Islam

Summer is fast approaching! Active Muslim women have nothing to fear in their search for healthy, outdoor pursuits. Even for swimming, many women turn to the growing number of companies that offer modest but safe swimwear. Some of the fashions seem a bit strange-looking at first, but the variety and style of the available designs is rapidly expanding.

In California, one such swimwear company was founded by a marine biologist who wanted to continue scuba diving after she began observing hijab. Another is based in Australia, and sells not only to Muslims but to people of other faiths and lifestyles who want more coverage in a swimsuit. The Australian company offers a style called the "burkini," which is used by female Muslim lifeguards in that country. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The goal of the "Islamic swimwear" industry is to help and encourage more Muslim women to become physically active. Many women refrain from swimming or other water activities because of the lack of clothing alternatives. Swimming in street clothing is unsafe and unsanitary, and in most places not allowed for these reasons. Unless the pool is private for women only, Muslim women who observe hijab will not wear any type of swimsuit that does not cover the body fully. These "Islamic" swimsuit companies open up a door for such women to participate. Full-coverage swimsuits offer a compromise which is acceptable to many. If it means that more women become physically active in outdoor water sports, it can only be for the best!

Interested in other modest summer-wear alternatives? Check the spring and summer collections at these online clothing stores.

News agencies such as CNN are reporting that Pakistan has blocked all access to the social networking site, Twitter, amid allegations that it has been used to spread blasphemous information against Islam. In a claim reminiscent of the 2006 Danish "cartoon controversy," Pakistani authorities say that Twitter failed to remove links to a Facebook competition to post images of the Prophet Muhammad. Yet Facebook itself is not banned; nor are other sites which may contain "blasphemous" information such as YouTube.

So why only Twitter? Interestingly, the Christian Science Monitor points out that national elections are coming up, and that many see the ban as a convenient excuse to control public conversation and silence opposition.

Twitter is a communication tool, just like the telephone and online forums, part of everyday life now. Where do we draw the line? Should a line be drawn at all? We ask ourselves again, "What would Muhammad do?"

On Sunday, an unusual solar eclipse will be visible from eastern Asia to the western part of North America. Called a "ring of fire" eclipse, the sun will appear completely covered by the moon, except for a blazing ring of fire around the rim. If you fall in the viewing zone between China and Texas, learn more:

• Sunday's eclipse timings and locations (University of Toronto, courtesy of NASA
• Solar eclipse safe viewing tips (Space at About.com)
• Islamic eclipse prayer

With Ramadan falling during July and August this year, many major Islamic conferences in North America are being planned for earlier or later in the summer. Among them:

• 26-28 May 2012: ICNA-MAS Convention - Theme: Defending Religious Freedom - Understanding Shariah - Hartford, CT
• 29-30 June 2012: ISNA Diversity Forum - Theme: Strength Through Diversity - Dearborn, MI
• 31 August - 3 September 2012: ISNA Convention - Theme: One Nation Under God - Striving for the Common Good - Washington, DC

Do you know of others? Please post a comment below with details.

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the words of the Quran were revealed, committed to memory, and recorded in writing by scribes. The written texts were verified and cross-checked with those who had memorized the revelation. Within 20 years of the Prophet Muhammad's death, the written texts had been compiled into a single, authentic text with only verified copies in existence. All Qurans which are found in the world today are identical to these original documents, unchanged over more than 1400 years. Read more:

• How was the Quran compiled?
• Why is the Quran in Arabic?

To understand Islam and Muslims, one must know the Prophet Muhammad. From humble beginnings in the deserts of Arabia, he became one of the most influential religious and political leaders of all time. His life example serves as an inspiration to all Muslims, encompassing both trials and successes.

• Learn all about the Prophet Muhammad
• Humble beginnings: Timeline of the Prophet Muhammad's Early Life
• Trials and Successes: Timeline of the Prophet Muhammad's Later Life

The summer Olympic Games in London will take place during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan this year. The schedule affects not only the estimated 3,000 Muslim athletes, but also the vendors, spectators, and officials. During Ramadan, Muslims do not take any food or water during the daylight hours, but may eat and drink throughout the evening. Experts in sports medicine predict that any effect on performance will depend on the type of sport, the duration and time of day of the event, and sleeping/training schedules. Some Muslims may choose not to fast in order to be at their peak performance, and then make up the days of Ramadan with fasting days at a later time.

Read More:

Read More:

• Compromise key to London 2012's Ramadan clash (BBC)
• Ramadan and the 2012 Olympics (Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine)
• Eating and Exercise During Ramadan (PDF brochure in English and French, from the International Association of Athletics Federations)
• When Is Ramadan 2012?
• All About Ramadan

To truly understand Islam, one must start and end with the Quran. The holy book of Islam has existed in its present form, unchanged, for over 1400 years. Muslims use the revelation as a guide, for inspiration, and to learn about the nature of God.

Learn all about the Quran

Faith calls upon us to bring out the best in ourselves and in others. Treating other people with integrity and respect is a sign of a believer. It is not permissible for a Muslim to spread rumors, gossip, or engage in backbiting one another. On the contrary, one should be humble, non-judgmental, and recognize that only Allah sees and knows all things.

One of the great early Muslims, Hamdun al-Qassar, once said: "If a friend among your friends errs, make seventy excuses for him. If your hearts are unable to do this, then know that the shortcoming is in your own selves." Making excuses for others is a way of stepping into their shoes, to try to see the situation from other possible angles and perspectives. One is less likely to gossip or spread rumors about someone, if one can try to see the possible reasons for their behavior.

So, let's try it. I challenge you to come up with 70 excuses for the following scenario:

A Muslim woman wearing hijab has just removed it in a public place.

No, c'mon... pick up your jaw and hold your tongue. Don't gossip about what a horrible Muslimah she is, or spread rumors about her reputation. Let's think of excuses... be creative and show your compassion. Share your attempts on the User Answer page - let's see if we can get to 70 or beyond!

With recent protests in Afghanistan over the burning of Qurans by U.S. forces, many have wondered about the proper way to dispose of religious texts. As Muslims believe the Quran to be the direct word of Allah, the written text is to be treated with respect. Muslim scholars agree on several methods of properly dispose of the Quran and other religious texts, and one of them is... burning. This must be done, however, with an intention of respect and reverence. Read more about the proper way to dispose of the Quran and other Islamic religious texts.