About Us

The Sila Initiative is an educational effort that teaches Islam through the lens of relationships and connectedness. In an increasingly individualistic world, Sila asks Muslims to consciously make their obligatory and praiseworthy relationships—with Allah, His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace), with one’s spouse, children, parents, relatives, teachers, neighbors, friends—a central part of their lived practice of Islam. The most critical of all is one’s sila or connection to Allah, through which the proper maintenance of all other relationships can be understood.

Through our long-form articles, reflection pieces, audio casts and events both online and on-the-ground, we aim to:

– bring attention to individualistic trends and ideas that pervade modern society by providing basic critique and reorientation for the sincere Muslim

– explain the gendered responsibilities of men and women through a framework that emphasizes the wisdom of their Creator, not the human self’s sense of entitlement

– provide stories and examples from Muslims past and present on what wholesome and fruitful submission to Allah looks like, both at home and in the heart

– show how effective Islamic theological and legal teachings are for realizing a wholesome social existence, even in the modern age, through religiously grounded examples and analysis

The Sila Initiative is working to help us think more clearly and act with more confidence as Muslims in the modern world. Please make dua for success in this endeavor. Wa billahi tawfiq!