Learning While Commuting!

Just about everyday I try to listen to a lecture or parts of a lecture on my way too and from work.

The most recent lecture I heard was Kamal El Mekki's Holiday Season - An Islamic perspective. In this hour long lecture, Kamal El Mekki goes over in detail all aspects of why we should not celebrate holidays other than the 2 Eids. One of the interesting points he made was that when Islam had the upper hand, meaning when it was in the height of its success and power, non Muslims wanted to emulate us. For example when Muslims first came into Spain, the young Spanish men started to dress like Muslims and act like Muslims even though they were Christian. The same can be said for today when Islam does not have the upper hand. Young Muslims have taken to imitating and emulating the Western norms in the world. The biggest export from the west to Muslim countries is popular culture. Music, films, fashions. This all leads us to see why Muslims of today celebrate things like Thanksgiving, Valentines day, Mothers day etc.

Later on in the lecture this hadith was brought up:

Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet sallahu allahi wa salam came to Madeenah and the people of Madeenah had, in Jaahileeyah two days for play and amusment10. So the Prophet (SAW) said: 'I came to you and you had, in Jaahileeyah two days for play and amusement. Indeed Allaah has replaced them for you by that which is better than them: The dav of Nahr (Slaughteung) and the day of Fitr (Breaking fast).'

I think that this is the best hadith to really show that no other holidays or celebrations are necessary. It shows that it does not matter if it is a secular holiday or not. As Muslims we don't celebrate anything but the 2 Eids. It makes it quite simple. There is no arguing about origins of celebrations or holidays because all of that does not matter.

If we are going to explore why Muslims want to celebrate other holidays we can go back to the first point that I wrote about. It seems to be in human nature to want to emulate those who appear stronger. At first I thought this was only for American Muslims or reverts that were having trouble leaving behind their past, but that is not the case. I've heard of born Muslims in Egypt congratulating the Christian neighbors on Christmas and making them cookies? As Muslims we should be honored that Allah Subhannah wa Ta'Allah has given us two days of celebration and keep them as our only days. Sometimes it hard for people to give up things from the past or from their culture or surroundings. Reverts will feel left out of family events, or feel obligated to go to them. Born Muslims may just want to fit in with the modern world.

Every day we recite Al Fatihah in our salat at least 17 times. In the last few ayats we ask Allah to guide us to the straight path. The path of those who have earned your grace. Not of those who have earned his anger, or gone astray. When we celebrate the holidays of non Muslims, we are going astray. Allah knows best.

Allah In the Trees

Asalamu Alaikum

This wonderful picture was taken by a brother in islam (the brother that teaches Umar and I Arabic).

Can you see the name Allah in the trees?

Hadith that Changed my Mood

Over the last week or so I've felt conflicted over some things that have happened to me. Sometimes I get my feelings hurt, or become defensive about things that people say or do to me.

I get so defensive about Islam. I was so happy to become the moderator of the forum for reverts, but then felt so crushed when someone seemed to hate every idea I had. In another forum I was told I didn't know haram from halal, when I was only trying to give advice to help a sister. In both of these cases I got so upset and reacted badly towards these people.

While I was commiserating (and possibly ranting) to a brother that I consider to be like my true older brother, he told me about this hadith:

"I guarantee a house in Paradise for whoever leaves an argument, even if he was right, and a house in the middle of Paradise for whoever leaves lies, even if he was joking, and a house at the top of Paradise for whoever who has good manners." (Reported by Abu Dawood.)

At first I just ignored it and continued on my rant..., but after getting offline and thinking about it, I knew that he was right. I needed to just walk away from these things that upset me and focus on more important things.

Its amazing how Islam really does have the answers for everything that you encounter in your life. And if you look hard enough or listen to people you trust, you can always find those answers.

So, I want to thank Allah (swt) for giving me an adopted big brother that, once again, helped me see the light of Islam, and stay on the straight path.

Feeling sad

I have been feeling so sad lately. Perhaps its because its coming up on a year since my father died. I find myself thinking about him a lot recently. My mother gave me his wedding band. Not his original one - actually he lost his original one while mowing the lawn! So my parents bought a new one (the one I have) and then a couple of years later they found the first one just laying there on the lawn! Anyway, I've been wearing it on my right hand.. and looking at it a lot and just feeling sad. I guess thats probably not the best idea.

I'm trying to take my learning about Islam very seriously. And part of that is a new role as moderator on a forum for reverts. Its exciting to be a part of it and I get to share my ideas and inshallah help other people learn and grow. It takes a bit of restraint, which I'm already having to practice. It seems that some people don't like some of the things we are doing on the forum, and I can only guess why. Anyway, I'm not going to let it get in the way of the big plans we have for the forum. We have implemented a 'Guided Quran Reading' group, and will start a book club next week where we read a book on Tawheed. Eventually we will also have a thread on salat for new reverts!

I am also taking a class on Aqeedah online, which so far has not been working out very well. Not because there is something wrong with the class, but because I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing! I need to get in touch with the professor and get caught up.

Finally I'm taking Arabic lessons with a very good brother. He is a wonderful teacher and friend to both my husband and I, and he takes time from his schedule to help us learn every week.

I've also come to find some new friends. Not new really but just closer to people I knew before. There are some sisters that stand by me and I appreciate and love them for that. Its been said you can't make true friends online but that is totally wrong in my case. I've got sisters from all over the country (and the one next to us too) that make a huge difference in my deen. I also have a wonderful group of sisters from the masjid that I have become very close with. I feel most comfortable when I am with my sisters. There is something to be said for having muslimahs as your close friends. You will never have to explain to them why you are not eating that, or why you are wearing this, or why you have to go pray now. We pray together, and share the same ideals.

I can't leave the brothers out either! I do admit, I have some friends online who are men. Bad bad bad, I know. But I learn from them, and they are respectful.

Anway, inshallah I will not be so sad, and the new friends and learning will keep me occupied.

Some Thoughts

Since my last post I've had a lot of time to think about some things. I feel pulled in many directions. I have many people I turn to for advice about Islam. I trust them all for different things and for different reasons. I know that at times some of my brothers and sisters in Islam don't agree with me, but I have to find my own way sometimes.

Allah swt said:
And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day" while in fact they believe not. They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peacemakers." Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not. {Al-Baqara ayat 8-12}

These ayats were explained to me in my Tafsir class at the masjid. This class is taught by someone I truly respect. She told us that these Ayats refer to people who are trying to change Islam, to mold it to their ways, and to make it more 'acceptable' to the modern world. It can be as simple as saying that its ok to congratulate non muslims on their holidays, or as complex as saying that suicide bombing is ok if you are a Palestinian.

In my previous post I also talked about the Unity Pledge. I don't think its a bad thing as a whole. It actually does make some good points. I just felt that the following parts were insulting to the 'average Muslim':

The average Muslim is only responsible for knowing the basics of creed as they relate to a simple belief in Allah, His Angels, Scriptures, the Prophets and Messengers, the Last Day, and the Divine Decree.
detailed discussions in matters of theology are the specific domain of trained specialists, and proceed on the basis of well-defined principles and methodologies, which are beyond the knowledge of the generality of Muslims.

I could have it all wrong, but to me this is saying that we have to turn to scholars for knowledge beyond the basics, and that we should not try to learn and study on our own.

I also said a few things about forums. I have had time to cool off and try again. The same frustrations will always be there, but I can try my best to make a difference and give good dawah. I left this last time not because of what non muslims said, but beacuse of what muslims said. But I've got to be strong and do my best not to let it bother me.

I'm going to start taking a class soon at shariaacademy.com. Inshallah I can learn some new things and really start a journey to knowledge and understanding. Meanwhile, I'm just going to keep trying to be the best Muslimah I can be. I was created to worship Allah. And I will do my best to do that - the right way, the way Allah wants me to.