ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Doods, 2 thoughts:

1. Find a doctor who is either a. muslim or b. not completely against fasting for any reason and seek their advice. There are doctors who would advise you not to fast, even if you were perfectly healthy (such as my mother's doctor, who she has apparently consulted on my behalf, and will now tell me every chance she gets that I should at least drink water during my fasts, despite the fact I have been fasting consistently for years and never had any trouble aside from the occasional headache). It may be that fasting simply isn't healthy for you, and in that case, you could simply pay the fidyah, compensation for a person who is unable to fast.

2. Submit a question to Seeker's Guidance about your situation. I submitted a question this afternoon, and they sent an actual personal response letting me know they would be getting to my question soon, not an automatically generated response saying they recieved my question.


Fasting can be a physical test with discomforts, but it isn't something that should make us seriously and chronically ill.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-07-01 17:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (Sandrila @ Jul 1 2009, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As always thanks for sharing your knowledge and resources about Islam. yes.gif


You're welcome smile.gif


Got another one:

Listen to the Qur'an - a choice of 3 different reciters and translations in many languages (including 14 in english!)
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-07-01 16:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Summer Nights - free online courses taught by Azharis




I'm planning on taking:

Brief History of Islamic Legislation (Mondays)
Tafsir and Servitude (Tuesdays)
Lesson's on Allah's names (Wednesday)
Fiqh of Priorities (Thursdays)
Heart Softeners (Fridays)

If of course, I can convince AbuS to let me have the computer for an hour and a half every night of the week whistling.gif

Edited by UmmSqueakster, 01 July 2009 - 01:23 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-07-01 13:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (Staashi @ Jun 30 2009, 03:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Jun 30 2009, 04:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
*snags kitty pics* thanks Nawal!

Staashi - thanks star_smile.gif It took 2 dozen attempts to actually get a decent picture of her with the book. She's like, dood wat u using me as a book stand 4?


Well, she looks like that...plus, oooooh big book - good to scratch my chin on it.


And then attempt to eat it nom nom nom. She's been eating the corners of my coffee table as of late rolleyes.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-30 15:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
*snags kitty pics* thanks Nawal!

Staashi - thanks star_smile.gif It took 2 dozen attempts to actually get a decent picture of her with the book. She's like, dood wat u using me as a book stand 4?
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-30 15:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Practical Tips in Preparation for Ramadan (with added links by moi)

Ramadan is an event that occurs in the life of the faithful, as individuals and as an Ummah, once a year. It is intended by Allah to help us to recharge our spiritual batteries and thus prepare us for the great mission of realizing His will on earth. Therefore, in order to benefit from Ramadan, we may do well to prepare for it by opening our hearts and minds to embrace it. Let me offer a few tips:

1. We should empower ourselves by learning as much as we can about the precise laws as well as the benefits of fasting. Fiqh of Fasting Hanafi, Basics of Fasting - Shafi'i, Maliki book on Fasting, Fiqh us Sunnah on Fasting, general

2. We should ensure that we gain true benefits from our fasting, let us make sure to realize the spirit of fasting: this can only be done by abstaining, not only from food, drink, and sex, but also by strictly restraining our minds, hearts as well as our eyes, ears, hands, tongue, and so on. Inner Dimensions of Fasting by Imam al Ghazali

3.We must embrace the spirit of fasting as stressed in Hadith: to be charitable and compassionate as much as we can. The Concept of Charity in Islam, Muslim Character by Muhammad Ghazali

4. We should strengthen our relationship with the Qur’an; for Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. Way to the Qur'an, Ulum al Qur'an

5. We should engage in dhikr and condition ourselves to make it second nature. My page of dhikr resources

6. Last but not least, we should build up our community through acts of charity and compassion and extending help to those in need as much as we can. Agenda to Change our Condition

Let us pray that we come out of Ramadan with our faith recharged, gaining strength in our faith and commitment and relationship with Allah.






UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-30 11:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Humpkin, do you have any store that sells Crescent Halal chicken in your area - http://www.crescenth...om/consumer.cfm



Crescent premium birds are raised cage-free, in sunny ventilated barns on Amish farms in Indiana. They are fed only pure grains and soy with no hormones, then processed free from artificial ingredients, food coloring, and preservatives. The end result is a better choice for healthy delicious meals.

Of course, the soy could be a problem. I know soy has been making my sister ill for years due to the hormones, until she stopped eating/drinking it recently.

Also the CSA (community supported agriculture)/fresh veggies are a great thing. They're very popular here in the midwest. It's a great way to support local farmers of all sizes. Oftentimes here, the CSA will let their subscribers visit the farm. My family's (former) farm is now an organic CSA.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-29 13:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (KHPerfectMatch @ Jun 28 2009, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (humpkinpumpkin @ Jun 28 2009, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Switching gears, I have to eat only organic meat from now on and I was thinking, does halal = organic? I mean do the rules of being able to call a piece of meat halal also include not feeding the cow/chicken/whatever hormones and other chemicals? I would think so since they have to treat the animal in a humane way but should I just assume this?

I'm cool with just buying organic from the local grocers and saying bismillah before eating it but if I can support a halal butcher *and* stay organic I'd rather do that. Anyone?



I'm no expert, but I think there are 3 different issues...

First there is the method of killing the animal (zabiha) and that is not only saying "bismillah" but includes the METHOD used, and the treatment of the animal before and after it's killed... The animal must be calm before it is killed swiftly and painlessly by cutting it's throat to allow the blood to drain. Then the carcass must be handled properly (not sure of the details there...)

The 2nd issue what an animal is fed, and treated, etc. would affect whether the meat is halal... regardless of how it was killed. If it was fed impure food like the carcasses of haram animals (which is common these days) that would render the meat impure, and "haram".

The third issue is whether the meat is healthy... from an organic stand point... free from hormones, antibiotics, disease, etc. I don't think these "additives" would make the meat "haram" and neither does organic = halal.... Humane treatment is a subjective term... When I think of inhumane I think of the chicken farms in Arkansas where the chickens never see the light of day. I think of veal stalls where the baby cows are nearly force fed until they are ready for slaughter and their feet never touch the ground because they don't want the meat to have any muscle which makes it tougher...

I think I'm glad that I am about 95% vegetarian... makes it a lot easier... smile.gif


Good explanation.

In general, the focus of zabiha meat is on the first issue, rather then the last 2. I would venture to guess that most zabiha meat here in the US comes from factory farms, which kicks humane right out the window *shudders*

It would be great to have the meat be zabiha AND organic, but if I have to chose between the two, I go for the zabiha. Organic does not necessarily mean humane treatment, just no chemicals in the raising. There are organic factory farms.

What the ideal would be (in my mind), would be to get meat from a family farm (run by a christian, jew or muslim), where you can see how the animals are raised, and ask that the animals are slaughtered according to the rules of zabiha. Or, if the farm was run by a person of non abrahamic persuation, then they would allow you to participate in the slaughter, to make it zabiha.

This is possible if you have local muslim families willing to go in on a meat share. It takes a little bit of extra work, but the peace of mind may be worth it. This is what we're hoping to do once we have a house, where we can get a huge freezer to stick lots of meat in.

There is a growing movement like this in the muslim community. I recently came across Green Zabiha and was tickled pink. Alas, it's out in california, but if they pioneer a system, inshaAllah we can bring it to other places.

Now of course, all this will cost considerably more money then plain ol grocery store meat, and even plain ol zabiha grocery store meat. My feeling is that if you're getting higher quality meat, eating less won't be a problem. I don't believe mankind ate meat everyday until after the explosion of cheap corn post WW2 allowed meat to be produced cheaply (and of lesser quality).
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-29 09:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
I am unaware of anything that says "snorting" invalidates salat for 40 days. The only thing with the 40 day invalidity attached, to the best of my knowledge, is drinking alcohol.

Now, laughing out loud during prayer does invalidate the salat, but in that case, you just have to start over again.

I'll ask AbuS, but I can't for the life of me imagine that that would be true.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-29 08:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (caybee @ Jun 26 2009, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Jun 26 2009, 09:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We'll see when his funeral comes.

To stear the topic in a slightly different direction, I wrote a quick piece yesterday about his death and reflecting on death. Reflecting on death, life in the grave, the day of judgment and the here after in general are all highly recommended activities that the Prophet (saws) would often do. When a celebrity dies, it is a good opportunity to be reminded of these things and to reflect on our own life and morality.

Good article, Rahma.

Yesterday evening, I had the television on when they moved MJ's body from the helicopter to the coroner's van to be transported to the coroner's office, and the sight of him wrapped in that plain, white sheet like any other deceased person was striking.


Thank you star_smile.gif

It is striking. When you die, what use is your fame and your money? We're all heading the same place - the grave, and those things aren't going to help us once we get there.

Now I have this song running through my head

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-26 09:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Another thought - he died with $400 million in debts and was clearly living beyond his means. There also other *ahem* possible sins that he commited in the past against other people.

We are constantly reminded to repent for our sins. If the sin is against yourself or Allah (swt), you ask Allah (swt)'s forgiveness, refrain from the sin, regret it and vow not to do it again.

However, if your sin is against another person, you must, in addition to the above, also set things right with that person.

If you do not, that person will have the right on the day of judgment to take some of your good deeds as recompence.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-26 08:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
We'll see when his funeral comes.

To stear the topic in a slightly different direction, I wrote a quick piece yesterday about his death and reflecting on death. Reflecting on death, life in the grave, the day of judgment and the here after in general are all highly recommended activities that the Prophet (saws) would often do. When a celebrity dies, it is a good opportunity to be reminded of these things and to reflect on our own life and morality.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-26 08:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (100% Al Ahly Fan @ Jun 24 2009, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Masjid al huda is closer (to me) and apparently as Rahma said, they offer coupons for iftar dinner, so I would definitely recommend going there. I used to go to Friday prayer there a couple of years ago, but unforunately I had to work again on Friday's so I was unable to continue going.


You haven't been there during Ramadan recently? After the whole debacle re: people bringing rowdy children to iftar, they started giving out coupons to Holyland and then subsequently Crescent Moon Bakery. From here on out, it just isn't ramadan without a holyland date and crescent moon afghan pizza laughing.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-25 15:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
7 tips to improve your relationship with the Qur'an



Are you one of those people who rarely touches the Quran? Or do you read daily, but don't find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Quran.

1. Before you touch it, check your heart

The key to really benefiting from the Quran is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah's book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was described by his wife as a "walking Quran": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Quran, he lived it.

2. Do your Wudu (ablution)

Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you you're not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.

3. Read only 5 minutes everyday

Too often, we think we should read Quran for at least one whole hour. If you aren't in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!

4. Make sure you understand what you've read

Five minutes of reading the Quran in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you're reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Quran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you've read that day .

5. Remember, the Quran is more interactive than a CD

In an age of "interactive" CD-Roms and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Quran is not like that. Remember that when you read Quran, you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention.

6. Don't just read, listen too

There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Quran, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Quran reading, not as a replacement for it.

7. Make Dua (supplication)

Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Quran. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-25 15:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Hey Farha, maybe sometime during Ramadan, you (and your husband) could come up to the Twin Cities, and get together with Sharifah and I (and my husband). I'm sure Sharifah knows of some places that have activities, and the masjid near my house usually has iftar on the weekends and taraweeh every night. And during the week, if you go to masjid al huda and hang around after maghrib, people give out coupons for free iftar at a local ME buffet. Last year, they also started accepting the coupons at the local afghan restaurant, and OMGosh, pizza to die for *faints* AbuS and I plan on going to masjid al huda every night during the week this year whistling.gif

I can't offer a place to stay unfortunately (only a one bedroom apartment and a very demanding cat who would never let anyone sleep out on the couch), but we could do something fun and ramadan-y.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-24 10:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Rajab Mubarak!

From Crescent Watch:



The new moon for the month of Rajab was sighted on the evening of Tuesday, June 23, by reliable witnesses in Texas, Florida, and in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, as well is in other locations across the North American mainland. As such, Wednesday, June 24 is the first day of Rajab.
May Allah usher in the new month with security (amn) and faith (iman) and peace (salamah) and submission to Allah (islam).Last Updated: June 23, 2009 23:31 PST
Posted: June 23, 2009 23:30 PST


From IslamCrunch:

This is an excerpt from the book Kanz Al-Najah wa As-Suroor (”The Treasures of Success and Happiness”), a book highlighting the special qualities of each month. As the blessed and holy month of Rajab approaches (please check your local sightings or mosques to know when the month of Rajab begins in your area (Check CrescentWatch), hopefully this information will be of use in allowing us all to appreciate it and benefit from it:

So, my dear friend, put forth a great effort in the month of Rajab, may Allah have mercy on you. It is the season of great profits, so take advantage of your time! Whoever is spiritually sick due to their sins - know that the medicine has come.

* Know that Rajab is a virtuous month in which worship is gloriously rewarded - especially fasting and seeking repentance (istighfar).

* Also, making du’a during the eve of the first of Rajab is highly recommended. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, “There are five nights in which du’a (supplication) is not rejected: the eve of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha’aban, the eve of Friday, on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, and on the eve of Eid Al-Adha.” [Al-Suyuti in his Al-Jami'].

* On the 27th night of Rajab, the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, was taken on the Isra wa Mi’raj (The Night Journey and Ascension to the Heavens). This was a great and glorious night, as is known to most Muslims, in which the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, met his Lord and was given the commandment to perform the 5 daily prayers.

* Rajab is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran (the four months are : Rajab, Dhul Qi’da, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram):

{The number of months is twelve according to God, in the decree of God, on the day God created the heavens and the earth; and four of them are sacred} (9:36)

* Rajab is Allah’s month in which He pours His Mercy upon the penitent and He accepts the actions that people have done for His sake. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, “Rajab is the month of Allah, and Sha’aban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” (Imam Al-Suyuti in Al-Jami).

* Scholars say: Rajab is the month of repentance (istighfar), and Sha’aban is the month of sending peace and mercy (salawat/durood shareef) upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of Qur’an.

* One highly recommended act to do is say 70 times after the Fajr and ‘Isha prayers every morning and night of Rajab:

Transliteration: “Allahuma ighfir li wa Arhamni wa tub ‘alayya.”
Translation: Oh Allah forgive me, have mercy upon me, and grant me repentance.

* Sayyidna ‘Ali, may Allah be well pleased with him, used to allocate extra amounts of time for worship on four nights - the first night of Rajab, the nights before the two Eids, and the 15th night of Sha’aban.

* It is also highly recommended to say the following Prophetic prayer (known as Sayyid Al-Istighfar or the Master of Repentance) 3 times every morning and every evening in Rajab:

Transliteration: Allahuma anta rabi la ilaha illa ant, khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduk, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’adika ma astata’at, ‘authu bika min shar ma san’at, abu’u laka bi ni’matika ‘allaya wa abu’u bi dhanbi, faqhfir li fa’innahu la yaghfir al-dhunub ila anta.

Translation: O Allah, you are my Lord, and there is no god but you. You created me and I am your servant, and I am upon the convenant to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in you from the evil I have brought upon myself. I admit all the blessings you have given me and I admit my sins, so forgive me, for no one can forgive sins save You.

And success is from Allah

Posted via email from IslamCrunch

Our gratitude to Sidi Amjad Tarsin for compiling this post and all the other posts about the Islamic months.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-24 08:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Let me know what books you get smile.gif

All the arabic in the Qur'an is basically the same. There are 7 different ways of reading the Qur'an (called qiraat), which in turn render slightly different vowel markings on a few words, because of different pronunciations. Most english translations are based on the hafs reading. The 5th one from the top, the Noble Qur'an, is based on the warsh reading. That's the only english translation that I'm aware of that uses a reading other than hafs.

The english translations are all different. One of the reasons why it's so emphasized to learn arabic is that it's so difficult to capture the full meaning of the arabic when trying to render it into english. If I has several different translations, as well as commentary in front of me when I'm studying, I can see different aspects of a word highlighted differently by different translaters. That helps me to get a fuller sense of what the word actually means.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-23 07:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Anyone is welcome to participate, so long as they keep with the spirit of the thread - that is, they don't come here to bash Islam star_smile.gif

I can't remember which of these I may have told you about before, so I'll just write everything down again laughing.gif

Finding someone to talk to:
Islamicfinder - stick your zipcode in, and inshaAllah find a masjid in your area, if there is one.
WhyIslam Visit a masjid - a volunteer service that will do their best to set you up with someone in your area to visist a masjid. They may not have anyone in your area, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. They also have a help line that you can call and ask your 1000 questions smile.gif

To read:
Submission Faith & Beauty - my favorite introduction to Islam. Very easy to read, covers all the basics
Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance - a translation and commentary on a classical text that seeks to bring change into our practice and lives.

to Listen to:
Foundations of the Deen - a truly excellent CD series that cover the basics - islam, iman and ihsan.

to watch:
Dear New Muslim - a concise video offering advice to a new convert

online learning:
Sunnipath - excellent courses on the basics, as well as more indepth studies for later on
WhyIslam's Islam 101 - free youtube courses on the basics.

There are more on my converts resource page.



As for the Qur'an, well, my theory is that you can never have too many qurans laughing.gif I don't think there are a lot of english translations of the Qur'an available in english, so it wouldn't hurt to purchase one or 2 (or 10 or 12) here in the states as well. I have a beautiful arabic only quran that I received from AbuS as a wedding present from Egypt, but it doesn't do me much good to actually know what the Qur'an says, as my arabic is substandard.



I've managed to acquire another 2 or 3 since I took this picture a month ago whistling.gif

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-22 15:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
A dua to make during Rajab and Shaban from the blessed Prophet (saws), found in the hadith collections of at-Tabarani and Ahmed:

Allahumma baariklanaa fee rajabi wa sha'ban wa ballignaa shara ramadan

O Allah! Bless us in the holy months of Rajab and Sha'ban and make us reach the holy month of Ramadan!

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-22 12:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Tomorrow or Wednesday is most likely the first day of Rajab. Do you know what that means? That means next month is Shaban, and after that it's Ramadan! Only 2 months left to prepare!

Last year, I found some articles on the month of Rajab. Rajab is traditionally a month of increased fasting. According to the Messenger (saws) of Allah (swt), Rajab is the month of Allah (swt). And, it is most likely the month in which our beloved Prophet (saws) was taken up to the heavens and given the order of the 5 salat from Allah (swt) Himself.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-22 07:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-19 16:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Do we have any ramadan newbies in the house? It's coming up quick, only 2 months left to prepare. Ramadan vets, share your experiences and tips!

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint (2:183)

The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks. (2:185)


Ramadan - why should you fast?
9 reasons to plan for Ramadan
General Fiqh of Fasting
Inner Dimensions of Fasting



So here's my advice - START EARLY! Like RIGHT NOW! If you've never fasted before...heck, even if you've fasted before, jumping head first into Ramadan without preparation is a recipe for disaster.

1. Start fasting now. Yes, the days are long. Really really long. But if you can fast in the midst of summer, you can fast Ramadan. Mondays and Thursdays are days the Prophet (saws) fasted. The "white days" of the islamic month, ie the 13th-15th, are also days the Prophet (saws) fasted. These are the 13th through 15th of the islamic months, not the gregorian calendar

2. Start slow. If fasting gives you troubles, build up. Start by fasting until noon. Then 12:30, then 1, etc etc etc. It's better to work out all the kinks now, so you don't fall flat on your face in Ramadan.

3. Get your prayers in order! If you start to pray regularly now, then you'll be able to add more worship during Ramadan. Prayers are the foundation of the deen - if you haven't invested in a firm foundation, everything else you try to build will be shakey.

4. Start reading Qur'an every day. It is traditional to read 1/30th of the Qur'an each day in Ramadan. But if you're not used to reading the Qur'an outside of Ramadan, this task can seem waaay too hard. Start now, even if for 2 or 3 minutes.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-19 08:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (amysaid @ Jun 18 2009, 03:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Jun 18 2009, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What masjids couldn't you go in? I remember all the major ones - Al Azhar, Hussein, Amr ibn al As, Sayyida Zaynab, Sayyida Nafisa - all had women's sections.


I can't remember what it was called, I could ask my husband the next time I talk to him. We were walking by it one time and it was time to pray, I asked him if he wanted to go in and pray, and he said no because women weren't allowed inside. The other time was at the Muhammed Ali mosque in the Citadel, where people aren't really supposed to be praying anyway, but there was a group of men doing salat and I jokingly said something about going over behind them and doing it to, and Ahmed told me that that was soooo not okay to do, that I have to be in a separate room, etc. I don't really accept that.


Yeah, I totally wanted to take a picture of me like this at Muhammad Ali, but alas, too many people milling around. It's sad that a masjid can no longer be used for prayer mad.gif


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-19 07:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
What masjids couldn't you go in? I remember all the major ones - Al Azhar, Hussein, Amr ibn al As, Sayyida Zaynab, Sayyida Nafisa - all had women's sections.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 15:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
I've been waiting to get my hands on Agenda to Change our Condition for years, and it's finally back in print! For those looking for a practical program of improving their practice, increasing their taqwa and Love of Allah (swt), and incorporating islam into their lives, this is a great place to start.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 13:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
inshaAllah going to show AbuS the abaya choices this evening, after I teach him how to make peanut butter cookies. Ooo, so excited.




re: the documentary, it's not scheduled for our PBS stations yet, but I do remember when all of this was happening in real time several years ago. On one hand, I'm very sympathetic to the struggle to bring women into the masjid. On the other, I don't think she's going about it the right way. How she wants to deal with her own community masjid in morgantown is one thing, but to go around to other masjids and do her thing just pisses more people off then it helps.

Before Asra did her thing, I spearheaded our own mini revolution at the masjid I attended in college. The women's space, while not particularly dumpy, did not have a decent sound system so we could hear the khutbah. As such, we took over the balcony, which had previously been used as men's overflow. The male overflow got shoved to the basement whistling.gif For non jummah prayers, women moved into the back of the main section. It was all done without pissing off the majority of the community, alerting the newspaper and/or writing a book.

Here in the twin cities, I'm blessed to have a large number of masjids to choose from. The masjid near my house is an old converted church. Men and women enter through the front door, then women go to the left and men go to the right. The women sit at the back and left of the hall, while the men sit at the right. At eid, there are so many people, the women have the entire left side and the men have the right.

At my jummah masjid, men and women enter through the same door, and then women go into the prayer hall through the back entrance and men enter up front. The women spread out in the back and men usually are cramped together at the front. The khatib frequently askes the men to move forward to make room, but the women are free to take up as much space as they want whistling.gif

And, the masjid I attend on the weekends is a converted storefront that is generally over all crappy. When we had just half the building, women entered through the back and had a cramped little room. But now that we've bought the entire thing, men have half the building and women have the other half. Both genders have seperate front entrances. The accomidations aren't very nice, but then they're equally not nice for both genders. They do mashaAllah have an excellent sound system and flat screen television, so the women can see everything that goes on at the minbar.



At the time of the Prophet (saws), men prayed at the front, children in the middle and women at the back. The barrier was introduced at a later time, although I haven't found anyone who's written about when and why with any evidence. People suppose that it had to do with a lessening of modesty amongst the mosque goers, as compared to the time of the Prophet (saws).

One thing I do find humerous is that many of the people who shout bida bida bida about everything are the first in line to support the bida of dividing the masjid whistling.gif

Another documentary on the issue is Me & the Mosque.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-17 09:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
All righty, I've almost got AbuS 100% committed to buying me some new abayas. So, I'm plotting and planning what to get. Here's the ones I like. My apologies for the size, but if you click on them, you can get them fullsized and see all the details better.

They're from Eastessence and quite cheap in the world of online abaya purchasing. I'm a bit worried about the quality, as they're so cheap, but an acquaintence recently ordered and was quite pleased with her purchases.


















UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-16 13:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (humpkinpumpkin @ Jun 14 2009, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks.

You know this leads me to another issue...................how many of your husbands even know what madhab they follow or know of the actual existance of the other madhabs? How many know of the existance of sufism?


AbuS had the good fortune to have a knowledgable imam at his neighborhood masjid, who encouraged him to pursue religious studies. Prior to that, his religious education wasn't much - just the pitiful excuse for RE in school, where, according to AbuS, it was a bit of Qur'an recitation and the students mocking the teacher mercilessly.

Unfortunately for me, what the imam encouraged him to study was ibn Hazm, who while knowledgable, it very harsh in his writing and totally not upon the traditional approach to islam that I'm on.

Al Azhar began it's steep decline during the presidency of Abdul Nasser, although traditional religious education had been in decline for decades prior, and with it, the knowledge of the general population in terms of traditional religious knowledge. To be an azhari used to be a sign of great knowledge and importance. Now I've heard that azharis take off their distinctive hats when they travel to certain parts of Cairo so they're not mocked.

People started to look elsewhere for religious guidance, and that elsewhere came from petro dollars, which in general aren't too keen on the traditional madhab based system and is even less keen on sufism.

AbuS is also quite familiar sufism as practiced in egypt, as one of his great uncles was a sheikh in the shadhili tariq. Unfortunately, this left a bad taste in his mouth because there is a lot of folk traditions mixed in with the religious practice, so there is often mixed dancing at sufi gatherings, and suplicating to the dead sheikhs and saints at their tombs. Trying to convince him that all sufis are in fact not goofy is a many year project I'm undertaking, lol.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-15 14:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (humpkinpumpkin @ Jun 13 2009, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
"Dogs are considered impure. Any container that a dog licks must be washed seven times, the first time with pure soil. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Purifying a container that a dog licks is done by washing it seven times, the first time with pure soil (that is, water mixed with earth until it becomes muddy)." (Reported by Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Al-Bayhaqi). If a dog licks a pot that has dry food in it, what it touches and what surrounds it must be thrown away. The remainder may be kept, as it is still pure. As for a dog's fur, it is considered pure."


http://www.islamonli...d=1119503544896


Now, my husband is stricter than me in many areas and apparently this is one of them but seriously how reliable is this hadith? I googled Abu Hurayrah and apparently there are some who are of the opinion that he has fabricated many hadiths. I don't think that's gonna fly with my husband though so can anyone disprove this somehow while still remaining in the hanafi madhab?

There are many rules that I just don't get and the strong hadiths I just go by without questioning normally since my human brain can't even fathom the wisdom of God so who am I to say I won't do this or that because it makes sense, but this one is really bugging me.


The hadith is saheeh. Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrated a lot of ahadith. If he were proven to be unreliable (and he hasn't yet, although I believe Fatima Mernissi makes an argument in her book The Veil and the Male Elite), it would shake up a lot of things.

According to this hanafi opinion, one doesn't need to wash the clothes in dirt - http://qa.sunnipath....=...1385&CATE=3 - only that they need to wash with water 3 times the area where saliva may have touched.

If you wanted to humor your husband, then rub a little dust where the dog's saliva touched.



I'm actually reading a book you might enjoy/find informative - The Difference of the Imams. In reading this, I realize how little I know compared to the muhhadith and mujtahid imams, and that there is so much more to the hadith then just the simple statement and isnad.

What I would love is to find is a book that covers major rulings in all 4 madhabs and explains how/why the mujtahid imams reached their conclusions. I think some of the scholars of al andalus wrote books like that, but I don't know if they've been translated.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-15 14:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Ha, I'm about as radical as they come here, with hot pink hijab and a whisp of blue hair that won't stay put sticking out randomly.

How bout I send you some somali food and you send me some vegans?

Edited by UmmSqueakster, 12 June 2009 - 03:23 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-12 15:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Huh, I did not know that. I'd like to meet those muslim vegans. Being a meat minimalist, vegetarian or vegan by choice as opposed to necessity is quite rare in the muslim community and I could use some commradery star_smile.gif

Edited by UmmSqueakster, 12 June 2009 - 09:01 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-12 08:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
So as to not hijack the tattoo thread, here are some pieces. There is not really a difference of opinion on tattoos, but there is on some body piercing.

Shafi'i
Removing tattoos after converting to Islam - shafi'i
Tattoos and removing - hanafi
Tattoos - general


Body piercing - general
Body piercing - hanafi
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-11 12:26:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
That sounds like a very interesting book doods.

I happened upon The Book Foundation's "The Book of Hadith" at a few Barnes and Noble. I can't say I'm 100% with what the introduction says, but it is a nice collection of ahadith for one to browse on a wide variety of issues.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-09 10:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
About 2 and a half months until Ramadan kicking.gif The sahaba would spend the 5 months following Ramadan asking Allah (swt) to accept deeds from the previous Ramadan and the next 6 preparing for the forthcoming Ramadan. If you haven't started yet, time to get moving!

One thing to do - learn the 99 names of Allah (swt)

The most beautiful names belong to God, so call on Him thereby. (7:180)

I've found a good way to memorize them is to listen to a nasheed of all 99 names. There are quite a few on youtube that have visual names along with the song, so you can read, listen, sing along and memorize smile.gif

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-04 15:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Turia, I'll see about finding some more stuff and sending it your way inshaAllah. Is there anything in particular you're interested in? Maybe AbuS could talk some sense into him about letting you explore on your own?

While AbuS and I have very different ways of interpreting and practicing the deen, he's been fairly accomidating, alhamdulilah. He still will say x, y and z is wrong, but as long as he sees me practicing, he's happy.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-01 14:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
On my list of "to listen to" is this ongoing tafsir session by Sh. Abdul Sattar (I believe). It looks like it's hardcore in depth, since it's like an hour for 2 or 3 ayat.

http://www.sacredlea...afsir/index.htm


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-01 13:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
I acquired a few more english translations of the Qur'an recently and have decided to dig in and explore them all. While it's not really a study thing, it may be of interest to people here:

http://rahma.hadithu...ies-inshaallah/

At present, I'm simply working on typing out the different translations + commentary from each of the 14 different translations I have on hand for the first verse of Fatiha. The Unal translation in particular has a massive amount of commentary, so it's taking me awhile.

Is there a particular study bible you had in mind that you'd like to model yours off of? I never had one. The most useful bible I had was from college, the Oxford Annoted NRSV, which is similar to a lot of the quran+commentary that are available out there today.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-01 13:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-19 07:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
good.gif

One does have to be careful that the sufism they're studying doesn't stray too far away from islam itself. Thankfully from what I've witnessed, universalist/a-islamic sufism tends to draw people closer to islam, introducing it to non muslims who may convert, rather than draw muslims away from it.

Some resources on tasawwuf/tazkiya/dhikr:

http://www.masud.co....nuh/sufitlk.htm - a lecture on sufism as a legitimate islamic science, and not a horrible bida

http://www.uga.edu/islam/Sufism.html - Dr. Godlas' sufism resource page. General articles on sufism, as well info about various orderse and famous sufis

http://www.crescentl...lity/sufism.htm - a variety of articles on sufism

http://www.tasawwuf.org/ - Sh. Zulfiqar, sheikh of the Naqshbandi Mujaddidi tariqa, a "sober" sufism, sticks very strictly to Qur'an and Sunnah, no loud dhikr, no hadra, no mawlid. The book Wisdom for the Seekers provides a glimpse into what it is to study tasawwuf and strive to meet Allah (swt).

http://sacredlearnin...neral_talks.htm - a million different short talks by Sh. Husain Abdul Sattar, a khilafa of Sh. Zulfiqar based in Chicago. Not very esoteric, which is great for me, because when things get too philosophical, I tend to glaze over and tune out.

http://www.suhaibweb...otesrecordings/ - Imam Suhaib Webb's online class on the text "Messege for the Seekers/Treatise for the Seeker's of Guidance." Probably the most accessible approach to tasawwuf I've ever encountered.

http://islamicbookst...com/b10002.html- Imam Zaid Shakir's translation of Treatise of the Seekers of Guidance, which is the same text Imam Suhaib is teaching. Can't say enough good things about this book. It translates a small chunk of the text, then Imam Zaid comments and makes it relevant to our lives today

http://islamicbookstore.com/b8118.html - Purification of the Heart, one of my all time favorite books. A utilitarian approach to tasawwuf/tazkiyah (purification). A translation and commentary on various diseases of the heart (hatred, vanity, fraud, anger) and how to erradicate them.

http://islamicbookstore.com/b3330.html - probably my other all time favorite book. Looks at the inner dimensions of our required pillars of worship - salat, zakat, fasting and hajj.

http://islamicbookstore.com/b8226.html - approaches sufism purely as good character. A quote from the book that I like:

QUOTE
In short, Sufism gives life to both the outward and inward. As for the outward, it does so through good deeds. As for the inward, it does so through the remembrance of Allah, leaving reliance on other than Him, adorning oneself with praiseworthy traits [akhlaq] and purifying oneself of the taint of base traits. This was possible for the early Muslims [salaf] merely through keeping good company, just as knowledge of the Book of Allah and the Prophetic Sunna was gained in this way without the need for books and the sciences recorded in them. Then, when the situation changed, it became necessary to record the sciences, to compile and transmit them, and to build centers of learning to teach these recorded sciences. Likewise, when the Sufis saw the change in people’s condition, they introduced spiritual exercises and retreats to dvelop the outward and inward, and they built Sufi hostels [zawiyas] and centers. It is clear that these are all mere means, as [the recording and systemization of] the Islamic sciences, and the goals [of Sufism] are firmly established by the texts of the Book of Allah, the Sunna, and the sayings of the Companions and the Followers [tabi’in].




UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-18 15:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Submission dot org is run by a group affiliated with the late Rashad Khilafa. They're Qur'an only-ists, ie they completely reject the sunnah and claim to interpret the Qur'an soley based on the text. Of course, everyone approaches the text with their own biases and they're not imune to that. Khilafa declared himself a messenger, which is totally not kosher, er halal from the orthodox muslim view, as the Prophet Muhammad (saws) is considered final messenger.





Doods, I believe you will find the Qur'an and poetry that ArtHafez used here - http://www.sufism.org/society/asma/
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-15 07:52:00