Jade Ramsey

“It was clear to me by now that studying Islam was one thing – and absolutely worthwhile, because it helped me grasp the meaning of the religion and how it all fitted together. However, I felt as though I was standing in front of a shop window full of lovely things, and all I could do was admire them from afar. I was still separated from them by the window, or, as Muslims might say, a veil. In order to lift this veil, there was only one way forward: to get down onto the prayer mat and start living according to Islamic principles.”
― Kristiane Backer, From MTV to Mecca: How Islam Inspired My Life

“Religion is like an art gallery. One painting will speak to you more than another, and there's no need to explain or defend your taste.”
― Michael Muhammad Knight, Journey to the End of Islam

“In the late hours of the night, befriend the prayer mat.”
― Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Imam Bukhari and the Love of the Prophet

“Sometimes I was too tired, other times just lazy. Now and then, I was frustrated because nothing seemed to be happening – no signs from God, no enlightenment, nothing. But that wasn’t the point, the Shaykh explained. What mattered was the inner connection with God, which builds slowly and only transforms us gradually.

Another obstacle, however, was that I often found it hard to concentrate during the dhikr.”
― Kristiane Backer, From MTV to Mecca: How Islam Inspired My Life