A Girl's Guide to Being Muslim

Page Excerpt: "The Ideal Muslimah" -- A Woman's Status

2009-05-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

Asalaamu `alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu Sisters!! Here is the first part in a series of quotes and pages from the book "The Ideal Muslimah" that we at "A Girl's Guide to Being Muslim" hope will be of some benefit.

Taken from Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi's book "The Ideal Muslimah", published by the International Islamic Publishing House.

Chapter "The Muslim Woman and Her Lord" p. 109 -- She is distinguished by her Islamic character and true religion!!

No doubt, the true Muslim woman is distinguished by her Islamic character, and she is proud of the high status which Islam gave her at a very early stage, before women in other nations attained anything like it. Fifteen centuries ago, Islam proclaimed the full rights of women for the first time in history, and Muslim women enjoyed human rights, centuries before the world had ever heard of human rights organizations, or witnessed any "Declaration of Human Rights." At that early stage, Islam declared that women were the twin halves of men, as stated in the hadith narrated by Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi and Ahmad. At a time when the Christian world doubted the humanity of woman and the nature of her soul, the Qur'an declared:

[And their Lord has accepted of them, and answered them: 'Never will I suffer to be lost the world of any of you, be he male or female: you are members, one of another'] Qur'an 3:195

The Prophet (sallalahu `alayhi wa salam) accepted women's oath of Islam and obedience, just as he accepted that of men. The women's bay`ah was independent and separate from that of their menfolk, and was not done as an act of blind obedience. This is a confirmation of the independence of the Muslim woman's identidy, and of her competence to bear the responsibility of giving the oath of allegiance and making the commitment to obey Allah and be loyal to Him and His Messenger. All of this happened centuries before the moden world recognized a woman's right to freedom of expression and the right to vote independetly. This in addition to other important rights, such as her independent right to own wealth and her freedom from the responsibility to spend on others, even if she was rich, and her equality with men in human worth, education, and general religious and legal duties. A full discussion of the rights which Islam has given to women, and the respect which it has bestowed upon them, is not possible here.

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It is sufficient to know that the French Revolution of the late 18th century produced a human-rights document entitled "Declaration of the Rights of Men and Citizens." The first clause of this document states, "Men are born free and equal under the laws." There was an attempt to add the words "and women", but this was rejected, and the statement remained confined to men only: "Man is born free, and he should not be enslaved." A century later, the great French soldier Gustave le Bon, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, stated in his book "The Psychology of Peoples" that womam had never been equal to man except in periods of decline; this comment came in his refutation of demands that women should be made equal with men by giving them the same right to vote.

To be continued inshaa'Allah...

Surah Al-Zalzalah & Some Very Beneficial Links!!

2009-05-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

Bismillah
Asalaaamu `alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!!

Subhan-Allah, this Chapter makes me shiver!!

1. When the earth is shaken to it's (utmost) convulsion,

2. And the earth throws up it's burdens (from within),

3. And man cries (distressed): 'What is the matter with it?'-

4. On that Day will it declare her tidings:

5. For that thy Lord will have given it inspiration.

6. On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).

7. Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!

8. And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.

Mashaa'Allah, here in Abu Dhabi we have a radio channel called "Quran Kareem" and every night beginning at 8:30pm it recites the last 16 chapters from the Quran both in Arabic and English. It's great!! But for those of you who are not able to hear the Glorious Quran recited on TV or the radio, click here to be taken to a great website that provides MP3 format recitations by all of the shayookh!! And if you're are interested in memorizing along with the Arabic script, here is another great website that can def. help you out, inshaa'Allah!!

Who is really oppressed: A Muslim Woman's Views on Modesty

2009-04-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

THE RIGHTS OF A MUSLIM WOMAN IN SHORT

ALOT of the rights of a Muslim woman in Islam are twisted to make us look suppressed rather than given protection and honor. Here are some questions I myself used to ask before Islam, about Muslim women being suppressed, and the answers I learned in my journey towards Islam.

1.) ``how can you say that you are equal to a man when you cannot marry without a Maharam`s permission.``

Answer: I can say that because a Muslim woman has the right given by God (Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala) in Islam to have a man promise to love her, protect, and provide every earthly need (and even entertainment and desire) before they even hold hands. Having myself been a non-muslim surrounded by the dating world, we know most guys aren`t willing to do this even after a year relationship, let alone after an honorable courtship. Even after marriage some guys don`t give us these things and Islam says it is our right to have them. A Maharam exists for a few purposes. They ensure that no one physically harms a woman, they are supposed to throughly investigate the character of this would-be-suitor, they make sure `no funny stuff`happens before the marriage contract is signed, and since it was their honor that brought the woman to marriage, it is their honor at stake if the one they agreed to her marrying turns out to break any of the marriage promises. Then they have the right to break the marriage for her protection. So not only do we usually have our family, and our own wit looking out for us, we also have someone sworn to protect us (not that or wit isn`t usually enough: D).

Question 2.): ``How can you say you are equal to a man when you go from being your father's to your husband's possession?``

Firstly, man and women are equal before God on right of their deeds and character. We are weighed by our souls. Not all women are equal to men in strength, and if we woman choose to have children (which couldn`t be avoided at the advent of Islam) we are not equal on time to work always (thought the Prophet Himself and a few Arab husbands I know of do the cooking, and sweeping, and take care of children equally with their wives). Islam gives the mother the highest status saying heaven is under the feet of our mothers. Having hoped I explained that, I will never be a pocession of my husband`s anymore than he is of mine. He is expected to provide for me completely finanacially should I not wish to raise a doller but for my own entertainment or to give to charity (anything a woman spends on the home or family is considered a charity before Allah subhanu wa ta`ala). He is also responsible to see me safe, and I am repsonsible for seeing that his household is safe and that I uphold Islam as well as possible. My father`s duty the is the same, and my duty to him is to take care of him in his old age. My father is not a Muslim, but my duty to him stays the same, although he cannot be my Maharam because he does not understand Islam enough to help me choose the right husband (since I want a man who prays five times a day and my Dad probably just wants a well-off, hard-working and honest guy who happens to ike learning how to build things so my father has someone to help out in his shop when he retires---all things I am looking for too, but my father would leave out some things that are very important to me). So then, a woman can have an Islamic father, brother, Uncle, or husband be her Maharam. She can also choose a Maharam from those well-respected in her community to act on her behalf, such as an Imam (she doesn`t always need her father`s permission---BTW a man sort of needs his mothers to marry just the same, but both women and men can forgo this to seek a very wise Islamic person like a respected Imam to act on their behalfs. I hope that explains the non-pocession thing.

Question 3.) Why give a dowry if you aren't a possession?``

Answer: Um, why does a man give a woman a diamond wedding ring in Western culutre you might want to ask yourself. It isn`t about pocessing.

The dowry is given to the woman by her husband. It goes ONLY to the woman (and anyone who takes this from her is severly to be punished in hell for this). It is also requested by the woman. She can ask for money, deeds, promises, or knowledge, and the man has the option of saying yes or no depending on how high or how difficult her reqest is. The dowry also forms her legal rights, a woman can ask that her husband sign a formal agreement to only ever take one wife, she can ask him to hep her start a business, ect... It isn`t to buy her, but part of her legal rights.

BTW Islamic ladies LOVE their dowries:::: HE HE HE. I have asked that my man help me save the lives of people even if it gets him or I jailed or worse and that was a difficult thing to ask for but I didn`t want a man that wouldn`t do that, ya know, cuz Ilike to live and work in dangerous places upon occasion. other sisters require their husbands be open to adoption. Enough said `bout dowries.

Question 4. ``How can you say that you are equal to a man when inheritance laws say you only receive 1/2 of your brothers.``

Answer first off: I get half of my brothers AND I get to have a husband who buys me everything, whereas my brother has to pay for a wife, and everything she needs. I get to demand a dowry, and he has to pay one if he wants wives and children. He also is responsible for financially providing for our parents when they get old, which I am not though it is charity for me to do so. He can be punished for not doing it, and I can only be rewarded if I do so. Actually, the inheritance laws are quite fair, since women in most Western and European properties didn`t have the right to own property up until the last few hundred years. Moving on...

Question number 5.):``Why is a man able to divorce by saying 3 times "I divorce you x3". Why can't woman do so?``

Answer: In some cases this law doesn`t work because some men try to keep their women out of spite (and they will probablly be tortured in hell for this---the men I mean) but for a good man, there are steps he does first proceeding this to ensure divorce is the only actions. The reason why subhanhu wa ta àla said so I don`t quite know, but maybe because we women would declare divorce more often, in the heat of emotion, and not really mean it. To obtain our divorces, we must present evidence why it can`t possibly work for us and simply stating you are unhappy and uncompatible was enough in the Sunnah of the Prophet`s time. I personally don`t mind doing this, because if they had a similar thing for children, knowing my father and me, I would have disowned him a thousand times, and I still love him to this day, and want him around. Bad answer but best I`ve got. LOL. If a woman is undergoing harm though, at the hands of her husband, or he is not praying, or he is preventing a woman from prayer, a woman can seek out the aid of an Imam, and the Imam will warn the man and give him a period to change while the Imam takes the woman out of situation for her protection. If he does not do change, the woman will be granted divorce. Also, if the terms of her marriage contract are not met, the Maharam may disolve the marriage and seek legal action against the failed husband.

Question 6.): ``Why is a child only to stay with a mother for 7 years. Why is he then the possession of his father's?``

Answer: Not quite true. Any baby---come child is the pocession of the mother until the child turns seven, after that, provided the father has no major sins or mental problems, the GIRL is given her father as her guardian, as she has the rights to a Maharam, and since her mother Islamically can`t go around intervewing boys to make sure they are good for her (though she lines up potential candiates through her own aquaintances more often than not) a daughter can receive this extra insurance from her father. Plus father`s tend to be gentler with their daughters. As for the son, he has the choice to stay with his mother or go with his father. He can act as a Maharam (though only a cute little one---she`d probably want a stronger one if she was going somewhere dangerous) for his mother, or he can go with his father. It is really his choice. It is actually more of the sunnah to foster children out to different families alotgether, but few families practice this anymore (the Prophet S.A.W was raised by a family other than his own when he was young).

Question 7.) ``Why can a man marry a woman of the book but not a muslimah without permission?``

Answer: No good Maharam will ever let his charge marry a non-muslim. The answer is, the Qu`ran says the believeing women are only for the believing men. As a Muslim woman I know that if a I met a man with a religion different than my own and he believed in it as strongly as I do my own, we would fight, plain and simple, and there are some things a Muslim is not allowed to compromise in, such as having pagan symbols in the home (worshipping Jesus as the son of God is one), being around those who drink alchohal, or talking to strange men without reason, ect.... (and this man can`t count as a Maharam because he is not beliveing in the laws of Islam). The reason it was forbidden for women but not for men (they are actually forbidden from marrying any woman who is not a believing (in God) Jew or Christian) is because these women are already supossed to believe in Allah, and they are bound by their own relgions which say they have to be obediant to their husbands (which the Qu`ran adds to, in what he is resonable in). So he cold forbid them form having pagan things in their home, or talking to unrelated men without business to attend to, ect. More often than not the Christian and Jewish women who marry Muslims end up becoming Muslims anyway. I studied Christianity almost ten years living with a fundamentalist (not evil fundamentalist but I mean they LIVED by the Bible) Christian family and they told me if I was Christian I could not marry a man who was not also Christian soooo... It is actually much the same between these three faiths, only, Islam gives more rights to women from what I have studied. I would also like to add, there aren`t very many practicing Christians that I have met, but those that I have (Tamara, Christina, and Karen----I love you!!!!) they can relate more to a muslim woman than the girls at their highschool can relate to them.

Bismillahir Ar-Rahmanir Rahim

Remember the days in high school, where the popular girls wore revealing clothes and always came to school looking their best? How about turning on your television and seeing the latest ad for "Desperate Housewives"? Nothing but 4 old women in lingerie and over-done faces. (At least that's what it shows here in UAE, not sure about the rest of the world LoL!)

Western women and even Muslim women are ignorant of the facts why we wear the full body cover of Hijaab. In fact, there are Muslim speakers (both men & women) who make claims that we don't have to wear the Hijaab -- that this was a pre-Islamic tradition and therefore no need to dress in such a "oppressive & demeaning" manner!!

A`uthu billahi min al-fasiqun, wa Allah yusamhina.

Don't listen to these corrupt people, they are slaves to their nafs and personal short-comings. To tell a Muslim woman to show her body and imitate the evil actions of others is to deny the verses of Allah ta`ala & call for munkar (fitnah on earth). I recently saw a woman on Youtube burning a headscarf to the applause of non-Muslims. She didn't accomplish much except make herself look foolish to the Sisters who truly follow their Lord's commands. We have womens' groups and other "humanitarian" workers trying to "liberate" us. Newsflash, we were liberated 1400 years ago. While the media is busy corrupting a woman's body and prostution is seen and even accepted as a "profession", our Holy Book tells us that we are women with rights & deserve to be treated with diginity and respect -- without knowing our bra sizes or how long our legs are.

Meanwhile, some will say, "Islam is a barbaric religion because it approves the mistreatment of women and treats them as second-class citizens!!" One of these people once included my mom but when I showed her *true* message of Islam and it's laws concering women, she has since changed her mind (alhamdulillah!!). My mother was once a member of the Church of Ladder Day Saints or the FLDS. They found her as a teen travelling across the country & converted her to their religion. She was married to another Mormon and was told that since she was only a woman, she was not allowed to pray to God; only her husband could on her behalf. Along with many other confusing rules, she eventually left and hasn't applied herself to any religion since then. But one day, insha'Allah, she will enter Islam and has asked many questions about this very mis-understood world religion. Of course, the made-in-Israel movie "Not Without My Daughter" didn't help the image of a Muslim woman and I think we are still doing damage control for that one.

So, to the female walking down the stree in her booty-tight jeans and chest revealing shirt who sighs down at a covered woman; re-evaluate the situation. It may appear to YOU that we are poor, suppressed women, slaves to our men but in reality it's YOU who is the slave to a man's desire. One only has to go to a strip club or even a place as innocent as Earl's, where the women have to wear mini-skirts & tight black t-shirts.

Please, leave us alone and stop telling us what to do -- all this talk of liberation when you're the ones oppressing us.

Answer to Chica's Question

2009-04-10T23:58:00.000-07:00

When making wudu does one have to cover their hair?

The answer is no, because the Prophet S.A.W told us to wipe over it from the hairline to the back of head and then back up to wipe inside and behind the ears. This is the sunnah, so if you have privacy from non-maharam men, this is how you should make your wudu. If you are not able to find a private place to makde wudu and are in danger of the prayer time running out, the scholars are in agreement that you may wet what strands and parts of your hair that your fingers may reach underneath your hijab and still have a valid wudu, since you cannot remove your hijab in the presence of non-maharams. But the sunnah is to wet the hair from the hairline to the back of the head and then back up to wipe water within and around the ears.

Surah Al Fatihah سورة الفاتحة‎: its meaning in English and learning how to recite it

2009-02-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم ,

NOW THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED:
a. the importance of prayer (salat) http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/salat-importance-and-benefit-of-prayer.html

b. the times for prayer (salat)
http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/five-obligatory-prayers-and-their-times.html and

c. how purify yourself for prayer (salat)
http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/wudu-purification-for-prayer-why-it-is.html
http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-make-wudu-things-to-do-before.html

...It is time for you to start praying like a Muslim!!!! Yay! MashaAllah for all your good effort sisters! The most important thing for you to learn now is memorising Surah Al Fatihah (which is a chapter in the Qu'ran called "The Opening").

WHAT IS "SURAH AL FATIHAH"?
A surah is an Islamic word for chapter, and an ayah is an Islamic word for "verse". In English, the title Al Fatihah is often translating to "The Opening" or the "Exordium". Surah Al Fatihah is the first surah (chapter) in the Qu'ran, and it consists of seven ayahs (verses) that form a prayer for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's mercy and guidance, and express the believer's dependence on the lordship and mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

WHY IS SURAH AL FATIHAH SO IMPORTANT TO LEARN?
Recitation of Surah Al Fatihah is considered a fard (obligatory) act during salat because Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: “Whoever offers a prayer in which he does not recite Umm al-Kitab (i.e., Al-Fatihah), it is defective” – he said so three times" [Narrated by Muslim]. Without a proper recitation of Surah Al Fatihah a prayer is defective, i.e invalid, so learning Surah Al Fatihah in arabic ASAP is of great importance.

WHY CAN I NOT JUST MEMORIZE A TRANSLATION OF SURAH AL FATIHAH IN MY OWN NATIVE TONGUE?
The Arabic language of the Qu'ran is a direct revelation (word for word) from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala of what was taught to the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam from the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). If it is translated, some of the original meaning is lost and that is something a Muslim never risks doing during his/her salat. The Qu'ran is recited ONLY in Arabic when it is used as a form of worship. So the worshipper must recite it properly in Arabic, because we are commanded to read and recite the Qur’an as it was revealed. Whoever is unable to pronounce it properly because of some defect in her tongue or because she is not an Arabic-speaker must learn to correct her pronunciation as much as she can. If she cannot, then she is relieved of this obligation, because Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala does not burden people with more than they are able to bear. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says: “Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope” [Al-Baqarah 2:286]

THE MEANING OF SURAH AL FATIHAH IN ENGLISH
One should still know the meaning of what they are reciting so that they can have good intentions while they say the words of a certain surah or ayah of the Qu'ran, and so that they can really mean what they are saying. Surah Al Fatihah has a meaning roughly as follows in English:
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Master of the worlds and Sovereign of the Day of Judgement
You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek our aid
Guide us to the straight path
The path of those You have earned Your favour
Not of those who have earned Your anger
Or those who have gone astray.
Ameen.

TRANSLITERATION OF HOW TO SAY SURAH AL FATIHAH IN ARABIC
Bismillahir Rahmanir-Raheem
Al-Hamdu Lil-lahi Rabbil-'Alameen
Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem
Maliki Yawmid-Deen
'Iyaka Na'budu Wa' Iyaka Nasta'een
Ihdinas-Siratal-Musta-qeem
Siratal-Ladheena 'An'amta 'Alay-him
Ghayril-Maghdhoubi 'Alay-him Wa La-dhaalleen
(Ameen) [this is sunnah to say but is not printed in the Qu'ran]

I personally found this to be a very good online tutorial teaching one how to recite Al Fatihah: http://www.mounthira.com/learning/surah/001-al-fatihah/

As newbie Muslimah you don't have to worry too much about your tajweed yet just good pronunciation of all the Arabic sounds forming the ayahs of Al Fatihah. Here are some others reading Al-Fatiha with tajweed (tajweed is a term for correct and beautiful and sometimes even artistic recitiation of the Qu'ran):
Surah Al-Fatihah recited by Sa'id Al Ghamdi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCz3UUKiPtw&feature=PlayList&p=346B966A2BA20FB9&index=14
Surah Al Fatihah recited by Mishary Rashid Alafasy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za-V0_X_AAM
Surah Al Fatihah recited by Fahd Al-Kanderi: =JqbPcAp_k-8&feature=related
Surah Al Fatihah recited by an Albanian boy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4RD1d1qKd0

STARTING TO RECITE AL FATIHAH IN SALAT
When the time for salat comes now that you have learnt Al Fatihah make the proper ablution and then recite Surah Al Fatihah. If, in the middle of salat, you can only remember a few lines of Surah Al Fatihah, recite what you know because the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: “Whatever you know of Qur’an, recite it, otherwise praise Allah, proclaim His Oneness and magnify Him.” [Narrated by Abu Dawud][Al-Mughni, 1/289, 290] and then you may add after what you know, that God is One and the Creator/Maintainer of all to finish up your salat. Some sisters write down Surah Al Fatihah one something they can read while preforming salat in order to memorize it. So you must try hard and keep practising it. You can do this by reciting it to another Muslim sister who can recite it well, and by listening to surahs recited by skilled reciters on tapes or broadcasts.There is no need to feel nervous and anxious, because Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala knows what is in people’s hearts, and He knows who is trying hard and making the effort, and who is lazy and heedless.The difficulty that you find in reciting Qur’an will increase your hasanaat (good deeds) and rewards. It was narrated that ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: “The one who is skilled in reciting Qur’aan will be with the noble and obedient scribes (i.e., the angels?) and the one who reads the Qur’aan and struggles with it because it is difficult for him will have two rewards.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 798) Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The one who struggles with it is the one who is hesitant in his recitation because he is not able to memorize it well. He will have two rewards: the reward for reciting it and the reward for his efforts in reciting it. There is no need to repeat verses more than once, because this is not what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did or taught. Rather that opens the door to waswaas (whispers from the Shaytaan), detracts from the prayer, makes you lose your focus, distracts you from pondering the meaning of the verses and makes the shaytaan happy, because from that he can find a way to make you suffer so that you will ultimately give up praying. But Allah is Most Gracious and Most Merciful, and He is more merciful towards us than we are to ourselves, and He does not burden us with more than we can bear.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SURAH AL FATIHAH?
a. A recitiation of Al Fatihah is necessary for salat to be valid since the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: “Whoever offers a prayer in which he does not recite Umm al-Kitab (i.e., Al-Fatihah), it is defective”
b. Besides being an obligation in the five fard prayers, there is hassanat (reward) for the act. The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: “The one who is skilled in reciting Qur’aan will be with the noble and obedient scribes (i.e., the angels?) and the one who reads the Qur’aan and struggles with it because it is difficult for him will have two rewards.”
c. It was said to Abu Hurayrah: "...I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:“Allah said: I have divided prayer between Myself and My slave into two halves and My slave shall have what he has asked for. When the slave says: Al-hamdu lillahi rabbi l-alamin (All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists), Allah says: My slave has praised Me. And when he says: Ar-Rahmaan ir-Raheem (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says: My slave has extolled Me. and when he says: Maaliki yawm id-deen (The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)), Allah says: My slave has glorified Me - and on one occasion He said: My slave has submitted to My power. And when he says: Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)), He says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he is asking for. And when he says: Ihdina’s-siraata’l- mustaqeem, siraat alladzeena an’amta alaihim ghayril-maghdubi alayhim wa la’ d-dhalleen (Guide us to the Straight Way. The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray), He says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.” [Narrated by Muslim]

How To Make Wudu الوضوء :things to do before wudu that you might not have known and the sunnah for making wudu

2009-02-13T10:58:00.001-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم ,

This post is about how to make wudu الوضوء. If you need to know what exactly wudu is, why it is necessary in Islam, what its benefits are, and when it is necessary please see this post http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/wudu-purification-for-prayer-why-it-is.html. THIS post concerns the sunnah (the prescribed and perfect) actions of making wudu, and highlights a few things that one should do before making wudu. We'll start off with those.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE MAKING WUDU YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN

Use the toilet: before making wudu if one needs to use the toilet, they should since the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: "No prayer can be rightly said... when he [the worshipper] is prompted by the call of nature." (Sahih Muslim, [Eng. Trans. vol. 1 #1139]) If you have used the toilet you need to make istanja http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/istanja-what-it-is-and-how-to-make-it.html and wash your hands before making wudu (***using the toilet is recommended and making istanja afterwards is obligatory or salat is not valid).

Remove anything from your body that might invalidate your wudu: before making wudu, if one is wearing nailpolish or fake nails, they must be removed, because the water will not touch the hand in its entirety so the wudu will be incomplete and any following salat will be invalid. Making wudu before applying nailpolish only means that your wudu is good until it is broken (see this post http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/wudu-purification-for-prayer-why-it-is.html) and you will have to remove your nailpolish and reapply it everytime you re-make your wudu. An average wudu for myself is four hours. Trust me, it's not worth your time and effort [and I am a nailpolish fiend]. Don't worry though, wearing nailpolish is permitted when it's that time of the month (i.e a girl's got her period) since no prayer is due on her during this time and she doesn't have to worry about keeping her wudu on. ***Fake nails are disliked at all times, and in many opinions harraam (this will be discussed at a later date and a link will be added here). Hair extensions, wigs, fake eyelashes, and eyelash extensions fall under the same category as fake nails. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala knows best, and it is the majorirty opinion that is is safer to refrain from using any of the previous mentioned.*** This also means removing rings or any jewelry that are so tight to the skin that water cannot reach it.Clean your teeth/use a siwaak stick: before making wudu it is mustahaab (recommended) that you clean your teeth. Yes, in the days when washing the human body was thought to make it unhealthy in many places in the world the Prophet Mohammed salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam recommended good oral hygene. He used a tooth-stick to clean his teeth through-out the day, and especially for salat. Think about it, you always want to use gum or mints before a job interview to make sure you don't have bad breath in order to make a good impression. Who deserves to be more impressed? A mortal man/woman or Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala? Ironically many will spend money for Arab make-up and kohl and henna before investing in siwaak sticks, even though the use of them was almost made obligatory before prayer: Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwaak at every time of prayer.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/299 and Muslim, 1/151). According to another report narrated by al-Bukhaari, he said: “…at every time of making wudoo’.” When making your first Islamic purchases of things you cannot obtain where you live (inshaAllah siwaak sticks are readily available to you) such as prayer clothes and hijab try and obtain siwaak sticks. Available from http://www.desertstore.com/products-For-Sale/miswak-siwak-01.html for .99 cents USD. If you do not have access to siwaak sticks where you live, the intention is very simple and good for you---brush your teeth.

HOW TO MAKE WUDU---The Physical Requirements/Actions for making wudu

I personally find it hard to learn from diagrams like this one so here are couple of how-to videos and then the written step by step instructions.:

How to make wudu video #1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpHcw9uvU6E

How to make wudu video #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaKb2zX1QBs&feature=related

1.) Make Niyaat (intention) to preform wudu

When you go to the place to make wudu (any place with clean water) [a post will be given later on how a Muslimah may make a public wudu and the link to it will be inserted here---for now this post is about the basics and we will assume our muslimah has a private place like a woman's washroom to make wudu in] you should make the intention to preform wudu. The intention should be silent and it has no strict wording. An example of such an intention would be "I am now going to purify myself for salat and do so in the name of Allah."

2.) Say "Bismillah" silently to yourself

Out of respect for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala the name of God is not mentioned in a bathroom/washroom. After this is done, it is remmended strongly to not engage in any other purpose but making wudu especially if one is offering salat immediately after. "Bismillah" means "in the name of Allah"

3.) Rinse your mouth by drawing water from your cupped right hand. This is done three times.

4.) Rinse the nostrils of your nose by drawing water from your cupped right hand and using your left hand to pinch the nose and wipe it when expelling the water from the nasal passage. This is done three times.

5.) Wash your face from the hairline to the chin and ear to ear (both hands used). This is done three times.

6.) Wash your arms---Starting with your right arm wash with your left hand from the finger-tip to the elbow of that right arm. This is done three times. Then, starting with your left arm wash from the finger-tip to the elbow with the right hand. This is also done three times.

7.) Wipe your wet hands over your hair starting at the hairline moving to the back of the head then (with the hands remaining through the hair) bring the hands in the hair back to the hairline and as you do so, wipe the back and the inside of the ears with the forefinger and the thumb.

8.) Wash both feet---starting with the right foot clean from the tips of the toes to the ankle. Be especially careful to get the heels because Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) saw a man who did not wash his heel. Thereupon he remarked: Woe to those who will be dragged by their heels to the Hell-Fire. (Sahih Muslim 356). This is done three times, and then a finger is used to clean between the toes (this is done only once per foot). Then do likewise with the left foot.

10.) Repeat the shahada in sincerity and respect---To finish the wudu one must repeat their shahada by saying "There is no God but God and Mohammed is His servant and His Messenger". If you remain in the bathroom/washroom you may say this silently in your head or you can leave that space and say aloud: "ash-hadu alla ilaha ill-allah wahdahu la shareeka lahu wa ash-hadu anna sayyidana muhammadan `abduhu wa rasooluh" and it is recommended that you recite this three times because Umar Ibn Al-Khattab narrates: "If anyone amongst you performs the ablution and completes it well and then says, "I testify there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the servant of Allah and His Messenger", then the eight gates of Paradise will be open to him and he may enter from whichever one of them he chooses." (Sahih Muslim, [Eng. Trans. Vol. 1 #451])

*11.) Optional recitation of a sunnah dua. You may skip this step right now in order to learn how to pray as quickly as possible but it is recommended to recite this du'a after making wudu: "O Allah, count me among one of those who seek forgiveness and who keep themselves pure!"

HOW DO WE GET THE STEPS FOR WUDU?

We get the steps for wudu from the sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam: narration by Imam Muslim on the authority of Humran (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "'Uthnan Ibn 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) called for ablution water and this is how he performed ablution He washed his hands thrice. He then rinsed his mouth and cleansed his nose with water [three times]. He then washed his face three times;then washed his right arm up to the elbow three times, then washed his left like that, then wiped his head; then washed his right foot up to the ankle three times, then washed his left foot like that, and then said: I saw the Messenger of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala said: "He who performs ablution like this ablution of mine and then stood up [for prayer] and offered two rak'ahs of prayer without allowing his thoughts to be distracted, all his previous sins are expiated." (Sahih Muslim, [Eng. Trans. vol. 1 #436]).

If you are not certain whether of not you have made wudu, err on the side of not making it again, because there is an authentic hadith that says (this is the only thing missing in this post---I will post it ASAP or maybe Aalia can add it in)

More reading: http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=3&ID=4192&CATE=342

http://www.searchtruth.com/dua/index.php?dua=9

http://www.islamawareness.net/Wudu/sahih_bukhari.html

Istanja---what it is and how to make it

2009-02-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم ,

Before you learn how to make wudu you should know to preform Istanja, and how to. So what is Istanja?

WHAT IS MEANT BY "ISTANJA"?

Istanja is an Islamic term for getting rid of uncleanliness. It is a method of cleaning one's self with water after using the toilet.

If you have grown up using toilet paper, think of how we clean a baby when changing its diaper. Do we merely use toilet paper on a baby? No, we usually use a wet wipe, because it is cleaner to have something "wet". Toilet paper on its own is only a wiping device, not a sanitary one whatsoever, so unfortunately, what adults intrinsically think of when caring for infants, is forgotten when caring for themselves or training their children.

In Islam, even cleaner than a wet wipe, we use a spray of water to clean ourselves after urination or after using a wiping device in the case of defacation. If you have not performed Istanja after using the toilet before making wudu, your wudu is not valid, and so your salat will be invalid. It is also a sin and there is punishment from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala for neglecting it as is related in this sahih hadith (may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect us from such things, ameen) :

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrates: " The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) once passed by two graves and said: "They (in the grave) are being punished not for a great thing to avoid" Then he added: "Yes, (they are being punished for a great sin), for one of them used to go about with calumnies while the other never saved himself from the splashes of urine"

But who would want to keep on using toilet paper now that they have learnt the benefit of performing istanja with water?!!!

HOW TO DO ISTANJA WITH #1 (urine):

After urinating dry the urine with a clean piece of mud (for those in a country without toilet paper) or toilet paper and then wash with water.

HOW TO DO ISTANJA WITH #2 (you know):

Clean the private part with three or five clean mud pieces (hey, that's how they did it historically) or toilet paper and then wash with water.

WHEN TO MAKE ISTANJA?

After using the toilet for number 1 or 2.

WHICH HAND SHOULD BE USED FOR ISTANJA?

The left hand should be used for all acts of wiping in rinsing during istanja. It is a sin to use the right (which has to do with eating and taking meals, which is a subject that will be broached at a later date). In Islam know, that for every good thing the right hand is used, and everything else the left if used.

AND APPARENTLY THERE HAD TO BE A RULING ON THIS

By what things Istanja should be done? By toilet paper, clean mud pieces or stones, and finished ALWAYS with water. By what things should it not be done? With bones, or food, coal, or writing paper (i.e useful things should not be ruined for the sake of a wiping device).

Helpful notes for people not living in a Islamic country with Islamic toilets with spray devices like the one pictured below or bidets: carry a water bottle (that you won't use for drinking or let anyone else drink!!!!!!) or a small container of water with you in your purse when you go out prep for public washrooms and the like, and at home, keep a watering can (some of my Muslim sisters I have visited use these) or, as I prefer, a water spray bottle (the kind you use for your hair) from the dollar store and keep it beside the toilet. If you can, get a shower spray installed for yourself.

الوضوء Wudu (Purification for Prayer): why it is necessary, what are its benefits, and when it is necessary

2009-02-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم ,

WHAT IS WUDU?
الوضوء Wudu (partial ablution) is the minor purification ritual necessary before worship of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala . A state of wudu is required before touching the Qu'ran in its original Arabic script, and before salat. It is the Islamic act of washing specific parts of the body in a specific way using water.

***Ghusl http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/ghusl-complete-ablution-when-it-is.html is complete ablution and may substitute for wudu but wudu may never substitute for ghusl [with the exception of cases where water is not available or washing may injure a person due to a medical condition--- then tayammum may be substituted for wudu or ghusl and we will go into the topic of tayammum and other mercies of Allah S.W.T after the basics of prayer have been explained.]***

WHY IS WUDU NECESSARY?
Now back to the evidence that makes wudu fard (obligatory) before any salat:

The Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: "The Prayer of none amongst you would be accepted in a state of impurity till he performs ablution." (Sahih Muslim, [Eng. Trans. Vol. 1. hadith #435])

The Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said : "The key to paradise is salah, and the key to as-salah is wudu" (Tirmidhi, Transmitted Ahmad, Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah )

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala ordered salat in the holy Qu'ran:

O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salah [the prayer] wash your faces and your hands [forearms] up to the elbows... and your heads and (wash) your feet up to the ankles(5:6)

Quite clearly, unless, one performs all the necessary purification, their salat will not be accepted, and if one knowingly forgoes the necessary wudu or ghusl but offers their prayers anyways, their prayers will be invalid, and it will be the same as if they deliberately skipped the prayer, and intentionally missing a fard prayer is a sin http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/five-obligatory-prayers-and-their-times.html, and very close to shirk.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS/USES OF PERFORMING WUDU?

The benefit of performing the necessary wdu or ghusl is (most important) that your salat will be valid and thus become reward,

For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. (Qu'ran 2:222)

Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "If good characteristics exist in a person, Allah makes all of his acts good. If a person purifies himself for prayer, he expiates all of his sins and his prayer is considered an extra reward for him." (Related by Abu Ya'la, al-Bazzar and at-Tabarani in al-Ausat.)

and (two) that what parts of your body you wash with the intention to make them pure when praying to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will be made to be light on the day judgement so you will be recognized as a believer, inshaAllah, for the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said as he passed by the graves of the Muslims with some of the companions: "Peace be upon you, O home of believing people. Allah willing, we shall meet you soon, although I wish I could see my brothers." They asked, "Are we not your brothers, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "You are my companions. My brothers are the ones who will come after (us)." They said, "How will you know the people of our nation who will come after you, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "If a man has a group of horses with white forelocks amidst a group of horses with black forelocks, will he recognize his horses?" They said, "Certainly, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "They (my brothers) will come with white streaks from their ablutions (wudu), and I will receive them at my cistern." (Related by Muslim.)

WHEN IS WUDU OR GHUSL NECESSARY?

Wudu is required before salat (evidence for that statement previously given) or before touching the Qu'ran because the Qu'ran states that it is such that

Which none shall touch but those who are clean (56:77-79)

(a post about proper handling for the Qu'ran will be given before the learning to read in Arabic section of this blog, inshaAllah). Back to what neccitates wudu...

GHUSL (full ablution) is REQUIRED when: one first makes their shahada, after sexual intercourse, when any vaginal or seminal fluid is discharged, after menstration [no fard prayers are due on a woman during her menstration as a mercy from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala], after having a baby, or after intense bleeding (insha'Allah this will not be the case for you!), and death before burial. It is recommended also, before Jum'a (friday prayer at the Mosque) [a separate post from this prayer section will be given for ettiquette pertaining to the Mosque and prayer in congregation].

WUDU (partial ablution) is REQUIRED when: one has used the toilet [instanja must be preformed then in addition to wudu and we will explain instanja shortly in the following post http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/istanja-what-it-is-and-how-to-make-it.html], after passing gas (farting), after sleep, after vomiting, after fainting (and loss of the senses), and in some opinions after laughing aloud during a prayer. It should also be made by a Muslimah if she has touched her own sexual organ but there was no discharge of bodily fluids [i.e the action was not sexual], or if she becomes angry because the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said: "Anger comes from the devil, the devil was created of fire, and fire is extinguished only with water; so when one of you becomes angry, he should perform ablution." (Dawud, Narrated Atiyyah as-Sa'di)

IF WUDU IS MADE ONCE IN A DAY, BUT IS BROKEN, MUST IT BE PREFORMED AGAIN?

The answer is yes. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "Allah does not accept the prayer of one who nullified his ablution until he performs it again." (Related by al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmizhi EVIDENCE FROM THE QU'RAN AND AHADITH about when Ghusl and Wudu is required for those who would prefer to read furth or have some future reference:
O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour on you that you may be thankful. [The Noble Qur'an 5:6]

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "Allah does not accept the prayer of a person who has released gas until he makes a new ablution." A person from Hadhramaut asked Abu Hurairah, "What does releasing gas mean?" He answered, "Wind with or without sound." [Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.]

Busrah bint Safwan narrated that the Prophet said, "Whoever touches his sexual organ cannot pray until he performs ablution." [This hadith is related by "the five." At-Tirmidhi classified it as sahih and al-Bukhari called it the most authentic report on that topic. Malik, ash-Shaifi, Ahmad and others also narrated it.]

صلوة: The Five Obligatory Prayers---and their times

2009-02-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم

In a previous post http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.com/2009/02/salat-importance-and-benefit-of-prayer.html the importance and benefit of salat صلوة were touched upon. There are many different kinds of prayer in Islam, as there is a prayer for every aspect of daily life, as one strives to remember Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in all things (because Islam is a complete guide for mankind). You are a baby muslimah so for now we'll stick to what you have to know first, the second pillar of Islam----upholding the five daily prayers.

The first key to learning HOW to pray is knowing WHEN to.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala informs us in His Book: Verily, As-Salah [the prayer] is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. (4:103)

Prayer is performed five times a day: at dawn (this prayer is called fajr), at noon (this prayer is call dhuhr), in the afternoon (this prayer is called asr), at sunset (this prayer is called maghrib) and at nightfall (this prayer is called isha'a). The five prayers are fard (obligatory) for all Muslims once they have reached puberty---to neglect them is to sin and to abandon them is to commit shirk.

We know the times for the prayers because the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said in authentic ahadith: "The time for the morning prayer [lasts] as long as the first visible part of the sun does not appear, and the time of the noon prayer is when the sun declines from its zenith and there is not a time for the afternoon prayer and the time for the afternoon prayer is so long as the sun does not become pale and its first visible part does not set and the time for the evening prayer is that when the sun disappears and the time for the night prayer is to the middle of the night." (Sahih Muslim, [Eng. Trans. vol. 1 #1276])

If you are lucky enough to live in a country where Islam is a major religion you will hear the prayer announced, but if you do not, here is a link for a website that will help you search the prayer times for your local area. http://www.islamicfinder.org/world.php Just search your country, then your city, and you will be able to have a timetable for all the prayer times for the month that we are in. I repeat: the first key to learning HOW to pray is knowing WHEN to.

Prayers cannot be made early [before their prescribed times] or delayed past their times. This is known to us because Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala wrote in the beloved gift of the holy Qu'ran:

So woe unto those performers of salah [i.e hypocrites] who delay their salah from their fixed times (107:4-5)

Now that you know the prayer times for where you are in this world, set about thinking of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala within those times, and if you know nothing else yet, repeat the words of your shahada: "Ashadu an la illah ill Allah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadar rasoolullah." within these times. Make the intention to learn more, and ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to make learning easy for you.

What is a Sunan/Sunnah سنة?

2009-02-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم ,

Sunan, or Sunnah سنة, is an arabic word that literally means “trodden path”. In Islam it is used to describe the actions and the guidance (i.e religious achievements and manners) of the Prophet Mohammed salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam. As the word سنة means "trodden path", the sunnah of the prophet means “the way and the manners of the Prophet Mohammed salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam” .

In this blog we are going to attempt to present evidence from the Qu'ran and sunnah to explain why a Muslimah must do things a certain way and what makes something halal or harram, but at this early stage in your Islamic studies, we are going to keep everything very basic and simple and just assure you that the actions presented here for prayer and the like, are from the authentic sunnah (obtained through consensus of the companions of the Prophet Mohammed salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam and respected scholars). Later on, inshaAllah, we hope to provide you with enough understanding in your aqueedah and other Islamic matters that you will have the means to measure the evidence (daleel) provided by others with an understanding of the sunnah so as to be able to come to your own conclusions and protect yourselves from the innovations (bid'as), sin (harram), and shirk others have infused into the beautiful and perfect religion of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (Islam) .

May Allah, the Almighty, the Exalted, have mercy on us and protect all that read this from any flaw contained herein. Guide us to the straight path اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ ! May He accept this humble effort for His sake Alone إِيَّاك نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِين, and make this blog a benefit to all who read it. Ameen.

اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ

Convert Tales: How NOT to Pray

2009-02-06T19:29:00.001-08:00

Aalia: People tried to teach me alot of bidas (actions the Prophet saw never did) like puting my arms in the wrong spots, and making dua in congregation at the Masjid, and even tried to fool me with sufi spinning. Uh.... Yeah, I don't think so. I'm no fool. It didn't feel right, and it wasn't.

Pixie: I didn't know how to pray or that Muslims prayed different so I just prayed Catholic-style, hands folded and kneeling at the foot of my bed, reciting all the translation of the Qu'ran that I had memorised. I guess that's not so bad.... but it sure looked funny to any Muslims who saw me.

Fatimah: Yeah, I NEVER stepped outdoors in hijab, but I thought I had to wear niqab when I prayed. I also always wore gloves when I read the Qu'ran. No, I didn't have my period. Weird, I know.

Ange: I got told so many different things. One person was shia so they taught me one way, so when I prayed in the masjid for the first time I was doing things completely different to the other girls. I corrected it. Then for ages when I was praying I wouldn't do sujood in my first rakat, but did it in my second. My friend Ayesha finally pulled me aside... stopped me mid-prayer and told me "forget everything you know because you are too confused.. Let's pretend you have never prayed before and let's start again." She taught me right from the beginning and walked me through the whole thing from the start.

Hanoony: Uh, I didn't know that one had to wear hijab for prayer [after reaching maturity, i.e menstration] so I used to pray... naked.

Pindsay: I used to rap surah Al-fatiha and I used to say "listerine" instead of "siratal al mustiquim"

Pixie: When Aalia and Asma finally DID teach me how to pray when learning to make wudu I didn't merely wipe my hair over with water. I DROWNED myself.

S: I am not a convert so my parents taught me how to pray. I would always forget to come up from sajood (kneeling) and would be so mad at everybody for not telling me.

Ange: A funny thing for me was my first prayer mat had the prayer actually written on it. So to learn the words (to Al Fatiha) I would have to keep moving around on my prayer mat to see the next sentence. I would be half way through sujood and half to scoot back to read what I was meant to recite. That's how I learnt to say my prayers... by playing twister on my prayer rug.

Pixie: When I heard it was good to recite a surah after reading al fatiha in the first two rakat I started memorising Surah Al Bakara... It took FOREVER!!!!!!!!!! I was like, I AM NEVER GOING TO LEARN THIS OR DO THIS. These people are nuts!

Salat---The Importance and Benefit of Prayer

2009-02-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم

Salat is the Islamic word for prayer. It is the second pillar of Islam, and of the most importance next to Tauhid. It is the first thing a new Muslim learn and do after making their shahada, as it is the acknowledgment and practice of worshipping none but Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. From the Qu'ran:

I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish salat to remember Me. (Surah Ta Ha:14)

Scholars and Muslims know it is the first thing new Muslims must learn because Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala Himself instructed the Prophet Mohammed salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam to help people first accept Islam (the belief in, and worship of One God), and then to inform them that they must pray five times a day.

"You [Mohammed] are going to a people from the People of the Book. Let the first thing that you call them to be the worship of Allah. If they acknowledge Allah, then inform them that Allah has obligated upon them five prayers during their days and nights." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

The Qu'ran says that if one does not pray, one risks not being recognized as a Muslim by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala:

"... Say: 'What has My Lord to do with you if you do not call on Him?'" (Surat al-Furqan: 77)

You have just learnt that the worst of all haraam (forbidden) acts in Islam is shirk (associating partners with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala) and kufr (disbelief). The Prophet Mohammed salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam likened purposely disregarding the five wajib/fard (obligatory) prayers with shirk:

"Between a man a Shirk is abandonment of salat." (Sahih Muslim [Eng. Trans. vol.1 #147])

As a brand new baby muslimah your intention to learn how to pray and to perfect your prayer inshaAllah will be accepted by Allah. The benefit of salat is to protect one's self from evil, as Allah subhanahu wa ta'alawa informs us in the Qu'ran:

...establish salat. Salat precludes indecency and wrongdoing. And remembrance of Allah is greater still. Allah knows what you do. (Surat al-'Ankabut:45)

and his Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam explains in this hadith:

"'If there was a river at the door of any one of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him? They said. 'not a trace of dirt would be left'. The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam said, 'This is the example of the five prayers which Allah blots out [annuls] evil deeds.'"

So enough said. Time to learn how to pray!!!!!!

How to avoid Shirk شرك‎---with Tauhid

2009-02-03T10:29:00.001-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم

Shirk شرك‎ is pretty much the worst thing you can do in Islam. So what is shirk? [Collaboration of Aalia's duatang, Wikipedia, The Concise Collection on Creed & Tauhid from Darussalam, and my bad editing]

Imam Ash-Shafi`i said, "That a servant meets Allaah with every sin except Shirk is better say than meeting Him upon any of the innovated beliefs."

WHAT IS SHIRK? Skirk شرك‎ is essentially belief in more than one God, or associating partners with Allah (subhanahu aa ta'ala) by attributing the powers of Allah (subhanahu aa ta'ala) to anything of His creation be it person, angel, place, or thing.

CATEGORIES OF SHIRK شرك‎

Shirk in Rubūbīyah (Lordship)--- This category of Shirk refers to either the belief that others share God's Lordship over creation as His equal or near equal, or to the belief that there exists no Lord over creation at all.

Shirk in al-Asma was-Sifat (the names and attributes of Allah)---Shirk in this category includes both the common pagan practice of giving God the attributes of His creation as well as the act of giving created beings God's names and attributes.

Shirk In al-'Ibadah (Worship)---In this category of Shirk, acts of worship are directed to other than Allah and the reward for worship or asked for aid is sought from the creation instead of the Creator.

[picture of shirk comitted by Ismai'li Shi'a giving worship to another before Allah S.W.T----astighfurallah, may they be guided to the straight path, ameen]

DEGREES OF SHIRK

Ash-Shirk al-Akbar (Major Shirk) remove you from the fold of Islam. This form of Shirk occurs when any act of worship is directed to other than Allah. It represents the most obvious form of idolatry which the prophets were specifically sent by Allah to call the masses of mankind away from. Examples of this shirk include asking forgivness paradise and other things that only Allah can from other than Allah.

Beware also Ash-Shirk al-Asghar (Minor Shirk) [these you can be forgiven for but they lead to major shirkشرك‎]: Mahmud ibn Lubayd reported, "God's messenger said: "The thing I fear for you the most is ash-Shirk al-Asghar (minor shirk)." The companions asked "Oh! messenger of God, what is minor Shirk?" He replied "Ar-Riya (showing off), for verily God will say on the Day of Resurrection when people are receiving their rewards, 'Go to those for whom you were showing off in the material world and see if you can find any reward from them." Mahmud ibn Lubayd also said, "The Prophet came out and announced, 'O people, beware of secret Shirk!'
The people asked, 'O messenger of God, what is secret Shirk?' He replied, 'When a man gets up to pray and strives to beautify his prayer because people are looking at him; that is secret Shirk."

[for more examples of manifestations of shirk see this link http://www.ahmadjibril.com/articles/tafseertahawy4b.html]

HOLD UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before you study anything else within the subject of your deen, Islam, you want to study first Tauhid (the idea of the Oneness of Allah (subhanahu aa ta'ala)) and know your Aqueedah (your faith in the form of practice of Tauhid) to protect yourself from the worst of all sins----shirk.

As soon as you tell people you are a Muslim they are going to start asking you what kind of Muslim you are: sunni, shi'a, sufi, Ahmadiyya, Ismi'li, Wahabi... and you're gonna go, "didn't the Qu'ran tell us not to split ourselves into factions?" because all you know at this point (hopefully) is the Qu'ran. Then people are going to try and tell you their version of Islam and give their daleel (Islamic evidence) for why you have to do things certain ways. If you are not strong enough in your Aqueedah and the idea and precepts of Tauhid, there is NO point whatsoever of you getting into Shariah (Islamic law), Fiqh, or trying to make sense of different scholars opinions. The key to what is truly right and wrong in Islam is Tauhid---belief and dependence in/on One God, and understanding everything that can negate that belief. If you are strong in your Aqeedah, inshaAllah none but Allah can lead you astray.

One narration states, "You [Mohammed] are going to a people from the People of the Book. Let the first thing that you call them to be the worship of Allah. If they acknowledge Allah, then inform them that Allah has obligated upon them five prayers during their days and nights." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

This hadith is clear. It does not require much of an explanation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) applied this principle in his practical calling to Islam. He stayed in Makkah for thirteen years to teach the people iman in Tauhid and to educate his Companions on this point and to correct the beliefs of the people. That is the pattern upon which the Companions were brought up.

Jundub Ibn Abdullah al-Bajaly said, "We learned iman (faith) and then we learned the Quran and it increased our iman."

Abdullah ibn Umar said, "We lived during an instant of time in which one of us would receive faith first before receiving the Quran and when the surahs were revealed we would learn what they permitted and what they prohibited and what they forbade and what they ordered and what should be the stance towards them. But I have seen many men from whom one is given the Quran before iman and he reads it from the opening of the Book to its closing and he does not know what it orders and what it forbids and what should be his stance towards it. He is like someone who is just throwing out dates [i.e., he does not get any benefit from his recital]."

That is the manner in which the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam) brought up his companions: Iman first and then the Quran. This is similar to what Imam Abu Hanifa pointed out: Understanding in the religion first (i.e. tauheed) and then understanding in the science (i.e. the shariah).

The beliefs must be corrected first (Tauhid in Aqueedah), then follows all of the other aspects of the religion....

For more about the importance of Aqueedah and referenced sources see this link http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/introduction/aqeedah_alqari.html

Ghusl غسل (Complete Ablution): when it is necessary and how to perfect it

2009-02-03T08:58:00.001-08:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم

What is Ghusl: Ghusl غسل is an arabic term that refers to complete ablution (the ritual of washing one's self before prayer or other religious duties).

When do I have to preform Ghusl: Ghusl is fard (mandatory) immediately after or before taking one's shahada. It is also required after the completion of a woman's menstrual cycle, before prayer after sexual intercourse between a husband and his wife, any discharge of semen or sexual fluid, before prayer after giving birth, and death by natural causes (in this case another Muslim will be preforming Ghusl for you inshaAllah). It is also mustahaab (recommended) before the Jummah (Friday) and Eid prayers, before entering a state if ihram (preperation for religious pilgrimage/Hajj), and after having lost consciousness.

How do we know that Ghusl is required of us and what it entails: The Qu'ran requires Ghusl in the chapter called "The Women": O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again... (4:43 An-Nisa).

What do I need to preform Ghusl: You need one of the following; rain water, well water, spring, sea or river water, water of melting snow or hail, pond water, and I myself, city girl that I am, often use bottled water (make sure to leave off on the flavoured or you will be sticky---JJKN). Basically---you need clean water, nothing too complicated. Don't use unclean or impure water, water extracted from fruit and trees, water that has changed its colour, taste and smell and becomes thick because something was soaked in it, small quantity of water in which something unclean has fallen, eg. urine, blood, stool or wine or some animal had died after falling into it , used water from previous ghusl or wudu, water left over by drinking by haraam animals suchs as pigs, dogs, or animals of prey, and water left by a person who has just drunk wine is unclean. Tap water is what most people use these days. The answer to this question is CLEAN WATER. An exception is made for places where no water is available, where sand may be used. This is something you will study later. For now, we'll keep you moving forward, mastering the basics of prayer.

Method: Because Ghusl is a prelude to prayer or another significant religious duty niyaah (an intention) must be made before starting the act of purification. The intention/niyaah of the act of ghusl is to do so to please Allah and to make you prayers acceptable to Allah (He loves that you be clean and pure in both body and soul) so in your heart [saying in your head---not aloud] you say: "Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem." (which means "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful"). Niyaah is not said aloud in the case of ghusl, nor is the name of Allah to be spoken aloud in a bathroom or place of toilet (this is respect for Allah).

1.) Start by making niyyah silently "Bismillahir Rahamnir Raheem" with the intention to preform ghusl and cleanse yourself of impuritues.

2.) Wash the right hand up to and including the wrist (and between the fingers) three times, and then do the same with the left hand.

3.) Wash the private parts and remove dirt or filth from the body.

4.) Rinse hands and then rinse the mouth three times.

5.) Rinse the nostrils three times using the right hand to bring water to the nose, and the left to expell it or rub it away.

6.) If not in a bath tub but sitting on a seat while bathing then the feet should also be washed, starting with the right, three times, and between the toes, and ending with the left.

7.) Water should be poured over the head three times so that it flows all over the body.
Pour water over both the shoulders three times each. Hands should be passed all over the body when water is poured so that no part of the body is left dry.

One of the wives of the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) [Aisha bint Abu Bakr] narrates:

When Allah's Messenger bathed because of sexual intercourse, he first washed his hands; he then poured water with his right hand on his left hand and washed his private parts. He then performed wudu as is done for prayer. He then took some water and ran his fingers in the roots of his hair. And when he found that it had been properly moistened, he poured three handfuls on his head and then poured water over his body and subsequently washed his feet.

(which is subsequently where our method is derived from).

Islamic Names-do I have to change mine?

2009-01-31T22:15:00.000-08:00

After you convert/revert to Islam you may meet some who pressure you to change your name to an Islamic name. This is not a practice that comes from the sunnah (the actions of the Prophet Mohammed as he guided the early Muslims) so if you wish, you may keep the name you were given by your parents. To change your name to an "Islamic one" is not required unless your name is of something un-Islamic, like the name of a god (Zeus or Diana) or contrary to the teachings of Islam. My birth name is a feminine variant of Christopher, which means Christ-bearer. As a Muslim, I believe in Jesus, and love Isa, but I do not refer to him as Christ (the son of God, or part of the shirk of the trinity) so I changed my name to Intisar (which means Triumph---as I wish to battle all my personal naffs and beat them to become a better Muslimah). Some choose to take on an Islamic name and some do not to symbolize their rebirth or reversion to God's path. If you choose to do so, it doesn't have to legally change, but Muslims should call you by your new name, since it's written that God will call you by that name on Judgement Day. For a dictionary of Muslim names check out this link for muslim names and meanings http://www.names4muslims.com/.

Convert vs Revert... What Am I?

2009-01-31T22:13:00.000-08:00

A much needed clarification for new sisters and non-muslims who don't understand our terminology: Someone who becomes a Muslim (but was not raised as one) is called a revert, since it is believed in Islam that everyone is born a Muslim. If you were born a Muslim but were not practicing, then when you make your shahada you technically come back to Islam [reversion], you don't convert to it. That is why Muslims call new muslims "reverts". This is usually too much to explain to non-muslims so I usually just tell them I am a convert to Islam, but among Muslims I am a revert.

Cool fact: all the first followers of the Prophet Mohammed S.A.W (the sahabiyiat) were reverts.

How to Make Your Shahada/how to become a Muslim

2009-01-31T19:25:00.000-08:00

To become a Muslim you must first make your shahada. Shahada is an arabic word which means "witnessing/to testify" . Muslims believe everyone is born muslim until they worship a false god or associate partners with Allah (by giving traits of God to a person or thing that is not God). If you have not continued as a Muslim all your life, and have failed in practising the principle of the Oneness of God, it is necessary for you to reaffirm your faith by testifying/witnessing to the Oneness of God. This is where it becomes necessary to take one's shahada in Islam.

When you make your shahada you testify belief in one true God [Allah] that has no partners/equals, and in Allah's angels, books, and Prophets, and that Mohammed is the last messenger of Allah. Before you do this, you should make sure that you want to be a Muslim: read the Qu'ran, and make sure you understand the core values of the religion. You should become a Muslim with conviction and knowledge for it should be your religion for the rest of your life---there's greater punishment in willingly leaving Islam than there is for failing to be perfect in all of its principles. As a Muslim, you must obey all the laws of Allah, such as learning daily prayers and giving chairty, as well as no adultery and no eating of pork, but those seem minor once you truly understand the more important concepts of submission to God. As soon as you believe in Allah S.W.T as being the One God worthy of worship, and that the Qu'ran is the final message of Allah, and the Prophet Mohammed was sent to explain the Qu'ran with guidance from his Creator [and feel secure in the knowledge that you will always believe this] , than you may make your shahada. You don't have to be perfect in the practice of the faith to make your shahada (but by making your shahada you are making the intention to aspire to be as the faithful described in the Qu'ran) simply understanding and belief in it. For instance, something I personally am not proud of, but when I first made my shahada, I had not kicked my drinking habit, but I knew it was something a Muslim shouldn't do. The most important thing to me though, was becoming a Muslim first, and then I would work on being a better Muslim.

Once you're all set, and ready to make the lifelong commitment you may say these simple words (it is suggested that you have two Muslim witnesses to honor your protection in Islam but this is not necessary only recommended): "Ashadu an la illah ill Allah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadar rasoolullah." This translates to: "I testify that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God." You can say it in english, but all the people who converted in the time of Mohammad, peace be upon him, said it in Arabic. You can acknowledge the Oneness of God in english, but saying it in arabic is recommended.

I will try to find a better video, but here is a youtube clip of a few girls making their shahada. You may say the words along with these girls, if you need help pronouncing the Arabic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyUy0U6B6Ao

Once you have taken shahadah, congratulations! You have upheld the first pillar of Islam.

MashaAllah, you are now a Muslimah, a woman who submits to God, and are now part of the Ummah (the faithful to Allah S.W.T). Your country is now the faith of Islam, and your race/family is Allah S.W.T's Ummah, along with the 1.5 Billion others in this world.

After making your shahada it is recommended that you taken a bath or a shower, as was the practice of the first Muslims, so that you can pray to God with a clean body as well as soul; a person who takes shahadah in total honesty will have all his/her sins up to that point forgiven (but all of his prior good deeds will still count), since God is granting you the chance to start over now that you've turned back to Him.

It should be noted that one cannot be forced to convert to Islam/make the shahada because the Qu'ran states "Let there be no compulsion in religion..."(2:256)

What Is Islam

2009-01-31T17:46:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Bismillahi rahman raheem [in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful]:

Asalaam alaykom [Islamic "hello" litterally translating to "May the peace of God be upon you"] all my lovely lady readers. Boys and brothers: those of you who happen to stumble onto this, or any other sister's blog, please respect that this is a place for muslim women and women interested in learning about Islam, and we feel more comfortable without your attendance. Jazzakallah kheir [islamic "thank-you"].

WHAT IS ISLAM- and under that header, who is Allah, can one practice any other faith than Islam and still believe in one God?

Islam is the belief in One God, and of worshipping that One God ALONE. The word "Islam" litterally means "surrender" or "submission" and in the context of Islam it means surrender or submission through complete worship and obedience of the will of Allah [alone, and not through others before Allah]. That means that no bishop, Imam, priest, human being such as a Prophet (the Prophet Mohammed, Jesus as Christ, Ali...) angel, Saint, or physical object (such as a Church, Mosque, relic, or the Ka'bah) can grant us or aid us- before -or-on-the-behalf-of Allah (S.W.T.). Allah has said "God is one, the only one. Allah helps and does not need help. He begat none (had no children), nor was He begotten (was not born of anyone). None is equal to Him." -Surah Ikhlas (from the Qu'ran).

So who/what is Allah? Allah is simply the Arabic and Islamic word for God, meaning, the One God, the only God, and thus it is a better word to describe God than just plain old "god" which could mean anything. All other gods or attempts at faith are pale imitations of making physical just one wondrous character of the one God, Allah (S.W.T)., or a great devised falsehood with a selfish historical purpose behind it. There are so many "gods" in this world, and the word "God" can be used to decribe any number of them, so it is simply safer to use the Arabic word "Allah" if one is speaking of the True God, the Only God. A great misconception of Islam is that "Allah" is a different God than the God of the Christians and the Jews, when in fact, Allah (S.W.T) is the exact SAME Creator who spoke to Abraham, Issaac, Ishmael, Moses, and Jesus (of the Torah and the Bible), trying to inform mankind about the importance of worshipping and obeying only "One God".

Adam= Adam

Alyasa'= Elisha

Ayyub= Job

Dawud= David

Dhul-Kifl= Dhul-kifl

Harun= Aaron

Hud= Hud

Ibrahim= Abraham

Idris= Enoch

Iliyas= Elias

Isa=Jesus

Ishaq= Isaac

Ismail= Ishmael

Lut= Lot

Mohammed= Mohammed or Ahmed

Musa= Moses

Nuh= Noah

Salih= Salih

Shu'aib= Shu'aib

Sulaiman= Soloman

Ya'qub= Jacob

Yahya= John

Yunis= Jonah

Yusef= Joseph

Zakariyya= Zechariah

"...We believe in the faith of Abraham, the upright one. He was no idolater. ...We believe in Allah and that which has been revealed to Abraham, Ishamael, Issac, Jacob, and the tribes; to Moses and Jesus and the other Prophets by their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them, and to Him [Allah] we submit." -Surah Al Bakara 2:136 (from the Qu'ran). Of course, we, mankind, are not very good at this, and we like to put up selfish idols before Allah, or lift up men and false "gods" for our own fame or political gain, since Allah requests of us, that we help one another, refrain from that which harms the world we have been entrusted with and distribute the goods we have been bestowed upon those who need it most. Also, that we humble ourselves, which is so very hard to do, when one refuses to look up and beyond one's self.

So, if we believe in Allah, do we have to follow Islam? Can we not say, be Christian or practice Judaism, and still believe in "Allah"? Allah (S.W.T) calls Christians and Jews "People of the Book" for to them is was revealed, the Torah, and the Bible. Those who practice Islam follow the Qu'ran. Of the People of the Book Allah (S.W.T) says: "They Declare: 'None shall enter Heaven but Jews and Christians.' Such are their wishful fancies [the same applies to so-called followers of Islam] Say: 'Let us have your proof, if what you say be true.' Indeed, those that submit to God and do good works shall be recompensed by their Lord: they shall have nothing to fear or regret." "Believers, Jews, Sabaeans and Christians- whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does what is right- shall have nothing to fear or regret." -Surah Al Bakara 5:69.

So obviously, any person of the book who practices their religion as it was revealed by Allah (S.W.T) [not a corrupted, falsified document as both the new testament of the bible, and the Torah of today have become through translation, and falsification for political and historical reasons] believing in One God, and obeying One God, would actually be practicing Islam. Unfortunately, to believe Jesus is the son of God and could forgive the sins of mankind is an act of idolatry, to associate partners with Allah (S.W.T) and to give a human being a power belonging only to Allah (S.W.T). So if you are Christian, you do not believe in One God. You are an idolater, as Allah laid done in law before Moses and Jesus. As for those who practice Judaism, worshipping false Gods has been forbidden to you as you had been done in the time of the Jewish King Herod (who built a pagan temple for the Romans) and before him, when you slaughtered the calf in Egypt. You are committing an act of setting up a false idol in yourselves when you say none can come to Allah unless they be born of the Jewish race, they marry a Jewish man and have Jewish children, or they be circumsized. None of these things have anything to do with believing in only one God!!!!! Thus says Allah(S.W.T) : "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him" -3:85.

Islam is so beautiful because it is not a religion named after a tribe of people or an individual, as Judaism is named after the tribe of Judah, Christianity after Christ, or Buddhism after Buddha. Islam is a global faith, not of East or West "To Allah belongs the east and west. Whichever way you face there is Allah" -Surah 2:115. It is a complete way of life, with guidance from Allah on every issue one could possibly face. It was not Mohammed (S.A.W) but Adam, who first brought Islam to humanity. Then each prophet and messenger came to exhort peoples to a clear understanding of God`s commandments. The last (and only) perfectly preserved revelation (in its original wording and translation) is the holy Qu`ran. Belief in the Qu`ran, and following the guidance of the Prophet (S.A.W) who the Qu`ran was revealed to is part of belief in, and adhereing to in practice, Islam.

Why do we have to believe in what the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) says about Islam? Why can`t one just follow what the Qu`ran says? Following the actions of the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) is actually submitting to a commandment within the Qu`ran, which states "And whatsoever the Messenger [Mohammed (S.A.W)] gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain [from it], and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment." -Surah 59:7. And so, it is to the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) I look to for a clear understanding of what Islam is, and what it requires of me, a believer in Allah (S.W.T).

"When asked `what is Islam? ` the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) said: "Islam is based on the following five pillars:

1.) To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Mohammed is Allah`s messenger.
2.) To offer the [five fard] prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3.) To pay zakat [obligatory] charity
4.) To preform Hajj [pilgrimage to Mecca to the Ka`bah] if one can afford it or has the health to make the journey.
5.) To fast during the month of Ramadan." -Sahih Al-Bukhari, [Eng. Trans. vol. 1 /7 ]

Anyone who intentionally strives their outmost to uphold and fulfull these five pillars of Islam due to belief in Allah as the One God is one who practices Islam. One who practices Islam freely and of their own will is called a "Muslim". "Muslimah" is the word for a female muslim, a woman who practices and believes in Islam. "Muslim" is not a religion seperate from Islam, but the person practicing Islam.

Converticitus and other Islamic Terminology: A Prescription from Dr. Aalia

2009-01-31T17:22:00.001-08:00

by Aalia aka Pink Pochahontas

Do you/or does someone you know suffer from converticitus? If you think you/they might, take a brief look at the symptoms mentioned below, as Dr. Aalia rambles off on her prescription pad:

Sudden loss of friends and family; caused by purposely isolating yourself from the "infidels"?

Treatment: Unless your family are being openly hostile to you and preventing you from doing your religious obligations, do not cause the first rift. Islam gives parents (Muslim or not) high priority, so try to restrain yourself from calling them "kaffirs". As for friends, they probably weren't your friends to begin with if they have started being mean to you now.

Frequent trips to any Middle Eastern market; due to the un-controllable desire to purchase anything that has to do with the Arabic culture?

Treatment: Hey now, save some of those dollars for your zakat! Becoming a Muslim doesn't mean you have to immerse yourself in the Arabic way of life (such as food & clothing), but the Islamic one. Trust me, it's better. The biggest barrier in the way of Islam right now is people confusing culture with the religion. Arab doesn't equal Muslim.

Sensing a heavy or over-heated feeling, especially after getting all dressed to go out?

Treatment: Most likely attributed to the 5 layers of black clothing you have just put on. Remember, just because someone at the mosque told you that all women need to be covered head to toe in black Saudi abayas, doesn't mean you have to! Yes, khimar (the headscarf commonly referred to as hijab) and jilbab (the overgarment) is obligatory and the face-veil is wonderful (and who doesn't love spoiling herself with a beautiful abaya) but take it step by step. You should be able to understand the meaning of your clothing and answer questions about why you wear it before you wear it on a full-time basis.

Experiencing moodswings and a tightening in your chest? Usually brought on by not knowing what you follow or how to handle the new life as a Muslim.

Treatment: Relax, take a deep breath. Becoming Muslim makes life easy, not hard. Read the Book of Allah, learn how to pray & get aquainted with the 5 Pillars of Faith, then find reliable information regarding anything you might be wondering. No need to memorize every single book someone hands you right away, thinking you MUST do it now or be sinned.

As for women who encounter a sudden rush of marriage proposals: Can be easily treated by a declaration of "NO THANK-YOU".

All of the above symptoms can be easily cured by taking it easy, learning at your own pace and making supplications to Allah. Learning how to pray as soon possible guarantees maximum comfort and eases feelings of conflict.

Warning: Failure to follow the prescribed treatment may lead to a dangerous level of Converticitus. Outcomes include depression, major headaches, gut-aches and the worst of all, leaving Islam. Do not mix with alcohal, drugs or any other harmful , haraam & forbidden substances.
***This post is meant to be funny and might not make sense to some (as many things from my brain do not), but if you find you really are suffering from Converticitus, please speak to a trusted source, preferably someone from the Muslim community. Also, I am in no way making fun of the ladies who wear niqab, the illustration is just showing a new Muslimah who suddenly covers everything without getting to know the reason behind it. I'll let Intisar go back to her purple dua-tang of notes I made for her when I heard she first reverted on Islamic Terminology. __________________________________________________
As a newbie/baby Muslimah you probably feel like you're on overload. Islamic Terminology I feel you've gotta understand at this point so you can make sense of what we're saying on A Girl's Guide:

Allah= God (without equal or offspring)

Iman=faith

Tauhid=faith in one God

Aqueedah=The firm creed that one's heart is fixed upon without any wavering or doubt. It excludes any supposition, doubt or suspicion. It is Iman in Tauhid.

Ahkam= Legal status in Islamic Law

The five kinds of legal status in Islam
1.) Wajib or Fard= Cumpulsory requirement
2.) Mustahabb= Recommended but not cumpulsory (often a sunnah/sunnan)
3.) Makruh= Disliked but not forbidden
4.) Muharram or more simply, Harram=forbidden
5.) Halal= lawful and allowed

Qu'ran= the literal word of Allah taught to Mohammed His Prophet through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel)

Shirk=to associate partners with Allah---to practice shirk is to remove one's self from Islam and the mercy of Allah

S.W.T= When writing the name of Allah, Muslims often follow it with the abbreviation "SWT." These letters stand for the Arabic words "Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala," which translates to "Glory to Him, the Exalted." Muslims use these or similar words to glorify God when mentioning His name. Pronunciation: sub-han'-a-hoo wa ta a la

Mohammed= the last Prophet of Allah SWT from a long line of Prophets such as Jesus, Abraham, and Moses.

S.A.W= When writing the name of the Prophet Mohammed, Muslims often follow it with the abbreviation "SAW". These letters stand for the Arabic words "salla Allah alaihi wa sallam", meaning "may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him." It is a standard Muslim expression of love and respect for the Prophet. "May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him" is usually said whenever the name of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) is mentioned or read

Bid'a= an innovation to the practice of Islam, always haraam.

Daleel= Islamic evidence from either the Qu'ran or sahih ahadith.

Sahih= authentic, usually in reference to hadith. It means the hadith has a direct chain of narration to the one who is said to be speaking.

Hadith= a collected saying or action of the Prophet Mohammed S.A.W that has been recorded. If it is Sahih it is a form of daleel.

Ahadith= plural of hadith.

Kuffar= those who practice polyethism and reject the idea of one God.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful"

2009-01-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful":

As salaam alaykom ramatullah wa barakto "May the peace of Allah be upon you, and His mercy and blessings"

Don't worry! We've consulted the experts, but this blog is a guide written by a group of crazy cool convert/revert girls [and badly compiled and edited by one of several]- who've been there-done that- for new muslimahs out there facing the same thing. These are things we wish we had known, or that we wish somebody would have told us, or that we know you will WANT to know. Insha'Allah [that's Arabic for "God Willing"] we hope this book will be both a comprehensive and simple guide for the following groups of people:

1.) The new muslimah, the suddenly-practicing-but-always-muslim-muslimah, and the stylish-likes-to-read muslimah. Jazakallakheir girls! [a formal Islamic thank-you], may Allah make it easy on you, Ameen.
2.) The individual who is open to learning more about Islam. If you want a REAL glimpse BEHIND THE VEIL (ya ukti [my sisters] not another one) then this book is for you, and any other who wants an intimate veiw into the lives of muslim women.
3.) A concerned parent who wants to know what his/her crazy daughter has got themselves into. God bless you. I wish more parents were as concerned for the well-being of their children as you are. I hope the following pages will reassure you that we muslim women are:
a. not terrorists
b. not going to be kidnapped to Saudi Arabia (yeah Dad-remember this one?)
c. in control of our own lives (no one makes our decisions for us)
d. not the sex objects of men
e. worship the same God as the Christians and the Jews (Allah means the one God)and last but not least
f. not going to be stoned for writing this book or having opinions of our own

Islam is an easy religion. Every Chapter in the Qu'ran begins:"In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful..." بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Let us begin that way.

A Girl's Guide to Being Muslim

Page Excerpt: "The Ideal Muslimah" -- A Woman's Status

Surah Al-Zalzalah & Some Very Beneficial Links!!

Who is *really* oppressed: A Muslim Woman's Views on Modesty

Answer to Chica's Question

Surah Al Fatihah سورة الفاتحة‎: its meaning in English and learning how to recite it

How To Make Wudu الوضوء :things to do before wudu that you might not have known and the sunnah for making wudu

Istanja---what it is and how to make it

الوضوء Wudu (Purification for Prayer): why it is necessary, what are its benefits, and when it is necessary

صلوة: The Five Obligatory Prayers---and their times

What is a Sunan/Sunnah سنة?

Convert Tales: How NOT to Pray

Salat---The Importance and Benefit of Prayer

How to avoid Shirk شرك‎---with Tauhid

Ghusl غسل (Complete Ablution): when it is necessary and how to perfect it

Islamic Names-do I have to change mine?

Convert vs Revert... What Am I?

How to Make Your Shahada/how to become a Muslim

What Is Islam

Converticitus and other Islamic Terminology: A Prescription from Dr. Aalia

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful"

Who is really oppressed: A Muslim Woman's Views on Modesty