Hello Again!

[Lyllismum]

Hello Everyone!

 I had posted a while back that I was interested in learning about Islam before converting. I talked to my husband (our marriage is MUCH better now) and he is willing to do the research and everything and if we choose to, to convert! 

I had a few questions as all this literature online is so much to take in. 

We watch "All American Muslim" - How accurate is the information that they talk about?

Also, is there any place I can purchase a Q'ran? Is there anything else I need to go along with this?

Do we need to find a Mosque? How often do you go? 

We like our people at church. Could we still help them with service work and possibly attend every once in a while? 

I'm not that great at learning a new language, is there anything to help me learn and keep it, so that I know how to pronounce the prayers properly? What do I need to pray?

Lastly, is there anyone in Arizona (surprise, peoria, avondale, buckeye, goodyear areas) that I can talk to and get help from? 

Thank you all with baring with my many questions. I'm sure I'll have more later. :/

[Lyllismum]

Bump?

[proud2bmom3]

sorry my dear. it has been a slow few days.. .. I would love to answer you right now. but I have to finish up some of my house chores and put my kids to bed.. but till I get to come back.. let me tackle a couple of your concerns..

1- I am so happy to hear that you and  your husband are contemplating Islam.. may Allah make easy for you what is best for you. may HE fill your hearts with the light of Islam and guide you to what pleases HIM Ameen.

2- I have not watched all American Muslim.. I only watched five minutes and turned it off.. as I was disgusted by what I saw.. it is my understanding that it shows different examples of Muslims.. I only saw the worse I guess. there are some sisters on here that might have watched more of it than I did.. they might be able to help you more.. I do recall we had a post about the series somewhere on the group.. maybe if you search you will find it.. .. I advise you to ask about the things you want to investigate.. we would try our best to answer you..  insha' Allah ( God willing)

3- yes, it is best you find a mosque.. because not only will get support of the Muslim community. sisterhood, ..etc. but more importantly,  you will get to pray at the mosque.. Friday sermons are a good source of knowledge.. they are also an obligation upon the Muslim men to attend. ( any prayer in congregation is best prayed at the mosque)

some mosques offer free copies of the Quran and free literature, they might have classes for new Muslims , ..etc. so yes, find the mosque closer to you.. and should you decide to become Muslim you could go and pronounce your testimony of faith in front of the Imam and witnesses. ..

sorry I have to go now.. I will insha' Allah comment on the "church activities" and language , later when I come back..

you are in my prayers.. :)

keep us posted.. wish you all the best, and dont' worry about your questions.. keep them coming.

[sisnur]

i agree with sis proud :-) my hb is a revert, he went to masjid and they give him a quran and a bunch of islamic book to read.

 

[Lyllismum]

When I go to the mosque, even though I'm not yet convert, do I cover. How do I go about asking about it?

[SlingsAndThings]

Yes usually you should cover. I can't speak for all mosques but ours has spare scarves and mOdest attire for visitors and new sisters. Generally we ask all visitors to follow Islamic standards when touring the masjid.

Our masjid always has tons of resources and always has someone there to answer questions. Lol I'd just call and talk to whoever answers the phone!

Quoting Lyllismum:

When I go to the mosque, even though I'm not yet convert, do I cover. How do I go about asking about it?

[muslimahpj]

Quoting Lyllismum:

When I go to the mosque, even though I'm not yet convert, do I cover. How do I go about asking about it?

You can always call ahead and let them know you would like to come visit. That way they can maybe arrange for a sister to be there to show you the women's side and help you with a scarf or what  not.

I know when I converted, they gave me a copy of the Qur'an and some other books to take to read.

Youtube is great  for help learning the prayers. Islamreligion.com sent me some books and also a dvd that teaches you how to pray. What I did, was first learn the prayers in English, then started learning it in Arabic.

[Lyllismum]

Thank you all so much!! I do have lots of questions! Should I make a new post or just put them in replies? 

[muslimahpj]

Quoting Lyllismum:

Thank you all so much!! I do have lots of questions! Should I make a new post or just put them in replies? 

Maybe make a new post, that way they wont get lost in the shuffle. :-)

[lovelife22]

 http://www.amazon.com/Quran-English-Translation-Commentary-Arabic/dp/091332101X/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328713551&sr=8-1-spell

This is the Quran that I find easiest to understand and read as far as the translation, the author does a great job!

http://www.amazon.com/Islam-History-Modern-Library-Chronicles/dp/081296618X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328713593&sr=1-2

This is a history. Karen Armstrong is not Muslim but she is a very accurate and talented writer....

Just get books. Amamzon is amazing!

[proud2bmom3]

Assalamu alaikum dear sisters..

you asked about church activities.. you have to understand that even though Muslims and Christians essentially worship the same GOD of Abraham. our interpretation of God is fundamentally different. we see GOD as the one and only God : no equals, no components and no son.. this is the basis of Islam. the foundation of the faith.Giving God equals, partners, or components ( shirk) is the one unforgivable sin.    the church is a place that celebrates the notion that god has equals, or components, or a son. and taking part in any activity that condones such a sin. is a sin. .. with that said.

if the activities you are talking about are charitable, for example, soup kitchen or food drive , or coat drive..etc. and are done in a place that is adjacent or far from the church, then insha Allah there will be no harm. Muslims are encouraged to do charity and give to the needy regardless of their faith. but activities that have to do with fundraisers for the church ( a place that celebrates shirk ) or promoting the Christian faith. then you are not allowed to take part in that.  No offense to my Christian sisters..

as for Arabic.. it would suffice if  you learn the prayers in Arabic. and know what that means..  you dont' have to study the language. but you will get  more reward if you do. the more you learn of it, the better understanding you will have of the quran. plus reading the Quran in its original tongue is a form of worship as well ,even if you dont' understand all that you are reading.  struggling with reading it gives  you multiple reward as well. :) so it is a win win situation.

you can learn to say the prayers in English. ( try transliteration) and even if you pray holding the paper that is ok until you master the verses and supplications.  the link provided that shows you how to pray in the sticky post on top of the forum is very clear and insha' Allah ( God willing) helpful.

hope this answers your questions.. please feel free to ask some more.. like the sisters said.. all questions are welcome. and it would be better to dedicate one post per question, and have a clear title, so it would be easy to locate later, and give the sisters an idea about the post.

if I speak in error then it is from me. may Allah forgive me and guide us all to what pleases HIM Ameen.