Fall KaleidoLeaves

Once again, Jazaka Allahu Khayrn to my digital art mentoress, Marahm, for turning me on to the wonderful world of digital kaleidoscopes.

You can see all of the sister's digital imaging here. Her work will absolutely blow you away, Masha Allah.

Fall KaleidoLeaves is my first effort.

What do you think?!

Halloween Mubarak?

Everywhere you find Muslims gathered, you will usually find food.

At Sunday school lunch today, there was a wide variety of goodies as usual. In addition to the usual pizza, some of the Pakistani sisters brought food.

I noticed the cookies and brownies and immediately took a "few." Then I noticed something strange on the cookies: there was an image of a witch riding a broom!

Apparently, someone had them left over from Halloween.

It got me to thinking about secular holidays and the holidays of other faith groups when I was a Jewish child.

I was always bugging my Jewish grandmother:

"Bubbe? Why don't we have a Christmas tree?"

"Bubbe? Will we be getting Christmas presents?"

"Bubbe? Can we make Easter eggs?"

etc.

My bubbe ... she had a simple response. She would tell me, "That's what they do. We're Jewish. We don't do that."

"Oh," I would respond. It was that simple for me.

But I can imagine how difficult it can be for some Muslim kids. And the Muslim parents don't want their children to feel left out from their friends, or feel weird or different at the school. So, they give in, figuring, "what can it hurt?" Yet others respond that they feel it is a "learning opportunity" for them and their families.

Why can't the parents just explain to their children that "We're Muslims. We don't do that. That's why they do?"

Is it that difficult?

If you're a parent, please tell me how you handle these situations. If you're not a parent, and have a respectful opinion, you can comment, too!

Buddy

This is my new cat.

Actually, he's my neighbor's cat. But, I made the mistake of feeding him a few times. So now he's as good as my cat :)

His name is Buddy.


Every time I step outside of my door, Buddy comes rushing over to my porch.

Buddy was living with my neighbor's daughter. When she returned home to live with my neighbor, Buddy came with her. But since he is destructive in the house, he now lives outside.

Awww ... how could you throw a cute guy like this outside?

I usually give Buddy a handful of dry cat food.

Yesterday, I gave Buddy a can of wet food.


In the way of cat gratitude, this is what Buddy left on my door step this morning. (I spared you all a close-up!)



I guess he loves me :)

H1N1 Vaccine Jihad and Some Thoughts on Personal Emergency Preparedness

Somes I watch CNN too much. This outlet is one of my sources for what's going on in the world. I really like it because no one can beat them when it comes to breaking news.

But the recent Balloon Boy madness (no, I'm not linking to it) almost did me in, chasing me to my old standbys: History Channel, National Geographic, SciFi, etc.

You all know that the media sometimes has a tendency to overblow things with their parade of talking heads, one-sided perspective, etc. However, in the case of the H1N1 or "Swine Flu," I thank Allah (swt) for CNN's coverage. It's about the only place one can get some real comprehensive coverage.

Why do I worry about H1N1?

Well, I am in one of the high risk categories: Adults Under 65 with Certain Underlying Medical Conditions (People with conditions including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders should receive the H1N1 vaccination to prevent further complications.)

I have asthma (in addition to a host of other opportunities to expiate sin, Alhamdulillah). And every year, I get pnemonia. So my jihad to find an H1N1 shot has begun. But I haven't had much luck. It's been downright frustrating. I have had to do a lot of leg work and personal research.

1. I started with my doctor's office:

a. no, we don't have the shots/spray yet

b. no, we don't know when we'll be getting it

c. you're not in a high risk group (WTF?!)

d. no, we're not keeping a waiting list

e. no, we don't have a strategic plan for who will be getting them when/if the supply arrives

f. no, we don't have the ability to identify our patients who are in the high risk group (despite the fact that my provider uses automated medical records - my doctor comes into my room with a laptop each time she seems me - shouldn't they be able to press a key and come up with the info? They know how to call me when it's time for an annual gynecological exam! Even my vetinarian sends me yearly check up postcards for my cats!)

g. no, we have no plan - we have thousands of patients - how can you expect us to do this - keep calling back - first-come, first-serve basis when/if the supply arrives

2. Next step is that I vent to my Muslim sister about the situation. Well, she took her son to the local medical center clinic for some other problem, and he was offered the vaccine while they were there. But she (who is an educated university professor) didn't let them give it to him due to conspiracy theories about the vaccine. "I don't know enough about it, if it's safe, what's in it, I'd like to know more." Okay sis. You have this right.

(Sister, if you're reading this, you know I love you. But do you REALLY KNOW what EXACTLY is in that seasonal flu shot you got? No. You relied on what information is out there.)

An Aside/Rant - SabiWabi has covered this issue over at her place. Jazaka Allahu Khayr, Sabi. Conspiracy theories can kill Muslims. Yes, I know there is unsavory history in the past (Tuskeegee experiments, etc.). But, if you watched the 60 Minutes coverage a few weeks ago of children in intensive care with Swine Flu, or watched the crying grieving parents who regretted the decision to not vaccinate their kids who died from Swine Flu, you'd probably be standing outside of your doctor's office with a flaming torch. You, as an informed Muslim parent, must study the available facts/research and make a decision for your children. Don't drink the Kool-Aid in Muslim cyber-space.

3. I call my doc back over the weekend and leave a message on their machine. I'm coming next week, Insha Allah, for blood work, I tell them. I explain that I was told that the local medical center has the vaccine in. I'll take the vaccine while I'm there for blood work. They call me back - no can do. We don't have it. (Why not? Did your practice register with the government for a supply?)

4. I call the medical center next. They tell me that they do not have a supply of vaccine. I confront them. I tell them that my friend's son was offered a vaccine there. And while she was there, she claims that she was offered one. The phone operator acts confused. I remain silent on the other end and wait. She then admits to me that they had it in their Pediatric Clinic - but only for their clinic patients. They only ordered enough for them, no extra for availability to the non-clinic public should the request be made.

Ah ha - there are secret guarded supplies (ya conspiracy theories!). Couldn't she have told the truth in the first place instead of saying that they didn't have it. Translation: "We don't have it for you or your family!"

But she does give me feedback. She suggests that I call the number on the back of my insurance card. She claims that the insurance companies HAVE TO keep a list of providers.

5. I call my insurance company. No, it is not true; we have no such list. How can we know which health care providers have registered to receive a supply for their practices?

6. I check the PA Department of Health website. No luck. But, they suggest to keep checking back. When they know something, they will post it, they claim.

So, this is where it is at to date for me.

But I wonder. If a person like me - who is resourceful, pissed off and motivated when on a mission, computer literate, insurance covered, etc. - is frustrated, imagine how everyone else is coping?

What about those people and parents who are not as blessed as I am?

What about the uninsured? Those not affiliated with a doctor or clinic? Those who have to use emergency rooms as their primary health care provider?

Who protects the general public at large? Is the H1N1 situation a healthcare Katrina in the making?

Maybe the people in the Survivalist movement are on to something. Is it any wonder that there are people in America stocking up on guns, ammo, food, water, medicine, generators, batteries, etc. What will you do when you can't use your laptop, iPhone, or Blackberry, loool?

President Obama has declared a national emergency for the H1N1 flu crisis. It is supposed to help cut the red tape. Oh yea, right.

Concerning the conspiracy theories about the vaccine, I know of one way President Obama can help.

Remember when he and his wife went to Kenya before he was running for president? Remember how he and his wife got tested for HIV, right in front of the people, and with media cameras covering the event?

Why doesn't he have his little girls get the vaccine and cover it the same way? I think it would help the American people and those everywhere else feel better about getting their kids vaccinated.

One thing I'm doing while I'm waiting for my vaccine? I'm changing doctors!

Go Yankees!

No "Anchor Babies" in Israel

Being born in Israel does not make one an Israeli ...

Foreign workers' children likely to be deported after school year - Haaretz - Israel News

Second Islamic Writers Alliance (IWA) Anthology Now Available for Sale!

Muslim Writers Publishing (MWP) and the Islamic Writers Alliance are proud to announce the release for sale of our second anthology, Many Voices, One Faith II - Islamic Fiction Stories.

Yours truly has two short stories published in this anthology, Alhamdulillah!

Book Description:

Today's world is indeed a global village. The wonders of technology in communication and travel have cut through the distant miles which used to separate us from one another. Many Voices, One Faith II - Islamic Fiction Stories is a literary example of the small world we are all a part of, showcasing the talents of the Islamic Writers Alliance membership which reach around the globe in their respective residences and origins. From the cover design of one of the beautiful names of Allah, beautiful and original interior illustrations, and the unique story-telling talent of the authors, their original stories combine the diversity and flavor of their backgrounds. You will find almost every region of the world exemplified in these wonderful Islamic fiction stories which skillfully and creatively present the importance of Islam in our daily lives. Many Voices, One Faith II - Islamic Fiction Stories is an enjoyable, entertaining, and enlightening read for non-Muslims as well as Muslims. Many Voices, One Faith II - Islamic Fiction Stories is the ultimate in the variety of selections written by some of the best Islamic Fiction authors in today's fiction book markets. Read. Enjoy. Benefit.

Pages: 236
Format: 6 x 9 paperback
ISBN: 978-0-9819770-1-0
Reading Levels: Teen and Adult
List Price: $12.95

The anthology will be listed at popular online retail stores in about a week. If you want to order now please do so by sending the following information to this email address: widadld@yahoo.com. Be sure you include the following mailing information: Your mailing name, mailing address (street/city/state/zip code) and phone # and number of copies you would like to order. You will be notified by email of the total cost including shipping fee. You can then advise if you will pay using USD check or payment through PayPal by sending payment to widadld@yahoo.com.

You can also order from me in about a week, Insha Allah!

I'm so psyched!

Abu Sinan and His Family Need Help!

This is a photo of Sinan. He is the son of our fellow blogger and Muslim brother, Abu Sinan.

Little Sinan lives with Autism and the family needs help to provide therapy for him.

Please go here to read about Sinan and help if you can.

May Allah (swt) reward you if you can help. No amount is too small.

Fighting Poverty with Shirk?

I received the following press release from ISNA today. Sounds like a nice thing ... until you read the "interfaith prayer" closely. See for yourself and read my feedback at the end:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Faith Leaders Offer Interfaith Prayer in Effort to Create Good Jobs, Green Jobs for Nation’s Poor

Source: ISNA (Washington, DC – October 13, 2009) Four national faith leaders representing Jews, Christians and Muslims have united to offer a new interfaith prayer calling for the creation of new, sustainable and green job opportunities for the poor.

Written by Rabbi Steve Gutow, president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA); Rev. Larry Snyder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA); Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA; and Dr. Sayyid Syeed, national director for the Islamic Society of North America’s Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances, the new prayer will be offered at public events across the country during the Fighting Poverty with Faith: Good Jobs, Green Jobs mobilization effort, including a special reading by the prayer’s authors at the Fighting Poverty with Faith’s concluding event in Washington on October 21.

Held this year between October 14 and 21, the Fighting Poverty with Faith mobilization will organize members from 34 national faith organizations at public events across the country to encourage government officials to fight poverty by ensuring equal opportunities for training and employment for the nation’s most vulnerable while working to usher in a new green economy.

The religious leaders’ prayer reads:

Merciful and compassionate God, Divine Architect, Your people and your planet call to you, for both are suffering.
So many of your children cry out for shelter, food, and meaningful work. Make us partners, we pray, in your work of caring for all in need.
So much of your Creation groans from the effects of our pollution. Make us partners, we pray, in your work of healing the earth. Help us to create jobs that both honor the needs of your planet as well as those holy souls who have no work.
Please give to those who lead a vision of the day when every person, created in your sacred image, has employment with a living wage. Give to us gathered here the courage to speak for those without voice, the strength to act on our convictions, the discernment to see the world as you want it to be, and the wisdom to respond together as persons of different faiths. In these moments with one another, may we feel your presence and together praise your holy name.
Amen


Okay readers ...

Will Dr. Sayyid Syeed from ISNA and other Muslims "leaders" be reading this "prayer," asking Allah (swt) to make His "children" partners with Him?!

I am shocked beyond words at ISNA. I'm sure I will have more to say later :)

The biggest problem here, other than the obvious shirk, is that ISNA seeks to represent all Muslims in North America. They are already trying to push their astrological dates on us for Ramadan and Eid.

I think it is dangerous that they will soon be the organization in America speaking for all Muslims. Then we will all have to abide by their view of Islam.

Tara ...

Tara,
Your face and your smile haunts me
I am so sorry
Please forgive me
I didn't know that you
Were in so much pain

May your Shahadah

Speak for you on

The Last Day

Ameen

CNN Hero of the Year

I voted for Brad Blauser.

Brad Blauser is providing hope and mobility to disabled children and their families in Iraq. Since 2005, his Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed nearly 650 free pediatric wheelchairs to children in need. Full story

You can vote for him or some other deserving person. Trust me; it is really difficult to choose!

Go to: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/

Microsoft: Laughing all the Way to the Bank

I like to mess around with digital graphics. And I'm a little bit of a computer program geek. Granted, I don't know much - just a little of this, and a little of that - enough to have fun with various programs.

This is why a program manual is a necessity for me.

In the past few years, I have noticed that fewer and fewer program manufacturers give the customer an actual printed manual. The trend has moved to online manuals and tutorials.

But now, some of the manufacturers are not even doing that!!!

They have a new scheme. Forcing the customers to muddle their way through and figure it out for themselves, or even worse, forcing them to resort to buying a printed manual.

This is a great scheme folks. These people are laughing all the way to the bank, I tell you!

Yesterday, I broke down and bought Microsoft Office Publisher 2007.

Yea me! Lucky me! Just think of all the neat stuff I can do now!

Well, yes, if I knew how. Publisher does not have an online manual included with the program. They do have a few online tutorials, but heck, there's nothing like a hard copy manual with an index.

So, I went to Amazon and looked to see if they had a "For Dummies" for Publisher. Yes, they do:

$16.49 brand new.

But, ah ha - look what else they have for $16.49:


So, here's the missing manual!

Microsoft is smart. They see the Dummies folks making money on the manual writing business. So, they figured they'd compete.

They now have a Microsoft Press, and it publishes the Step by Step series for all of its products!!!

Microsoft - you suck.

You know what I'm going to do?

I'm going to let everyone I know put the software I bought on their computer.

Heck, I might even sell it for a nice discounted price :)


Image from acctaxpayers.com

Okay readers. I'm off to Amazon to buy the Dummies manual. I refuse on principle to buy any manual from Microsoft Press.

I'll put my new Publisher manual on my bookshelf next to this one:

Pelee Mum

Berries!

"...though I spilled my store of ink, you need not trouble to send more, as one of the men has shown me an ingenious receipt for a serviceable substitute made from the season's last blackberries. So am I able to send 'sweet words' to you!" ("March" by Geraldine Brooks)

Greetings of Peace Dear Readers:

Eid Mubarak and sweet words to you all/Ameen.

... The season's last berries.

In my area of Pennsylvania, our early summer was cool. My tomatoes didn't turn red until late August due to lack of hot, humid days and nights.

My berries bushes that I planted last fall didn't give me berries right away either. Since I just planted the bushes last year, I figured I wouldn't get many berries until next year.

But, just as the tomatoes were at their last, an infusion of berries appeared. I have been getting a pint or so every other day. Insha Allah next year will be a real huge harvest!

Here are this year's:

Alhamdulillah!

Many Poetic Voices, One Faith

As the 2009-2010 director of the Islamic Writers Alliance (IWA), I am proud to present our new anthology, Many Poetic Voices, One Faith which was just released!

I have also contributed two poems to this anthology: The Last Sermon - Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah, 10 A.H. and Far From the Family Fold.

Okay, enough bragging, Masha Allah. About the anthology (from its back cover):

"Many Poetric Voices, One Faith is your window into the world of Islam through poetry! Come on in and find out what's waiting here for you inside the attractive cover designed by talented IWA member artist, Nazaahah Amin. The award-winning poems written by Karen English, Marwa Elnaggar, Camilla Sayf, Corey Habbas, Julinar Diab, and additional poems written by 31 IWA member poets are enlightening, entertaining, and rich in a diversity of topics from a point-by-point description of a soul mate to a sonnet-ode dedicated to a loving and missed mother; from vivid reminders and poetic verse awakening us all to the evils of domestic violence to heart-wrenching reminiscences of the plight of the Muslim convert; from beautiful English renditions of the traditional and ancient Arabic ghazal to the plight of eighteenth centry slaves; from a thought-provoking rendition of life from birth to the grave and beyond; from a thoughtful insight into the signifiance of a single raindrop to a very moving and heart-warming dedication of life from a long-gone friend. All this and much more is waiting for you when you read the poetry of our IWA poets' many voices and their one faith, Islam."

Title: Many Poetic Voices, One Faith

Author: Islamic Writers Alliance

Pages: 118

Format: 6 x 9 paperback
ISBN: 978-0-9819770-0-3

Reading Levels: Teen and Adult
List Price: $8.95

If you would like a copy for an Eid gift or just for your own pleasure, you can order it from me. Send a check or money order for $8.95 to me at:

S. E. Jihad Levine, Director
Islamic Writers Alliance
P.O. Box 299
Sunbury, PA 17801

US Orders Only
Shipping and Handling is On Me!!!

Oh Joy - Here's a Bright Idea - Family I'tikaaf Night

I received this in my inbox:

From: Muhammad Alshareef info@discoverulife.com
Subject: Idea: Family I'tikaaf night ...
To: "Safiyyah" Jihadlevine@yahoo.com
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009, 5:01 AM

Safiyyah, Idea: Family I'tikaaf night!

Why not head out to the Masjid tonight as a family and spend the whole night worshipping Allah?

If you have younger family members, just make sure they are by your side and not disturbing anyone and you should be alright.

In sha Allah, it'll be an unforgettable family experience, and may be so enjoyable that everyone may wish to do it again and again!

With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef http://www.postramadan.com/AlMaghrib Institute, 1 stafford Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 1B9, Canada

Now - Brother Muhammad: I love you dearly for the sake of Allah (swt) and enjoy your emails in my inbox. And may Allah (swt) reward you for publishing what you deem to be a great suggestion/Ameen. But -

THIS IDEA IS INSANE!

If Jumuah and Eid prayer are indicators that sisters will keep their children by their sides so that they do not disturb others while they are trying to worship ... well, joy, I'll bet we all look forward to being tortured by these kids the whole night while trying to worship in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan.

And don't anyone try to claim that they will fall asleep!

And how is it a "family" i'tikaaf night when the little darlings will not be with BOTH mommy and daddy, as a family, but will in fact probably be in the women's section? And if the darlings do run around and end up in the men's section, they will probably be chased back to the women's section.

Jeez - it used to be that even sisters didn't go to the masjid to do i'tikaaf. We used to bring food to the men while they were there.

I know. I know. I'm a Ramadan Grinch!

Okay, Brooke - tag, you're it!!! loool.

Canna Lillies

Sister Zakiyyah, my dear friend, gave me some canna lilly bulbs this past spring. I waited and waited for the bulbs to come up. Nothing. Then, almost overnight, look what happened (kind of remind you of the green tomates post, lol?)!



Here are some of the blooms up close. I have coral, pink, and yellow ones. The yellow one with the tiger-looking pattern kind of reminds me of orchids a little bit!



Jazaka Allahu Khayrn dear Zakiyyah. You were right: they are breathtaking, Alhamdulillah!

Language - The Mysterious Access to Allah?

As Salaamu Alaikum and Greetings of Peace:

Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim readers, and hello to everyone else.

I have been so busy at the prison, trying to get everyone, staff and inmates, settled in for the month of Ramadan. The holy month creates a huge change in prison routine, so you can imagine how the initial week or so makes everyone a little crazy, lol. So, forgive me if I have not responded to comments and such. Anyhow...

I have been thinking about language a lot lately. Why? Because I just ordered a Qur'an with French translation for a Cambodian inmate.

Inmates (as well as Muslims in the street, especially re-verts) try to pepper their speech with Arabic. For example, if I ask an inmate "how are you?" I am likely to get "tayeeb" as a response. The correct response for a woman would be "tayeeba" but "tayeeb" is what inmates learn through the various generalized Arabic books and Arabic expression charts that they have access to. I also get "naam" as a response to questions I ask. Or, "shukran" as an expression of thanks or gratitude.

Inmates are always asking me how-do-you-say questions about the Arabic language, to which I have to tell them I-don't-know-but-I-can-find-out-for-you-insha-Allah."



Personally, I have learned how to make salaat in Arabic because it is required. (Anyone who disputes this, perhaps it is a post for another time.)

And I have learned my surahs in Arabic. Granted, I do not know many, but the ones I do know I feel that I can recite as perfectly as I am able, Alhamdulillah.

Subhan'Allah.

I admit that I am resistant to learning Arabic for any purpose other than religious ones. Why? Well, it's not that I have anything against Arabs or the Arabic language, it's just that it's not a priority for me. I did make it a priority to learn how to pronounce the letters of the Arabic alphabet properly, and it is a priority for me to learn more surahs, but not to speak the Arabic language in general. I refuse to run around replying "naam" or "lah" to questions asked of me.

Perhaps this resistance has roots in my childhood. My father was Jewish, and my mother was Catholic.

In the synagogue, children were pressured to learn Hebrew.



And in Catholic Sunday school, children were pressured to learn Latin.

All synagogue services were in Hebrew, and Mass was celebrated in Latin (although the Catholic church has changed that).

Is access to God dependent upon one's ability to speak a certain language? Especially one that is not their own? Jeez!!!

Before anyone accuses me of being a Muslim heathen, can you answer the following questions?

Are we, as Muslims, required to learn the Arabic language? Do the People of Paradise speak Arabic? Will Allah speak to us in Arabic in Jennah?

Many Muslims will answer "yes" to these questions.

But, I did a little investigation.

According to Shaykh Al-Munajjid from Islam QA, specifically, Fatwa No. 83262:

"There is no mention in the Qur'aan or in the saheeh Sunnah - as far as we know - of which language is spoken by the people of Paradise. What is narrated concerning that is a hadeeth which is not soundly narrated from our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and some other reports (athaar)."

Here is the hadith that has been narrated:

"It was narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, al-Haakim, al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan and others that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Love the Arabs for three reasons, because I am an Arab, the Qur’aan is Arabic and the speech of the people of Paradise is Arabic.”

You can read the full discussion of this hadith in the fatwa, but it also relates:

"Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: in what (language) will Allaah address the people on the Day of Resurrection? Will Allaah address them in the tongue of the Arabs? Is it true that the language of the people of Hell will be Farsi and that the language of the people of Paradise will be Arabic? He replied: Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. It is not known what language the people will speak on that Day, or in what language they will hear the words of the Lord, may He be exalted, because Allaah has not told us anything about that, nor has His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It is not true that Farsi will be the language of the people of Hell, or that Arabic will be the language of the people of Paradise. We do not know of any discussion of that among the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), rather all of them refrained from speaking of that because speaking about such a thing is discussion of something unnecessary… but there was a dispute concerning that among later scholars. Some people said that they will be addressed in Arabic and others said that the people of Hell will respond in Farsi, which will be their language in Hell. Others said that they will be addressed in Syriac because that was the language of Adam and from it stemmed all other languages. Others said that the people of Paradise will speak Arabic. There is no basis for any of these ideas, whether on the grounds of common sense or in any report or text, rather they are mere claims that are devoid of any evidence. And Allaah knows best and is most Wise."

Hmmm ...

Arabic is the language of the Qur'an, so we must study enough Arabic to accomplish the goal of reading and comprehension of the Qur'an. And there is sound saheeh hadith to that end:

The People of the Quran are from Best of People:

‘Uthmaan said that the Prophet said: “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others.” [Al-Bukhaari]

There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran

As a Hadeeth (prophetic statement) in At-Tirmithi proves: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allaah, he will have a reward, and this reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that 'Alif, Laam, Meem' (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that 'Alif' is a letter, 'Laam' is a letter and 'Meem' is a letter.” [At-Tirmithi] So increase your recitation of the Quran to gain these merits, as well as the following ones.

The Reciters of the Quran Will Be in the Company of the Noble and Obedient Angels

‘Aa'ishah related that the Prophet said: “Indeed the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]


So dear brother or sister Muslim, do not let the Shaytaan (Satan) give you false excuses, such as 'I am not an Arab.' or 'It is not in my language.' This Hadeeth is a firm proof against these whisperings.

Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allaah, whether you are an Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allaah without holding back or offering excuses! Surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Quran once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Quran.

One's Position and Rank in Paradise is Determined by the Amount of Quran He Memorised in this Lifed compehending the Qur'an.

For all of you non Arab Muslims like me out there:

May your rewards be doubled as you increase your Arabic knowledge of this deen during this blessed month of Ramadan/Ameen!

A Morning of Weeding

While I was growing vegetables and herbs, and tending to my garden, look was what piling up in my flower beds:

Here's an example:

Flower bush (forgot the name) before (yeah, there's one underneath all of that!):


After:

After I cleared the above bush away, I then started to pull the brown leaves from the day lilly bushes - until I saw this guy (look in the middle of the picture):

Mostlypurple: is this a Praying Mantis? Does it bite or sting? Ewwwwwww ...

Oh oh! I think "it" saw me! Time to move on.

See this hole in the cement?

Heres a close-up of it:


You'll never believe it, but there was a small fragile weed in there. I merely reached in and easily pulled the weed out. When you think about it, this is truly a miracle from Allah (swt). A little tiny fragile weed - but so strong that it can push itself up through cement and actually crack the cement. SubhanAllah!

I also saw a HUGE spider, no lie, about the size of a silver dollar (remember those?) with a little "thing" on it's tail that was the size of a small black bean!

When I pulled the weeds from around the lavender, I discovered bumble bees sleeping under the weeds. So, thats where they go at night! They weren't real happy that I woke them up :)

I never wear gardening gloves, and I usually garden with those rubber clogs on, but after today, trust me, I will be wearing gloves, shoes, and socks!

It's a shame, because I enjoy having my hands in the earth, and having skin contact with what I grow. In case you're wondering about the risk of getting Poison Ivy from gardening this way, don't worry! I bought some special soap in the gardening center. It contains Jewel Weed which is the only thing that cleans off the oils from the Poison. I use it immediately when I come into the house from gardening.

But Alhamdulilah. All the work and gardening "dangers" are truly worth it when you get results like this:

(I just noticed that Blogger uploads the images a little darker than they are. My originals do not look this dark. Oh well.)

Canadian Geese

What a lovely surprise I encountered during my hot summer morning bike ride!

I'm not sure what they were eating, but imagine my delight that they let me so close to them with my camera!

I live on an island. Yes! An honest-to-goodness island! Allah (swt) has truly blessed my husband and I to live here. I was born in the Bronx and my husband was born in Philadelphia. We discover new miracles every day that we are here!

The Canadian Geese are a refreshing change from the pigeons of America's large urban areas.

I did know a man from the Bronx once who fed the pigeons by hand. Every morning they would fly through the window bars and hang out on his living room floor.

He really loved his "friends."

"Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are signs for those who believe." (16:79)

Finally! The Tomatoes Turn Red!

Remember this post? Where I was lamenting my green tomatoes in my garden? Fearing they wouldn't turn red before the critters got a hold of them?



Well! Look now! After making a huge pot of spaghetti from scratch (including with green peppers and basil from the garden), eating tomatoes at every meal, and giving bags of them away to the neighbors, I still have these on my sun porch:








I'm running out of sunny places to put them, Alhamdulillah!

What Attracts Inmates to Islam?

("Shahadah" - Image from Islamicfinder.org)

In my previous post, Mezba commented that he is curious about what attracts inmates to Islam. Mezba: I thought that your question merits a post of its own.

Why inmates "convert" to Islam or any other religion is a complex issue. Insha Allah I can attempt to address a few of the factors here.

When people come to prison, many, for the first time in their life, are presented with opportunity. They can take a good look at themselves and gain insight into why they ended up in prison. They can then take advantage of the programs that are available in many US prisons. I am aware of the fact that many prisons have no programs or other means of improvement for inmates, but most prisons have some. And practically all of them have a chapel or a chaplain.

Where I work (state prison), we have an awesome chapel program, Alhamdulillah. If inmates are committed to a prison where there is a Muslim chaplain, part of the Muslim chaplain's job is to "be there" for all inmates, regardless of their faith group, or even if they have no faith group. The Muslim chaplain often develops deep relationships with non Muslim inmates, so it is natural that some inmates may become attracted to Islam through their relationship with the Muslim chaplain. State and federal prisons are a little different than city lockups and county prisons because inmates are incarcerated for longer periods in the state and federal facilities. Thus, inmates have an opportunity to be exposed to Muslims and Muslim chaplains.

In city lockups or county prisons, inmates are usually exposed to Islam and Muslims through other inmates, or programs provided by outside Islamic groups. Sometimes, inmates come to chapel programs and activities for something to do, and then Allah (swt) touches their hearts, and they give Islam a closer look.

In a state or federal prison, inmates sometimes come to Islamic chapel activities (Jumuah, tahleem, Arabic classes, etc.) to get out of their cells, or to be with their friends. Sometimes, inmates come to Islam because they want to participate in the Eid feast. Many Muslim chaplains have observed that inmates desiring to be Muslims increases during Ramadan. In women's prisons, some inmates will desire to be Muslim so they can have a hijab. Further, some inmates want to be part of the "other." Some inmates see Islam as an anti-establishment religion, and want to be part of it.

But, those are some of the nefarious reasons. For the most part, inmates change their religion because they are seeking. Because they are lost in life.

Many inmates (and even people in the general public) have problems with the religion they were born into. When an inmate tells me that they want to change their religion, I ask them why they want to leave their own religion. Sometimes, people have had negative experiences as a child with religion. Many inmates reject the tenants of their own religion. For example, many tell me that "I never did believe that Jesus was God anyhow."

Inmates have challenges in all major areas of their lives, and the spiritual area is no exception. Some inmates believe that changing their religion is the answer to their problems. Some don't realize that if they don't change themselves, they merely enter their new religion carrying all of their baggage from their lives into the next faith tradition.

Islam can bring structure and discipline into a person's life. It also affords a person an opportunity to accept personal responsibility for their life. The very essence of tawheed is the Believer's direct relationship with Allah (swt) with no partners, intercessors, or helpers. In Islam, a person is only responsible to Allah (swt).

But - the biggest reason that inmates are attracted to Islam?

It is because inmates give dawah! Big time, Alhamdulillah! Either directly, or indirectly by example.

Some inmates give dawah by setting a positive example of being a Muslim. Believe it or not, many non Muslim inmates never really knew any Muslims well before coming to prison and ending up being cell mates with a Muslim. If the Muslim inmate is a person that exhibits good Islamic character, prays five times a day in the cell, etc., where the non Muslim can observe all of this, well, it makes the non Muslim see Islam and Muslims in a different light - perhaps for the first time in life. It provides the non Muslim with an opportunity to ask questions.

Why are inmates (or anyone else for that matter) attracted to Islam? Well, as Muslims, we know that Allah (swt) makes Muslims. A person can give all the dawah he wants, and if Allah (swt) puts a veil over the person's eyes, ears, and understanding - well, that person is lost.

Whatever reason, the Muslim chaplain is blessed to be in the unique position to see the miracle repeated over and over again, Alhamdulillah.

When it Rains, it Pours!

(Photo copyright 2009 by S. E. Jihad Levine, All Rights Reserved)

"By (the winds) that scatter dust; and (the clouds) that bear heavy weight of water; and (the ships) that float with ease and gentleness; and those (angels) who distribute (provisions, rain, and other blessings) by (Allah's) Command; Verily, that which you are promised (i.e., Resurrection in the Hereafter and receiving the reward or punishment of good or bad deeds) is surely true. And verily, the Recompense is sure to happen."

Surat Adh-Dhariyat 1-6

Some of you who have read my blog for awhile know that I am a Muslim chaplain in a state prison for women.

I work on Fridays and Saturdays, usually about 8-10 hours a week.

On Fridays, I have individual sessions every fifteen minutes or so from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

Yesterday, it poured down rain in central Pennsylvania. It was a real jihad driving to work. Many cars were pulled over, waiting for the storm to let up some so they could continue driving safely. But, alas, it didn't let up. So, I plugged along slowly figuring that I would sit in my car once I reached the prison parking lot, and pray for Allah (swt) to let me at least get into the facility without getting soaking wet.

Alhamdulillah, when I arrived, the storm slowed to a steady drizzle and I was able to get to the Chapel relatively dry. I had planned ahead and brought extra socks, so I was cool!

We had our tahleem from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, and the women were able to return to their buildings before the rain started coming down again. REAL HARD!

I settled into my office, figuring that my appointments would not show up, and fired up my computer so I could get some paperwork done. Imagine my surprise, when three out of my four appointments arrived.

Why did these women brave a super thunderstorm to come to the Chapel to see me?

Well, the first one wanted to say the Shahadah.

So, did the second one.

And ... so did the third!

All three wanted to become Muslims, Subhan'Allah! So much, that they were willing to get drenched in a thunderstorm to say the Shahadah!

Oh, I was so thrilled! Allah (swt) has blessed me abundantly. But, there is no greater blessing for me than to be able to look in the eyes of someone who has just said the Shahadah, into the eyes of someone who has no sin, who is a spiritual child.

I always tease them after they say the Shahadah. I do the usual, "Mabrook! You're now a Muslim," to which they respond with a huge smile. We hug, and then I gently touch their chin and tilt it toward me. I say, "Did you know that when a person enters Islam by saying the Shahadah, that all of their sins are forgiven (believe it or not, most of them don't know this)? Let me gaze into your eyes. I love to look into the eyes of a person who has no sin!"

It is an intimate moment. You can't imagine. And I have been blessed as a Muslim chaplain to see it over and over and over again, Alhamdulillah.

When inmates write to me and tell me that they want to become a Muslim, I send them a package of materials, and I schedule them for an individual appointment with me (I have to change prison records). More importantly, I include a note that says something to the effect of "I will see you on Friday, at 10:15 am, Insha Allah, but don't wait until then! If you are sure that you want to become a Muslim, all you have to do is say the words of the Shahadah, with conviction, that are on the handout in the package I am sending you. Then, we will talk more when we meet, Insha Allah."

For some reason, most inmates want someone to witness their Shahadah, to "give" them their Shahadah. Although this is not required in Islam, some new Muslims feel more comfortable saying their Shahadah in front of me, or at Jumuah in front of all of the Muslim women.

I believe this comes from their Christian heritage, where baptisms or "being saved" are witnessed.

Anyhow, three women came to Islam at our prison yesterday!

Allahu Akbar!

In the almost two years that I have been a Muslim chaplain, I have seen our Jumuah list double, Alhamdulillah!

When it rains, it pours!

"When comes the Help of Allah, and Victory,
And thou dost see
The People enter Allah's Religion
In Crowds,
Celebrate the Praises
Of thy Lord, and pray
For His Forgiveness.
For He is Oft-Returning
(In forgiveness).

Surat An-Nasr 1-3

May Allah (swt) bless and reward our new Shahadahs and all of our incarcerated Muslims/Ameen!