Who’s the Master?
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

Being his school's administrator and counselor for several years, I observed him the moment he arrived at the school to register that first summer.  He was the tall, silent type that could easily be misread as insecure. 

Mom Deserves Better
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

Whether it began with the ancient Greek tradition of mother worship epitomized by a celebration for Cybele, an important mother of Greek gods, or in ancient Rome with a holiday dedicated to Juno on which mothers were given gifts...

Where to?
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

With the decision made months in advance, the tickets are purchased, and the planning s. As the date approaches, the list of things to do fluctuates in length as one thing is marked off and five more need to be added.

Successfully Enduring
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

The deep green leaves of the ivy covering the wall that ran along the sidewalk fluttered in the cool spring breeze as I made my way downhill on a morning errand.  The sky was clear blue with the occasional puffy cloud.

A Call to Mankind
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

 had heard those words before.  Strange and mysterious initally, with time I learned what they meant.  If I had heard them before becoming a Muslim, I had no idea what they were. Like someone who is not Muslim recently told me, "I thought they were different each time."  But they weren't.

Call to Prayer
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

One of the five pillars of Islam is the ritual prayer (salat) which is performed by Muslims around the world five times a day. How Muslims know that the prayer time has come is by the adhan, or the call to prayer that is recited the minaret of a mosque.

Fathers Every Day
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

Shame on us if we think a copycat holiday for our fathers is any way to honor them. Burdened with the responsibility to provide for their immediate and extended families the moment they reach adulthood (by Islamic standards that's puberty) our young men...

A Wig of Oppression
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

For years she had taught math with joy and enthusiasm.  Student after student looked forward to her class, and she looked forward to them.  This happy arrangement of daily sharing knowledge and encouraging its pursuit was one she hoped to look forward to for many years to come.

Don't Get Branded
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

The media lassos whirl around the airwaves and falls around the unsuspecting necks of consumers thousands of times a day. Drawn in by the powerful pull of corporations who spend extensive amounts of time and...

We are not all Equal
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

True.  We are all d by the Giver of Life as descendents of Adam and Eve and born into this world with pure souls having free will.  But in accordance with the All-Knowing's infinite wisdom, that is the extent of our equality.

Lived, Had, Hoped For
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

I open my eyes, and I can see.  Without conscious intention, I blink moistening the delicate windows through which the world around me is made apparent.  For me this has always been possible.  But I have a friend afflicted with multiple sclerosis who suffers...

We Can Stop It
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

I don't know what compelled me to look out the window at a neighboring apartment building this morning.  Maybe I just wanted to peer out at my flowers on the balcony highlighted in the sun.  But instead of having the pleasure of gazing at their colors...

Miracles for the Information Age
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

The era of information is racing ahead constantly striving to push back the boundaries of knowledge and forge the limits of the unknown.  With the coming of this day, those eager to learn have pursued understanding with a passion bringing great benefits. 

Even Playing
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

It had been snowing for over a week already and only once did everything turn white for a little while.  It was so lovely to see the flakes fall, sometimes in large fluffy clusters and other times as frozen beads, but we all longed to go out and play in it.

Aspiration for Truth
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

How wonderful it is to observe the innocence of children.  Taking every word spoken as the truth, these little ones with bright eyes and immense hope are so full of trust.  Just as beautiful are the adults, their guiding examples, which honor that innocence and...

A Simple Farewell
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

Each day is about nings and endings.  With the soft light of the morning sun filtering through the curtains, we start our day.  Going about this and that here and there, we spend the light of the day until the setting of the sun.

A Search for Christ's Essence
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

As a child, December 25^th came and went like every other day we were out of school.  It was nothing to us.  We didn't believe it was the day of Christ's birth much less a Holy Day because according to the verses in the Bible Jesus was born during the...