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

In our inherent contradictions as humans, and in order to validate our own pain, we deny the pain of others. But it is in acknowledging the pain of others that we achieve fully our humanity.

Everyone’s a believer when things are going fine. The real faith is when one becomes patient with tribulations.

We are in a waking dream... We see worlds where others scheme.

If you take a child and you throw the child up there is a point where you see this, they go into this state of complete panic and then when they come back to your arms they are laughing. That is dunya, I guarantee you, that moment, that is your life, you came from God and you are going back to God and there is just a moment when you are in a complete state of panic but just relax, you are in good hands. Just relax.

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

There are 20,000 Muslim physicians in the United States, Americans putting their lives in the hands of Muslims every day.