The Importance of Actions

By: Jennifer Fayed

There have been instances that I have noticed that giving dawah not only means speaking about Islam, but demonstrating it by our behavior and actions which is stronger than what we contemplate. Did you ever hear the saying "Actions speak louder than words"? The truth of the matter is that in actuality our manners and behaviors are the foundations of how we show non-Muslims the true teachings of Islam. The ways we conduct ourselves in our everyday lives is a major factor in how people perceive Islam, in which curiosity might incite some thoughts in their minds.I have met people in my life and others that shows how crucial our behavior is to society. I have a situation that happened in my life which reflects my point of view. I was attending classes in the mosque about the Sunnah of our prophet (pbuh). In these classes I met a sister afterwards that was talking about how she came to Islam. She recognized me and pointed out "You work in Victoria's Secret, right?" to my dismay she continued to tell me that she noticed me working there and at the time was researching Islam, when she saw that I was the only covered woman working at Victoria’s Secret she was inspired to become Muslim. I was so astonished that a person that I had never seen or come in contact with was inspired to continue studying Islam and becoming Muslim. I never in a million years would have thought that my action to start wearing hijab would have such a strong impact on an individual that I happened to meet by the will of Allah (swt). These were the early stages of me realizing that our actions not only affect ourselves but in a larger spectrum – the society. This is just one proof of many instances that many Muslims and I have encountered just by following something so simple as the dress code that our Lord so Merciful has given us.

Allah (swt) says (Interpretation of meaning): 33:59 “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

It's the little things like hijab and manners that affect how we as Muslims are perceived by a non-Islamic society. As Muslims it is our responsibility to show by our behavior what Islam truly means and what better method than showing people by our actions. We must understand that if we obey Allah (swt) and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) we will triumph.

Allah (swt) says (Interpretation of meaning): 3:31 Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Allah (swt) says (Interpretation of meaning): 16:30 “…For those who do good in this world, there is good, and the home of the Hereafter will be better. And excellent indeed will be the home (i.e. Paradise) of the Muttaqun (the pious).”

Non-Muslims have many misunderstandings about Islam. There are plenty of reasons why they misinterpret us. In my opinion, the main source for this misinformation is the media and the way we conduct ourselves around non-Muslims. The truth is that the media doesn’t actually perceive us in the best light. The news, movies and shows characterize us as the enemies to western society. What are we doing that they keep bashing the society with disgraceful images and biased perspectives of Islam? In the news they don’t usually mention the true side of certain conflicts around the world or they just release information on a need to know basis. In the movies and shows we are either portrayed either as second class citizens or menaces to society. In my view, the best ways to change their mindsets are by becoming more involved in our communities and by showing them what our Prophet (pbuh) has taught us. When we see an elderly woman who needs assistance, don’t just pass by her and ignore her ask if she needs help. When non-Muslims look at us with hatred in their eyes instead of avoiding eye contact or returning the hostility why don’t we greet them with a friendly smile? Abu Hurairah may Allah be pleased with him reported: The messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Every day the sun rises, charity (Sadaqah) is due on every joint of a person. Administering justice between two people is a charity; and assisting a man to mount his beast, or helping him load his luggage on it is a charity; and a good word is a charity; and every step that you take (towards the mosque) for Salat (prayer) is a charity; and removing harmful things from the road is charity.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
These are simple deeds that are not only heavy on the scale [(Allah (swt) says interpretation of meaning): 4:40 “Surely, Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant), but if there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward”)] but it requires little effort on our part in transforming how we are perceived in society. I have noticed that people tend to tune out when they are being preached to without a due cause. The beauty of Islam is that we don’t force people to accept it; this is done by the will of Allah (swt) for He guides whom he wishes. When non-Muslims aren’t inclined to listen to what we have to say and what our beliefs are the next approach would obviously be our behavior and actions towards them. My sisters and brothers in Islam it is crucial for us to be vigilant in how we behave in front of people especially non-Muslims. Think of the good deeds that Allah (swt) will be multiplying on our scales; besides, the most fascinating aspect is that we may not even know when, where, or how we attained those beautiful deeds that will God willing save us from the hellfire and bring us closer to the gardens of paradise. So please let’s ask ourselves are we doing enough to change these point-of-views? What can you do to transform how we are perceived in society? These are very important questions that we should reflect on. May Allah (swt) guide us to the right path and help us in finding resourceful solutions so we can remove the stigma that non-Muslims have about Islam.

The Day I Opened My Heart

By: Jennifer Fayed

I was feeling lonely sometime after I had embraced Islam. I was in college and I suddenly noticed how many Imams wanted to marry me to that ‘good fellow Muslim’ or the occasional brothers on the crowded Manhattan streets who would stop me very chivalrously and would propose marriage out of nowhere. As a matter of fact, now looking back this has brought back a memory which I remember vividly. I was at the deli on West Fortieth Street and Sixth Avenue. This deli was owned by a Yemenis family and had become my usual stop before going to work or class. One of the guys in the store would give his salaams then would casually ask “Are you looking for a husband?” I would of course bashfully tell him no and be on my way. Well on this particular day there was some other Muslim brother doing something in the store and I of course being in a rush didn’t pay any mind to him. I got my coffee and walked out; however, quickly after that the brother rushed behind me. He insisted that I should marry him and that he owned a business and how he would make a good husband for me (I laughed in awe as this never happened to me before). I politely told him “I’m not looking for a husband right now and I have to get to class salaam walakium (peace be upon you).” After that incident I began to consider maybe I will think about getting married once I finish school.

I soon met a Bangladesh sister who was Muslim and was in my English class. The funny thing was that she was in my Accounting class during my first semester. She recognized me and said “Mash ‘Allah you’re Muslim Alhamdulilah”. I was shocked. “Wow aren’t you that girl that was sitting in front of me in Accounting 101?” I said, “yes” and from that day we became good friends. We would accompany each other to class and as time passed Nasma would insist that I needed a husband. I would laugh, and tell her “when I’m ready I’ll let you know”. We were in the middle of the semester and she was so persistent mashallah. She would go on and on about these guys that lived above her in their house. “I will ask my husband to see if any of them are interested in marrying?” One of the guys had a girlfriend and Nasma told me she would speak to her from time to time so she decided to jump the gun, as they say, and ask this girl more information. It was so weird I didn’t know what the etiquette for marriage was in Islam and I felt as if they were playing matchmaker for me. Nasma set a day for me to meet Marcella.

The day soon came and I met Marcella. She had lots of interesting opinions about the guys. She kept on insisting on a particular brother, but I wanted to know more about the brother she didn’t want to talk about. She would brush me off and say “Oh him well…um…I don’t talk to him so… I don’t know about him; let’s talk about this brother”. Keep in mind; I didn’t know how this worked so I was basically at their disposal. So as she insisted I told her ok I guess I can meet the Muslim brother you mentioned and see if there is a connection. So I met the brother; however, I didn’t have that feeling – you know that sense that tells you he’s the one your love and partner in this life and the next. I soon told her “he’s a fine brother mashallah but I’m not interested in him”. I felt so shallow and superficial. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, maybe I wasn’t ready for marriage yet. I made du’a (supplication) to Allah (swt) to please help me find the right person. I told Allah that I wanted someone religious, handsome, jealous (good kind), and that would accept that I had children from a previous marriage and love them as his own. I soon met some Turkish sisters. They would meet weekly to have discussions on Islam and the Sunnah. I went to my first and only meeting around March. I loved it; the meeting was so enjoyable and informative. I never met so many Muslim sisters who made me feel at home and welcomed. At the end of the meetings they explained to me that every week everyone would take a piece of paper with their name on it and would place it in a cup. Whoever’s name they would pull out they would make du’a for whatever that person desired. Well on this occasion my name was pulled out. They gracefully and anxiously asked me what I wish that Allah grant me. I told them that I really wanted a husband. They all broke into laughter and said, “A husband we can find you a husband tomorrow if that’s what you want”. I insisted on it and they agreed and made du’a that Allah (swt) gives me a good husband. Well like two weeks later Marcella told me that the brother I had insisted on wanted to meet me with the intention of marriage. I was so thrilled! I wondered, what did he look like, was he religious, what was I going to wear? I hope he would like me? All these thoughts rushed in my mind. I was nervous, and excited. We set a day where we would all meet. It was that following Saturday, I went over to their house and waited anxiously for someone to answer the door. When the door opened all I kept thinking was is this the guy? Subhanallah he is so attractive I couldn’t help from blushing and lowered my gaze and kept asking Allah (swt) to forgive me for staring at him. He greeted me and told me “Salaam Walakium, I’m El-Hussein nice to meet you”. I was so nervous. We went upstairs. I was greeted by everyone there. It was so nice. Hussein asked how I came to Islam and about my family. I also asked him about his family, education and his interests it was real casual. I tried to interpret his body language to see if he liked me, but he was too difficult to read. I had no leads. He was serious but polite. Did he like me? I wasn’t sure at all. I had made time a few days prior to see a program on body language and how to tell if someone is attracted to you. I tried to read his body language I felt so pathetic and dumb. I was trying to interpret his anatomical positions and observe him. Was he my lab specimen or my potential husband. This was so silly. Well I still couldn’t pinpoint if he liked me. The night came to an end and I soon realized that I was about to do something I had never done before in my life. I was going to ask him if he wanted my telephone number. He smiled with delight and said “yes of course”. I was astonished on how he responded I felt warm all over and new that he was interested. When I went home I was on cloud nine. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. "Will he call?" I thought. The next day, he left me a message on my cell phone. He wanted to meet me at the park so we could get to know each other better. He brought along a gift it was an Islamic book set. I was so happy this was my first book set; he informed me that his intention was to marry me and so he spoke in more detail about himself and his roots in Egypt. A week later we went to meet his cousin in New Jersey. He was the only family member that was real close to us. He was so shy to ask me and when he did I accepted and we went to visit his cousin and family. His aunt Mama Cici was in New Jersey visiting from Egypt and at the time I didn’t know much if any Arabic. When we walked into the door I was greeted with a huge hug from her and she kept say “Mabrook, Mabrook, Mabrook!!!!!!!” I didn’t know what she said but I thought wow she is such a nice lady. She really likes me *laughing*. I later found out that she thought that Hussein and I were already engaged and was congratulating us (mabrook means congratulations in Arabic). He explained to her that we weren’t engaged yet, and then she followed with she’s the one for you so congratulations. After knowing each other for a month we were engaged.

My parent’s had no idea about the engagement and I had to try to tell them about this wonderful person that I met and needed their blessings. My father was furious he refused and kept saying angrily “They’re all terrorists!!!” I didn’t know what to do I made lots of du’a that God willing my father would change his mind. To my surprise, one week later my father called me and said “let’s all have brunch at the hotel”. I was astonished Alhamdulilah (praise is due to Allah) my father sounded so open-minded and when we did meet him for brunch Hussein and my father hit it off. As a matter of fact, they practically ignored me the whole time. My father soon gave us his blessings on our engagement and future marriage. I soon found out that all the qualities I had requested
Allah (swt) for a husband, Hussein had all of them subhanallah (Glory be to Allah). He was the one I waited to meet. He was fantastic with my children and treated them as his own. We soon were married on May 30th 2003. All praises to Allah (swt). I love my husband so much and I pray that Allah rewards all my sisters in Islam with a wonderful husband like mine inshallah. Allah had truly blessed me and my family with such a wonderful man.

Valentine’s Day

By: Jennifer Fayed

The month of February is approaching and so is the holiday of Valentine’s Day. It is to my understanding that this holiday is not allowed in Islam and is haraam to celebrate it. I dedicate this article to my sisters and brothers in Islam that are astray or don’t know that celebrating this holiday is not allowed in the religion. May Allah bring guidance and light to those who are blinded. Have some of us deviated so far from Allah’s (swt) religion that some Muslims have made this pagan holiday part of their life in joining with the kufar and celebrating this day? The prophet may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them” (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021). Why do some of our fellow brothers and sisters in Islam think it’s acceptable to celebrate a manmade holiday? Allah (swt) says (interpretation of the meaning):“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]. This clearly states that it is forbidden to add and produce things that are not from Allah (swt) and the prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Some of us may not know what the true significance behind Valentine’s Day really means and its true roots.

The story of Valentine’s Day comes from one of the festivals that the Romans celebrated about 17 centuries ago, during this time the Romans believed in many gods and this festivity of Valentine’s Day was seen as the welcoming of spring and viewed as a time of purification. Romans would usually clean their homes sweep out the dust and then sprinkle salt and spelt (kind of wheat) inside their homes and living spaces. “Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. The boys then sliced the goat’s hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.”
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/?page=history1

Once the Romans embraced Christianity this yearly tradition was strongly rooted in their culture; therefore, they changed its holy meaning of a “love god” to the “martyrs of love” so it would reflect their Christian beliefs and not their past pagan rituals. This was distinguished by Saint Valentine who spread the belief of love and peace; this Saint Valentine was killed for his beliefs. He was called a martyr by the Roman Church. This is how the belief of Saint Valentine was declared by the Romans as the saint for lovers.

This is just a summary of the many meanings of Valentine’s Day. I hope that inshallah we have learned the meaning of this pagan holiday and guard ourselves from its temptations. I mean don’t get me wrong receiving chocolate truffles, jewelry, and roses are lovely but lets do it when we feel it in our hearts and not because it’s the day of love. We should show our family, friends, husbands and wives that we love them everyday and a gift is just one of the various ways that we demonstrate that we care and love them within Islam. May Allah (swt) keep us away from the forbidden and enlighten us with His guidance and increase our knowledge so we can be among the righteous ones on the last day. Amin.

More Information on Valentine’s Day:
http://63.175.194.25/topics/hobb/Valentines_eng.html
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/?page=history

To Prejudice

I wrote this poem during the spring of 2003. It symbolizes the obstacles I had to overcome in New York City after becoming Muslim.

“To Prejudice”

By: Jennifer Fayed

You think you got the best of them
Telling them how and what to think
You’re a disease spreading like a
Dough with yeast!

I suffer everyday because of you
In the train, on the street even at
The park by Bleeker Street.

I hate what you have done
You have damaged and killed
Many dreams, you have swept
Many lives from the beginning
Of time.

You don’t got me and you never
Will I just hope that the others will
To prevail!

You definitely have a place in history
And I assure you that your lies and
Conjectures will end permanently!

You may die today or tomorrow
And only you alone will be in sorrow
You think you got the best of them
But you will see; soon it will end
And we will have victory.

Calling People to Islam

Calling people to Islam (Da’wah) is the Sunnah (tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), which must be followed by all Muslims.Calling/inviting others to Islam for the sake of Allah (Da'wah) is the essence of Prophet Muhammad's mission, and it is one of the most important duties that Muslims must follow.

Allah (swt) says:(Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and beware (of evil): if you do turn back know you that it is our messenger’s duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest manner.) [Qur’an 5:92]

While Allah makes it very clear that there is no compulsion in religion for truth stands out clear, he orders Muslim believers to perform Da’wah (to invite people to Islam) in order to lead mankind to the true and perfect religion.

(Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity.) [Qur’an 3:104]

(Invite (all) to the way of your Rabb (i.e., Islam) with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.) [Qur’an 6:125]

In addition to the Qur’anic injunctions to perform Da’wah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also enjoins Muslims to invite others to Islam.Abu Bakr, God bless him, narrated that the Prophet (pbuh)said:

“It is incumbent upon those who are present to convey this message (of mine) to those who are absent. May be that some of those to whom it will be conveyed will understand it better than those who have actually heard it.” [Bukhâri 5/688, 1/67 and 2/797]

Also, Abdullah Bin Amr narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said:“Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single verse...”
(Bukhâri 4/667)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) not only encourages Muslims to seek knowledge in order to convey Islam to others but also invokes prayer for those who teach and transmit Islamic knowledge to others.

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:“May Allah be well pleased with the servant who heard our words, remembered them, retained them well and then passed them on to others. How many scholars are there who are the scholars of religion without having an understanding of it, and how many scholars of religion are there who convey knowledge to those who are well versed compared with them. There are three things on account of which no rancor enters a Muslim heart: the sincerity of purpose for Allah’s sake, seeking goodness for the Muslims and adhering to their main body (jama'ah), for their prayers encompass them all round.” (Tirmidhi 228)

Allah will reward Muslims prosperous lives if they perform Da’wah for his sake. Allah, the Merciful, not only commends those who call others to Islam, but subsequently promises unlimited rewards to them.

(Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am one of the Muslims?)
[Qur’an 41:33]
(And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it—such are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for, with their God. Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they have done.) [Qur’an 39:35]

Copyright 2005 Al Jazeera Publishing Limited

My Journey to Islam

By:Jennifer Fayed

There comes a time in peoples’ lives that you are compelled to think, why am I here what is my purpose in this life. These were my thoughts during summer of 2001. I had been married to my first husband for about 3 years. The marriage was going downhill. There was no ambition in my former husband, and with two children barely old enough to take care of themselves finding out I was pregnant; I started to ponder my purpose in this earth. Yes, I was a wife a mother a daughter; however, the same thought came passing through my mind there has to be a reason for my existence. My family had recently moved to the Dominican Republic I felt abandoned. Abandoned you might ask, she’s married with children how can she feel abandoned? I was 21 years old and my parents were the base of who I was who I strived to be. They were my example.

I was sleeping, when I got a frantic call from my former mother-in-law screaming “there was a plane crash a plane crash in downtown Manhattan” confused I said “what, what are you talking about!” I turned on the television only to find out that the second tower of the world trade center was being hit by the second aircraft. I was shocked! Who could’ve done this, who was capable of such atrocity? I was in disbelief on what I saw on the news. Was this real I kept thinking to myself, it was must be a movie please, please tell me this was a movie. I had just been in the world trade center the day before. I saw this as some proof that it wasn’t my time to die and I hadn’t completed my purpose in this life. I didn’t know what purpose, but it wasn’t my time. There was chaos in New York City that day; little did I know this day among other events in my life would only be the beginning of drastic changes that were about to happen.

Soon after the attacks of September 11th I went to Dominican Republic to visit my parents. I was about a month pregnant and no soul other than my mother-in-law, my former husband and I knew about the pregnancy. How was I going to break the news to my parents I mean I got pregnant with my first child out of wedlock and soon married as to make things right. So here I was pregnant with my third baby and I thought well at least I can think things through while being in the Caribbean. I left on American Airlines flight 587. This was the first time I was in an airplane so soon after the attacks of the world trade center. The security in the airport was intense, and people in the airplane kept praying some even during the whole flight. I started to laugh within myself. If we’re going to die well then it’s our fate. I kept thinking about my pregnancy. I didn’t want this pregnancy it was unplanned and a third mouth to feed I could barely support two children let alone three. I was so confused. I spent time with my family trying to tell them about the baby. I couldn’t bear to tell them that there first born daughter was yet again going to bring another major disappointment to them; therefore, I decided well I’ll terminate the pregnancy and no one has to even know I’m pregnant. Easy solution, I thought to myself but at the same time I came from a strong Christian family and to even fathom having an abortion was a sin and taboo. After my quick trip to the Caribbean I went back to New York and finally called Planned Parenthood to set-up the appointment to terminate the pregnancy. I asked them if I could take the abortion pill and I was devastated to find out that I would have to go through a full abortion because my window for the abortion pill was one week past the time to end the pregnancy with a pill. I was so depressed; I thought to myself oh my God their going to rip this baby out of my womb. What am I doing? I really didn’t know if I could go through with it; as a result, I decided to pray to God not using the rosary or going to church but for the first time I was going to pray directly to him like a friend, someone who I felt had to help me it was my last resort. I cried while I continuously supplicated, oh God please I don’t know what to do I want this baby, but my marriage is on the rocks and we don’t have money to bring another baby into the world. I will put my full trust in you my Lord, please if it’s your will for me to have this baby then I will accept that and if it’s your will to end the pregnancy I will accept that too. I emptied my sorrows unto a God, a God that I worshipped my own way not the way I was taught to do. A God; one that to me had no partners and no son but just a being that I knew created me. I was at my wits end thinking about the pregnancy and just went through my usual daily routine. A few days past, I was watching television when a program was interrupted by a special report. I said oh no not another attack what happened next blew me away. I soon found out another plane had crashed, this time in Queens where I am originally from in New York. I was so worried I thought it must have been brought down by one of these terrorists yet again. I was astonished when they mentioned the flight number and its destination. It was American Airlines flight 587; yes the flight that I was on but only a week ago and it was headed to the Dominican Republic. I got chills up my spine. I was numb all over thinking that this could’ve been me on this flight at this time. I saw this as a message from God that he was trying to tell me something. This wasn’t the first time in less then a month that I came close to death. I thought to myself God is trying to tell me something. A week after that supplication I started to have cramps, these cramps were different from the usual first trimester cramping. I brushed it off like no big deal. As the weekend continued the cramping got more severe and then I started to have bleeding. I was so frightened was I having a miscarriage? I hurried to the hospital and they put me on strict bed rest. I went home that evening and stayed in bed the cramping got better. Once asleep there was this shocking pain and with this pain I felt that something came out. I didn’t know what to do; I went to the bathroom only to discover a piece of round flesh on the pad. I was devastated. I never saw anything like this I lost my baby I was two months pregnant. I went back to the hospital and they confirmed to me that yes I had a miscarriage and they were sorry for my loss. The next day was the day of my abortion appointment October 15, 2001. I had the miscarriage just a day before this appointment. They called me from Planned Parenthood and asked me why I missed the appointment. I told them that I had a miscarriage a day before. It was so surreal, was it a miracle from God, did God answer my prayer, and what did he have in store for me. I felt that God was telling me that my life was going to change. How was it about to change? I had no idea but I did know that I couldn’t stay married any longer to someone who didn’t want to work and had no ambition in life. So I made a conscious decision toward getting my degree and taking steps to divorce my first husband.

I saw how badly Muslims were being treated in New York. The aggression that played out so soon after the September 11 attacks, every other day there was a report on the news about a Muslim hate crime. It was horrible; I would literally see people walking on the opposite side of side walks if they even thought a person was a Muslim. Muslim businesses were empty people refused to buy from them. People would yell out horrible things to them in the street, “Go to your country, Terrorist, Taliban!! Why are people saying these things to innocent people? I agree the people who did this were horrible people, but why blame people who didn’t have anything to do with the attacks. It felt like a witch hunt. I was curious about what these people really stood for my interest grew larger everyday. I soon enrolled in college and I would meet Muslims and anxiously ask them questions about Islam. Why do you wear a scarf? What do you believe in? Who is this Mohammed who you always talk about? Some had answers but on the most part people didn’t know how to answer me. Most of the Muslim girls I did know didn’t wear the scarf and would say it’s a choice and I’m not that knowledgeable about Islam. I felt that no one was able to give me answers so I turned to the internet for answers. There I found out about Islam. I couldn’t believe that God (Allah) had sent another prophet after Jesus (pbuh). I knew God couldn’t have put me and everyone on this earth without answers to our many questions. Why we are here? Why do people say God is three when in fact it only confirmed what I personally had believed in since I was fourteen years old that God was one with no partners. I was seeking the truth to my questions and Islam answered all of them. This was amazing prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was the last prophet the last one God had sent to reveal is final message unto us. His favor upon us was done. Then I decided to do more research on this Mohammed (pbuh) was he a real person did he actually exist? To my surprise he was a real person and not only was he our messenger but his whole life had been documented. I was stunned, this was my religion I thought, the faith I have been searching for many years and it’s called Islam. I attended my first Ramadan that fall of 2002.

The mosque was full of people. It wasn’t like a diocese in that generally one kind of race or nationality attends a specific church. The mosque had people of all different spectrums of the rainbow. They were all so friendly and kept saying salaam walakium, at the time I didn’t know what that meant but I would just nod in embarrassment. It was time to perform the salah (prayer); this was my first time ever to pray like the Muslims. I had no idea what they were doing but a friend of mine at the time just told me “do what they do” so that’s exactly what I did. I would mumble what I thought they were saying and perform the prostrations not knowing the significance or reason for it. I did enjoy it. I was amazed that all the Muslims face the Kabah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia at the same time for every prayer no matter what part of the world they come from. We didn’t have this in Christianity, not at all. The Muslims had an unspoken code that unified them to Allah the Most High. I wore a scarf that day in respect to them. I didn’t know how the women would put the scarf on so I bought a two piece scarf that I just slid on. I felt so wonderful and warm inside when I wore the scarf. I could walk the streets without men looking at me as a sexual object. I did get stares, but that didn’t bother me at all. After that day in the mosque I made a conscious decision to wear hijab all the time. People kept emphasizing to me that I didn’t have to wear hijab because I wasn’t Muslim. I would just comment that it’s my decision and it’s none of their business. When I wore hijab there was this feeling of security, warmth in my heart and soul that I was pleasing my Lord. I didn’t care about the stares or the negative remarks. I felt in my heart that I wasn’t doing enough to worship Allah. I was fasting some days during that Ramadan. Then I started to ponder how I would tell this to my family. I had told my father that I was reading about a religion that comes from the east, all he told me was “it’s good to gain knowledge in different cultures and religions” I think that one flew by his head by a long shot. When my mother arrived from the Dominican Republic I was seriously considering declaring my shahada. I just didn’t know how I would tell all of my family especially my mom considering she was so critical of me. I was wearing hijab already so I didn’t feel good taking it off just to please her because my duty was to Allah then my parents. As a result, I decided to get it passed my younger sister Catherine. She and I are five years apart but I thought to tell her first as to see what might be the response of my parents. I called her and said, “Hey Catherine I did something” She wasn’t shock as I usually did things that were out of the norm. She told me “What did you do this time Jennifer?” I bluntly told her that I was considering becoming a Muslim and that I already wore the headscarf. She went ballistic in laughter. She told me that now I had definitely done it and that my parents would kill me figuratively, and that she couldn’t believe that I was one of those terrorists. She quickly followed with you’re my sister and I love you no matter what religion you become but that our parents would probably go into an attack of some sort. The funniest thing though was that telling my younger sister you can only expect some form of sibling rivalry. She soon remarked “Don’t tell mom and dad without me being there so I can see you go down with a laugh”. I knew she was joking, and to my surprise I couldn’t believe how mature she had become during that year. As you can expect, I told my parents and my dad took it well I guess most men would if it means that their daughters would cover their bodies. My mother on the other hand, was furious and shocked. She kept trying to convince me that I was in the wrong and that Islam wasn’t the right religion. The thing that bothered her the most was that I was wearing hijab. It took them about two weeks to calm down with the whole idea that I was changing my religion. They soon accepted me after that, however my mom kept persisting that this was only a phase and that I would come to my senses. One week later, I had made my decision to declare my shahada.

I woke up on the first Friday of January with the feeling that this was the day, this was the day I was going to say my shahada. I was going to make my declaration that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah) and Mohammed is the Messenger (Prophet) of God. I took my shower and jumped on the train and went to the mosque to make my declaration. I saw the sheik and told him I want to make my shahada today. He looked at me with a smirk and said “Are you sure, is this what you really want to do?” I was so excited I told him “Yes, Yes, this is my decision” and so that day all my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam joined with me to witness my reversion to Islam. All and all I felt normal that day so many people congratulated me on my reversion and told me if I needed anything they would help me. I felt so lucky; here I was with a new family a nation of people from all different parts of the world. On that Friday night I went to sleep. My first night as a Muslim I thought, later that evening around fajr time I had the most beautiful dream a blessed vision. I was in a valley, full of beautiful green grass and gorgeous hills nothing I have ever seen in this life, and I was walking there towards a man. The person came towards me also, he was dressed in a white galabiya his face was like light not a humanly face but bright like the sun. I felt so warm and safe. He held my hand and we walked together to a big round rock which he sat on and I sat on the grass. He then told me “Welcome to Islam”. When I woke up I had this wonderful feeling in my heart. I thought this was the Prophet may the blessings of Allah be upon him. He came to welcome me to Islam. I later found out that it wasn’t Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), but it was one of Allah’s (swt) angels who had welcomed me into the fold of Islam for angels don’t have a human face but it is blurred. I felt so special from that day forward. An angel, an angel of Allah came to greet me to Allah’s religion my religion the faith that I so eagerly craved from a young age, Islam the one true religion.

U.S. Muslims Seek Release of Journalist in Iraq

A U.S. Muslim rights group will hold news conferences in the Middle East in a bid to secure the release of an American journalist facing death by her captors in Iraq.The Council on American-Islamic Relations will hold the first conference in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and the second Friday in Baghdad.The Washington-based group says it wants to reach Arab audiences to convince the kidnappers of Jill Carroll to release her."We're taking a serious step on behalf of our community, and we are hopeful that our words will be heard and our appeal will be listened to," said Nihad Awad, executive director of CAIR. "We have been reading about her work ... and though we don't know her, we know it is wrong to kidnap people and hurt innocent people."Carroll, 28, is a freelance reporter for the Christian Science Monitor newspaper. She was on her way to meet Sunni Arab politician Adnan Dulaimi in Baghdad’s western Adel district when she was kidnapped on January 7. The kidnappers shot dead her Iraqi interpreter, Allan Enwiyah.Her kidnappers threatened to kill her on Friday unless all Iraqi female detainees are released. A U.S. army spokeswoman, Sgt. Stacy Simon, claimed that the U.S. only holds eight Iraqi women. She didn’t provide further details.White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday that Carroll's "safe return is a priority" but noted that he won’t talk about the issue because of the sensitivity of the situation.CAIR, the U.S.'s largest Muslim advocacy group, has 31 offices and chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada.Its mission is to improve the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil rights, help American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Source: AP

A Poem About Hijab

What do you see when you look at me, Do you see someone limited, or someone free, All some people can do is just look and stare, Simply because they can't see my hair,
Others think I am controlled and uneducated, They are so thankful that they are not me, Because they would like to remain ‘free’, Well free isn’t exactly the word I would’ve used, Describing women who are cheated on and abused,
They think that I do not have opinions or voice, They think that being hooded isn’t my choice, They think that the hood makes me look caged, That my husband or dad is totally outraged,
All they can do is look at me in fear, And in my eye there is a tear,
Not because I have been stared at or made fun of,
But because people are ignoring the One up above,
On the Day of Judgment they will be the fools,
Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules,
Maybe the guys won’t think I am a cutie,
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty,
See I have declined from being a guy’s toy,
Because I won’t let my self be controlled by a boy,
Real men are able to appreciate my mind,
And aren’t busy looking at my behind,
Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause,
The role that we play definitely deserves applause,
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright,
And because some people are inspired by my sight,
The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility,
In the back of their mind they wish they were me,
We have the strength to do what we think is right,
Even if it means putting up a life long fight,
You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt,
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt,
So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated,
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated,
We are the ones that are free and pure,
We’re free of standard’s that have no cure,
So when people ask you how you feel about the hood,
Just sum it up by saying ‘baby its all good’.

Salaam Walakium
Reading Quran has many benefits. Here are some surahs that the prophet Mohammed (pbuh) recommended for us to recite.

Surah al Fatiha (1)

Once the Prophet was traveling when he disembarked and began walking alongside a companion. He asked him, 'Shouldn't I tell you the best part of the Qur'an?' then he recited 'Alhamdu lillahi rabil alameen' (Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds). (First verse in Surrah Al Fatiha (1:1)Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:"Whoever mastered the first seven (chapters or verses) from the Qur'an is a pontiff."Also Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:"In the Fatiha of the Qur'an, there is a cure for all maladies (illnesses)"

Surah al Baqara (2)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:"The Qur'an and those who committed themselves to it will be presented on the Day of judgment, preceded by Surrah Al Baqara and Surrah Al Imran."Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) also said:"Learn how to recite Surah Al Baqara for there is a blessing in it, and there is sorrow for abandoning it, and it is unbearable for the idle' and that Al Baqara and Al Imran are like two flowers which will shade their learner on the day of Judgment, as if there were two large clouds or two flocks of birds."Also Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:"Recite Surrah Al Baqara in your dwellings and do not keep them as tombs. He also said that whoever recited Surrah Al Baqara at night would be crowned with a crown of paradise."Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:"Do not make your house as tombs, for Satan averts a dwelling wherein Surrah Al Baqara is recited"Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was asked, 'Which part of the Qur'an is the best?'. He replied, 'The Surrah in which the cow is mentioned'. He was then asked 'Which part of that Surrah?'. He replied, 'The verse of the Throne and the last part of Surrah Al Baqara came down from under the Throne'Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'Whoever recites 4 verses from the first part of Surrah Al Baqara, the verse of the Throne, two verses after the verse of the Throne and three verses from the last part of Surrah Al Baqara, Satan would never come near him or the members of his family on that day, and nothing he despises would come near him or the members of his family, and never are these verses recited over a madman without him regaining his consciousness'Abdullah ibn Masud (may Allah be please with him) said, 'Whoever recited ten verses from Al-Baqara in the night, Satan shall not have access to that house, during the night till he wakes in the morning. These are: Four from the first part of the Surrah, followed by the verse of the Throne, two verses after the verse of the Throne and three from the last part of the Surrah'.

Surah al Imran (3)

Abdullah ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'What an excellent treasure Surrah Al Imran is to the pauper when he recites it in prayer during the last part of the night'Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'Allah's most magnificent name, which when used to implore Him, He responds, is found in three Surrahs. Al Baqara, Al Imran and Taha'

Surah al An'am (6)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'This Surah was seen off by as many angels as could block the horizon'

Surah Yusuf (12)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'Teach your relative the recitation of Surrah Yusuf, for, any Muslim who recites it or teaches it to his family, Allah shall ease for him the agony of death, and give him the strength that will prevent him from envying a fellow Muslim'

Surah al Kahf (18)

The Prophet (PBUH) said:'Whoever recited Surrah Al Kahf on a Friday, Allah will kindle for him abundant light to illuminate the period between the two Fridays (the Friday on which he recited the Surrah and the next Friday)'

Surah al Mu'minun (23)

Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him recited (Surrah Al Mu'minun from verse 115 to 118) in the ear of an afflicted person and the man was cured.Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'What did you recite in his ear?' Ibn Masud told him, and the Prophet (PBUH) said, 'By He in Whose hand lies my soul, Were a believing man to recite it over a mountain, it would have melted'.

Surah as Sajda (32)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) would not sleep until he recited Surrah Al Sajda.Khalid ibn Ma'dan (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Recite the Deliverer, which is Alif Laam Tanzeel, for I have heard that a man who had committed many sins used to recite it and nothing else. It spread its wing over him and said, ‘O’ My Lord, forgive him, for he often used to recite me.’ So the Lord Most High made it an intercessor for him and said, ‘Record for him a good deed and raise him a degree in place of every sin."

Surah Yassin (36)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'Whoever recited Surrah Yassin at night seeking Allah's pleasure, Allah would forgive him'Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:"Whoever recited Surrah Yassin would seem (in terms of reward) as if he had recited the Qur'an ten times."

Surah ad Dukhan (44)

Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'The 'ha-meems' are the embellishment of the Qur'anThe 'ha-meems' refer to the seven Surrahs which have ha-meem at the start.

Surah al Fath (48)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'A Surrah of the Qur'an was revealed to me tonight, indeed it is the dearest Surrah to my heart, than anything under the sun'. Then the Prophet recited Surrah al Fath verses 1-5

Surah Al Rahman (55)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'Everything has a bride, and the bride of the Qur'an is Surrah Al Rahman'

Surah al Waqiah (56)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'Whoever recites Surrah al Waqiah at night would never encounter poverty' Also Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:'Surah al Waqiah is the Surrah of Wealth, so recite it and teach it to your children'