Zaid Shakir: Recent Episodes
Muslim Central
Imam Zaid Shakir is a co-founder, Board of Trustees, and Faculty member of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, CA.
He was born in Berkeley, California and accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. He obtained a BA summa cum laude in International Relations at American University in Washington D.C. and later earned his MA in Political Science at Rutgers University. In 1983, he co-founded Masjid Al-Huda in New Brunswick, N.J. and was the Imam for 4 years.
After a year of studying Arabic in Cairo, Egypt, in 1988 he settled in New Haven, Connecticut and continued his community activism, co-founding Masjid Al-Islam, the Tri-State Muslim Education Initiative, and the Connecticut Muslim Coordinating Committee. As Imam of Masjid Al-Islam from 1988 to 1994 he spear-headed a community renewal and grassroots anti-drug effort, and also taught political science and Arabic at Southern Connecticut State University. He served as an interfaith council Chaplain at Yale University and developed the Chaplaincy Sensitivity Training for physicians at Yale New Haven Hospital. He then left for Syria to pursue his studies in the traditional Islamic sciences.
For seven years in Syria, and briefly in Morocco, he immersed himself in an intense study of Arabic, Islamic law, Quranic studies, and spirituality with some of the top Muslim scholars of our age. In 2001, Imam Zaid was the first American to graduate with a BA in Islamic Sciences from Syria’s prestigious Abu Noor University.
Imam Zaid is a co-founder and chairman of United For Change since 2009. This effort through modern discourse, is to create awareness of the broadest and most consuming topics within the Muslim community. The aim is to leverage the diversity through cooperation and goodwill and address the obstacles that have proven to be divisive.
In 2007, he co-founded the Lighthouse mosque in Oakland, CA. As a gifted author and lecturer, Imam Zaid has also authored numerous articles, and translated into modern English several classical Arabic traditional texts. Imam Zaid currently resides in Northern California with his family.
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An informative and uplifting, Ramadan-specific, question and answer session with Imam Zaid Shakir.
Q and A: Part -2 Imam Zaid Shakir informs Muslim students from across the Northeast what it truly means and takes to have a leadership or activism animated by sincere faith – in contrast to enterprises driven by ego or other aims.
Imam Zaid Shakir informs Muslim students from across the Northeast what it truly means and takes to have a leadership or activism animated by sincere faith – in contrast to enterprises driven by ego or other aims.
Imam Zaid Shakir speaks about how Prophet Abraham (upon him be peace) was an embodiment of leadership, obedience, and thankful for the blessings bestowed by Allah despite the trials and triumphs endured. To be a leader seek strength and guidance by relying on Allah, during these days and times of social confusion.
Imam Zaid Shakir discusses in detail how to cultivate reverence and respect to implement the orders and commandments set by Allah and avoiding those things prohibited.
Imam Zaid Shakir clarifies how to make an accurate assessment of what constitutes oppression, the consideration of justice, and not to separate the standards established by the divine law.
Imam Zaid Shakir clarifies what it means to strive for communal empowerment and how Muslims can recommit to this lifelong journey starting from embracing our strangeness and ending at submission.
Imam Zaid Shakir clarifies that Allah is described as light of the heavens and earth: unique in powers, wisdom, knowledge and brings forth the creation from darkness into light. The purpose for the believer is to protect faith and resist the evil maladies that lead to disbelief.
Imam Zaid Shakir speaks about the prophetic tradition of compassion in our everyday life.
Imam Zaid Shakir discusses a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) narrated by Abu Thar (RA), be mindful of Allah, a good action clears a misdeed, and treat people with good character.
Imam Zaid Shakir highlights reclaiming our legacy for an abandoned frontier, the community, people, and nation of Latin America (Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America), and impact of African Muslim interaction.
Imam Zaid Shakir discusses the importance of internalizing and actualizing to the depths of our being the reality of God, heaven, hell, and other aspects of the unseen realm in these days and times.
Imam Zaid Shakir provides integral advice on how to internalize the reality and meaning of Allah in our lives.
Imam Zaid Shakir expounds on the crises of despair in society, impact on the Muslim community, and the cure for this disease.
Imam Zaid Shakir discusses Islamâs stance on the LGBTQ issue and limits as Muslims, and in regards to the LGBTQ community. How, Muslim youth should interact with the LGBTQ community, including when their own Muslim friends identify as LGBTQ. He also explains how youth can be ambassadors of Islam while still respecting other communities.
Imam Zaid Shakir clarifies masculine and feminine gender in Islam, and meaningful relationships between men and women.
Imam Zaid Shakir explains that Muslims should be ambassadors of peace starting with As Salaam Alaikum and to exemplify dignity at ISNA’s 55th Convention (Islamic Society of North America) entitled, “In God We Trust.”
Imam Zaid Shakir emphasizes the magnitude of envy and hatred violating the sanctity of brotherhood and sisterhood.
Imam Zaid Shakir states God has sanctified life and murder of unarmed innocent human beings is a violation and crime against public order.
Imam Zaid Shakir discusses how to obtain the path of divine oneness, and to overcome self righteousness, and worship of materialism.
Imam Zaid Shakir discusses the prerequisites for a believer to hasten to pray on time, seek repentance from sins, pay zakat, and not jeopardize the soul from entering Paradise.
Beautiful and profound khutbah from Imam Zaid Shakir that touches on feminists insulting the prophets and how feminism is one of the satanic forces tearing apart families and society as a whole today.
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. ... Read more
Imam Zaid Shakir explains how when Allah says in the Qur’an, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Sarah Ra‘d 13:11) a huge component of this is in appreciation of one’s blessings.
Imam Zaid Shakir gives a lecture to the ICOI Youth Group at the Islamic Center of Irvine on 10/30/09.
Islam is often presented by its detractors as a religion that is void of mercy. In this lecture, Imam Zaid Shakir examines how mercy is fundamental to Muslim theology, law and life. He will also present the outlines of a practical plan that allows a Muslim to manifest that mercy as he or she interacts ... Read more
Imam Zaid Shakir Delivered the Friday sermon at Masjid Al Abidin on July 10th 2015 – 23rd of Ramadan 1436.
Wonderful and insightful speech given by Imam Zaid Shakir at the opening of the Muslim Student Association gathering in Berkley (Jan, 2012)
“Our Three Winners” The legacy of the family members who were killed by a terrorist in NC Wednesday. Deah, Yusor, and Razan.
September 24, 2015 – Imam Zaid Shakir led a group of Hartford Seminary students, faculty, staff and guests ( Christian, Sunni and Shia) in prayer followed by an Eid Al-Adha Sermon.
ISGH Eid ul Fitr Salat on MONDAY, JULY 28, 2014 at RELIANT PARK – RELIANT CENTER lead by Imam Zaid Shakir Part 2 of 2
ISGH Eid ul Fitr Salat on MONDAY, JULY 28, 2014 at RELIANT PARK – RELIANT CENTER lead by Imam Zaid Shakir Part 1 of 2
The importance of making connections with our Islamic history and why it is important to be aware of how their steadfast nature and upright character serve as examples to Muslims across the world today.
Modern societies have become fundamentalist in their secularism and have effectively banned religion from the public square. Religion has been relegated to the status of a personal hobby, to be practised behind closed doors. Does public morality suffer as a result? Is religious morality inherently divisive and disruptive as many believe?
The Prophet’s (Peace and Blessing be upon Him) Farewell Address is one of the most profound speeches in human history. In a few mining lines, the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing be upon Him) touched on issues ranging from sacred times and places, tribalism, race relations, usury, the guiles of Satan, women’s rights, devotional ... Read more
In his farewell sermon, the Prophet (s) called on us to abandon racial prejudice and gender inequity, reflecting the Qur’anic message of diversity and oneness. The Rev. Dr. King made the same appeal 50 years ago at the height of the civil rights movement. Today, we as a community and society continue to struggle with ... Read more
Indeed, We have given you, a clear victory. (Surah al-Fath, 48:1) As current events continue to perpetuate the idea that Islam and violence are inseparable, and pundits reinforce a narrative that the Qur’an enjoins on its followers an endless cycle of violence, what is a myth and what is a reality? Is armed conflict and ... Read more
The Irony of Democracy, can it be resolved? A Zaytuna Faculty Lecture by Imam Zaid Shakir. The Zaytuna Faculty Lecture Series presents lectures by Zaytuna College faculty members exploring a variety of contemporary topics.
Imam Zaid Shakir discusses the noble historical role of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in light of the current events upon the release of a derogatory film depicting a negative image and how some Muslims have responded to it.
Topic: Reflections on the Last Sermon: Advice to Take Home The precious advice that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave humanity in his last Sermon (The Sermon of Farewell) shows how much Islam values and appreciates the concepts of social equality, brotherhood, individual liberty and mutual cooperation as a guiding light for humanity fourteen centuries ago. Join ... Read more
Imam Zaid Shakir emphasizes the commitment to love Allah, love for your brother what you love for yourself, and its profound impact for the Muslims and greater community at large.
This Seekers Hub Study Circle will give you a deeper understanding of the centrality of love and mercy within Islam. Loneliness and isolation, Imam Zaid Shakir argues, have no place in an ummah of compassion and mercy. He also addresses Sunni-Shia aggression and hatred, which he describes as a disease we must fight. Students will ... Read more
This lecture by Imam Zaid Shakir focuses on the following verse of the Quran Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children like the example of a rain whose resulting plant growth pleases the tillers then ... Read more
Imam Zaid Shakir talks about taking stock of our faith and prioritizing our many loves in life to avoid a crisis of faith.
Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life on the Day of Resurrection and then unto Him you will return. Surah Baqarah 2: 28 What happens to us when we die? What is the soul? Where are heaven and hell? ... Read more
Imam Zaid Shakir emphasizes the importance of being a spiritual light in non-material terms in order to offer the world a different way of seeing reality.
Being a Muslim doesn’t mean you only do the rituals and forget about those around you. Islam is about living your life in a way that also leads to the betterment of society. One way to increase your spirituality is through standing up for justice. The Prophet is our example of someone who practised spiritual ... Read more
Imam Zaid Shakir delivers a Khutbah about how we can patiently preserve through our challenges in the days ahead. This sermon was given on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Muslim Community Center – East Bay in Pleasanton, California