Why The Epstein Empire Attacked Iran | Ramadan Pause & Reflect | Dr. Omar Suleiman

 

What happens when powerful elites are exposed — and war follows?

Dr. Omar Suleiman reflects on the Epstein scandal, the Iran war narrative, and a powerful ayah from Surah Al-Isra about how nations fall. The Qur’an teaches that when corruption spreads among the elites, destruction follows a pattern.

Are we witnessing that pattern today? From past empires to our present moment, exposure often comes before collapse.

Abby Martin Went To Israel. IT'S WORSE Than You Think

 

‘Israeli Society Has Become Completely Genocidal' - B'Tselem Head Yuli Novak

 

Simone Zimmerman sits down with Yuli Novak, Executive Director of the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, and one of the most uncompromising dissident voices within Israel. Yuli reflects on her journey from an upbringing shaped by patriotism and belief in Israeli democracy to a painful reckoning with what she now calls an apartheid regime — and with the conditions that enabled mass complicity with genocide.

Yuli revisits her years leading Breaking the Silence — a group of former Israeli soldiers that documented abuses under occupation — which became the target of an all-out smear campaign involving government officials, mainstream media, legal harassment, and infiltration by right-wing groups. Today, as head of B’Tselem, Yuli explains why the organization chose to name Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide in its report ‘Our Genocide’. 

Beyond Israelism with Simone Zimmerman is a provocative new video podcast series from Tikkun Olam Productions, the team behind the viral and award-winning 2023 film Israelism. In this series, Simone hosts bold and inspiring conversations that face, head on, the growing global reckoning with Zionism, the debates over Jewish identity, and the urgent struggle for Palestinian freedom.

The Islamic View on Being a Step-Parent: Mercy, Responsibility, and Reward

 

In today’s world, blended families are increasingly common. Islam, as a complete way of life, offers guidance rooted in compassion, justice, and wisdom for those who take on the role of a step-parent. Far from being a secondary or lesser role, being a step-parent in Islam can be a path to immense spiritual reward when approached with sincerity and kindness.

At the heart of Islam is the principle of rahmah (mercy). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Actions are judged by intentions…”

A step-parent who enters a child’s life with the intention of care, stability, and love is engaging in an act of worship. Raising or supporting a child who is not biologically yours, purely for the sake of Allah, reflects sincerity (ikhlāṣ) and compassion—qualities highly valued in Islam.

One of the most beautiful examples comes from the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself.

After marrying Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها), he became a stepfather to her children. Among them was Umar ibn Abi Salama (رضي الله عنه), who narrated:

“I was a boy under the care of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ…”

The Prophet ﷺ gently taught him manners—such as saying Bismillah before eating and eating with the right hand. This shows that step-parenting in Islam includes nurturing, teaching, and guiding with patience—not harshness or distance.

Islam emphasizes fairness and emotional sensitivity. A step-parent should avoid favoritism between biological and stepchildren. Allah commands justice in all matters, including family life.

The Prophet ﷺ consistently demonstrated kindness to children, whether related to him by blood or not. His approach teaches that emotional care—listening, playing, teaching—is just as important as providing materially.

Islam also provides clear structure:

A step-parent is not a mahram (permanently unmarriageable guardian) to a stepchild unless certain conditions are met (such as breastfeeding in infancy).
Proper boundaries of modesty (ḥijāb) should be observed when children reach maturity.
Financial responsibility for a stepchild is not obligatory, but voluntarily supporting them is highly rewarded.

These guidelines ensure both emotional warmth and moral clarity within the household.

The Reward of Caring for Children

While step-parenting is not explicitly singled out in every text, Islam strongly emphasizes caring for children—especially those in vulnerable situations.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“I and the one who cares for an orphan will be in Paradise like this,”
(and he held his fingers close together)

Although stepchildren are not necessarily orphans, the spirit of this hadith applies: caring for a child who needs love and stability is an act beloved to Allah.

Practical Lessons from the Sunnah

From the Prophet’s ﷺ example, step-parents can learn to:

• Build trust gradually — relationships take time
• Teach with gentleness — guidance should come with patience
• Show consistent love — children thrive on emotional security
• Respect the child’s background — including their biological parent
• Challenges and Patience

Step-parenting can come with emotional complexity—loyalty conflicts, adjustment struggles, or feelings of distance. Islam acknowledges hardship and elevates patience (ṣabr).

Allah promises that those who persevere with sincerity will never lose their reward.

Being a step-parent in Islam is not just a social role—it is an opportunity to embody ihsān (excellence in character). By following the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, step-parents can transform their homes into spaces of mercy, growth, and faith.

In a world where many children face instability, choosing to love and guide a child who is not your own may be one of the most powerful acts of devotion.

Istikhara Is More Powerful Than Most People Realize - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

 

The Entire History of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

 

For over 1000 years, historians and explorers have tried to unveil the secrets of this ummah, and compile the entire history Islam into a single book. But each one of them has come and gone, and none of them has ever succeeded. 

Never has a single book told the stories of the Muslims from Brazil to China and from Japan to Russia and from Somalia to India. 

Never has a single book also included the Muslim sultanates of Italy and Greece and Vietnam, nor has a book told the stories of the Filipino sultanates that fought off the European invaders for over 300 years.

Never has a book included the fall of the ummah and the rise of colonialism, or the details of the Palestinian nakba.  Never has a book told the history of liberalism and feminism and capitalism and communism and how these ideologies became prevalent in our societies. 

And never has a book told the entire history of Bani Isra’il, including the fact that Isa (AS) once had a khalifa. Nor has a book given us a history of each muslim country, all the way up until the modern era.

This will be the first of its kind. A book that has never been made before. 

Daniel Klein: Why I left Judaism and The West Bank

 

Daniel Klein was born in Jerusalem in 1991 and raised in a West Bank settlement his family settled before his birth. He grew up deep inside the religious-Zionist world, moving through its institutions, youth movements, schools, yeshiva, and the IDF as a tank commander. He holds degrees in business and law from Reichman University and an MBA from Yale.

After nearly thirty years inside, he began telling the truth about what he witnessed and what he inherited. He writes about ideology, betrayal, accountability, and transformation, and the love, connection, and freedom that become possible when hiding ends.