Assalaamu alaikum

Dear Jenni,

I feel the same way about �keeping fit�, in the past all a person had to do was eat healthily & exercise�.. Now people are cheeking how many calories are in their food, how much fat saturates, how quick their heart is beating when they exercise, what exercises tone here, what exercises tone there!!! 

It seems this is just a product of modern society (science)!

Tut-tut, & cheeky-cheeky�.. Ummziba

�Men like to do things the hard way�

If I may politely remind you, that all the Prophets have been men, and why? Because they have been able to penetrate the very essence of existence, this requires the very deepest level of perception. Hence this is not about finding a quick short-term solution.

If you tell a child not to go near the fire, they may well heed the warning, but without understanding why! Hence at some point in the future they may (be tempted to) go into the fire, only then to find that it burns (& hurts) them.

Assalamu alaikum,

Ali Zaki wrote: Ummziba, I enjoyed reading your post and appreciate your "fresh" perspective on the discussion. I know you did not mean to be critical when you said that "they seem to make "mountains out of mole hills", however, I want to say that this is not my intention.

No, I most certainly was not being critical, I was pointing out the perceived way in which men seem to take all things on as a big task.  As I pointed out in my post, I celebrate this difference between men and women.  We can't be the same, indeed, we must not be the same.  We complete each other, like two different parts that fit together very well, just as Allah intended.

Please feel free to pursue your intention for this thread (or any other).  My point is, that as long as we are not going against Islam, we should all be more supportive of each other rather than critical. 

I do understand Jenni's view point very well.  Far too many Muslims think "their" Islam is the only one and the true one.  Far too many Muslims "make up their own rules" about Islam and try to convince others it is the right path.

Yes, we must stop being critical, but, we must also "enjoin good and forbid evil" which entails stopping "local rules" and "personal interpretations of Islam" in their tracks.  The only way to do this, is through knowledge...

And now we are back to how much must we study Islam?  It seems being a good Muslim is a careful balance of study and deeds, each of us as we are capable of doing.

Aisha, I support and applaud your efforts to learn Arabic.  Ali Zaki, I support and applaud your efforts to use knowledge to get across your points.  Jenni, I support and applaud you in your efforts to be the best mother and wife you can be.  I should be supported and applauded for trying to bring a little harmony among a few Muslims (not being "full of myself" here - just making a point).

You see, we are four good Muslims who do not necessarily see eye to eye, but can be united as Muslims for the good of the ummah without having to be critical of one another.  Gentle reminding and good knowledge are the ways brothers and sisters should help one another stay on the right path.

What was in my milk this morning?  I sound like a crazed preacher!!!  Sorry!  I hope my point is not lost in all my rambling......

Peace, ummziba.