22-24 Ramadan 1429 / 22-24 September 2008

I have attended 4 more masaajid since the last time I wrote about the first 4 I have visited this month (9 Ramadan).

- One in the west suburban area, where I used to take classes for new Muslims.   There is an Islamic K-12 school on the premises, and several community events are held here.  It also has a bookstore.  The classes I used to attend were on Sundays.  I don’t go anymore because of transportation issues and other responsibilities (I do not have a valid drivers license due to actions that occurred in my pre-Islamic life, but inshaAllah that should be resolved soon).

-Another in the west suburban area, which I visited for the first time.  Some brothers and myself came here to raise funds for necessary expansion of my primary masjid.  There was a lecture after taraweeh that I thought would have been really interesting, but we were tired and had a long ride home.  Can’t think of too much too say about it since I was busy fundraising… the carpets were red, which was quite cheerful.

-One in the south suburban area.  Again, we went for fundraising purposes.  We arrived early so I can elaborate more on this one.  It was just built a couple years ago and seems to be really involved with the youth, which is always good.  A friend and I had discussed that among the immigrant community, we see so many of the elders at the masaajid compared to people our age and younger (mid-twenties).   By making the masjid into more of a community center instead of just a place of worship, people from all age groups will probably attend  in higher numbers.  This was Mike’s idea, got to give him the credit he deserves, mashaAllah! They have a really hi-tec AV setup, and sometimes they record taraweeh recitation to make CD’s for people.  I will admit that I’m still stuck in the CD era, but I am slowly turning away from music and toward listening to more Qur’an recitation.

-On Tuesday, I visited a masjid on the north side, where my friend is the Imam.  They have itiqaf there right now, which I briefly mentioned in my 3 Ramadan entry.  In the last 10 days of Ramadan, it was a sunnah (example of the Prophet, peace be upon him) to have itiqaf (stay in the masjid).  So they were at the beginning of the stay, and I had some stimulating conversation with some knowledgable brothers, mashaAllah.  As much as I wanted to stay for taraweeh, I had to leave before the busses stopped running.  I’m not quite ready for a 10 day itiqaf yet, but hopefully one of these years I will be.

Eight masaajid in 24 days, hopefully I can do a few more in the next 5 or 6 days!

18-21 Ramadan 1429 / 18 – 21 September 2008

Ramadan is almost over!  Just another week and a half to go.  As far as my goals stated on the entry for the 1st…

-I feel like I have greatly improved my taqwa.  I feel focused in my prayers, and I try to remember Allah often (especially in times of difficulty, so he remembers me in times of ease).  In a somewhat related note regarding taqwa, I feel like I need to set another Ramadan or post-Ramadan goal…”lowering my gaze”.  It’s getting better than before, but still there are times I know I’m looking at a female just a bit longer than what is appropriate.  Maybe if I just keep a book with me at all times.

-I have made all my cumpolsury prayers on time for the month, mashaAllah.  This has included several occasions of praying outdoors in public areas in full view of many non-Muslims.  On Saturday, some of my family went to a Cubs game.  Yeah, I support the Cubs as long as they’re not playing against the Sox.  Ticket prices were a bit steep, so my brother, some of his friends, and I went to a, umm, ahem, cough, “public house” to watch the game.  Don’t worry, I didn’t drink.  It was all for the sake of being with family anyways.  So the Cubs won the division, and Clark Street was swarming with people to the point where there was no motor traffic.  It was near the end of ‘asr (the afternoon prayer), so I prayed in the middle of Clark St!  Once in a lifetime opportunity, I had to do it.  I guess someone tried to video tape me, and one of my brother’s friends stood in his way.  Thanks Darren!

-I finished memorizing Surat ar-Rahman, alhamdulillah.  Thanks for giving me a topic for today, Lamya!  I was overdue for a post.

-Time to start memorizing some du’as.  I’ll start Monday morning inshaAllah.

-Swearing is a habit that’s hard to break.  I’m more conscious of myself when I do it and I think it has been somewhat reduced.  Still working on it.

-I have received a decent amount of positive feedback from this blog, so I guess I’m raising awareness of Islam.  Being around non-Muslims when I’m fasting contributes to the cause, as does making sure I do my prayers regardless of circumstance.  I’m in charge of a group that hands out food, clothes, etc. outside a masjid in a poor area.  We made a few innovations to allow us to better connect with the community to whom we are giving, so that helps as well.

Self-betterment is a life-long process.

15-17 Ramadan 1429 / 15-17 Ramadan 2008

Not too much happening.  Just fasting and trying to learn from and memorize Qur’an.  I’ll get back to you all when I think of something or if something happens.

13, 14 Ramadan 1429 / 13, 14 September 2008

‘Twas a busy weekend, so no time for a post yesterday.

On Saturday, my mom was in town so I met up with her and my brothers.  I only see her about once every month or two, so it was good times.  We went out for a late lunch.  I should say they had lunch, I just watched them eat.  Man, food sure smells good when you’re fasting!  Even more so than usual.  It’s all good though, I wasn’t tempted or anything.  Fasting really isn’t as hard as it would seem, IF you eat before dawn and have the right state of mind about it.  If you remember that you’re fasting for Allah, then it really helps to overcome the hunger.

My mom told me that it looks like I lost weight, and I have also noticed it in my face, but I just started to notice it elsewhere as well.  For me, that’s not a good thing.  I normally work out- lifting weights for strength and playing basketball for cardiovascular, but all that is put on hold for Ramadan.  I need to lift weights just to maintain a decent body mass, and now I’m getting skinny.  It’s a blessing and it’s a curse.

I left a  little earlier than everyone else because there was a fundraiser with which I planned to help.  People from my main masjid went to another masjid to raise money to build a permanent location, as the current one is rented and the community is outgrowing it.  The original location burnt down last winter.  It went well, alhamdulillah.  However, my ride left early and I caught a ride home with someone else.  Before my original ride left, he gave me the umbrella that I had left in his car a week ago.  I have a tendency of leaving them behind.  A couple weeks ago, I had to retrace my steps four times in one day because I left my umbrella behind!  So I brought my umbrella into the masjid and of course, I left it there.  I’m not even trying to sport one any more.  I’ve lost four in the past year I think.

Sunday was the perfect day to give up umbrellas.  A constant downpour during Day of Dignity- an annual Ramadan charity event formerly known as Humanitarian Day.  In three or four hours, we passed out food, clothes, hygeine packages, childcare products, school supplies, and provided free health screenings for approximately 600 individuals.  All outdoors.  All in the rain.  All without an umbrella.  The funny thing is, I’ve had a sore throat for the past four or five days and now it’s gone!  I think it’s the green tea and honey.  I’m preparing to (inshaAllah) be a doctor in the future and that’s my answer for everything- green tea and honey.  What a quack.

It’s amazing how many people turned out for Day of Dignity.  We had about 30 volunteers show up, and I believe we gave away everything.  As I have been telling people, it was definitely a character building experience!

12 Ramadan 1429 / 12 Sepember 2008

I ate more for iftaar and got more sleep last night.  I ate more for sahoor this morning, and I feel much better today.  I guess the minimalist approach that I had mentioned earlier works, but only to a certain extent.  After all, we are only human.  It goes to show that we are dependent on that which Allah provides for us.  All the more reason to be grateful for everything, even the mere fact that we exist.As today is Friday, I will summarize the khutbah (speech) I heard at jumu’ah (Friday congregation).  The khateeb (speaker) spoke about ar-Rahman (the Merciful), one of the names for Allah.  It is also the chapter in the Qur’an that I am trying to memorize, so that was a pleasant surprise.  The chapter starts out:

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem (In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate)

Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful)

‘Allam al-Qur’an (He tought the Recitation)

Khalaq al-Insaan (He created Mankind)

He tought the Qur’an before He created Mankind.  As we believe that the Qur’an applies to all time, the principles are universal.  Some verses may apply to specific historical occasions, but upon evaluation they can guide us in similar future circumstances.  This also addresses the idea that Islam (submission to Allah) is a natural state of being found throughout nature.  However, man, who has been given free will, can choose not to submit.  As such, the Qur’an provides guidelines by which one can choose to make proper decisions to promote taqwa (see 1 Ramadan) and submission to Allah.  We believe that we basically need to understand the absolute monotheistic nature of Allah and behave properly in order to inherit jannah (paradise, heaven).  This life is temporary, and the akhirah (afterlife) is infinite.  The khateeb mathematically proved that this life is nothing compared to the afterlife- anything divided by infinity equals zero, so we need to keep on the straight path.  Mathematics and religion united- Subhanallah!

The hardest concept for me to grasp on my path toward Islam was the belief in an afterlife.  I had always believed in God and thought there was a kernel of truth to the stories of the prophets, but the thought of anything beyond death did not make any sense to me.  I eventually realized that it was because I disagreed with Christian teleology, and that was all I ever learned regarding the hereafter before I studied Islam.  For example, Adam (peace be upon him) ate the forbidden fruit and was therefore kicked out of paradise.  Ok, understandable.  But, all of humanity thereafter was born with Adam’s sin ingrained into their souls, which we can only alleviate by accepting the idea that Jesus (peace be upon him) died for our sins.  How can this be so if God is the distributor of justice?  I wasn’t around back then.  I didn’t offer any fruit to Adam.  What’s his snack have to do with me?  What if I’m a serial killer, but I believe in John 3:16?  Am I saved?

In the natural world, we see laws that enforce balance: gravity keeps us grounded and keeps planets and moons in orbit.  All sorts of animals are members of symbiotic relationships in which one party can not live without the presence of another: termites contain a protozoan that digests wood, humans have bacteria that digest food and prevent deadly bacteria from occupying the body, etc.  The night and day, water and land, male and female all balance each other out in a way that without one, the ecosystem collapses.  We have all experienced a sense of karma I assume, where one is indirectly rewarded or punished for one’s actions.  So if one accepts these harmonies, it should follow that the universe is ultimately balanced in all matters, including justice.  However, that does not appear to be the case.  Those who deal in fraud live in luxury while some of the righteous know nothing but poverty.  The afterlife provides the balance of justice.

Furthermore, in 36:77-79 of the Qur’an, Allah tells us:

77. Does man not see that it is We Who created him from sperm? Yet behold!  He stands forth as an open adversary!  78. And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own origin and Creation:  He says, ” Who can give life to dry bones, and decomposed ones at that?”  79. Say, “He will give them life Who created them for the first time!  For He is well-versed in every kind of Creation!”

If Allah created us in the first place, why can’t He do something that He’s already done and re-create us after we die?

On another note, I was going to attend a masjid to which I have never been before, but delays in the el train led me to going somewhere closer.  I broke my fast on a bus, but arrived at iftaar in time to pray and eat.  I have also attended Taraweeh tonight and last night.  Perhaps that has helped rejuvenate me.

11 Ramadan 1429 / 11 September 2008

Nothing noteworthy happening lately.  I was really tired this afternoon, so I left work at 1:30 to go home and take a nap.  They’re pretty laid back there, so no problems.  I was done anyway.  I think I need to try eating and sleeping more, just to see what happens.  I know I had mentioned the benefits of cutting down on those two, but I think I’ve gone too far.  I have a really fast metabolism, and I must start considering that if I want  to continue enjoying this blessed month to its fullest.  So I’ll try that and get back to you all tomorrow with a post that is closer to standard length, inshaAllah.

10 Ramadan 1429 / 10 September 2008

The past couple days, I have been starting to notice the hunger.  It’s not too serious, but I postponed a few things at work until tomorrow.  Good thing it’s a slow week!  After work, I had to do my laundry, which I have also been postponing.  Man, Ramadan sure keeps me busy!  Alhamdulillah, I am enjoying it thoroughly, but I broke fast at 7:10 in the laundramat with a few dates and didn’t eat dinner until about 8:50.  It was either that or wear dirty socks and undies tomorrow, which I am NOT trying to do.  I have not been able to stay up as late as at the beginning of the month, as my eyelids have become heavy around 10-10:30 for the past four or five days.  I have attended taraweeh (see 2 Ramadan) twice in this span, and I’m too tired to go tonight.  I really feel like I should go tomorrow, though.  Perhaps that will pick me up and inshaAllah, the next post will be a bit longer.

9 Ramadan 1429 / 9 September 2008

I have been trying to make this an eclectic Ramadan, so I have visited quite a few different masaajid (mosques), and I will share my observations.  But first I want to provide an interesting bit of linguistic history I picked up from my brother, who lived in Spain for over a year.  The word “mosque” came from the Medieval Age when Muslims occupied Spain.  They composed such a large percentage of the population that the Spaniards would comment on how they so frequently swarmed to the masjid like a bunch of flies, or muscas as they said in Spanish.  That presents a rather unpleasant image so I stick with masjid.

From my minimal understanding of the language, putting a meem (Arabic m) in front of a word in Arabic usually turns it into a concrete noun related to the original word.  Sujud refers to the position of Islamic prayer in which the individual, on his or her hands and knees, places the forehead on the ground, saying “Subhana rabbiyal-’ala” (Glory to the Lord, Most High).  We believe that at this moment of prostration, one becomes closer to Allah than at any other time in the worldly life.  So our houses of worship are called “masaajid” (sing. masjid), or a place where one can get closest to Allah.

Reflections of Chicago masaajid that I have visited this month:

1) The first masjid I went to this month is rather small, maybe about the size of a regulation basketball half-court (I love basketball).  It is located on the west-side and consists predominantly of African-American converts.  Although I hear it is common in other countries, it is the only masjid I know of that has an outdoor amplification system for the adhaan (call to prayer).  It has the softest carpet of any masaajid with which I am familiar.  Delightful!  A local community service group provides food and clothing for the poor in the community, and some of the attendees work as chaplains in the Cook County Jail, teaching Islam to inmates who express interest.  I attend this masjid more frequently than the others so I know more about it than I know about them.

2) There is a masjid located downtown, and it is usually open only during the weekday business hours although it is open more for this month.  I have gone here for taraweeh (see 2 Ramadan), but I have not yet attended the iftaar.  It accommodates a diverse group of Muslims from all over the world, predominantly Desi (Indian/Pakistani/Bengali).  I often attend the jum’uah (Friday congregational prayer), and in my experience, it usually has the more knowledgable, charismatic speakers to give the khutbah (sermon).

3) One of the masaajid on the north side is conveniently located near a concentrated plethora of ethnic* restaurants.  The brothers here are very friendly, as they are in most masaajid, but I have heard the female perspective of this one, and the sisters all seem to feel unwelcome.  I understand and respect the separation of the genders in Islam, as it effectively prevents intimate pre-marital relationships.  But when it goes beyond a certain point, it seems to compromise the potential for building the community.  There is much to say about this issue and will be a main topic for another day, inshaAllah.

*I use the term “ethnic” to protect the local community.  This behavior is found among all ethnicities in the Muslim population.

4) Another masjid on the north side is extremely diverse.  One can not pinpoint a majority ethnic population here, and from what I hear, the attendees include a small Hispanic convert population.  Today was only the second time I’ve been here, and I haven’t really noticed.  I think without even realizing it until just now, I have given up trying to guess peoples’ nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.  Up until about a couple months ago, it used to be a kind of game for me, but not anymore.  Alhamdulillah.

I hope to attend more masaajid in the next 20-21 days so that I can gain new experiences and share another post along the lines of this one.  InshaAllah.

8 Ramadan 1429 / 8 September 2009

I’m applying to grad school, and I really need to get my applications and letters sent out ASAP, so I’m just going to mention a few of my favorite ahadith.

By the way, I bought my very first salwar kameez today (Indo-Pak style pants and long shirt).  When I inspected the pants, I said, “Wait a minute, this is definitely not medium!”  The waist must have been about an 86″!  Apparently that’s how they do it.  The sister gave me a string to go through the waistband, and all was well.

Ibn ‘Abbas related, “One day I was riding behing the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) when he said: ‘I want to teach you some things.  Obey Allah, and He will look after you.  Obey His commandments, and He will always be on your side.  When you ask, ask only from Him, and when you seek help, seek help from Him alone.  Remember that if all men combined to help you, they would be able to help you only in the way that Allah has willed.  And if they all combined to harm you, they would be able to harm you only in the way which Allah has willed.’”  (Tirmidhi)

“Umar ibn Khattab related that He heard Rasulullah (sulallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam) saying: “If you would have complete trust in Allah, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds.  They leave their nests hungry in the morning but return full in the evening.” (Tirmidhi)

It is narrated by Mu’aywiyah that once he wrote a letter to ‘Aishah (Muhammad’s, peace be upun him, most knowledgeable wife) and requested her to give him some good advice, which should be brief and comprehensive.  She sent to him the following reply: “As-salaamu ‘alaykum!  I have heard Rasulullah (sulallahu alayhi wa salaam) say: ‘Whoever will seek to please Allah by displeasing others, Allah will make him independent of others’ help and favors and He will become sufficient onto him; and whoever will seek to please others by displeasing Allah, Allah will leave him at the mercy of others.’ Wa salaamu ‘alayk.” (Tirmidhi)

7 Ramadan 1429 / 7 September 2008

Today I will finally address the major question: Why are Muslims so certain that the Qur’an is the Word of God?  In considering the historical context in which it was revealed, the circumstances provide plenty of support for the claim.  The attributes of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), considered with the idea that the Qur’an was introduced to mankind through him, leave little doubt in the matter.

First of all, pre-Islamic Arabian culture was characterized by a deep interest in poetry, and the poets were some of the most highly respected individuals in the land.  Muhammad, who never participated in the art, suddenly started reciting at the age of 40, with a beautiful rhyme and rhythm:

Bismillahir-rahmanir-raheem (In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate)

Iqra’ bismi rabbik alladhee khalaq (Read! in the name of your Lord, who has created)

khalaq al-insaana min ‘alaq (Created man from a clot)

Iqra’ wa rabbuk al-akram (Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous)

Alladhee ‘allama bil qalam (Who has taught the writing by the pen)

‘Allam al-insaana maa lam ya’lam (He tought mankind that which he did not know)

You can listen to it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoIO099XTmA     These are just the first five verses of the chapter, so the video continues beyond what is mentioned here.

We believe that Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the Qur’an from the Angel Gibreel (Gabriel), and this is where it all started.  As the revelations continued, Allah challenged mankind to come up with a better recitation than the Qur’an.  They tried throughout the course of Muhammad’s life, to no avail.  The thought that someone can just start reciting words of such linguistic beauty, which can not be matched by people who have been doing it their whole lives, that is quite a remarkable feat- miraculous if you will.

Along with the linguistic beauty of the Qur’an, many verses have several layers of meaning to them.  In the aforementioned text, there lies scientific knowledge that is hard to imagine could have been known at the time: “He created man from a clot”.  The word “‘alaq” translates as “blood clot, leach, something that clings, or chewed substance”.  This refers to the very early development of a human in the womb.  As a fertilized egg travels out from the Fallopian tube, it implants itself, or clings to the wall of the mother’s uterus.  Before the occurrence of any major differentiation of specialized body parts, the ‘alaq is a tiny clump of flesh, primarily composed of blood- similar to a blood clot.  It’s appearance resembles that of a leach, sucking the blood from the wall of the mother’s uterus.  As it develops, the spinal column appears, at which point it looks like a chewed substance- a chewed peace of gum with the spinal column resembling teeth marks.  Subhanallah!  How could anyone have known this back then, without microscopes and ultrasounds?  This is one of several scientific revelations, unbeknown to humanity at the time, in the Qur’an.

Critics have argued that Muhammad (peace be upon him) claimed to be the Messenger of God to gain wealth and power.  However, the manner in which he led his followers clearly indicates that he was not on a mission for personal gain.  Living an ascetic lifestyle, he would distribute to the poor any possessions that came his way, which were a lot.  He lived in a very small home where, for months at a time, he would eat nothing but dates, barley flour, and water.

There are also records of events when members of Jewish tribes would ask him questions, the answers to which only the Jews or a prophet would know.  Such occasions led to revelations containing the answers to the questions.  During Muhammad’s youth, his visits to Christian scholars led to their confirming of his future prophethood.

As we believe the Qur’an is the Word of God, revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him), we also believe that all the prophets of Judaism and Christianity received revelations containing the same basic message, but that they had become corrupted by their followers after the passing of the messengers.  Jewish as well as Christian scholars also confirm this.  However, Allah promises to protect the Qur’an: “We have sent down the Reminder, and We will preserve it” (15:9).

So we follow the sunnah (example set forth by Muhammad, peace be upon him) as I had mentioned in the 5 Ramadan post because a wise man is one who should be emulated.  Also, the Qur’an tells us:  “Surely there is for you in God’s Messenger an excellent example for him who aspires to God and the Hereafter, and mentions God often.” (33:21)