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Name
Naima
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Salam,
Did the falsified image of Islam as a terrorist religion - propagated by many non-muslim sources - prevent you from embracing Islam? What advice would you give to such people who consider Islam as an outdated, uncivilized and terrorist religion?
May Allah Almighty ease the internal and external sufferings of every muslim.
Ameen.
Thank you.
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
The image of Islam and Muslims currently propagated by the international media was not as prevelant before 9/11, though it was still present. In that sense, I had less prejudice to overcome than might be expected given the current environment. To be honest, the prejudice I had to work the hardest to overcome was a prejudice against religion in general as consisting of fairy tales designed to keep the ignorant masses dumb and happy. In my case, this impression was countered by the strong message of justice and balance advocated in Islam.
My humble advice would be to present Islam as a viable faith-based system, that is often not followed properly, but that nonetheless provides humanity with a system of living that is far superior to any man-made system. It is superior because it is the way of Allah, not of any person or group of people.
Name
ibrahim
- Ghana
Profession
student
Question
I want to learn about ghusl after sex. Please I want it in details.
Thank you very much.
Answer
Salaam Aleikum.
I am not qualified to give you advice in jurisprudence (fiqh), but I know that you need to take a full ghusl after sex (among other things). Please refer to the fatwa department, and good luck...
Editor's note:
Please check the following link: Fatwa Bank. It is advisable that you consult a scholar from your locality immediately about this matter. There is no shame when it comes to these matters, and a human scholar will be able to give you better advice that a website especially for general matters of fiqh.
Name
hossino
-
Profession
Question
How did you react the first time you read the Holy Qur'an?
Answer
The first time I started reading a translation of the meaning of the Qu'ran I was not seeking spiritual enlightenment and did not find it. I read my translation with an eye for possible discrepancies, inconsistancies and things that just didn't seem to make sense. Whenever I thought I found one I would ask some of the Muslims at my local mosque about my "discoveries" in a very confrontational way. May Allah reward those kind and generous men for their patience and thoughtful responses that slowly became the cause for Allah to incline my heart towards Islam. The Qu'ran revealed (and is revealing still) its beauty to me slowly and with poise, like a flower opening in the sun, not like a flash of lightning.
Name
Eliga Ali
- United States
Profession
Question
In a divorce how is care of the children determined?
Answer
Please refer to the Fatwa Department and may Allah increase love and compassion between all of His servants. Ameen.
So dude you got attacked by a bear, what was that like? Did you think you were going to die, and if so what popped in your mind at that moment? Were you Muslim at the time?
Answer
I was not Muslim at the time of "The Great Bear Incident of 1996" but it remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life, after accepting Islam. These things happen so quickly that nothing much popped into my mind until after it was all over when I realised I had just had one of the most amazing and scary moments of my little life.
Name
yusuf
- Tanzania
Profession
student
Question
As-Salam aleykum.
Congratulations after seeing the right path and following it!
I just want to know how is it to live in an Islamic culture in the U.S.?
Wabillahi al-tawfiq.
asalam aleykum warahmatullahi wabarakatu.
Answer
Wa Alaikum as-salaam,
All praise is due only to Allah.
You pose a good question that I am unfortunately unable to adequately answer as I have been living almost exlusively in Egypt since I accepted Islam. Sorry.
Name
Rafael Alejandro
- Chile
Profession
Student
Question
Salaam.
Is it your view that Moslems should seek to exist in soverign states or is the order of Islam enough for Moslems to exist independently either as small communities or city states, or in a decentralized anarchy? Should Moslems seek to form co-operative democracies instead?
Gracias.
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
In my humble opinion, such questions as yours are interesting to ponder, but perhaps a bit premature. Before we as a worldwide Muslim community can begin to tackle questions of the Muslims' role in the broader national or international scene, we need to look to our own affairs first. Are our families and friends praying on time and in the mosque? Are we as a community conducting our business affairs free from interest and providing our wives and children with halal food? I am not advocating a total cessastion from wordly affairs, I am merely asking if all of us as individuals have our own spiritual affairs in order. This duniya is fleeting, but the akhira is eternal.
That being said, I think it would be very satisfying to live and work in an Islamic farming co-operative. An Islamic kabutz, if you will, but while maintaining Islamic morality, propriety (adab), and compassion for humanity.
De nada.
Name
Rashad
- United States
Profession
Counseling
Question
As-salamu alaikum akhi,
What is being said about Usama Bin Ladin in Egypt among the common people, and what is the view of Muslims there of Muslims here in the US?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
I don't really know the common view on Usama Bin Laden here in Egypt but I do know that I have seen dolls in his likeness being sold on the street. I also know that in the days directly following the 9/11 attacks in New York, I received nothing but words of sympathy from regular Egyptians, most of whom I had never even met and I have never seen since.
Muslim Egyptians are enthusiastic and welcoming towards American Muslims. Many Egyptians have the impression that the U.S. government opresses all Muslims to a degree that makes living in America virtually impossible for any Muslim who wears a beard or sunnah clothing. This makes them doubly impressed when they meet an American who fits the above description. One prominent Egyptian Sheikh, when being asked by my wife before we were married if she should concider a proposal from an American, said that Americans make the best Muslims.
Thanks for your question.
Name
saad
-
Profession
Question
As-salaamu alaykum',
What was it that most attracted you to Islam, and how have people reacted to your change.
Jazakullah khair
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
This is a difficult question but the thing that most attracted me to Islam before I was Muslim was probably the perfection of Islam as a system of living. Also, the continuity of scholarship and practice across both time and space was impressive and provided a way of connecting myself to something bigger than just my own ego.
The reactions of my family and friends upon my acceptance of Islam was and has been overwhelmingly positive. I don't try to impose any of my beliefs on them but I do answer a lot of their questions about Islam and Muslims. Of course, I have changed as a person after becoming Muslim but I am still the same person; the same son, brother and friend. If I am in any way deficient in any of these roles after accepting Islam, it is my fault entirely. And if I have improved in any way, all praise and thanks is due only to Allah. Please remember my family and the Muslim community at large in your dua.
Name
khalil
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
student
Question
Bismillah.
As-salamu alaykum.
Al-hamdulillah for the blessing of Islam... I converted in 1994, ma sha Allah.
What would you say were the top THREE things that lead to your Islam, after the pure guidance of Allah (which we all know is the only REAL reason in reality)...?
Your brother,
Khalil
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
I think I have addressed this question to some degree in previous answers but I will try to enumerate some reason for accepting Islam below in no particular order:
1. Having the priveldge to see Islam practiced on a deeply personal and communal level in the desert villages and camps of Mauritania.
2. Seeing Islam as a contiguous tradition across time and space that can be practiced in environments as disperate as North Africa and Northern California. The effort is mostly the same but the results are different.
3. Before I became Muslim, a wise Muslim man in my town looked me in the eye at exactly the right time in my spiritual development and told me "Allah has a hold of you and He won't let you go." This solidified my as yet unconcious intentions to accept Islam.
Allah is witr and He loves witr, good call on "three" things.
Name
khursheed
- India
Profession
house construction
Question
Aslamualekum,
Do you find Islam a practical religion within your expectations?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
With all praise due to Allah, Islam as a religion and practical way of life has consistantly exceeded my expectation. It is certainly not easy to apply all of the aspects of an Islamic Lifestyle, but the effort itself is satisfying even though it is never-ending. Islam indeed has the answer to any practical or spiritual question this world can put before us, the only difficulty is in making the commitment to Allah so He will allow us to pursue the option most pleasing to Him. May He guide us all and allow us to perform even the most mundane tasks with fear of Him and ihsan.
Thanks for your question.
Name
Ashraff
- Sri Lanka
Profession
Student
Question
Al Salaamu Alaikum,
What is your advice to a Muslim, when ever his/her Imaan becomes weak, have you confronted such situation and how do you handle that.
2) what effort is being taken by the Muslims in USA to educate the other faiths, that Islam shuns all forms of violence and also to convince the public that it wasn't Muslims as implicated responsible for 9/11.
Jazak Allah
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
Thank you for your question but I don't know if I am the best person to answer it. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf said something to the effect that our faith naturally goes through both high and low points. This is not a personal fault of the individual believer, but part of the design of Allah. When our faith is low, we strive to increase it through dua, prayer and keeping the company of the righteous (to name a few methods) and this teaches us to value faith and not take it for granted as well as how to struggle for the sake of Allah. When our faith is high, we know from experience that we can increase it through effort and this teaches us never to be satisfied with our spiritual level. For myself, I know that it is expreamly important to surround myself with good and pious friends. Alhamdulillah, I am fortunate enough to have friends who exceed me in religion and are willing to help me on the path.
As for your second question, I reiterate that I have spent nearly all my time as a Muslim outside of the United States so I am largely ignorant of the U.S. Muslim scene.
I'm not sure about the last part of your question (it could be interpreted in many ways), but to those Muslims who think that the Jews or any other non-Muslim group crashed the planes into the World Trade Center, let me say that they may be simply avoiding self-criticism (muhasiba) which has always been an important aspect of the Islamic intellectual tradition.
Name
Mostafa
- Egypt
Profession
Student
Question
Alsalmu aleikoom,
What do u think is the most important message islam came with?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
I'm not sure I fully understand the question but I think the most important message within the religion of Islam is that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger. May Allah give us all true understanding of this brief but immensly meaningfull message.
Thanks.
Name
ceta
- Canada
Profession
Question
Salaam alaykoum Sheikh.
Please tell me what to do in the circumstance of the Hijab. I am wearing it and I am very content and happy with it alhamdoulillah. The problem is I am not finding work. I am getting interviews from many places even though they are not in my field. They are anxious to see me. Unfortunately, when that happens they would only give me 5 minutes or less. I would come out of the interviews very perplexed and with many questions, wondering why these unfortunate questions which has nothing concerning work. Please tell me what to do.....Hijab.
Salaam alaykoum.
PS: This probably is not the time to ask this qusetion but please help me. I am badly in need of work.
Answer
Wa Alaikum Asalaam,
I am no Shiekh but I will try to address your question as best as I can. Allah has not given me a trial such as yours but it is important for all of us to remember that it is not a job that provides our sustinence and wealth, it is Allah. The wives of the Sahabah used to tell their husbands that they can endure the hunger and deprivations of poverty in this life, but not the fires of hell that might result from ill-begotten money or food in the next life. A person will only wear hijab or pursue any spiritual path by the will of Allah alone. So ask Him for His help and rely only on Him. This is easier said than done and I can only offer my dua and encourage you to stick with it and seek your reward with Allah. Many women in the West wear hijab and inshaAllah you can too.
May Allah make this easy for you and increase your rizq. Ameen.
Name
Br. Michael
- United Kingdom
Profession
hermit
Question
Is it true that we can live in purity by God's will, within the laws of man?
In God's Peace
Br. Michael
Answer
I'm not sure I understand the question but anything that might seem difficult or even physically impossible to us is easy for Allah.
The laws of man have always been, and will always be, well intentioned failures at best, or despotic oppressors at worst. I don't know if it is possible for me or you to live properly under any circumstances, good or bad, but I do know that our success in this world and the next is dependent only upon Allah.
Thanks for your question.
Name
Jack
- Canada
Profession
Question
Salaam,
It think the convert is a differnet kind of Muslim then the one who is born in an 'Islamic' country. Sometimes I feel white Muslims in the West are 'token' Muslims to others and are just meant to propagate Islam on brochures or get togethers. Do you find this to be the case?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam,
It is true that Muslims from different cultural backgrounds are different kinds of Muslims. If that background is a Western and/or non-Islamic one, the differences may be more pronounced. Even here in Egypt, I too am somtimes struck with the cynical thought that white Muslims are used as token Muslims or mascotts for political or social purposes. Be that as it may, if the mere fact of my skin color can make an ethnic Muslim value his religion or inspire him to be a better Muslim in any way, I am humbled and grateful that Allah has made me the cause to help another human and fellow Muslim. I don't know that I am the best person to shoulder this responsability but it is mine nonetheless. It can be frustrating to come from such a different cultural background from so many of my co-religionists, but with the way Islam is spreading in the West and with the increasing number of ethnic Muslim claiming an at-least-partially Western identity, I don't think that this same problem will be one affecting my future children's generation inshaAllah.
