Monthly Blog
A collection of intellectual and creative pieces from the brothers and sisters at SUMSA aimed at fostering a space for Islamic dialogue and to inspire the next generation of young Muslims at the University of Sydney.
To the Beloved of Palestine
I ended upon the name of Hashim when recounting the nasab (lineage) of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for a particular reason and it ties into the point of this article.
How can it be that the land named after the Prophet (ﷺ)’s great-grandfather, ‘Gazzatu Hashim’ (غزة هاشم), the land of the First Qiblah, the land explicitly mentioned in the Holy Qur’an is desecrated?
At one point during the encampment, we organized a message for the Eid congratulations to be sent through a contact to our brothers and sisters in Palestine.
Their response back was as follows...
Mistranslating Jannah
Language comprises words and words have meaning. Communication emerges from understanding these meanings. Communication works when meanings are accurately understood. A good translation, then, is one that presents the most accurate meaning of a word in a different language. Deficiencies in translation may create confusion, conflict, and at times, inauthenticity…
This has also resulted in a problem when the Qur'an is translated into English. It is well known that English often doesn’t capture the spirit of the Arabic. In some cases, however, the consequences of this can be quite unique.
Ruminations on Allegience: Muslims and Non-Muslim Politics
Can a Muslim genuinely love his country? By love, I do not imply a superficial display of nationalistic fervor or mere participation in cultural festivities but rather a profound, unwavering commitment to the advancement and betterment of the nation. Genuine love signifies a sincere aspiration to elevate the welfare of all citizens, underpinned by an intrinsic sense of belonging. However, the resolution of this inquiry is far from straightforward; it is multifaceted and intricately layered.
Compulsory ‘Units of Study’ in Islam
Just like your degree, Islam has compulsory ‘subjects’ called the fard ayn’ which are individually obligatory sciences that every Muslim should know to successfully ‘graduate’ from the most important test of your life in the next life. This article will start by explaining the virtue of knowledge in Islam and then introduces, at a very basic level, the two individual fard that Muslims should know: Aqidah and Fiqh to inspire you to study them further while you have flexible time as university students.
Stepping into Ramadan with a Content Heart
The blessed month of Ramadan is upon us. As university students, you may be feeling overwhelmed or struggling to reach your goals. It’s okay. Take a moment to refresh your hearts, be reminded again of the virtues of Ramadan and how to make the most of these beautiful but numbered days. It’s not too late, Bithnillah!
How to Manage Time and Money as a Muslim Student
Do you ever tell yourself that you’re going to study in five minutes, but then suddenly check the time and realize three hours have passed? Do you ever check your bank account and realize you spent all your money on food? Of course, we’ve all experienced these moments, but somehow it keeps happening over and over…
First Years’ Survival Guide
Starting your first semester at university can feel overwhelming. You may walk through crowds of unfamiliar faces and sense that you're missing essential knowledge. This sensation is common among new students. Many of us pretended to know what we were doing until we figured things out over time. But you don't have to risk looking silly like we did…