ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaWho are you??
I'm Jen and I'm a perpetual slacker. I'm married to Tamer, who's an accountant at a non-profit.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-12-29 11:56:00
Middle East and North Africamonday morning thread
Awww, Bridget, positive vibes coming your way star_smile.gif


re: dentist. The husband had to have something quite expensive done to his teeth. I mentioned this in passing to a friend who's almost done with dental school. Low and behold, she needs someone to do that procedure on for her board exams next month, and she can use the husband. And they'll pay him for his time. Alhamdulilah, rather then having to pay $$$$, we actually come out ahead.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-26 16:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow would you feel
The husband and I have said things like that to each other. If you're not happy, you've got to be honest, put it all out there, and then work from there to improve. It's that last part, working to improve, that makes statements like this a healthy part of a reflection on a relationship. If that's not there, then it's just complaining.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-21 14:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
See, now wouldn't it have been easier to simply bring up these points, rather then mock me elsewhere? I certainly learned something new. I knew in my madhab and amongst the scholars many salafis follow here in the US, that saying bismillah before you eat makes kosher meat ok. If someone follows one of those other schools, well then, kosher meat isn't ok for them.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-27 16:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
Watch out of nyquil and mouthwash. Many mouthwash have alcohol, and nyquil definitely does. Dayquil is alcohol free, and there are a few brands of mouthwash that are alcohol free.

If you're looking for vitamins that normally only come in gel form, you can search online and find stuff made with fish gelatin. All the omega-3 pills at the store are just "gelatin," but online I order a brand made with fish gelatin. If I were ambitious, I'd write down all the brands at the store and would call them up to see what kind of gelatin were in them, but I'm tired of calling customer service, lol.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-25 19:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
It is good adab to begin with bismillah before eating anything, but in particular, one says bismillah over meat where they are not sure if it was said while the meat was being slaughtered. Wa'la, the name of Allah (swt) is said over the meat.

As for elsewhere, it's not healthy to hang out amidst backbiting. So please do continue it elsewhere if you wish, but if you have sincere advice that would help people here to practice their religion better, then offer it to them in the best possible terms.

And say to My servants, that they say words that are kindlier. For surely Satan provokes strife between them, and Satan is ever a manifest foe to man. (17:53)

O you who believe, do not let any people deride another people: who may be better than they are; nor let any women deride [other] women who may be better than they are. And do not defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. Evil is the name of immorality after faith! And whoever does not repent, those — they are the evildoers.

O you who believe, shun much suspicion. Indeed some suspicions are sins. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you love to eat the flesh of his brother dead? You would abhor it. And fear God; assuredly God is Relenting, Merciful. (49:11-12)

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-24 16:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
QUOTE (Staashi @ Jan 23 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Jan 22 2009, 09:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Basically, at this point I've become tired of reading labels, so I make just about everything myself. Homemade desserts (with alcohol free vanilla flavoring), pizza, meatloaf, fried chicken, I've made just about everything. Ice cream is a project I'm eager to try, although I want to invest in a good ice cream maker, so I'm saving my pennies (very few ice creams are made without vanilla extract).


Jen, I found a deluxe Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker the other day at Williams-Sonoma - for...guess how much???? $29.98!!!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!?! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif It is so cool - can't wait to try it out. It is even RED!!! My hubby used to work in an ice cream shop in Germany and he was the ice cream maker. So, I figured he needs to make it for me at home. devil.gif good.gif

One other thing - the best vanilla flavoring comes from using real vanilla bean - my tip is to separate some sugar that you'd like to flavor with vanilla and drop a bean in there. It is awesome!



Oooo, that sounds great! Will definately look into it.

I used to cook with vanilla beans, but it got a little too expensive, especially when I was making desserts ever 2 or 3 days. Next time, I'll have to buy in bulk, lol.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-23 20:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaAlhamdulillah Rabbil Alamin

As-salamualikum wa-rahmatullah wa-barakatu to ALL
Last few days I couldn’t visit the visa journey site due to visiting two holy places Macca and Madina.


wa alaikum assalam wr wb,

SubhanAllah, what I wouldn't give to make Umrah! I hope that you were showered in baraka and that your upcoming move to the US is a good one.

Edited by rahma, 25 April 2006 - 09:23 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-04-25 09:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaAlhamdulillah Rabbil Alamin
Assalamu alaikum wr wb,

You're certainly an inspiration and an excellent example of one who places his faith in Allah (swt)

????????? ???????? ????????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ??????????? ??????????

those who believe, and whose hearts find their rest in the remembrance of God - for, verily, in the remembrance of God [men's] hearts do find their rest-

May God make your trip to the United States easy and bless your marriage inshaAllah!
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-04-17 08:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaDefining haram?
QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Aug 22 2008, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
See, i think, it was the use of the word haram that i took such offense to, when having the heated discussion about music. (The discussion, remembering from my first post, that prompted this whole online discussion.) Makruh is one thing, i don't have an argument there... but Haram, quite another...


Haram is thrown around a lot these days, probably more than it should be. BUT, if it's warrented to use it, if it's been used re: something for centuries, then we shouldn't be shy to say that that something is haram.

QUOTE
Yes, the Sunnah Companion texts are important in following the path; however, as we all know there are hundreds of hadiths out there, and not all are reliable. It is also frustrating when having a discussion with someone and they state something as fact and then can't remember the hadith they pulled it from. (i'm not saying that's happening here... just stating a general peeve of my own... and i am NO authority on Islam, that is for sure.)


Which is why it's important to not only study, but to rely on a source who knows what the heck they're talking about. Thousands upon thousands, perhaps millions have dedicated their lives to studying hadith. It's not like it's a secret what is strong, what is weak and what is fabricated. Find a scholar or a book that knows, and look.

QUOTE
Sometimes i wonder if i am too liberal in my interpretation of everything..... unsure.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-22 14:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaDefining haram?
Finally alcohol.

If we look at the 2 major sources of Islam, the Qur'an and the life of our beloved Prophet (saws), we see a clear progression in relation to khmar.

When I need to find a neutral source (ie one that isn't too salafi or madhabi in it's orientation), I usually turn to Islamonline. Oftentimes, they'll give the opinions of a wide variety of scholars, and include minority opinions. Here is what they have to say re: khmar:

Why is Alcohol Forbidden?
Islam Prohibits Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol: Dangerous, but Why?

As we can see from these three pieces, they don't include a minority opinion. Why? Because there is none, or at least none that is considered viable. There are differences in the religion, and you will find different opinions on different matters. But, not on alcohol. Sorry.

QUOTE (lion_lioness @ Aug 22 2008, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Rahma!!!!!!! Great post. How are you doing???


*waves* Alhamdulilah, can't complain innocent.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-22 14:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaDefining haram?
On the topic of what is halal and what is haram:


The rulings of what is haram and what is halal are based on more than just the Qur'an. Take smoking for example. It's not mentioned anywhere in the Qur'an, and yet, today a growing number (if not already the majority) declare that it is haram? Why? Because we use the Qur'an, the Sunnah AND reasoning AND consensus when determining what is fard (required), mustahab (recommended) mubah (permissible), makruh (disliked) and haram (forbidden).

When Allah (swt) revealed Islam to the world, He did not just throw the Qur'an down and say here, memorize this, there will be a test next Friday. No, in His infinate wisdom, He gave us a teacher, the Prophet Muhammad (saws), to show us the best way to impliment the Word of God. As such, after the Prophet's death, his companions kept refering back to his actions. Over time, the body of hadith literature were collected, studied, and codified as a science within the religion.

This is why when we are looking for what is halal and what is haram, we look both and the Qur'an and the Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet as recorded in the hadith). Again over time, scholars emerged who created systems of approaching and interpreting these sources. The 4 main methods of approach (at least within sunni islam), are the 4 major madhabs that survive today: Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali. There were other minority approaches, schools of thought that died off, and revivalist traditions that sprung up from time to time. The modern salafi movement is one of the latter.

Now if you're a quran only muslim, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax, and is an approach that has sprung up from time to time, but has never gained any major following.


So if you're going to approach islam, first tread the path of those who came before you before you begin to wander off on your own. That path is well worn, well researched, and well documented. If you want to explore on your own, that's fine too, but the basis of Islam is the Quran and 23 years of the Prophet's (saws) life. That's a lot of material, and it can be easy to get lost in it.

As for getting off the computer and opening up books, what difference does it make? Unless one has put in the years of study with people of knowledge and learned the classical arabic, we're all going to be doing taqlid (following) someone's opinion who is more knowledgeable. There are plenty of shady books and shady teachers in real life out there.

In the end, what we SHOULD do is make sure we know who we're taking our opinions from. If one just used ol Sheikh Google to find themselves a fatwa on the issue, and doesn't know who issued it and what methodology they follow, that's not cool. But if we know who's on the other end of the website, and we know that they are knowledgeable, then there's no harm in taking from them.

Sunnipath is taking the knowledge that has been transmitted from teacher to student for generations in person and is putting it up there to be transmitted from teacher to student on the web. It is not a fly by night fatwa operation. If we were all so lucky as to have a knowledgeable teacher down the block we could sit with, then we'd go sit with them. But for those of us who don't, sunnipath and other similar sites allow us to sit with knowledgeable men and women and learn the religion. Heck, you can get off the computer and go study with the scholars of sunnipath in Jordan. I bet you they'll say the same thing in person as they do online wink.gif


It is a well known majority opinion that music is haram in all 4 madhabs. There are minority opinions, especially in defunct schools like the zaharis, that music is permissible. People who say that music is haram aren't talking out of their behind. They have evidence.

For the music is haram argument, Sh. Nuh gives a good talk about it -
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-22 13:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaDefining haram?
While it is possible and even necessary to have a relationship with God, it is important to go about it in the right way.

There are a sub genre of hadith known as hadith qudsi - words of Allah (swt) that are not from the Qur'an. In bukhari, we find this hadith qudsi:

Allah Most High says:

“Whomever is hostile to a friend of Mine I declare war against. My slave approaches Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and My slave keeps drawing nearer to Me with voluntary works until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he seizes, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give to him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him. I do not hesitate from anything I shall do more than My hesitation to take the soul of the believer who dislikes death; for I dislike displeasing him” (Bukhari, 8.131: 6502. S).


What is Islam? Islam is submission to God. How do we submit to God? In our actions, in our hearts, in our souls. Our relationship with the Divine is based upon our works, our submission to the will of Allah (swt). How can one have a relationship with Him if they do not do their best to follow what He has ordered?
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-22 13:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaVeil shed for bikini on Egypt's women-only beaches
QUOTE (sandrila @ Aug 22 2008, 10:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Conservative, I'll say!! helpsmilie.gif

[font=Palatino Linotype]Is this a way of showing that women are sacred and no men can cast their eyes on them?


If one believes that they are required to cover everything but their hands, face and feet, wouldn't it make sense that this would be at all times in public? It's not situational - oh I'll wear hijab to work, and then a swimsuit to the beach. The growing muslim swimwear industry is catering to a growing market demand for women who dress modestly but still want to partake in the summer fun.

And I know Bridget didn't like her suit, but *heart* mine. Then again, I'm always swimming laps in it, and not laying out, so perhaps it wouldn't be as much fun if I did that.


QUOTE
I mean anyone should enjoy the beauty and peace of the beach.
And being in those foreign countries is DAMN HOT!
How can someone be expected #1 not to partake of sunbathing and swimming


One can enjoy it wearing more modest attire. Is there a law that one must uncover to enjoy the summer?

QUOTE
#2 to have to wear near "winter" gear in summer conditions?


Ok, I'm from Wisconsin/Minne-snow-da, so I know winter gear. I do not wear winter clothes in the summer. A long skirt, a light tunic and a scarf can be quite cool, especially when you're in "those foreign countries" that are do darn hot. Been there, done that, have the tshirt. cool.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-22 15:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaTGIFridayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, what cute babies, mashaAllah. Now I'm going to be talking about babies all weekend and the husband is going to be like wacko.gif



Jackie, I'll take cross stitch patterns if you got em. I've been trying to do something, anything, to stop me from watching too much tv.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-22 16:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaGood Qiblah website
It's the most direct line on a flat map. The most direct line on a globe is northeast.

Some pro northeast readings:

http://www.moonsighting.com/qibla.html
http://patriot.net/~...i/ftp/qibla.pdf
http://islamicbookstore.com/b6627.html
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-29 09:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaGood Qiblah website
Just to highlight something from what you posted

QUOTE
The vast majority of Muslim communities in North America face toward the northeast, following the great-circle route. A minority faces towards the southeast according to early Islamic methods including sighting the stars, sun, wind, etc.


The website gives the minority direction. I haven't ever been in a mosque in the US that faced southeast.

My sheikh wrote a book about the debate, with the conclusion that northeast is the way to go. I've never read it, but looks like I'll have to find it now. There's always something new to learn innocent.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-29 08:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan recipies :)
Speaking of egyptian cheese, the husband really likes rumy/roomy cheese, but I can't stand it. I think it smells/tastes like a barnyard. bleck! I like the beida, which is kind of like feta, though.

The local ME grocery store sellls huuuuuuuuuuuge blocks of parmasean I have my eyes on, but they're like $25. Can't they cut them any smaller crying.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-28 14:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan recipies :)
I get all my recipes and info re: egyptian food from this website - http://members.cox.n...a/Recipnew.html - so far I haven't made anything from there that the husband hasn't liked.

Umm Ali is a pudding like dish. I make mine with puff pastery - http://members.cox.n...sa/recumali.htm

Foul is the traditional egyptian breakfast. We buy it in cans from the local ME groccery store, and the husband adds cumin, onions, tomato and lemon to it. If you can't find it canned, then get dried fava beans, soak overnight, cook for a few hours, then mash and add the stuff you want.

Not sure about lebn though.

Edited by rahma, 28 August 2008 - 10:05 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-28 10:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaNeed some muslim support
I don't know anything about the community in your area, and a quick search on islamicfinder.org didn't turn anything up either. I did go through cities down to Portland, and it looks like there are some islamic associations in Vancouver WA

http://www.islamicfi.......-8-29&lang=

I guess Portland is an hour away, but on the weekends, it might be good to drive down and have iftar/pray taraweeh at a masjid there.

http://www.islamicfi.......ion=&athan=

Go through the list, call em up and see what they're doing during Ramadan. Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast, and oftentimes masjids will host free meals. After Isha, the community gathers to pray a special night prayer called taraweeh. There's usually some social time inbetween iftar and taraweeh, so you'd be able to meet people and chat then.


Other things I dug up that may be useful:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/omwn/
http://groups.yahoo....lims-in-Seattle
http://groups.yahoo....couverWAMuslims
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-29 14:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan Traditions
Ooo, these are the gooey kind. I'm salivating just thinking about them *sneaks off to steal a date or 2*


Go ahead and make date bread. It's not a "you MUST break your fast with plain dates and nothing else or your fast will be invalid." It's more of a " the Prophet (saws) broke his fast with plain dates, so you can follow that example if you'd like."

If it's a good recipe, please post good.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-31 09:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan Traditions
Here's a tradition I forgot. Majdool dates. Can't have any other kind during Ramadan. I went shopping last weekend, and they didn't have any out yet. I nearly had a heart attack. Thankfully, a kind store clerk went around back and got some from where they were being packaged.



Seriously like candy. I've been eating them as dessert all week, so I'll probably need to go back and get more in a week.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-31 09:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan Traditions
We were on NPR a few years ago whistling.gif

http://www.npr.org/t...storyId=5155882
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-28 08:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan Traditions
QUOTE (bridget @ Aug 27 2008, 11:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do you still go to the Mall of America for Eid? I always thought that was a neat new tradition.



We do, although some somali youth have been making it rather unfortunate in recent years by running amok. Thankfully, the community has realized the problem and inshaAllah will keep them more under control.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-28 08:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan Traditions
The husband has imported exactly 0 ramadan traditions from backhomelandia. He's a workaholic, so in the past, he's either been studying or working through the more traditional egyptian activities of massive iftars, sitting around and watching soap operas and going out until the wee hours of the morning.

So, I've created my own ramadan traditions.

1. Holiday lights. After a certain holiday that takes place at the end of december, there are a ton of twinkly lights that are 75% off. I stock up, and string them around the apartment for ramadan. Of course, it doesn't help that we're both lazy, and the ligths have taken up permenant residence on our walls. I guess once Ramadan rolls around, all we'll have to do is plug them in.

2. Spend half an hour doing something deen (religion) related together. This could be reading the Qur'an, listening to a lecture or discussing a book we've read. In the past, the husband has wanted me to practice getting up and giving a khutbah extemporaneously. I'm not very good at speaking without preparing anything in advance though, so it usually involved a lot of stuttering on my part. Maybe this year I'll do some advanced legwork and suprise him.

3. Going to iftar at the masjid on the weekends. It's nice to break your fast with other people.

4. Taraweeh. The husband doesn't like taraweeh in the masjid (he thinks its a bida, which it technically is. The Prophet (saws) rarely prayed this prayer in congregation. Howeva. Umar (ra) gathered everyone together to pray at the masjid, so for me, this falls in the bida hasana, or good innovation category). So, inshaAllah I'm going to leave him at home and pray at the masjid all by myself.

5. Lanterns. I think I'm going to buy some lanterns this year. Not traditional egyptian ones, but funky paper ones, kind of a blending of egyptian and american cultures.

I'm thinking some of these:
http://www.paperlant.../starlamps.html
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-27 13:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaIs it just the distance, or is it something more...
Just an observation, this board has traditionally been pretty hard on the male half of MENA couples. It can be overwhelming enough to discuss something in your second language, but to have half a dozen posters ganging up on you is really tough. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt. What one wants to say may come across and harsh or garbled when you're trying to put your feelings out there in a language that you're not 100% comfortable in.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 21:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeptembers first Monday
Maghrib here up nord is 7:50. Fajr is 5:10-ish. The husband was just dreaming about going to egypt when Ramadan is in July. I tell him to just buck up whistling.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 21:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeptembers first Monday
QUOTE (Nawal @ Sep 1 2008, 05:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rahma @ Sep 1 2008, 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
rahma at the RNC...riots!

Alas, no self portraits. Those are all on my friend's camera. inshaAllah when she sends em, I'll stick em up.


Thanks for sharing! I was reading the one sign that said "Insane in the McCain...etc." when I suddenly focused on the picture and George Bush made me jump... laughing.gif devil.gif


The other guy had been wearing a McCain mask, and they were rapping. It was hilarious. I think my friend may have taken some video. If she gets it up on youtube, i'll definately post on my blog inshaAllah.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 18:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeptembers first Monday
rahma at the RNC...riots!

Alas, no self portraits. Those are all on my friend's camera. inshaAllah when she sends em, I'll stick em up.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 17:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeptembers first Monday
I have survived! If anyone wants the hint to easier fasting, spend the first day of Ramadan marching around the streets in 90 degree weather for a few hours, then spend another hour dodging the rioters and riot cops, and then another 45 minutes hiking out of downtown because they've suspended bus service, and the nearest bus is 2 miles away.

Yeah, after all that, fasting any other day is easy.

It's kinda funny, my hands and my wrists are sunburned, but the rest of my arms are pale. The middle of my face is sunburned, but there's a distinct white outline around the edges where my scarf was. I haven't gotten sunburned in years.

Pictures are forthcoming. Listen to NPR, cuz I got interviewed kicking.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 17:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeptembers first Monday
QUOTE (wife_of_mahmoud @ Sep 1 2008, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Neon green ????!!!! Rahma you rebel... please be safe.


I'm normally the gal in the hot pink hijab, but I've been branching out recently. whistling.gif

QUOTE
Just curious though -- why are you protesting the convention ?


Well, I guess it's not protesting the convention, it's protesting at the convention. Today is a large anti war rally that starts at the State Capital, and then marches down to the Xcel Center where the convention is. I haven't decided which group to march with yet, but my sign is tricked out in Palestinian colors.

I copied this design. The salaam is in green, and the hub is in red.

I've been participating in anti war rallies since before the Iraq war. I'm not really convinced they do anything but rally the faithful, but I would be remise if I didn't participate in this when it's right on my doorstep.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 09:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeptembers first Monday
Happy Ramadan to all!

I'm going out to protest the RNC today. If you see a girl in a neon green hijab being dragged away kicking and screaming by the cops, that's me innocent.gif The cities are crawling with police. I normally see one or 2 a week out on the road, but this morning, I saw at least a dozen patrol cars. The local jail has been turned into some kind of compound, huge concrete blocks, 10 foot high fences, corrals, and police with massive guns.


http://news.yahoo.co...olitics_mccain/
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 09:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday Thread
QUOTE (amal @ Sep 2 2008, 01:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Rahma, you ROCK good.gif thanks! That was informative, yet confusing so I may try to look over it a bit closer when I get home.


It is seriously confusing wacko.gif But I guess that's why there are entire books dedicated to the subject.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-02 14:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday Thread
QUOTE (sandrila @ Sep 2 2008, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Mubarak!
Happy Ramadan but I am confused, in Morocco Ramadan started today how is the 2nd day?


There are 2 different ways a new islamic month is determined:

1. By calculation. Based upon when the new moon will most likely be seen, that's the start of the month. If it's cloudy and no one sees the moon, the month still starts. If the calculations were off and no one sees the moon, the month still starts.

2. By moon sighting. When someone sees the new moon, the month starts. There are 2 subcategories in this method:
a. Local sighting - when someone sees the moon in your locality, usually within your country, the month starts for that country.
b. Global sighting - when someone sees the moon anywhere in the world, the month starts for everyone in the world.


Those who calculated and follow 2b started Ramadan on Monday. The moon was sited in south america, parts of australia and in southern africa, so if you followed 2a and lived in those locations, you would also start Ramadan Monday.

Those who waited until they could see the moon in their country started Tuesday.


QUOTE
I am going to try to fast only but I honestly dont see any good in not drinking water, i am allowing myself that


With all due respect, Islam is about submission. We submit to what God has commanded, and what the Prophet (saws) has taught us. The Prophet's fast was from food, drink, and sexual activities during the day. Thus, that's what we do.

The Qur'an tells us that we can eat and drink at night UNTIL the beginning of fajr. Then we must resume our fast.

2:187 Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what Allah Hath ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by) Allah. Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.

QUOTE
if we are here in the states, what time does fasting start and finish???
any help on that?


It depends on where you are. Stick your zipcode into Islamicfinder, and it will give you the prayer times for your area. You stop eating and drinking at fajr, and can resume at maghrib.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-02 11:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday Thread
[pre-empt]Just to pre-empt any potential problems - FYI, the following links discuss menstruation. As such, this includes words like ####### and discusses menstruation in graphic detail. Let's all be adults and not have a laugh about this. Thanks [/pre-empt]

In the shafi'i school, after 15 days it's considered abnormal uterine bleeding and not menstruation
Bleeding Longer than 15 Days (Abnormal Uterine Bleeding)
Fiqh of Menstruation

According to the hanafis, it's AUB after 10 days
Irregular bleeding, should I not take a dispensation on this issue?



Whether you take the 10 or 15 day rule, after that, you make ghusul, and start to fast and pray again.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-02 11:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaNoura is ok
alhamdulilah! *sending positive thoughts and vibes down south*
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-01 17:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaWorried (like always)
Assalamu Alaikum wr wb,

Is this really the only option? I know you've probably thought through everything, but since I'm not privy to your thought process, I'll just throw a few out there - Target, Grocery stores, office work, I know they may not pay as much as a waitress, but perhaps they'd be more receptive to the hijab.

Since taking off hijab is obviously really weighing heavy on you, why not modify rather than take it off entirely? You could tie it up in a bun, which looks cool/hippy-ish, and depending on the restaurant, wouldn't look all too bad. Orthodox jewish women have some awesome scarf styles good.gif good.gif

The alcohol is another matter, and that's a personal choice you'll have to make. I'd rather work at McDonalds, Target or the like than serve alcohol. Alcohol is a serious serious matter, and there are hadith were rasulAllah (saws) cursed those who serve and sold it.

If people at the masjid are telling you to be patient, ask for sadaqa. Charity is an important part of the religion for a reason, and we shouldn't be ashamed to receive it if we really need it.

Make dua every day after you break your fast for a job. When you get up to take suhur, pray a few rakat of night prayer and make dua after for a job. I'll make dua for you as well. *hugs*
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-07 11:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaBest honeymoon destination in MENA
LOL, I talked to my husband last night about where he would go on a honeymoon. He said Spain and Turkey, because of the history. I said, but what about hajj, and he's like :blink: Honeymoon is for romance, and you can't really have romance on hajj :lol: Looking like I'll be going on my hajj honeymoon by myself.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2007-01-17 13:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaBest honeymoon destination in MENA

There are so many places I want to see in ME/NA -- I want to travel to them ALL !


:yes:

One of our dreams is to travel the Middle East and the world. Right now, we can't even travel to Disney World :(
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2007-01-16 09:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaBest honeymoon destination in MENA
Hajj and Medina (F) What better way to start a life together for two muslimeen than to visit the kabba and the Prophet (saws)?

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But in terms of romance, I would say Dubai. If money was no object, a week spent in Burj al Arab

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Or Turkey, because my husband and I are both history buffs and Turkey has a ton of history.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2007-01-16 08:53:00