Not trying to be offensive or anything of that nature. But I was just wondering what the muslim approach to Muhammad's marriage to 6 year old Aisha is.


Sincerly,


Seraphim

<b>My first Ramadhan</b>


<i>Written by Muhammad Bilal </i>





Muhammad Bilal


Muhammad proclaimed the Islamic Declaration of Faith only three months ago and this will be his very first Ramadhan. Throughout the month Muhammad will keep us updated on his personal experiences.


<i>I was born in Elles Glen in Edinburgh to a Roman Catholic family in 1981 and brought up in Portobello in Scotland's capital. Yet, here I am in the city of Birmingham in 2004 looking forward to my very first Ramadhan as a Muslim. </i>


I decided to come to Birmingham for work reasons. I had been living in my native Edinburgh for 22 years but it was in England's second city that I first met a Muslim person. One of the first people I met was Mir Afzal who happened to be my flat mate and a Muslim.


Over a period of six months, he exposed me to a great deal of knowledge about the world's fastest growing faith, a lot of what he said was completely alien to me.


Despite Islam being such a prominent world religion and constantly in the media, I only knew that Muslims existed but didn't know much about their way of life or practices.


The day that changed my life ...


After learning more about the Islamic creed, I finally decided that Islam may be the direction that I would like to follow in life. I embraced Islam on the Thursday 22nd July 2004 at the Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate.





Ahmed Ibrahim - The main Imam Ahmed of Birmingham Central Mosque


I proclaimed the Islamic Declaration of Faith in the presence of my friend and brother in faith, Mir Afzal and in the presence of the Imam Ahmed Ibrahim Patel who conducted the service.


Imam Ahmed Ibrahim is the main Imam at the Birmingham Central Mosque. Explaining the whole procedure to me was Muhammad Ali, the Office Incharge, whom I also remember very vividly from the day that changed my life.


On that day I also changed my name, which used to be Andrew Richard Tait, to Muhammad Bilal. 'Muhammad', which means praiseworthy, was chosen because it is the name of the final Prophet of God (pbuh). 'Bilal' was selected after the first Muedhin (announcer of the call to prayer), who was a companion of the Prophet (pbuh). Mir Afzal helped me to select the names.


Prayers at Central Mosque...





Birmingham Central Mosque


Since then, I have settled well in Birmingham and now perceive it as my new home. I am working not far from the Central Mosque and regularly attend prayers.


I also learnt a great deal more about the faith and worship from people at the mosque including Mohammed Saeed, the mosque's maintenance manager whom I met on my very first visit to the mosque.


I've never fasted before ...


As I have only been in the fold of Islam for nearly three months, this Ramadhan will be my very first. I am feeling very anxious and nervous as I don't really know what to expect.





Ramadhan prayers at Birmingham Central Mosque


I've never fasted before in my life so the idea of abstaining from food and drink for thirty days worries me a bit.


I have a few concerns as I've never gone hungry before but I think I'll cope. I hope to concentrate on the hunger of the poor and homeless of the world to help me get through the month. I also hope to excel in my prayers during the holy month.


In the next four weeks, I shall be maintaining an update about my Ramadhan experience and letting you all know about my very first Eid at the end of the month, Insha'Allah.

Even though I am Non-Muslim I do respect your life choice. I must say that there is much to be respected in the fundamental practices that you all endure in good faith and love during the month of Ramadan.


To fast during the day, abstain from bad practices, avoid weakness, and focus your mind on your faith through study is to be commended. Any act of discipline which leads you to a path of enlightenment is in my estimate is an act worthy of admiration. And I mean this most respectfully though I do not share your faith.


I have been a harsh critic of the political aspects of your faith, but I respect your right to choose your belief in God freely. I wish for all of you everything which Allah, the Quran, and his prophet have made clear through revelation that your rewards in this realm and the next can bring.


No matter what any man says we all deserve the freedom to practice our beliefs without interference of any other. And I wish that for all of you in this holy period. And I wish this for all people no matter the choice of religion any would choose to follow.


May you have many blessings in this life. May you find peace, happiness, and greater strength in your life through Allah. Please accept my best wishes for you , your families, your brothers and sisters, and all the world during this period of Ramadan.


I mean this most sincerely.


Universist

Bismiiah-


Hazrat Abu Huraira R.A. Narates Allah,s Messanger S.A.W as saying"One who does stop saying bad words and does not stop bad deeds,thenAllah The Almighty does not care for his leaving the eating and drinking.".(Bukhari Sherif).


Hazrat Abu Huraira R.A reported Allah,s messanger S.A.W. as saying,"There are many fasting people who do not gain anything but hunger and thirst and there are many who remain awake at night offering namaz but gain nothing except keeping awake".


Hazrat Abu Huraira R.A reported Allah,s messanger S.A.W.as saying,fast is a shield until it is torn.when asked "what thing tears it:'?he replied,Lying or back biting.


Hazrat Abu Huraira reported ,Allah,s messanger S.A.W as saying"fasting does not mean stopping from eating and drinking,one should retain from speking absurd and obscene talks".


Lying ,backbiting, use of abusive language,silly talk and troubling someone,all these acts are unlawful and forbidden and most disliked in fasting.

Bismillah


As salam alykom


A complete file (word doc.) to help you all know all what u need about Ramadan Insh aAllah


[attachmentid=165]

Jabir ibne'Abdulla R.A.narrates I heard Nabi S.A.W saying,When a person enter his house and mentions Allah Subahanahu wa Taalas name upon entering and also over his food.shaitan says (to his mates) you have no place to spend your night ,and no evening meals.But when he enters without mentioning Allahs name,then upon entering shaitan says(to his mates)you have found a place to spend the night.and when he does not mention Allah,s name on his food,shaitan says,(to his mates)you have (now )found a place to spend the night and an evening meal as well (Muslim)

Does Islam declare a position regarding child molestation? What does Islamic Law do to define child molestation. How is it defined. And once defined what are the penalties.


For instance. If a man over the age of 18 has forced sexual relations with a girl under the age of 18 the man made laws of this country define that as "stautory rape" and that man is then given a trial and placed in jail when the allegations are proven against him.


What does Islam say about this?


Is is ok for a Man over the age of 18 to have sex with a girl under the age of say 15?


Universist

As salamu alikum


I've just opened a new Islamic resource website. You can download the complete Holy Quran by:


Sheikh Sa'ad Al-Ghamdi


Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais


Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Husary


Sheikh Sa'ud Ash-Shuraim


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Sheikh Abdullah Basfar (translated)


There are over 100 Nasheeds and 14 (Good quality) Lectures available for download. No waiting, no limits, no sign-up, no ads.


Everyday i am adding more and more so dont forget to visit regularly!


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Wa alikum salam

check this new site, it needs encourgement..


HERE

Bismiiah-Some people are very quick &prompt for their own selfish motives.however when the question tohelp someone,to gain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty arises,then the very quick working,enthuastic, selfish person becomes as if he is a lifeless creature.One gets the impression that all his energy and strength are squeezed out of his body.


What is the mystry behind this sudden change of attitude?The emotions, the feelings, the sentiments,and the desire of being useful to others has diminished from one,s character.


The fear of Allah is moving away from the hearts &the fear of forceful human being is gripping them.To day one is not bothered to win the favours of Allah the Almighty but one is anxious to win the favours of an influential person.


We human beings are social animals,connected with eachother.It is our duty to think of others.


The sense of helping one another is gradually getting blurred.We do not stop top to think that our actIon or words will cause our brother or sister even the slightest harm.Wethink in terms of our own benefits and loss.This selfish motive gives us a disturbed &


distorted image of the society.Remember,the number of those who need help ,is much larger than those who can render them help.It is not possible for one person to be helpful to all the needy people simultaniously.So those who are capable of helping others should come forward .No one knows whether one is going to rise the next morning