Random thoughts over Ramadhan 1427
It’s been a busy time for all for the last month or two, not just with people concentrating on their personal ‘ibadah etc, but also the almost unprecedented attention that anything remotely Islamic has received in the media.
Anyway, I have some random thoughts/questions concerning said goings on that if anyone can provide an answer for, I’d be mighty grateful. Also, it gives this blog some life for another week or two as well…
:-)
1. Why do fasting people making tasleem (ending the prayer) insist on breathing all over you if you’re even 0.1 seconds too slow on the first salam?
Is there any way we can combine between the fiqhi positions of the madhahib so that we all give tasleem at the same time? Even if just for Ramadhan?
Please?
2. Can we all agree that chaining devils won’t help us if we can’t rein in the sayyi’aat of our ownselves?
3. The Niqab seems to be working better than ever – men up and down the country are feeling uncomfortable trying to develop conversation with our wives.
Masha’Allah! And there was me doubting whether it was actually working or not…
4. I never considered how potentially embarrassing it would be to find your local Mosque’s phone number in your address book until I realised that only a certain type of person ever calls up their local Mosque – think about that continual ringing you can hear on the last night of Tarawih, or even worse, during the ‘Eed prayer…
Exactly.
5. Is there anything more irritating than Musalleen trying to correct an Imam reciting in a qira‘ah other than Hafs?
Actually maybe there is – the 100 wannabe-Imams trying to correct the Hafidh during the only part of the Qur’an they have memorised: the last few pages.
6. Which ‘Alim will be brave enough to declare that home is the best place for I‘tikaf – for men?
7. Find a place in Ramadhan next year where you get spiritually touched by the recital of just two pages and all you think is, “Allahu Akbar!”, as opposed to struggling through a whole juz’ where all you think of is, “When’s he gonna say Allahu Akbar!”
8. Shouldn’t we give da‘wah to Saira to keep her Niqab on…permanently?
9. Can someone please tell me what on Earth is going with Pak Cricket?
10. Although uncovered meat might get devoured when left outside, sometimes that meat isn’t even cooked, sometimes its burnt, sometimes its halal and even kosher, and sometimes that meat is just totally minging.
Nice meat should be and must be considered extremely attractive, tasty and more at risk of being bought but remember, there will always be sick animals out there that eat meat in every way it comes.
It’s been a busy time for all for the last month or two, not just with people concentrating on their personal ‘ibadah etc, but also the almost unprecedented attention that anything remotely Islamic has received in the media.
Anyway, I have some random thoughts/questions concerning said goings on that if anyone can provide an answer for, I’d be mighty grateful. Also, it gives this blog some life for another week or two as well…
:-)
1. Why do fasting people making tasleem (ending the prayer) insist on breathing all over you if you’re even 0.1 seconds too slow on the first salam?
Is there any way we can combine between the fiqhi positions of the madhahib so that we all give tasleem at the same time? Even if just for Ramadhan?
Please?
2. Can we all agree that chaining devils won’t help us if we can’t rein in the sayyi’aat of our ownselves?
3. The Niqab seems to be working better than ever – men up and down the country are feeling uncomfortable trying to develop conversation with our wives.
Masha’Allah! And there was me doubting whether it was actually working or not…
4. I never considered how potentially embarrassing it would be to find your local Mosque’s phone number in your address book until I realised that only a certain type of person ever calls up their local Mosque – think about that continual ringing you can hear on the last night of Tarawih, or even worse, during the ‘Eed prayer…
Exactly.
5. Is there anything more irritating than Musalleen trying to correct an Imam reciting in a qira‘ah other than Hafs?
Actually maybe there is – the 100 wannabe-Imams trying to correct the Hafidh during the only part of the Qur’an they have memorised: the last few pages.
6. Which ‘Alim will be brave enough to declare that home is the best place for I‘tikaf – for men?
7. Find a place in Ramadhan next year where you get spiritually touched by the recital of just two pages and all you think is, “Allahu Akbar!”, as opposed to struggling through a whole juz’ where all you think of is, “When’s he gonna say Allahu Akbar!”
8. Shouldn’t we give da‘wah to Saira to keep her Niqab on…permanently?
9. Can someone please tell me what on Earth is going with Pak Cricket?
10. Although uncovered meat might get devoured when left outside, sometimes that meat isn’t even cooked, sometimes its burnt, sometimes its halal and even kosher, and sometimes that meat is just totally minging.
Nice meat should be and must be considered extremely attractive, tasty and more at risk of being bought but remember, there will always be sick animals out there that eat meat in every way it comes.
posted by Abu Eesa at 10:13 PM
9 Comments:
Assalamu Alaikum AE, i hope you dont mind me posting this reply to yusuf smith and chris here, i was a bit slow getting round to it. Remove it if you wish.
To chris - I dont see anyone trying to enforce Islam on anyone else. What i see is certain people in authority trying to enforce a system of collective behaviour on society which should be seen as the 'norm'.
To Yusuf smith -
I don’t agree with her sentiments. I’m often traveling here and there, from study sessions to shopping and visiting friends and family. I use public transport a lot and have often been out in the summer during the numerous heat waves we’ve had. On the whole I’ve enjoyed wearing my veil with a few negative experiences with ignorant people from time to time – but I had just as many, if not more negative experiences before I wore my veil and even before I wore my Hijaab! The problems are in the society we live in – with Muslims and non Muslims alike – not the veil.
I have never had problems communicating with people, men or women. Although as a Muslim woman I will refrain from talking to men unnecessarily, regardless of whether or not I cover my face.
During the summer I’ve noticed people in town, on the buses looking really hot and bothered. They strip down to cool themselves, using the ‘Metro’ as a fan. I just sit there quite comfortably head to toe in soft cotton. I make my own chadors so I get to choose what fabric I wear and obviously certain fabrics are better than others for different seasons. And because they are so loose and flow, they allow a breeze and feel quite cool.
Women have often asked me if I feel hot, when I’ve let them feel the fabric of my Hijaab, they’ve often replied things like, and ‘Wow that does feel cool!’ Or, jokingly, ‘Can I borrow it?’
Regarding my career I chose to work with special needs children and teach. I’ve had several different jobs where I was able to wear my Niqaab. I’ve also worked in a couple of state schools state schools where I did remove my Niqaab in the classroom, in the presence of just the children or female teachers.
With regard to Aisha Azmi’s case I feel that disallowing her Niqaab and consequently sacking her, is denying children their right to a full education! An education of understanding faith and diversity.
Recently a friend of mine graduated with a 1st class honors from Uni. In full Hijaab and Niqaab, one would assume a certain degree of communication was needed, in her tutorials or presentations for her to achieve that result.
I can understand though, why perusing certain other careers with Niqaab would be difficult in this country. Like being a doctor for example. Mainly due to lack of understanding and Education. But I don't think it would be impossible.
My husband and I visited Sweden last year, and if it wasn’t for the weather and the exceptionally high Tax rates - I would want to live there. It is said that 95% of the lakes are so clean you could actually drink from them! Not to mention the public toilets, they reminded me of a scene from a DAZ advert.
Whilst we were there I met up with Umm Anas – a Swedish national whose husband is in prison in France under the so called war on terror. (Read about her campaign on www.cageprisoners.com).
She is probably one of a few Muslim women in Stockholm who wears the Niqaab and as I accompanied her in running some errands I thought we would in the very least get a few stares, as it’s so rare to see the Niqaab or even many Muslims there. But nobody looked at us or treated us any differently, it was as though we weren’t dressed the way we were.
And why are the Swedes the way they are? Their education system.
I think there is much we could learn from the Swedish people. From a young age right at the beginning stages of their education they are taught to respect. Respect nature, respect people, and respect each other.
4:32 AM
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AE- #1 just made me laugh out loud but it prepared me for the rest of them.
Umm Maymoonah- Wow Sis, MashaAllah, SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah and AllahuAkbar. I couldn't have said it better myself. :)
Assalamu-alaykum wa rahamatullah AE. About Hafs and other qiraa'aat, I agree that many Muslims get baffled when they hear the Qur'an in qiraa'aat other than Hafs. On the contrary, I have always enjoyed them, especially Warsh, the rules of which I am quite a bit familiar. Perhaps the best way to appreciate various qiraa'aat is to listen to Egyptians qaris such as Muhammad Siddiq al-Minshawi, especially the live recordings.
As for Umm Maymoonah's comments on education, I agree that good education translates into good habits. A similar situation also exists in Singapore. The streets are clean, the buses do not smell of hamburger or fish-n-chips or that strong smelling yellow fruit called durian and kids are polite as manners are encouraged and enforced. Consequently, elders are treated well and respected. Or else, as we say "Everything is fine in Singapore". A fine can come as a hefty fine or even worse caning!
Oh! I forgot something. I should also add that equally baffling is the Qur'an in Warsh in Maghribi script. For qaf, a dot above; for fa, a dot below or even no dot in some cases; nun comes with no dot at all depending upon its position. In other words, nothing beats the Maghribi script when it comes to quirkiness.
AE - You are a nut. Agreed. Agreed. Thank you.
MSM - you are an active blogger ;)
"It is said that 95% of the lakes are so clean you could actually drink from them! Not to mention the public toilets..."
Uhmm sorry I wouldn't want to drink from those
(I couldn't resist :) )
Its perversely amusing hearing musalleen say "ameen" when the Imam has reached one of the non-fatiha surahs which has an ayah ending in "Daaleeeeeeen"
Salaam - what are you doing next week monday or tuesday? I should be in Manc on tuesday morning - if you have time to meet, drop me an email.
anyway...
1) They're hungry.
2) Agreed.
3) I'd love to say that I have never had problems talking to my wife, but seeing that I'm unmarried, I would be lying. Still, good communication is always good.
4) Yep; this is a real problem.
8) I don't know; who is she? More seriously, I can't do that - she has to make her own mind up.
To Umm Maymoonah - that wasn't my exactly what I meant. MY right to practice Islam stops when I start interfering with other people. The same goes for the woman who started all this. I cannot speak for everyone, of course, but I would prefer to see the faces of people I was talking to.
Islam dies when people start trying to force other people into their mold, destroying their souls in the process. THAT's my worry - and the growing anti-Islamic backlash doesn't make it easier. The last time something like this happened (The Christian Reformation) there were thirty years of extreamly bloody warfare - and then there wasn't an outside force that was caught in the middle. This time...
Chris
"I cannot speak for everyone, of course, but I would prefer to see the faces of people I was talking to."
Lol, can you imagine?
Wife - "Dear, can you stir the pot please! Im putting the baby down."
Husband - "No dear, come here first. And tell me so i can see your face when im talking to you."
as-salamu alaykum AE,
those point's made me LOL!
...and of course there's the perennial madhab vs. salafi punchups re tarawih, so I'd add:
9) Listen, 8 rakat or 20 rakat, whichever is our own personal preference, can we PLEASE not glare at people who differ as if they're ignorant/innovators/holier-than-thou/upstarts/alloftheabov ???
And to Chris:
"MY right to practice Islam stops when I start interfering with other people."
Hmm.. nice try on paraphrasing that comment about freedom of expression (how does it go? my right to use my fist ends where your nose begins?)
So anyway Chris - so much then for amr-bil-maroof-nahy-anil-munkar, eh?
I take it you never aspire to do anything more than the minimum, changing evil 'with your heart' even where you have the ability to change it with your hand.. lest you "interfere".
Hmm?
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