Muslims

[Staashi 371]

The Squeakster is fat, fuzzy and cuddly as always, thanks for asking She's really enjoying her new cat tree, but not enjoying her diet. I should have AbuS do my portion control, because she's losing more weight than me

Should do an LolCat with this line: That's it? That's mah fud. SRSLY???

[Aymsgirl 0]

The Squeakster is fat, fuzzy and cuddly as always, thanks for asking She's really enjoying her new cat tree, but not enjoying her diet. I should have AbuS do my portion control, because she's losing more weight than me

Wow, she is losing weight!

[Staashi 371]

The Squeakster is fat, fuzzy and cuddly as always, thanks for asking She's really enjoying her new cat tree, but not enjoying her diet. I should have AbuS do my portion control, because she's losing more weight than me

Should do an LolCat with this line: That's it? That's mah fud. SRSLY???

Oooooooops, just wanted to say, not with that picture. With another of her getting her little bowl of food. This pic should say: Svelte figure - I gotz it!!!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

She still has her loose gut though, but maybe that's just the result of a bad spay. It is increadibly cute, as when she comes running, it swings back and forth. But, totally not health, so we gotta lose it.

*digs around in my icanhascheezburger account* Ah, here it is:

This was at the beginning of the diet though. Now she just meows incessantly at the top of her lungs and wacks us in the legs when we're sitting.

[angie & abed 1]

Hi!

I just wanted to ask a question, and it may have already been answered in the 170+ pages, so please forgive me if that is the case.

I am trying to learn more about Islam. I am not really considering converting, neither of us are very religious. But, I do want to learn more since my kids are Muslim, I want to be able to answer their questions when they are old enough to understand and whatever happens beyond that is God's will. My problem is this, I don't read Arabic. The ones of you that converted, did you learn to read Arabic first, or did you use an English translation of the Quar'an? I have an English translation that a friend gave me a long time ago, but of course a translation is not the best to learn from since it is just that, a translation. If you did use an English version, did you find it held true to the actual meanings and teachings? Any help would be appreciated, I look forward to any feedback.

Thanks, and hope you all have a great day!

Angie

[Aymsgirl 0]

Hi!

I just wanted to ask a question, and it may have already been answered in the 170+ pages, so please forgive me if that is the case.

I am trying to learn more about Islam. I am not really considering converting, neither of us are very religious. But, I do want to learn more since my kids are Muslim, I want to be able to answer their questions when they are old enough to understand and whatever happens beyond that is God's will. My problem is this, I don't read Arabic. The ones of you that converted, did you learn to read Arabic first, or did you use an English translation of the Quar'an? I have an English translation that a friend gave me a long time ago, but of course a translation is not the best to learn from since it is just that, a translation. If you did use an English version, did you find it held true to the actual meanings and teachings? Any help would be appreciated, I look forward to any feedback.

Thanks, and hope you all have a great day!

Angie

Hi Angie! I do not read Arabic so I used the English Transliteration of the Quran. When I was first learning about Islam besides reading the Quran I went to the library and obtained whatever books I could get my hands on and I found the series of books called Islam for Dummies, Koran for Dummies etc. more helpful than most others. I will say that there were a few things in the English Quran that my husband would ask where I got that from and when he would read his my version of the ayat became more confusing. There are just some words in Arabic that can't be translated exactly how they should be in English from my understanding. I may have a few websites on my computer at work for kids that I was researching if you would like the sites pm me.

Thanks,

Tasha

[Kenza 1]

I use the English translation, however when I have kids inshallah they will learn Arabic. I took a few Arabic classes at the masjid, but I haven't been sticking with it.

[Aymsgirl 0]

I use the English translation, however when I have kids inshallah they will learn Arabic. I took a few Arabic classes at the masjid, but I haven't been sticking with it.

It seems like in my area Arabic classes in person are so hard to find. Our goal is for our son to be fluent in both languages and read and write in both. Inshallah, this will one day come true for him.

Edited December 13, 2009 by Aymsgirl

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Angie, I read the Qur'an in english first and foremost, as I'm no where near fluent in arabic. It's something I strive for, but I'm horrid at language, so it's a long slow slog.

I own close to 20 different translations, and each has their good points and bad points. When I just want to read, I'll pick one (my current fave is the Bewley translation for ease of reading). If I want to study, I'll take our 3 or 4, plus a few different commentaries. Different translations chose to highlight and translate different aspects of the word, so if you get a couple of different ones in front of you, you get more facets of each word.

For example, in surah al falaq, ayah 4 (113:4), the literal translation is something like "from the evil of those who blow knots." If you're not familiar with the idiom "an-naffathat", you'd be like But if you compare it to other translations, you'd see that "blow knots" is also translated as witchcraft, secret arts, or occult endevors. So from reading several translations, you'll know both the literal and the figurative meaning of the verse, thus (hopefully) gaining a deeper understanding.

There have been a lot of changes in online quran resources in recent years. I'll update my list and post it on my blog inshaAllah.

Edited December 15, 2009 by UmmSqueakster

[angie & abed 1]

Thank you ladies very much for taking time to answer my question. I apologize for not replying sooner...babies took the place of computer time, haha.

Tasha, I am going to send you a PM as soon as I can to get the info from you if you still don't mind.

I need all the help I can get! For their sake, I want to have as much understanding as I possibly can...I'm sure my hubby and sisters-in-law and mother-in-law will help me too, I just have to ask.

Squeakster (I'm sorry I don't remember your real life name) Thank you! I'll take a look at your blog to try to get more info as well!

Take care all and have a wonderful week!

~Angie

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I started a page here but it doesn't have much info yet. I haven't had a chance yet to dig through my piles o links and whatnot to suss out what's still there and what's good.

Tasha, would you mind posting your info here, so I could include it?

[UmmSqueakster 54]

The new (hijri) year is almost here, time to party (I know, bida bida bida blah blah blah).

It also means that ashura is approaching. For sunnis, it's a remembrance of passover and a recommended day to fast. For shias, it's a remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Husain (ra).

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=...2445&CATE=6

Fast on the days on which the Law encourages you to fast, such as the day of Arafat for those who are not participating n the pilgrimage, the ninth and tenth [‘Ashura] of Muharram, and the six days of Shawwal, starting with the second day of the Feast, for this is the more effective discipline for the soul.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

The moon was sighted in north america last night, so happy Hijri new year! Don't forget to fast on the 9th and 10th.

Fiqh of Islamic Months: The Month of Muharram

[~ameriptian~ 54]

Happy New Hijri Year!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

There aren't a lot of good islam based podcasts out there, but at least there are a few gems to find. One of those is the seekerguidance podcast. There's currently an excellent series on "Steps on the Path of Love of the Prophet (saws)" by Ustadh Hatim Yousef.