biggish data

Calling All Iraqis

I haven't been on here in forever, but thought I would add a coment to your Iraq thread!

I understand your situations. My husband fled Iraq at the end of 2006 after he got threatened. He was stuck in Syria for a year. Half of 2007 he had no visa and had to pray they wouldn't kick him out. His parents were already in Jordan. Took them that whole year to swing him a 3 month temp visa for Jordan, after that he was illegal there until he came here. Our visa process took about 18 months from the time we got married May of 2007. Never did get the spouse visa to come through. The refugee visa I had also applied for him came through first in Dec 2008. It worked out in some ways. He is independent of me for his visa and changing his status to permanent resident only costs the biometrics fees instead of over $1000 in fees.

Now he has been here almost 16 months. I still thank God he is safely here. We have had our difficulties, I will admit. Many, many fights over the most ridiculous stuff you would never dream of, lol. Yet each month we also learned each other and our likes and dislikes. These days we are far less likely to make each other angry than in the first year. We have also had plenty of happy moments. Its been fun showing him things in this country. He has adapted well. He got his driver's license a few months after he got here and I got him a cheap minivan to use and he still drives it. The hardest part is finding work. He didn't find anything for the first 9 months he was here and he applied to anything and everything. First job he got was I-hop. Not his favorite thing, but he did his best. Then a job came up through telemarketing. He had applied months before and we were suprised they called. He is still working there, but the biggest pay check he has gotten is a little over $300 for two weeks. They pay minimum wage and let them go early more often than not. Sometimes he only works for 10 hours out of the week. He keeps applying to other places but no luck so far. At least that small amount of money helps and it gives him some pride. We are lucky his parents and most of his siblings got refugee to Australia two months after he came to the US. He knows they are safe and its easy to contact them. We hope we can go visit them sometime soon once he has travel documents (refugees can't use their Iraqi passport, must have some refugee travel document issued by USCIS). My husband has a brother in Sweden, thank God his brother has not been kicked out. His brother's wife got there before he did from Iraq so she has managed to get her citizenship to Sweden already. He hopes to get his soon.

Everything with Iraq is so complicated and difficult. My heart goes out to those of you going through this process. Some say things get harder when they get here, but for me the 18 month wait was still harder. The waiting, praying they don't get sent back to Iraq, afraid they will be killed if they do. The immigration process for Iraqi spouses is definitely one of the most stressful and emotional. I still have ulcer problems because i couldn't eat right while waiting for him to come. Just remember when they get here to show them love and patience. Its tough during the adjustment, but they will adjust. It just takes time. They have been through so much before even arriving here. Then they have to depend on others until they get on their feet. I still hug my husband every chance I get and give him a kiss reminding him I love him so much and I'm still glad after all this time that I married him.

I hope my post helps/encourages some of you. I wish you all the best of luck.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2010-03-28 23:18:00

QUOTE (HisLittleMasriyah @ Sep 16 2008, 11:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Half way thru Ramadan!! wow lets get ready for the last ten days!!! I ask Allah to give us all strength to worship Him; thank Him and obey Him ameeeen

Inshallah and Ameeen.

How are you doing with reading the Quran? I have managed to catch up on the days I missed for the monthly thing except one day. Inshallah I will be fully caught up tommorow or the next day. Ramadan has really been a blessing to me. I hope it has to everyone else too!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-17 01:05:00

QUOTE (venusfire503 @ Sep 16 2008, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Sep 13 2008, 03:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does anyone else live in a home with a non-muslim who is not fasting? I swear my father is driving me crazy. I smell the food he cooks for himself, the coffee he makes, etc. It is a real test of my strength that I have no where to go. This is my home. He knows I'm fasting and he tries not to make it too bad, but he has his schedule and I have mine.

I'm not Muslim, but I fast with my husband (he is Muslim). I have three kids from my first marriage, and they seem to eat all of the time when they are here - hardest for me on weekends! It's getting a little easier though - I guess I'm getting used to it.

I can't exactly make them fast - they're young, wouldn't go for it, etc. Plus, I can just imagine the ex reporting me for "child abuse" or something, anyway. My 8 year old says he wants to fast one day, and I'm having a hard time trying to talk him out of it. I even told him I think children only do half days anyway. He says he still wants to try it. He seems to think that his dad will let him try it this Saturday when he's with him. Never gonna happen though. I finally told him he can fast until his age (in order words, until 8 am this year, 9 next year, etc).

Anyway, not only do I notice them eating and drinking all of the time, but I also cook for them, get them drinks of water, etc. I feel rude wandering out of the kitchen while they eat dinner, but I think they understand. They even agreed not to make popcorn during the day because of the smell.

Hang in there! I'm sure Allah appreciates the extra effort on your part.

Thanks, some days are easier than others. Today someone at work brought Burger King in. I'm not a huge fan of burger king, but I swear it looked like the best food ever today, lol. I keep imaging all the things I will eat for lunch once Ramadan is over. It certainly makes you appreciate what you have. Last year at night I would dream about food, lol. I don't know why since I could eat at night, but when I was sleeping my mind wandered to food. Usually in the dream it was day time and I would catch myself eating and feeling so guilty only to wake up and realize it was just a dream. Thank God this year I'm not having those dreams.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-16 22:51:00

QUOTE (77Maureen @ Sep 13 2008, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's got to be hard! i guess it's good that my husband is in jordan for ramadan so i don't have to drink and eat in front of him.

I don't know why, but it doesn't bother me so much at work. Its just here at home I go crazy seeing him eat and drink. Part of it is that I get so thirsty by the end of the day that I am dreaming of water and then I here him pouring it for himself, ughhhh! Its not his fault. I hardly expect my father to stop eating and drinking just because of me.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-13 22:31:00

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-13 14:50:00

Tommorow is the last day of mother nature's visit and then I will be back to fasting. At least it gave me a break during the work week. I feel guilty not fasting and seeing everyone else doing it. Before I stopped I managed to get a day and a half ahead on the Quran. Inshallah I will get caught up before the end of Ramadan. I really want to finish it this year.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-10 21:03:00

QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Sep 9 2008, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (amal @ Sep 9 2008, 01:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Sep 9 2008, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Sep 9 2008, 12:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Sep 9 2008, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rahma @ Sep 9 2008, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmm, could it be a result of not having a gall bladder? I know everything goes right through me after I break my fast, but that usually only means 2 or 3 times before I hit the hay.

Maybe so???

How much are you using the bathroom during the day? I know I go several times during the day while fasting. Then at night I do go a little more often as I am drinking as much water as possible to hydrate for the day. It may be normal if you are drinking a lot of water.

During the day only a few times. After eating it is the other end that effects me several times. I know this is sick, too much TMI!!!!!!!! I was just wondering if it is normal because hubster has no issues.

I think it depends on the person. It could also be WHAT you're eating rather than the fact that you've been fasting. Our bodies all digest food differently. I can't eat lentils without being in the bathroom allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the rest of the night. It is possible that your body is so hungry/dry that when u eat/drink, it consumes it and digests it super quick.... who knows ... I hope it settles down soon though ensha'allah

amal

Thanks Amal. It was some beef last night and my stomach hurt so bad I couldn't eat anything else. The night before it was rice and chicken. I hope tonight is a good night.

I wish I had more to suggest, but I am the opposite. I seem to retain everything. I drink at least 4 glasses of water at night and some juice in the morning, but still I have problems getting anything out (yeah, this is gross too!). The only time I am like you is when it is when aunt flow comes. Then I lose everything.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-10 00:33:00

QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Sep 9 2008, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rahma @ Sep 9 2008, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmm, could it be a result of not having a gall bladder? I know everything goes right through me after I break my fast, but that usually only means 2 or 3 times before I hit the hay.

Maybe so???

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-09 11:55:00

QUOTE (HisLittleMasriyah @ Sep 7 2008, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I bet all of us have our share of forgetting lol but always remember Allah is merciful and as long as its not intentional its not a sin and u dont have to repent for it. If u drink or eat anything forgetting u re fasting know that Allah has fed u or made u drink it for ur sake.

Thanks, I appreciate that advice

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-07 22:21:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Sep 7 2008, 10:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know cooking is so hard before eftar.... but i think you did well..good for you. At work i had to tell everyone that noone is allowed to bring Teryaki to work (there's a restaurant next door) for the whole month... so what did they do? Cooked popcorn instead..talk about a test!

Oh God, the smell of popcorn can really go far and it is strong. That had to be hard for you!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-07 22:12:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Sep 7 2008, 09:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Sep 7 2008, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Sep 7 2008, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

isn't it cool how that works??? things get better? I also noticed how often i pick food up without thinking and put in my mouth... awwww perhaps after ramadan i'll lose some weight now that i realize how often i absent mindidly eat

The other day at work I saw a guy get some M&Ms out of the vending machine. I immediately thought about wanting to get some myself. Of course, then I remember I am fasting and had to put it out of my mind, lol.

yeah well i was cleaning up after the kids' meal and almost put a half eaten sandwich in my mouth

then i remembered i am fasting

lol, how about when you are cooking before fasting? I was warming something up and put my finger on to test the temp, then stuck my finger in my mouth wanting to lick the juices. I realized immediately what I did and freaked out. I still had 20 minutes until Maghrib. I hadn't swolled so I ran to the sink and rinsed my mouth out and asked God to forgive me. It was an honest mistake borne from years of habit. Thank God I realized before I swallowed the juices.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-07 21:59:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Sep 7 2008, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-07 21:54:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Sep 7 2008, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i think i am missing the boat on the water thing for sure... i am trying to drink more at night causing nightly visits to the bathroom but oh well.

Has anyone notice their sense of smell has changed?? mine is better like WAaayyy better

I drink about 3 or 4 glasses of water between Iftar and Sahoor and that is just right for me (though I do go to the bathroom a lot for that, lol). The last thing I do before Fajr starts is brush my teeth really well. Between being hydrated well and brushing and flossing my teeth, it seems to keep the worst of the bad breath away. Also, when I do wadu for prayer it rinses my mouth. I may be spitting out the water, but it is rinsing some of the bad stuff out too.

My sense of taste and smell seem to be better during Ramadan, lol.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-07 20:27:00

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Sep 6 2008, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have invited my sister to stay one more week with me. Here is how that came about....

She was realeased from the hospital last Sunday. (depression and suicide attempt) That afternoon she told me she would still do it, just not in my house. I shut down. I said to myself, 'i cannot fix her. i have ramadan to get thru, i have immig issues to deal with,,,me , me , me '

The start of the week was horrible for both of us. I didn't know what to say to her. By Wednesday, Thursday, she had seen me pray, heard LOTS of quran coming thru the computer and it was starting to affect her and I didnt know it yet. She said quran calms her.

By Thursday night, I showed her videos about Islam on youtube. WEll....she cant get enough. She is like a sponge, absorbing everything. Last night she took a quiz on Beliefnet.com and when she clicked on submit,,,it said she was 98% Islam. (alhamdulillah!) Without knowing a word of arabic, it was getting thru.

This morning when I left for work, I gave her a CD of quran to take back to her son's house. I drove to work in turmoil, how could I get her soooooooooo close to Islam, then put her out. I couldn't. I called my nephew, asked if he could wait til next Saturday to come for her.

I called her and asked, 'would you like to stay another week' ? ......stay tuned to see how this week goes.

I was so happy to read this Jackie. I hope that your sister continues to find comfort in studying Islam and that it helps her. May Allah ease your burden. It is not easy what you are going through. I have a brother that has tried killing himself numerous times and all kinds of trouble he has gotten into. It can really stress you out.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-07 11:17:00

QUOTE (Nawal @ Sep 1 2008, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Turia @ Sep 1 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Annie. Tomorrow the plan is to get up early and sleep for a while, go to the interview, and hope i can make it thru the day without eating.

Inshallah, all will be fine. Take it step by step. I try not to think past the present and what I'm doing. Plus avoid clock watching.

lol, it is easy to watch the clock. Today I did a lot of cleaning and that really helped pass the time. There is the drawback of it making me thirsty, but I drank so much water yesterday and in the morning that it wasn't too bad. I am known to not eat all day until the evening so not eating isn't as hard except I don't have the liquads to fill my stomach which is how I get away with not eating all day normally. The next thing is not eating all day will make me light headed and it is more difficult to concentrate.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-01 19:51:00

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Aug 30 2008, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is it still looking like Monday to fast?

jJ

I think so, that is what I'm going with.

Thanks Ash, and I totally agree with you. Ramadan Mubarak to you too!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-30 23:03:00

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Aug 30 2008, 10:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have merged Ramadan threads. We all want say our 'ramadan mubaraks' and can now have them all in one place.

Have a blessed month and may all our fasts and prayers be accepted by Allah.

Jackie & Ibrahim

Takes away the confusion I was having. Ramadan Mubarak to everyone!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-30 23:00:00

QUOTE (ME~n~HIM @ Aug 28 2008, 12:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (bridget @ Aug 27 2008, 11:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (ME~n~HIM @ Aug 28 2008, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, I have it loaded as a read-able file. It has the transliteration and the translation. There are supposed to be audio files to go along w/ it, but I haven't figured out how to get them on the iPod yet. Rahma sent this to me and I downloaded it here:

One really cool thing for the ipod is this - theonlyword.com - download this and a little text file, and you can listen and read the Qur'an on your ipod

Thanks!

Hey - if you figure out how to get the audio files on, let me know.

This link is really great and the files loaded for me with no problem. The sound files took awhile longer to figure out as their directions weren't really good for me. After some work, I have got the sound files on my ipod and you can play them in conjunction with reading the verses. Here is what I did:

1) Load the text files first according to the directions on the site.
2) For step 6 where it says "download the mp3 file" click on it
3) Go to your desktop and create a new folder and name it something like "Quran sound files"
4) Once you have the folder created you can close it
5) Go back to the list of sura files on the website (here is the fun part)
6) Now like the first part of the directions say, you must right click on each sura individually, then click "save as...."
7) This will open a window where you can select where the file will go, you must look under desktop for your new folder you created and click on that folder
8) This should give you the blank page since there would be nothing in your folder yet, after that click save on the lower right part of the window
9) You will repeat this step for each file (I couldn't find a way to save them all at once). It took me about 5 to 8 minutes maximum since after the first one you just keep hitting the right click on the next sura file and clicking save. Just so you know, your computer can load multiple suras at the same time so you don't need to wait for each one to load so long as you don't have dial up (that would be too slow).
10) Once you have all 114 suras saved in your folder then you are done with the website.
11) Go to I-tunes next.
12) In the top left corner click on file
13) Then click on "Add folder to library"
14) A new window will open, find your new folder in the window under desktop and click "okay"
15) This should load all the files onto your I-tunes play list. After this you just have to synch your i-pod and it will load all those files onto your i-pod.

On a side note, I noticed that it takes awhile for the i-pod to load "Notes" as the files are rather large. Maybe 20 or 30 seconds. Once you go to notes on your ipod and you select a sura, you should be able to click on "hear it also" and it should work. At first the i-pod will just show the sound file starting but you can just hit menu and it will go back to the text. After that you just scroll down as you hear each line of the sura. I hope this helps everyone.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-30 21:00:00

Too much salt is bad, but you definitely have to have some salt because that is what helps your body to retain water. If you have no salt, you will not retain much of the water you drink. Then you will be dehydrated regarless.

Fajr is not sunrise, it is dawn. Fajr is when the first rays of the sun begin to touch the land in your area. Usually it is a little over an hour before sunrise. This is why when you use the Ilsamic finder adhan player on your computer you will see Fajr played awhile before the actual sunrise (you can see the two times on there). So actually you begin your fast at dawn, not sunrise.

On a funny sidenote for those of you who have fasted Ramadan before, how many of you overslept for Sahur? Last year I overslept and it totally messed me up. I had just driven accross part of the country the day before (for 10 hours) and had been too tired to hear the alarm. Because I had been traveling I just added that day to a travel day and hoped Allah would forgive me. There were a few other mornings (on the weekends) that I didn't wake up until 15 minutes until fajr. I just tried to quickly eat a piece of bread and fruit, drink a bunch of water and brush my teeth. Those were definitely tough days to fast, but thank God I made it.

I am not sure how others do it, but you must put water in your mouth and nose in order to do wadu for prayer. The key is to make sure you spit or blow out all the water. There is no way around it as it is required for wadu, but you should be careful to not ingest any of the water.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-23 14:25:00

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 17 2008, 05:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 15 2008, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I keep hearing of these complicated meals to break the fast for Ramadan. Is it really necessary? I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean that it is just me, my father (who is not muslim or fasting), and maybe inshallah my husband. I don't have any friends near me or family so I don't see the point in cooking all that food. It would just go to waste or I would have to keep eating the same thing every evening for days. I was thinking it might be good to just make a big fruit salad that can be used with Iftar and Sahoor, a regular vegetable salad for Iftar and making a main meal with some vegetable sides. Is anyone else thinking it would be better to go simple or am I just being lazy and cheap? I just feel like the whole point of fasting isn't to gorge myself as soon as the sun sets which is what these huge meals would do unless you had a lot of mouths to feed. If you have a lot of people then it would make sense. I hope I'm not offending anyone. It just seems like too much for me.

Well since Muslims really only celebrate Ramadan, the Eids, weddings and births they do tend to go overboard with the foods! But really Ramadan is not about the food eaten after day of fasting ... actually opposite in my opinion. So do what you want ... but beware your husband may be demanding! Who knows! But for 2 ppl I wouldnt' go all out!

My husband and I broke our fast last year at Ramadan in Syria with very little food. Just one small meal put together with some bread. He wouldn't let me buy the food and he could only pay for so much. His family manages to go all out most years for Ramadan, but my husband is thankful for what he gets and doesn't demand more than necessarry. He lived under sanctions for over 10 years and there were times he his family only had potatoes to eat. It makes me think these people who want big elaborate meals to break their fast when there is just a couple people to eat it are ungrateful and selfish. All the people starving in the world and they must have their 4 and 5 course meals. It really makes me sad they think this is what Ramadan is all about. If they had a few Ramadans where they hardly had food to break their fast they might be more appreciative of any food cooked for them.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-17 10:37:00

QUOTE (ta me go hiontach @ Aug 15 2008, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 15 2008, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i don't think you sound lazy or cheap in the least, and i agree wholeheartedly that the whole point of fasting is not to stuff yrself once it's sundown. i wish more people thought less about what they're gonna eat and more about how they're planning to fix the fact that lots of people have nothing to eat during ramadan and the rest of the year.

and i hope and pray yr husband can be with you this year for ramadan, God willing.

Thankyou. I hope he will make it too inshallah

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-15 17:03:00

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-15 16:01:00

I personally go with the Islamic Society for North America as they are the biggest authority for this continent. They are saying Ramadan will be September 1st. Here is the website: http://www.isna.net/

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-14 15:31:00

QUOTE (amal @ Aug 13 2008, 09:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rajaa, I'll tell u what we do for Ramadan. We eat Before sunrise. Fast all day. When I get home from work (if we don't meet with friends) I set out dates (to break fast with) and start preparing soup (usually more broth than anything). Then prepare the actual meal. The meal after Maghrib, during Ramadan, is usually something different than we normally would eat on normal days. We have the whole 9 yards including special sweets (ie sweets that we don't normally have). Then when it's time, and we break the fast with a couple dates and get our tummies ready to accept a buttload of grub...we start shoveling it in!!! It really is a special time. My husband does not function if he doesn't have soup before the meal during Ramadan.

Hope this helps

amal

I tried doing like you mentioned because my husband recommended that. Unfortunately my stomach shrinks so much that if I just eat dates first, it is like my stomach shrink wraps around them and I can't eat anything else, I just feel sick. Soup is not so bad to eat first, but most of the time I found it easier to just start shoving into the food or I wouldn't be able to eat much. Of course last year the area I was in the sunset didn't come until 7:45pm. If I could I would try to eat a little more before bed, but sometimes couldn't get more than a snack. I had to go to bed early since I had to be at work at 6am (which was right when fasting started). This meant I had to just force in what I could and even then I wasn't getting even 1000 calories a day.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-13 21:36:00

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 13 2008, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've looked at some of the sites recommended but I get overwhelmed and intimidated by the information made available.

Feel free to ask questions and hopefully we can provide you with good answers.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-13 17:11:00

Women, at least with all the advice I have been given by the mosque and other muslim women, should not fast during their menstral cycle. It is the same as they cannot pray during those days or read the Quran. I know that women should not broadcast they are not fasting for those days or people will notice and ask why. Then the woman would be forced to give an answer that should be kept private (according to islamic practices). My husband had no idea that his mother and sisters were not fasting during their menstral cycle until he married me. He started to get upset when I broke my fast and I had to keep sending him website links proving I was not supposed to fast at that time. Later that month when I visited his family I discussed it with my MIL and SILs. They actually made sure I knew, lol. Apparently, they like to keep it quiet since it is personal so they eat and drink when no men are around.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-13 17:00:00

QUOTE (amal @ Aug 13 2008, 04:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 13 2008, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A surah is like a passage?

So in the online version one section is a surah and you read that?

Is that like a whole chapter? Sometimes it can go pages online.

I see there are other fasts to make up during the year. How many fasts are there in a year?

From what I understand, each surah is a chapter. When I was newer to Islam, I thought of it as the bible "each surah is similar to each book in the bible" and then it made a little more sense.
Correct me if I'm wrong girls, but isn't each sentence (within every surah) called an "ayah"?

Each surah is a different length. Some are only 5 lines whereas some are many pages.

Amal, you are correct that each surah is a chapter and each ayah is a verse.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-13 16:53:00

Today we lost a MENA jewel

QUOTE (Maggie724 @ Jul 30 2008, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there any word on Hatem and his condition?

I was wondering this too! I am glad you asked.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 23:07:00

Today we lost a MENA jewel

Ryan, your words bring tears to my eyes. It is obvious you two were very close. My heart goes out to you and your family as you face such a tragic loss.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 23:20:00

Today we lost a MENA jewel

I offer my condolences with everyone else. I didn't really know Dawn, but it breaks my heart to know her story and see such a wonderful woman pass in such a tragic way. I hope her husband recovers though I am sure his emotional scars will last long after his physical.

This guy that hit her deserves to be punished. I hope the judge will not be lenient on him and give him the chance to hurt anyone else. It is truly sad that he can't even feel remorse. It really stuns me!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-28 20:37:00

I was watching on tv the other day the story about Job (Ayoub) and though it was the biblical story, it really touched me. I found the Islamic version of his story and it is nearly the same. It made me think of those of us waiting so long to be with our SOs and the patience it takes. Also, this being the month of Ramadan, I think it is nice to share these stories, so I hope it helps some of you to remember as it did me.

The Story of Prophet Job (Ayoub)

Allah the Almighty praised His worshipper Job in His Glorious Quran:

"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever
oft-returning in repentance to Us"
Quran 38:44

Job was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience and
steadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah's
praising him.

A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how those
who were humble earned Allah's displease, while those who were arrogant
incurred His displeasure. One of the angels remarked:

"The best creature on earth today is Job, a man of noble character who
displays excellent patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an
excellent model for the worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has
blessed him with a long life and plenty of riches, yet he is never haughty
or selfish. His family, his servants, as well as the needy and the poor
share in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys slaves to
set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are
favouring him, so kind and gentle is he."

Iblis, overhearing all this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job to
corruption and disbelief, so he hastened to him. He tried to distract Job
from his prayers by whispering to him about the good things in life, but Job
was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. This
distrubed Iblis more; thus he began to hate Job even more.

Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that althought he was
continously glorifying Allah, he was not doing so out of his sincerity but
to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken away. It was all a
show, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth then You will find that
his tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."

Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not
worship Him because of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart and
had nothing to do with material things. But to prove Iblis the depth of Job'
s sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he and his
helpers wished with Job's wealth.

Iblis was very happy. He gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job's
cattle, servants, and farms until he was left with no posessions. Rubbing
his hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in the guise of a wise old man
and said to him:

"All your wealth is lost. Some people say that it is because yo ugave too
much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continous prayers
to Allah. Others say that Allah has bought this upon you in order to please
your enemies. If Allah had the capacit to prevent harm, then He would have
protected your wealth"

True to his belief, Job replied:

"What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee
for a while. He gives to whom He wills and witholds from whom He wills"

With these words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.

When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah:

"I have stripped Job of all his posessions, but he still remains grateful to
You. However, he is only hiding his dissapointment, for he places great
store by his many children. The real test of a parent is through him
children. You will then see how Job will reject You"

Allah granted Iblis authority, but warned him that it would not reduce Job's
faith in his Lord nor his patience.

Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evol deeds. He shook the
foundation of the house in which Job's children were living and sent the
building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Job disguised as a
man who had come to sympathise with him. In a comforting tone he said to
Job:

"The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your
Lord isnot rewarding youproperly for all your prayers?"

Having said this Iblis waited anxiously, hoping Job was now ready to reject
Allah. But again Job dissapointed him by replying:

"Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and
sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or
harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my
Creator"

Then Job prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed. Iblis
again called on Allah:

"O my Lord, Job's wealth is gone, his children are dead, but he is still
healthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to
worship You in the hope of regaining his wealth and producing more children.
Grant me authority over his body so that I may weakne it. He will surely
neglect worshipping You and withh thus becomes disobedient"

Allah wanted to teach Iblis a lesson that Job was a devoted servant of his
Lord, so He granted Iblis his third request but placed a condition:

"I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect, or
heart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion"

Armed with this new authority, Iblis began to take revenge on Job's body
andfilled it with diseas until it was reduced to mere skin and bone qnd he
suffered severe pain. But through all the suffering Job remeined string in
his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining. Allah's
righteous servant did not despair or turn to others for help but remained
hopeful of Allah's Mercy. Even close relatives and friends deserted him.
Only his kind loving wife stayed with him. In his hour of need, she showered
her kindness on him and cared for him. She remained his sole companion and
comforter through many years of his suffering.

Ibn Asaker narrated:

"Job was a man having much wealth of all kinds: beasts, slaves, sheep, vast
lands of Haran and many children. All those favors were taken from him and
he was physically afflicted as well. Never a single orga was sound except
his heart and tongue, with both of which he glorified Allah, the Almighty
all the time day and night. His disease lasted for a long time until his
visitors felt disgusted with him. His friend kept away from him, and people
abstained from visiting him. No one felt sympathy for him except his wife.
She took good care of him, knowing his former charity and pity for her"

Therefore, Iblis became desperate. He consulted his helpers but they could
not advise him. They asked:

"How is it that your cleverness cannot work against Job, yet you succeeded
in misleading Adam, the father of man, out of paradise?"

Iblis went to Job's wife in the form of a man. "Where is your husband?" he
asked her.

She pointed to an almost lifeless form crumpled on the bed and said: "There
he is, suspended between life and death."

Iblis reminded her of the days when Job had good health, wealth and
children. Suddenly, the painful memory of yeas of hardship overcame her, and
she burst into tears. She said to Job:

"How long are you goinng to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to
remain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don't you call upon
Allah to remove this suffering?"

Job sighed, and in a soft voice replied:

"Iblis must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me, how
long did I enjoy good health and riches?"

She replied, "For eighty years"

Then Job asked, "How long am I suffering like this?"

She said, "for seven years"

Then Job told her:

"In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for I
have not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. It seems
yourfaith has weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah. If I
everreagin health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From
this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything from your hand.
Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases."

Crying bitterly and with a heavy heart, she had no choice but to leave him
and seek shelter elsewhere. In his helpless state, Job turned to Allah,
notto complain but to seek His mercy:

"Verily, dsitress has seized me, and You and the Most Merciful of all those
who show Mercy. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that
was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and the
like thereof along with them - as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for
all who whorship Us"
Quran 21:83-84

Almighty Allah also instructed:

"Commemorate Our servant Job behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One has
afflicted me with distress and suffering"! (The command was given:) "Strike
with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash cool and refreshing and
(water) to drink." And We gave him (back) his people and doubled their
number as a Grace from Ourselves and a thing for commemoration for all who
have Understanding."
Quran 38:41-43

Job obeyed, and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile,
his faithful wife could no longer bear to be parted from her husband and
returned to beg his forgiveness, desiring to serve him. On entering he
house, she was amazed at the sudden change: Job was again healthy! She
embraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy.

Job was now worried, for he had taken an oath to punish her with a hundred
strokes if he regained health, but he had no desireto hurt her. He knew if
he did not fulfill the oath, he would be guilty of breaking a promise to
Allah. Therefore, in His wisdom and mercy, Allah came to the assistance of
His faithful servant, and advised him:

"And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your
wife), and break not your oath. Truly we found him patient. How excellent a
slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance to Us"
Quran 38:44

Abu Huraira (ra) narrated that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said:

"While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of locusts fell on him, and he
started collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him: 'O Job! Have I
not made you too rich to need what you see?' He said: 'Yes, O Lord! But I
cannot shun Your Blessings"
(Bukhari)

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-09-02 23:13:00

QUOTE (HisLittleMasriyah @ Aug 25 2008, 11:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

may be we can start on suarh Al-Ikhlas:

Bismillah Ar-rahman ar-rahim

Qol howa Allahu Ahad

Allahu as-samad

Lam yalid wa lam yolad

Wa lam yakon laho kofowan ahad

I love to say this sura in my prayers. It is simple, beautiful and nice to say. It is a good pick for beginners to learn!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-25 23:43:00

QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Aug 25 2008, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, lol, that was a challenge I thought I would take on. I don't get much call for Arabic phonetics, and there were symbols that refused to stay put here. I'm curious, is it easier to learn if you see it written in phonetics than it is just by hearing it?

I can barely type English . . .

I prefer to read it in arabic and hear it in arabic, but that is just me. Also, I can read in arabic just fine so that kind of helps.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-25 22:12:00

Personally, I subscribe to the Islamicity website where they have an excellent Quran memorizer. It helped me a lot as I need to see and hear the words in order to learn them. Unfortunately they allow only a short trial to use the Quran memorizer and then you must become a paying member. I pay, but there are several things on the website that benifit me enough to make me want to pay.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-25 21:48:00

I didn't get a chance to congratulate you aymsgirl, but I wanted to say I am so happy for you and your decision. It is so great to welcome a new muslima!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-24 21:13:00

QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Aug 24 2008, 12:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One more thought, there is a great deal of lip service given to taking responsibility for learning your faith and consulting teachers and scholars, but here is also a great deal of animosity from those who do so and come to differing conclusions. There has been a long standing tradition of honoring diversity of thought in Islam (not without conflict), but the bottom line is that schools of thought survived not by the will of the people to follow them, but through the benevolence of rulers who favored one over others.

As a student of Islam for 45+ years, I know that there is no way to deny the overwhelming influence of political manipulations in what we take for granted in practice. Many who have avidly pursued Islamic education in good faith and have questioned the legitimacy of some methodologies, and/or the contraditions between rulings and the sacred texts and major sources find that instead of being engaged, they are marginalized and dismissed as out of the mainstream simply because they do not equate man-made law with divine law.

So true.......... Allah guides whom he choses. It is good to search for yourself what is right or wrong in the different texts. Man is not perfect and neither are the scholars. The most important thing is to ask for Allah's guidance in all matters that are important in one's life rather than limit yourself to one man's interpretation/opinion.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-24 12:56:00

I prefer to avoid the different schools of thought. My husband and his family don't prefer one or the other either. Instead, we just try to study the hadith or get advice from an Imam and make informed decisions. Its impossible to avoid the schools of thought since many rulings have come down from them that decide many aspects of Islam. Yet it is easier to keep from relying on one school only. This is my input. Of course everyone has their preferences and whatever those may be, they should be respected.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-24 10:40:00