Muslims

[Henia 11]

well reading the Qu'ran i cannot figure this one out???? but thanks Ash habibati I chose Islam as my way for it made sense to my mind and heart... the rest is just confusing??? is there a Qu'ran only path?

Followers of *only* the Qur'an are called Progressive Muslims (where this name came from I donnow) buut as Rahma said they have small following and in my opinion lose much of the religion by avoiding the Hadiths.

Rajaa, if you take Islam step by step, it will not be confusing ... first thing is first for you (and other new Muslims) to learn is Tawhid (oneness of Allah) Aside from your chahada ... this is most important for a Muslim to understand.knowing/understanding the true meaning of "oneness of Allah" ... then go from there to the Pillars of Islam - chahada, sawm(fasting), zakaat (charity), Hajj (pilgramage) and salaat (ritual prayer).

And I think also understanding the Shi'a extra pillars (later on) too are good to understand ... just to be more knowlegable. Walayah (devotion to Allah, which is related to the Chahada), Taharah (purity)and Jihed (struggle) ...

Then you can tackle Fiqh/Sharia which is again major part of Islam ... from this you will learn observance of rituals and social legislation ex: everything on how to live your daily life from marriage, to criminal issues, also ....what is Fard(obligation), Mandoub(recommended), Mubah(permissiable) and makrouh(not recommended) Islamic hygiene and etiquette ...etc. I recommend the book: Reliance of the Traveller! It sells for about 30$ in bookshops, but you can find it online for about $20.

Then from there go to Sunnah ... then the Hadiths. This should take you awhile ... probably year(s) ... but the most important information for Muslims in my opinion ... then and only then tackle Islamic history and figures! Everything else is really not important ... and/or will come with time!

Enchallah this should give you a clear path to being a more informed Muslim ... and make everything easier (enchallah)!

[~Jackie~ 30]

Thanks henia for sharing that! I am learing tawhid now with my husbands help. You are so right that it is a continuous learning process. To the new muslims, don't become overwhelmed. Allah will make it easy for you.

jJ

[Henia 11]

Tawhid in a nutshell

"And the places of worship are for Allaah alone, so

do not invoke anyone along with Allah." [surat al-Jinn 72:18]

"Worship Allah alone, making all worship purely for Him alone, and do not associate anything alone with Him." [surat an-Nisaa 4:36]

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (early Da'is of Turkey noted for his devotion to jihed-struggle) said:

"...ibaadah (worship) is a comprehensive term covering whatever Allah loves and is pleased with, both sayings and actions, the apparent and the hidden; such as fearing, having awe, salaat, zakaat,sawn and other practices presribed by Islaam."

[Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islam by Shaykh Muhmmad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen]

Linguistically the word tawhid means unification (to make something one). However Islamically it is in reference to Allah being singled out alone, in all that is particular to him. The opposite of tawhid is 'Shirk' which is to associate partners with Allaah by giving that which belongs to him, to others.

Traditionally tawhid has been divided into three categories which help us to understand why Allah alone deserves to be singled out for worship. The division of tawhid into these three categories was something which was not done by the prophet of Allaah (saws) or any of his companions. So is this something new that has been introduced into the religion bid'ah(innovation) ? The answer to this is no, because we find that the basis of these three categories are to be found in the verses of the Qur'aan, hadith [authenticated reports] of the prophet (saws) and the statements of his companions.

The necessity for dividing up tawhid into three categories first came about during the early days of Islam. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam spread like wildfire and before long the empires of Africa, Byzantium, Persia and India all fell under Muslim rule. Many people from these areas became Muslims. However some of these converts to Islam also carried with them some of their old pagan beliefs. This caused much confusion amongst people, and the simple belief of Islam which the people had accepted, started to become clouded. The task of opposing these new thoughts and ideas which were becoming prevalent, fell upon the shoulders of the Muslim scholars, who rose to meet this challenge intellectually. Amongst the first people to divide tawheed into three categories was the famous scholar of Iraq, Abu Haneefah.

Before mentioning what these three categories are, it has to be stressed that the concept of tawhid is in no way similar to the Christian concept of trinity except the fact that they both begin with the letter 'T'!! The division of tawheed does not divide Allah up into three separate parts (as does trinity), but rather it helps us to understand as to how our Creator is unique and alone in being singled out for worship and reverence. Unfortunately there are some Christians today who seem to forget this fact and continue to spread lies about the meaning of the tawheed of Allah

The Categories of Tawhid:

Tawhid ar-Ruboobiyyah (Singling out Allah with regards to His Lordship)

To believe that Allah is the soul Creater, the Master and Owner, and the Command is for Him alone.

All of mankind do NOT deny this fact. If they do then it is only out of pride and arrogance, and yet within

themselves they know this to be true.

Tawhid al-Uloohiyyah (Singling out Allah with regards to His Worship)

To worship none except Him, without associating anything along with Him. Making this worship sincerely for

Him subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa. Majority of mankind disbelieve in this category.

They attest to the first category but they deny this one. Examples of these kind of people are Fir'awn and the Quraysh of Makkah.

Tawhid al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (Singling out Allaah with regards to His Names and Attributes)

To believe in the lofty Names and Attributes of Allah, that which occurs in the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. Affriming whatever Allah has affirmed to Himself, and negating whatever Allah has negated for Himself. Believing in this without Tahreef (distorting the Names and Attributes), Ta'teel(denying any of the Names and Attributes), Tamtheel (likening the Names and Attributes to any of the creation), and Takyeef (asking 'HOW' (i.e. the nature of) the Names and Attributes).

So the majority of the surats revealed before the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) made hijrah were focused entirely on tawheed, thus showing how truly important the subject is. Furthermore, the religious obligations were not revealed until tawheed was presented and established within the souls of the people, and the proper 'aqeedah had taken root. For verily actions can not be correct except with tawheed, nor can they have other than tawhid as their foundation.

The Qur'an has illustrated that the Messengers ('alayhim As-Salaatu was-Salaam) all began their missions by inviting the people to tawheed before anything else, as Allah says:( And We sent a messenger to every nation (proclaiming) : 'Worship Allaah and shun false deities!' )

[Nothing1234 2]

Facts and Figures About The Islamic Faith

Did you know there are estimated to be between 1 and 1.4 billion Muslims worldwide?

Did you know that one-fifth of the world population is Muslim?

Did you know that the country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia?

Did you know that Pakistan and India are home to the second and third largest Muslim populations, respectively?

Did you know that there are an estimate 2-7 million Muslims living in the United States? It is difficult to pinpoint the exact number since, as New York Post reporter Daniel Pipes explains, the U.S. Census cannot, by law, ask questions about religion. For more on how many Muslims live in the United States, see Pipes' blog.

Did you know that Ramadan is the name of the 9th month of the Muslim calendar?

Did you know that the Muslim calendar is based on the lunar cycle, which is approximately 11-13 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.

Did you know that the holiday of Ramadan may fall during any month of the Gregorian calendar? It takes approximately 35 years for Ramadan to cycle through the entire solar/Gregorian calendar.

Did you know that during Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset?

Did you know that in addition to abstaining from food and drink, Muslims also refrain from smoking and sexual relations? This is because the month is seen as a time for spiritual reflection and discipline.

Did you know that Muslims traditionally break their fast on dates, since that is what the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have done?

Did you know that according to a government-run survey in Tunisia, 59 percent of women and 35 percent of men gained weight during Ramadan, despite fasting for some 14 hours a day.

Did you know that health experts estimate food consumption actually increases 50 percent during the month of Ramadan?

[Tunisia216 2]

Been there done that and I can believe it!!!!! Tunisians know how to eat and party. Despite that being not the purpose of the month But I think a lot of it can be attributed to the sweets as well as people who don't usually have as much to eat having a lot more because of the generosity and charity of others - as well as eating in the evening and night hours and having a limited amount of activity versus their day time activities...

Facts and Figures About The Islamic Faith

Did you know that according to a government-run survey in Tunisia, 59 percent of women and 35 percent of men gained weight during Ramadan, despite fasting for some 14 hours a day.

[Aymsgirl 0]

Cool information!!! Nawal, I am loving that pic of Zain in the dew rag!

[Nothing1234 2]

Cool information!!! Nawal, I am loving that pic of Zain in the dew rag!

There is a pic of him and Hazem both with doo rags on their heads...its on our MS page ... check em out. LOL Hazem's face is CLASSIC...scary!

[sandinista! 1,816]

Did you know that there are an estimate 2-7 million Muslims living in the United States? It is difficult to pinpoint the exact number since, as New York Post reporter Daniel Pipes explains, the U.S. Census cannot, by law, ask questions about religion. For more on how many Muslims live in the United States, see Pipes' blog.

:no: :no:

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Did you know that there are an estimate 2-7 million Muslims living in the United States? It is difficult to pinpoint the exact number since, as New York Post reporter Daniel Pipes explains, the U.S. Census cannot, by law, ask questions about religion. For more on how many Muslims live in the United States, see Pipes' blog.

:no: :no:

Ooo, I didn't see that. I had a run in with Pipes in college. It did not go well.

http://badgerherald.com/oped/2003/05/01/wu..._in_the_spo.php

[Tunisia216 2]

"That’s what a few hundred Madisonians got to see Tuesday night. Daniel Pipes on his tour across the country reporting his “expertise” on everything from the war on terrorism to the Arab-Israeli conflict. An apologist for Israel, a well known anti-Muslim and a surface-deep analyst of all things terrorism, Pipes spewed half-truths, awful analysis and, worst of all, made the last week hell for Muslim, Arab and anti-hate activists on this campus."

What a bung!!!

Get him Rahma!!!

Did you know that there are an estimate 2-7 million Muslims living in the United States? It is difficult to pinpoint the exact number since, as New York Post reporter Daniel Pipes explains, the U.S. Census cannot, by law, ask questions about religion. For more on how many Muslims live in the United States, see Pipes' blog.

:no: :no:

Ooo, I didn't see that. I had a run in with Pipes in college. It did not go well.

http://badgerherald.com/oped/2003/05/01/wu..._in_the_spo.php

[sandinista! 1,816]

Did you know that there are an estimate 2-7 million Muslims living in the United States? It is difficult to pinpoint the exact number since, as New York Post reporter Daniel Pipes explains, the U.S. Census cannot, by law, ask questions about religion. For more on how many Muslims live in the United States, see Pipes' blog.

:no: :no:

Ooo, I didn't see that. I had a run in with Pipes in college. It did not go well.

http://badgerherald.com/oped/2003/05/01/wu..._in_the_spo.php

oh yeah? gnarly. his blog is like verbal cholera. yeah for christopher dols in that editorial...even socialists get it

[UmmSqueakster 54]

We had a great coalition of the Muslim Students Association and assorted leftists/socialists/communists/etc who put up a pretty good ruckus. We organized a speaker for afterwards who did a great job of countering Pipe's speech.

I just just a bundle of nerves throughout the entire thing. I had to keep getting up and walking out, I was getting so p*ssed.

[Nothing1234 2]

We had a great coalition of the Muslim Students Association and assorted leftists/socialists/communists/etc who put up a pretty good ruckus. We organized a speaker for afterwards who did a great job of countering Pipe's speech.

I just just a bundle of nerves throughout the entire thing. I had to keep getting up and walking out, I was getting so p*ssed.

Rahma...You know everyone. It's amazing!

[sandinista! 1,816]

well reading the Qu'ran i cannot figure this one out???? but thanks Ash habibati I chose Islam as my way for it made sense to my mind and heart... the rest is just confusing??? is there a Qu'ran only path?

Followers of *only* the Qur'an are called Progressive Muslims (where this name came from I donnow) buut as Rahma said they have small following and in my opinion lose much of the religion by avoiding the Hadiths.

progressive muslims are hardly synonymous with quranists (quran only muslims). plenty of progressive muslims reject the notion of a quran only interpretation as fully as you do.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

We had a great coalition of the Muslim Students Association and assorted leftists/socialists/communists/etc who put up a pretty good ruckus. We organized a speaker for afterwards who did a great job of countering Pipe's speech.

I just just a bundle of nerves throughout the entire thing. I had to keep getting up and walking out, I was getting so p*ssed.

Rahma...You know everyone. It's amazing!

LOL, not everyone. He was a pretty popular speaker on college campuses after 9/11. We were just *privileged* to be one of the institutions he graced with his prescence. bleck!