Islam & the Muslim faith- banishing myths

[Jude]

Originally Posted by Rook

Hi,
I don't have a Degree in Islamic Studies *yet*, but I was raised muslim, Salaf..
I won't pretend to know it all or be the voice of authority, since my mother happily snuck behind my fathers back continuously so I could have a wealth of knowledge in other Religions/Covens so I could make a decision {if any} later in Life...
Any mistakes I make, I will correct if I can.

That being said,
Practicing Muslims everywhere are observing Ramadan at Press time of this Reply, it will Continue until September 8th.
Considering the Islamic Calendar is Lunar, the dates of different "Holidays" {there's not many} tend to rotate, I loved when it all landed in December..
It's easier to Fast/pray in cool weather {shorter days too}...
During the Last Week of Ramadan, devout Muslims will actually Camp out in their Respective Mosques..
There's food to break fast at sunset, I used to eat Figs , Dates and Milk dabbed with Honey to break Fasting.
All Muslims involved pray until the wee hours before Dawn, in hopes of Lailat ul-Kadr..The specific night The Prophet Mohammed {p.b.u.h} received the First verses of the Qu'ran, al-Fatiha,


Women are, of course, encouraged to stay home, but it is not expressly forbidden for them to spend this time at the Mosque,
The reason for this is, if she's a Mother, her children will need tending {some hire babysitters} so, rather than have the burden of worrying over the children instead of praying, they're "excused", they do pray, and it's well known, you do not need a Mosque to pray..
The only time it's expressly forbidden for a woman to attend is if she's having her period.
Can't touch the Qu'ran either.
Can't have sex even after sunset until she's "done".
Mind you, there are Feminist Muslims, and even they can see the logic for the most part.
Some will ....and I've witnessed this...take their kids with them, to participate.
Even with a daycare, it was slightly distracting, and that is upsetting to some, because they must concentrate on Prayer and Services.
Some Mosques allow 'mingling', others don't...For the same reason Orthodox Jews don't allow women in specific parts of the synagogue {and the Western Wall}.
Personally, I will choose a segregated congregation.
The purpose of the segregation, again...Modesty , for Both..
Not simply because they're Misogynistic Patriarchal piggies....
In fact, if a gentleman accidentally wanders into the womens area {or a teenage boy is dared}, if the ladies are high strung about modesty {and they usually are}, it'll resemble a chicken coop with a Fox inside...
Best comparison I can come up with.

I do approve the construction of the Mosque near Ground Zero {I know, different thread}, it's a slap in the face to all Extremist/Fanatic/Delusional who want to preach Intolerance, Hatred towards the "Devil Amrikans" and claim the U.S. is anti-Islam...
I was actually stunned when I visited Memphis, Tenn. that there was a Madrassah {Islamic School}...

The Prophet Mohammed{p.b.u.h}, is Universally considered {within Islam anyways} as The Seal of the Prophets..
Many muslims will point out, Muslims do not worship the Prophet, but rather accord him with all the Due respect of a Prophet of G-d.
Muslims also believe that Islam is Not new not by a long shot, it was merely...rekindled.
The Bible, Torah/Talmud are also to be respected..
After all, same G-d, same Message {mostly}, different Language...

G-d Almighty = English, Hashem =Judaic, Allah = arabic
Some might dispute this, but if you find an unbiased Arabic Studies/Religious Studies Professor, unless they're atheist and have a chip on their shoulder, oftentimes they'll say the same.

What Laerkin said is true...
Whether you believe it or not, Feminism took place within Islam well before the suffragist movement, that a woman is Niqabi, because of supposed family pressures?
In some case, yes..Particularly in Countries where they were forced into it {Afghanistan}..
Elsewhere, quite a few actually Choose to wear Veils, I've witnessed fights because the parents were Hanafi, and the daughters ascribed to Hanbali..
Honestly, if a Nun/Monk can wear veils, and at some Convents live Cloistered, why not a Muslim?...
The Prophet eliminated infanticide of girls..
Hygienic speaking, yeah Muslims had the upper hand based on wash ritual...
Before every prayer, especially the primary 5 {yes there's more}, hands, face, mouth & feet must be washed..
After sex, birth and Menses, a shower is mandatory {preferably Alone, or it defeats the purpose} Like a Mikvah..
you don't step into a mosque if u haven't {Muslims anyways}.
A proper sign of respect to the Mosque visited, women wear a loose veil {if you're non muslim}, gentleman respect the womens area and stay out, please take off shoes.Trust me, the carpets are Cleam {unless u are visiting a Poor towns Mosque, and even then, they'll take care of the mosque before anything else.

Another "popular" issue would be Polygamy...
Yes, it's permitted, but with such astonishingly tight guidelines, nowadays, it's not worth the headache, unless you're flithy rich and can provide EQUALLY in Every way to all your wives..
If you can't, u better stay with 1, work from there.

As much as I might piss off a few Jewish friends {I don't mean to}
As a kid, I used to marvel at so many similarities orthodox Islam + orthodox Judaism have...
When I was told of the conflict between Ibrahim's wife and servant, I was mesmerized and pointed out
"So, they're technically brothers?....
Youth -shrug-

That was an excellent post, Rook. Thank you. I am Jewish, but have worked and visited extensively in the middle east, particularly Palestine, Egypt and Jordan.
Agree that the differences between orthodox Judaism and Islam are slight. Jews do not accept Jesus as a prophet and messiah, as Muslims do and tend to disregard the Prophet Muhammed entirely. What a shame. Actually, Muhammed historically had as much or more to to with the course of history than did Jesus. A fascinating personality to study and certainly a most misunderstood man today.
You're correct that your wudu is our mikvah. Today our dovening is very likely a remnant of the original common prayer and certainly we hold to the same inherent laws of G/d.
You've shared correct information and I'm sure that others appreciate your willingness to talk about faith at a time when Islamophobia is rampant. I can remember when it was difficult to be Jewish in our culture and have no tolerance whatsoever for any form of racism -- matters not who is the object of blatant hatred.
Perhaps it is imperative that gay people and their allies keep in mind that when one innocent group is being persecuted, we are sure to be next in line.
I, personally, find Sufism utterly fascinating as a meditation practice and hold it in the highest regard, along with buddhism and the mystical arms of other conventional faiths.
Thanks again for your post, Rook and Ramadan Mubarak
Assalamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

[betenoire]

I didn't know where else to post this, so I'm gonna go ahead and put it here.

1001 Inventions - Discover The Muslim Heritage In Our World

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I didn't know where else to post this, so I'm gonna go ahead and put it here.

1001 Inventions - Discover The Muslim Heritage In Our World

Thanks for this link!

[AtLast]

Thinking about how it is for someone in a Muslim country that is Christian. I have a neighbor/friend thsat is saudi and his family has always been Catholic. his children were not allowed to attend university (or receive free higher education) as Muslim children are. They were educated mostly in Egypt and the US.

Now, the entire family is here (took many years for him to be re-united with his wife and children- very long complex story) and of course, people in general in the US see assume this family is Muslim. He mamages a small store near me and has had quite a few threats. So have his kids (younger ones attending HS here).

What I feel is just plain anger at times about the kinds of nonsense ignorant people engage in. He and his family are saudi- THEY MUST BE MUSLIM! His family has been Christian (as I said) for generations.

[Jude]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Thinking about how it is for someone in a Muslim country that is Christian. I have a neighbor/friend thsat is saudi and his family has always been Catholic. his children were not allowed to attend university (or receive free higher education) as Muslim children are. They were educated mostly in Egypt and the US.

Now, the entire family is here (took many years for him to be re-united with his wife and children- very long complex story) and of course, people in general in the US see assume this family is Muslim. He mamages a small store near me and has had quite a few threats. So have his kids (younger ones attending HS here).

What I feel is just plain anger at times about the kinds of nonsense ignorant people engage in. He and his family are saudi- THEY MUST BE MUSLIM! His family has been Christian (as I said) for generations.

_____________________
From Wikipedia: Accurate religious demographics are difficult to obtain in Saudi Arabia[1] but 85 to 90% of citizens of Saudi Arabia are Sunni Muslims, who predominantly subscribe to the Government-sanctioned interpretation of Islam, while 15 to 10% of citizens are Shi'a Muslims[1].

AtLastHome, I'm just playing devil's advocate, but..... Saudi is a theocracy. Islam is the official and only religion. That you came up with one actual Saudi Christian is astonishing. That this single Christian family remained in Saudi at all is even more phenomenal. There are lots of foreign workers in Saudi who are Christians and they aren't allowed to bring in bibles or conduct public church services. There is not one single church in the entire country. That's what ya get when there's an official state religion. I'm sure your Christian friend also had to pay a special gyzia tax and may not have been considered a citizen of saudi, but a "guest". I'd be curious to know.

Saudi is unique in this manner. Even Iran has enclaves of Christians and Jews who are treated well, although they are a small minority. I was surprised to learn that a sizable number of Israeli Jews from Iran have made "reverse" aliyah and gone back to Iran -- so it can't be all that bad for them.

We don't have to agree, but it's their country. As long as no non-Muslim is forced to remain in Saudi against their will, it's their business. No non Muslim is allowed to enter Mecca at all.

Not a lot different than the Vatican in some ways. How many Jews and Muslims live in Vatican City? Israel, of course, also comes to mind. A percentage of ethnic Christians are tolerated, but as second class citizens at best. Each to their own.