“Muslims of America” is a photo series dedicated to capturing the diversity of the Muslim community in the United States and bringing to light the beauty and truthfulness of Islam while countering Islamophobia. Mainstream media has and continues to spread a culture of fear and intolerance against Muslims all across the country. This project was born to change that and more, to give Muslims a voice and reclaim our narrative. One of the goals of this project is to show that we, Muslims have been an integral part of American society since the beginning with enslaved Africans being some of the first Muslims to reach this land. We are your neighbors, coworkers and classmates. We come in all shapes and colors. We are teachers, artists, athletes, doctors, librarians, and every other profession you can think of. But more importantly we are human beings; we have dreams and aspirations and we are as much “American” (for lack of a better word) as every other person living here.

The project consists of portraits of Muslim Americans accompanied by their favorite ayah –verse- from the Qur’an or a hadith -recorded sayings of the Prophet Muhammad- (Peace be upon him) along with a short reflection as to how Islam has helped them become better human beings. It features Muslims from all walks of life, women, men and gender non-conforming folks. Muslims across all 50 states from different ethnic backgrounds and professions reflecting the diversity and history of Turtle Island now known as The United States.

I invite you to explore our community's diversity and get to know us and Islam through our stories.

If you are Muslim and would like to be part of this project message me using the form on my contact page for more details. Feel free to tag family and friends.

Osoul - Nurse - New Jersey

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” - Qur’an Chapter 2 / Verse 286

This specific ayah has gotten me through so much in my life, Alhamdulillah. I have had to deal with a lot growing up, whether it was family, illnesses or loss. In a way I was forced to mature at an early age and growing up I always wondered why! You know, like why things happened the way they happened but once I started getting closer to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala), I realized that asking why things happen the way they do is the wrong approach to life. Instead we should ask Allah to make us strong enough to handle any obstacles thrown our way. Now every time something happens, I read this ayah and I remember that Allah will not burden me with anything I cannot handle. Allah won’t burden me with something that will destroy me, it will only make me stronger for what is ahead inshaAllah. It is kind of like a little hope, you know, the light at the end of the tunnel. - Osoul

Part of my series “Muslims of America” a project dedicated to capturing the diversity of the Muslim community in the United States and bringing to light the beauty and truthfulness of Islam while countering Islamophobia.

Yousef - High School Student - Illinois

“Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger, the migration will be for the sake of Allah and His messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he migrated for” - Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

This hadith has had a great impact in my life. When i was a little younger, I loved to give charity to others in front of people. I wanted to be seen in the public eye as a good kid; It mattered what people thought of me. Little did I know I was only looking to gain the pleasure of the people around me and not the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). I was not thinking whether or not what I was doing made Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) be pleased with me. Then one day I heard this hadith and I knew I had to change the way I did things and my intentions towards doing them. I realized that the way I thought was wrong and that if I wanted to do a good deed, I needed to do it for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) only. I understood that only through the pleasure and love of Allah I can gain the love of the people. - Yousef

Myree – Medical Assistant - California

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.” – Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

The hadith I chose states " All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action” Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) This is so important to me not only as a Muslim but also as an AfroLatina. This states that Islam is against racism and discrimination. All humans are created equal. All that matters to God is the good a person does and the devotion we have for our creator. - Myree

Faria - Education Consultant - New York

“The life of this world compared to the hereafter is as if one of you were to put his finger in the ocean and take it out again then compare the water that remains on his finger to the water that remains in the ocean” - Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

Iman has a rare genetic disorder called Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome. There are less than 100 diagnosed cases in the world, yes I said world. Along with this diagnosis, he is on the autistic spectrum and has a seizure disorder. There are many daily struggles and very scary/bleak things that keep us awake at night, but one thing that carries us through is that children with this diagnosis have a positive disposition. They are truly happy and very rarely get upset. Iman is always smiling, mashAllah. He has seen more doctors than Asif and I combined, yet he remains such a strong and exuberant spirit. No matter how many difficulties arise, he manages to thwart them with a smile. He is our only child and many of our hopes and dreams are wrapped up in him and so some days we can’t help but feel crushed and discouraged but God through his infinite mercy and wisdom has given us a boy that heals and in his presence, I do.

As Muslims we believe in life after death. We believe this life is a test and the way we respond to obstacles and trials is a reflection of how much faith we have in God and his divine will. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said “The life of this world compared to the hereafter is as if one of you were to put his finger in the ocean and take it out again then compare the water that remains on his finger to the water that remains in the ocean.” The life of this world is short-lived and, like travelers, we are just passing through to our ultimate destination, of endless peace and tranquility amongst purified souls once yearned to be together. It is said that the greatest reward comes with the greatest trial and when God loves a people He tests them. Isn't it true that when we are given the things we ask God for we tend to forget his presence? It is in our tests that we are most closest to God because we become hopeful of his mercy. It gives us comfort to know Iman might not have all the things we wish for him here, but eventually he will God-willing dwell in heaven and there he will have perfect form both in body and speech. The path of special needs parents is lined with thorns but we pray one day God-willing Iman, my husband Asif and I will gather in heaven and exchange the most loving dialogue with an eternity of ease to make up for our short earthly lifetime of hardship. - Faria

Kendyl - Modest Fashion Model - New York

“Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.” - Qur’an Chapter 2 / Verse 255

Shadi - College Student - Massachusetts

“Heaven lies under the feet of your mother” - Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

This hadith is one of my favorites because it talks about being mindful of our parents. In today's world, a lot of people do not respect their parents and treat them as if they are nothing. Of course there are times when our parents get on our nerves but before I even think or dare to say anything to them, I remember this hadith and it brings me back to reality. It allows me to do good instead of bad and this has helped me build a stronger relationship with my parents. - Shadi

Nida - Freelance Photographer/Activist - Texas

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” - Qur'an Chapter 2 /Verse 155

Sometimes we can feel like were just walking through a never ending dark tunnel. I know, I’ve been through it. My father is one of the HLF (Holy Land Foundation) 5. He was wrongfully imprisoned when I was just 13 years old and is serving 65 years in a Maximum Security Federal prison. For what? For sheltering and feeding orphans all over the world. Fast forward 5 years, my 26 year old sister, Sanabel, suddenly passes away. One year later, my paternal grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. A few months later, he dies.

There is no point in talking about how hard my life has been when I know there are people out there going through something worse. If I think my life is tough, I can’t imagine how tough it is for my father. How tough it is having to deal with his daughter and father’s death, having to deal with the birth of his first grandchild, having to deal with his daughter getting married without him. Having to deal with this all, while sitting all alone in a cell. A cell he does not deserve to be in. A cell hundreds of miles away from his loved ones. He has gone through so much yet he has the brightest smile I have ever seen. He has the laugh that can make even the most serious person start laughing. He has Positivity. He has hope. He has faith. Without positivity, hope, and faith, It is easy to drown in your own thoughts and tears… Its okay to cry. Its okay to let everything out. We are human. Just be sure to pick yourself up. We can sit and cry all day, but crying wont get us anywhere.

Always remember that God is with you. God is with you everywhere you go. God can hear you. God can hear you even when you feel like you cannot speak anymore. I don’t want you to feel like nothing is worth it anymore. Because trust me, every single hardship is worth it. Pass this life’s test, and you earn paradise. All you have to do is Keep your trust in Allah. Ive been through that dark tunnel. I thought I was never going to make it out. However, I kept praying. Slowly, I realized that God was already answering my prayers. I realized that I already have so much to be thankful for. Allah has blessed me with a beautiful, extraordinarily patient family, an incredible fiancé, and Allah blessed me to be the daughter of Shukri Abu-Baker. All I can say is Alhamdullilah for the life Allah has given me. Don’t be scared. Don’t give up.

Remember that happiness comes from within, and from Allah. Remember that this dunya (world) is only temporary. The afterlife is eternity. You can’t run away from your hardships, but you can climb through it. Keep your head up high, for God does not burden a soul beyond it can bear. Remember, Remember, Remember. Ithkur Allah. Remember God, and God will Remember you. - Nida

For more information about Nida's father's case please visit https://notesfromshukri.wordpress.com

Sadiya - College Student - California

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Surely Allah is Knowing, Aware” - Qur’an Chapter 49 / Verse 13

This is a special ayah (verse) of mine. I chose this verse because even within my own community, racism still shows its face. I am an African-Arab born Muslim woman from California and if I choose to marry a white revert, all I should be hearing is people being happy and congratulating me. And If I choose to hangout with a Palestinian Muslim for example, I should not have to feel judged by their family members when I enter their home. Islam discourages people from feeling like they are better than someone else. We were all created the same way by the same creator and for people to belittle one another because of their ethnicity, nationality, country, etc is just ridiculous. How can I pray next to you in public if you hate me in secret. Allah has created us all equal. I was meant to be the woman with many ethnicities so that I can teach my brothers and sisters about me and my cultures and vice versa. Islam is against racism and if we take the time to read it and analyze it with an open heart and mind we can all be not just better Muslims, but better human beings. - Sadiya

Fida - Librarian Aide - Oregon

“In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.” – Qur’an Chapter 1 / Verses 1-7

I chose the verses from the first chapter (Al-Fatiha) of the Qur’an. These verses remind me of my childhood. My sisters and I would all gather together and we would recite it together or one by one. We were so proud of ourselves when we memorized it and we could see our parents were proud of us too. This surah (chapter) is the first in the Qur’an and I have always said it in times of fear, when I would think a ghost was in the room or if I was walking home late. I knew Allah (God) was watching and helping me. These words are powerful and they have helped me feel and be protected. - Fida

Noor - Journalist - Washington DC

“...And my success is not but through Allah . Upon him I have relied, and to Him I return.” - Qur’an Chapter 11 / Verse 88

Too often we are immersed into our own reality and focus solely on our education, careers and goals. As we succeed and continue to succeed, sometimes we forget to take a step back and say, "Alhamdullilah" We want to take credit for our hard work but in reality, nothing could have been possible without Allah's will.

Sometimes we are faced with difficulties, challenges and moments where we feel that things are not going the way we want them to be. But as I think about every issue, I realize that the problem was caused or exacerbated because I did not follow the formula for success. For me the formula is do your part, be patient and rely on God - or tawakkul. I find it most comforting that my plans and life is in the hands of the Best Planner. If Allah wills for me to succeed, then only by Allah will I succeed. - Noor

Abdullah - Youth Director - Illinois

“Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good, or keep silent; and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his neighbor; and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his guest” - Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

This hadith teaches us that if we believe in Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and the Day of Judgement, then we must learn to control our speech and be generous and kind to our neighbors. Through this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is telling us that to be a true believer, we must not only speak the truth and refrain from speaking bad or ill about others but also be kind to our neighbors and guests. It is important to take this as a foundation of our belief; and it is just as important for us to allow our beliefs to manifest in our actions. Imagine all Muslims adhere to this, and speak truth and good about others and are kind to all of their neighbors despite the behavior they might receive from them. This will help negate any bad impressions people might have about Muslims based on what they hear and read in mainstream media. This hadith provides the tools we need to bring about social change and improve people’s characters in Muslims and non-Muslims alike; creating a society where every American including American Muslims not only coexist but work together as a community. - Abdullah

Stiz - Model - New York

“Those are the ones (parents) from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook their misdeeds, (they shall be) among the companions of Paradise. (that is) the promise of truth which they had been promised.” - Qur’an Chapter 46 / Verse 16

I am human, I have made mistakes, and it is inevitable that I will make some more. But all I can offer is prayer and hope that my parents will be okay and know that I appreciate all that they have done for me. Your family is here on this earth for a very short time in the grand scheme of things so I believe it is important to pray for our parents whenever possible. They deserve it. - Stiz