Salam!
Bismillah
Hey sisters, I'm so sorry that I have been neglecting this blog so badly...
I don't want to close it, but my life has taken a lot of changes and I'm not sure exactly where this blog fits in anymore. Unfortunately that has led to me slacking off here.
Are there still people coming and reading? Is there anyone interested in new content? What kind of stuff are you interested in hearing about?
I started this blog talking a lot about comparative religion and my experiences in Arkansas as a new minority. For the last semester I've been out of the state, and really out of touch with the world lol.
Anyway, thanks for your input sisters, Jazakum Allah Khair!!!
Showing posts with label Questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Questions. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
New Design
Salam 3laikum!
How do you all like the new design?
I was hoping that the wider 3 column design would be a little more user friendly and you wouldn't have to scroll down for miles to see the bottom of the page :-P
Can you read all the fonts with the current sizes and colors? Can you find all the stuff on the page that you want?
Anyway, let me know what you think inshaAllah
<3 NeverEver
Saturday, July 9, 2011
I'm alive Alhamdulillah
Salam 3laikum!
I'm still alive alhamdulillah. For a long time I couldn't think of anything to write... so I didn't write anything.
I still can't really think of anything to write, but I know how frustrating it is to find a blog, read a few posts then wait forever for another post that never comes and I definitely don't want to be that kind of blogger.
So thanks you all for your patience with me and I am going to try to do better inshaAllah!!
What do you guys want to hear about?
~Non-Muslim Family interactions
~Something funny
~Something serious
~Something about Islam
~Something about football/soccer :-P
~Other
Monday, December 6, 2010
Homosexuality
Salam!
Bismillah
So a sister posted an article about homosexuality in Islam HERE. She asked us to tell her what we thought about it.
I started to compile my thoughts and it started to get pretty loonnnggg lol. So I thought I would write a post here and share the link inshaAllah.
So, in my opinion this issue breaks down into two separate ideas:
I. How I would treat gay people as a believing Muslim
II. What Islam and the Qur'an actually say about homosexuality
I. How would I treat gay people
Simply: with tolerance. Would I condemn someone who is struggling not to sin, maybe winning sometimes and losing others? Absolutely not. I have been and am in the position where I struggle daily with a certain sin(s). Would I condemn a brother who drinks but is trying desperately to stop for the sake of Allah? No. This is jihad and is something commendable!
Allah gives tests to EVERYONE. Whether you see them as good or bad, easy or hard: It makes no difference. Allah knows better than we do. He clearly told us what to do in the Qur'an subhanAllah.
However, if I see someone who tries to warp the teachings of the Qur'an to suit their viewpoint, I will not support this. It is wrong to say that something that is haraam is halal in any way, even makruh (disliked). If it is forbidden, then it is forbidden. It is our job as brothers and sisters in Islam to give gentle naseeha (advice) to help correct this, but we should not do it in a way to make others turn from Islam.
So to me, I see two categories of gay people:
a. those who realize that these actions are a sin and struggle in the way of Allah to control these actions
b. those who try to say that being homosexual is not a sin, just another way to love. This is shaytan wispering you guys. He's waswas-ing all over the place! The Qur'an is clear on this, there is no ambiguity! (as I will show in the next part) To say it is not that bad when Allah says it is crossing the line is WRONG!
II. What the Qur'an says about homosexuality:
I believe that if we are going to talk about Islam and homosexuality we should throw out some daleel (evidence). Saying things like "I don't think Allah would do this" or "I don't think it is fair for Allah to do this" is not daleel. Allah and HIS WISDOM is above what we "feel" or "think" because we do not have the knowledge. HE does, subhanAllah Alhamdulillah.
26:165-166, 168-169
"Must you, unlike other people, lust after males and abandon the wives that God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds... So he (Lot) said, 'I loathe what you do: Lord, save me and my family from what they are doing."
In this passage, lust for men and abandoning women as mates are the only charges brought against Lot's people, and these alone are enough to cross Allah's line. Allah created man and woman for each other and He knows best why.
11:78
"His (Lot's) people came rushing towards him, the used to commit foul deeds. He said, 'My people, here are my daughters. They are more wholesome for you, so have some fear of God and do not disgrace me with my guests. Is there not a single right-minded man among you?'
When the men of the town came to take the messengers, Lot offered them his daughters (or the daughters of his people). IF rape was the main objectionable crime (as some claim), he would not offer his daughters to such a fate! Would your father offer you up to be raped? Then how can you claim that Lot, a prophet of Allah 3layhi salam, would do that?!? Rather, he was asking the men of his town to turn away from other MEN and instead have conjugal relations with the WOMEN of the tribe, which is more wholesome.
Again, for those that claim that RAPE was the issue with Lot's people and not homosexuality, note that there was not ONE SINGLE right minded man in the town. This was not an issue of rape, but rather an issue of ALL of the men lusting after each other. As they say, "you can't rape the willing."
27:55
"How can you lust after men instead of women? What fools you are!"
Here the objection is not over "lust" vs "love" as some claim, but lusting for MEN vs. lusting for WOMEN. This is a contrast between what is crossing the line and what is acceptable.
4:16-18
"If two men commit a lewd act, punish them both; but if they repent and mend their ways, leave them alone-God is always ready to accept repentance, He is full of mercy. But God only undertakes to accept the repentance from those who do evil out of ignorance and soon afterwards repent: these are the ones God will forgive, He is all knowing, all wise. It is not true repentance when people continue to do evil until death confronts them and then says, 'Now I repent'..."
I don't think it is coincidence that these verses appear together, and this is the verse that gave me the idea of the two kinds of homosexuals. One is the repentant person who realizes it is wrong and struggles to control themselves. The other is the repeat offender who is not actually repentant.
Allah says punish those that don't repent and repentance means
a. realizing that what you did is wrong
b. asking Allah for sincere forgiveness
c. not repeating the action
Those that try to say that homosexuality is not really "that" haraam are not fulfilling the requirements of repentance.
If you are living in sin and indulging in the same sin repeatedly, then you are, as defined by the Qur'an, not truly repentant.
Now that said: am I the judge of these people? Nope. This is just my personal view on the Qur'an from my own personal study. I am not a scholar and this is not a reproduction of someone else's research, and Allah knows better. However, I do not believe there is any ambiguity. Allah forgives and punishes where he will, so "wait if you wish, I too am waiting (52:31)" and Allah will be the best of judges.
Bismillah
So a sister posted an article about homosexuality in Islam HERE. She asked us to tell her what we thought about it.
I started to compile my thoughts and it started to get pretty loonnnggg lol. So I thought I would write a post here and share the link inshaAllah.
So, in my opinion this issue breaks down into two separate ideas:
I. How I would treat gay people as a believing Muslim
II. What Islam and the Qur'an actually say about homosexuality
I. How would I treat gay people
Simply: with tolerance. Would I condemn someone who is struggling not to sin, maybe winning sometimes and losing others? Absolutely not. I have been and am in the position where I struggle daily with a certain sin(s). Would I condemn a brother who drinks but is trying desperately to stop for the sake of Allah? No. This is jihad and is something commendable!
Allah gives tests to EVERYONE. Whether you see them as good or bad, easy or hard: It makes no difference. Allah knows better than we do. He clearly told us what to do in the Qur'an subhanAllah.
However, if I see someone who tries to warp the teachings of the Qur'an to suit their viewpoint, I will not support this. It is wrong to say that something that is haraam is halal in any way, even makruh (disliked). If it is forbidden, then it is forbidden. It is our job as brothers and sisters in Islam to give gentle naseeha (advice) to help correct this, but we should not do it in a way to make others turn from Islam.
So to me, I see two categories of gay people:
a. those who realize that these actions are a sin and struggle in the way of Allah to control these actions
b. those who try to say that being homosexual is not a sin, just another way to love. This is shaytan wispering you guys. He's waswas-ing all over the place! The Qur'an is clear on this, there is no ambiguity! (as I will show in the next part) To say it is not that bad when Allah says it is crossing the line is WRONG!
II. What the Qur'an says about homosexuality:
I believe that if we are going to talk about Islam and homosexuality we should throw out some daleel (evidence). Saying things like "I don't think Allah would do this" or "I don't think it is fair for Allah to do this" is not daleel. Allah and HIS WISDOM is above what we "feel" or "think" because we do not have the knowledge. HE does, subhanAllah Alhamdulillah.
26:165-166, 168-169
"Must you, unlike other people, lust after males and abandon the wives that God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds... So he (Lot) said, 'I loathe what you do: Lord, save me and my family from what they are doing."
In this passage, lust for men and abandoning women as mates are the only charges brought against Lot's people, and these alone are enough to cross Allah's line. Allah created man and woman for each other and He knows best why.
11:78
"His (Lot's) people came rushing towards him, the used to commit foul deeds. He said, 'My people, here are my daughters. They are more wholesome for you, so have some fear of God and do not disgrace me with my guests. Is there not a single right-minded man among you?'
When the men of the town came to take the messengers, Lot offered them his daughters (or the daughters of his people). IF rape was the main objectionable crime (as some claim), he would not offer his daughters to such a fate! Would your father offer you up to be raped? Then how can you claim that Lot, a prophet of Allah 3layhi salam, would do that?!? Rather, he was asking the men of his town to turn away from other MEN and instead have conjugal relations with the WOMEN of the tribe, which is more wholesome.
Again, for those that claim that RAPE was the issue with Lot's people and not homosexuality, note that there was not ONE SINGLE right minded man in the town. This was not an issue of rape, but rather an issue of ALL of the men lusting after each other. As they say, "you can't rape the willing."
27:55
"How can you lust after men instead of women? What fools you are!"
Here the objection is not over "lust" vs "love" as some claim, but lusting for MEN vs. lusting for WOMEN. This is a contrast between what is crossing the line and what is acceptable.
4:16-18
"If two men commit a lewd act, punish them both; but if they repent and mend their ways, leave them alone-God is always ready to accept repentance, He is full of mercy. But God only undertakes to accept the repentance from those who do evil out of ignorance and soon afterwards repent: these are the ones God will forgive, He is all knowing, all wise. It is not true repentance when people continue to do evil until death confronts them and then says, 'Now I repent'..."
I don't think it is coincidence that these verses appear together, and this is the verse that gave me the idea of the two kinds of homosexuals. One is the repentant person who realizes it is wrong and struggles to control themselves. The other is the repeat offender who is not actually repentant.
Allah says punish those that don't repent and repentance means
a. realizing that what you did is wrong
b. asking Allah for sincere forgiveness
c. not repeating the action
Those that try to say that homosexuality is not really "that" haraam are not fulfilling the requirements of repentance.
If you are living in sin and indulging in the same sin repeatedly, then you are, as defined by the Qur'an, not truly repentant.
Now that said: am I the judge of these people? Nope. This is just my personal view on the Qur'an from my own personal study. I am not a scholar and this is not a reproduction of someone else's research, and Allah knows better. However, I do not believe there is any ambiguity. Allah forgives and punishes where he will, so "wait if you wish, I too am waiting (52:31)" and Allah will be the best of judges.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Niqab Ban: A Rant
Salam sisters,
I think that this is my first rant. It may not make sense and I may take it down later, but I need to get some of these feelings out.
I apologize ahead of time if I hurt anyones feelings. If I do so please let me know because that is not my intention.
Rated PG-13 for liberal use of the word "crap" lol
START RANT:
I am starting to get really PO'd with all of this niqab banning crap. If you want to cite security reasons, okay whatever, but in France security isn't their issue. (And for the record, I firmly believe that the "security" issues are ultimately red herrings thrown out there to divert the population away from the actual issues at hand: the stripping of a population of their rights due to their religion.) The issue in France is that niqab just isn't "secular enough" for the right wing good ol' boys. So their response? Take away people's rights to make little men in suits feel better about their "secularity."
Why would you want a woman walking around who reminds you of the fact that God and doing good things for people along with yourself isn't a priority in your life, right? We wouldn't want you to feel guilty or uncomfortable with your life choices...
And seriously they are going to fine a dude thousands of euro for "forcing" a woman to wear niqab. #1) how often does that really happen in France??? #2) How are you going to enforce that??? "oh your wife wears niqab so you obviously must force her. Here is your fine and one year jail time." Ridiculous.
Who is going to patrol the French Alps to make sure that every teenager in a ski mask is fined and ever father who puts a ski mask on his child goes to prison for a year with a heavy fine?
Who is going to patrol the countryside churches to arrest that bride in her veil and her father who lovingly covered her face with it before she walked down the isle?
Who is going to fine the doctors in their hygienic masks or the send the hospital administration to jail for requiring its use?
Who is going to fine the fumigators and painters for covering their faces?
If Joe Schmo can wear his lovely swastika on his sweater sleeve because it makes him feel powerful then I should darn well be able to cover my face for the Creator of the Worlds!!!!!!
All of this crap is directly related to the minaret banning crap. What is your reason for banning minarets??? Is that security too? Or secularity? Or just plain Islamophobia???????
And REALLY does Quebec have to do EVERYTHING that France does? I'm frankly appalled that this xenophobic crap has spilled over onto the same continent that I live on. I makes me physically ill.
On top of that they are denying people the right of public healthcare. They are denying CITIZENS the right of healthcare on the basis of RELIGION and freedom of EXPRESSION!!! And no one realizes how dangerous this is for human rights everywhere? Are we the only ones who seeeeeeee this madness?
I'm just really pissed and I have no idea what to do to fix the situation. Who do I write to? Who do I call? What do I need to say? Where do I need to say it? HOW do I help make this madness STOP?
And my favorite quote by Benjamin Franklin:
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Marriage
Salam!
Bismillah
I'm pretty sure that my parents are counting on my religious conversion as a "phase" of my life, maybe just a "fad" or something.
They treat it as temporary which means a lot of time they don't treat it with respect.
The other day my mom was asking me "How are you going to get married?" "Who are you going to marry?" etc.
I explained to her that inshaAllah Allah will provide from where he wants and I will be patient. I don't have a muslim family looking out for the right husband for me. If my dad and brother were to pick a husband for me, he would be an American Baptist dude.
I explained that I will marry a muslim man. InshaAllah one who fears Allah and will treat me with respect and eventually love will grow.
Mom doesn't understand why I can't go out and find my own husband. She thinks I should fall in love with a man I've dated and then get married, like everyone else.
But what happens if that passion fades? What values will we have in common? What will decide between us if we have an argument on how we should direct our lives?
In Islam, these questions are answered for us, alhamdulillah. My marriage inshaAllah will have passion, but it wont be the foundation. Islam will be our foundation.
How do I make them understand? Is it just a matter of time?
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Muslim Countries: Continued
Salam!
Bismillah
The other day I wrote a post called "Muslim Countries" and I received this response in the comments and thought it would be good to address it and have a discussion.
Please keep in mind that Islam encourages us to always argue in the best way (with RESPECT) so if I see anything other than that I will go ahead and delete the comment. I didn't bring this up for a firing squad and I would really like each of you to put yourself in the situation of someone who knows nothing about (or little/ media interpretation of) Islam. :-D
Pásik Kroch: look, if Egyptian, Moroccans etc do not want European/NA tourists to come to their countries, just tell it plainly and frankly.
there is plenty nice places in South Europe/Caribic where we can spend our money.and as for this niqab problem - main problem is the religous exception to obstacle to identification and state security.
not only in UK, but in many moslem countries were countless robberies in bank/jeweleries committed by burka/niquabed men.
so niquabi is putting over her supposed piety above the potential safety and lives of other people.
It seems childish to me.
but if someone is so self-centered.. there is no help against it.
My Response:
I think on this issue it is really all about which side you are looking from.
as for the egypt/morocco thing, I had no idea that they ask tourists to cover in those countries as tourism is a major market there. I actually don't think they ask people to do that there (but maybe one of the sisters from there can answer that question for us). I was speaking more along the lines of Saudi, which is not a tourist centered economy, where they do ask women to cover (in abaya). People tend to get upset at this, yet they want to impose similar (but anithetical) laws on other women.
As for state security and identification, it is not such a problem to have a woman officer or security guard on duty to identify women. In actuality, women who veil are creating jobs for UK/EU/NA women :-D
As for robberies, people will continue to cover their faces when they rob places regardless of whether innocent women are also covering their faces. If you have a high risk situation (like a jewelry store or a bank) have a female guard id covered women on their way in. They would generally have to be id'd before purchase or withdrawl/deposit anyway, so just move the process to to the door.
A religious person will put obeying their Creator/God/Master/Lord before everything. This is what it means to submit to God. You do the things you know are right whether or not people agree with you or make it easy for you.
I don't think that these women are self-centered. I think they are God centered. And I thank God for women like this because their modesty and piety is a breath of fresh air when surrounded by butt cheeks and boob jobs on every corner.
It is difficult to put yourself in someone elses shoes. I know because I do try to find a way to see the issue from the other perspective. I know that, in western culture, a covered face means shifty motives, but in actuality the world doesn't always work that way. And however many security issues people have brought up, I always see a potential solution without having to deny anyone their right to freedom of religion and pursuit of happiness.
Pasik: Please feel free to comment again, as I would love to continue the discussion :-) And thanks again!
Ladies: If you can think of any other specific issues that people have brought up about veiling and laws or rights of women, please feel free to post them to the comments so that we can all address them inshaAllah once and for all.
When we are all through I am convert this post (or compile a new one) to showcase all of our problems and solutions inshaAllah.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Muslim Countries
Salam!
Bismillah
I don't understand this logic...
When we want to cover in "Western" countries, we are told to "go to a Muslim country if you want to do that."
Yet when "Westerners" go to Muslim countries, they are highly insulted when someone asks them to cover up properly.
Can anyone explain this to me?
Monday, May 3, 2010
In the Car
Salam!
Bismillah
I talk to myself in the car. About everything.
I give myself pep talks...
I make dhikr...
I have arguments with people...
I define my beliefs...
I tell jokes...
I practice speeches...
I say things out loud that I would never say in front of another person...
I get everything off my chest.
When I am in salah and when I am in the car are the two times that I know completely who I am. When it is only me and Allah.
What do you do in the car?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Poll
Salam!
Bismillah
So this will sound pretty random, but I am super interested to see what you guys come up with :-D
I follow a particular football (soccer, futbol, korat al-qadam) team and I am interested to see if you all can guess which one it is
Choices:
- Manchester United
- Inter Milan
- Real Madrid
- Barcelona
- Bayern Munich
- Arsenal
- AC Milan
- Olympique Lyon
- FC Porto
Any guesses?!? :-D
Do you have a favorite sports team?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Keeping yourself in Check
السلام عليكم
بسم الله
I got this in an e-mail the other day and thought I would share :-D
Daily Checklist for Introspection Self-examination and Self-Rectification Did I sincerely complete my duties and responsibilities today? Did I behave arrogantly with anyone today? Did I backbite today?
Did I get jealous today? |
Friday, April 16, 2010
Paintings
Salam!
Was it worth it?
Bismillah
Did you know that the world's top 5 most expensive paintings were bought for a total of $712.2 million US?
How much food could that have bought? That is almost 1,800,000,000 lb (830,000,000 kilo) rice from the Sam's club down the street from my house. That is about 8,180,000,000 servings of rice.
Was it worth it?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Authenticity
As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh
Bismillah ar-rahman ar-raheem
I went to a lecture today about authenticity. Specifically it was about African American literature and how it is affected by the need to establish "authenticity" and "keep it real" while at the same time is no longer able to define African American culture with such strict limitations. It talked about authenticity as a mask that conceals as much as it reveals and how just because you are born into the African American community does not mean that you fit into the "New Black Aesthetic."
It was a great lecture and it got me thinking so much about Muslims and how we deal with a lot of the same "authenticity" issues. Who are the real authentic Muslims? We argue about this all the time. Sunni/Shi'ah, Arab/Non-Arab, Born/Convert, Fundamentalist/Liberal.
Also on a more personal level it made me think: What Am I? Am I an Authentic Anything? What makes a person authentic?
Am I an Authentic American? The government thinks so, but I don't think a lot of other Americans do. I have turned my back on most of the "main stream" American ideals. Does being BORN in America make me authentic American? Or does accepting all the precepts of American society make me authentic American?
Am I an Authentic Muslim? Alhamdulillah Allah thinks I am. But would every Muslim recognize me? Or to some will I always be just American? Someone who might revert to my "old life" at any moment?
I cannot be fully American because I don't fit here, but because I happened to be born here, I'm not sure if I can fit anywhere else.
What do I do?
Bismillah ar-rahman ar-raheem
I went to a lecture today about authenticity. Specifically it was about African American literature and how it is affected by the need to establish "authenticity" and "keep it real" while at the same time is no longer able to define African American culture with such strict limitations. It talked about authenticity as a mask that conceals as much as it reveals and how just because you are born into the African American community does not mean that you fit into the "New Black Aesthetic."
It was a great lecture and it got me thinking so much about Muslims and how we deal with a lot of the same "authenticity" issues. Who are the real authentic Muslims? We argue about this all the time. Sunni/Shi'ah, Arab/Non-Arab, Born/Convert, Fundamentalist/Liberal.
Also on a more personal level it made me think: What Am I? Am I an Authentic Anything? What makes a person authentic?
Am I an Authentic American? The government thinks so, but I don't think a lot of other Americans do. I have turned my back on most of the "main stream" American ideals. Does being BORN in America make me authentic American? Or does accepting all the precepts of American society make me authentic American?
Am I an Authentic Muslim? Alhamdulillah Allah thinks I am. But would every Muslim recognize me? Or to some will I always be just American? Someone who might revert to my "old life" at any moment?
I cannot be fully American because I don't fit here, but because I happened to be born here, I'm not sure if I can fit anywhere else.
What do I do?
Monday, April 5, 2010
"Cultural Problems"
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
بسم الله
What does it really mean when people cite "cultural" differences for reasons why two Muslims should not get married?
This phrase gets bandied about quite a bit. I have heard it in my community and online a lot and while it seems pretty unassuming on the face of it, I feel like there is a much deeper meaning.
These are the things I hear when people say cultural differences are the reason a convert from the west should not marry into another culture (since this of course is most applicable to my situation, lol)
1. "She is not our (insert ethnicity here)" > Like when I hear people say "Pakistanis are for Pakistanis, Arabs are for Arabs" etc. or things like "If you dilute the gene-pool, we will lose the physical characteristics that make us *this ethinicity*" (yes I have actually heard that) "Kids will make fun of your children because they look different"
2. "Oh she is from (insert western country here) so she would not be willing to live in our home country" > How totally unfair to make this judgment on every Muslim woman from the west... There are a lot of us who would TOTALLY like to get out of here. Do you think it is comfortable to be asked where you are from when you have lived in the same town your whole life?!?!?
3. "she is a convert, so she may not be able to teach your children everything they need to know" > This can happen in the case of a convert or a born Muslim woman. I know convert women who, mashaAllah, have raised incredibly knowledgeable children.
4. "She will make you choose between us and her." >Ridiculous. Us convert women just want to be part of a Muslim family. khalas, thats all!!!!
5. "We will lose our cultural heritage, your children wont be real (insert nationality here)" > Uh... nope again. Just because a child knows a part of another culture does not mean they will know nothing of their father's culture. Oh and P.S. Nationalism is a characteristic of the Time of Ignorance before Islam, so maybe we should cut that stuff real quick.
There are more but I feel like I am really just ranting now...
This topic really confuses and hurts me a lot, because my prospects for marriage one day are going to be slim to none if this "cultural" idea is in everyone's heads.
Honestly people, our culture is ISLAM. If we don't see eye to eye, ISLAM has a solution, subhanAllah. Are you afraid to let go of your cultural Islam? That us convert women will rebel against the stuff that others have tacked on to Allah's beautiful religion? Maybe all you need is some fresh blood. Allahu alem.
What do you guys think? About inter-racial/cultural couples, about "cultural problems" about anything?
I'm really interested to hear what you have to say :-)
Also if I went too far let me know. I am aware that there are historically problems in inter-cultural couples, but I think that with firm intention and attention to the sunnah, most of that can be worked out. Islam is comprehensive.
بسم الله
What does it really mean when people cite "cultural" differences for reasons why two Muslims should not get married?
This phrase gets bandied about quite a bit. I have heard it in my community and online a lot and while it seems pretty unassuming on the face of it, I feel like there is a much deeper meaning.
These are the things I hear when people say cultural differences are the reason a convert from the west should not marry into another culture (since this of course is most applicable to my situation, lol)
1. "She is not our (insert ethnicity here)" > Like when I hear people say "Pakistanis are for Pakistanis, Arabs are for Arabs" etc. or things like "If you dilute the gene-pool, we will lose the physical characteristics that make us *this ethinicity*" (yes I have actually heard that) "Kids will make fun of your children because they look different"
2. "Oh she is from (insert western country here) so she would not be willing to live in our home country" > How totally unfair to make this judgment on every Muslim woman from the west... There are a lot of us who would TOTALLY like to get out of here. Do you think it is comfortable to be asked where you are from when you have lived in the same town your whole life?!?!?
3. "she is a convert, so she may not be able to teach your children everything they need to know" > This can happen in the case of a convert or a born Muslim woman. I know convert women who, mashaAllah, have raised incredibly knowledgeable children.
4. "She will make you choose between us and her." >Ridiculous. Us convert women just want to be part of a Muslim family. khalas, thats all!!!!
5. "We will lose our cultural heritage, your children wont be real (insert nationality here)" > Uh... nope again. Just because a child knows a part of another culture does not mean they will know nothing of their father's culture. Oh and P.S. Nationalism is a characteristic of the Time of Ignorance before Islam, so maybe we should cut that stuff real quick.
There are more but I feel like I am really just ranting now...
This topic really confuses and hurts me a lot, because my prospects for marriage one day are going to be slim to none if this "cultural" idea is in everyone's heads.
Honestly people, our culture is ISLAM. If we don't see eye to eye, ISLAM has a solution, subhanAllah. Are you afraid to let go of your cultural Islam? That us convert women will rebel against the stuff that others have tacked on to Allah's beautiful religion? Maybe all you need is some fresh blood. Allahu alem.
What do you guys think? About inter-racial/cultural couples, about "cultural problems" about anything?
I'm really interested to hear what you have to say :-)
Also if I went too far let me know. I am aware that there are historically problems in inter-cultural couples, but I think that with firm intention and attention to the sunnah, most of that can be worked out. Islam is comprehensive.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Matthew 19:16-17
السلام عليكم
بسم الله
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
This brings up a lot of questions and thoughts for me.
1. If Jesus=God and God=Good then why would Jesus object to being called Good?
2. If the only way to get eternal life to to accept that Jesus=God, then why does Jesus say that to get eternal life we should keep the commandments?
3. If Jesus=God and this is what is most important, then why does he go out of his way NOT say that?
There is so much in the Bible that I do agree with (almost 100% of which are basic tenants of Islam) but there are these really glaring things that just keep me completely baffled.
Why base a religion on a central idea that is supposed to be supported by a text that contradicts that idea?
بسم الله
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
This brings up a lot of questions and thoughts for me.
1. If Jesus=God and God=Good then why would Jesus object to being called Good?
2. If the only way to get eternal life to to accept that Jesus=God, then why does Jesus say that to get eternal life we should keep the commandments?
3. If Jesus=God and this is what is most important, then why does he go out of his way NOT say that?
There is so much in the Bible that I do agree with (almost 100% of which are basic tenants of Islam) but there are these really glaring things that just keep me completely baffled.
Why base a religion on a central idea that is supposed to be supported by a text that contradicts that idea?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Questions from Banana Anne!
As-salamu alaikum
Bismillah Ar-rahman Ar-raheem
So one of my FAVORITE bloggers, Anne, just asked these questions at her blog This is Not Clever. MashaAllah isn't that a clever title? ;-)
Anyway, it sounded like fun and so I thought I would post here and ask you guys the same questions after I answer.
Favorite beverage and why?: It is a tie between Pepsi and this stuff called Klass Aguas Frescas in Mango flavored. We have a sizable Hispanic population where we live, so a lot of my favorite snacks reflect that. They have the best galletas!! :-)
Favorite place you've traveled to and why: I haven't really gotten to travel anywhere outside of the US :-( however, I have been to quite a few states and I must say that Vermont and Pennsylvania are just lovely during the summer.
Favorite cartoon strip: Mmmm.... I haven't really read the funnies in a long time. There was one that I use to like a lot, but I can't remember what the name is. InshaAllah if I find it I will let you know :-P
Favorite Surahs from the Qur'an (if you have any) and why: Sura Ar-Rahman is my all time favorite. If you go to the Qur'an app over ~~> there you can listen to Ahmed Al-Ajmy who is my favorite reciter for this sura, mashaAllah.
If you were forced to move to a Muslim majority country, where would you want to go?: I think i would move to Saudi. There are a lot of reasons: first, it would be lovely to be near the Masjid al-Haram and Masjid An-Nabi. Second, I don't like to drive HAHA. Third, the majority of the people in my community here are from Saudi and I really like and appreciate their values and culture and feel comfortable in that atmosphere.
Favorite type of meat (or if you're vegetarian, favorite non-meat dish) and why?: I like beef and lamb. The majority of the halal meat we can get here is chicken and lamb, so I eat a lot of that. :-)
Worst movie you've ever seen: I really prefer to block these things out of my mind, lol. I know that I have watched some pretty awful movies in my time, but thankfully they all escape my memory at this point.
Did you sleep with a stuffed animal/security blanket when you were a kid? What was it/what was its name? Do you still sleep with it now? No I never really had a specific animal or blanket that I slept with. Although my mother said that I was particularly attached to my toes. I would play with them and chew on them and hold them, lol.
Bismillah Ar-rahman Ar-raheem
So one of my FAVORITE bloggers, Anne, just asked these questions at her blog This is Not Clever. MashaAllah isn't that a clever title? ;-)
Anyway, it sounded like fun and so I thought I would post here and ask you guys the same questions after I answer.
Favorite beverage and why?: It is a tie between Pepsi and this stuff called Klass Aguas Frescas in Mango flavored. We have a sizable Hispanic population where we live, so a lot of my favorite snacks reflect that. They have the best galletas!! :-)
Favorite place you've traveled to and why: I haven't really gotten to travel anywhere outside of the US :-( however, I have been to quite a few states and I must say that Vermont and Pennsylvania are just lovely during the summer.
Favorite cartoon strip: Mmmm.... I haven't really read the funnies in a long time. There was one that I use to like a lot, but I can't remember what the name is. InshaAllah if I find it I will let you know :-P
Favorite Surahs from the Qur'an (if you have any) and why: Sura Ar-Rahman is my all time favorite. If you go to the Qur'an app over ~~> there you can listen to Ahmed Al-Ajmy who is my favorite reciter for this sura, mashaAllah.
If you were forced to move to a Muslim majority country, where would you want to go?: I think i would move to Saudi. There are a lot of reasons: first, it would be lovely to be near the Masjid al-Haram and Masjid An-Nabi. Second, I don't like to drive HAHA. Third, the majority of the people in my community here are from Saudi and I really like and appreciate their values and culture and feel comfortable in that atmosphere.
Favorite type of meat (or if you're vegetarian, favorite non-meat dish) and why?: I like beef and lamb. The majority of the halal meat we can get here is chicken and lamb, so I eat a lot of that. :-)
Worst movie you've ever seen: I really prefer to block these things out of my mind, lol. I know that I have watched some pretty awful movies in my time, but thankfully they all escape my memory at this point.
Did you sleep with a stuffed animal/security blanket when you were a kid? What was it/what was its name? Do you still sleep with it now? No I never really had a specific animal or blanket that I slept with. Although my mother said that I was particularly attached to my toes. I would play with them and chew on them and hold them, lol.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Classes
السلام عليكم
بسم الله
So now that we all know I am in school this semester, you may wonder what classes, eh?
For reference, I am a Physics major and I'm planning to get my Masters in Teaching inshaAllah. I want to teach Physics at a junior high/ high school age level.
Right now I am about 20 to 24 hours away from graduation, so I decided to take 15 hours this semester, and finish at a nice leisurely pace and graduate next December inshaAllah.
So this semester I am taking:
The History of Physics- This class is going to be ridiculous. It sounds easy, but the professor wants us to write two papers and do a presentation. The first paper is 12 pages and the second i s 24 pages... and a lot of the people in our class aren't even science majors and have no idea what concepts we are discussing. The upside of this is that we probably won't have any tests, alhamdulillah.
Arabic II- Our school has an intensive Arabic program, meaning we have class for 6 hours per week, split over five days. We also have homework every day. The class is difficult, but alhamdulillah my Arabic is getting much better.
Architecture Lecture- This class is just a basic introduction to the concepts of historical Architecture. The points come from attendance and tests, so inshaAllah it will help bring up my GPA.
Advanced Composition- This is a writing in the workplace kind of class. It isn't very interesting, but there are also no tests in this class, so InshaAllah if I do the work I will get a good grade.
To turn this into a bit of a *get to know you*, those of you who are in school, what major/level are you and what kinds of classes are you taking?
بسم الله
So now that we all know I am in school this semester, you may wonder what classes, eh?
For reference, I am a Physics major and I'm planning to get my Masters in Teaching inshaAllah. I want to teach Physics at a junior high/ high school age level.
Right now I am about 20 to 24 hours away from graduation, so I decided to take 15 hours this semester, and finish at a nice leisurely pace and graduate next December inshaAllah.
So this semester I am taking:
The History of Physics- This class is going to be ridiculous. It sounds easy, but the professor wants us to write two papers and do a presentation. The first paper is 12 pages and the second i s 24 pages... and a lot of the people in our class aren't even science majors and have no idea what concepts we are discussing. The upside of this is that we probably won't have any tests, alhamdulillah.
Arabic II- Our school has an intensive Arabic program, meaning we have class for 6 hours per week, split over five days. We also have homework every day. The class is difficult, but alhamdulillah my Arabic is getting much better.
Architecture Lecture- This class is just a basic introduction to the concepts of historical Architecture. The points come from attendance and tests, so inshaAllah it will help bring up my GPA.
Advanced Composition- This is a writing in the workplace kind of class. It isn't very interesting, but there are also no tests in this class, so InshaAllah if I do the work I will get a good grade.
To turn this into a bit of a *get to know you*, those of you who are in school, what major/level are you and what kinds of classes are you taking?
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Plans inshaAllah
Salam!
Bismillah
Hey girls, just wanted to let you guys in on my current plans.
InshaAllah I will be going to visit my mom's family during this break and I was wondering, do any of you know good stores in Dallas where I can buy some hijabs/ abayaat?? :-D
Thanks a million!
Also I am in the process of working on a big long post now that inshaAllah will be done soon. It has taken a lot of research and reading as I don't want to be completely wrong or shell out incorrect information as that is haraaaaammmm.
Bismillah
Hey girls, just wanted to let you guys in on my current plans.
InshaAllah I will be going to visit my mom's family during this break and I was wondering, do any of you know good stores in Dallas where I can buy some hijabs/ abayaat?? :-D
Thanks a million!
Also I am in the process of working on a big long post now that inshaAllah will be done soon. It has taken a lot of research and reading as I don't want to be completely wrong or shell out incorrect information as that is haraaaaammmm.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
An Idea
Salam!
Bismillah
This is sort of in response to the last post I guess.
The last few hours I've been seriously considering deferring my scholarship for next semester until the next fall.
PROS:
1. I will get a break next semester to do something BESIDES school.
2. I will have a light at the end of the tunnel to encourage me to finish out this semester.
CONS:
1. What if I decide to never go back to school?
2. What if I get out of practice and suck at school when I get back?
I'm really not sure what to think about it... it sounds good but maybe there are things I'm not taking into consideration.
What do you guys think?!?
P.S. If I don't go to school next semester I will probably find a job inshaAllah like substitute teaching, working in an office or something along those lines.
Bismillah
This is sort of in response to the last post I guess.
The last few hours I've been seriously considering deferring my scholarship for next semester until the next fall.
PROS:
1. I will get a break next semester to do something BESIDES school.
2. I will have a light at the end of the tunnel to encourage me to finish out this semester.
CONS:
1. What if I decide to never go back to school?
2. What if I get out of practice and suck at school when I get back?
I'm really not sure what to think about it... it sounds good but maybe there are things I'm not taking into consideration.
What do you guys think?!?
P.S. If I don't go to school next semester I will probably find a job inshaAllah like substitute teaching, working in an office or something along those lines.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Kohl vs. Eyeliner
VS.
Salam!
Bismillah
So I have heard around the grapevine that kohl is okay for women to wear because it is sunnah to do so.
I have some questions maybe you guys can answer for me. :-D (i know i'm getting really into this whole question thing... tell me if it bugs you)
1. What are the benefits of kohl that make it sunnah and not just something to make you look prettier?
2. Was it sunnah for the sahabah to wear it, or just the dudes?
3. What is the difference between kohl (specifically) and the eyeliner we can buy at stores here in the U.S.?
I think thats all I've got, thanks girls!!!!
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