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.
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