My Ramadan 2008

Ramadan Mubarak! (Blessed Ramadan)

Today is my 2nd full day of fasting in observance of the Muslim tradition. Observance of Ramadan [when Muslims are obligated to forego food and water for a full month (30 days) during the day light hours] is the one aspect of Islam's five tenants I maintain dutifully. I am drawn by the self discipline it requires, as well as the idea of being in communion with deprived people around the world.

In about an hour I will break my fast with a formal prayer; and eat some dates, yogurt and a heaping glass of water.

Today I want to share one of my most favored iyats (verses) from the Quran. It is from Surah (chapter) 14(v4), Ibrahim:

"We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in a language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. So Allah leads astray those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases and He is Exalted in power, Full of Wisdom."

(Transliteration from Yusuf Ali)

The Quran is full of wisdom, indeed. In coming editions, I hope to elaborate further on Quranic wisdom -- religious politics aside.

Inshallah!
(If God wills it)


September 11, 2008 - 11th day of Ramadan - Alhamdulailah!

Ramadan is going well. Praise be to Allah (God) for the blessing of clarity, inner peace and guidance that comes with the tradition of fasting. I am contemplating how I will make further relations with Muslims during this time, and how I will make a monetary contribution at the culmination of Ramadan later this month. I want to raise money for PlumpyNut -- a nutritious food -- that benefits third world children... More research will be done during this month. Haiti was recently devastated by a hurricane. I will make a contribution to a relief organization. And finally, I plan to attend the 2nd annual MANA convention in Phialdelphia next month.

Today I want to share one of my most favored iyats (verses) from the Quran. It is from Surah (chapter) 10 v108, Jonah:

"Say, O ye men! Now that truth has reached your from your Lord! Those, who receive guidance, do so for the good of their own souls; those who stray, do so to their own loss; and I am not (set)over you to arrange your affairs."

(Transliteration from Yusuf Ali)

I favor this iyat (verse) because it reinforces, for me, the principle that their should be no coercison in Islam...That man has free will is Allah's blessing; and that we should not depend [superstitiously] upon Allah (God) to intervene on the routine affairs of men, as he has already provided proper guidance [in Al Quran].

September 25, 2008

Ramamdan Mubarak! (Blessed Ramadan)

I'm in the last full week of Ramadan, Al Hamdulailah! [Praise be to Allah]. For me the first two weeks are always the toughest. Now I am coasting a little on the stregnth of my resolve, and my body's adaption to the routine I have fallen into. A brother who works where I do came up to me this morning to ask if I was Muslim. I confirmed it. He said he had heard this but was not sure. He said if he had known he would greeted me with salaams. [That was a manly and beneficent gesture on his part.] I agreed to do so in kind.

I decided to give to hurricane relief in Haiti after Ramadan as my charity. For me, Haiti holds a facinating place in the history of the New World. I want to write about it here some day soon. Tuesday, I purchased several jars of honey from an Islamic website I like, Soundvision. I plan to lable them with some favorite verses from the Quran, and use them for dawa (subtle exchange of islamic faith). As for Eidul Fitr (Islamic holiday commemorating the end of Ramadan), I am not sure what I will do to celebrate. Typically, I say home, perferring to forego the crowds and immersing myself in unfamiliar company... It is my nature too. [I do the same for New Years and most other holidays.] We will see.

Today I want to share one of my most favored iyats (verses) from the Quran. It is from Surah 4, An-Nisaa (The Women)
Verse 36.

"Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the way-farer (ye meet), and what your right hand possess; for Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious."

(Transliteration from Yusuf Ali)

I favor this iyat because it crystalizes the moral imperative for Muslims. [It is one of the most often repeated exhortations in the Quran.] This verse explains what the obligation of Muslims are in the context of citizenship -- wherever they are in the world. It also establishes common ground for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Assalaamu Alaikum!

Election 2008

Barak Obama for president! The Dems had a really good convention -- even the weather cooperated. Obama's speech was excellent, as was the entire production. John McCain made a chess move -- picking Sarah Palin as his running mate. If he wins, his campaign was brilliant. If he looses, he will be the GOP goat for years to come. [And that strategy will not be used again by either party].

I think this whole election season has been good for the American electorate. I predict that this will be the largest voter turn out in many years.