Advice to newly practising Muslims!

[Globalpeace]

Asslamo Allaikum Brothers/Sisters,

First and foremost, I make little distinction between a REVERT and a Muslim who has just woken up this morning and realised that they should be practising. Sure, the evolution in Islam of both groups is slightly different but the desired (end) result is the same. The factors (common enemy) stacked against both are the same i.e. Nafs (ego), Shaytaan, family, friends and society at large.

So the starting point is the same (learning basics)!

End result is the same (become better Muslims)!

Obstacles (Nafs (ego), Shaytaan, family, friends and society at large) are the same!

I read a lot of posts on TTI and I can just sense what’s going on people’s hearts and minds; I have seen it over the years and it’s nothing new.

Brothers/Sisters! Since 9/11 the war against Islam has intensified and there is a concerted effort by Shaytaan and his comrades to DERAIL you, CONFUSE you, DISHEARTEN you & and wreck HAVOC in your hearts and minds. Global situation of Muslims in deteriorating and its broadcasted on your TV 24/7 and used as a tool to make you despondent, lose hope. The more aware you are aware of the situation of Muslims; the more depressing it will get for you!
So who do you fight back in a war against Islam?

First and foremost, learn to defend. You are new to Islam (Revert or Born) so:

• dig a trench,
• gather ammunition,
• Stay close to your supply-lines

Without defence, attack is futile & you will get slaughtered

What I mean by above is concentrate on the basics which are:

1. Learn the fundaments of Islam (i.e. Beliefs of Islam)
2. Learn your prayers and practise it abundantly (apart from the five, do your Tahajjud etc.)
3. Learn Qur’aan, read & ponder it
4. Continue acquiring the knowledge of Islam through authentic sources and books, Scholars (whatever you have access to)

1 gives you depth in your knowledge of your creator (digging a trench)

2 & 3 connects you to your creator (your spiritual ammunition)…This is like Oxygen to Humans; you can surf Internet all you want; but without this you will whither and die!

4 is your supply line (be it TTI, your local Mosque, friends etc.)

You need to LEARN HOW to defend your newly acquired Faith! I know that you want to tell the whole world about it; shout it out; but remember the factors stacked against you.

Defending is NEVER heroic but its effective and it will save your heart and mind from disintegrating.

Soldiers who dig in a wet trench hardly ever get mentioned; but guess what? They turn back a full frontal assault! Its easy to DEFEND then attack; your enemy is spread all over the place; supply lines open VERSUS you are enclosed and your supply lines are behind you!

When you learn to defend your basics; then go on ATTACK because you can NEVER win without attacking!

But you need new weapons in your arsenal! Your needs will change from time to time but you will figure it out, Insha’Allah.

So why I am saying all this?

Brothers/Sisters! Not all Muslims out there are sincere and Shaytaan is obviously your open enemy.

There are Internet forums and web-sites out there which are designed to DERAIL you. Masha’Allah TTI is good, but there are sites out there who claim the complete opposite (Islam) and they will give you evidence (supposedly) for it, if you don’t know your basics you will be SWEPT away and SHREDED!
Information gathering and dissemination is an ART and a deadly one at that! It can be used positively or negatively! Currently for Islam & Muslims it is at its deadly best! You see a 12 year Palestinian boy being shot by Israeli Army on TV and you feel depressed and disheartened; its designed to do just that! Make you feel helpless, depressed, worthless.

Again back to basics; 1,2,3 & 4.

It amazes me to meet Brothers/Sisters (online & in person) who can search and cut and paste effectively from google and don’t know their Salah properly, don’t know Tajweed, don’t know the rules and regulations of fasting etc. etc. etc.

If you are one of these; you are heading for DANGER!

Don’t go around Islamic Forum hoping because some of the forums (unlike TTI) are there for debates, to refute certain groups, and if you don’t know your basics you will be SHREDED!

I don’t have the words to express myself effectively but hopefully you guys will understand what I am saying.

GET TO KNOW ALLAH (SWT)
BUILD YOUR CONNECTION WITH ALLAH (SWT)
RELY ON ALLAH (SWT)​

Summary: Survival is more important then being a dead hero!

P.S: I am neither a Scholar nor very knowledgeable and I am not even asking you to take my advice...Just consider it...The good in it is from Allah (SWT) and the bad in it is from my Nafs (ego: and boy have I got a fat one :angryblue: )

 

[Mohsin]

Assalamu-alaikum

:salam2:

Bhai for the wonderful advice. I really appriciate it and ask Allah SWT to reward you for it. You really are an inspiration to us.
May Allah bless the Ummah with more GP's like you
Ma'assalaam

 

[alkathiri]

Assalamualaikum

Making use of your military experience and turn it into analogy. Good combination....

 

[Globalpeace]

Certainty and Trust in Allah!

Asslamo Allaikum,

Since I started parctising there is one book which has NEVER left my Arsenal "Riyadus-Saleheen" an Authentic collection of Ahadeeth;

Here is a FREE translation (PDF) from Sister (woman scholar ) Ayesha Bewley:

http://www.central-mosque.com/sunnah/riyadus_saleheen_bewley.pdf

This translation is lucid & easy to read.

And below is the chapter that my thoughts of digging trenches i.e.relying on Allah (SWT) etc.come from!

7. Chapter: Certainty and Trust in Allah​

Allah Almighty says, "When the Believers saw the Confederates, they said, 'This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us. Allah and His Messenger told us the truth.' It only increased them in faith and in submission." (33:22)

The Almighty says, "Those to whom people said: 'The people great army have gathered against you, so fear them.' But that merely increased their faith and they said: 'Allah is enough for us and the best of Guardians.' So they returned with blessings and bounty from Allah and no evil touched them. They pursued the pleasure of Allah. Allah's favour is indeed immense." (3:173-174)

The Almighty says, "Put your trust in the Living who does not, die" (25:58)

and the Almighty says, "So let the believers put their trust in Allah," (W14:14; H14:11)

and the Almighty says, "Then when you have reached a firm decision, put your trust in Allah." (3:159)

The verses commanding trust are numerous and well-known. The Almighty says, "Whoever puts his trust in Allah He will be enough for him." (65:3)

The Almighty says, "The believers are those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith is increased when His Signs are mentioned to them, and who put their trust in their Lord." (8:2)

74. Ibn 'Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'All the nations were shown to me and I saw a Prophet with a small group, and a Prophet with one or two men, and a Prophet with no one at all. Then an enormous mass was shown to me and I thought that they were my community. I was told, "This is Musa and his community, but look to the furthest horizon," and there was an enormous mass. It was said to me, "This is your community. Among them are seventy thousand who will enter the Garden without reckoning or punishment."' Then he got up and entered his house and the people discussed concerning those who would enter the Garden without reckoning or punishment. Some of them said, 'Perhaps it is those who were with the Messenger of Allah,' while others said, 'Perhaps it is those who are born in Islam and do not associate anything with Allah,' and they mentioned various things. The Messenger of Allah came out to them and said, 'What are you discussing?' They told him and he said, 'They are those who do not make charms or ask others for charms, and do not seek omens. They trust in their Lord.' 'Ukkasha ibn Muhsin stood up and said, 'Ask Allah to make me one of them.' He said, 'You are one of them.' Then another man stood up and said, 'Ask Allah to make me one of them.' He said, "'Ukkasha beat you to it.'" [Agreed upon]

75. Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "O Allah, I submit to you and I believe in you and I have relied on you and I turn to you and I have argued by you. I seek refuge with Your might, there is no god other than You, from Your misguiding me. You are the Living who does not die while jinn and men will all die." [Agreed upon. This is the version in Muslim.]

76. Ibn 'Abbas said, "'Allah is enough for us and the best Guardian.' Ibrahim, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said this when he was thrown into the Fire and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said it when they said, 'The people great army have gathered against you, so fear them.' But that merely increased their faith and they said: 'Allah is enough for us and the best of Guardians.' "'" (3:173) [al-Bukhari] In one variant from Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, he said, "The last words of Ibrahim, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, before he was thrown into the Fire were, 'Allah is enough for me and the best Guardian.'"

77. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "People will enter the Garden whose hearts are like the hearts of birds." [Muslim]
It is said that this means trusting, and it is said that it means their hearts are tender.

78. Jabir ibn 'Abdullah reported that he went on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the direction of Najd. When the Messenger of Allah returned, he returned with him. Midday overtook them in a valley with a lot of large thorn-trees in it. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, alighted and the people split up to seek the shade of the trees. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, alighted under a tree and hung his sword on it. We went to sleep and then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, called out to us. There was a bedouin with him and he said, 'This one unsheathed my sword against me while I was asleep. I woke up and he had it unsheathed in his hand and he said, "Who will protect you from me?" I said, "Allah" three times.' He did not punish him, but sat up." [Agreed upon] In one variant, Jabir said, "We were with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, at Dhat ar-Riqa'. Then we reached a shady tree and left it for the Messenger of Allah. One of the idolworshippers came while the sword of the Messenger of Allah was hanging from the tree and he unsheathed it and said, 'Do you fear me?' He said, 'No.' He said, 'Who will protect you from me?' He said, 'Allah.'" In the version of Abu Bakr al-Isma'ili in his Sahih, "He said, 'Who will protect you from me?' He said, 'Allah.'" He said, "The sword fell from his hand and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took the sword and said, 'Who will protect you from me?' He said, 'Be the best seizer.' He said, 'Will you bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'No, but I will make a pact with you that I will not fight you nor be with a people who fight you.' So he let him go on his way. He went to his companions and said, 'I have come to you from the best of people.'"

79. 'Umar said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full." [at-Tirmidhi]

80. Abu 'Umara al-Bara' ibn 'Azib reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O so-and-so! When you retire to your bed, say, 'O Allah, I submit myself to You and I have turned my face to You. I have entrusted my affair to You and taken shelter with You out of desire for You and fear of You. There is no shelter nor rescue from You except with You. I have believed in Your Book which You sent down and Your Prophet whom You sent.' If you die during the night, you will die in natural submission, and if you are still alive in the morning, your morning will be good." [Agreed upon] In a variant in the two Sahih collections, al-Bara' said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me, 'When you go to your bed, do wudu' as you would for the prayer and then lie on your right side and say..." He mentioned the same words and then said, "Make it the last thing you say."

81. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq said, "When we were in the Cave and the idolaters were looking for us, I could see their feet and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, if one of them were to look under his feet, he would see us.' He said, 'Abu Bakr, what do you think of two people of whom Allah is the third?'" [Agreed upon]

82. Umm al-Mu'minin, Umm Salama, whose name was Hind bint Abi Umayya Hudhayfa al-Makhzumiyya reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say when he left his house, "In the name of Allah. I have relied on Allah. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from misguiding others or being misguided, or slipping or making others slip, or wronging others or being wronged, or being ignorant or being made ignorant.'" [Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and others. This is the version of Abu Dawud]

83. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever says, i.e. when he leaves his house, 'In the name of Allah. I have relied on Allah and there is no power nor strength except by Allah' will be told, 'You have been guided, spared and protected,' and Shaytan will be kept far from him." [Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and others] Abu Dawud added, "He, i.e. Shaytan, says to another shaytan, 'How can you get at a man who has been guided, spared and protected?'"

84. Anas said, "There were two brothers in the time of the Prophet. One of them used to come to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the other one worked for a living. The one who worked complained about his brother to the Messenger of Allah and he said, 'It might well be that you have your provision on account of him." [Muslim]

 

[Mohsin]

Assalamu-alaikum

:salam2: Bhai are you annoyed ? I cant PM you ....

 

[Globalpeace]

W-Salam,

No Bro...I was changing some options so must have unticked it...Try now

You have my e-mail anyway.

:salam2: Bhai are you annoyed ? I cant PM you ....

 

[Mohsin]

Assalamu-alaikum

:salam2: Bhai,
Yes I have your e-mail but please check the PM option ..... atleast I need it ...... ( I dont wanna tell you in front of others that I have lost your e-mail address so I need to PM you)

W-Salam,

No Bro...I was changing some options so must have unticked it...Try now

You have my e-mail anyway.

 

[Redneck]

Globalpeace: Have just visited Mosque and for first time stayed for prayer.
Blown away mate -blown away- totally positive experience. If it's OK, I would like to settle down later and write about it because I want to put some of my experience into perspective and try to link some of you advice
to it.

 

[Globalpeace]

Congrats Brother!

It is absolutely an uplifting experience; do share it with us. As soon as the baby thing is sorted out; I will be contacting you, Insha’Allah.

Globalpeace: Have just visited Mosque and for first time stayed for prayer.
Blown away mate -blown away- totally positive experience. If it's OK, I would like to settle down later and write about it because I want to put some of my experience into perspective and try to link some of you advice
to it.

 

[Globalpeace]

Muslim/Non-Muslim Interaction Summary!

Asslamo Allaikum,

Found the following quotation from the book of Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taimiya (RA) which maybe of benefit to us Muslims in the West & how to interact with Non-Muslims around us

"To be at variance (mukhaalafah) with them (i.e disbelievers) should not happen except when the religion is dominant and manifest…When the Muslims were at first weak, being at variance with them was not legislated, but when the religion became complete and dominant, it was then legislated. The similitude to that is like today; thus if a Muslim was in daar al harb (land of war) or in daar al kufr which was not daar al harb, he would not be commanded to be at variance with them in their outer appearances/manners (al hadiyy adh-dhaahir) due to the harms that would result in that. In fact it could be recommended or even obligatory for him to agree at times with their outward appearances since that would entail religious benefit; from calling them to the religion and looking into their internal affairs to inform the Muslims about them, or to repel their harm that would face the Muslims and other matters that have good purposes behind them.

As for Daar al Islam & Hijrah by which Allah honored the religion by it, and placed on the disbelievers' humiliation and the jizyah; mukhaalafah was then legislated. If it is therefore apparent that the matter of differing and agreeing with them differs according to time and place, the reality of the ahadeeth about this matter becomes apparent."

From Iqtidaa Siraat al Mustaqeem (1/418-419), Maktabah ar-Rushd, (1404h.)

P.S: which reminds me; I was supposed to get the full quote of HOW HARAM is declared in Islam (from the above-quoted book) for Appa Mehnaz & Sr.Sarah B! I will Insha’Allah get it this weekend and post.

 

[Mohsin]

Hi

:shake:
Noice to meet you Mr. Redneck,
I always enjoy reading your posts and find a lot of wisdom in there. I can bet these words come out of expereince and from a person whose heart is open and bright. I don't know what you will feel but I am eagerly waiting for the good news.

And yes I will love to read your expereince at the Mosque,

Take care,
Regards

P.S. Since you love reading the Quran I'd like you to read some verses,

Certainly, your efforts and deeds are diverse (different in aims and purposes); (4) As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allâh and fears Him, (5) And (in all sincerity) testifies to the Best.(6) We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). (7) But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient.[] (8) And gives the lie to the Best. (9) We will make smooth for him the path for evil; (10) And what will his wealth avail him when he goes down (in destruction). (11) Truly! on Us is (to give) guidance, (12)
[Al-Lail]

but Allah has endeared the Faith to you, and has made it beautiful in your hearts and He has made hateful to you unbelief, wickedness and rebellion: such indeed are those who walk in righteousness― (7) A grace and favour from Allah; and Allah is full of Knowledge, and Wisdom. (8)
[Al-Hujuraat]

Globalpeace: Have just visited Mosque and for first time stayed for prayer.
Blown away mate -blown away- totally positive experience. If it's OK, I would like to settle down later and write about it because I want to put some of my experience into perspective and try to link some of you advice
to it.

 

[Redneck]

I am going to expand on this later perhaps. ( When someone says they are going to expand on this it could also mean their nafs going to much get bigger with more unnecessary wordage !-let me know}

1. Arrive at Mosque two hours early. I always arrive early when I am nervous. Ring doorbell . No reply. Wait and wait and realise one of the doors is open. Walk in remember to take off shoes. No one here , big room, lots of carpet.

2. Think suppose I'm allowed in here. Huge bookshelf with one English translated Qur'an. Notice just how beautiful the bindings of the Arabic Qur'an's are . I run my (washed) hand over them.

3. Sit down on carpet and begin reading, big room and ticking clock on wall. I will begin at the begining I thought. Odd someone's put the cover on this book the wrong way around and I thought the first Sura's are at the back. Never mind. Begin reading . Realise Suras in different order to the ones I've read. Sit very peacefully and feel very much at home , words being read run through my mind like a cool stream.

4. Get stiff legs and I need the toilet. Now in one moment of nervousness I find myself thinking "are these things with holes in the ground actually toilets or am I about to commit some outrage..." I chance it then go back to big room.

5. Three people now here , oh no look cool , realise I have been facing the wrong way and the lines on the carpet are like parking spaces. I hope I'm not in someone else's place. Out of respect I instinctively stay crouched low to the ground. One of the brothers comes over and greets me . I say "Salaam" he looks straight into me . " I'm here to learn" I say by way of explanation he gestures me to a place to sit . Now the other two come over and shake my hand .

6. I Start reading again and the thought comes , "Arabic runs cover to cover the other way " I find the begining. I'm reading The Cow by the time the room is filling up. Now it starts: my mind speeds up, much faster than I normally think, the Suras again : I can now actually make sense of how we can be in ( linear) time and Allah (SWT) is outside time and how at the end of our life we will be brought to that place and see all our life, all at once at once in an instant, how we will be judged...

7. " You can walk away now, go on get up , people will call you a white p*ki, you of all people ... when these guys find out what you are- do you think they'll want you here... ?" I look around at black, mixed race, Asian, Chinese...I know that voice whispering in my ear. How many times have I listened to it. Get lost - I know what you are now. Then its gone.

8.I shut my eyes again feel that clean stream of words again minds moving so fast, so calm ..."My Brothers, my Sisters" that's what we all are , simple truth .

I open my Muslim eyes. I am glad I was sitting at the back, I have cramp in my legs and a tear has fallen on the carpet.

I'll tell you the rest later.

 

[Mohsin]

Its not fair

Hi Mr. Redneck,

Can I be honest with you ? .....You know what ? ...I feel like you are wonderful story writer and you know how to keep the reader on his toes ...... I was so involved in the story that when I read, 'I'll tell you the rest later' I felt like I have fallen into a pit which I wasnt expecting to be there and the road is going to be smooth ......lol

Anyway Mr. Redneck I will be waiting for the remaining story and yes now I am more eagerly waiting for the GOOD NEWS, inshaAllah its on its way.

Take care,

I am going to expand on this later perhaps. ( When someone says they are going to expand on this it could also mean their nafs going to much get bigger with more unnecessary wordage !-let me know}

1. Arrive at Mosque two hours early. I always arrive early when I am nervous. Ring doorbell . No reply. Wait and wait and realise one of the doors is open. Walk in remember to take off shoes. No one here , big room, lots of carpet.

2. Think suppose I'm allowed in here. Huge bookshelf with one English translated Qur'an. Notice just how beautiful the bindings of the Arabic Qur'an's are . I run my (washed) hand over them.

3. Sit down on carpet and begin reading, big room and ticking clock on wall. I will begin at the begining I thought. Odd someone's put the cover on this book the wrong way around and I thought the first Sura's are at the back. Never mind. Begin reading . Realise Suras in different order to the ones I've read. Sit very peacefully and feel very much at home , words being read run through my mind like a cool stream.

4. Get stiff legs and I need the toilet. Now in one moment of nervousness I find myself thinking "are these things with holes in the ground actually toilets or am I about to commit some outrage..." I chance it then go back to big room.

5. Three people now here , oh no look cool , realise I have been facing the wrong way and the lines on the carpet are like parking spaces. I hope I'm not in someone else's place. Out of respect I instinctively stay crouched low to the ground. One of the brothers comes over and greets me . I say "Salaam" he looks straight into me . " I'm here to learn" I say by way of explanation he gestures me to a place to sit . Now the other two come over and shake my hand .

6. I Start reading again and the thought comes , "Arabic runs cover to cover the other way " I find the begining. I'm reading The Cow by the time the room is filling up. Now it starts: my mind speeds up, much faster than I normally think, the Suras again : I can now actually make sense of how we can be in ( linear) time and Allah (SWT) is outside time and how at the end of our life we will be brought to that place and see all our life, all at once at once in an instant, how we will be judged...

7. " You can walk away now, go on get up , people will call you a white p*ki, you of all people ... when these guys find out what you are- do you think they'll want you here... ?" I look around at black, mixed race, Asian, Chinese...I know that voice whispering in my ear. How many times have I listened to it. Get lost - I know what you are now. Then its gone.

8.I shut my eyes again feel that clean stream of words again minds moving so fast, so calm ..."My Brothers, my Sisters" that's what we all are , simple truth .

I open my Muslim eyes. I am glad I was sitting at the back, I have cramp in my legs and a tear has fallen on the carpet.

I'll tell you the rest later.

 

[Aapa]

Salaam Brother,


Forgive me but in my part of the woods redneck is not a good word to use.
You have touched my heart...

 

[Redneck]

That's why I'm using it. In summer time the backs of builders necks burn
and turn red. That was the original meaning of the name. Be honest- you don't expect many crew cut tattooed white van driving chaps to pull up and ask "do you want a lift, brother ?"

 

[justoneofmillion]

That's why I'm using it. In summer time the backs of builders necks burn
and turn red. That was the original meaning of the name. Be honest- you don't expect many crew cut tattooed white van driving chaps to pull up and ask "do you want a lift, brother ?"

well you never know redneck a couple of years ago i would never have even imagined doing the moonwalk forward break dancing motionlessly with my soul , pushing a little less at the bench and still feel good and satisfied enough to call some brothers and sisters.Allah`s swt power he definitely guides whom he wills islam can change anybody a very inspiring story there may Allah swt be with you

 

[Redneck]

".... a couple of years ago i would never have even imagined doing the moonwalk...

forward break dancing motionlessly with my soul...."


Oneofamillion: That is a beautiful way of putting it , really gets the feeling over . Poetry mate.

Being physically strong gets you some respect when you are young. How much better it is to be able to stand in a supermarket queue , have a
couple of kids from the family in front bawling and screaming , and be able to calm them with a look of kindness and a few quiet words.

I bet you can do the same.

Oh yeh , went to garage this morning, Have beard now + wearing sandals, I held open the door for a guy on his way in, I'm sure he said "Salaam" before he went in.

 

[alkathiri]

:salam2:

Great advice, bro

 

[ama6621]

Assalam Alaikum brother Redneck,

May you always feel the same way everytime you go into a masjid. I loved your post. May Allah bless you.

 

[BGfromGB]

War on Islam!

Asslamo Allaikum Brothers/Sisters,

First and foremost, learn to defend. You are new to Islam (Revert or Born) so:

• dig a trench,
• gather ammunition,
• Stay close to your supply-lines

If I were a muslim I would defend myself with a Qur'an in my hand and use this word of God as my defense for HIM. God is far and away more important than these warmongerers and religious hatred.

And if the worst should happen then so be it. for life on this earth cannot even remotely begin to compare with a life in heaven. We must pray for our enemies as commanded by the prophet Jesus.

But I see your point. Although I do not think it will ever come to a religious war. Its the last thing we (people of all different religions) would ever want.