I'm amazed at the courage of the journalists on the frontlines in Iraq, but we need intellectual courage in our community.

Islam is based on naql (texts) and ‘aql (intellect). Some people just have the texts – we call them naql-heads.

There are irrational fears. If you see a woman wearing a hijab and fear is your first thought, something's really wrong.

What comes to a person in his or her life, however difficult it may be, perhaps will help a person move closer to God. The response to tribulation is abr, which is patience, perseverance, steadfastness, and resolve. Allāh loves the patient; part of the reason the tribulation comes is to draw the quality of patience out of them - He loves this quality.

Language is the crowning achievement of human beings, and that is something Muslims have always known and revered. We are a literate people whose miracle is a Book from an unlettered man, peace and blessings be upon him, who was the most articulate and eloquent human being who ever lived. We honor our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in honoring language that he loved so much and used so well.

Reality of things is hidden in the realm of the unseen

Everything that we do has a spiritual essence. There is a spiritual dimension in everything. All of life has meaning and everything that you do in life is in preparation for your great meeting. This great meeting is your meeting with your Lord, which is absolutely inevitable.