In the Name of God, the Beneficient, the Most Merciful

For many years, I had been a regular columnist on Beliefnet, and it was a wonderful time of my writing career. I had truly enjoyed the platform and the audience, and the experience had enriched me as both a writer and a Muslim. Although I never really “left,” my activity on Beliefnet – sadly – diminished, for a number of reasons.

But Beliefnet never really left me…it has always been a part of who I am as a writer. And so, I reached out to the Beliefnet staff about re-kindling our relationship. And by the grace of God, “Common Word, Common Lord” was born.

The name of this blog was derived out of this verse of the Qur’an:

Say: “O followers of earlier revelation! Come unto that tenet which we and you hold in common: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall not ascribe divinity to aught beside Him, and that we shall not take human beings for our lords beside God.” And if they turn away, then say: “Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves unto Him.” (3:64)

That is the key theme of this blog: coming together with what we have in common to do the common good. There are some in this country who seek to divide us along lines of religion, or race, or ethnicity. They want us to hate each other. They want us to fear each other. We must not allow these people to win. This blog is part of that effort, and I pray these pages become blessed and a force for good.

It is great to be back!