Category: Articles
All of us will soon die
All of us will soon die!
All of us will soon depart from this world.
[Allah ﷻ says] *كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ*
All that is on it [the earth] will perish. *وَيَبْقَى وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلْـلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ*
And the Face of your Lord the owner of greatness and pride will remain.
Allah ﷻ says *كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ*
Every soul shall taste death.
*وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ
* And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full._
*فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ*
And whoever is moved away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful.
*وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ*
The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception.
Ibn Kathir رحمه الله writes:
Therefore, Allah Alone is the Ever-Living Who never dies, while the Jinn, mankind and angels, including those who carry Allah’s Throne, shall die. The Irresistible One and Only, will alone remain for ever and ever, remaining Last, as He was the First. Just a thought; Regarding the second Ayah, Allah ﷻ starts it by mentioning death, and then ends it with the reminder of how short the Dunya is. But the one who enters Jannah and is saved from Hellfire.
That is the ultimate victory. Because no matter how many millions you have, how many cars or women.
*كل من عليها فان*
All that is on it [the earth] shall perish.
As Muhammad ﷺ said _
“(By Allah! This life, compared to the Hereafter, is just as insignificant as when one of you dips his finger in the sea; let him contemplate what his finger will come back with.” Rather the true success lies with the avoidance of the fire, and entrance into Jannah!
Think about these Ayaat!
This is the comparison, and the stark reality! This Dunya is a piece of snow, melting in your hand as you try and keep hold of it, While the shining jewel you have neglected; the Akhirah, that doesn’t perish, is waiting for you to just grab it with both hands!
By Allah! The Dunya is so short, that merely waiting for Qiyamah to start, on Hashr, the people will lament at how the Dunya felt like a morning!
Racism and Islam
“Islam Kills racism.” ~ Malcolm X
Prophet Mohammad PBUH Said:
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before God (The Creator) and you will answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
“Why Islam Is Our Only Choice: True Stories of New Converts”
Why Islam Is Our Only Choice: True Stories of New Converts” is now available on Kindle Store. Grab your copy right away: http://www.amazon.com/Why-Islam-Our-Only-Choice-ebook/dp/B00TQZLQBW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424429355&sr=1-1&keywords=Why+Islam+is+our+only+choice
70 Major sins In Islam
70 MAJOR SINS IN ISLAM (English) —– —– —– —– —– —–
01. Associating anything with ALLAH 02. Murder
03. Practicing magic
04. Not Praying
05. Not paying Zakat
06. Not fasting on a Day of Ramadan without excuse
07. Not performing Hajj, while being able to do so
08. Disrespect to parents
09. Abandoning relatives
10. Fornication and Adultery
11. Homosexuality (sodomy)
12. Interest (Riba)
13. Wrongfully consuming the property of an orphan Continue reading “70 Major sins In Islam”
A Guide for New Muslims
Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus PBUH
99 Names of Allah- Shaikh Kamaluddin
We often run after the money, the houses, the cars, the degrees
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, we often run after the money, the houses, the cars, the degrees, and forget about our salah’s, reciting the Qur’aan, taking care of our parents, and the needy, take part in spreading the (true) message of Allah and time for spenting, taking count of our ownself. This verse is a great reminder for myself and all of us to make sure we don’t neglect the important things that count…..
12 TIPS for Reverted Muslim/Muslimah
1. Practice Islam as much as you can “He who loves my Sunnah has loved me, and he who loves me will be with me in Paradise.”
-The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Tirmidhi)
As a new Muslim, you will have trouble keeping up with prayers every day, fasting during Ramadan, and the many other practices in this religion. The struggle that we face, with such a radical change in lifestyle, is difficult and will take some time. Awkward moments are bound to happen, don’t fret. You are not expected to wake up at 4am every morning to pray tahajjud (extra night prayers). If you have problems with certain practices, then gradually work yourself into the mindset of worship. A counselor once told me when I was young, “How do you eat an elephant? Just One bite at a time.” Think of it as one step at a time. Pray to Allah (swt) and ask for Him to make it easy for you and the rest will come naturally.
Keeping up with your devotional practices is something that will strengthen your faith immensely. Read the Qur’an whenever possible. Find a collection of hadith, such as Riyadh us-Saliheen, and read it often. You will start to feel a connection to Allah (swt) and you will become used to Islam as a religion and way of life.
Continue reading “12 TIPS for Reverted Muslim/Muslimah”
a sister beginning her journey with hijab
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, it always excites me to hear about a sister beginning her journey with hijab.
Just to note for many sisters who aren’t aware of what proper hijab is, it’s the covering of the entire hair, neck, and chest. Hijab means wearing lose clothing so that your body shape is not visible.
Truly it is a test when we decide to put it on. For any sisters who want to wear it …mentally prepare yourself for the test. People will make fun of you, they will joke about your past, they will tell you it doesn’t look good on you, and it is better to take it off. Know that all of their comments are from Shaytaan. Shaytaan will do whatever he can to make you remove it. However, we must be strong. We must remember Allaah is testing us to see if we are truly sincere in wearing the hijab or if we are just doing it for show and tell.
If we are sincere then in’sha’Allaah we will be patient when the test comes, and make massive du’aa to get through it. We will find new friends to be with who will support us, and not put us down.
And if our jobs make it tough for us, then we will look for better positions who will respect us as women and not as objects. Who will respect us for who we are and not what we look like. Who will respect us for our talent and not what our hair or body looks like.
Allaah tell us in the Qur’aan: “Verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest” (The Qur’aan Chapter 13: Verse 28)
Ya Allaah may you make it easy on all of the sisters who are coming to this path and journey for your sake only. Ameen. May you give them strength, patience and perseverance to keep it on for you alone. Ameen. May you make them a light, noor of who represent Islaam. Ameen! May you give them the best character and manners, and make them amongst the righteous whom you love. Ameen!!!
life isn’t about preaching life is about teaching with our actions
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, life isn’t about preaching life is about teaching with our actions…when we do what we want others to do then in’sha’Allaah we will be successful.
Truly there is no price on righteousness. Weather your rich or poor, you understand it. Weather your educated or ignorant you understand it. Weather your a child or an adult you understand it…..the problem is doing wh…at is right and staying away from what is wrong…
One character that the majority of us need to work on is Not Lying anymore. We need to quit lying to our spouses, our parents, our children, our bosses, our friends, and family. We need to tell the truth even if it may be against us. Only then will we be successful…Ya Rabbe may you make us amongst the truthful! Ameen. Ya Rabbe may you make us amongst the Righteous! Ameen.
The Prophet Muhammad (Sallahe Alhee Wa Sallam) said:
The Cancer of Terrorism
This life is nothing but a test
sex before marraige and its consequences!
Change of Heart
The prostitute who cried
Must WATCH: Staged ISIS Beheading Video Released by Russian Hackers
A video purportedly released by the pro-Russia hacktivist group CyberBerkut shows a staged ISIS beheading being recorded in a film studio with actors and a director. According to TechWorm, the video was allegedly hacked from Senator John McCain’s laptop. They write:
We CyberBerkut received at the disposal of the file whose value can not be overstated! Dear Senator McCain! We recommend you next time in foreign travel, and especially on the territory of Ukraine, not to take confidential documents. In one of the devices of your colleagues, we found a lot of interesting things. Something we decided to put: this video should become the property of the international community!
The story was picked up by Alex Jones’ Infowars correspondent Paul Joseph Watson, who narrates the above video. In the video he says there are a few options for what the video could be, but dwells on the conspiracy that the United States is behind the rise of ISIS.
John McCain responded to accusations with a tweet:
A Guide for New Muslims (Video)
How parents push their children away from Islam?
At the risk of being misunderstood, I’ll say this: A beard and hijab won’t make your child Muslim. I don’t say this to dismiss the rituals of the religion, but to put the emphasis (first) on something greater. Just as early revelation focused on the beauty and mercy of Allah, we, too, should impart the good. Then, upon that foundation, we ladle the specifics of worship, the rules and regulations that guide us on this journey. But only in love, we must do it all in love. You’d think that would be a given, but how often do we see children turned away from Islam because of harsh, unbalanced parents? Continue reading “How parents push their children away from Islam?”
british non muslim girl converted to islam
Shahadah: How To Become a Muslim?
The media coverage of the #CharlestonShooting has been a laugh!
The media coverage of the #CharlestonShooting has been a laugh!
Amazing insight by Jon Stewart: https://youtu.be/mjzrvRKv6Ks
#MediaBias #BlackLivesMatte…r #KnowYourHeroes
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Islam and Racism
Beautiful people Beautiful Faces Mashaa Allah in and out mashaALLAH,
Barakallah Feekum heart emoticon heart emoticon heart emoticon
There is no #racism in islam,everyone is #equal only ignorent people have a negative mind negative attitute
But this is for islam No recism and Islam is Very beautiful
May Allah make them Happy Muslim couples May Allah reward them those brothers and sisters in all greatness. Aameen !!!!
Daees (volunteers inviting others to islam at Sweden), (below pic.)
This brother is one of the Dawah Activists (and a great scholar) Jamal D Omar Jamal Omar he is from USA and her Wife is from Somalia. this is what we call love for the sake of Allah swt.
This brother’s name is Chris Flaherty (عبدالله) and his picture with his life partner.
and so on.. examples, if anyone more interested I would provide.
finaly below is the comment of a reverted sisters regarding her relatives and their relationship:
Su Hakim There are many reverts in my family. One of my aunties married a punjabi who revert to islam. My younger brother married a chinese christian who revert to islam. Another aunty also married an indian guy who revert to islam. And we all get along just fine with all the extended families.
and what Malcolm X says,
CHARLESTON SHOOTING: IF YOU’RE NOT A MUSLIM, YOU CAN’T BE A TERRORIST
On Wednesday, a 21-year-old white man gunned down six black women and three black men in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston, South Carolina. What do you call this act? Murder? An act of desperation? A mental illness that prevails? I have read it all in the past few days. The only word that the media avoid to use in order to describe what happened is the same word that is now massively repeated on Facebook and Twitter: Terrorism.
It’s the same old story. A Muslim kills and he’s labeled a terrorist, a white man does the same thing and somehow the T-word vanished from the dictionaries of global media companies and is nowhere to be found. And so the idea that terrorism can only be linked with Muslims lives on. This media discourse is based on nothing, no statistics or research. It’s simply the reflection of the ideology that Islam is deemed to cause victims and terrorize society. A non-Muslim killing 9 black churchgoers can therefore not be called terrorism. Thank God there are reporters who see it differently.
‘By any reasonable standard, this is terrorism, which is generally defined as an act of violence against civilians by individuals or organizations for political purposes. But do the thought experiment: If this attack on the church in Charleston had been conducted by a Muslim man shouting “Allahu akbar,” what is already a big news story would have become even bigger, as it would appear to fit so well into the political and media narrative that Muslim militants are the major terrorist problem in the United States,’ CNN’s Peter Berger stated.
If you are really Honest to YourSelf, seeking the Truth – Come back to Islam before its Too late
Creeping into my Thoughts
We all long for companionship, someone we can turn to in our times of need. The times we need uplifting, for advice and for laughter. It seeps beneath our skin to the deepest level and becomes almost a necessity. Eventually, we think we have found this connection, so we hang onto them. We cling to them with every ounce of us but eventually, no matter how hard we try, how much kindness and support we give, they more than likely leave.
Fake promises, words of an illusion. We twist and turn, we break our backs for those who often wouldn’t even bat an eyelid of gratitude. They step on us, and we crumble to pieces.
Afterwards, we then enter a state of vulnerability. We had began to trust these people, we had opened ourselves up, blossomed with their presence and suddenly, they have vanished. All you wanted was security, someone to befriend, yet they have taken a part of you with them. All of your rawest emotions and your deepest feelings, in the blink of an eye, they are gone with the wind.
Overtime, the repetition of this cycle becomes mentally exhausting. It feels like time after time you have blossomed into a thriving tree, but winter arrives and it batters you. It rips all of your leaves, it snaps your branches and you have to start all over again. Rebuilding yourself.
I tell myself I will not fall victim again, but I do. Time and time again. And then I ask myself, everything is temporary, how do you keep up a life of illusion?
Simply, my answer was to rely on the One who will run towards me if I walk towards Him. Lean on Him swt for support, for guidance. Use the Holy Quran as a healing tool and find your inner self, feed your soul of what it has been starved. Give your love, your soul and your energy to The Creator instead of the creation.
If only we would realise that some people are just passing by. They have taught us lessons and more about ourselves, but eventually they have to leave to explore a path that we cannot accompany them on. We are of no benefit to each other anymore, we were just briefly crossing paths.
We do not know the plan of The Protector, but Allah swt the creator of this whole universe knows it is for the best. If only we could see, if only we had patience.
by sister
A Letter to Myself, to Reverts..
I know it’s hard to stay motivated, to stay positive. I know of the days where you feel dread and anxiety building up to Ramadan more than excitment, I know how you hide your fasting from loved ones. But hey, you’ve perfected the art of excuses in a bid to escape the questions, the interrogation and the endless battles.
I know the struggles of creeping downstairs at 2am to have a nibble, trying to be as quiet as a mouse but your stumbles reveal you and your mouse becomes more like a herd of elephants in a bid to escape its hunters.
I know how hard it is to fast all day and have to eat by yourself, alone. Especially whilst those surrounding you virtually post endless pictures and messages of their feasts, and most of all – their loved ones. You try to absorb their excitment but all you feel is lost, alone and hopeless.
I know how difficult it is to face those dreaded questions, that interrogation, those awkward anti-Muslim conversations. That cold feeling of isolation and rejection. You aren’t normal enough for your family, but neither do you belong to a culture defined Ummah. It’s hard to fit, and even harder to accept, I know.
I understand how difficult it may be to sneak around in a bid to hide your hijab or your modest clothing, participating in a lifelong game of Hide and Seek to conceal your identity. Almost running two lives because you aren’t ready for the confrontation, I know.
But hold on, you will get through it. To reach the light you have to go through darkness, and this is your darkness. Keep walking, keep striving for the light and most of all, keep yearning for Jannah, the place where you will have no pain and this life will seem like a blink of an eye. Make dua, and lots of it. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer.
Allah (ﷻ) is the Best of Planners, recall the hardships of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his sahaba (RA) and remember all they did to spread Islam, all they sacrificed.
Sabr (patience) and Tawakkul (Trust in Allah) ..
Together we will make it through, you will find the strength.
by: sister written @ June 11, 2015June 11, 2015
(source: https://escapinglifesshackles.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/a-letter-to-myself-to-reverts/#more-136)
Here’s Proof that Muslim Girls Write the Most Epic Yearbook Quotes
The best way to finish up your final year in high school is by writing an epic yearbook quote. It’s how you will be remembered, and with a little help from social media, how you can impress many people online. And these Muslim girls know exactly how to do that.
A lot of Muslim girls who live in Western countries face the same challenges every day: they are confronted with a society that doesn’t always understand their choices when it comes to practising their religion. With their yearbook quotes, they respond in a witty way and show the world how sassy they can be.
1. Rohafa
We believe her.
2. Maliha
3. Sarah
4. Manar
5. Rafika
6. Fatima
7. Rayhan
Nailed it.
So, can you top these epic quotes?
Islam Is Easy – Don’t Make It Difficult
I remember a conversation I recently had with my neighbor and friend who happens to be a non-Muslim.
I had just returned from an Islamic conference, but when I mentioned that to her, she looked at me with worry and asked:
“No one advocates extremism at these sorts of things, do they?”
I almost laughed, but realizing the seriousness of the situation, I reassured her that no, advocating extremism was definitely not on the agenda.
I was struck by the unfortunate irony that extremism is often associated with Islam when in fact, moderation is supposed to be one of the most fundamental aspects of the Muslim’s creed. The Quran clearly states:
{Thus We made you a “wasat” (moderate) nation, that you might be witnesses for all of humanity, and the messenger a witness over yourselves.} (2:143)
Sweden’s first police recruit in hijab, Ma shaa’Allaah!
Sweden’s first police recruit in hijab, Ma shaa’Allaah!
Sweden’s first veiled police recruit, Donna Eljammal, 26, does not regard her traditional Muslim hijab as a hindrance but rather an asset for her future career within the Swedish police force. ”If anything, it is a reflection of the multicultural Sweden we live in today,” Eljammal told The Local.
Donna Eljammal has known since she was a little girl that she wanted to be a police officer.
…
”I like working with people, helping people, and to not do exactly the same thing everyday. I always knew it would fit my personality,” she said.
And it shows the public another side of women choosing to wear the veil, that we are not oppressed but can be strong and independent women.”
Before being accepted into the police academy, Eljammal worked for the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården).
Wearing a veil never constituted a problem there either, and she always felt she was well treated and respected by the other members of staff.
Eljammal thinks that it is an asset in all professions today to have staff with different cultural and religious backgrounds.
”The veil shows clearly that I have first hand knowledge of a different aspect of Swedish society,” she said.
And at the police, they welcome having recruits with different backgrounds representing the variety of Swedish contemporary society.
”We’re living in a modern and multi-cultural society and it goes without saying that we must recognize the fundamental rights that exists therein. And freedom of religion is one of them,” Kalle Wallin of the National Police Board (Rikspolisstyrelsen) said to daily Expressen.
Eljammal knew that she would receive a lot of attention as Sweden’s first veiled police recruit.
”Sweden’s first ever female police recruit received a lot of attention as well. It’s just because it is the very first time,” she said.
However, she had not expected all the attention to come so early, during her first term at the police academy.
”It places a huge responsibility on me to really set an example and be a role model to others,” she told The Local.
some billionaires are trying to make potions and working on different ways to live forever
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, subhana’Allaah, recently I was reading how some billionaires are trying to make potions and working on different ways to live forever. I thought to myself, no amount of money or science will allow us to live forever. I remembered this ayat/verse. Rather we should be thinking of how to make the time we have here to be the best we can be, and to help as many people as we can for the sake of Allaah. Alhamdullilah.
Zohra Sarwari
2 hrs · Edited ·
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How to give Da’wah to Non-Muslim Parents? | Dr Zakir Naik
How to give Da’wah to Non-Muslim Parents? | Dr Zakir Naik
Islam and Ego
EVERY Christian MUST see this VIDEO!!!
EVERY Christian MUST see this VIDEO!!!
Please share this with love for our brothers and sisters in humanity
Alhamdulilah #OnlineDawahHour has just begun please share this video with non Muslims. If 10,000 people share this video with three people, then 30,000 people will get to hear the message of #Islam in one hour in-shaa-Allah.
Below are three popular Christian pages, please post this video(http://on.fb.me/1OnVQem) in the comments sections of the posts on these pages and leave a comment like ‘Thinking of God leads to inner peace’, ‘Jesus prayed to God like Muslims pray’, ‘What is the best way of gaining peace?’,’As Christians would you agree with this video?’, Every Christian must see this video’ etc.
It’s better to write your own personalized comment. You can also private message this video to people commenting on these pages. Remember to be polite and have the goal to start a dawah conversation.
www.facebook.com/JesusDaily
www.facebook.com/DigitalBible
www.facebook.com/ilovejesuschristpage
Bismillah let’s begin… By A. Green
Have you ever had or are you having any doubts about Islam?
Have you ever had or are you having any doubts about Islam? Don’t know what to do? This is a must watch episode for you. Enjoy and share with anyone you know who is also struggling with their Islam.
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Concept of God in Islam
Monotheism, belief in one God, is the most important and foundational concept in Islam. Muslims believe in one God who created the universe and has power over everything within it. He is unique and exalted above everything He creates, and His greatness cannot be compared to His creation. Furthermore, He is the only one deserving of any worship and the ultimate purpose of all creation is to submit to Him. The Islamic understanding of God is distinct from all other religions and beliefs in various respects since it is based on a pure and clear understanding of monotheism. This essentially captures the concept of God in Islam, which will be further elaborated in this pamphlet.
Muslims often refer to God as Allah. This is a universal name for God and does not refer to an exclusively ‘Islamic’ God. Interestingly, this name is related to the Aramaic and Hebrew names for God, Allaha and Elohim. Therefore, Allah is simply the Arabic name for God which affirms that He is One singular God with no partners or equals. The name Allah cannot be pluralized or limited to a specific gender, which establishes that God is One and that He is unique from everything He creates. Muslims continue to use this original Arabic name for God (Allah) since it perfectly expresses His unique qualities.
God is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe who created everything for a reason. Muslims believe that He created humankind with a simple purpose – to worship Him. He sent messengers to guide people in fulfilling this purpose. Some of these messengers include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon all of them. They all taught a consistent message about God by affirming His greatness as the Creator and guiding people to worship Him alone. This basic concept has always resonated with people’s natural understanding of God. (Click here to learn more about prophets in Islam.)
When the final prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), was asked about God, the answer came directly from God in the holy book of Muslims, the Quran (also spelled ‘Koran’): “Say, ‘He is God the One, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten. No one is comparable to Him.’” [112:1-4] This is a clear statement by God describing Himself to humanity without any room for confusion. God is One and is exalted above everything He creates and He is capable over all things.
Fully accepting the oneness of God is to accept that He is distinct from everything else. It would not suit God’s majesty and glory to associate the limited attributes of His creation to Him because He is not restricted in any way, while His creation is. He is the First with no beginning and the Last with no end. Everything in the universe was created by His will. He is not confined by space or time and He is the only One who is in control and provides for His creation.
“He is God: there is no god other than Him. It is He who knows what is hidden as well as what is in the open, He is the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. He is God: there is no god other than Him, the Controller, the Holy One, Source of Peace, Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Truly Great; God is far above anything they consider to be His partner. He is God: the Creator, the Originator, the Shaper. The best names belong to Him. Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Him: He is the Almighty, the Wise.” [Quran, 59:22-24]
Pure Monotheism
#NewMuslimAcademy offers all services -courses, mentoring, general live sessions, etc.
#NewMuslimAcademy offers all services -courses, mentoring, general live sessions, etc. – completely free of charge. No matter where in the world you are, or what your budget is, it is our goal to make learning and knowledge accessible to you at all times! ENROLL NOW FOR FREE @ http://NewMuslimAcademy.org! #NewMuslimEducation
We are YOUR ‘ Day-After-Shahadah ‘ people championing the New Muslim Identity
newmuslimacademy.org|By Bartosz Wojciechowski
Why are New Muslims Leaving Islam?
“I don’t know if you can help me; I don’t even know where to start. My life is a mess. I’ve been a Muslim for 5 years and each Ramadan instead of increasing in my emaan, I question whether I can continue living as a Muslim. The loneliness I have felt over the last 5 years is one I never felt before I became Muslim. I feel it even more in Ramadan. I receive so many emails about how to complete the Qu’ran in 30 days, how to attain taqwa but I just struggle trying to get through the days.
When I took my shahadah, so many sisters hugged me and gave me their phone numbers but after a few weeks, they didn’t respond to my calls or my messages. I’m so alone, it really hurts. They told me they would help me learn how to pray. I still don’t know how to pray. I’ve tried youtube and books but they don’t work. I’m really struggling. I phoned my local masjid and they laughed at me after I told them how long I was Muslim and couldn’t pray. I’m so down and alone. I wish I could be like most and look forward to Ramadan. I wish I could read the Koran. I wish I could pray taraweeh. I wish I didn’t feel so alone. I have tried; I went to the masjid to break my fast. But nobody spoke to me. They offered me food and drink but then after praying they just ate in their little circles smiling and laughing. You’re my last attempt – can you help me? I’m desperate.” Mandy
Sadly, the SOLACE team receive many emails like that of Mandy’s. There’s a sound proportion of revert sisters who receive support and they really work diligently with their SOLACE support workers to make positive change in their lives. In contrast however, there are sisters like Mandy who disappear despite our willingness to support them. It is as though they are scared to receive support only to be let down for the umpteenth time. As a team, we can only pray and make du’aa that they will meet beautiful sincere Muslims who will help them as they should have been helped during those first few fragile weeks of being a very new Muslim.
The picture for most new reverts is indeed a very positive one. One needs only to attend a shahaadah ceremony and observe the mixture of excitement and nervousness sprawled across the face of the one taking that amazing step; crossing from the fields of kufr into the vastness of tawheed. It is such a joyous moment – both for the new Muslim and for those who are present, witnessing the guidance of Allah unfold in an individual’s life. Most faces are streaming with tears as their hearts increase in faith in the One and Only Creator, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala).
It is equally overwhelming for the new believer as she is swamped with hugs, kisses, books, hijabs and telephone numbers. There is a sense of a new immediate family, and the fear of what their own non-Muslim family will say and do is subdued by the hope that their new Muslim family will be there no matter what.
Quite tragically, the situation can at times be very different just as Mandy described in her email. More than likely, brothers and sisters that attend a shahaadah ceremony really do have a good intention to keep in touch. Certainly excuses must be made; perhaps they imagined that the new believer has a solid support network, after all, there were so many telephone numbers handed over that day. Others may be busy in their own lives and feel pressurised with the responsibility of helping a new Muslim. Passing on a few books and CDs is sufficient but what if they needed somewhere to stay?
The sad reality is that too many brothers and sisters leave the responsibility to others assuming that there is enough support when in fact, the new Muslim has absolutely no one to support her. It is at this delicate time that she definitely needs support as the onset of tests pervade her life. It is as though upon uttering the testimony of faith, the new believer is tested to see whether they truly believe as Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) says:
‘…We might test him who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it: and the Lord watches over all things.’[1]
Had the new Muslim been supported, been shown how to pray, been taught the foundations of Islam and given a firm foundation, been put in touch with a good group of brothers or sisters that took them under their wings and looked after them; they would have had the tools and strength of faith to deal with the tests that face most new Muslims.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of the above at the crucial beginning of their Muslim life, the following types of issues arise which sadly often lead to someone like Mandy entering Islam with zeal and belief and leaving it weeks, months or years later with hatred and disbelief…
Rejection by family
A large number of new Muslims experience negative reactions from their non-Muslim relatives. The experiences vary from being ignored, physically removed from the family home, and we have even received cases of others who were locked up and beaten by relatives. It is at this time that support from Muslims is crucially needed. However, many new Muslims endure these tests with their family with minimal support or understanding from members of the Muslim community. Often, the rejection and abuse received at the hands of family members is too much for some and they succumb to the pressure of leaving Islam feeling that they have no other alternative because all the brothers and sisters disappeared and hence there is no other alternative.
Choosing a wrong spouse
Many brothers and sisters feel that there is a simple quick fix for the new Muslim who has been abandoned by their own relatives: To get married and get married quickly! This is the case more so with female reverts than their male counterparts. The sister is struggling to learn Surah Al Fatihah and before she knows it, she is flooded with recommendations of pious brothers who are looking to get married, brothers who could help her on her path. She is given a good breakdown of what characteristics constitute a good Muslim husband; one who wears trousers above his ankles and observes a beard. Well-meaning sisters persuade the new Muslim to marry their own recommendation with choruses of ‘Trust me, my husband has known him for years – he’s a good practising brother!’ Regrettably, there is no mention of his character, likes and dislikes and the likelihood of compatibility. Two or three meetings are conducted by a wali (guardian) appointed at the last minute. The nikaah takes place in a small room within the masjid. Non-Muslim relatives who have not abandoned their daughters, look on in dismay as their dreams of their daughter’s wedding is shattered. Or the new Muslim takes the next most important step in her life without the knowledge of her non-Muslim relatives.
Months down the line, still struggling to learn how to pray, she is either divorced or living a very miserable married life. Years down the line, we find that she has remarried four to five times in the same manner as more brothers and sisters pity her and persuade her into thinking that marriage will solve her problems. Children are born into this situation and live with a mother who is severely depressed with only one visible sign of Islam – her hijab. It is only a matter of time before the last sign of Islam is removed and she seeks peace and tranquillity in her old lifestyle or religion.
This example may seem extreme to many but shockingly this is the reality for many new Muslims.
Moving towards an extreme version of Islam
Zeal and passion for Islam is evident in many new Muslims. Like sponges, they are eager to learn, absorb and implement. There seems to be a misconstrued silent rule that upon entering Islam, a complete rejection of everything that came before is required. With an ‘all or nothing’ mentality, she severs family ties as she cannot live her life surrounded by ‘kaafirs’. Clothes are put into bin bags and phone numbers are changed. Within a few days, the new believer changes from wearing jeans to completely covering from head to toe in black. The new Muslim believes she is moving in the correct direction as she receives impressed compliments from other sisters. Shortly down the line, those initial strict immediate changes begin to show its cracks as she wonders why she feels no connection, deep faith or tranquility in her salaah. She wonders why her heart feels dead and why she now craves to go back to the life that she once led.
Confused, depressed and with only a speck of emaan left in her heart, she wonders what to do. She cannot return to her family whom she cut ties with. In addition to the strained relationships she has with other sisters and the sisterhood, the marriage she is in which is full of constant arguments and depression – with all this, she makes an all or nothing choice again and leaves Islam altogether.
There are so many other issues that could be highlighted within this article. But the purpose of this article is not to depress the readers but to portray the other side of the New Muslim’s life which often goes unheard.
Ramadhan is a time where many reverts feel very alone. We know that the purpose of Ramadhan is not to socialise but rather it is to attain taqwa of Allah. However, we must try to view Ramadhan from the perspective of a new believer. Coming from a very non-Muslim sociable lifestyle, there are very few chances to really socialise. Ramadhan is seen by many reverts as a time to be with others, to share, eat and grow together. When this is not present, stark truths are deeply felt and the new Muslim begins to realise them; the family they lost upon entering Islam, their lack of Muslim friends and as a result, the huge social void in their lives begins to emerge.
Fasting those first few times without much needed encouragement to make it until iftar is a huge mountain to climb and so many new Muslims give up and break their fasts intentionally. This results in them living the rest of Ramadhan truly believing that they will never be forgiven, that Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) hates them and that they are destined for the hellfire.
Observing large extended families coming together, enjoying iftar, attending taraweeh prayer together and preparing for the equivalent of Christmas, Eid Al Fitr, is quite a depressing time as they realise yet again that they are all alone.
Eid is the most dreaded time of the year. Since they are no longer attending family functions such as weddings, birthday parties, and religious festivities, they hope that Eid would be a joyous occasion to share with others. However, some deliberately choose not to leave their homes on Eid, unable to witness everyone else’s happiness at the Eid salaah knowing that they will be returning home alone.
How can brothers and sisters make a difference this Ramadhan and Eid? More importantly, how can brothers and sisters support reverts throughout the whole year so that the rate of apostasy is widely reduced? Here are some tips that we hope every reader will try to implement with at least one revert whom they know:
- Invite a revert around for iftar. Call them and ask after them. Do not assume that they are fine or even fasting. It doesn’t matter how long they have been Muslim. Really show that you care about them.
- Give a gift to a revert this Eid. It will build the love between you both and can have a lasting effect in their perception of Muslims at a time when they might be going through a difficult time.
- Share a part of your Eid day with a revert; even if it is just for one hour. Really go out of your way to make it a special time for them.
- Besides Ramadhan and Eid, one of the most important ways you can help a revert is to help them build a very solid foundation in their deen. Bring them closer to Allah and help them develop a strong relationship with their Creator. This step is probably the most crucial as it marks the difference in how they deal with the various tests that will come their way.
- Do not look at a revert in terms of how long they have been Muslim. Remember that they spent twenty, thirty or even forty years with certain thoughts, and practices that were completely alien to Islam. The psychological transition into a completely different way of life can take years.
- Dedicate yourself to really helping at least one revert Muslim for life – help them learn how to pray, share good and difficult times together, attend lectures together – seek knowledge together. Commit yourself to helping them for life.
Update:
MESSAGE FROM UMM RAIYAAN (copied from comments section below)
ssalamuu alaykum,
Finding a spouse, maintaining strong marriages- Video
http://seekershub.org/blog/2015/02/video-finding-a-spouse-maintaining-strong-marriages/
It isn’t easy finding the right spouse and maintaining a loving, peaceful, and long-lasting relationship. In this engaging seminar, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and Ustadha Shireen Ahmed share practical knowledge and real life scenarios on:
– Choosing a spouse.
– Involving your family appropriately.
– Understanding the marriage contract.
– The overall spiritual nature of marriage.
– The qualities required to maintain a healthy marriage.
SeekersHub Toronto is a unique learning foundation that connects transformative knowledge and spirituality with actionable community service and social engagement. It is open and welcoming to individuals of all ages, religious beliefs, and walks of life–with equally diverse programs and activities offered at no cost.
Consider joining a class with SeekersHub Toronto. All classes are FREE.
Help us continue to provide Knowledge Without Barriers through your ongoing monthly support or a one-time donation.
Valentines Day Gone Wrong
Love being misunderstood
Love is a word that is commonly uttered and heard in our societies. In fact, every person is in need and search of a true love, but every person has a different opinions and views about this issue. It is clear from Islamic teachings that Islam itself is the religion of love and brotherhood. It urges its followers to live in loveable and brotherhood atmosphere. But unfortunately, what is love in Islam, is defined wrongly in our societies and communities, which results in many shameful and sinful events. Due to such events even those who know the true love are double minded in expressing their love, whereas the teachings of Islam exhort us to inform our brother if we love him.
Love in Islam & other beliefs
Islam defined love and specified all its ways of fulfillment. It is due to our ignorance and negligence of the Islamic teachings that created such miserable situation and that a baseless and shameful tradition like Valentines Day took place. Non-Muslims celebrate this tradition on 14th February every year in order to fulfill their sinful desires and lusts.
In this day and age, this custom become well-known and vastly celebrated even in Muslim countries. People present valentine day flowers and valentine day gifts to their loved ones on this event. They blindly follow the ways of non-Muslim and even do not know what is valentine day history and the reality of this tradition is and why it is celebrated?
Continue reading “Valentines Day Gone Wrong”
Seeking nearness to Allah, the ultimate aim in our worldly work
“Therefore, when you wish to go to your market or do something for your livelihood, or take up a craft or become an agent (wakālah) or engage in some other vocations in order to seek the licit and to imitate the practice of Allāh’s Messenger—Allāh bless him and grant him peace—and to seek recompense (thawāb) for yourself and your dependents, to earn provision for them, and in order to be independent of people while showing compassion to brethren and neighbours, and to pay the obligatory alms and discharge every obligatory right, then hold out hope through these efforts that you shall meet Allāh—glorified and exalted be He—while your countenance is as the moon on the night when it is full.”
Imam Al-Hārith ibn Asad Al-Muhāsibī in his Kitab al-Makasib wa al-Wara’
Resources for Seekers:
What Does it Mean to Have “Beautiful Restraint and Balance” in one’s Work, Career, and in Seeking one’s Provision?
Are There Any Invocations To Help Me Find A Job?
Trust in Allah and Provisions for Seekers of Knowledge
Is There a Prayer I Can Make So That My Co-Workers Will Cooperate and Work Better With Me?
We often forget that scholars are just human beings who happen to be experts in their fields.
We often forget that scholars are just human beings who happen to be experts in their fields. Why are they considered experts? Like any position they are considered the experts because they have put in time, effort and through action have shown that they are sincere about the pursuit of truth. For me the character of a Scholar is far more important than what he actually knows. The reason is that I know an individual who has proven to have the best of character is going to be as honest as possible in his approach to learning and sharing knowledge.
Scholar is not synonymous with perfect.
They make mistakes and May Allah reward them for them because of their sincerity.
Side Note: this does not mean we blindly follow the mistake. This means that if they make a mistake we reject it and take what is correct.
If any Christians, Jews, or any non-Muslims wish to have a friendly dialogue or debate about Islam, feel free to message me
If any Christians, Jews, or any non-Muslims wish to have a friendly dialogue or debate about Islam, feel free to message me on this page. Or contact me on my website. The same goes for any supporters of the so-called “Islamic State,” a term I use reluctantly, who want to have a dialogue on whether they are a legitimate khilafah. Please note that this is a FRIENDLY debate. No throwing around curse words or hateful rhetoric. Contact me on my website:
Message from new Muslim on the video ‘How to exit the Matrix’?
Message from new Muslim on the video ‘How to exit the Matrix’:
Sent it to my son who is struggling with meaning of life and loves the matrix movies. I converted 2 years ago, Alhamdulilah. My (adult) children supported my decision although they are not believers. I pray one day they,too, will exit the matrix like I did. It was the best decision I ever made. Jazaka’Allah Khair for this great video and your dawah.
Please watch and share this brilliant video.
Prayer (Salaah) The Programming Towards Righteousness | Dr Zakir Naik
It’s worth it to ask yourself how much of the suffering in your life is a result of your choices.
It’s worth it to ask yourself how much of the suffering in your life is a result of your choices.
Are you choosing to not stand up for yourself?
Not wanting to rock the boat and therefore silently suffering?
Refusing to believe the truth, and holding on to a smothering dream?
Focusing on what you don’t have instead of what you do have?
Investing more energy in holding it all in rather than reaching out
for help?
These aren’t questions I’m putting out there as judgments – they are questions, actually, that I can say I’ve had to answer for myself, and make changes when I answered them!
As the famous saying goes, pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
HOW TO UNDERSTAND DAWAH/TAWHEED | TIPS IN DAWAH
SISTERS DAWAH WORKSHOP
Assalamualaykum,
Just a reminder that the SISTERS DAWAH WORKSHOP will be tomorrow from 1-3pm in McDougalls prayer hall. We’re really excited to have sr Zeina Khayat as a teacher and we hope you all enjoy the session.
Please remember that if you want to volunteer and give da’wah during Discover Islam Week then it is ESSENTIAL that you attend this workshop.
More details can be found by following the link;
https://www.facebook.com/events/713391195426822/
As well as our workshop tomorrow we have a few other sisters events coming up inshallah;
TUE 3RD FEB- SISTERS CHARITY NETBALL
More details can be found by following the link;
https://www.facebook.com/events/974926992534836/
WED 4TH FEB- SISTERS CIRCLE
3-5pm in McDougalls
This weeks topics will be the importance of seeking knowledge and book recommedations
11TH FEB- SISTERS JUMP NATION SOCIAL;
More details can be found by following the link;
https://www.facebook.com/events/891608530883527/?unit_ref=related_events
Islam - My Choice 
As a SOLACE team we are grateful to Allah (Swt) first and foremost for the opportunity to create awareness about the difficulties reverts face. islam21c.com has been an amazing platform to further this type of awareness and we would also like to thank islam21.com for offering us the chance to contribute towards their articles.There are several organisations that support very new Muslims and try to help them during the crucial initial weeks and months. However, there is a huge number of reverts, some of whom who have been Muslim for 10+ years, who no longer seem to be labelled as a new Muslim who need just as much if not more support. For SOLACE, it is those who do not fall into the wonderful hands of organisations such as iERA and others that we tend to support.Sadly, to date we have received 80+ requests of help this year alone.If you would like to support SOLACE – you can do so through the following methods:
1. By forwarding this article as much as possible.
2. By joining our mailing list at www.solaceuk.org and forwarding campaign alerts, testimonials etc in a bid to also increase awareness.
3. Volunteer your time to work with SOLACE
4. Donate – we are solely funded by the kind donations by brothers and sisters.
5. We are definitely looking to expand nationwide and internationally due to a large number of outside London cases.As we are a grassroots organisation, we are constantly working at the ‘front line’ directly with service users and so our work really does never stop.
JazakhaAllahu khairan for your help,
On behalf of all of the SOLACE team,
Wasalamu alaykum
Umm Raiyaan
Director of SOLACE