Sunday, January 07, 2007
Find Qibla easily
Here's a link to a very handy tool to find the Qibla created with the help of Google Maps. Jazakallah to ibn Mas'ud for this handy app!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
A Gift-worthy book
Introducing Islam by Ziauddin Sardar & Zafar Abbas Malik
I sometimes wonder how much a good book is actually worth as opposed to what you pay for it the first time you buy it? In case of this particular book, it cost me more for the simple fact that I bought it at the ISNA Bazaar at the ISNA Convention in Rosemont in September and registration for the event alone was a cool $65. But I can say this without a doubt that this book is worth every penny just for the sheer creativity with which it presents the case.
The book mainly focuses on introducing Islam as an innovative 'idea' (I will come back to this) complete with illustrations,callouts and Fez -the book's very own tour guide. So is this the right approach of explaining something as complex and misunderstood as Islam? Is the author trying to oversimplify things? 'Yes' to the former and 'Maybe' to the latter. But let's be honest here. How many people actually like 'to read'? Personally I think reading is the most 'faked' hobby anyone has for the simple fact that it is literally fake-able. You see people peering down at a newspaper or a fat paperback and you are convinced. But if that was so why do we have such a dearth of 'well-read' induviduals?
Anyway, the point is that people do less reading and more looking and for that reason alone, something that serves both purposes, this book is perfect.
The book breaks the mould by not presenting the basic Islamic teachings first off but starts by talking about Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) directly and correcting the (new) readers of not calling Muslims 'Mohammedians'. This is the first misconception and it is quite widespread.
The book continues further to explain a bit of history and the revelation of the Quran, it's importance and impact. Here's such an extract from the book :
The need for interpreting the Quran arose immediately after the death of the Prophet. Early interpretations of the Quran relied on the comments and analysis of the Companions of Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and their successors. Written commentaries of the Quran began to appear towards the end of the 9th century. Amongst the earliest and most frequently cited are those of al-Tabari, al-Wahid etc. These authors developed Quranic interpretation into an elaborate science, with numerous specialist branches known as 'tafsir'.
However the best part of the book is the sheer research the authors have done to highlight the works of Islamic thinkers, scientists, mathematicians and various pioneers in other fields. To name just a few of them :
- Nizam al-Mulk, builder of the first school or 'madrassah' - institute of learning in 1067
- Al Ghazzali , theologian & author of 'The Revival of the Religious Sciences in Islam'
- Ibn Sina, physician and author of 'Canons of Medicine' and 'the most famous scientist Islam and one of the most famous of all races, places an times'
- Ibn al-Haytham, optics expert, author of 'Optical Thesaurus' - one of the most plagiarised text in the history of science.
Keeping in mind the short memory of many readers these topics are better left to the scholars for their dissertation. Any such topic that does not take into account the opposite/papallel view in consideration could be charged with oversimplification so I think i will leave the reader to his own conclusion about this. Having said that, 'Introducing Islam' is the sort of book every non-Muslim must browse through before starting any finger-pointing competition. I would also appeal to my Muslim brothers and sisters to definitely consider gifting this book in case you want to help someone unaware of Islam, get his/her facts right. It's one of those things that will definitely do you some good in return.
(Introducing Islam is actually part of a series published by Icon Books UK on various popular subjects including philosophy, science, politics, religion etc.)
Tags:
And (here's) More
So after deciding to continue posting on this blog I decided to modify the name just a little (from '30 Days' to '30 Days & More' ) so that it fits in with what the post the rest of the year besides Ramadhan. So there's definitely more to come...
Monday, October 23, 2006
An Eid away from Home
Let me first start by wishing everyone Eid Mubarak and hope your fasts in Ramadhan went well. I don't think when I will be posting next on this blog but I would at least like to share some of my experiences of my first Eid spent away from home. If I could sum it up in one word(I have a habit of doing that) I think it was 'low-key' or as they say back in India -"thanda" i.e. lukewarm.
In the morning I got ready for going to a banquet hall, the location of which I had not looked up properly online and was relying purely on memory. Wait a minute, did you say 'a banquet hall'? Yes that's right and the reason being that in the land of Uncle Sam there is no concept of an 'eidgaah' (which is generally a large open ground especially used for Eid prayers in the morning ) and so the alternative for facilitating greater numbers of people to offer their Eid prayers is booking a banquet hall and converting it into a makeshift eidgaah.
The trouble was that although I had some idea of the roads, in the excitement and enthusiasm of getting there on time I took the wrong exit. And as if that hadn't been enough miscalculation I took another wrong turn and was almost losing hope of getting to offer the Eid prayers at all. But thanks to the guy from India, who was the gas station I stopped at to ask directions, I made it just in time. A photo-finish. I felt great, something that you call an 'EmanRush'?
Anyway soon after the Eid prayers was over I met my colleague there and wished him Eid Mubarak and went over to his place for some Eid sweets followed by lunch. But there was one little problem, my colleague's car had been towed away. Like me and many others who prefer to rent a car rather than buy one (the reasons of which I won't go into now) he had parked his car inside the apartment premises. However his apartment building being in the proximity of some of the hotel and office areas in that suburb, any car that is parked needs to have a tag displaying approval for parking, irrespective of you being a resident or not. For some reason my friend had forgotten to put the tag.
Anyway we decided to grab some lunch and then go and get his car back from the towing company. Meanwhile he had invited another colleague who only does business consulting and therefore does not have to be in office from 9 to 5. Now that's the kind of work I wouldn't mind doing.
When lunch was over we drove to the towing company's office to get the car back and believe it or not that little mistake set him back 150 bucks. And the lady at the counter didn't even budge, when he tried to explain to her. I think if you're getting paid for doing that, nobody would.
Then later we came back to his place and got talking about things back home and here. Basically comparing this (American) and that (Indian). I mean what else can you do on Eid day, when you're thousands of miles away with no sign of any festivity or fervor?
In between we also watched this documentary on the life of Prophet Muhammmad (peace be upon him) with interviews of Karen Armstrong, Hamza Yusuf, Jameel Johnson and others. It was a good documentary but I found it made more like a children's documentary. I think it's time we as Muslims talk more freely and confidently about our faith and beliefs. It's time to take the next step.
After that we decided to go to a nearly shopping mall but that plan got goofed up since I took a different route and reached the place a bit later. I wasn't able to reach my friend as he did not have a cell phone so after searching for him sometime I decided to get back home.
After reaching home my roommate and I prepared a quick dinner with readymade parathas, rajma and instant chinese soup. I missed home food for the n-th time again.
But the saving grace was speaking with my cousin in Canada. She asked me whether I was going to celebrate another Eid here in the States or away from home and my answer was a straight 'No'. Not for any reason.
In the morning I got ready for going to a banquet hall, the location of which I had not looked up properly online and was relying purely on memory. Wait a minute, did you say 'a banquet hall'? Yes that's right and the reason being that in the land of Uncle Sam there is no concept of an 'eidgaah' (which is generally a large open ground especially used for Eid prayers in the morning ) and so the alternative for facilitating greater numbers of people to offer their Eid prayers is booking a banquet hall and converting it into a makeshift eidgaah.
The trouble was that although I had some idea of the roads, in the excitement and enthusiasm of getting there on time I took the wrong exit. And as if that hadn't been enough miscalculation I took another wrong turn and was almost losing hope of getting to offer the Eid prayers at all. But thanks to the guy from India, who was the gas station I stopped at to ask directions, I made it just in time. A photo-finish. I felt great, something that you call an 'EmanRush'?
Anyway soon after the Eid prayers was over I met my colleague there and wished him Eid Mubarak and went over to his place for some Eid sweets followed by lunch. But there was one little problem, my colleague's car had been towed away. Like me and many others who prefer to rent a car rather than buy one (the reasons of which I won't go into now) he had parked his car inside the apartment premises. However his apartment building being in the proximity of some of the hotel and office areas in that suburb, any car that is parked needs to have a tag displaying approval for parking, irrespective of you being a resident or not. For some reason my friend had forgotten to put the tag.
Anyway we decided to grab some lunch and then go and get his car back from the towing company. Meanwhile he had invited another colleague who only does business consulting and therefore does not have to be in office from 9 to 5. Now that's the kind of work I wouldn't mind doing.
When lunch was over we drove to the towing company's office to get the car back and believe it or not that little mistake set him back 150 bucks. And the lady at the counter didn't even budge, when he tried to explain to her. I think if you're getting paid for doing that, nobody would.
Then later we came back to his place and got talking about things back home and here. Basically comparing this (American) and that (Indian). I mean what else can you do on Eid day, when you're thousands of miles away with no sign of any festivity or fervor?
In between we also watched this documentary on the life of Prophet Muhammmad (peace be upon him) with interviews of Karen Armstrong, Hamza Yusuf, Jameel Johnson and others. It was a good documentary but I found it made more like a children's documentary. I think it's time we as Muslims talk more freely and confidently about our faith and beliefs. It's time to take the next step.
After that we decided to go to a nearly shopping mall but that plan got goofed up since I took a different route and reached the place a bit later. I wasn't able to reach my friend as he did not have a cell phone so after searching for him sometime I decided to get back home.
After reaching home my roommate and I prepared a quick dinner with readymade parathas, rajma and instant chinese soup. I missed home food for the n-th time again.
But the saving grace was speaking with my cousin in Canada. She asked me whether I was going to celebrate another Eid here in the States or away from home and my answer was a straight 'No'. Not for any reason.
Tags:
Friday, October 20, 2006
Retrospective
It's almost the end of Ramadhan and only a few more days of fasting before Eid. Time went by so quickly and yet it was some sort of blessing in disguise for those who were fasting. I must admit that I have not done justice to this blog (with just 4 posts) but I plan to utilize it for next Ramazan or who knows - maybe just have it as my other full time blog (if I do get time after work) to talk about things I want to talk about regarding my faith and being a Muslim and I know there are many out there who want to do just that, if only they had the inspiration to do it. I just want to tell them just grab a pen and paper or keyboard and just let your thoughts flow.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Does you some good
This is exactly the kind of stuff I had been waiting for. Many congratulations to the team at UmmahFilms!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Don't 'bring it on' yet
I realise that as I write this blog and as a believing Muslim I feel somehow suppressed for the reason that whatever I want to say may not be read or understood correctly. So let me just say this straight-up (again) : I don't intend to change your opinion but I definitely wish to influence it.
I also feel that today Muslims being in the spotlight (even though some of them are in a tight spot) more than ever before, I'm of the opinion that it is a very positive thing. It is an opportunity we need utilize and set the record straight. It's time (and it's now) that we must proactively debate and come to some religious consensus. The first of which must be tolerance for one another. Allow me to explain.
Let's say you're travelling in a train or a bus and you happen to sit next to some lady (from somewhere you have no clue of) who has a little kid that won't stop crying. What will be your response? Are you going to tell the little kid yourself to stop crying or are you going to sit there hoping the kid will listen to his or her parent and stop crying? (I personally would do the third and that is to look for a better seat) But lets say you have only 2 options, which one do you think is better?
Tolerance today is considered as something 'uncool', something you should not give into but I think tolerance is something we haven't given too much thought to. Tolerance cannot be equated with respect. But it sure is something that can sooth the nerves. Something that makes you feel al[-right about yourself be it in a difficult situation or an absolutely hopeless situation.
I don't want to waste time talking about when you need to be tolerant and when you don't. E.g. you see someone trying to steal something or someone harassing someone, don't be a moron and say to yourself 'I have to be tolerant'.
I honestly believe that we have to work a lot on our tolerance and that simply means to shut-up or be silent when something is not going your way. If you think there is truth to what you are saying and the opposite person is not convinced maybe you need to change your approach/style. If he or she is still is not convinced then maybe all you should do is state your point of view and leave it at that. It's the hard thing to do but it's the right thing to do, if you believe in "Right" action.
I also feel that today Muslims being in the spotlight (even though some of them are in a tight spot) more than ever before, I'm of the opinion that it is a very positive thing. It is an opportunity we need utilize and set the record straight. It's time (and it's now) that we must proactively debate and come to some religious consensus. The first of which must be tolerance for one another. Allow me to explain.
Let's say you're travelling in a train or a bus and you happen to sit next to some lady (from somewhere you have no clue of) who has a little kid that won't stop crying. What will be your response? Are you going to tell the little kid yourself to stop crying or are you going to sit there hoping the kid will listen to his or her parent and stop crying? (I personally would do the third and that is to look for a better seat) But lets say you have only 2 options, which one do you think is better?
Tolerance today is considered as something 'uncool', something you should not give into but I think tolerance is something we haven't given too much thought to. Tolerance cannot be equated with respect. But it sure is something that can sooth the nerves. Something that makes you feel al[-right about yourself be it in a difficult situation or an absolutely hopeless situation.
I don't want to waste time talking about when you need to be tolerant and when you don't. E.g. you see someone trying to steal something or someone harassing someone, don't be a moron and say to yourself 'I have to be tolerant'.
I honestly believe that we have to work a lot on our tolerance and that simply means to shut-up or be silent when something is not going your way. If you think there is truth to what you are saying and the opposite person is not convinced maybe you need to change your approach/style. If he or she is still is not convinced then maybe all you should do is state your point of view and leave it at that. It's the hard thing to do but it's the right thing to do, if you believe in "Right" action.
Tags:
Saturday, September 23, 2006
What fasting is all about
Muslims all over the world consider Ramadhan as the most sacred month in the Islamic Calendar and it is also known as the 'Month of Fasting'. If you think about life as a journey (driving in a car to be more precise), which I think of as a very good anology then the chapter on 'Servicing and Maintaining your Car' would correspond directly to the idea of fasting. Now fasting is also part of other sacred religions such as Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity, but in Islam (i.e. the way of life for a believing Muslim) it is one of the most important articles of faith.
You fast from sunrise to sunset as a way to purify or purge yourself of bad things like:
1. bad food habits - eating too much, smoking, eating 'paan' or 'supari' or chewing gum
2. bad lifestyle - waking up late, not sleeping on time, boredom, addictions
3. bad company - people who talk crap, back-bite, disrespect or abuse
4. bad thoughts - scheming, fantasizing, anger, jealousy, hate
5. bad actions - lying, cheating, adultery, flirting, idling about
But the question is why for 30 days? Well apart from the evident quranic injunction I feel Ramadhan is like a crash course in belief and patience. 30 days is a significant period of time, enough for anyone to bring about some change in himself/herself. Once you have done that you have trained your body and mind to appreciate the good things in life in a way no radio program or TV jingle can make you realize.
You fast from sunrise to sunset as a way to purify or purge yourself of bad things like:
1. bad food habits - eating too much, smoking, eating 'paan' or 'supari' or chewing gum
2. bad lifestyle - waking up late, not sleeping on time, boredom, addictions
3. bad company - people who talk crap, back-bite, disrespect or abuse
4. bad thoughts - scheming, fantasizing, anger, jealousy, hate
5. bad actions - lying, cheating, adultery, flirting, idling about
But the question is why for 30 days? Well apart from the evident quranic injunction I feel Ramadhan is like a crash course in belief and patience. 30 days is a significant period of time, enough for anyone to bring about some change in himself/herself. Once you have done that you have trained your body and mind to appreciate the good things in life in a way no radio program or TV jingle can make you realize.
Tags:
Foreword
I decided to write this blog with the simple intention of attempting to present some of the thoughts I wanted to share about living as a Muslim in this day and age. I realise that it's not going to be something very profound or fascinating to some but as I've always felt the purpose of writing is to express something that might not be apparent or communicated indirectly. Very often people who you know or meet make assumptions about you or your actions and being a Muslim those assumputions border on generalizations and stereotypes. Through this blog I will try my best to give you a clearer picture but beyond that it's the job of the reader to draw any conclusions if so required. This blog is just to present some ideas, rather than to preach or provoke. Feel free to comment or question anything anytime.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
