The following is an article taken from Saudi Gazzette, 23.08.2010
By Nazeeha Renard
You can ask me what I had for dinner yesterday, and I will stop and think. But ask me at any time, on any day, when I reverted to Islam… and the answer comes quickly to the surface of my mind.
Before I tell you “when,” I will answer the question of “why?” I was waiting to die. No, there was no illness of the body. My heart and soul were dead. My body felt like it existed without purpose.
It was not a morbid feeling; I just didn’t connect spiritually, in my mind, to any faith. My family (who will remain private) and I were raised under the religion of Catholicism. Believing in God and knowing God, I believe, are very separate concepts. I attended church on the obligatory holidays. I would drop my coins in the faded gold box that was firmly welded to the candle offerings table. Kneeling down, I closed my eyes and prayed to any and all saints to help me.
College life, married life and divorce – all were basically lived without a firm grasp on faith. I was always spiritual (or so I thought), but did not claim any one religion as my own. It was only after having my son that I contemplated something more, a desire to be better and to find something greater in this world.
I was a stay-at-home mom doing my best to raise a “good person.” To give my son unconditional love, and provide him the opportunity to give back to this world. The strange thing for me was I could teach my son how to pray, however, I was unable to teach him about faith.
One day while I was doing my routine housework, I started watching a documentary about the fastest growing religions in the world. Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism were the featured religions. When the history of Islam was featured, I thought, “This is it!” My heart literally changed its rhythm. I can’t explain it… it can only be experienced. My eyes cried over the sound of the Adhan (the call for prayer) until I could barely see the screen. I remember going to the PC and searching frantically for this “music” I had heard. It was not music, but a call to worship Allah.
The year was 2007 and I said my Shahada and became a Muslim. I have a faith that is more important to me than anyone and anything in my life! Life for me revolves around Islam, not the other way around. I have lost some friendships, but I will not compromise my beliefs for anyone.
My family is very small, and is not what I would call practicing Catholics. My announcement that I was a Muslim came over dinner and was greeted with complete silence. I mean, crickets chirping… But as time passed and my mother and son (who is 21) saw that I was very serious, they still said nothing. My son is accepting and my mother feels I am “sad and unhappy” or going through a phase. You have got to love her. Well, at least I have to love her.
That is all I will say about them for now. I love them deeply and will always make supplication for my mom and son to accept Islam, Insha Allah. Each day, I love more, and learn more. Does Islam assure me happiness? No, but it does give me the freedom to be a stronger woman.
I started wearing the Hijab in stages. Six months after taking my Shahada, I felt the desire to cover yet, I was still nervous of public reaction. The wearing of a bandanna became my introduction to my new life as a Muslim. The first time I went outside a sense of calm overwhelmed me… even though my neck was still visible a transformation of spirit was occurring.
Within two months I was wearing the Hijab full-time! I still tear up thinking about seeing myself for the first time in the mirror. No longer was I seeing myself. Subhan Allah, the reflection looking back at me was of a woman who was grateful. For the very first time I saw an outward appearance, that matched my feelings inside. I saw a Muslimah at peace with herself.
I wear my Hijab only to please Allah. There are no Muslims in my family, and I am not married. So the answer to if I am being forced to cover is a happy and sincere “No.”
My beauty and femininity are not displayed for the public, or defined by what the fashion magazines say is beautiful. In fact, my makeup routine consists of a clean moisturized face and vanilla scented lip balm.
My Hijab is not worn as a political symbol. The way I tie it, or the pins which may adorn it are not the issue. More recently increasing government pressure is mounting to ban the wearing of the Hijab and veil. It is beyond comprehension how a group of non-Muslim elected government officials can speak for the choices made by Muslim women!
They say “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Maybe someone should tell these government leaders and their supporters… “Don’t judge the Muslimah for her cover!” – SG
Sunday, 29 August 2010
My journey to Islam
New Metro System for Makkah & New Airport for Madinah
Saudi Arabia Prepares $27bn revamp for Makkah
Makkah governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has emphasized the need for preparing a well thought out and comprehensive development plan for Makkah to make it one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Saudi Arabia is planning to spend $27bn on transforming the city of Makkah via a model that will be the development for other urban centres in the country.
Arab News reported that the Holy Makkah Comprehensive Plan is being drafted by the Commission for the Development of Makkah and the Holy Sites and should be ready “by the beginning of next year”.
Four consulting and planning groups are currently working on the draft. The groups include local entities, such as government bodies that have a direct link to Makkah services, international planning experts and consultative companies.
Although the draft plan is not yet complete, some work is already being carried out.
“One of the important ones is the Fourth Ring Road project that will link the city’s main areas with a surrounding road. On that road, two projects are being executed to connect Makkah’s southern and western areas to the Jeddah highway,” Osama Al Bar, Makkah’s mayor, told the paper.
Other current work includes the construction of new municipal buildings and pedestrian bridges.
Makkah will also be the first Saudi city to have a metro system. Construction work on this project is already in progress, and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2011.
Prince Khaled Al Faisal told top executives that a new transport system and would allow even more pilgrims to visit the Grand Mosque in the coming years.
“We have completed two years of the plan that begins from the Holy Kaaba, which receives millions of faithful every year,” the governor pointed out, stressing the need to implement all transportation projects in the city in an integrated manner linking them with road networks of Jeddah and Taif.
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New terminal of Madinah airport to be ready by October
Taken from Arab News by P. K Adbul Ghafour, Aug 10, 2010
JEDDAH: The new passenger terminal at Prince Muhammad International Airport in Madinah will be completed by the first week of October, according to Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting expansion projects at the airport on Tuesday, he said: “Prince Muhammad Airport will witness qualitative development in the coming days. We have instructed the officials to carry out the project in the best way.”
He said the new terminal would be able to accommodate more domestic flights.
The first phase of the ongoing expansion project would be completed by 2014 to increase the airport’s annual capacity to 25 million passengers. The General Authority of Civil Aviation designed the project, taking into consideration the growing number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims visiting the city.
Prince Abdul Aziz also inspected the expansion of the eastern courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque. The new expansion covering 37,000 square meters provides additional place for 70,000 worshippers.
The mosque expansion ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was carried out at a cost of SR4.7 million. The project included installation of 250 sunshades in courtyards around the mosque for the benefit of 200,000 worshippers. A single sunshade covers an area of 576 square meters.
The governor, who was accompanied by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Faleh, deputy chairman of the Presidency for Prophet’s Mosque Affairs, also inspected the new transport system near the mosque including parking facilities.
With the completion of the project, all residential areas of old Madinah became part the mosque complex. According to researcher Tandheeb Al-Fayedi, the expansion has covered the whole old Madinah.
“Some buildings that sprouted 100 years ago outside the old city have been added to the new complex,” he added. Souk Al-Manakha, an important market since olden times and which begins from Ghamama Mosque to Sabaq Mosque, has been included in the expansion.
Some of the old residential districts that are included in the new expansion are: Harrat Aghwat in the east of Haram, Bab Al-Majeedi in the north, Bab Al-Salam in the west, and Hammam Taiba in the south.
Meanwhile, Abdul Wahid Al-Hattab, spokesman of the Prophet’s Mosque, said Tuesday that Sheikh Ali Al-Hudaifi, Sheikh Salah Al-Bedair, Sheikh Hussein Al-Asheikh and Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al-Qasim would lead taraweeh prayers at the mosque during Ramadan.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Vid: Middle EastEnders - The East London Mosque
Documentary about the history of the East London Mosque, which is marking its centenary.
Islam is often seen as a divisive force, but from the outset in 1910 its founders wanted a mosque that promoted harmony between Christian, Jews and Muslims in the east end. Baroness Uddin of Bethnal Green, worshippers from different generations, historians and undertakers and trustees of the mosque, examine how successful the mosque has been as a force for integration.
To View using the BBC iPlayer (UK viewers only):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tkr8b
This programme was aired on Wed 25 Aug 2010 at 23:15. It will be available on the BBC iPlayer until 11:44pm Wednesday 1st September 2010.
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Also on the iPlayer is a recent documentary called: Heart And Soul - Recite!
Razia Iqbal explores why the oral tradition of memorising and reciting the Quran remains so powerful to this day.
She meets children who would rather learn the Quran than play with their playstations - and a calligrapher who draws fresh inspiration from the ancient text.
She also visits an imam with a passion for the Quran in cyberspace.
This programme was aired on BBC World Service, 11:32am Sunday 22nd August 2010.
To Listen: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0092pw0
To read further: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10957293
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Fine social habits
Taken from Arab News
By ADIL SALAHI, Published: Jul 23, 2010
Many of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) companions belonged to the poorest and weakest strata in society. In Makkah, some of them were slaves or individuals attaching themselves to tribes to which they did not belong. As such, they had no privileges. In Madinah, his companions included people of all social ranks, but the Muslim community was in the process of establishing its foundation in the midst of a very hostile environment. Armies were raised to crush it, and economic siege was imposed on it. Yet the Muslim community was a close-knit community, with a bond of brotherhood in faith uniting all its members. The Prophet was keen to nurture this bond and help it to replace old tribal and family loyalties.
The Prophet was fully aware that ideas should be translated into practical action, and ties based on faith should have practical manifestations. Hence, it is not enough for people to speak of the new bond of Islamic brotherhood without the practical manifestations that cement this bond so as it would be felt as a reality. Therefore, the new Muslim society must be exemplary in its manners and social values and traditions. None other than the Prophet could establish these.
God states that the Prophet provided guidance in all matters. In matters of religion, his example must be followed. In the areas that pertain to ordinary human life, the Prophet’s practice is always good to follow.
The Prophet was exemplary in his politeness and social habits. At the time, people mostly sat on the ground. When he sat with his companions, or with others, in the mosque or anywhere else, he never put his legs forward. He turned with his full face towards anyone who spoke to him, so as to make the speaker feel that the Prophet was fully attentive to what he said. He was the first to greet anyone who met him on the road. If he passed by a group of boys playing in the street, he would greet them and may stop to speak to them.
We see in our world that despite all the refinements that human society has developed, when a leader or a ruler is with his people, his manner is that of the one who is always in command, always holding the initiative. If he is attending a function, he decides when he leaves, paying little attention to what might have been prepared or might have remained. If he is visiting others, he rises to signal the end of the visit. The Prophet never did this. He would not rise until he has taken leave of his host.
He took meticulous care of his cleanliness and hygiene, so as not to cause any offence. He never blew air over any food or drink. If it was too hot, he would wait a little until it has cooled down. If he needed to sneeze, he would cover his mouth. He always used perfume, and stated that the two things of the human world that he loved were perfume and women. This was in a society that had long abused women. By saying this, he stressed that women must be well treated by Muslims. He frequently used a toothbrush to keep his teeth clean and to ensure that his mouth smell was always pleasant. He recommended his companions to use a toothbrush after meals and on waking up. If he woke up during the night, the first thing he did was brush his teeth.
Urging his companions to maintain cleanliness, he told them to have a bath at least once a week, preferably on Fridays before going to the mosque for their prayers. He said: “Take a bath on Friday, even if you have to buy the water at a dinar for a cup.”
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The toothbrush mentioned in this article is probably Miswak.
Here is a link to 100 sunnats of our beloved Nabi (PBUH) - Click Here! (PDF)
Monday, 23 August 2010
Pics: Ramadan at Makkah
Pictures taken from Arabian Business, 19.08.2010
Dates are handed out as Muslims break their fast in the grounds of the Grand Mosque in Islam's holiest city of Makkah. (AFP/Getty Images)
Hundreds of Muslims break their fast in the grounds of the Grand Mosque. Muslim around the world are taking part in the Muslim lunar month of Ramadan when believers fast between dawn and sunset. (AFP/Getty Images)
During Ramadan Muslims wake up before dawn for the fajr prayer and a meal. The faithful break their fast at sunset, also with a prayer and a meal called iftar. (AFP/Getty Images)
Hundreds of Muslims gather to pray in the holy Muslim city. (AFP/Getty Images)
Muslims break their fast in the grounds of the Grand Mosque. (AFP/Getty Images)
Saturday, 21 August 2010
Power of Dua at the time of Iftaar
Taken from yanabi.com, posted by ayaz_cool
Once Moosa ( alayhis 'salam) asked Allah Taala: O Allah! You have granted me the honor and privilege of talking to you directly, Have you given this privilege to any other person?
Allah Taala replied, O Moosa during the last period I am going to send an ummat, who will be the Ummat of Mohammed ( Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) with dry lips, parched tongues, emaciated body with eyes sunken deep into their sockets, with livers dry and stomachs suffering the pangs of hunger- will call out to me (in dua) they will be much much closer to me than you O Moosa! while you speak to me there are 70000 veils between you and me but at the time of iftaar there will not be a single veil between me and the fasting Ummati of Mohammed ( Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam)
O Moosa I have taken upon myself the responsibility that at the time of iftaar I will never refuse the dua of a fasting person!
KEEP YOURSELF OCCUPIED WITH DUA BEFORE BREAKING YOUR FAST... Never underestimate the power of Dua!
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Ramadhaan Highway Code
The Do's and Don'ts - not only during Ramadan but everyday....
The posters are designed totally FREE - Fisabilillah.