The Blessings of Jum'ah (Friday)

The Blessings of Jum'ah (Friday)

This is a Friday Khutbah delivered by Shaykh Muhammad Taher on 4th February 2005. This has been taken from leeds grand mosque and is worth sharing.

O Muslims! Today is Friday - Jum’ah; the most superior of days within the week. For Muslims, it is regarded as the weekly Eid.

The Prophet (SAW) was told about the important events which took place on this great day and of the preference Allah has given to it. It is mentioned in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him said:

“The best day on which the sun rises is the day of Jumu’ah; on it Adam was created, on it he entered Paradise and on it he was taken out of Paradise”

And in another narration he said:

“The Final Hour will take place on the day of Friday” {Narrated in Muslim}

“Every moving thing listens from morning till sunset in apprehension of the Hour, except Jinn and Men” (Narrated in the Muwatta of Malik)

Know, that the obligation of the Friday prayer applies to Muslim males only.

On the day of Jumu’ah, the day in which Muslims gather to pray, listen to the sermon and remember Allah the Most High. It is recommended to bathe, to dress well, to use the tooth stick (Siwaak) and to wear perfume. This is recommended for everyone attending Jumu’ah prayer or attending any other Muslim gathering, as it is a Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). He (SAW) said:

“Whoever makes ghusl on the day of jumu’ah, uses the tooth stick (siwaak), applies perfume if he has it, wears of his best clothes, and then goes out until he comes to the mosque, and does not harm anyone, then prays as much as occurs to him to pray, and then remains silent when the Imam speaks until he prays the obligatory prayer, it is an reparation of whatever minor sins are between this and the next jumu’ah”(Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud&Others)

In another narration it is related:

“Whoever performs ghusl, goes to Jumu’ah, prays as much he is able to, remains silent until the Imam finishes his khutbah, then prays with him; he is forgiven (his minor sins) from that Friday until the next Friday in addition to three extra days and whosoever fails to do so has erred (Narrated by Muslim)

On Friday it is vital that we strive to make the most of our time by supplicating to Allah, as it is mentioned in both Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (SAW), mentioned the day of Friday and said:

“In it there is an (opportune) hour when Allah gives to the Muslim standing in prayer whatever he asks for.” And he pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands. (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

It also recommended to send blessings and prayers upon the Prophet (SAW) on the day of jumu’ah and the night preceding it. The Prophet (SAW) said:

“Friday is from amongst the best of days, on it Adam was created, and on it the horn will be blown and all will fall unconscious, so send abundant blessings upon me on this day for indeed your salutations are presented to me. They, the companions said: O Messenger of Allah how can this be when you have been buried and your body has decayed? And the Prophet (SAW) said: Indeed Allah, Exalted and Magnified is He, has forbidden the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets”.

Another recommended act is the reciting of Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah and the night preceding it, as mentioned in the Hadith

“Whosoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will have a light illuminated for him between the two Fridays” (Narrated by Nasa’i Bayhaqi & others)

O Muslims! - Busy lifestyles have led to the abandoning of the Sunnah of arriving early at the Mosque on Friday. The Prophet (SAW) stressed earliness in attending the prayer, especially the Friday prayer and he likened it to charitable and sacrificial acts.

It is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim:

"Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba (to clean ritual impurity) and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah's cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba"

And in another Hadith he (SAW) said:

“When it is a Friday, the Angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) the Angels fold their papers and listen to the Khutba. (Narrated in Bukhari and Muslim)

O Muslims: It is incumbent upon those aware of these two aHadith to bow their heads in humility before Allah, shame before the Angels and compassion for the servants of Allah. If so many of us are neglecting this act of goodness, let us consider then how big the difference is between one who presents a sacrificial offering with one who offers nothing because he arrives only after the Angels have folded-up their scrolls? So how many Fridays have passed by wherein the angels have recorded but a few first-comers?

There is no power or strength except with Allah; why such abstinence from reward? Do you not know the saying of the Prophet (SAW):

“If people knew the reward of hearing the adhan and being from amongst the first row and if they didn’t find a place therein they would even compete for it by drawing lots”(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

This is for the one who is late; so consider then, the one who purposefully abandons the Friday prayer without excuse. Listen to this Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) and take it to those whom you know are neglectful of the Friday prayer:On the authority of Abu Hurayrah and Ibn Omar, may Allah be pleased with them both, who heard the Prophet (SAW) say on his Minbar:

“If people are neglectful of jumu’ah prayers, Allah will set a seal over their hearts and they shall be from the heedless.” (Narrated by Muslim)

In other words, Allah puts a barrier between them and guidance and goodness.

O Muslims! Compete in this great act of goodness which Allah has made on Friday for those who follow the example of the Prophet (SAW). So purify yourselves, wear your best clothes, use the tooth stick (Siwaak) and perfume and hasten to the Friday prayer with composure and dignity.

Compete for the first row and then the second and so on without offending or harming any one of your brothers, pray the voluntary (nawaful) prayers and increase in the remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Qur’an.

Ask Allah the Glorious for an increase in blessing and stick to the etiquettes of the Prophet and be from amongst the first to do good and attain the highest of ranks:

“That is the favour of Allah; which He gives to whom He will. And Allah’s favour is immense.” (Surah Jum’ah 62:4)

The second Khutbah
The ruling on speaking or being distracted during the Khutbah

There is a severe prohibition regarding this as the majority of scholars consider it obligatory to remain silent. It is essential to listen to the Khutbah without distraction. It is not permissible to entertain oneself with anything.

The ruling on arriving late and missing a unit (Rak’ah) of prayer with the Imam:

Many scholars have said ‘whosoever misses a rak’ah of the Friday congregational prayer, has missed the prayer’ and must make up the missed rak’ah, as the Prophet (SAW) said :

“Whoever missed a rak’ah with the Imam, has missed the entire prayer”

However, most scholars are of the opinion that missing one full rak’ah does not mean that one has missed the entire prayer, but it is necessary to pray the four rak’ahs of Dhur.

Preoccupation with buying and selling and business transactions at the time of the call to Jumu’ah prayer:

Allah the Exalted and Magnificent has prohibited this at the time of Jumu’ah prayer and has made it unlawful for everyone who is obliged to attend the prayer, as He the Exalted says:

“O you who believe! When the call is made for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business. That is better for you if only you knew!” ( Surah Jum’ah 62:9)

Ibn Abbas said:

"Selling is prohibited at this time."

A’ta said :

"Trade is prohibited. And Allah knows best." .

DISCLAIMER: This reminder was originally delivered in Arabic. Any meanings lost in translation are not to be attributed to the speaker as reminders are translated by volunteers. The mosque has no official translater and volunteers often have no formal qualifications to translate on the day. Please forgive any errors as they are from our human weakness and any right guidance is from Allah.

Everyday Islamic Words

Everyday Islamic Words

Taken from missionislam.com and other sources

Every muslim should know these words, what they mean and when to say them because, we want the blessings from Allah.

General

Bismillah
In the name of Allah
When to say it: before we do anything

Alhamdulillah
Praise be to Allah
When to say it: for showing gratitude to Allah after success or even after completing anything

Insha Allah
If Allah wishes
When to say it: for expressing a desire to do something

Masha Allah
As Allah has willed
When to say it: for expressing appreciation of something good

Subhaanallah
Glory be to Allah
When to say it: for praising something

Astaghfirullah
I beg Allah for forgiveness
When to say it: repenting for sins before Allah

Al hamdu lillah
Praise be to Allah
When to say it: after sneezing

Yar hamukallah
May Allah have mercy on you
When to say it: someone else sneezes

Fi sabi lillah
For the sake of Allah
When to say it: giving charity

Aameen
May it be so
When to say it: the end of a Dua or prayer

Fi Amanullah
May Allah protect you
When to say it: by way of saying good-bye

Bismillahi tawakkaltu 'alal-lahi was la hawla wa la quwwata 'illa billah
In the Name of Allah, I trust in Allah and thereis no strength notr power except with Allah.
When to sat it: When leaving the home

Greeting other muslims

As salamu aleiykum
Peace be upon you
When to say it: meet a Muslim

Waleiykum assalam
And peace be upon you
When to say it: return a greeting to a Muslim

As salamu aleiykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Peace and mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you
When to say it: meet a Muslim

Waleiykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
And peace and mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you
When to say it: return a greeting to a Muslim

When mentioning the Prophets (peace be upon them) and their Companions

Sal allahu aleihi wasallam
Peace be upon him (S.A.W.)
When to say it: whenever we say the name of Prophet Muhammad

Alaihi salaam
Peace be upon him (A.S.)
When to say it: whenever we say the name of a prophet or an angel

Radi Allah Anhu
May Allah be pleased with him (R.A.)
When to say it: whenever we say name of male companion of the Prophet (Sahabi)

Radi Allah Anha
May Allah be pleased with her (R.A.)
When to say it: whenever we say name of female companion of the Prophet

Radi Allah Anhum
May Allah be pleased with them (R.A.)
When to say it: Plural form of saying companions of the Prophet

Expressing Thanks

Jazakallah
May Allah reward you
When to say it: when we want to express thanks

JazakAllahu khair
May Allah reward you for the good
When to say it: for expression of thanks

BarakAllahu feekum
May Allah bless you
When to say it: responding to someone’s thanks

Expression of sympathy

Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon
To Allah we belong and to Him is our return
When to say it: this is uttered as an expression of sympathy of the news of loss or some one's death

La hawla wala quwata illah billah
There is no strength nor power except Allah
When to say it: during the time of hardship

How to serve Islam

How to serve Islam
Taken from islam-qa.com

Question:
I want to serve my religion, what should I do?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

1 – You can serve Islam by having a correct resolve and sincere intention, for Allaah blesses an action that is done sincerely for His sake alone, even if it is little. Sincere devotion, if it becomes a constant feature of acts of worship and obedience, even if they are small or simple in the sight of the one who does them, makes them great in the sight of Allaah, so Allaah will forgive him for major sins because of that, as it says in the hadeeth about the piece of paper on which is written La ilaaha ill-Allaah.

2 – You can serve Islam by knowing the right way and following it. The Straight Path means following the way of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with regard to the principles, ways and means of da’wah and being patient in adhering to that, whilst treating people with kindness and compassion, because they are suffering from the disease of sin.

3 – You can serve Islam by making the most of all available means and circumstances. This is a great blessing, for all means are permissible except those which have been forbidden by Allaah. So we call people to Allaah by all means prescribed in sharee’ah, whilst paying attention to the evidence of sharee’ah and correct etiquette.

4 – You can serve Islam by giving precedence to that which is in the interests of Islam over your own whims and desires. Serving this religion means giving what is most precious of your money, effort, time, thought, etc. Have you not seen those who love sport (football or soccer) for example, how they devote their efforts, time and money to their beloved sport? But more is expected of you than that.

5 – You can serve Islam by following in the footsteps of the scholars, daa’iyahs and reformers, having patience as your companion and putting up with tiredness and exhaustion. For you are doing a great act of worship which is the mission of the Prophets and Messengers and those who follow in their footsteps.

6 – You can serve Islam by shunning laziness, weakness and apathy, for this religion is the religion of resolve, ambition and courage, and its call is only harmed by laziness or reckless ignorance.

7 – You can serve Islam by connecting your heart to Allaah and reciting a lot of du’aa’ and prayers for forgiveness, and persisting in reading Qur’aan. There is nothing that is more effective in cleansing the heart and refreshing the soul, and making it active and energetic so that it will not get tired or bored, than remembering Allaah much and drawing nearer to Him by means of obeying Him and doing naafil (supererogatory) acts of worship.

8 – You can serve Islam by forming bonds with scholars who practise what they preach, those who are known to be sincere and who are well established in jihad and supporting this religion. Marching under their banner and following their lead is very good and beneficial.

9 – You can serve Islam by organizing your time on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. There are actions which should be done every day, others which should be done every week, and others which should be done every month or every year.

For example, you should make da’wah to those whom you see every day and to those whom you see once a week. You may have a family gathering once a month, and there may be annual conferences, or journeys for Hajj or ‘Umra once a year, and so on.

10 – You can serve Islam by paying it some attention and giving it some of your time, thoughts and money, and making it your main concern. So when you stand up, it is for Islam; when you walk, it is for Islam; when you think, it is for Islam; when you give, it is for Islam; when you sit, it is for Islam.

11 – you can serve Islam by hastening to contribute every time you find an opportunity to do good. Do not hesitate or delay or put it off.

A Brother like That

A Brother like That

Taken from members.tripod.com
Originally taken from everymuslim.com, Author: Unknown

Shuaib received an automobile from his brother as a Eid present. On Eid day when Shuaib came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Uncle?" he asked. Shuaib nodded. " My brother gave it to me for Eid." The boy was astounded.

"You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing? Boy, I wish..." He hesitated. Of course Shuaib knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Shuaib all the way down to his heels.

"I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that." Shuaib looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?" "Oh yes, I'd love that."

After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, "Uncle, would you mind driving in front of my house?" Shuaib smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile.

But Shuaib was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked. He ran up the steps.

Then in a little while Shuaib heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.

"There she is, uncle, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Eid and it didn't cost him a penny. And some day I'm gonna give you one just like it...then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Shop windows that I've been trying to tell you about."

Shuaib got out and lifted the boy to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.

That Eid, Shuaib learned what Rasullallah(sallallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) meant when he had said: "Love for your brother what you love for yourself ".

Zakat-ul-Fitr & Zakat

1. ZAKAT UL FITR
(Taken from missionislam)

Zakat al Fitr is an obligatory charity on every Muslim at the end of the month of Ramadan. Ibn `Umar said: "The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, enjoined the payment of one Sa'a of dates or one Sa'a of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to purify the one who has fasted from any type of indecent act or speech he might have committed while fasting. It also helps the poor and the needy. Ibn Abbas said: "The Messanger of Allah, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on the one who fasts to shield him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy." (Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.)

The Amount of Zakat al-Fitr
As the first hadeeth indicated, the amout of Zakat al-Fitr is one Sa'a. Sa'a is a volume measure correspoding approximately to the volume of 5 lb of good wheat. The material of the Zakat can be either dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn or similar items considered as basic foods. Abu Saeed said: "We used to give for Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every child, aged person, free man or slave during the lifetime of the Messanger of Allah,sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, one Sa'a of food, or one Sa'a of dried yogurt, or one Sa'a of barley, or one Sa'a of dates, or one Sa'a of raisins." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

The Time for Zakat al-FitrZakat al-Fitr has to be paid by the end of Ramadhan. There are two times to pay Zakat al-Fitr. Either one or two days before Eid as 'Umar used to do, or the day of Eid before the Eid prayer. Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, ordered them to pay Zakat al-Fitr before they go out to perform the Eid prayer. If Zakat al-Fitr is paid after the Eid prayer, it will only be considered as regular charity. The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, said: "If one pays Zakat al-Fitr before the Salat, it is considered an accepted Zakat, if he pays it after the Salat, it is considered an ordinary charity." (Related by Abu Dawud.)

Zakat al-Fitr is to be given to the same eight categories or people as in the other types of Zakat. Some scholars say that the poor and the nedy are the most deserving ones since the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, said that it had "...the purpose of providing food for the needy."

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Message from London Central Mosque (in their 2012 Ramadan Timetable):
Each Muslim on his behalf and those he maintains is under obligation to give before the Eid prayer on the day of the feast or during Ramadhaan ZAKAAT ul FITR to the poor a minimum of £5.00 per person is recommended. (Which is one saa’a almost equal to: 2.15 Kg of stable food, the estimated price is about 5 Pounds.

For more info on Zakat al-Fitr from Missionislam.com click here!

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2. ZAKAT
(taken from islamicity.com)

Ramadan is the month of giving and benevolence, the Messenger was more benevolent than a falling rain. Muslims are encouraged to emulate the Messenger of Allah (saws), to assess and pay their Zakat during the month of Ramadan, thus combining the two pillars of Islam at the same time.

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories people.

This category of people is defined in surah at-Taubah (9) verse 60: " The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise." (The Holy Qur'an 9:60).

The obligatory nature of Zakat is firmly established in the Qur'an, the Sunnah (or hadith), and the consensus of the companions and the Muslim scholars. Allah states in Surah at-Taubah verses 34-35: "34:O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. announce unto them a most grievous penalty- 35:On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, their flanks, and their backs.- "This is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!" (The Holy Qur'an 9:34-35).

The prophet (pbuh) said: "Any owner of gold and silver who does not deliver from them their right, on the Day of Quiyamah (Day of Judgment), (the gold and silver) will be shaped as foils of fire. Then it will be heated in the fire of Hell; (and) then with it he will be ironed on his side, his forehead, and his back" (narrated by Muslim).

It is agreed between Muslims in all the centuries the obligatory nature of paying Zakat for gold and silver, and from those the other kinds of currency.

Zakat is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded. Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this nisab.

The nisab (or minimum amount) of gold and golden currency is 20 mithqal, this is approximately 85 grams of pure gold. One mithqal is approximately 4.25 grams. The nisab of silver and silver currency is 200 dirhams, which is approximately 595 grams of pure silver. The nisab of other kinds of money and currency is to be scaled to that of gold, 85 grams of pure gold. This means that the nisab of money is the price of 85 grams of 999-type (pure) gold, on the day in which Zakat is paid.

When is Zakat Due ?
1. Passage of One Lunar Year:
Zakat is obligatory after a time span of one lunar year passes with the money in the control of it's owner. Then the owner needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as Zakat. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days).

2. Deduction of Debts:The owner should deduct any amount of money he or she borrowed from others; then check if the rest reaches the necessary nisab, then pays Zakat for it.

If the owner had enough money to satisfy the nisab at the beginning of the year, then the money increased (in profits, salaries, inheritance, grants...etc.), the owner needs to add the increase to the nisab amount owned at the beginning of the year; then pay Zakat, 2.5%, of the total at the end of the lunar year. (there are small differences in the fiqh schools here)

Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital. (Zakat Calculator)

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

Further reading:

Zakat - Missionislam.com

Charity in Islam ramadhanzone.com

Zakat Calculator - MuslimAid.com

Woman who lost eight relatives to 9-11 converts to Islam

Faith's friction

Taken from St. Petersburg Times, Florida, USA, Published: September 9, 2006
By Sherri Day (with contribution from Times researcher Cathy Wos)

A Tampa woman who lost eight relatives in the attacks converts to Islam as tensions simmer from the memories and new terror plots. But she presses on.

Her mother named her Elizabeth after the queen of England. More than four decades later, she took another name: Safia Al-Kasaby, reflecting her new identity as a Muslima.

Safia, 43, is an unlikely candidate for conversion. She claims Jewish and Puerto Rican ancestry.

She is a former sergeant first class in the Air Force National Guard. And she lost eight relatives - one uncle and seven cousins - in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Back then, Safia did not imagine the faith professed by the hijackers would one day become her own.

"It didn't really matter who did it," says the Tampa woman now, reflecting on the 2001 attacks.

"I just never hated Islam. I never hated Muslims. For me to be angry about what happened to the twin towers would be like me hating all the Germans that killed the Jews."

Safia embraced Islam last year, coming to the faith at a time when it is seemingly maligned anew with each new report of terror plots, wars in far away lands and dead American soldiers.

Like other Muslims, Safia feels the tension all around her: curious stares because she wears the hijab or head scarf and store clerks who ask for extra identification.

Just last month, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo turned down an initial request from Safia's Egyptian fiance for a temporary visa. Safia was certain bigotry played a role.

Her new faith also has widened the chasm among her Christian family. Her mother, three sisters and one of her daughters question her choice.

Safia presses on.

"For her to accept Islam, making that decision especially in this day and time, it says you're ready to step up and deal with the challenges of this journey," said Pat "Aliyah" Cruse, a fellow Muslima and 11-year convert.

***

Some demographers consider Islam to be the fastest-growing religion in the world. Of the 1.3-billion Muslims worldwide, 4.7-million live in the United States, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives.

One of the world's oldest religions, Islam has been in the United States for generations. But the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, thrust the religion and its adherents into the spotlight.

Before the attacks, American Muslims largely kept to themselves. Now, many feel the public expects them to answer for the actions of those who commit heinous acts in the name of their faith.

Across the country, some Muslims complain of stereotyping, racial profiling and discrimination.

Others pine for the days when Islam was rarely mentioned in headlines. Most dare not complain openly, religious and civic leaders say, for fear of being labeled unpatriotic or sympathetic to extremists.

"There's a certain sense of indignation to being treated the way they've been treated," said Imam Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society's Freedom Foundation in Washington, D.C. "There's a kind of rage. The challenge is to make that a healthy rage."

Many American Muslims say extremists misrepresent their faith. But convincing the public to separate Islam from terrorism at times seems an insurmountable hurdle.

Opinion polls back up what American Muslims say they feel every day: Masses of the U.S. populace view them negatively. In a USA Today/Gallup poll released in August, 39 percent of Americans said they feel prejudiced toward Muslims. Nearly one quarter of Americans polled said they would not want a Muslim as a neighbor. Another 39 percent want Muslims to carry special identification at all times and undergo enhanced security checks when boarding airplanes.

Anti-Muslim sentiment also has popped up in the Tampa Bay area, home to an estimated 45,000 Muslims. In 2002, federal agents arrested a Seminole podiatrist, Dr. Robert Goldstein, on charges of plotting to blow up a mosque.

Fearing for their wives' safety after Sept. 11, husbands of immigrant Muslim women pulled them out of leadership roles in Islamic women's groups. Fathers encouraged daughters to remove their hijabs in public to avoid harassment. Muslim women complained of verbal abuse in retail stores. One woman's hijab was ripped from her head by a customer in her husband's store.

Children get few passes. Last spring, athletic officials benched Temple Terrace's Briana Canty when she refused to remove her head scarf in an amateur youth basketball league tournament.

Rather than recognize Islamic holidays, the Hillsborough County School Board voted to rescind all religious holidays, a move it later reversed.

This is the new reality for American Muslims. Advances are often eclipsed by setbacks.

Quoting Charles Dickens, Ihsan Bagby, a leading Muslim demographer and associate professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Kentucky, said this is the best and worst of times for Muslims in America.

"This frustration, this pressure will ultimately produce positive results as Muslims continue to strive to become full members of this society," Bagby said. "Overall, everybody will look back at this period, they'll see this possibly as a turning point in the history of Islam in America."

***

Despite challenges for Muslims, Islam continues to grow, buoyed by births and new converts such as Safia.

Raised by her grandparents in Puerto Rico, Safia grew up in a home of melded cultures and faiths. Her grandfather was a Jew, who fled Germany during the Holocaust. Her grandmother was Catholic. Safia ultimately chose Judaism, a faith she believed was her birthright.

But Judaism eventually let her down, Safia said. In 1997, nearly destitute, she approached a North Tampa synagogue for help. Officials at the shul wanted to know if she was a member. She was not. They asked her if she was really Jewish.

"They said just because I had a relative along the line didn't make me Jewish," said Safia. "That was the first wall. That I wasn't pure."

Battling rejection, Safia left the synagogue. For eight years, she did not participate in organized religion.

She found Islam in 2005 on the third day of a Moroccan vacation.

"I just felt like God was there," she said, recalling her visit to a mosque during the call for prayer. "I said, 'This is it. I believe there is only one God. His name is Allah, and his messenger is Mohammed.' "

At first, Safia's family didn't take her seriously. And some colleagues at her banking job looked askance at her new Moroccan-inspired Islamic attire. Safia quickly toned it down, wearing scarfs only around her neck. She dared not pray at work.

Mostly, Safia kept her new faith at home, learning about her religion on Web sites and Islamic chat rooms.

Safia went to the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area in June and asked for the imam. She wanted to renew her shahadah, the formal declaration of the Islamic Creed. Safia also was out of work. The imam gave her a job managing the society's office. The group also stocked her refrigerator and paid her rent and electricity bill.

At last, Safia said, she had found a spiritual family. It helps blunt the sting of the rejection from her biological one.

Safia's eldest daughter, Sylvia, wants little to do with her. A Baptist and young military widow, Sylvia berated Safia when she showed up at her husband's funeral wearing a hijab and carrying a Koran.

At home in Town 'N Country, Safia raises two daughters. Ten-year-old Natalia says her mother's religion is cool. Ada, 18, appreciates Safia's transformation and doesn't put up with people who make fun of Islam or stereotype Muslims.

"I say, 'Wait a minute. My mom's a Muslim,' " Ada said. "She's not a terrorist."

Safia hopes the world will see her as an example of what Islam really is. Still early in her conversion, she is a Muslima in transition.

She studies the Koran and prays five times a day. She also wears makeup and has French-manicured acrylic nails. Sometimes she covers and sometimes - when she fears heckling or worse - she does not.

There are victories: Her fiance received his visa and the two married Friday.

She looks forward to the day when her religion is not an issue.

"I don't want to have whispers behind me, whispers in front of me," she said. "I want to be able to blend in, keep my faith and blend in."

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Useful reading:
Why I decided to submit? - The story of Angela Collins (from the USA), Source: Islamicity.com

Useful Viewing:
Family Member of 9/11 Victims Converts to Islam

Poem: The importance of Salaat.....

The importance of Salaat.....

Taken from islamiczone2.netfirms.com
Author: Unknown

Salaat is a basic pillar of Islam
It is mentioned again and again in the Quran
The importance of prayer is in seven hundred places
But in the Mosque, do you see many young faces?
Praying in the mosque gives 27 times the reward
Pray with the intention that you’re pleasing your Lord
When you walk to the Mosque, just remember within
You gain a reward and you’re losing a sin
For every step towards your destination
This is a blessing from Allah SWT to his creation
The Quran has foretold, that before you are dead
‘say your prayers before your prayers are said’
our Prophet SAWS said about those who miss prayer
fifteen punishments they’ll have to bear
six in this life, three on passing away
three in the grave and three on judgements day
for missing Fajr at the start of the day
the glow of the face is taken away
the punishment for missing the salaat of Zohar
there will be no blessing from your income no more
for missing Asr, the middle prayer of the day
the strength of the body is taken away
by missing Maghrib, remember one thing
you will not be benefited by your offspring
for missing Ishaa at the end of the day
the peace of your sleep will be taken away
while seeing elders pray at the mosque door
remember as a young person, your reward is 70 times more
read Salaat punctually, read it with care
on Judgement day, we will be asked about prayer
that’s the first question, so take this advice
Salaat is the key to paradise
spread this word to Muslim sisters and brothers
Salaat will separate Muslims from others
Salaat is a blessing which Allah SWT gave
it will intercede and protect us in the grave
when it comes eventually, to the day of rising
the believers body washed by Wudhu will be shining
for the believers who are regular in offering Salaat
it becomes a light of guidance on the As-Siraat*
don’t miss the prayer Asr at any cost
it will be like your family and wealth is lost
the Ayat-ul-Kursi after fard, should be read
it will lead you to paradise (insha Allah) after you’re dead
not reading Salaat will lead you to hell
surrounded by serpents in a deep well
read your Salaat whilst still in your prime
and read the Durood Shareef** in your spare time
you’ll get ten rewards, the Lord (Insha Allah) will accept your pleas
and you’ll be closer to Allah SWT by ten more degrees
so embrace Islam with all your heart
and remember the key is reading Salaat


* As-Siraat is a bridge across hell, as thin as a hair. Only believers will be able to pass over it.
** Durood Shareef is the prayer said upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhe Wa Sallam)

Abbreviations
SWT - Subhanahu Wa Tala
SAW - Sallallahu Alayhe Wa Sallam