond-halal-whiteness-and-alternative-food/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 19:50:09 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6183 http://www.marcmanley.com/beyond-halal-whiteness-and-alternative-food/feed/ 2 0:11:14 Some thoughts on a new book I'm reading entitled, Cultivating Food Justice: Race, Class and Sustainability. Some thoughts on a new book I'm reading entitled, Cultivating Food Justice: Race, Class and Sustainability. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/formulating-a-fiqh-of-technology/ http://www.marcmanley.com/formulating-a-fiqh-of-technology/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 20:13:40 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6176 http://www.marcmanley.com/formulating-a-fiqh-of-technology/feed/ 0 0:09:55 A podcast on technology, thinking about its production and application and how might we use it as a tool versus becoming tools of tools. A podcast on technology, thinking about its production and application and how might we use it as a tool versus becoming tools of tools. "i"Mam, Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-understanding-piety/ http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-understanding-piety/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 14:49:06 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6161 http://www.marcmanley.com/towards-understanding-piety/feed/ 0 0:24:20 What exactly constitutes piety? Are our notions of devotion based on the sacred sources of the Qur'an and life of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم or are they merely self-delusions? What exactly constitutes piety? Are our notions of devotion based on the sacred sources of the Qur'an and life of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم or are they merely self-delusions? Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/muslims-america-and-the-greater-good/ http://www.marcmanley.com/muslims-america-and-the-greater-good/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 19:20:06 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6155 http://www.marcmanley.com/muslims-america-and-the-greater-good/feed/ 0 0:10:21 The Muslim community in America has been under fire since the tragic events of September 11th, yet many of the efforts by Muslims since then have focused on how to get back to enjoying the comforts of American society. The Muslim community in America has been under fire since the tragic events of September 11th, yet many of the efforts by Muslims since then have focused on how to get back to enjoying the comforts of American society. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/how-to-contribute-to-the-ummah-of-muhammad/ http://www.marcmanley.com/how-to-contribute-to-the-ummah-of-muhammad/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:42:24 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6143 http://www.marcmanley.com/how-to-contribute-to-the-ummah-of-muhammad/feed/ 0 0:08:53 A short podcast on an issue I feel Muslims are facing: how contribute as you are with what you have. A short podcast on an issue I feel Muslims are facing: how contribute as you are with what you have. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/summer-reading-list-2012/ http://www.marcmanley.com/summer-reading-list-2012/#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:55:00 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6135 http://www.marcmanley.com/summer-reading-list-2012/feed/ 7 http://www.marcmanley.com/certitude-in-islam-a-khutbah/ http://www.marcmanley.com/certitude-in-islam-a-khutbah/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:23:41 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6126 http://www.marcmanley.com/certitude-in-islam-a-khutbah/feed/ 0 0:30:23 Notes and audio from a khutbah delivered at Drexel University. Notes and audio from a khutbah delivered at Drexel University. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/morality-in-modern-times-why-do-morals-still-matter/ http://www.marcmanley.com/morality-in-modern-times-why-do-morals-still-matter/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:32:25 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=6022 http://www.marcmanley.com/morality-in-modern-times-why-do-morals-still-matter/feed/ 0 0:51:02 Do morals still matter? We discuss this and more in the final Chaplain Chat of the Spring 2012 term. Do morals still matter? We discuss this and more in the final Chaplain Chat of the Spring 2012 term. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/passing-of-an-era/ http://www.marcmanley.com/passing-of-an-era/#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:00:12 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5960 http://www.marcmanley.com/passing-of-an-era/feed/ 0 0:27:48 Some musings on the passing of an era at the University of Pennsylvania and audio from Adnan Zulfiqar's khutbah. Some musings on the passing of an era at the University of Pennsylvania and audio from Adnan Zulfiqar's khutbah. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/beyond-halal-meanings-and-significance-of-food-in-islam/ http://www.marcmanley.com/beyond-halal-meanings-and-significance-of-food-in-islam/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:05:17 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5918 http://www.marcmanley.com/beyond-halal-meanings-and-significance-of-food-in-islam/feed/ 3 0:54:31 Sadly, the Muslim discourse on food has mostly revolved around the practice of Islamically slaughtered meat. This has led to a conflation of terms:  halal/حلال with dhabihah/ذبيحة. Despite the claims to the contrary, there is a difference of opinion[...] Sadly, the Muslim discourse on food has mostly revolved around the practice of Islamically slaughtered meat. This has led to a conflation of terms:  halal/حلال with dhabihah/ذبيحة. Despite the claims to the contrary, there is a difference of opinion on the necessity to eat only dhabihah meat. But what is more tragic is that while Muslims obsess axiomatic about halal meat (hereafter referred to as dhabihah), they miss the forest for the trees in terms of whether nor such meats are good/طيب. There are numerous Qur’anic verses that deal with the topic of food and eating and a great many of them emphasize “the good”, in Arabic known as tayyib/طيب. Oddly enough, this component, “the good,” is seldom discussed in terms of Muslim dietary needs. Being that “the good” is often expressed as a command from God (see examples below), how is it that Muslims are so unhealthy? Indeed, health seems to pass under the radar of Muslims despite the large number of Muslims who work in the health and medical fields. Like so many things in is Islam, it is not simply concerned with the lawful, but also with the good. Oddly enough, it seems to be non-Muslims who are picking up on this notion, as halal is increasingly seen as a potentially health food choice: Chickens: [are] raised in huge flocks indoors under crowded conditions, treated with antibiotics to prevent illness and promote rapid growth, and are ready to slaughter six weeks after hatching. Look for birds that were raised free-range without antibiotics and are Certified Organic, kosher, or halal. I have noticed that a number of food products, from meat to even vitamins (the current brand of fish oil I use from Minami Nutrition uses halal gelatin for its capsules) looking to halal as a representative of organic or “the good.” The question I posed in the topic was: Is it possible, like kosher, to expand the notion or halal (which simply means “lawful” in fiqh terms)—increasingly seen as organic, etc.—to include non-meat items, whereby halal  comes to be understand as “the good,”, a.k.a., tayyib. In other words, eating as a Muslim means to eat well. In order to do so, Muslims will need to stop conflating rules for principles (something Muslims do in many circles, not just related to food). A friend of mine left me with some food for thought: Perhaps Muslims obsess about dhabihah, not solely out of a desire to gain God’s favor, but as a means of cultural, societal and even civilizational protest. Indeed, I know of many Muslims who hail from so-called cultural Muslim backgrounds that do not maintain regular prayers but are adamant on insisting they eat only dhabihah meat. I am left wondering about his insight on this issue. كلو من طيبت ما رزقنكم “Eat from that which is good from what We have provided for you.” [Qur’an, 2: 57] يأيه الناس كلوا مما فى الأرض حللا طيبا ولا تتبعوا خطوت الشيطن إنه لكم عدو مبين “O people!, eat from the good lawful things of the earth and do not follow in the footsteps of Shaytan as he is a clear enemy to you.” [Qur’an, 2: 168] يأيها الذين ءامنوا كلوا من طيبت ما رزقنكم واشكرا لله إن كنتم إياه تعبدون “O you who profess faith!, eat from that which is good that We have provided for you and show gratitude if indeed it is God alone you worship.” [Qur’an, 2: 172] فكلوا مما ذكر اسم الله عليه إن كنتم بئايته مؤمنين “Therefore eat from that which God’s name has been mentioned over if indeed you are believers in God’s Sign.” [Qur’an, 6: 118] “The first supermarket supposedly appeared on the American landscape in 1946. That is not very long ago. Until then, where was all the food?” – Joel Salatin. “You, as a food buyer, have the distinct privilege of proactively participating in shaping the world your children will inherit,” Joel Salatin. لا طريق إلى الوصول للقاء الله إلا بالعلم والعمل ولا تمكن المواظبة عليهما إلا بسلامة البدل “There is no path to arriving at one’s meeting with God except by acquiring knowledge and deeds and yet there can be no establishing devotion to them excep[...] al-Ghazali, al-Ghazzali, Certified, Organic, Chaplain, Chats, dhabīhah, food, food, industry, halal, halal Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/modernity-and-technology-what-does-islam-have-to-say/ http://www.marcmanley.com/modernity-and-technology-what-does-islam-have-to-say/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:42:14 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5907 http://www.marcmanley.com/modernity-and-technology-what-does-islam-have-to-say/feed/ 1 1:01:53 The follow are some notes from a Chaplain Chat I delivered at the University of Pennsylvania on April 3rd, 2012, on the subject of technology and religion, specifically asking what does Islam have to say about it. “It is an extraordinary era i[...] The follow are some notes from a Chaplain Chat I delivered at the University of Pennsylvania on April 3rd, 2012, on the subject of technology and religion, specifically asking what does Islam have to say about it. “It is an extraordinary era in which we live. It is altogether new. The world has seen nothing like it before. I will not pretend, no one can pretend, to discern the end; but every body knows that the age is remarkable for scientific research into the heavens, the earth, and what is beneath the earth; and perhaps more remarkable still for the application of this scientific research to the pursuits of life. The ancients saw nothing like it. The moderns have seen nothing like it till the present generation…. We see the ocean navigated and the solid land traversed by steam power, and intelligence communicated by electricity. Truly this is almost a miraculous era. What is before us no one can say, what is upon us no one can hardly realize. The progress of the age has almost outstripped human belief; the future is known only to Omniscience.” – Daniel Webster Modern life presents a significant challenge to people, Muslims being no different. One of these challenges is the proliferation of technology. Technology is often pitched as a panacea that will cure all of our sicknesses and leave us with an abundance of leisure time and yet, studies increasingly show us to be more unhealthy than before (especially if one includes mental health issues) and more and more people are succumbing to stress as they have less and less free time. Not only has technology not delivered on its promises of increased free time, but has actually played a part in it: people increasingly spend their free time engaged with technological devices and interfaces instead of “detaching” (present post excluded of course). As is discussed in the chat above, I make the claim that Islam has something positive to offer in the definition, application and production of technology in our culture. Yet despite this claim, we find the vast number of Muslims who are involved in this production of technology woefully silent? Why? Do they feel that their Islam has nothing to offer or is it that they do not know how to engage the dialog? Another fly in the ointment of technology’s promises is to whom it is promised? When, particularly in the West, technology is extolled, it is often done so in abstract rhetoric that seldom if ever includes an honest critique in how technology has failed to make everyone’s lives better, such as the poor, the economically disenfranchised, the socially marginalized and so forth. I am reminded of this in Gil Scott Heron’s spoke word piece, Whitey On the Moon: A rat done bit my sister Nell. (with Whitey on the moon) Her face and arms began to swell. (and Whitey’s on the moon) I can’t pay no doctor bills. (but Whitey’s on the moon) Ten years from now I’ll be payin’ still. (while Whitey’s on the moon) You know, the man jus’ upped my rent las’ night. (’cause Whitey’s on the moon) No hot water, no toilets, no lights. (but Whitey’s on the moon) I wonder why he’s uppi’ me? (’cause Whitey’s on the moon?) I wuz already payin’ ‘im fifty a week. (with Whitey on the moon) Taxes takin’ my whole damn check, Junkies makin’ me a nervous wreck, The price of food is goin’ up, An’ as if all that shit wuzn’t enough: A rat done bit my sister Nell. (with Whitey on the moon) Her face an’ arm began to swell. (but Whitey’s on the moon) Was all that money I made las’ year (for Whitey on the moon?) How come there ain’t no money here? (Hmm! Whitey’s on the moon) Y’know I jus’ ’bout had my fill (of Whitey on the moon) I think I’ll sen’ these doctor bills, Airmail special (to Whitey on the mo[...] "i"Mam, Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/hope-and-inspiration-a-khutbah/ http://www.marcmanley.com/hope-and-inspiration-a-khutbah/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:12:43 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5899 http://www.marcmanley.com/hope-and-inspiration-a-khutbah/feed/ 0 0:00:01 A khutbah on hope and inspiration delivered at the University of Pennsylvania on March 30th, 2012. A khutbah on hope and inspiration delivered at the University of Pennsylvania on March 30th, 2012. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/muslim-chaplaincy-at-drexel-university/ http://www.marcmanley.com/muslim-chaplaincy-at-drexel-university/#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:20:27 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5883 http://www.marcmanley.com/muslim-chaplaincy-at-drexel-university/feed/ 0 http://www.marcmanley.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-spiritual-muslim/ http://www.marcmanley.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-spiritual-muslim/#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:04:16 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5878 http://www.marcmanley.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-spiritual-muslim/feed/ 0 1:04:11 Is religion subordinate or separate from spirituality or the opposite? Is religion subordinate or separate from spirituality or the opposite? Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/from-hope-to-repentance-seeking-gods-bounty/ http://www.marcmanley.com/from-hope-to-repentance-seeking-gods-bounty/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:24:04 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5866 http://www.marcmanley.com/from-hope-to-repentance-seeking-gods-bounty/feed/ 0 http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-wudu-refresher/ http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-wudu-refresher/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:44:03 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5859 http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-wudu-refresher/feed/ 0 http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-intro-to-reciting-the-quran/ http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-intro-to-reciting-the-quran/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:57:33 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5811 http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-intro-to-reciting-the-quran/feed/ 0 http://www.marcmanley.com/whats-the-purpose-of-revelation-and-prophethood/ http://www.marcmanley.com/whats-the-purpose-of-revelation-and-prophethood/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:39:43 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5805 http://www.marcmanley.com/whats-the-purpose-of-revelation-and-prophethood/feed/ 0 http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-tips-on-reading-the-quran/ http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-tips-on-reading-the-quran/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:50:36 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5785 http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-tips-on-reading-the-quran/feed/ 1 0:48:19 The following audio if from our Chaplain Chats talks with guest speaker Adnan Zulficar, the former Muslim Chaplain at UPenn. The talk was delivered on February 28th, 2012, at the University of Pennsylvania. The following audio if from our Chaplain Chats talks with guest speaker Adnan Zulficar, the former Muslim Chaplain at UPenn. The talk was delivered on February 28th, 2012, at the University of Pennsylvania. Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-islam-and-blackamerica/ http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-islam-and-blackamerica/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:39:53 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5781 http://www.marcmanley.com/chaplain-chats-islam-and-blackamerica/feed/ 0 1:03:45 Why the apparent connection between Blacks and Islam? What does Islam deal with in terms of Black America? Why the apparent connection between Blacks and Islam? What does Islam deal with in terms of Black America? Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/respecting-the-station-of-ones-lord-between-proclivity-and-acts-engaging-the-gay-community-as-believing-muslims/ http://www.marcmanley.com/respecting-the-station-of-ones-lord-between-proclivity-and-acts-engaging-the-gay-community-as-believing-muslims/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:31:08 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5758 http://www.marcmanley.com/respecting-the-station-of-ones-lord-between-proclivity-and-acts-engaging-the-gay-community-as-believing-muslims/feed/ 6 http://www.marcmanley.com/cair-philly-2012-banquet/ http://www.marcmanley.com/cair-philly-2012-banquet/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:07:30 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5747 http://www.marcmanley.com/cair-philly-2012-banquet/feed/ 0 http://www.marcmanley.com/embracing-god-by-embracing-america-american-muslims-shariah-the-constitution/ http://www.marcmanley.com/embracing-god-by-embracing-america-american-muslims-shariah-the-constitution/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:53:35 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5737 http://www.marcmanley.com/embracing-god-by-embracing-america-american-muslims-shariah-the-constitution/feed/ 3 0:51:11 What is the Shari'ah? Is it taking over America? Can American Muslims embrace the United States' Constitution as believing Muslims? What is the Shari'ah? Is it taking over America? Can American Muslims embrace the United States' Constitution as believing Muslims? Podcasts Marc Manley no no http://www.marcmanley.com/islam-in-a-global-perspective-what-makes-islam-work/ http://www.marcmanley.com/islam-in-a-global-perspective-what-makes-islam-work/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:47 +0000 Marc http://www.marcmanley.com/?p=5729 http://www.marcmanley.com/islam-in-a-global-perspective-what-makes-islam-work/feed/ 1 0:59:40 The following is a lecture I gave at the University of Pennsylvania for Penn's MSA. This talk kicked off the Chaplain Chats for the Spring 2012 term. The following is a lecture I gave at the University of Pennsylvania for Penn's MSA. This talk kicked off the Chaplain Chats for the Spring 2012 term. Podcasts Marc Manley no no