I need help with 3 things. :)

[Hans Thompson]

As salamu aleiykum brothers and sisters.

I am in a dilemma. Here are the 4 questions I present to you that I need help with.

1) I am 15 and a freshman in high school. My schedule is very crammed due to school. On MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY I have weight lifting at 6:30AM and we don't get out until 7:40AM.

My school starts at 7:45 every day. I get out at 2:05 on Mondays and 2:55 every day besides Monday. I have 5 minute passing periods to get to my classes. Here is the question:

How am I supposed to pray in a crammed schedule? What time do I pray? Where do I pray?

2) Do I need to wear anything in particular such as a hat, jewelry, etc. and do I need a prayer mat (what is the proper term, my apologies) to pray and if I do, can/should I bring it to school?

3) How do I officially convert myself to Islam?

Thank you brothers and sisters for helping me out.

 

[Search]

Hi again!

1) When you convert, I'd request you kindly to take the practicing of Islam in stages, simply because I'd be concerned as I would not want you to inadvertently overwhelm yourself. Islam is easy, bro, so, I'd also ask you to ask others to let you follow your own pace in the beginning. Islam was revealed over a period of 23 years, and this means that going at your own pace and in measures means you're being kind to yourself which is actually a good way of building yourself up to better levels in your deen (religion).

So, I'd advise you sincerely to first learn to pray one prayer (only) that is easy for you to manage, then work up to two prayers and so on and so forth until you are doing all five with practiced ease. As far as the different periods and timings in school schedule are concerned, when you have worked up to the point of doing some prayers in school necessitated by timings of your school, you can politely ask your teacher to give you a prayer break and discreetly in an empty room that you request personally or if you find any or already known of any to simply pray your prayer therein. Remember that good manners is the entire point of Islam; so, always make your requests of non-Muslims kindly as they will be looking to your character to understand what being a Muslim means.

2) Nope, bro, you don't need any jewelry. It is advisable and praiseworthy yet not necessary for a man to wear like a hat-like item or a hat or something of that sort and wearing that item with the intention of following sunnah (prophetic footsteps) as an action would then be divinely rewarded here and hereafter In-sha-Allah (God-willing).

3) Conversion is very, very easy - simply in your heart have intention to take Allah (God) as witness and testify in silently or aloud (whatever you prefer): "Ashadu an la ilaha illaAllah wa ashadu anna Muhammadar rasulAllah." The Arabic transliterated words mean, "I bear witness that there is no god but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." Then, viola - you're a Muslim!

BarakAllahu feek (may Allah bless you).

Wishing you awesomeness,

 

[Search]

2) Actually, bro, expanding on that point, I'd say that you don't need a prayer mat; however, of course, having one is more comfortable on which to pray. When I was in law school, we had carpeted floors in the classroom; so, I'd simply find a corner in an empty classroom and pray there. You don't even need a prayer mat. For more information on this matter, you can look at the topic: Should We Pray on Prayer Mats or on Natural Earth?

Regarding the prayer area, the only condition for the validity of prayer is that it be free from filth. One may pray on natural earth or on any material, whether normally worn or not, as long as it is ritually clean. [Maraqi ‘l-Falah]

Weightlifting is awesome, btw. I haven't been in the gym for more than one month now; but seriously, I love going to the gym; it is the one place wherein I can relax and forget any stress that I'm having. So, it's great that you're taking that class.

For figuring out prayer times, I'd ask you to go this site and put in your zip code and you can choose to get a calendar to see the general timings of prayers: Islamicity Prayer Times.

 

[Hans Thompson]

So, I'd advise you sincerely to first learn to pray one prayer (only) that is easy for you to manage, then work up to two prayers and so on and so forth until you are doing all five with practiced ease.

Do you reccomend any prayers for me to start? And how should I read the Quar'an as a new Muslim.

As salamu aleiykum.

 

[Search]

Hey!

Btw, how'd you find/learn/become interested in Islam? I'm impressed, bro, that you wanna convert; it makes my heart really happy to see a young man of 15 having spiritual intelligence to want to come into the welcoming and beautiful fold of Islam. That said, I'm curious how'd that journey begin/happen. Mind sharing? I'm all ears!

All agog, (angelic, or at least I kinda try- hehe),

 

[Search]

Do you reccomend any prayers for me to start? And how should I read the Quar'an as a new Muslim.

As salamu aleiykum.

Walekum-Assalam, bro!

Well, bro, that depends. Are you a morning person or are you an evening person? What time do you usually go to sleep? And do you usually come home before sunset? Depending on that, I'd give you my answer because I want you to start with a prayer that's going to be convenient for you (and preferably at home unless you don't mind starting off doing the one prayer at school).

The site that I'd recommend you to learn Quran from in the beginning stage is Mount Hira (as the site is easy to navigate and memorization is also made easy), and that's the site I'd used to start memorizing small chapters of the Quran. It should be easy to memorize, but as you're not a native speaker of Arabic and neither am I, it was/is kinda strange with the pronunciation sometimes; but I'd say don't get hung up on the pronunciation and do your best with it. For your first chapter, I'd start with Surah Al-Fatiha from the site as that's the chapter that you read in every rakat (unit) of prayer.

 

[Search]

If you get home before sunset, then I'd recommend you to start with Maghrib prayer which comprises of 3 rakats. In each rakat, you have to pray standing first, bow second, then straighten again, and then prostrate, sit, and then prostrate again. I'm linking you to a YouTube video on how to pray Maghrib salat (prayer).

Btw, bro, how is your family situation at home? Do you think they will be accepting of you if you should reveal your intention to convert? I'm only asking because I want to advise you that it may be wiser initially to keep your conversion secret from them if you feel that you may face problems at home. Then, slowly, you can start to talk about Islam so that it doesn't feel strange to your family that you've converted.

Also, make sure that your family sees the best of your character at home. Initially, they may be concerned or even angry because they'll think you're either abandoning them or might even believe that you're going to turn into an extremist. Be receptive to their concerns and kind with them. Remember that they love you; be firm in your religion yet extremely polite with them and do not be surprised if they initially try say/do things to dissuade you from your decision. Please never argue with them and instead listen and then respond in a logical and kind and positive manner.

Have a positive attitude; remember that you have to display the best of character in keeping with the best character of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and display kindness and goodness and love. They need to see for themselves that Islam is simply about keeping the you you are but beautifying your inside and outward.

:wa:

 

[Search]

^^^




Maghrib prayer timing starts at sunset and the time for that prayer typically is said to end when Isha prayer time begins. So, that should be easy, I think, or at least I hope for you. Btw, if you need any help, I'm sure many of our wonderful members will be willing to help you and contribute further; for me, I think I'm gonna tuck myself to bed for now as I feel a little sleepy, but I look forward to hearing more from you.

Best wishes,

:wa:

 

[Hans Thompson]

family situation at home?

As I have divorced parents, it will be kind of difficult. At my moms house she is very accepting and doesn't care what religion, sexuality, race, etc. you are/participate in. I just don't want to tell her yet, maybe in a few years. At my dads house, I have a step mom, step sister, and step brother. I am not planning on telling them for a long time because my dad is a court judge. Also I really want to get a prayer mat, just helps me feel like I am apart of the community more. So if I do get one (i most likely will order it online from a certified retailer) how should I keep it in my bedroom where my parents will not see it? Anyways, thanks so much and I would LOVE to talk more, so uh yeah.

Al salamu aleiykum.

 

[Search]

Sorry about your parents' divorce.

It sounds like your mom may be more accepting; but you'll be surprised as even accepting parents can be difficult when it comes to Islam because they're concerned and think that everything that they read/hear in the media is true. So, you might have to kind of gradually get them to see a positive side to Islam without actually letting the cat out of the bag so-to-speak. Be yourself except the best version of yourself during this period (and always too, really, but especially during the time you are planning to let them know you've converted whenever you plan to do that).

Aw, that's a great idea! And bro, hey, you are part of the community! Remember that - so, no worries. Yeah, there are good prayer mats on ebay that I'd also purchased a few years ago; I'd recommend you to get one that isn't too busy in terms of design or whatnot because you don't want to be distracted by the design and instead focus on treating the prayer as your personal timeless conversation with God.

You can purchase a prayer mat that will be kinda plain so that you don't have to explain about it so that even if anyone sees it they just think it's a cool piece of carpet; and you can purchase the mat from your allowance money if you have any or simply request that you saw a type of carpet that you think might be cool to have to your mom.

Yeah, yup, bro, we can talk here any time, and you know, there are members here your age, which should be awesome for you as well!

Btw, wow, no way - your dad's a court judge? That's kinda awesome. Ha, I went to law school! It must be nice to have a court judge as a dad! I love the little gavel they get to have!

:wa:

As I have divorced parents, it will be kind of difficult. At my moms house she is very accepting and doesn't care what religion, sexuality, race, etc. you are/participate in. I just don't want to tell her yet, maybe in a few years. At my dads house, I have a step mom, step sister, and step brother. I am not planning on telling them for a long time because my dad is a court judge. Also I really want to get a prayer mat, just helps me feel like I am apart of the community more. So if I do get one (i most likely will order it online from a certified retailer) how should I keep it in my bedroom where my parents will not see it? Anyways, thanks so much and I would LOVE to talk more, so uh yeah.

Al salamu aleiykum.

 

[Search]

^^^




Btw, check this thread out as I think it's awesome and a place wherein coverts stories have been found or themselves personally shared their beautiful stories for our awesome benefit: Stories of Muslim Reverts.

:wa:

 

[Muslim Woman]

:wa:

As salamu aleiykum brothers and sisters.

I am in a dilemma. Here are the 4 questions I present to you that I need help with.

1) I am 15 and a freshman in high school. My schedule is very crammed due to school. On MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY I have weight lifting at 6:30AM and we don't get out until 7:40AM.

My school starts at 7:45 every day. I get out at 2:05 on Mondays and 2:55 every day besides Monday. I have 5 minute passing periods to get to my classes. Here is the question:

How am I supposed to pray in a crammed schedule? What time do I pray? Where do I pray?

2) Do I need to wear anything in particular such as a hat, jewelry, etc. and do I need a prayer mat (what is the proper term, my apologies) to pray and if I do, can/should I bring it to school?

3) How do I officially convert myself to Islam?

Thank you brothers and sisters for helping me out.

wow , despite the hateful media propaganda , young person like u from west wanted to accept Islam . It's like a miracle to me and praise be to Allah only , these miracles are happening all over the world . Young bro , don't try to learn everything in a day . Learn slowly and be steady . If possible , go to any mosque or Islamic center , try to make friendship with pious muslims .


may Allah bless you.