OK for Christian to perform Salah? (+ other questions)
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Ibn Soekarno
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We are all here just wanna say about how happy we are to find this delightful experience to be able to know each other. I am from the side of Muslim.
May us be someone who follow the perfect guidance, to be on perfect state of living and may all us becoming the denizens of the blissful Heaven and to live inside Paradise for eternity.
We all are here to get some perfect guidance and to live more prosperous live. We all hope that nobody here wants to live in the eternal Hellfire, but they are struggling to live in the eternal Heaven, to live very happily in the blissful Garden of Eden.
May us be someone who follow the perfect guidance, to be on perfect state of living and may all us becoming the denizens of the blissful Heaven and to live inside Paradise for eternity.
We all are here to get some perfect guidance and to live more prosperous live. We all hope that nobody here wants to live in the eternal Hellfire, but they are struggling to live in the eternal Heaven, to live very happily in the blissful Garden of Eden.
Ramadhan
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Selamat datang di Islamic Board.
anak dari soekarno?
Mungkin bisa memperkenalkan diri dulu di sini dengan membuat thread baru http://www.islamicboard.com/introduce-yourself/
Hi everyone,
So I was grateful enough to finally be taught the namaz positions by 3 of my friends this past Thursday. We did it in my room. It was really nice, now everything makes a lot more sense. Because you perform namaz in “units” (2 units, 3 units, etc) I think it is much easier to learn than I previously thought.
Even though I feel much better knowing the positions now, finding out how much of the Quran you have to memorize and speak at every position is, I admit, very intimidating. =( Especially if you are not born speaking Arabic already; my friends are all Turkish, so they also have had to memorize many verses in a language they don’t even speak. Of course, they were lucky enough to learn these growing up, over many years, as children. But I guess I shouldn’t even be “jealous” about this, because God chose for me to be born in America for a reason, and that my friends said he gives everyone unique struggles and challenges they have to face, and I totally agree. I guess this trust in god’s will is also a big part of Islam.
This is wonderful Max.
My family and I are new reverts. I know that it does seem extremely hard to learn when you first look at it all, but it's actually not as bad as you might initially think. Learning it bit by bit and practising over and over again, and you pick it up reasonably fast. I suppose it depends on how serious the person is about learning it, and how much time they have in which they can learn it. It's obvious to point out that some people will find it easier than others. You're young, which is an advantage you have over me! I taught my boys (aged 15 to 6) and they picked things up quickly. My eldest two practised together in one of their bedrooms day after day, time after time, until they got it (I didn't ask them to do that, they just did). You will get there, I promise!
You can find plenty guides online, in English and Arabic, and there is also an audio version available that I once downloaded. You might find that helpful.
In answer to some of your questions, and providing some of my own thoughts, I would recommend you buy a prayer mat. Buy a good one too; it's worth it. You don't have to do so, but I think you would feel better if you did, and it might help you to focus and concentrate. My boys selected their own prayer mats and I think it helped to understand what they were doing and why. If they had been practising on a linen sheet, I'm not personally sure if they'd have made the connection to how important salaah is. What I'm trying to say (perhaps badly!) is that they knew the mat was for prayer, and because there was a mat especially for prayer, it signified how important it was. It wasn't for any other purpose, and served as a reminder. That's just my opinion. It's however you feel about it that is most important.
Remember to cover your head with a prayer cap when you pray. You can pick one of those up easily and cheaply. You might also want to consider praying barefoot. This is a personal thing, and you don't have to do so. But I'd recommend you give it a try and see what is best for you.
StudentIII
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Really interesting to read your story. Keep us updated.
Things might feel overwhelming to learn all at once. Just take it one step at a time.
Things might feel overwhelming to learn all at once. Just take it one step at a time.
Thank you to everyone for the kind words and encouragement. Every time I log on here and read more words of support from you guys, it really brightens my day.
Thank you also to Perseveranze and Mustafa-MC for your explanations, the "preventing sin" really does make sense, I understand how it helps keep you in a "holy" mindset. Also, it was my overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for giving so much in Turkey that made me want to pray namaz in the first place, so the gratitude thing makes sense too of course.
This past Thursday was my last day in Turkey for a while, before leaving to see my family in America for about 2 weeks. On this day, I met a friend in the morning, and we ended up going to his uncle's house. I prayed the Zuhr prayer with him - which again, seems really long "on paper" (sth like 6 rakat?) but when we actually went through all of them it didn't seem long at all+ I felt really nice afterward. I think his relatives were pleasantly surprised, or a little impressed, even though we went to a bedroom to do it in private.
A little later, around 3, I had to return back to my home to start packing. It must have been around 3:30 and my friend went to see me off at the ferry station. At the ferry station, there is a large and very beautiful mosque, built in the 1500s by the Ottomans. I asked my friend if I could please pray the next one with him here. As I had just learned how to even do salah 4 days ago, this was my first time doing it in a mosque/in public and I was a little bit nervous.
Instead of going into the mosque, we performed it on one of the outside platforms you can see here:
First we went through either 2 or 3 rakat, and I thought we were done, but we were actually doing the "optional" set (by which I mean what the Prophet did), and we still had to do the mandatory ones.
But! Then something very interesting happened.
An old man had gone to the left of my friend and started praying it along with us, so now my friend explained that we would have to do the next few rakat in union or "salat" now. This was of course my first time performing in a congregational or unity prayer with other people! So we lined up in a certain way and all proceeded to pray together, with my friend leading/reciting. Moving in harmony, with the sound of the busy street behind us, in the afternoon sun....it was a really great experience and I felt very in connection with God.
What was really great was, halfway through our rakat another man came up out of nowhere and joined us, stood next to me with his shoulder touching mine! My friends had told me before that when praying in unison, you are supposed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow Muslims, even if they are total strangers. I had thought that was a really nice idea, but this was my first time experiencing it. I can't describe how fulfilling it was. At that moment, I really understood of "community" and praying in unision, in such close contact, with fellow brothers or sisters. I think in modern life (in western culture at least) there can be so much distance between "strangers" but when you have a stranger come up to you in this manner, even without saying anything....it really does build a sense of togetherness. I was honestly very touched by this experience, everyone, even though you all might think it to be a very minor thing.
But that wasn't all!
Then I went home across the river/bogazici strait....long story short, I met up with more friends later that day and I was blessed enough to be able to pray the Maghrib prayer with them, in our neighboorhood mosque. This time it was 5 or 6 us all lined up while another of my friends recited, he told me he recited from the Book of Mary for me which was really nice of him. =) Again, praying it with my friends in total unison, in the mosque, I really understood the importance of ummah. because of some things i struggled with in my past, like being lonely or not having a lot of friends that were guys when I was a younger kid, I think God is really speaking to me through this "brotherhood" or "community" aspect...at least, it's one thing about Islam that really appeals to me.
Anyway, I am back home and unfortunately separated from my friends for a little while....I miss hearing the call to prayer, but I'm still going to try to practice every day. I don't know if I can even find a ride by Friday, but if I can't I will be in Washington DC the following week and will be able to go to a Friday sermon at a mosque there.
I also must admit, I ran into some trouble when I got into an online disagreement about the afterlife. My friends had previous told me that Believers or People of the Book were respected in Islam/the Quran, and so after they die, the common muslim belief is that their belief in God will be recognized and they'll be judged on their actions just as Muslims are. But I talked to a Saudi (I assume wahabbi) guy online who told me that they will be judged for being non-muslims, which really upset me. I say not this out of concern for myself but my american friends/family, etc. I trust at the very least, there is a range of opinions/positions on this topic within Islam, just as there are a range of beliefs within Christianity.
Anyway I won't get bogged down with that but will instead focus on the positives/fundamental beliefs of Islam. I'll give you guys another update soon, sorry for writing so much.
Thank you also to Perseveranze and Mustafa-MC for your explanations, the "preventing sin" really does make sense, I understand how it helps keep you in a "holy" mindset. Also, it was my overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for giving so much in Turkey that made me want to pray namaz in the first place, so the gratitude thing makes sense too of course.
This past Thursday was my last day in Turkey for a while, before leaving to see my family in America for about 2 weeks. On this day, I met a friend in the morning, and we ended up going to his uncle's house. I prayed the Zuhr prayer with him - which again, seems really long "on paper" (sth like 6 rakat?) but when we actually went through all of them it didn't seem long at all+ I felt really nice afterward. I think his relatives were pleasantly surprised, or a little impressed, even though we went to a bedroom to do it in private.
A little later, around 3, I had to return back to my home to start packing. It must have been around 3:30 and my friend went to see me off at the ferry station. At the ferry station, there is a large and very beautiful mosque, built in the 1500s by the Ottomans. I asked my friend if I could please pray the next one with him here. As I had just learned how to even do salah 4 days ago, this was my first time doing it in a mosque/in public and I was a little bit nervous.
Instead of going into the mosque, we performed it on one of the outside platforms you can see here:
First we went through either 2 or 3 rakat, and I thought we were done, but we were actually doing the "optional" set (by which I mean what the Prophet did), and we still had to do the mandatory ones.
But! Then something very interesting happened.
An old man had gone to the left of my friend and started praying it along with us, so now my friend explained that we would have to do the next few rakat in union or "salat" now. This was of course my first time performing in a congregational or unity prayer with other people! So we lined up in a certain way and all proceeded to pray together, with my friend leading/reciting. Moving in harmony, with the sound of the busy street behind us, in the afternoon sun....it was a really great experience and I felt very in connection with God.
What was really great was, halfway through our rakat another man came up out of nowhere and joined us, stood next to me with his shoulder touching mine! My friends had told me before that when praying in unison, you are supposed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow Muslims, even if they are total strangers. I had thought that was a really nice idea, but this was my first time experiencing it. I can't describe how fulfilling it was. At that moment, I really understood of "community" and praying in unision, in such close contact, with fellow brothers or sisters. I think in modern life (in western culture at least) there can be so much distance between "strangers" but when you have a stranger come up to you in this manner, even without saying anything....it really does build a sense of togetherness. I was honestly very touched by this experience, everyone, even though you all might think it to be a very minor thing.
But that wasn't all!
Then I went home across the river/bogazici strait....long story short, I met up with more friends later that day and I was blessed enough to be able to pray the Maghrib prayer with them, in our neighboorhood mosque. This time it was 5 or 6 us all lined up while another of my friends recited, he told me he recited from the Book of Mary for me which was really nice of him. =) Again, praying it with my friends in total unison, in the mosque, I really understood the importance of ummah. because of some things i struggled with in my past, like being lonely or not having a lot of friends that were guys when I was a younger kid, I think God is really speaking to me through this "brotherhood" or "community" aspect...at least, it's one thing about Islam that really appeals to me.
Anyway, I am back home and unfortunately separated from my friends for a little while....I miss hearing the call to prayer, but I'm still going to try to practice every day. I don't know if I can even find a ride by Friday, but if I can't I will be in Washington DC the following week and will be able to go to a Friday sermon at a mosque there.
I also must admit, I ran into some trouble when I got into an online disagreement about the afterlife. My friends had previous told me that Believers or People of the Book were respected in Islam/the Quran, and so after they die, the common muslim belief is that their belief in God will be recognized and they'll be judged on their actions just as Muslims are. But I talked to a Saudi (I assume wahabbi) guy online who told me that they will be judged for being non-muslims, which really upset me. I say not this out of concern for myself but my american friends/family, etc. I trust at the very least, there is a range of opinions/positions on this topic within Islam, just as there are a range of beliefs within Christianity.
Anyway I won't get bogged down with that but will instead focus on the positives/fundamental beliefs of Islam. I'll give you guys another update soon, sorry for writing so much.
Muslim Woman
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Salaam/Peace
u may here it online .
Athan (Azan) 3.9 allows you to hear automatic Athan (Azan) at the right time five times a day on every prayer time
http://www.islamicfinder.org/athanDownload.php
u may here it online .
Athan (Azan) 3.9 allows you to hear automatic Athan (Azan) at the right time five times a day on every prayer time
http://www.islamicfinder.org/athanDownload.php
You are welcome.
I know exactly what you mean. Allah (subhana wa ta ala) blessed me with the most amazing opportunity to make pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca last November. The part I enjoyed most was praying in congregation with thousands of other Muslims from all over the world. Yes, indeed it was a powerful experience to pray exactly in unison with so many people.
Reading from this surah and others about Jesus and Mary (peace be upon them) is what led me to convert to Islam in 1982.
I had the opportunity to pray in the main masjid in D.C. in 2002.
This is a very touchy subject. My wife and I are the only Muslims in our family and both of my parents died as Christians. A Muslim friend tries to console me that their judgement is with Allah and that there is yet hope that they would be forgiven. What matters is not the opinion of men, but rather the will of Allah. For myself I stand on the promises that Allah made over and over in the Quran of Paradise for those who believe and do good. Ultimately, I hope in the mercy of Allah, but I also fear His wrath because I am unable to judge my own heart and my innermost intentions for what I do. Proper belief is essential with the most fundamental one being the belief in One God (Allah) without father, mother, son, daughter or equal. The Quran also states that they disbelieve (in the Oneness of God) who say that Jesus (pbuh) is the Son of God. The most serious sin in Islam is that of ascribing partners (shirk) with Allah, but even in the Quran (5:118) Jesus is quoted as saying regarding his followers to Allah, "If You punish them, lo! they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them (lo! they are Your slaves). Lo! You, only You, are the Mighty, the Wise."
I was listening to surah An Kabut (The Spider) and heard a relevant ayat (29:45), "O Prophet! Recite to humanity all that has been revealed to you of the Quran, the Book of God. Moreover, duly establish the prayer. Indeed, the prayer guards one against immorality and evil. Yet, most surely, the remembrance of God in the life of this world is greater extolment for one still. And God knows all that you do." The ritual prayer is a very important form of worship in Islam as it is a reminder to the person that God is aware of all that he does, including prayer.
Sunnie Ameena
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I had the same thought as you. I am a Christian, but would love to be able to be able to express my love for God in other ways too. And I have looking into and reading about the Muslim faith. I hope you get some responses. Sunnie
That is good to hear. I highly recommend you check out Woodrow's youtube video he posted. It is by Shaykh Muhammad Adly and he provides great instruction on doing the salah. I have a book by him that helped me greatly.
Sunnie Ameena
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I am really learning alot from this site, except how to navigate to different things. LOL. Are there any websites that I could go to, that will teach me more about the Muslim Faith? I am also hoping to make new friends here. Sunnie
Allhuakbar!
Mashallah, Brother this actions of yours have really touched my hearth, and i am sure it has to the other muslims out there too. I wish i can come to turkey and show you how to proform it my self
Hope you enjoy the connection with you and god
Also if you read the info about why we proform sallah and fast it would give you more peace and sometimes also makes you cry.
Thanks for your time
Keep it up mate, and keep us updates.
Mashallah, Brother this actions of yours have really touched my hearth, and i am sure it has to the other muslims out there too. I wish i can come to turkey and show you how to proform it my self
Hope you enjoy the connection with you and god Also if you read the info about why we proform sallah and fast it would give you more peace and sometimes also makes you cry.
Thanks for your time
Keep it up mate, and keep us updates.
Woodrow
May Allah have mercy on him رحمة الله عليه
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I myself found it to be difficult to learn about Islam online only. The best way is to meet some Muslims in person. But, remember Islam is not a blind faith. We are encouraged to to verify all things from as many sources as possible. A forum such as this is a good starting point, but it is very far from complete.
Learn first the very basics such as our "Pillars of Faith"
and read several translations of the Qur'an.
http://www.multimediaquran.com/quran/index1.htm
Keeping in mind that no Translation has the exact meanings as are expressed in Arabic, which is why I say read several different translations.
I agree with Brother Woodrow that there is no perfect translation of the Quran into any language that conveys the full meaning of the Arabic. I have 7 translations of the Quran into English with the translators being Ahmad Hammad,Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall, Muhsin Khan, Ali Ozek (committee), Ali Unal, and T.B. Irving. I really like the Gracious Quran translated by Hammad http://www.universalknowledgeinstitute.com/gracious-quran/read-about.html