Today was amazing. It started off rocky as I was terrified of running into my neighbors in full hijab but once I got out of the building it was fine. I got to the school and became instantly lost as I was not sure of where to go. I met a lovely sister, one of the main coordinators of the school, who attempted to take me to tafseed/Qur'an class. Sadly, the teacher wasn't there so I sat in on a recitation class for about 15 minutes until the tafseed/Qur'an teacher arrived. It ended up being just me and her.
From the moment I met Sister A, I thanked Allah. She's amazing, intelligent, and honest. She told me all about moving from CA to Iran and back. Her hardship with Hajj and her work life. I was instantly comfortable and discussed my situation with her, that I am not muslim but am looking to learn more. That I may want to convert someday. I talked to her about my situation with my mother and why it was so hard on her. She was so honest about the hardships with muslims and the hardship of converts. I was so happy she didn't sugar coat anything. Her personality and my mine are similar and I got along great with her. Towards the end another young student, Sister F, came in and began asking questions which I was happy to answer. She later taught me how to do Wudu. So knowledgable for someone so young, she may be 14 or 15 years old but she can school the boys any day with her knowledge. She joined me in Brother S's class.
From there we went to the masjid and I watched the women pray. As I watched, Sister A explained to me what was going on. Then Brother S (the principal) gave a talk on Eid Al Adha which was interesting. The children were hysterical with there questions about Thanksgiving and why there is turkey. All Sister A had to do was look at me and I cracked up hysterically over it. Even we don't know exactly why we eat turkey. :) I wonder if around Christmas if I will need to answer questions about Santa? :)
I then went to Brother S's class with Sister F which is on the understanding of prayer. We discussed the different levels of wajib, how they apply. Perhaps when I can make better sense of this I will do a post on it, I have to review lol. We then discussed Hajj which was fascinating and made me really want to go. Its so beautiful, everyone together praying at once all in service to Allah.
Brother S's class is almost all teenage boys. I will definitely be wearing abaya always. Teenage boys are also very loud and obnotious. Part of me wishes the school was segregated.
After this we had lunch. Br. S's wife, we can call her Sister S, sat down with me. I spent the next hour and a half explaining Christianity to a muslim woman. She seemed so fascinated by it all. In fact, most of the adults were completely fascinated with me. They all want to be my friend and help in any way they can. They are there with full support. They are wonderful and I thank Allah for them for He put them in my life. They are also going to introduce me to a convert sister, we will call her Sister V. Alhumdillah!
I already believe that Allah put Sister A into my life for a reason and that she is a blessing from Allah. I feel already that I have my support I need from this woman and that she will be there with me to the end. She understands me already, and I understand her. You know how you feel an immediate connection to some people; that is what I feel with her. She also knows My Love's family which is great. We may have an advocate after all for our union, Insha'Allah that union ever occurs.
Random Things:
Not all cheese is Halal
One of the girls was particularly fascinated with me and kept saying how pretty I was...not sure why. She had to be 13 or 14.
They all loved my scarf and I now need to send instructions on how to wrap it to Sister A so she can show her daughter who is my age.
Muslim teen girls talk just as much about hair, dresses, and boys as non-muslims do. Only difference is once they leave the bathroom they stop discussing it.
Muslims are fascinated by Christianity. And they really don't get the trinity, at all.
I actually do not mind all the questions and welcome them. They understand and greatly respect my decision to learn first before making a choice.
Dec 6, Next Class: Bowling. Brothers vs Sisters. They already asked me if I was a good bowler. Sisters for the win!
Posts
Masha'Allah, I'm so happy that everything went well! Insha'Allah you will continue to get a lot of knowledge and friendship from it, and may it draw you closer to ALLAH.
ReplyDeleteMasha'Allah! I'm really SO glad that things went THIS well!
ReplyDeleteI was praying for you yesturday, and thank God that my prayers were answered~ =)
Sounds fun! It's cute to hear how they were so fascinated with you and even Christianity. I would love to hear more about that .. I mean why are they fascinated about it and what parts? I can imagine the Trinity being difficult to explain or understand. It's hard enough for me and I grew up learning of it. :-D
ReplyDeleteOoooh, the bowling competition sounds fun next week.
Why is some cheese not halal? Which ones? Is it prepared with liquor? I'm not very familiar with the cheese-making process.
I love stuff like this. Thanks for a super-interesting post. I wish I could have been there. I'm glad you made an instant connection with Sister A. I know exactly what you mean about that -- kindred spirits. :)
Too cute that the Muslim girls also talk about boys...not surprising. Hehehe.
I'm so glad that the class went well and you met some great sisters!
ReplyDeleteBanana Anne and Anon: Thank you for the kind words and prayers. Insha'Allah which ever way I choose to go, I hope it brings me closer to Allah.
ReplyDeleteSusanne: Sister S didn't know much about Christianity. She wanted to know why Christians think Jesus is God, how the trinity works (which I really couldnt answer cause I never figured it out either) why Christians changed the Bible so many times, how churches are different from masjids and which I preferred (masjid preference), if Jehovah's Witnesses were Christians, what makes all the different denominations, why are there so many different Christian churches etc. She was so fascinated. Sister A knew enough about Christianity and Judaism that we were able to have a more in depth discussion. I could totally see myself teaching a basic class on Christianity at the school in the far future. They really want to understand where the Christians are coming from so they can better relate to the Christian viewpoint. Even Sister S said that Islam and Christianity would be almost the same if it weren't for the Christian view of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteApparently some cheese has ensymes that are not considered halal by some scholars. We didn't go in to depth and I'm not going to worry about it. Although Cheetos are totally haram because they have pork ensymes in them...I think Doritos might be too but Im not sure. I'll have to check, one of my fav dishes involves a Dorito crust. Halal Doritos do exist...I just have to locate them LOL.
Stacy: Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, it sucks about the Cheetos and Doritos. I think one of the opinions (the one I follow, at least) is that cheese is halal unless you know for sure that it is not halal (i.e. made with pork enzymes or other animal enzymes if you keep strictly zabiha), the reasoning being that the amount of enzymes in the cheese is such a small amount in the first place that it almost doesn't count. The laws of kashrut hace a similar rule; if there is something not kosher in something that is otherwise kosher, the kosher item is still kosher if the nonkosher item is less than 1/60th of the total kosher item (I'm iffy on some of the details, though, like if this applies only in accidential situations or if someone does it on purpose).
ReplyDeleteI said it will be ok and masha'Allah it was!
ReplyDeleteIts always good to have someone real to talk to!
Sounds like you had an amazing time, m'A!
ReplyDeleteAll the people sound like they are very warm and friendly :)
Yaaaay!! mashaAllah - v happy for you!
ReplyDeleteSome cheese is not vegetarian as it's made with rennet or something like that?!? Not exactly sure what that is.
LK, thanks for explaining all that. I found your answer very interesting. Yes, I can see you teaching a basic Christianity class for them as well. It's great to know they want to know more so they can better relate to us. That's partly why I've wanted to learn more about Islam and read certain blogs.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize certain chips were haram - wow! I figured things like pork rinds were, but not Doritos! More for me. ;)
Thanks again!
Banana Anne: Thats how I think a lot of people go about it. If its a really small amount or goes through a chemical change that makes it no longer animal enzymes (like what happens with Jello) then you can eat it. I know cheetos have enough you cant eat them....I have to see if all dorito like chips do too. I need some or I can't make this delicious food I love so much LOL.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support ladies!
Susanne: you crack me up "more for me" :)
Yay! I'm glad your first day went so well and you got to meet all these lovely people! :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about this!
Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Because they're big dumb birds that the Puritans could catch. :)
Amber: That is the best answer EVER! Br. S's answer was because the pilgrims liked to get fat LOL
ReplyDeleteBut Br. S was also teaching the kids that they don;t do thanksgiving because muslims are to give thanks every day....I think he believes muslims shouldn't celebrate Thanksgiving.
ReplyDelete