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

The weak are dominated by their ego, the wise dominate their ego, and the intelligent are in a constant struggle against their ego.

Whatever is for the sake of Allah will go on and continue. Whatever is for other than Allah, it will end and be severed

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.

The fear tactic is a tactic that's used by people who want to maintain control, and it's very effective.

I think that's deeply rooted in Muslim consciousness, the idea of not submitting to anything other than God. "You can abuse me, but you're not going to win me over. But if you treat me with respect and dignity, I'm going to fall in love with you. I'm going to sing your praises all over the world because you're powerful and you treated me with human dignity."