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Have you prepared your heart to host Ramadan?

A guest like no other is coming, have you prepared your hearts to be able to host this guest? Are you going to be the best of hosts to this wonderful guest? Or are you going to let the guest leave without having benefited from all of the gifts that the guest is going to bring? We know that it is our Islamic obligation to honor a guest that comes to visit us, So how will you honor this guest of yours? Before you answer, first look at how this guest is going to honor you….Read more

Previous Posts

7 Ways Exhausted Parents Can Beat Fatigue

by Emily Graham

Exhaustion is often viewed as an inevitable part of parenting a special needs kid. Parents who feel overwhelmed and dissatisfied might believe that their feelings are normal, but declining mental health should never be the norm. That’s why MAS Bay Area has assembled seven tips to help you beat fatigue and learn to love parenting again.. ...read more

Assalamu Alaikum,

The registration deadline for the 2024 primary elections is Feb. 20th. This year is a critical opportunity to push for justice. Please ensure every family member & friend has registered to vote. ...read more

From The Olives To The Hummus

Over the vast sweep of time and the limitless expanse of human endeavor, humanity has cultivated a beautiful tradition of celebrating triumphs over adversity and the blossoming of new beginnings. Each occasion, a testament to our unwavering resilience, is graced with a culinary masterpiece, a symphony of flavors that commend our unyielding spirit. Food, transcending mere nourishment, becomes an elixir for the soul, a vibrant chronicle of our heritage and identity…more

Virtues of Charity

One of the scariest moments in our entire lives will be the day that we will be standing in front of Allah jla and we will have to answer for every single thing no matter how big or small in our lives. In this standing if you wanted to look to the right, all you would see are the deeds that you have prepared for this day. You are startled by what you see so you look to your left, only to find the same thing on this side. Imagine all of your deeds just surrounding you, all of your prayers, your sadaqah, your fasting, your hajj, your good words, your bad words, your greed, your hunger for the wealth of this life and every other deed that you might have done. Seeing all of this might lead you to drop your head because of what you see from the deeds that you have prepared for the hereafter. Do you know what you will see when you look down? Nothing but the fire of Jahanam. May Allah jla protect us...read more

Virtues of Charity

March to Reclaim MLK: From Oakland to Palestine, a Reflection

by Kiran Palla

On January 15th, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I joined thousands of Bay Area residents at the Anti Police-Terror Project’s 10th Annual March to Reclaim MLK’s Radical Legacy. Local leaders, activists, and community members gathered to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and call for systemic change. 

The demands of the demonstration were: 

...read more

Read the fine print: How the 13th Amendment Kept Slavery Legal

By Tayba Foundation

We are excited to feature the following article by Tayba Foundation. This is the first in a series of educational articles to answer important questions about incarceration in America. You can also find this and other articles by Tayba on their Medium

… Read more

Small Business Spotlight: Muhajiba Abayas

My inspiration for Muhajiba came from my own journey of finding love and confidence in dressing modestly. I absolutely love wearing abayas and feel like the most empowered and beautiful version of myself when I do. I wanted to share this sentiment with others and had a mission to empower women to find love and confidence in dressing modestly.

… Read more

Pennies an Hour, And Most of it Taken Away — The 13th Amendment In Action

By Tayba Foundation

We are excited to feature the following article by Tayba Foundation. This is the second in a series of educational articles to answer important questions about incarceration in America. You can also find this and other articles by Tayba on their Medium. And if you’d like to get updated when we publish more articles on the US prison system and how Muslims are affected by it, you can sign up at the link here.

… Read more

Small Business Spotlight: Rōz Jewelry

MAS Bay Area is excited to introduce you to a local small business! Check out Rōz, an up and coming jewelry brand run by a Bay Area native. 

Rōz, which translates to every day in the Urdu language, is a female-founded jewelry brand that aspires to be a part of your every day. The capsule collections are curated from regions across the globe consisting of staple pieces that are versatile yet bold, and simultaneously functional. Rōz aspires to bring affordable and unique jewelry that elevates your everyday self with permanent essentials.

… Read more

Seeking out the Seerah of the Prophet

By Imam Fuad

Allah ﷻ looked at the world and the condition that it was in the years leading up to the year 569-571 and deemed that it was time for a change for the trajectory that it was upon. This change came in the form of a new crescent moon that would luminate the entire world for the years to come. This moon that rose high above the arabian desert and then eventually the entire world was none other than the blessed Ahmed ﷺ‬ as the poet states: 

إن البرية قبل مبـعث أحمد *** نظر الإله لها فبدل حـالها 

بل كرَّم الإنسان حيث اختار من *** خير البرية نجمها وهلالها

Before the advent of Ahmad,

God looked upon the wilderness, He changed its state.

But rather He honored humanity by selecting from the best of creation,

its star and crescent.

… Read more

6 reasons why you (& your family) should participate in Seerah Quest!

1. Understanding the life of the best role model. Through Seerah Quest, everyone can recall the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), understand key moments in Islamic history and his decision making, remember his unique and generous personality, and emulate his dignified values to their daily lives.

… Read more

The Best of Summer in the Bay Area

Can you believe we are wrapping up the year and starting a new one? You are probably thinking what are you talking about, we are in the middle of July, we have nearly six more months before it is the new year! It’s understandable because according to the dominant culture, we won’t be welcoming in the new year for another six months. But as Muslims we have our own calendar we must be aware of. We are in the blessed and sacred month of Dhul Hijjah, this is the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. When we pull the curtain on this month, it will not only be the month that will be ending but also the year of 1444. This marks 1,444 years since our blessed Messenger ﷺ made Hijra from Makkah to Madinah. ....  Read more

Exploring the Diverse World of Halal Cuisine in the Bay Area

Muslims are one of the most diverse religious groups in the US. This diversity is reflected in the many different regions Muslims come from, including the different cuisines that are enjoyed by Muslims.

There are many different factors that contribute to the diversity of Muslim cuisines. These include the various geographic regions where Muslims live, the other ethnic groups that make up the Muslim population, and the different cultural traditions that have influenced Muslim cuisine.

The diversity of Muslim cuisines is a testament to the rich and varied cultures that have shaped the Islamic world. It is also a reminder that Islam is a global religion that is practiced by people from all over the world.....  Read more

Get To Know Our Resident Scholar Imam Fuad

This post was written by our Resident Scholar, Imam Fuad. To read his short bio, click here.

It has been a little over a year since I moved to the Bay Area. Many of you reading this might not fully know what I do in the Bay Area. I want to take this opportunity to share some of the things I do locally, so hopefully you can benefit from the different programming I am able to provide because of MAS Bay Area.

The first question that I usually get is who do I work for? I have been working with the Bay Area chapter of the Muslim American Society (MAS) since February of 2022. From February until July I was the visiting lecturer of MAS Bay Area while residing in Seattle. I moved to the Bay Area in July of last year, and my role became the Resident Scholar of MAS Bay Area. ... Read more

First Ramadan In The Bay Area

If you were to ask me where I spent the best Ramadan of my life before this year, I would probably tell you that it was either the Ramadan I spent in Egypt during my time studying abroad or the Ramadan that I spent a portion of in the blessed cities of Makkah and Madinah. All the other Ramadans I spent in the United States couldn’t beat the Ramadans I experienced in Muslim lands, but after this year’s Ramadan, I can confidently say that I have experienced a Ramadan in the United States that now holds the number two spot on my list of the best Ramadans of my life…  Read more

The 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah

It is as if he put beautiful poetic words to what our hearts want to scream out but are unable to find the right words on our own. A majority of you that are reading this will unfortunately not be able to fulfill that desire of being in the blessed sacred lands during the blessed sacred days this year. But this should not lead to us to despair as we are people that live in the constant mercy and kindness of our Lord ﷻ. We are a people that never despair of Allah’s ﷻ kindness when it comes to opportunities to perform beloved actions. How should we take advantage of the opportunities that are ahead of us? …  Read more

The Best of Summer in the Bay Area

Summer in the San Francisco Bay Area is a unique experience. Unlike other parts of the country, the weather is not always hot and sunny. However, the Bay Area offers an incredible variety of events and activities that make it an exciting place to be during the summer months. In this blog post, we will explore three of the best things to do during a Bay Area summer.  Read more

Ramadan Quran Gems

Ramadan Mubarak everyone! Today marks day 12 of Ramadan, which means we’re already a third of the way through this blessed month and approaching the halfway point. The Quran describes Ramadan as “a number of days,” emphasizing the short duration of this special time, so we should make the most of every moment.

If you’ve been following our newsletter, you’ve likely seen the Quran gems we’ve been sharing. But if you missed them, no worries! We’ve included them below. Each Quran mind map is a visual representation of a chapter of the Quran, providing an overview of the themes and takeaways from that chapter. We want to encourage everyone to take full advantage of this month of Quran by reading and reflecting on the Quran regularly!… Read more

Help Us Build a Stronger Muslim Community:

Donate to the Muslim American Society (MAS) Bay Area

As Muslims, we have a responsibility to support and uplift one another. That’s why we’re asking for your help to support the Muslim American Society (MAS) Bay Area, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving and empowering the Muslim community in the Bay Area.

At MAS Bay Area, we provide a wide range of programs and services that aim to educate, empower, and engage the Muslim community. From youth programs to Islamic education and community outreach, we’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all Muslims.

Read more

I Ate Pork?! A Ramadan Reflection by Michelle Schafieh

A couple years ago, my siblings and I decided to go to Panera Bread for iftar. This was my first time going there, so I was excited to try the food. I ordered a turkey sandwich because it looked delicious on the menu, and it came with a side of soup. It was minutes before iftar, so my mouth was watering just waiting for the order.

I took my food to-go because my siblings wanted to eat at the restaurant next door. Finally, it was time to eat. I took the biggest bite, and at first, it tasted delicious. When I went in for another bite, something tasted off. I could taste an extra ingredient, so I opened the sandwich and looked inside. Suddenly, my heart dropped. I saw BACON Read more

The Power of Human Change: Tayba Foundation

By Muhammad Abdur-Rahman, Tayba Instructor & Office Manager

This week we’re featuring a post by Tayba Foundation, a local non-profit doing amazing work in the Bay Area and across the country. Keep reading to learn more about Tayba Foundation in their own words!… Read more

Reflecting on Ramadan in the Bay

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 

It’s my favorite time of the year!

 It’s the most blessed month of the year!

Yes, you’re right— – it’s the month of Ramadan. And it’s around the corner. Alhamdulillah! Today, I want to share my typical day during Ramadan in the Bay Area. But first, let me describe what Ramadan means to me.

!… Read more

 

Shop Local this Ramadan!

Ramadan Mubarak! Ramadan has started which means that Eid is coming up soon!

Let us make Ramadan and Eid gift shopping easy for you! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite local Muslims-owned businesses that you can support while getting your shopping done.

!… Read more

Chasing Your Goals – A Runner’s Perspective

The San Francisco Muslim Running Club: MAS Blog

The San Francisco Muslim Running Club (SFMRC) was started in February of 2022 to bring together Bay Area Muslims while promoting health and fitness within our greater Muslim community. Inspired by a sister organization, Dallas Muslim Running Club (DMRC), our weekend morning runs allow us to get outside and connect with Muslims that we may have not met otherwise.

A milestone for our club was having over 40 runners in the San Francisco Marathon races (5k, 10k, half marathon, and full)! … Read more

Part 2 of our series on the San Francisco Muslim Running Club (SFMRC). To recap, …

The San Francisco Muslim Running Club (SFMRC) was started to bring together Bay Area Muslims while promoting health and fitness in the community. The group has expanded to South Bay and East Bay and now features runs across the Bay Area.… Read more

Chasing Your Goals – A Runner’s Perspective

Chasing Your Goals – A Runner’s Perspective

by Asmaa Mourad

You set a goal for yourself, now what? Navigating how to follow through on a goal can be challenging but not impossible. Achieving a goal can feel so far-fetched at times that it can set you back or make you want to give up. But with discipline and tarbiya, you can genuinely achieve anything. 

Read more

From Goals to Habits

Spiritual Aspects of Setting Goals

From Goals to Habits: Tips for Your 2023 New Year’s Resolutions! We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

– Will Durant- Can you believe it’s already December! 2022 flew by and if you’re anything like me,  .Read more

Spiritual Aspects of Setting Goals

Spiritual Aspects of Setting Goals

One of the hallmarks of a MAS gathering is a  small reminder at the beginning for everybody present to renew their intentions. Have you ever wondered why  emphasis is placed on this simple action? We first need to understand the importance that Iﷺ‬m has placed on intentions to truly understand the beauty of it. If I were to ask you, the reader, to tell me one hadith of our beloved ﷺ‬, many of us might  say the famous hadith known as the hadith of intentions. This is a hadith in which our beloved ﷺ‬ says … Read more

Thanksgiving is right around the corner

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! For a lot of us, this means spending time with family and reflecting on what we are grateful for. As a newcomer to the West Coast, only being here for 6 months, my perception of gratitude changed. When I arrived, people would welcome me to the “better coast,” which the East Coaster in me bristled at and brushed off as ‘they don’t know any better’. But over time, the West Coast has grown on me, and I realized there are some pretty unique and amazing qualities about the Bay Area in particular that make me grateful for moving here (other than just the sunny weather!).Read more