Guest Question

Dear Guest,
I really appreciate your thought provoking questions because this is what this blog is about, exploring beliefs and discovering aspects of one's personal self. I am glad you read my article and enjoyed it, and I hope you find my answers satisfying. I also benefit from this because I am getting a chance to step back and analyze how far I have come, and what the next step is. Please feel free to continue our discussion. Here I go :)


What was the time frame from reading about the faith to your conversion?
I started researching Islam heavily about a year before my conversion. I wanted to be completely comfortable and have most details figured out before I took that step. I know myself and I can become quite anxious when change occurs. I did what I could to take small steps towards changing my life and took my time. Whenever I felt uncomfortable I would slow down. I also really became comfortable with the differences between culture and true Islam because many common beliefs about Islam are not true. I also spent the time introducing my family and friends to Islam and the fact that I could possibly be converting. I educated my parents along with myself, so their comfort level rose with mine. My parents know the basics of Islam and most of the details I have learned, as well as my personal opinions about the religion. Faith is an individual process. I encourage anyone that is scared or uncomfortable to simply research and take their time. As your relationship with God develops, so will your comfort level.

Did you take any classes in Islam/Islamic Culture before wearing the Hijab?
Before wearing hijab I did not take any Islam/culture classes. I actually have not taken any Islam classes at all...the history of Islam class in my previous college I actually did not finish(I withdrew from the college). I have been studying Arabic however, because it is more difficult to learn on your own. I have however researched heavily myself on Islam, and know where classes for new Muslims are held, and where Arabic classes are held so if anyone is interested , let me know and I can lead you in right direction( even online classes).Hijab is something I had always felt was going to be a part of my identity as a Muslimah. I was interested in it and it was something I wanted to do. If you do not burn inside to wear hijab, you shouldn't. I was burning inside, almost a kind of jealousy, when I saw Muslim women around campus. I had such a strong desire to wear my hijab that I only needed my roommate and friends to help me learn to wear it.


3. Do you feel that you had to change any views you had before due to your new faith (e.g. on issues like abortion etc)?
This is an AMAZING question! As for abortion, personally I ALWAYS had a problem with it so I am sticking with my opinion on that. What I am struggling with is the gay issue. I have numerous close male friends that are homosexual, and in Islam that is considered very wrong. I have love for these friends so I could never ever stop contact because of this but I do have some issues with other Muslims because of that. This is what I think : I have done bad stuff in my life, I have made mistakes, I am not perfect. NO ONE IS . EVERYONE HAS STRUGGLES, EVERYONE HAS PROBLEMS. I am human and I am NOT the judge of humans and their souls. I accept good people as my company, who challenge me to become better. People's relationships with God is personal and I cannot compare mine to any one's and think that I am better. As long as someone is not trying to get me to do anything that interferes with my religion, I don't really have a problem accepting their flaws, because they accept mine.

4. Are there any issues which you feel uncomfortable about with Islamic culture, compared to your Secular life before?"
Well there is a tendency in Islamic culture to be misogynistic which obviously, as an independent American lady, I have trouble with. However I really would like to stress the fact that this is TOTALLY culture and NOT religion. Nowhere in my religion does it allow men to treat women badly. In fact Islam was supposed to liberate Arabia of misogyny so...I don't know where all this came from.

The other thing that I do not like it the whole "men and women have NO contact" thing. Um....I'm pretty sure that in order to live my life to the fullest I need to have some contact with men. Certainly only decent contact is appropriate, but if I had to avoid 50% of the population, it would make my life very difficult. Islam is supposed to be easy and supposed to make your life easier. Hijab is mandated to make it easier for women to be around men without sparking their interest. If I'm wearing hijab,problem should be solved. However this is a cultural thing and a difference in opinion so I believe there are many Muslims opposed to this theory. All I know is my own opinion and what I am comfortable with. Islam is about what is in your heart and that is between you and God. I can only speak for myself.

I hope I have answered your questions sufficiently and I again thank you for your interest in my blog and life. May Allah bless you in your endeavors.
Salaam,
Katie

Muslim Women's Magazine

Salaam everyone,
New Muslim Women's magazine out...
http://muslimette.com/

Fatima

Salaams everyone,




To Muslims who Criticize Christians...

It is my personal belief that the way to show someone the beauty of Islam is through action not words. I believe that in order for people's hearts to be open to Islam, their hearts have to be opened by actions. This means that all of us are responsible everyday for showing people how beautiful Islam is and the compassion and kindness it exemplifies.

I have these verses of the Qu'ran for support...
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing.

16:82 But if they turn away from you, (O Prophet remember that) your only duty is a clear delivery of the Message (entrusted to you).

88:21, 22; also see 24:54 And so, (O Prophet!) exhort them your task is only to exhort; you cannot compel them to believe.

39:41 Assuredly, We have sent down the Book to you in right form for the good of man. Whoso guided himself by it does so to his own advantage, and whoso turns away from it does so at his own loss. You certainly are not their keeper.

If someone is interested in Islam you can tell them about...you can act in way that shows people the true core beliefs of Islam...but you cannot force anyone into your religion. Because intention counts so much if one is being forced then they truly do not get credit for their good anyway. One must be doing good deeds willingly...why fight and hurt our own brothers and sisters in humankind?

That being said this is attributed to people who are not trying to eradicate Islam...this is a different set of circumstances which can justify fighting back.

As I have stated before this is my opinion and I wish not to offend anyone. Comments are welcome and encouraged.

May Allah bless you all.

Abdurezak

Salaam everyone,

Sorry for the untimely reply, school has been picking up...


What I would say to a non-muslim criticizing the Qur'an...

Non-Muslim in General

I would ask them to go outside and look around...look up at the sky and clouds, the stars, all the birds in the trees, to the numerous types of insects on the ground...is all this coincidence? Could the magnificence of this universe be an accident?

Science in the Qu'ran
I would ask them to research the following topics:

"Magnetic Poles and Qur'an"
"Fetal development in Qur'an"
"Honey bees and Qu'ran"
"Moon and Qu'ran"

All of these topics contain scientific support for the verses in the Qur'an...for example

http://www.islamweb.net/VER2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=138430

http://www.islamicity.com/Science/quranandscience/animals/GeneratedFiles/THEHONEYBEE.htm

http://www.islamicresearch.org/bees%20hidden%20miracle.htm

gives a good explanation for the science of bees in the Qur'an ...very interesting....modern science JUST now is discovering this phenomena

Magnetic Poles
http://www.answering-christianity.com/mahir/pulsar_miracle.htm
http://thequranmiracles.canalblog.com/archives/2007/04/01/4494249.html
AFTER RESEARCHING IF YOU ARE STILL AN UNBELIEVER PICK UP THE QUR'AN AND READ THE VERSUS YOURSELF...I promise you...you will not regret it..your relationship to this planet will change...all of the organisms around you will now look different to you..the people in your life will look different...if you have ever felt like you didn't belong...or lonely...or dissatisfied with other religions or ideologies...please just pick it up...no harm will ever come from research...I assure you if your heart is open..and you examine the Qur'an and read about Islam with a true open heart...than it will enrich your life more than I can explain.

That answer is for those questioning the Qu'ran and its validity...this is for concerned women about the "oppressed Muslim women"....although I will admit...there are many Muslim women whom are oppressed by their culture..it is NOT Islam...the prophet Muhammed ( peace be upon him) had a mission to liberate women from the Arab mentality...

http://www.womaninthequran.com/

Women were raised higher than men in the Qur'an....

"Heaven is under a mother's feet"

The prophet Muhammed (SWT) also when asked who should I give thanks to and who is the most important in life...he answered "Your mother", then who is next important, "Your mother"...then who is next? Then..."your father.."

http://www.quranicteachings.co.uk/women.htm

Also before Islam came to Arabia...they were burying their infant daughters in shame....Islam put a stop to that due to the message of the Prophet(swt)...

Christians

I would highly encourage you to look at the Bible...and its similarity to the Qur'an...I would also encourage you to research the story of Jesus and Judas....and research your own religion...
I believe that true Christianity is a valid and credible relgion because "People of the Book" are mentioned in the Qur'an...but I also believe the Christians of today....add a divine quality to Jesus that puts him on an equal level with God..and I believe that that is polytheism...any prayers should also not go to Jesus or Mary because they cannot grant them if there is only one all powerful and all knowing God...

Also....the story of Adam and Eve.
Christians believe that Eve ate the fruit from tree of Knowledge, then gave it to Adam...dooming women to pain during childbirth,and their periods, and death ( an ending of our lives) to the rest...
If our Lord....is all powerful and all knowing....how could he not know that they would eat from the tree...therefore...why not give women and humans death and pain during childbirth outright? If he had to give those things as a punishment...that means that God had a plan that failed? I don't believe that God can fail...everything Allah wills happens...God gave them free will and knew what would happen to them if they made either choice...God was not surprised by either...nor was all humanity doomed because of a WOMAN....in the Qur'an it states it was a consensus between Adam and Eve...
Please research Islam and their opinions on this because I believe that this story might make more sense to you...

Also...because of this "original sin" humans have to spend their whole lives "making up for the sin of others before them....why would an all knowing God punish people who had nothing to do with a mistake...someone powerful enough to create the heavens and the earth is going punish all humanity for two people's simple "mistake"?

I do not mean to offend anyone and I am just stating what is in my heart...
Any comments are welcome and I hope I enriched someone's life and sparked some thinking and questioning....

Salaams and may Allah's blessing be on you all...

Interview with UMBC

http://www.retrieverweekly.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=4808&format=html

Hijabi

I had a new experience with being a hijabi yesterday...I was completly and blatently stared at! I was in the Sbux in Barnes and Noble and this old man was looking at me like????? It is ok though most people are awesomely nice to me now! I get a lot of smiles and encouraging curiousity. I also get plenty of extra niceness. Most people seem to purposely smile warmly at me, and make sure that I'm comfortably, as if they are going out of their way to make sure I know they are ok with Muslims. Hey I enjoy it! Men even open doors for me now! GO HIJABIS!

MSA LADIES SMORES NIGHT

I had so much fun tonight! I was not going to go because I have been sick but I threw on my hijab and went anyway to the MSA Ladies Night. I had a great time and met some great people. I really feel the need to get out and be more social since my semester has been SOO revolving around everything ELSE! So I make it my goal to spend more time with my Muslim sisters, which I have not been good at doing. I have never been very comfortable with girls, I always feel so self concious, especially since I was raised with two brothers and a mother that did not have that many girl friends either( not that my mother has man friends!). I just feel like I am missing that female companionship in my life and I wish that I could get more comfortable. Especially since I feel slightly intimidated by hijabis...thank God I went because I felt so comfortable and I was very happy to meet the people that I did and I just really enjoyed getting out and being social. I feel recharged and ready to get some more school work done! :)