Revealing the real purpose of fasting

I used to find it odd – if not heretic – to starve yourself from sunrise to sunset.  Anything that went against fasting in the Greek Orthodox way was indeed heretic, or so I thought. 

The first time I heard Muslims fast in a different way, my stomach churned and I thought, man you guys are completely off the mark.  You need to be saved!

At that point, I’d never researched the proofs for fasting in the Bible or the Quran, but it was my pride that would never let a thought into my brain that said that they might have proof for what they were saying while I have absolutely none – or at least knew of none. 

And frankly, I didn’t care.  Fasting was one of the zillion rituals of the Greek Orthodox faith that you ‘just believed in’  and didn’t question.

The weirdest thing to me was that Muslims would not only fast from food but actually from ‘bad’ things like drinking, going to bars or dating.  Now, that for me was completely illogical !  What does food have to do with having fun?

It was normal for all of us Greek Orthodox to fast before Easter and go out and have fun at the exact same time – without feeling an inch of guilt.

Once you find out why you are supposed to fast in the first place (which, as a Christian I never really did), then you’ll understand that it’s not about the food.

Muslims believe that God revealed to mankind to fast because through self-restraint, you can become pious.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).  (Quran 2:183)

You might be asking, What does piety have anything to do with it?  I was confused at the beginning too but when I started fasting – starving myself from dawn to dusk actually – I realized that it was a true sacrifice.  

It’s like having a close friend that you love more than you love yourself.  You give up something that you love the most to make her happy.  It’s not like you are forced to do this.  You choose this because you love her.  That’s when your relationship has gone to a new level – because she’s seen the proof that you put her before yourself. 

That’s in a way, the purpose of fasting.  When you choose to give up something that is permissible, like food, you realize that you want to because you love God more than yourself.  And you want to show Him that love.  That’s the journey of piety.

So, really, for anyone who is fasting, whether Muslim, Christian or other, fasting was prescribed for all of us as the verse says.  Only when you know what the purpose of fasting is can you really taste the journey of love for God.

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  photo credit: opusbloo

Skit video #2 from the eternal journey

Here’s another skit from the seminar.  Subhan Allah, it’s really moving.  It made me scared and almost sick to my stomach in worry.

The hidden belief that can destroy your success

I noticed a trend amongst converts.  Before converting, many of them are climbing the corporate ladder.  After converting, it’s almost as if they think that if they continue to do that, they are not “as pious”.  In other words, get rid of wordly success so you can get afterlife success.

 

X     Be pious = afterlife success only

 

I don’t blame them.  Much of the reason why they adopt this concept is because many Muslims have this hidden limited belief and it carries over to the converts.

I was conducting a seminar this weekend where (on a side note) we discussed the same thing.  The sheikh in the room described that in Islam, the formula is actually this:

 

√    Be pious = afterlife + wordly success

 

The best believer is the one who is strong in their belief and puts it into action.  The best believer is not the one who sits at home and prays all day (although they would be rewarded for this) but the better one is the one who goes out and benefits society.

And that is what I have done.  Take a look how.

Hag, Haaaj, or Hajj

I laugh every time I hear people say hag.  Of course, usually Egyptians say it this way.  But, you’ll find other variations like haaaaj (with with the softest ’j' sound you’ve ever heard.  I like to use the Quranic way – hajj (you say the ’jj’ sound as if you a truck is stopping abrubtly.)  Some people think I’m mispronouncing it. 

The point is not how you say it but what it means.  It’s the second home for Muslims. Even if you’ve never been there (like me), it’s always in your heart like it’s your connection to God. Most people who go say it’s the best journey they made in their lives. This might be scary but many say it feels like the Day of Judgement.  Two million or more people jammed packed in a small area all walking and driving to another area for days. 

A place and time where you feel that nothing wordly matters – at all.  All you are worrying about is making the most of your time and seeking rewards from Allah.  A place where Prophet Adam (a.s.) built the kaaba and later Prophet Abraham (a.s.) rebuilt it with his son Prophet Ishmael (a.s.).

There are so many aspects that I can revel about but the one that I think about often is how organized Allah made our religion.  I mean, if you left it up to the Muslims, there’s now way in —- that they could organize anything even remotely close to this.  (If you’re Muslim, you know what I”m talking about.)  But Islam has all of these things built into it.

Who else can get over two million people from every country in the world to gather in one place, doing the same rituals and feeling so inspired in a place where not a single iota of violence is tolerated?

Astonishing.

There are a small minority of non-Muslims lurking on the internet, huffing and puffing because Makkah is a private area only for Muslims.  But you know, the funny thing is, I bet those same people wouldn’t step into Saudia Arabia if I paid them.  My answer to these people is that just like I’m not allowed to walk into anyone’s private property, non-authorized people are not allowed to enter this area of Saudia Arabia because it’s private property of the Muslims.  If you really want to go, there always is a way.

 

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photo credit: Al Jazeera English

Amreeka: A feel-good comedy

 

 

I’m looking forward to watching this movie.    Here’s the plot below:

 

A feel-good comedy about a Palestinian mother who moves to rural Illinois with her teenaged son, Amreeka is a kind of stealth political film that confronts issues of ethnic tension and American xenophobia.

First-time filmmaker Cherien Dabis (a writer on the television series The L-Word ) based the story on her own experience, growing up as the child of Jordanian-Palestinian immigrants. In the anti-Arab hysteria of the first Gulf War, her family received daily death threats, and her father’s medical practice went into decline when his patients quit. The script for Amreeka (Arabic for America) has no bitterness and, in fact, portrays the United States as the place where people from many lands become one, and everyone enjoys Disneyland and a good hamburger.

Source:  The Globe and Mail

Sami Yusuf makes it to Greek news

My first thought was how in the world did Sami Yusuf make it into one of the biggest newspapers in Greece?  But then on second thought, that’s some powerful stuff.  Islamic nasheed artists are not only making a global impact on Muslims but also mankind in general.  When looking at the big picture, this is a great step forward.

Source:  Enet.gr

Διαβάστε στα Ελληνικά

 

He is described as the biggest Muslim rock star of his generation. The songs of the young Sami Yusuf is not just words on paper, but lyrics that coordinate a role in the Muslims of his generation for their faith and their identity.

The 29 year old singer, songwriter and musician who writes his own songs and lives in Britain became known after September 11 for obvious reasons. The songs describe how hard it is to be a Muslim in today’s world and encourages his fellow man to be proud of it.

His first two albums, with bold rock sounds, sold since 2003 to now over 5 million CDs in the world and is seen by many as particularly charismatic.

 

Sami Yusuf’s new song, “You Came to Me”

 

Listen to it in Turkish, Farsi or Arabic.  

Xenia: my journey to Islam

Διαβαστε στα Ελληνικα

Today I finally decided to write about my own journey to Islam.

A journey that started many many years ago. For those of you who do not know me, I was born in Athens in Greece. There is where I lived to the end of my high school years. My family was small but very loving, I only have one sibling (sister) and our parents gave us the best they could.

Religion did not play a big part in my life as I was growing up. When we were young we would go to church but that was not very often. The usual attendances maybe for Easter, weddings, baptisms, and the occasional Sunday. A few times I even went to Sunday school.

However God was at the back of my mind but as something very distant.

I used to be conscious that sometimes He was watching me but that did not stop me to at times act upon my whims and desires. I had this belief that He would understand and forgive me no matter what I was up to. The Christian belief of we will be forgiven as a result of the sacrifice of Jesus(as) was deep rooted in me.

Anyway, when I finished high school in Greece I came over to UK to continue my education. Here is where I met my husband who was a Muslim.

I was not compromising at all in any religious matters. So religion was something that we never discussed. I respected his faith and he, mine.

I had deep rooted negative beliefs and fear of Islam. In school we had learnt only very little about Islam and a very negative picture was embedded in me.

When our children were born, they would all go to the mosque for Eid and other Islamic occasions but I never joined them. Either I would stay in the car or stay at home. I was convinced that the Greek Orthodox religion was the only religion for me and it was the correct faith. Now how I had come to that conclusion, without even trying to research is a mystery. I think it was pure arrogance and ignorance all in one.

The years passed by and I carried on in my own world. I would also feel guilty for having married a Muslim and at times I felt like a traitor towards my parents, religion and country.

 

Then my husband passed away. He was abroad and my sons were at the airport travelling to attend the funeral. I received a text message from my youngest son saying, “Mum we love you and we do not want you to be different from us when you die and go to a different place. Please become a Muslimah.”

 

In my mind I was fighting the concept, but after 30 years I finally opened the Qur’an. Reluctanlty at first. But then I read and read and read on. Fascinating. The miracles of the Qur’an, the language (even though it was only a translation), the stories of the prophets. I knew I was reading the word of the Lord of the worlds.

Islam was not a new faith. Islam is the religion that all prophets(as) sent by Allah brought to humanity with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) being the last and final prophet. It was easy to understand. Believe in One God Only with no partners and all the prophets.

No trinity and complicated concepts. So easy to explain to a child. No need for clergy to speak to Allah swt. Basically no middle men. Just me and my Creator. I could speak to Allah (swt) and He could hear me. I speak to Him during the five daily obligatory prayers. I speak to Him anywhere. In the car, in the supermarket. Anywhere. I do not need anybody to intervene on my behalf for forgiveness. I go straight t to Allah (swt), I repent and I know He hears me and hopefully forgives me. We believe that He is the best of judges, He hears the supplications and our sincere requests for forgiveness providing we abstain from the sin.

Islam is not only religious duties. It is s a wholesome and pure way of life. A perfect system. Allah (swt) not only sent us the Qur’an as a guidance but sent us Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to show us how to apply the Qur’an in our lives and how to live in order to enter paradise. The road to paradise is full of obstacles. The only way we can get into paradise is by following the Qur’an and the prophetic sunnah. We will also need the mercy of Allah (swt).

Islam encourages us to find out things for ourselves. Islam does not say, ” This is it. Now follow it.” Allah swt says, “Look! Look around you, travel, look at your own bodies, the sky, the nature. Why can you not see?”

So I looked and looked again. I researched. I asked questions. The same questions again and again. It all came back as one thing. Islam is Allah’s true religion and I now was ready to become a Muslimah.

No guilt, no doubts just pure determination. I then accepted Islam as my religion. No need to feel guilty for following monotheism. For being on the straight path.

I thank Allah for taking me out of the darkness and into light.

Taqwa-Piety

The Conditions of Tawheed

Source: I Love Allah (fb)

Tawheed is the mother of all obligations. Without it, you cannot be a Muslim and all of your good deeds are ineffective. It is vital for one to understand the pillars and conditions of Tawheed in order to ensure that he/she is a real Muslim. Failure to fulfil any condition or pillar of Tawheed will nullify a person’s Eemaan and Islam, and hence will either be a Mushrik or Murtad (apostate). The conditions of Tawheed are as follows:

1. Al-’Ilm – Knowledge

Allah (swt) says in the Qur’aan: “So know that Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)…” (EMQ Muhammad, 47: 19)

If you testify that there is no ilaah worthy of worship and obedience, you must also know and understand all of Allah’s (swt) attributes and functions or you will become Mushrik.

We are obliged to study, learn and know about Allah (swt); what He likes and dislikes, loves and hates, His names and attributes etc.

You can only testify that which you have knowledge about. Therefore, if someone claims to be a witness, and he is asked about what he has seen, and replies: “I’m not sure”, this person is completely daft as he testifies to something which he has no knowledge of. Similar to this person is the one who testifies the Kalimah, yet he does not understand what it means.

Allah (swt) says: “This (Qur’aan) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is the only One Ilaah (God – Allah) – (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and that men of understanding may take heed.” (EMQ Ibraaheem, 14: 52)

2.        Al-Yaqeen – Certainty

Knowledge is not enough, as many kuffaar know about Islam but they do not believe in it nor do they have certainty about it. Allah says: “Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and afterwarddoubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah…” (EMQ Hujaraat, 49: 15), and the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said: “Whoever testifies that there is no god worthy of worship and obedience but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, without any doubt he will enter Jannah.” (Saheeh Muslim)

3.        3. Al-Qubool – Acceptance

After having knowledge and certainty, you MUST accept. Some people may believe, have knowledge, and have certainty, but may not accept, as it may be too difficult for him or he may not accept out of his own personal desires. Allah (swt) says: “Truly, when it was said to them: ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)’ they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).” (EMQ as-Saaffaat, 37: 35)

4.        4. Al-Inqiyaad – Submission

Allah (swt) says: “But nay, by your Lord, they can have no Eemaan, until they make you (Muhammad [saw]) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (EMQ an-Nisaa’, 4: 65)

Allah (swt) describes those who do not submit to Him as disbelievers, and swears to this by Himself. Having knowledge, certainty and acceptance is not enough; you must also have submission with no haraj (discontent). You must submit to Allah, and all His names and attributes. Allah (swt) also says: “There is no compulsion in the religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taaghout and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break (i.e. he will have submission). And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (EMQ al-Baqarah, 2: 256)

5.        As-Sidq – Believing

Allah says: “When the hypocrites come to you (saw), they say: ‘We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed.” (EMQ al-Munaafiqoon, 63: 1)

Allah testifies that the Munaafiqoon are liars as they claim to be Muslims but they do not believe. Thus, believing is a condition of Tawheed

6.        6. Al-Ikhlaas – sincerity

Allah says: “And they were commanded not, but that they should sincerely (with Ikhlaas) worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salaat and give Zakaat: and that is the right religion.” (EMQ al-Bayyinah, 98: 5)The Messenger Muhammad (saw) said: “The one who says ‘there is none worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’ seeking sincerelyto see the face of Allah, Allah will forbid him from Hell-fire.” (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim

7. Al-Mahabbah – love

After having knowledge, certainty, acceptance, submission, belief and sincerity; you must also love those whom Allah (swt) tells you to love, and hate those whom He tells you to hate.

Journey to Islam: Maria in Cyprus

My name is Maryam (formally Maria). I was born and brought up in North London and now live in Nicosia with my husband. My husband is Muslim ma sha Allah and I am very proud of him. We were married last year registered hence the (then) different religions, me being Christian Orthodox and he being Muslim.

We went to Morocco to meet his family and took a site seeing tour
of the country. To cut a long story short, whilst driving I missed an exit so I had to drive about 10 minutes more to find the next exit to proceed to Marakkesh.

With us, we had my brother-in-law and their friend. The three were talking and I continued driving until I suddenly saw with my own eyes something which is one of the most incredible and beautiful of Allah’s creations. Allah’s name written crystal clear in the clouds.

Remember, I was Christian and knew absolutely nothing of signs of Allah or anything to do with Islam, but seeing the clouds opened me up deeply and alone I realised what I was seeing. To make sure, I said to my husband to see what I was pointing at and he confirmed it. So beautiful. When we arrived at his family’s home after a few days touring he told them what I had seen and they too said it was a sign. That is how I took it. A SIGN.

After returning to Cyprus, I started to read more into Islam, the miracles, the videos of debates between Ahmed Deedat and Christian priests, and then I realised that I was taking Islam more into my heart day by day. Even from the beginning when my husband was praying salat five times a day, I would try to take a peek into how he prayed and what he recited, fixing the salawat for him and memorising surah Al-Fatihah.

I asked him how one becomes Muslim and he told me that firstly you must believe that Allah is alone and has no partners, sons, mother or father, that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is Allah’s messenger, prophet and slave and that Jesus is a prophet and NOT THE SON OF GOD. Of course, being brought up in a Christian Orthodox religion it is quite hard to take this all in since I was not taught anything but Christianism (even when I use to go Greek school it was in a church).

Slowly, slowly, I started to read more into Islam, asking my husband questions and remembering what I saw in Morocco. My husband started to have dreams about me and Islam and he would tell me the following morning. That, for me, was it… I wanted to be a Muslimah in sha Allah.

So after learning finally the truth about Islam, I learned the shahada and one glorious day put my hand on the Holy Qu’ran and said the words Ashadu ana la ilaha illallah wa Muhammadin abduhu wa rasulllullah.

There it was…. I became a Muslimah…. ALHAMDU LILAH… Then my husband taught me how to do my wudu and we started praying salat together. ALHAMDU LILAH.

Also, my husband had a beautiful dream about me and Islam. One night he said goodnight to me but instead of me answering good night, all I heard myself say was, ”Please don’t say anything to me as I am praying,” and I was. I reciting Al-Fatihah until I closed my eyes and slept. I really didn’t realize to be honest what had happened that night until he explained to me the following morning.

Yet, after being a Muslimah for a year now, my parents do not know. I know how it will affect them and am too scared to face them. I know they will not accept me and I love them so much. Even though my mother has realised a big change in me since I don’t wear my cross anymore from when I was christened and since I don’t enter the church. If I do for a funeral or wedding I cannot stay for long and try to find an excuse to leave. I simply cannot enter it.

I will never regret converting. Allah answer’s my prayers and I feel a warm presence of angels surrounding me when I read Qu’ran, recite even a little of the surahs. I know and try as a good Muslimah to commit myself to completing the five pillars of Islam. In sha Allah, when we have enough money, we will do Hajj.

May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon everyone and your families.

Maryam

Notes:

Ma sha Allah – Allah wills it
Salah – prayer
Salawat – prayers
Surah – chapter
Al-Fatihah – The Opening
Pbuh- peace be upon him
Muslima – Muslim woman
Shahadah – the statement you recite to become Muslim:
Ashadu ana la ilaha illallah wa Muhammadin abduhu wa rasulllullah.
There is no object worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His slave and messenger.
In sha Allah – if Allah wills
Alhamdu lillah – all praise is to Allah

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