Hello.

[caadam]

I'm a bit confused on when to go to the Purpose of Life Center... YusufNoor, would you perhaps know? Because I would really like to go next week, but I just don't know when and at what time.

 

[YusufNoor]

I'm a bit confused on when to go to the Purpose of Life Center... YusufNoor, would you perhaps know? Because I would really like to go next week, but I just don't know when and at what time.

let me try to get there this weekend, i can get his cell number for you, In Sha'a Allah. the center is to be open at all times, Khalid's wife sells the media there [when Khalid isn't giving it away], and his mom works there as well! my buddy, Abu Bakr, works and lectures with him also. me, i'm ill, i just get around to what i can get around to.

so one can go anytime, but let's see if we can plan it for when Khalid is there. some people are afraid or uncomfortable dealing face to face with non Muslims, Brother Khalid lives for it!

I like to say that I find no connection between meek and weak, as most people would like to connect. Just because they sound alike, it doesn't necessarily mean they relate. To be meek is to suffer without resentment, without hate. With that being said, I believe meekness takes a lot of strength. To have suffering in one's life and not hate whatever or whoever makes you suffer is something many people can't do. To be meek is to be strong.

well said!

and i'm hoping that this didn't get lost in the shuffle:

did you know, that instead of what you may have seen...oh, somewhere else, that Jesus, Peace be upon him AND his Mother, IS the Jewish Messiah in Islam?

while Muhammad ibn Abdullah, Peace be upon him, IS the final Messenger, as an Ummah [Nation], we are awaiting the return of Jesus, the son of Mary, May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon both of them?

:wa:

 

[caadam]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. I would go this week, but I don't have the money to. But next week I will. And that is wonderful that Khalid's family also help him in the center.
And I did see what you wrote about Jesus (pbuh). I've been reading the Qur'an so far, and I've already found mention of prophets from the Bible. I bet the average American who has never opened a Qur'an would never think that the greatest men from the Old Testament of the Bible are in the Qur'an as servants of God.

 

[Woodrow]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. I would go this week, but I don't have the money to. But next week I will. And that is wonderful that Khalid's family also help him in the center.
And I did see what you wrote about Jesus (pbuh). I've been reading the Qur'an so far, and I've already found mention of prophets from the Bible. I bet the average American who has never opened a Qur'an would never think that the greatest men from the Old Testament of the Bible are in the Qur'an as servants of God.

Perhaps a few more surprises await you.

some Trivia

Jesus(as) is mentioned by name in the Qur'an more times than Muhammad(PBUH) is mentioned.

One of the longest surats (Chapters) is about Maryam (Mary)

The Qur'an speaks of miracles perormed through Jesus(as) that the bible does not mention.

The Qur'an has an entire chapter dealing with the equality and rights of women.

 

[caadam]

I've read a brief mention about the chapter about Mary. I am very excited to read it. But I didn't know about the miracles nor the chapter about women. Thank you, Woodrow, for mentioning it. I'll definitely be reading the Qur'an during the weekend.

 

[YusufNoor]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. I would go this week, but I don't have the money to. But next week I will. And that is wonderful that Khalid's family also help him in the center.
And I did see what you wrote about Jesus (pbuh). I've been reading the Qur'an so far, and I've already found mention of prophets from the Bible. I bet the average American who has never opened a Qur'an would never think that the greatest men from the Old Testament of the Bible are in the Qur'an as servants of God.

Abu Bakr called me a little while ago. he gave the kutbah [sermon, sort of] at the Community Center today, he did so because Khalid was invited to speak in Kansas City. last Jummuah, both Khalid and Abu Bakr went to Tacoma because some Christian brothers had some questions, they were invited to hear the kutbah and speak with Khalid afterward.

Khalid should be back by Sunday, i will try to talk with him then, In Sha'a Allah.

on Dr Bashar's website, he has a section on the Prophets mentioned in the Tanakh that are in the Qur'an [as well as some found just in the Qur'an]. i've downloaded it, but haven't burned it on mp3 disc yet. i'm hoping to get to it after i finish some TTC lectures i'm backed up on. i trust that the work is fine work:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/media/default.asp?q=f&f=/Reflections on the Stories of Quran

my [former]wife loved the set on Joseph, Yusuf. in fact, Jamal re-posted them after she complained about the sound. Bashar is really a beautiful speaker. the set entitled Stories from Surah Al-Kahf, i have heard and is stellar, with Owner of the 2 Gardens [NOT Owners of the Garden] holding the place of one of my favorite 5 lectures. the The Story of Musa (as) and Al-Khidr is also amazing and is a story NOT found in the Tanakh.

:wa:

 

[Insaanah]

Greetings Candice, and a belated welcome to the forum,

Here is another interesting fact - The way Muslims pray, although everyone sees it as very different, is actually not much different from the way the Biblical prophets (peace be upon them) prayed:

Muslims take off their shoes to pray...

"When he came to the Fire, a voice was uttered: O Moses! I am thy Lord, therefore put off thy shoes, for thou art in the sacred valley of Tuwa."-(Holy Qur'an 20:11-12).

(And God said to Moses), "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."-(Exodus 3:5, also Acts 7:33).

They make ablution, washing their faces, hands and feet...

"O you who believe! When you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles."-(Holy Qur'an 5:7)

"And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat; when they went into tent of the congregation they washed as the Lord commanded Moses."-(Exodus 40:31-32).

Muslims face a direction of prayer, The Great Mosque in Makkah, five times a day...

"So turn thy face toward the Sacred Mosque, and (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces toward it."- (Holy Qur'an 2:144).

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."-(Daniel 6:10).

Bowing down and prostrating..

"O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves and serve your Lord, and do good that you may prosper."-(Holy Qur'an 22:77).

"And he (Jesus) went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed..."-(Matthew 26:39).

"And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship..."-(Joshua 5:14).

"And he (Elijah) cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees."-(1 Kings 18:42).

"And they (Moses and Aaron) fell upon their faces..."-(Numbers 20:6).

"And Abraham fell on his face..."-(Genesis 17:3).

Muslims spread out their hands to God, asking forgiveness, seeking His blessings, beseeching His protection for mankind...

"Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire."-(Holy Qur'an 2:201)

"...when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven."-(1 Kings 8:54).

And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that Thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent me.-(John 11:41-42).

It's a great feeling when you know that Muslims around the world, and the Prophets that came before Muhammad (peace be upon them all) prayed in the same way, and that you are following in their footsteps.

Also, here are a couple of links that I gave to sis Serena, that you may also find helpful:

www.muslimconverts.com

The above site has some good information for those interested in Islam, as well as covering practical issues and problems that those thinking of reverting to Islam may face, e.g. problems with family, no support nearby, a beginner's guide to prayer etc (all further down the main homepage).

And this one http://islamicpdf.blogspot.com/2009/07/guide-for-new-muslim.html

although designed for new Muslims, it explains the main Islamic beliefs and creed very simply, for anyone interested in Islam.

I hope Allah makes things easy for you.

Peace.

 

[caadam]

Insaanah - Thank you for everything you wrote! I have been completely approached with so much information about Islam that I'm still trying to take it all in... it's a good approach, though. lol I'm very thankful.
YusufNoor - Well, I hope all was well with Khalid Yasin's visit. I have been checking out other sites that people have sent me on this thread so far, but today I will check out this new site you sent me.

 

[YusufNoor]

i was too exhausted to make it to Khalid's yesterday [i have heart disease, so i try to rest on the w/e]; i was going to try today, but dispatch[Bo] glued me to Tukwila. that's not too bad, i live there. [fell asleep! ;D]

i made tomorrows sked with me having a pick up a couple of blocks from the community center :shade:, but Bo outranks me [he's the owner's brother]. he could change it :raging:

these shorter days make it hard to pray and Bo always freeks out, "but you just prayed an hour ago!" :exhausted
but at least Khalid's place is another option! alot of Mosques are locked except for prayer.


:wa:

 

[caadam]

i was too exhausted to make it to Khalid's yesterday [i have heart disease, so i try to rest on the w/e]; i was going to try today, but dispatch[Bo] glued me to Tukwila. that's not too bad, i live there. [fell asleep! ;D]

i made tomorrows sked with me having a pick up a couple of blocks from the community center :shade:, but Bo outranks me [he's the owner's brother]. he could change it :raging:

these shorter days make it hard to pray and Bo always freeks out, "but you just prayed an hour ago!" :exhausted
but at least Khalid's place is another option! alot of Mosques are locked except for prayer.


:wa:

That's all right! You've already helped me discover a lot about Islam so far, and it's not too big of a deal. I'll be heading to the center later this week anyway, maybe on Thursday. I just have a question: Is there usually someone talking every day at the center, like a sermon or something? Or is it only on certain days?

 

[YusufNoor]

That's all right! You've already helped me discover a lot about Islam so far, and it's not too big of a deal. I'll be heading to the center later this week anyway, maybe on Thursday. I just have a question: Is there usually someone talking every day at the center, like a sermon or something? Or is it only on certain days?

ran into Abu Bakr at Fajr this morning, or rather he ran into me. i sent you Khalid's cell, i asked Abu Bakr to talk to him if he can. leave a message for him and tell him who you are and he will call you back, In Sha'a Allah.

i made you some 9/11 dvds this morning and i also found i could copy this dvd ebook of the Qur'an that you can play in a dvd player or on your pc. it has the complete Qur'an with English trabslation by Pickthall. i didn't know i could copy it. the menu is in Arabic, but you can count. i has one with Yusuf Ali that had the menu in English but i apparently gave it away...

regarding "sermons," Friday is Jummu'aah, at which we listen to a Kutbah [sermon] before we pray. at this point, it should either be Khalid or Abu Bakr. IF Khalid is there when you go, have a couple of topics in mind and Khalid can address them, a lecture just for you!

i'm off on Thursday, if you go to the Center, let me know and i will bring you a package of cds. dvds and mp3 discs. i also have a good English translation of the Qu'ran that has a little history and a topical index in the back. it's my last one, but you can have it if you want as i need to order order more anyway.

if you can go, either Thursday of Friday, DO let Khalid know so he can plan on meeting you. if he can't be there, i can try to bring Abu Bakr, In Sha'a Allah.

and if you want to hear a good lecture:

Dr Bahsar Shala "reflects" on the section below from Al Kahf, Surah 18 in the lecture, Owner of the 2 Gardens:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/m...tories+of+Quran/14_Stories_from_Surah_Al-Kahf

18:32
And put forward to them the example of two men; unto one of them We had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date-palms; and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields etc.).
18:33
Each of those two gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein, and We caused a river to gush forth in the midst of them.
18:34
And he had property (or fruit) and he said to his companion, in the course of mutual talk: I am more than you in wealth and stronger in respect of men." [See Tafsir Qurtubi, Vol. 10, Page 403].
18:35
And he went into his garden while in a state (of pride and disbelief) unjust to himself. He said: "I think not that this will ever perish.
18:36
"And I think not the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, (on the Day of Resurrection), I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him."
18:37
His companion said to him, during the talk with him: "Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of dust (i.e. your father Adam), then out of Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female discharge), then fashioned you into a man?
18:38
"But as for my part (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord and none shall I associate as partner with my Lord.
18:39
It was better for you to say, when you entered your garden: 'That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no power but with Allah '. If you see me less than you in wealth, and children.
18:40
"It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and will send on it Husban (torment, bolt, etc.) from the sky, then it will be a slippery earth.
18:41
"Or the water thereof (of the gardens) becomes deep-sunken (underground) so that you will never be able to seek it."
18:42
So his fruits were encircled (with ruin). And he remained clapping his hands with sorrow over what he had spent upon it, while it was all destroyed on its trellises, he could only say: "Would I had ascribed no partners to my Lord!" [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
18:43
And he had no group of men to help him against Allah, nor could he defend or save himself.
18:44
There (on the Day of Resurrection), Al-Walayah (the protection, power, authority and kingdom) will be for Allah (Alone), the True God. He (Allah) is the Best for reward and the Best for the final end. (La ilaha ill-Allah none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).
18:45
And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything.
18:46
Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allah's obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allah with glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.

:wa: