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10 Things Every Muslim in West Should Do

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Nausheen View Drop Down
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    Posted: 21 May 2005 at 11:06am

Auzubillahi minash shaitan ir rajeem,

Bismillah ir rahman ir rahim,

Assalamualikum wa rahmatullah wa barkatuhu,

I found this nasiha while idle surfing. Hopefully it will be of benefit to some like minded, and thrown in similar situations brothers and sisters, insha allah.

Ten Things Every Muslim in the West Should Do

1.) Sponsor an Orphan 0 1
moiBefore anything else, there are hungry Muslim children everywhere who have needs right now. There are several reputable relief agencies who offer orphan sponsorship programs that only cost from $20-$40 a month. You and I know that's nothing expensive on your part - so do it. Some agencies even offer automated withdrawal so you can send a letter once with a voided check and never have to fill anything out again. Doing this can make you close to the Prophet in Paradise.
 Also: In addition to helping your relatives if you have the means: find someone in your neighbourhood to assist.
2.) Subscribe to at least 3 Muslim magazines 0 0

moiThis is practically the only way you can keep abreast of issues important to the Muslims in the West. It also supports the budding Muslim media. Even if you don't intend to read the magazines, subscribe anyway. Someone around you will read or you can leave them with others. Make it at least three and try to subscribe for 2-3 years at a time.

3.) Go to the Masjid at least once a week 1 1

moiIn the West today, nearly all of us have a Masjid within driving distance. Even if you don't go to the local Masjid for Jumu'ah because of your job, then go for at least one Maghrib a week or for Zuhr on Sunday. Whatever, just go at least once a week- WITH YOUR FAMILY. It's the only way that you and your family will consider the Masjid to be your place.

4.) Give your children an Islamic Education 1 0

moiIf your children go to public school, and there is no Islamic school nearby, then make sure they either get into some Sunday school program, or, if the local Masjid doesn't run it right, then pool together with some like-minded families and run your own program at somebody's house every Saturday or Sunday and conduct it the way you think it should be done. This is the minimum requirement for not losing your children to secular Christianity.

5.) Buy books, cassettes and videos on Islam 0 0

moiBuy at least one book, audio or video produced by a Muslim company or author per month. Have you ever wished that there were better items for you and your family's pleasure? Unfortunately, Muslims don't support their own writers and artists very well. No one can make even a decent living if they want to write or produce for the Muslim market. That must change if you want to see wonderful products for you and your children. Just buy one thing per month. Either out of a catalog or from your local Muslim bookstore. For you it's only $5-$10 bucks, but collectively, it can encourage our creative and talented brothers and sisters to do more.

6.) "Adopt" a convert 1 1

moiIf you see any new Muslims at your Masjid, then partially "adopt" them into your family. The convert experience is basically one of isolation and loneliness. You'd be surprised to know that most converts are outright ignored by the people in the Masjid. Beyond a few pleasantries and handshakes, they are usually never made to feel welcome or accepted. They are often cut off from their non-Muslim friends and relatives so they are doubly vulnerable. A new convert should be invited into various peoples home for dinner a minimum of six times a month. Get together with others and make sure you all put the new convert on your guest list for any sort of gathering.

7.) Give the gift of the Quran 0 1

moi Keep three extra Qur'an translations and some literature in your home at all times. You never know when you'll find someone interested who wants to know more. Besides, your children read only and understand only English. (You wouldn't believe how many Muslim families don't have an English Qur'an translation in their homes! How will the child read it if they don't understand Arabic, and they never understand Arabic, even if their parents are Arabic speaking!)

8.) Go to one convention a year 0 1

moi Even if you have given up on them, you have to go. It's the only way your children will feel a part of a greater community of believers. Think about it and realize that you don't just go to a convention for your personal enrichment. It's about Muslim solidarity. Go to at least one every year. Couple it with your vacation plans or something. Just go.

9.) Eat only Halal (or Kosher) Food 1 0

moi Besides all the religious aspects I could mention, which are the most important, by the way, there is another advantage. You solidify your identity and introduce to your family the concept that animals should not die cruelly (like they do in all American slaughterhouses) and that Muslims eat cleaner food. If there are no Halal meat stores nearby, you'll probably find a Kosher store. At least many of the Jews are not shy about Allah's commandment there and have established kosher markets everywhere.

10.) Create an Islamic environment at home 1 1

moi Lastly, make sure you and your family have cultural-type items in your home in abundance that are associated with Islam or Islamic culture. Everyone in your home should have prayer beads, prayer rugs, kufis, Hijabs, (even if they're worn only for prayer), gowns, posters, wall plaques, stickers, logo-shirts, Islamic screen-savers on the computer, and on and on. You want to establish an identity in your home. Everything outside is totally un-Islamic. At least let the Islamic flavor be present inside.

11.)** Resolve to raise your family as Muslims 0 1

moi**This is extremely crucial!
Don't be passive. Don't sit around and watch your spouse and children drift further and further away into disbelief and kufr. Would any of you like to be on their deathbed and then realize that they only left non-Muslims behind them? Imagine entering the great sleep with that realization on your heart!

    These ten things can be done, with minimal trouble and fuss, by each and every Muslim family. Through these ten points nearly every purpose of Islam is served and you can finally feel that you're doing something in an organized fashion to help promote your healthy way of life and also to fulfill your responsibility to your Creator. Give it a try and see how easy these things really are. Then stick with it. You have no excuses for inaction anymore.

<font color=purple>Wanu nazzilu minal Qurani ma huwa

Shafaa un wa rahmatun lil mo'mineena

wa la yaziduzzalimeena illa khasara.
[/COLOR]
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ZamanH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2005 at 11:42am
Also, Muslims should ensure that their children don't forget their native culture and adopt the Western culture. Western culture is too much different from Islam ( I see it just the opposite of what Islam stands for).  I know the difference between religion and culture, but I still believe any culture, other than the Western culture will surely be better than the Western "culture" for the Muslims to follow.
An enemy of an enemy is a fickle friend.
There will be more women in hell than men.
..for persecution is worse than the slaughter of the enemy..(Quran 2:191)
Heaven lies under mother's feet
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 5:14am
If the west isn't what you want for you and  your children,perhaps you should consider moving to one of those islamic paradise states inthe middle east or southeast asia. There you could wallow in you islamic faith
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ummziba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 9:01am

bugler,

If you only came here to insult and not learn, don't bother - your insults hurt no one but yourself.

Peace, ummziba.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 12:30pm

Originally posted by ZamanH ZamanH wrote:

Also, Muslims should ensure that their children don't forget their native culture and adopt the Western culture. Western culture is too much different from Islam ( I see it just the opposite of what Islam stands for).  I know the difference between religion and culture, but I still believe any culture, other than the Western culture will surely be better than the Western "culture" for the Muslims to follow.

 

I'm just saying if this is the way you feel you should go back home to your own culture where you feel more comfortable among your own. This is western culture and if you cannot or won't assimilate then it's time to hit the road.

Obviously, you haven't achieved much at home because no where in the middle east do you have a democracy, But perhaps with your  "western" educations you can go back now and make a difference.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ummziba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 12:48pm

bugler,

O.K., now I see what point you were trying to make.  Perhaps you don't realize that a lot of the Muslims in the west are not from somewhere else.  Some are second, third or fourth generation Canadians or Americans or Europeans or Australians and so on.  Many are converts.

So, where would we go back to?  We belong here just as much as you do.  You use the word assimilate - that is not what immigrants should have to do.  To assimilate means to become something other than what you are.  I'll use Canada as the example, since I know it best.  There are Greek-Canadians, Italian-Canadians, Finnish-Canadians, Malaysian-Canadians and so forth.  There are also Christian-Canadians, Jewish-Canadians, Sikh-Canadians, Muslim-Canadians, atheist-Canadians, and so forth.

What they all have in common is Canada.  They are all expected to follow Canadian laws and be tolerant of others.  They are not expected to forget about their "roots", no matter how many generations back, nor to forget about their religious beliefs.

Muslims can, and do, live in the west.  It is difficult because the society does not follow Islamic laws or traditions, but it is not impossible.  Just like you live in the west, but do not follow Islamic laws or traditions, this being easy for you as "your way" is the norm here.

Being offended that we wish to teach our children our "ways" is silly.  You have the right to raise your children as you see fit, so do we.

Telling us to "go back" is foolish.  What is needed is for you to learn tolerance, and that works both ways of course.  Hate and fear come from lack of knowledge.  Tolerance comes from understanding and knowledge.  I would suggest you might educate yourself about those who are different than you.

I would also point out (if you are American or Canadian or Australian) that unless you are aboriginal, you are also from immigrants!

Peace, ummziba.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ZamanH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2005 at 10:47am
I am not from the West. I am from India. Can't you see it on my profile on the L.H.S??
An enemy of an enemy is a fickle friend.
There will be more women in hell than men.
..for persecution is worse than the slaughter of the enemy..(Quran 2:191)
Heaven lies under mother's feet
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nausheen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 June 2005 at 8:31pm

Originally posted by ZamanH ZamanH wrote:

I  am not from the West. I am from India. Can't you see it on my profile on the L.H.S?? 

Oops! As they say, you have burst his bubble And as we say, haste is waste, he did not look before leaping ...

I agree with you Zaman, We should teach our children our culture. For me it is becoming too challenging and too tiering an endeavor. Perhaps I am the one who is considering what bugler has said ... ie go back.

I came here looking for something which is not there. My language, my cultrue and my heritage and above all my religion are my identities, and I want to identify these in my kids as well. I thought these things are not so scarce here, coz ppl from "back home" are living here since decades now. But they have lost most of what belongs to them. Its not that they are not religious, but there is something missing ... can't put my fingre exactly.

Ummziba has said that it is not impossible for muslims to live here, which is true, but it is very difficult to live without your family. I think it is a great place for muslims, who do not have much to fall back in their homelands, as for those who cherish their roots, should not leave those.

Peace,

Nausheen

 

 

<font color=purple>Wanu nazzilu minal Qurani ma huwa

Shafaa un wa rahmatun lil mo'mineena

wa la yaziduzzalimeena illa khasara.
[/COLOR]
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