We had a very special visitor at the IC recently: Imam Adéyínká "Muhammad" Mendes (may Allah preserve him). Our beloved Imam gently guided us on an inner exploration of the self, and reminded us that, without knowledge of the self, we cannot know God. He also encouraged us to quietly reflect and recognize the beauty and light emanating from ourselves and from all of creation.

Imam Mendes also shared his insights into the works of Imam Al-Haddad, Imam Al-Ghazali, and Imam Suyuti (may Allah have mercy on them all). These giants of Islamic scholarships continue to speak to us through their perceptive and heartfelt writings, which speak to the very core of our identities as Muslims—individually and collectively.