Bismillah ir-rahman, ir-rahhim (In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful)
It's much harder to blog daily then I realized! lol!!!
Only 8 more fasting days left of Ramadan! We are entering the final week-an extra spiritual time for fasting Muslims as we intend to open our hearts and become closer to God. This last week is our last chance to perfect our fast, a time for soul searching and great spiritual awakening. It is a time of great forgiveness and supplications (extra prayers). It was on the 27th day of Ramadan that our prophet Muhammad *(pbuh) received his first verses of the Koran. This night is called the 'night of power'. The night of power is believed to be better than a thousand months and during the night we pray extra prayers for everything and everyone. It is reported that the best time to do our extra prayers on the night of power is in the last part of the night. Abu Hurayrah reported that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “When the last one third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One, descends towards the lower heaven and proclaims: Is there anyone supplicating to Me, so that I grant his supplication? Is there anyone begging of Me for anything, so that I grant him his wish? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness, so I forgive him?” (reported by Al-Bukhari)
During this night of power, I strive to be in a state to sincerely and wholly give everything to God; to accept that I am his blessed servant and to open my mind and my heart to His will-whatever that may be. This prayer isn't a prayer that one does and then forgets. I suppose it could be compared to making a New Years Resolution in a sense (although much deeper, more sincere and more intense). In previous years I have both taken this night very seriously and also not so seriously. The years I have sincerely opened my mind, heart, and soul to this prayer in the darkest hours of the night I have noticed life in the following months was gentler, kinder and my mind was more at ease. The years I slept through and didn't make the supplication, life was as complicated as ever and I was filled with an unexplainable heaviness.
So, with this last week, I am striving extra hard to not miss a prayer, to be charitable, kind and generous with my thoughts, my words, my actions and my giving of myself, time and money. Essentially, in this last week Muslims strive extra hard to live a life as perfect as they pray life to be and to be as charitable and forgiving (of others and themselves) as God is of all of his children.
*pbuh="peace and blessings upon him". This form of respect is said after mentioning any of God's prophets (Muhammad, Moses, Jesus, Abraham etc...).
Peace be upon all of you tonight and always.
p.s. for anyone interested in learning more about Islam, Muslims, Ramadan etc... the "teach yourself" series of books has an accurate Intro to Islam and the book "Muhammad" by Karen Armstrong is the best biographies on our prophet (pbuh).
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Ramadan Day 15-17
Ramadan is half way through! I can't believe it!! and I'm also very excited. Each day is growing harder and harder. Energy is depleted. Also, am very thrilled with this years feelings that have surfaced. I've grown so much more than in previous years. How? I'm calmer, more patient and much much more mindful.
I'm a bit tired this evening...so, I will quote the author John Esposito's book "What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam" (an excellent source for anyone interested in learning more about Islam)
How is Islam similar to Christianity and Judaism?
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, in contrast to Hinduism and Buddhism, are all monotheistic faiths that worship the God of Adam, Abraham and Moses-creator, sustainer and Lord of the universe. They share a common belief in the oneness of God(monotheism), sacred history (history of the theater of God's activity and the encounter of God and humankind), prophets and divine revelations, angels and Satan. All stress moral responsibility and accountability, Judgment Day, and eternal reward and punishment. All three faiths emphasize their special covenant with God (Judaism through Moses; Christianity through Jesus and Islam through Muhammad)
"How do Muslims view Judaism? Christianity?
Both Jews and Christians hold a special status within Islam because of the Muslim belief that God revealed His will through His prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
Say: We believe in God and in what has been revealed to us, and in what has been sent down to Abraham and Ismail and Isaac and Jacob and their offspring and what has been revealed to Moses and Jesus and to all the prophets of our Lord. We make no distinctions between them and we submit to Him and obey. (Qu'ran 3:84)
The Koran and Islam regard Jews and Christians as children of Abraham and refer to them as "People of the Book," since all three monotheistic faiths descend from the same patrilineage of Abraham. Jew and Christians trace themselves back to Abraham and his wife Sarah; Muslims to Abraham and his servant, Hagar. Muslims believe that God sent his revelations (Torah) first to the Jews through the prophet Moses and then to the Christians through the prophet Jesus. They recognize many of the biblical prophets, in particular Moses adn Jesus and those are common Muslim names. Another common Muslim name is Mary. In fact, the Virgin Mary's name occurs more times in the Koran than in the New Testament; Muslims also believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. However, they believe that over time the original revelations to Moses and Jesus became corrupted. The Old Testament is seen as a mixture of God's revelation and human fabrication. The same is true for the New Testament and what Muslims see as Christianity's development of "new" and erroneous doctrines such as that Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus' death redeemed and atoned for humankind's original sin."
I'm a bit tired this evening...so, I will quote the author John Esposito's book "What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam" (an excellent source for anyone interested in learning more about Islam)
How is Islam similar to Christianity and Judaism?
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, in contrast to Hinduism and Buddhism, are all monotheistic faiths that worship the God of Adam, Abraham and Moses-creator, sustainer and Lord of the universe. They share a common belief in the oneness of God(monotheism), sacred history (history of the theater of God's activity and the encounter of God and humankind), prophets and divine revelations, angels and Satan. All stress moral responsibility and accountability, Judgment Day, and eternal reward and punishment. All three faiths emphasize their special covenant with God (Judaism through Moses; Christianity through Jesus and Islam through Muhammad)
"How do Muslims view Judaism? Christianity?
Both Jews and Christians hold a special status within Islam because of the Muslim belief that God revealed His will through His prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
Say: We believe in God and in what has been revealed to us, and in what has been sent down to Abraham and Ismail and Isaac and Jacob and their offspring and what has been revealed to Moses and Jesus and to all the prophets of our Lord. We make no distinctions between them and we submit to Him and obey. (Qu'ran 3:84)
The Koran and Islam regard Jews and Christians as children of Abraham and refer to them as "People of the Book," since all three monotheistic faiths descend from the same patrilineage of Abraham. Jew and Christians trace themselves back to Abraham and his wife Sarah; Muslims to Abraham and his servant, Hagar. Muslims believe that God sent his revelations (Torah) first to the Jews through the prophet Moses and then to the Christians through the prophet Jesus. They recognize many of the biblical prophets, in particular Moses adn Jesus and those are common Muslim names. Another common Muslim name is Mary. In fact, the Virgin Mary's name occurs more times in the Koran than in the New Testament; Muslims also believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. However, they believe that over time the original revelations to Moses and Jesus became corrupted. The Old Testament is seen as a mixture of God's revelation and human fabrication. The same is true for the New Testament and what Muslims see as Christianity's development of "new" and erroneous doctrines such as that Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus' death redeemed and atoned for humankind's original sin."
Friday, September 4, 2009
Ramadan Days 12-14
In the name of God, the merciful.
I began fasting again today (9/4/09) Day 14 of Ramadan! It felt so great!!! My location is now home in California and it is HOT HOT HOT...so I get very very VERY thirsty starting around 3 pm. Today my voice was so hoarse and my lips and mouth so very dry that I just drank ice water for the first 30 minutes after break fast time! Water is all I wanted. My mouth was too dry for food. Seeing that is was Friday, it was mosque day. Mosque day is always nice, however, during Ramadan it's especially nice to be surrounded by persons that are experiencing fasting just like you and to hear their stories. After mosque we visited the mosque bookstore. I bought a new very pretty head scarf-an uncomplicated one. 2 pieces. All I have to do is slip it on. no wrapping and pinning required. It's a bluish color trimmed in silk and has a slit cut out for my face. So pretty. I'll post a pic sometime-when I get my computer completely fixed. Also purchased Eid cards for myself and my mother in law to distribute to our friends/family. And lastly, purchased a book for my children. Ramadan isn't as "festive" for the kids as Christmas, Easter, Halloween etc.... so I've decided that in the future, I am going to make a BIG deal out of Ramadan. I will decorate the house as we do for other holidays and really make it special for the kids. and this year, I'll do that the week before the end of fasting in preparation for EID. EID for a muslim is like Christmas to a Christian-except that is last for 3 days! The children get presents and the family gathers together for big meals of special food and deserts served each day. There are 3 categories of gifts that are distributed: food, money and toys/clothes. It's a really fun time. And my mother in law makes this special cookie that we all look forward to all year long. We all help her to prepare it, however, we are sad to announce we will miss out on this special get together this year. : (
I began fasting again today (9/4/09) Day 14 of Ramadan! It felt so great!!! My location is now home in California and it is HOT HOT HOT...so I get very very VERY thirsty starting around 3 pm. Today my voice was so hoarse and my lips and mouth so very dry that I just drank ice water for the first 30 minutes after break fast time! Water is all I wanted. My mouth was too dry for food. Seeing that is was Friday, it was mosque day. Mosque day is always nice, however, during Ramadan it's especially nice to be surrounded by persons that are experiencing fasting just like you and to hear their stories. After mosque we visited the mosque bookstore. I bought a new very pretty head scarf-an uncomplicated one. 2 pieces. All I have to do is slip it on. no wrapping and pinning required. It's a bluish color trimmed in silk and has a slit cut out for my face. So pretty. I'll post a pic sometime-when I get my computer completely fixed. Also purchased Eid cards for myself and my mother in law to distribute to our friends/family. And lastly, purchased a book for my children. Ramadan isn't as "festive" for the kids as Christmas, Easter, Halloween etc.... so I've decided that in the future, I am going to make a BIG deal out of Ramadan. I will decorate the house as we do for other holidays and really make it special for the kids. and this year, I'll do that the week before the end of fasting in preparation for EID. EID for a muslim is like Christmas to a Christian-except that is last for 3 days! The children get presents and the family gathers together for big meals of special food and deserts served each day. There are 3 categories of gifts that are distributed: food, money and toys/clothes. It's a really fun time. And my mother in law makes this special cookie that we all look forward to all year long. We all help her to prepare it, however, we are sad to announce we will miss out on this special get together this year. : (
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Ramadan Day 10 & 11
In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful.
Muslims pray 5 x/day...dawn, early morning, afternoon, sunset and night. A prayer begins with an intention to pray, followed by a ritualistic wash (hands, feet, face, nose and mouth are rinsed 3 times each). A prayer is made up of "rakahs". Each prayer has a set number of rakahs: Dawn-2, sunset-3; early morning, afternoon and night are each 4.
Anatomy of a Prayer
1. Intention to pray and ritualistic washing
2. Stand upright,wave hands up to head say "God is Great" then fold the right hand over the left at the waist
3. Recite the opening chapter of the Koran called the Fatah:
"In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful
Praise be to God, Lord of the universe, master of the day of judgement
Master of the day of judgement
You alone we worship and to you alone we turn for help
Guide us to the straight path
the path of those whom you have favored
not the path of those who have incurred your wrath
nor of those who have gone astray"
4. Recitation of a memorized portion of The Koran
5. Bend at knees say "god is great"
6. Hands on knees, say 3 times "Glory to God the Great"
7. Stand upright saying "god is great"
8. While standing upright, arms at side and say: "God hears those who call upon Him; Our Lord, praise be to You"
9. Prostrate, touch forehead to floor and say 3 times "Glory to God the supreme"
10. Sit up on knees, say "god is great"
11. Forehead to floor again and say 3 times "Glory to God the Supreme"
****this is 1 rakah*****
12. After 2nd rakah
-stay sitting on knees and say "Prayers greetings and good deeds are all due to you God, may peace be upon you our prophet Muhammad with Gods blessing and mercy, may peace be upon us all who serve God with Gods blessings and mercy, I bear witness that there is not God but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God"
13. After last rakah
--stay sitting on knees and say
"Prayers greetings and good deeds are all due to you God, may peace be upon you our prophet Muhammad with Gods blessing and mercy, may peace be upon us all who serve God, I bear witness that there is not God but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God. God bestow honor upon Muhammad and his family as you bestowed honor on Abraham and his family; God bestow blessings on Muhammad and his family as you have bestowed blessings upon Abraham and his family. God you are the greatest"
14, Prayer is concluded by turning your head to the right and say: "may the peace and blessings of God be upon you", then you turn your head to the left and say: "may the peace and blessings of God be upon you"
A person may not pray if unclean, while menstruating. A full washing is required after sexual intercourse.
Prayers can be made up if one is unable to pray during the scheduled time, but it is best to pray on time. If in a place where one is unable to perform the ritualistic movements, prayer can be done while sitting anywhere.
For me, I typically perform the ritualistic prayer and follow it up with a sort of meditation. It is during this meditation that I find my true connection. I don't always perform the ritualistic movements. I try, especially during Ramadan. I convince myself all other times of the year that it's not these movements that matter but my intentions and just taking a few minutes to sit quiet and pray. Truthfully, however, I find that during Ramadan when I am so focused on the prayer times and meeting those times with the ritualistic prayer and movements in conjunction with my sitting quiet afterward and praying my own reflections that that is the most helpful...the deepest connection. The importance of the structured movements is much more than the structure. There is something else to it. Something that can never be explained with words but only felt by ones heart.
May you find your peace today and always in whichever method you pray.
Muslims pray 5 x/day...dawn, early morning, afternoon, sunset and night. A prayer begins with an intention to pray, followed by a ritualistic wash (hands, feet, face, nose and mouth are rinsed 3 times each). A prayer is made up of "rakahs". Each prayer has a set number of rakahs: Dawn-2, sunset-3; early morning, afternoon and night are each 4.
Anatomy of a Prayer
1. Intention to pray and ritualistic washing
2. Stand upright,wave hands up to head say "God is Great" then fold the right hand over the left at the waist
3. Recite the opening chapter of the Koran called the Fatah:
"In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful
Praise be to God, Lord of the universe, master of the day of judgement
Master of the day of judgement
You alone we worship and to you alone we turn for help
Guide us to the straight path
the path of those whom you have favored
not the path of those who have incurred your wrath
nor of those who have gone astray"
4. Recitation of a memorized portion of The Koran
5. Bend at knees say "god is great"
6. Hands on knees, say 3 times "Glory to God the Great"
7. Stand upright saying "god is great"
8. While standing upright, arms at side and say: "God hears those who call upon Him; Our Lord, praise be to You"
9. Prostrate, touch forehead to floor and say 3 times "Glory to God the supreme"
10. Sit up on knees, say "god is great"
11. Forehead to floor again and say 3 times "Glory to God the Supreme"
****this is 1 rakah*****
12. After 2nd rakah
-stay sitting on knees and say "Prayers greetings and good deeds are all due to you God, may peace be upon you our prophet Muhammad with Gods blessing and mercy, may peace be upon us all who serve God with Gods blessings and mercy, I bear witness that there is not God but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God"
13. After last rakah
--stay sitting on knees and say
"Prayers greetings and good deeds are all due to you God, may peace be upon you our prophet Muhammad with Gods blessing and mercy, may peace be upon us all who serve God, I bear witness that there is not God but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God. God bestow honor upon Muhammad and his family as you bestowed honor on Abraham and his family; God bestow blessings on Muhammad and his family as you have bestowed blessings upon Abraham and his family. God you are the greatest"
14, Prayer is concluded by turning your head to the right and say: "may the peace and blessings of God be upon you", then you turn your head to the left and say: "may the peace and blessings of God be upon you"
A person may not pray if unclean, while menstruating. A full washing is required after sexual intercourse.
Prayers can be made up if one is unable to pray during the scheduled time, but it is best to pray on time. If in a place where one is unable to perform the ritualistic movements, prayer can be done while sitting anywhere.
For me, I typically perform the ritualistic prayer and follow it up with a sort of meditation. It is during this meditation that I find my true connection. I don't always perform the ritualistic movements. I try, especially during Ramadan. I convince myself all other times of the year that it's not these movements that matter but my intentions and just taking a few minutes to sit quiet and pray. Truthfully, however, I find that during Ramadan when I am so focused on the prayer times and meeting those times with the ritualistic prayer and movements in conjunction with my sitting quiet afterward and praying my own reflections that that is the most helpful...the deepest connection. The importance of the structured movements is much more than the structure. There is something else to it. Something that can never be explained with words but only felt by ones heart.
May you find your peace today and always in whichever method you pray.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ramadan Days 8 & 9
In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful.
Ok...2nd attempt to post blog...I was almost finished with this when my computer quit unexpectedly. Aren't those annoying words to read! It's 3:30 a.m....so, I'll need to make this much shorter then the original. :)
I am unable to fast for the next 4-7 days. Why??? Well, there are several reasons a Muslim is relieved from this blessed duty. ... while traveling, in sickness, during pregnancy/breastfeeding, and while menstruating. I'm not traveling nor am I sick. So, I am either pregnant or menstruating. Well, to me, there are only 2 occasions to be disappointed by the arrival of my monthly friend.... 1-when trying for a child and 2-during Ramadan. So....which is it, am I pregnant or menstruating..... I unfortunately report I am not pregnant. : ) (a little suspense to you all :) :)
A woman is relieved from fasting while menstruating as it's too unhealthy for her to not eat and drink. For me, however, it doesn't feel much like a gift (to not have to fast) bc I find that it is with the abstinence of food that I obtain a higher level of feeling and understanding of God, his miracles and his love. This year, however, I am working extra hard to maintain the same level of intensity even while my monthly visitor is around and will only eat/drink enough to be healthy but not over indulgent.
With that, I am signing off. My original blog for today included a description of Prayer in Islam. However, I regretfully am too tired to re-type all of that and will save it for tomorrow's blog.
See you tomorrow. :) and blessing to you all.
Ok...2nd attempt to post blog...I was almost finished with this when my computer quit unexpectedly. Aren't those annoying words to read! It's 3:30 a.m....so, I'll need to make this much shorter then the original. :)
I am unable to fast for the next 4-7 days. Why??? Well, there are several reasons a Muslim is relieved from this blessed duty. ... while traveling, in sickness, during pregnancy/breastfeeding, and while menstruating. I'm not traveling nor am I sick. So, I am either pregnant or menstruating. Well, to me, there are only 2 occasions to be disappointed by the arrival of my monthly friend.... 1-when trying for a child and 2-during Ramadan. So....which is it, am I pregnant or menstruating..... I unfortunately report I am not pregnant. : ) (a little suspense to you all :) :)
A woman is relieved from fasting while menstruating as it's too unhealthy for her to not eat and drink. For me, however, it doesn't feel much like a gift (to not have to fast) bc I find that it is with the abstinence of food that I obtain a higher level of feeling and understanding of God, his miracles and his love. This year, however, I am working extra hard to maintain the same level of intensity even while my monthly visitor is around and will only eat/drink enough to be healthy but not over indulgent.
With that, I am signing off. My original blog for today included a description of Prayer in Islam. However, I regretfully am too tired to re-type all of that and will save it for tomorrow's blog.
See you tomorrow. :) and blessing to you all.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Ramadan day 7
In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful.
Today was an easy fasting day...I suppose it helps that I didn't wake up until 1:00 in the afternoon! I don't think I've ever slept that late in my life! You see, my husband proposed this idea that we stay awake until dawn and then sleep until early afternoon. Work all afternoon up through sunset. I thought it was a crazy idea for many reasons. 1-we have children.... and those children start school soon... 2-it felt like cheating in a sense. Ok...so, point #1. Our children (2 boys; 5 and 2 years old). We live in Los Angeles and are visiting family in MI for the beginning of Ramadan. They always stay awake "late" for EST. Keeping a PST while in EST zone has been more in line with what they like. That is a 3 hour difference (PST is 3 hours behind EST). So...the kids are loving that we aren't trying to put them to sleep too early. But...that is all about to change. Our schedule for the first 7 days of Ramadan has gone something like this.... eat dinner from 8:30-11:00 p.m. Play with kids, relax and digest. Drink some tea. Work. Read and pray. eat again from 4:30 am-5:30 a.m. then pray, and go to sleep by 6:30 a.m . (Kids have been sleeping around 3 EST which is midnight PST). Wake between 11:30-1 p.m. work until 7 p.m. Crazy isn't it! Well...it's been nice actually. Very nice. But, we now have to start cycling our kids to sleeping earlier to wake earlier in prep for school. This will all begin tomorrow (btw...it's 1:30 a.m. here right now...1 son is asleep...the other sitting next to me reading) bc we have to drive to see family that live 2 hours away and need to leave by 11:30 a.m..... We will then begin to sleep an hour earlier every night for the next week. The fasting days will seem so much longer to us waking up at 6:30 a.m. again. Uggghhhhh..... HAAAAAHAAAAHAAAAA.
We took a vacation day (my husband, me, and my mother/father/sister in law). It was wonderful. It rained in MI so the kids splashed around outside playing in their "forest" being pirates and then rescuers so on and so forth...we followed that by a several hour swim in grandma's indoor heated pool and jacuzzi. Very nice. Then it was time to prepare dinner (my father in law cooked) and eat. And if you can believe this...I took a 20 minute nap around 7 pm!!! HAAAAheeeehaaaaaa!!!
So I was thinking today about divisions and how all of the worlds religions (at least as far as my limited readings) have divided into various sects. And I was thinking...how does this occur. Aren't we all children of God. Shouldn't we instead of divide, UNITE! Unite in carrying out what is good and putting our differences of opinion aside. I mean, who can argue with the "commandments". Then I got to thinking about the Ten Commandments. The Koran doesn't have a specific statement of ten commandments like the bible...however, it does have similar messages. So, here is a beginning comparison to the commandments between the Bible and The Koran.
The Ten Commandments
(Taken from The Students Study Bible)
Exodus 20
1. You shall have no other Gods before me
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
5. Honor your father and your mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor
10. You shall nto covet your neighbor's belongings
The Koran's "commandments"
1. Serve no other God besides God.
2. Show kindness to your parents
3. Give to the near of kin, traveler. Do not squander wastefully.
4. Be neither miserly nor prodigal.
5. Do not murder
6. Do not commit adultery
7. Do not interfere with the property of orphans
8. Do not follow what you do not know
9. Do not walk proudly
10. Be patient, truthful, just and sincere
11. Pray and fast (during the month of Ramadan)
12. Keep your covenant
13. Do not sell God's revelations for a paltry price
So, as you can see..rather you are a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim (or any other religion)....the instructions for living a good life are the same and isn't it interesting the first commandment of each is not to serve anyone other than the one GOD, the beneficent, the merciful. So, why then must religions divide. Christianity has hundreds of sects. Islam has 4 (that I know of) (Sunni, Shi ite, Sufi and Nation of Islam). And all argue that they are following the proper form of the same religion! Oh, how we convince ourselves that our way is the only way! Put down your defenses. Open up a bit and just see what you see without projecting anything into the world. It really is beautiful.
Goodnight to all.....
Today was an easy fasting day...I suppose it helps that I didn't wake up until 1:00 in the afternoon! I don't think I've ever slept that late in my life! You see, my husband proposed this idea that we stay awake until dawn and then sleep until early afternoon. Work all afternoon up through sunset. I thought it was a crazy idea for many reasons. 1-we have children.... and those children start school soon... 2-it felt like cheating in a sense. Ok...so, point #1. Our children (2 boys; 5 and 2 years old). We live in Los Angeles and are visiting family in MI for the beginning of Ramadan. They always stay awake "late" for EST. Keeping a PST while in EST zone has been more in line with what they like. That is a 3 hour difference (PST is 3 hours behind EST). So...the kids are loving that we aren't trying to put them to sleep too early. But...that is all about to change. Our schedule for the first 7 days of Ramadan has gone something like this.... eat dinner from 8:30-11:00 p.m. Play with kids, relax and digest. Drink some tea. Work. Read and pray. eat again from 4:30 am-5:30 a.m. then pray, and go to sleep by 6:30 a.m . (Kids have been sleeping around 3 EST which is midnight PST). Wake between 11:30-1 p.m. work until 7 p.m. Crazy isn't it! Well...it's been nice actually. Very nice. But, we now have to start cycling our kids to sleeping earlier to wake earlier in prep for school. This will all begin tomorrow (btw...it's 1:30 a.m. here right now...1 son is asleep...the other sitting next to me reading) bc we have to drive to see family that live 2 hours away and need to leave by 11:30 a.m..... We will then begin to sleep an hour earlier every night for the next week. The fasting days will seem so much longer to us waking up at 6:30 a.m. again. Uggghhhhh..... HAAAAAHAAAAHAAAAA.
We took a vacation day (my husband, me, and my mother/father/sister in law). It was wonderful. It rained in MI so the kids splashed around outside playing in their "forest" being pirates and then rescuers so on and so forth...we followed that by a several hour swim in grandma's indoor heated pool and jacuzzi. Very nice. Then it was time to prepare dinner (my father in law cooked) and eat. And if you can believe this...I took a 20 minute nap around 7 pm!!! HAAAAheeeehaaaaaa!!!
So I was thinking today about divisions and how all of the worlds religions (at least as far as my limited readings) have divided into various sects. And I was thinking...how does this occur. Aren't we all children of God. Shouldn't we instead of divide, UNITE! Unite in carrying out what is good and putting our differences of opinion aside. I mean, who can argue with the "commandments". Then I got to thinking about the Ten Commandments. The Koran doesn't have a specific statement of ten commandments like the bible...however, it does have similar messages. So, here is a beginning comparison to the commandments between the Bible and The Koran.
The Ten Commandments
(Taken from The Students Study Bible)
Exodus 20
1. You shall have no other Gods before me
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
5. Honor your father and your mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor
10. You shall nto covet your neighbor's belongings
The Koran's "commandments"
1. Serve no other God besides God.
2. Show kindness to your parents
3. Give to the near of kin, traveler. Do not squander wastefully.
4. Be neither miserly nor prodigal.
5. Do not murder
6. Do not commit adultery
7. Do not interfere with the property of orphans
8. Do not follow what you do not know
9. Do not walk proudly
10. Be patient, truthful, just and sincere
11. Pray and fast (during the month of Ramadan)
12. Keep your covenant
13. Do not sell God's revelations for a paltry price
So, as you can see..rather you are a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim (or any other religion)....the instructions for living a good life are the same and isn't it interesting the first commandment of each is not to serve anyone other than the one GOD, the beneficent, the merciful. So, why then must religions divide. Christianity has hundreds of sects. Islam has 4 (that I know of) (Sunni, Shi ite, Sufi and Nation of Islam). And all argue that they are following the proper form of the same religion! Oh, how we convince ourselves that our way is the only way! Put down your defenses. Open up a bit and just see what you see without projecting anything into the world. It really is beautiful.
Goodnight to all.....
Ramadan-day 6
Is it really only day 6!!!!!!! It feels like day 60!!!!! I am reminded of the importance of taking things "1 day at a time". When I think of how many more days I have left to fast, I feel anxious and worried "how am I going to make it!".... but when I focus on the day, GOD and enjoying whatever surfaces, then all is smooth sailing and frankly not too bad. The toughest part of the day for me is from 2-4ish. My stomach burns with hunger and my mouth is begging for water. Thoughts enter my mind like "ahhhh, just take 1 sip of water or just 1 bite of food, really, can God really want us to feel this way!".... haaaaaa haaaaaaa....then I think of all of the people in the world who don't know when their next meal will come and when it does it's scraps of other peoples food. And I feel blessed beyond words. I am reminded that it's not pain that God wishes upon us but strength. Abstaining from something you desire sooooooo badly for the sake of something much more powerful builds character...builds strength in ones self and plainly makes one feel good and accomplished. It doesn't matter if I am all alone and no one else in the world knows if I am fasting-I know and the rewards for not cheating are so great.
I came across a notebook of mine from '96/'97. It was a notebook detailing my introduction to and the study of Islam and consequently my conversion. WOW! did it ever bring back memories and also made me realize that I am not nearly as ambitious about my spirituality as I was back then. It has taken a back seat to life-kids, marriage, laundry, dishes, work etc... and I realize that when my spirituality is lacking, there is lack in every other aspect of my life as well. I am not speaking of religion and the rituals that religion entails. I am speaking of spirituality and even deeper than that...something that I don't believe has a name.... I am speaking of that 'voice' inside that leads all of us.
Back to my notebook...I had written song lyrics from Celine Dion that made me feel especially spiritual..."Call the Man" and "Because You Loved Me". In these songs I thought who else besides God could she be singing about.
"call the man who deals in love beyond repair
He can heal the world of hearts in need of care
shine a light ahead, when the the step is unclear
Call the man...he's needed here"
"You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me Faith, cuz you believed
I'm everything I am because you loved me"
Many of us think of these songs as love songs to our spouse, boy/girl friend etc.... but to me, when I hear these songs I can only think of God...who can really do all of these things except HIM". God is the magnificent, the compassionate, the merciful.
A Muslim before beginning any venture says "Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim" which means "In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful" because it is by God's grace that we accomplish and persevere.
A Muslim also says at the end of a statement "Insha-Allah" which means "if God wills". For instance, if I were to say "I'll see you tomorrow" I also add on (either silently or a loud) "Insha-Allah". Why? Well...it's simple...because only God knows if I will see you tomorrow or not!
With that thought, I end my pondering with this quote from Penguin classic "The Koran"
"The only guidance is the guidance of God"
Peace to you all...God Bless and good night.
I came across a notebook of mine from '96/'97. It was a notebook detailing my introduction to and the study of Islam and consequently my conversion. WOW! did it ever bring back memories and also made me realize that I am not nearly as ambitious about my spirituality as I was back then. It has taken a back seat to life-kids, marriage, laundry, dishes, work etc... and I realize that when my spirituality is lacking, there is lack in every other aspect of my life as well. I am not speaking of religion and the rituals that religion entails. I am speaking of spirituality and even deeper than that...something that I don't believe has a name.... I am speaking of that 'voice' inside that leads all of us.
Back to my notebook...I had written song lyrics from Celine Dion that made me feel especially spiritual..."Call the Man" and "Because You Loved Me". In these songs I thought who else besides God could she be singing about.
"call the man who deals in love beyond repair
He can heal the world of hearts in need of care
shine a light ahead, when the the step is unclear
Call the man...he's needed here"
"You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me Faith, cuz you believed
I'm everything I am because you loved me"
Many of us think of these songs as love songs to our spouse, boy/girl friend etc.... but to me, when I hear these songs I can only think of God...who can really do all of these things except HIM". God is the magnificent, the compassionate, the merciful.
A Muslim before beginning any venture says "Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim" which means "In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful" because it is by God's grace that we accomplish and persevere.
A Muslim also says at the end of a statement "Insha-Allah" which means "if God wills". For instance, if I were to say "I'll see you tomorrow" I also add on (either silently or a loud) "Insha-Allah". Why? Well...it's simple...because only God knows if I will see you tomorrow or not!
With that thought, I end my pondering with this quote from Penguin classic "The Koran"
"The only guidance is the guidance of God"
Peace to you all...God Bless and good night.
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