From AIRPORT to Hotel to QIBLA to FOOD

[helpinghumanity]

Assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullah,

It has been long since I last logged in at TTI. It was always in my head to go visit and read new post but the time was not on my side. There has been numerous ups in my life but on the other side there has been religious downfalls which I HAVE to work on because that is my ultimate success.

Few weeks ago I visited Portland, Oregon which is all the way in the west coast. The flight time was 9 hours. Yeah that's true..9 hours from airport to airport. I faced some difficulties and i will list some of them below. Within next few weeks I am going to Raymond, Ohio therefore I would like to be cautious.

1. The very first thing is the screening at Airport. Last time I traveled I opted for "PAT DOWN" over the controversial software screening. I would like to know, being a Muslim, which option is better. The physical touch or the virtual?
   
   
2. In Portland, Oregon I stayed at Marriott downtown water front. Usually I use inbuilt digital compass of my cellphone to determine the direction of the Qibla. However this software showed magnetic interference and I am left alone guessing the direction of qibla. It is pretty hard to determine the direction of qibla by using the sun method. by Seeing no assistance I just picked up any direction and prayed. What would you suggest for me to do in future?
   
   [*]Last time, I used zabiha.com to look for a halal restaurant around that hotel. I found a Lebanese restaurant which was pretty close. I went to that restaurant with my Lebanese friend (we became friend at the hotel), we got the food and eat it. But later I was informed that guy who is selling is food is Christian, but he is selling halal food (like seriously??). What would you suggest to do?
   

Oh btw, if any one of you in living in Ohio, feel free to contact. I would inform you where I am staying and would love to meet you


Remember me in your duaas. wassalam

 

[Aapa]

Assalaam walaikum,


It is so good to see you post. It is good to see you post.

I drove..across country and I do declare..these people see a Muslim woman in hijab and step-back...I actually noticed the young man at the middle of nowhere broader patrol search with the barking dogs and long necked rifles have that look on his face when I drove up smiling. He did not want to have to tell his boss he had suspicions about a Muslim woman. He just wanted to go home and put his feet up....he lowered his gaze and in wished me a good day.

In a sense do not take the security too seriously. And never fear about food..there is always a Pakistani restaurant everywhere.

Don't stop posting.

 

[ilyas_eh]

Assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullah,

1. In Portland, Oregon I stayed at Marriott downtown water front. Usually I use inbuilt digital compass of my cellphone to determine the direction of the Qibla. However this software showed magnetic interference and I am left alone guessing the direction of qibla. It is pretty hard to determine the direction of qibla by using the sun method. by Seeing no assistance I just picked up any direction and prayed. What would you suggest for me to do in future?
   

Remember me in your duaas. wassalam

wa alaykkum assalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,

If there is strong magnetic interference move out of your room (or even better go out on street and determine the Qibla). I don't think that dig.compass works like a normal magnetic compass. But if so, (and you don't want to go out) try keeping it inside wooden box like wooden drawer or under the cot (but i haven't tested it myself, so i'm not sure whether it will reduce the interference).

OR

Get hold of a simple magnetic compass ( as the usual Qibla Compass can sometimes be confusing). It should be graduated in degrees (0-360). If you have a software/site to find out direction of Qibla (in degrees) you are good to go.

Be acquainted with Sun method too... It may seem to be confusing but in fact it is very easy. In fact we have simple apps to help with sun method as well. The simplest method is to stuck a stick on the ground and watch the movement of its shadow for few minutes, there by you will get West-East direction and hence the Qibla. But i'm not sure whether it will hold good for higher latitudes.

Barak Allahu feek.

 

[helpinghumanity]

Wa-alaikumus salam wa rahmatullah

Its glad to see a warm re-welcome from you. Proud of you Aapa (Aapa is an urdu which means "the elder sister")

Security and food is not a problem. When it comes to security, I was thinking of what to prefer, pat down or body screening software?

Regarding Pakistani food, when ever possible I try to eat mamaa's food. She is the best cook. Pakistani food available at restaurants is way too spicy. If I have to eat outside (at least once a day) then I try different food..you know NY is diverse..got so many options.

Wherever I go if I am able to find halal food, I will be satisfied.

Assalaam walaikum,


It is so good to see you post. It is good to see you post.

I drove..across country and I do declare..these people see a Muslim woman in hijab and step-back...I actually noticed the young man at the middle of nowhere broader patrol search with the barking dogs and long necked rifles have that look on his face when I drove up smiling. He did not want to have to tell his boss he had suspicions about a Muslim woman. He just wanted to go home and put his feet up....he lowered his gaze and in wished me a good day.

In a sense do not take the security too seriously. And never fear about food..there is always a Pakistani restaurant everywhere.

Don't stop posting.

 

[helpinghumanity]

Jazakumullah khairun for your suggestion

I tried the methods that you suggested but in vain.

The sun method is pretty good if you are in an open space. But if you are inside a complex design building then its very hard to follow.

wa alaykkum assalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,

If there is strong magnetic interference move out of your room (or even better go out on street and determine the Qibla). I don't think that dig.compass works like a normal magnetic compass. But if so, (and you don't want to go out) try keeping it inside wooden box like wooden drawer or under the cot (but i haven't tested it myself, so i'm not sure whether it will reduce the interference).

OR

Get hold of a simple magnetic compass ( as the usual Qibla Compass can sometimes be confusing). It should be graduated in degrees (0-360). If you have a software/site to find out direction of Qibla (in degrees) you are good to go.

Be acquainted with Sun method too... It may seem to be confusing but in fact it is very easy. In fact we have simple apps to help with sun method as well. The simplest method is to stuck a stick on the ground and watch the movement of its shadow for few minutes, there by you will get West-East direction and hence the Qibla. But i'm not sure whether it will hold good for higher latitudes.

Barak Allahu feek.

 

[nyerekareem]

Regarding the qibla, various ahadith and scholars have covered this before. One has to face the direction in which he most closely feels is the correct direction until he is informed of the proper one.

As far as the patdown, which of the two methods are least invasive to you? One way or the other, you aren't going to get through without going through one of them.

As far as the restaurant. The sign said that it was halal, take it to be truth. We Muslims aren't guilty if we were intentionally misinformed by someone. Even if you remain unsure, you can still pronounce the basmalah over it.

Islam is a religion that doesn't desire to make life hard for the believer. Plus we believers shouldn't overburden ourselves either with more than what's necessary or than what we can handle.