Support Asma Alabed's Journey to Islamic Scholarship

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Assalamualaykum to my community, family, and friends

My name is Asma Alabed – as some of you know, in 2020 I decided to drop out of policy school halfway through, taking a leap of faith while banking on the baraka of an istikhara prayer and praying for Allah's ﷻ guidance. This decision came after reading the Quran for the first time from beginning to end and realizing that, I needed to reroute and return. The Quran helped me understand how my studies were, in reality, teaching me how to perpetuate the harmful social and political patterns I had moved to Berlin to learn how to dismantle. Although I was lost, I knew the answers I sought, especially concerning justice, would be found in a faith I had neglected most of my life. I knew the answers were to be found with An-Nur, Allah, and in the perfect example of the Prophet ﷺ and so, despite growing up Muslim, that year marked my journey into Islam.

The last four years have been surreal and transformative, alhamdillah. Allah ﷻ has opened doors I couldn’t have imagined – He ﷻ moved me across the world to pursue a Master’s in Political Science at the International Islamic University in Malaysia, He ﷻ allowed me to present my paper ‘The Case Against Islamophobia’ at international conferences, and Allah ﷻ brought me back home only to reconnect me with old friends who had similar turns of heart for Him ﷻ and were interested in the same type of community building rooted in faith. I remain consistently bewildered and humbled by Allah’s Mercy and Knowledge; it has been the most unexpected, beautiful, and rewarding journey of my life and I pray that Allah ﷻ gives me the tawfeeq to continue discovering and sharing the beauty of Islam and the alternatives it offers, both to the soul and society. I am determined to continue clearing up the fogs of modernity and secularism that have warped our understandings of Islam, and to play a part in softening hearts and reminding each other of what truly matters as we prepare to return to Al-Wadud.

This ummatic thinking and work requires resistance and community building rooted in knowledge, and a major key to unlocking this knowledge is the Arabic language. Allah, Al-Fattah has opened an opportunity for me to study Classical Arabic and Foundational Islamic Sciences at Al-Maqasid Seminary in Allentown, PA. The mission of Al-Maqasid Seminary is to cultivate holistic learning environments rooted in knowledge, devotion, and service that effectively root the realities of Islam into our lives. Due to the academic rigor of the program, there is a no-working policy throughout its duration. I would be deeply grateful for your financial support to cover my expenses as I prepare to relocate to the US for a year. These costs would include transportation, housing, food, and the necessary monthly expenses to get me by for one academic year.

Any contribution will be of immense help and will be greatly appreciated. Please help me reach my goal with whatever you can give and by sharing with your family and friends :) Thank you and keep me in your duaas!!! If you have any questions or need clarifications feel free to contact me.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” Please consider playing a part in my path, may Allah bless you all.

All my duaas,

Asma Alabed