I thought I would ask if anyone has any requests for topics that they would like a post on for this blog :-) feel free to ask, I am trying to be as open as possible.
Also I want everyone to know that I have invited another convert who is a very close friend of mine to write for the blog as well!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Spirituality Changes
Usually when people first convert to any religion they go through a period where they are very zealous about that religion. They want everyone to know the joy that they have found. They want everyone to convert. They want to share it with everyone. And usually this lasts for awhile.
And then something or someone or somewhere happens and things change. You hit a low point in your spirituality. And some people leave Islam at this point, and some people don't. And I am not going to make a judgment call, because all of that is in Allah's hands.
But if you stick around with anything for any length of time you will start to notice that your participation in it comes and goes. You have periods where it consumes your life and you are thrilled and you want to share it with everyone around you. And then you have periods were you are going along and participating and content. And then you can have low periods, where you have doubts, and you may not participate as much. And this is true of spirituality as well.
When I was a new Muslim I was thrilled and I wanted everyone to convert and I wanted to tell everyone how I felt. And this put a lot of people off. People didn't want to be around me. But it was a thrilling time for me, I loved spending time with other Muslims. I wanted to be around other Muslims all the time.
And then after awhile, I started to notice that many Muslims practice a very "cultural" form of Islam. Which makes sense because you learn what you were taught as a child, but for me I didn't have a culture of Islam, and I felt out of place. And the novelty of being a new Muslim wore off. I didn't like when people would ask me if I knew how to pray, or wanted me to tell my story of how I converted. And I got very annoyed with the community. Obviously, a low point for me.
And then I found other converts like me, and Al-Maghrib classes. Where I was welcomed and treated as an equal, not a novelty. My experience was interesting, but it was not assumed that I didn't know how to pray, my knowledge was recognized. And I felt good. I would say that this was the time during which I was content and participating.
So where am I now? Right now I would say I am on an "upswing". This year has been rough for personal reasons, and I am coming out of some of the "darkness" that I experienced this year. I took some time off from wearing hijab for a little while, but I recently started wearing it again, and I am happy with that decision. I am participating more again.
I would say that if you had asked me after I became Muslim if there were every going to be low points, I would have told you nope. But the truth is we all go through ups and downs. Islam is my religion, and I love it. But just because I love it doesn't mean that everything will be perfect. That all of my problems are solved. Spirituality changes with time, as all things do.
"How many of the prophets fought (in God's way), and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God's way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast." (Qur'an 3:146).
And then something or someone or somewhere happens and things change. You hit a low point in your spirituality. And some people leave Islam at this point, and some people don't. And I am not going to make a judgment call, because all of that is in Allah's hands.
But if you stick around with anything for any length of time you will start to notice that your participation in it comes and goes. You have periods where it consumes your life and you are thrilled and you want to share it with everyone around you. And then you have periods were you are going along and participating and content. And then you can have low periods, where you have doubts, and you may not participate as much. And this is true of spirituality as well.
When I was a new Muslim I was thrilled and I wanted everyone to convert and I wanted to tell everyone how I felt. And this put a lot of people off. People didn't want to be around me. But it was a thrilling time for me, I loved spending time with other Muslims. I wanted to be around other Muslims all the time.
And then after awhile, I started to notice that many Muslims practice a very "cultural" form of Islam. Which makes sense because you learn what you were taught as a child, but for me I didn't have a culture of Islam, and I felt out of place. And the novelty of being a new Muslim wore off. I didn't like when people would ask me if I knew how to pray, or wanted me to tell my story of how I converted. And I got very annoyed with the community. Obviously, a low point for me.
And then I found other converts like me, and Al-Maghrib classes. Where I was welcomed and treated as an equal, not a novelty. My experience was interesting, but it was not assumed that I didn't know how to pray, my knowledge was recognized. And I felt good. I would say that this was the time during which I was content and participating.
So where am I now? Right now I would say I am on an "upswing". This year has been rough for personal reasons, and I am coming out of some of the "darkness" that I experienced this year. I took some time off from wearing hijab for a little while, but I recently started wearing it again, and I am happy with that decision. I am participating more again.
Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of God?" Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near! (Quran 2:214)
I would say that if you had asked me after I became Muslim if there were every going to be low points, I would have told you nope. But the truth is we all go through ups and downs. Islam is my religion, and I love it. But just because I love it doesn't mean that everything will be perfect. That all of my problems are solved. Spirituality changes with time, as all things do.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Day of Arafat Information
Taken from: http://islam.about.com/cs/hajj/f/dayofarafat.htm
Question: What is the meaning and significance of the Day of Arafat?
Answer: The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah (the Month of Hajj) is called the Day of Arafat. This day is the culminating event of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Day of Arafat falls on the 2nd day of pilgrimage rituals. At dawn of this day, nearly 2 million Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mecca to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafat. It was from this site that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.
During the entire day, from dawn until sunset, Muslim pilgrims stand in earnest supplication and devotion, praying for God's abundant forgiveness. Tears are shed readily as those who gather make repentance and seek God's mercy, recite words of prayer and remembrance, and gather together as equals before their Lord. Muslims around the world who are not participating in the pilgrimage often spend this day in fasting and devotion.
Question: What is the meaning and significance of the Day of Arafat?
Answer: The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah (the Month of Hajj) is called the Day of Arafat. This day is the culminating event of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Day of Arafat falls on the 2nd day of pilgrimage rituals. At dawn of this day, nearly 2 million Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mecca to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafat. It was from this site that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.
During the entire day, from dawn until sunset, Muslim pilgrims stand in earnest supplication and devotion, praying for God's abundant forgiveness. Tears are shed readily as those who gather make repentance and seek God's mercy, recite words of prayer and remembrance, and gather together as equals before their Lord. Muslims around the world who are not participating in the pilgrimage often spend this day in fasting and devotion.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Dictionary for New Muslims
Insha'Allah - God willing (usually said before anything that you are sincerely hoping for)
Alhamdulilah - All thanks and praise be to God (said when you are thankful for something, as a reminder that all things come from God)
Mash'Allah - As God has willed it to be (said when someone has given you good/bad news, or when giving good/bad news to someone else)
Mabrook - another way of saying congratulations
will be adding more to this, i'A...
Alhamdulilah - All thanks and praise be to God (said when you are thankful for something, as a reminder that all things come from God)
Mash'Allah - As God has willed it to be (said when someone has given you good/bad news, or when giving good/bad news to someone else)
Mabrook - another way of saying congratulations
will be adding more to this, i'A...
So you have said your shahada, what now?
Congratulations! Mash'Allah (As God has willed it to be)!
So, there are some things that you may want already, to learn how to pray is generally one of the first things. If you are female, you might be interested in learning about hijab. Salat, or prayer is probably one of the most important things to learn.
Many Muslims will be very interested in the story of how you came to Islam. And usually its a way to connect with your community, it feels good to have so many people interested in you. But a reminder, just as before you became Muslim, choose your friends wisely. Follow your gut. If you feel like someone is trying to use you, they probably are. While Islam is the perfect religion, Muslims are not perfect.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to new Muslims, do not get married right away. As with any major change in life, give yourself some time. Time to get adjusted. Time to get to know people. Time to get to know your religion, your community. People are going to try to get you to get married, say that a Muslim husband or wife will help you to learn your deen. But this is not the best way to learn your deen. The best way to learn your deen is through yourself. And through others, but husbands and wives should be on equal footing, not one a teacher over the other. So be careful!
I am going to look around for some links for prayer. But one of the best books I have found is Salat: From A to Z, it also comes with a CD to help.
So, there are some things that you may want already, to learn how to pray is generally one of the first things. If you are female, you might be interested in learning about hijab. Salat, or prayer is probably one of the most important things to learn.
Many Muslims will be very interested in the story of how you came to Islam. And usually its a way to connect with your community, it feels good to have so many people interested in you. But a reminder, just as before you became Muslim, choose your friends wisely. Follow your gut. If you feel like someone is trying to use you, they probably are. While Islam is the perfect religion, Muslims are not perfect.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to new Muslims, do not get married right away. As with any major change in life, give yourself some time. Time to get adjusted. Time to get to know people. Time to get to know your religion, your community. People are going to try to get you to get married, say that a Muslim husband or wife will help you to learn your deen. But this is not the best way to learn your deen. The best way to learn your deen is through yourself. And through others, but husbands and wives should be on equal footing, not one a teacher over the other. So be careful!
I am going to look around for some links for prayer. But one of the best books I have found is Salat: From A to Z, it also comes with a CD to help.
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