Assalaam,


I have just received a text message from a reliable muslim that it is eid tomorrow.


Has anyone else had any news if it is eid tomorrow?


PS - sorry if this has made you panic!

If I am posting improperly or this is not welcome please let me know. I asume this area of the board is for non muslims to ask questions about the Islam faith and laws...


My husband of 8 years is a muslim and I a Chrstian. We do discuss our reliogions but I dont want to offend with my questions, just learn. I am not attempting to teach my faith to anyone, just learn about Islam.


so here goes


What is the Hadith? Is it consider scripture and from ALAH or from Mohammed?


In the Hadith 3.826 Muhammad said that women are genetically and legally inferior because of the defincency of a womans mind.


Is this what is truly believed in modern day Islam?


Also in Surah 4:34 "As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill conduct, admonish them, refuse to share thier beds, beat them."


Does modern day Islam allow Men to beat thier wife if they "fear disloyalty"


Thanks for your feedback, I am deeply curious. Christy

Hizbullah Chief Shaikh Hassan Nasrullah told a rally marking the International Al-Quds Day (Last Friday of Ranazan as proclaimed by Imam Khomeini in 1980) in Baalbak, eastern Lebanon.


“I confirm what the Israeli Chief of Staff has said: Mirsad I can carry explosives of about 40 and 50 kilograms. It does not have the capacity of only reaching Nahariya (in northern Israel), but deeper and deeper, against electricity and water installations and military bases. Our first drone’s flight over Israel to the Mediterranean town of Nahariya lasted 14 minutes. We did not use Mirsad I for a military action, but to confront the violations. But if our country faces aggression, we will use any means and capability that we possess.


We do not only have the capacity of confronting violations of (Lebanese) airspace, but we also have the capacity to respond to any aerial aggression or any kind of action from the air. We do not just have one plane, we have enough of them, and we have the capability of building as many planes as we need."


The United Nations, which repeatedly denounces Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, said the incursion by the Hizbullah drone had been followed by violations of Lebanese airspace by five Israeli warplanes and condemned both.


Lebanese Information Minister Elie Ferzli justified the drone flights, saying Hizbullah had "turned to this method because international protests have not succeeded in putting an end to Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace".

I just wanted to confirm that EID actually starts the day after the new moon is sighted. According to moonsightings.com the moon will be seen in America on November 13, thus Eid will start on the 14th. Is that right? What if the moon is seen during the day on Saturday... does the fasting stop?


Little about me: I am a Christian, and my husband a Muslim, we respect and support each oth4er in our holidays (holy-days) ; )


Thanks Christy

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM



Islam has five pillars, or cornerstones, on which we should build our lives. A good strong building has 4 strong cornerstones, and good Muslims have 5 because we want to be strong in the way we live! Remember, our goal in life is to join Allah
in Jannah (Heaven) one day!


The Qur'an tells us that Allah
created man to worship Him. We need to follow His rules to do this the right way.


The pillars are our five basic duties. Allah
is the one who gave us these requirements. We don’t follow them only if we feel like it, we are REQUIRED to follow them. Think about this: We all ask Allah
that He let us get this or do that, like get a good grade on our test or get to go to a great place for dinner. But how can we expect Him to grant our wishes if we don’t even do the things He’s asking US to do?????


1. Shahadah - our basic belief



Do you know the Shahadah? This is our belief as Muslims! It's what MAKES us Muslims!


Allah (SWT) is One!



After the name of Allah,
we write SWT - this means "Subhana-Hu wa Ta'ala," or "Allah
is glorified."


Muhammad (S) is His Messenger!



After the name of Prophet Muhammad, we write S - this means "Salla


Allahu ‘alaihi wa-Sallam," or "May the blessings of Allah
be upon him."


So all Muslims believe that Allah
is One, He is the ONLY God, and Muhammad is His Messenger! In Arabic we say,


La Illaha Illala, Muhammad ur Rasulullah


2. Salah - Daily Prayer



We must pray to be good Muslims. Before we pray we do Wudu, or clean up in a special way. We wear clean clothes, and pray facing the Kabah. We pray FIVE TIMES A DAY: Fajr - Dhohur - Asr - Maghrib - Isha ! Praying to Allah
this often helps us to remember Him every minute of the day. And if we keep Allah
in our minds all the time, it helps us to be better people and keeps us from doing wrong things Insha'allah.


We should start praying when we are 7 years old, and once we reach 10 years old we should not miss any prayers. This is a VERY important requirement of Muslims, and like I said before, how can we expect Allah
to answer our prayers if we are not performing all of our prayers?


3. Fasting



Muslims fast every day during the month of Ramadan. We don't eat or drink anything during the day. We also pray, read the Qu'ran, and do good deeds all day instead of bad ones. We watch our tongues and don't fight with each other. Once you reach 10 years old, you are required to fast. Of course this is quite hard, but it is one more thing that helps us to be better people. We remember Allah
, as well as those who don't have as much as we do in life. We learn not to be greedy and selfish. People in some parts of the world go without much food every single day, not just during Ramadan. Before you're 10 years old, you should try to fast for a few days during Ramadan so you can begin to get used to it.


When we’re fasting, we try to continue our lives like we usually do, and not take it extra easy. We go to school and work like we always do, and not sit around watching movies or taking naps on the weekends. If you’re bored or hungry, why don’t you read the Qur’an or ask your mom or dad to read it to you?


4. Zakah - Sharing



Allah
has given some of us a lot of money and other things, and others not very much. WHATEVER WE DO HAVE, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF ALLAH
. Allah
want us to share our money and things with those who don't have it (the poor).


Ask your parents to let you know about the Zakah they give for your family. When do they give it during the year, and to whom? When you get a little older, maybe Insha’allah they’ll include you in the Zakah planning.


5. Hajj



If we can afford it and are healthy enough to make the trip, we are required to go once in our lives to Makkah and visit the Kabah during Hajj. We are called pilgrims. We perform many rituals while we're there, and we pray to Allah
to forgive us and guide us.


Makkah and Medina are very important and wonderful cities! Insha’allah when you go for your Hajj, you will feel the powerful feelings that most people talk about when they go. When you see the Kabah for the first time, you will realize that you are the closest to Allah
that you will EVER be while you are alive. Many people change a lot once they complete their Hajj, like a new person, and they make sure they are better Muslims once they go home. They decide to practice the religion of Islam as well as they can, because they feel fresh and strong. SUBHANALLAH! ALLAHU AKBAR!

What if Allah didn't take the time to bless us today because we didn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?


What if Allah decided to stop leading us, because we didn't follow Him anyway?


What if we never saw another flower blooming because we grumbled when Allah sent the rain?


What if Allah didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as HIS day?


What if Allah took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?


What if Allah stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?


What if Allah would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday?


What if Allah answered our prayers only in the way we answer His call to service?


What if Allah met our needs the way we give Him our lives???


We need to work hard to deserve the things Allah has given us. Be careful to give as much as you receive.

A CLEVER KING


There was a country long time ago where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he will be sent to an island after his one year of being a king. So, one king finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was the moment of sadness for all the kings who ruled for one year. After saying goodbye, the people took the king with a boat to the remote island and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be a king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be a king. People told him about all the rules and regulations and that how he will be sent to an island after one year.


After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. They agreed and took him to the island. The island was covered with thick jungles and sound of vicious animals were heard coming out of them. The king went little bit inside to see how it was and discovered the dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left in the island, the animals came and killed them. The king then went back to the country and requested the people to provide him with 100 strong workers. He was provided with 100 workers and he took them to the island and told them to remove all the deadly animals and to cut down all the trees. He would visit the island every month to see how the work is progressing. In the first month, all the animals were removed and many trees were cut down. In the second month, the whole island was cleaned out. The king then told the workers to plant gardens in various parts of the island. He also took with himself useful animals like chickens, ducks, birds, goats, cows etc. In the third month, he ordered the workers to build big houses and docking stations for ships. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. Nine months have passed like this. The king called the people and told them that "I know that I have to go the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now." But the people didn't agree to this and said that he have to wait for another 3 months to complete the year.


3 months passed and now it was a full year. The people dressed up the young king and put him on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to others. However, this king is unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, "All the other kings would cry at this moment and why are you laughing?" He replied, "Don't you know what the wise people say? They say that when you came to this world as a baby, you were crying and everyone was smiling. Live such a life that when you are dieing, you will be smiling and everyone around you will be crying. I have lived that life. While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefullly."


We should take a lesson from this story about how we should also live our life. The life of this world is to prepare for the life hereafter. In this life, we shouldn't get lost into the beautiful things of this world and forget about what is to come in the afterlife. Rather, even if we are kings, we should live a simple life like our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and save all our enjoyments for the hereafter. May Allah make it easy for us all.

The Islamic community had been left in ruins. It had been weakened and divided into small nations. The seeds of internal conflict had been planed and nurtured. Every effort had been made to draw society far away from the essence of religion, keeping people in ignorance and luring them with worldly incentives. Attempts to reform within an Islamic framework are still being suppressed. Religious practicing Muslims have become outcasts in their own society.


And yet it was the will of Allah, the Almighty, that this religion would survive - not only survive, but make a comeback. For at the same time that Islam is no longer "fashionable" in Muslim countries, people in the West itself are beginning to discover the truths of Islam which Muslims have neglected. And those who have not yet discovered Islam have at least noticed the great spiritual famine that has taken hold of western culture. They are now seeing before them the failure of the new freedom to bring satisfaction to the human soul. Mankind, in general, is in a state of worry, anxiety and despair. Before him is the failure of present political, social and economic systems to realize justice or to bring peace of mind to the human race. Man longs to believe in a purpose behind existence. He is finally beginning to understand the real need for a belief in God, for nothing else can take place - not a belief of mere words and rituals or of spiritual disciplines that neglect human needs, but a religion which includes every aspect of humanity: the mind, the body and the soul. And there is only one religion on earth that includes and satisfies all of these... Islam.


In spite of the obvious difficulties which appear to us now, the obstacles will lessen as more and more people seek an improvement and turn back to reason and to God. And this time, when men awaken and search, they will find Islam.


How long will this take? It is not important. The reward for those who work towards that end is guaranteed by Him who created the heavens and the earth, and the result is in His hands. By the will Allah, Islam has survived its darkest hour. And by His will, it can again spread its light to every corner of the earth.


"And Allah will give victory to those who support Him. Certainly is Allah exalted in strength and in power." - Surah al-Hajj 22:30


NOTE: Translated from Muhammad Qutb book of the above title. Those who may not know – Muhammad Qutb was brother of Sayyid Qutb (ra)

<b>Studying Islam in Mauritania @ Shaykh Murabit al-Hajj
</b>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The following article, written by Rami Nsour, provides some basic information about the school of Murabit al Hajj in Mauritania. For those who are serious about studying in Mauritania, it is recommended that you contact or visit the http://www.zaytuna.org/zaytuna/ Zaytuna Institute located in Hayward, California in person to receive more information.


Many people have heard of this traditional school in West Africa, but few have been able to get a good picture of the way studies are carried out there. Since it is located in a remote village, people also have many concerns about the living conditions there. Some people, not having adequate information have come unprepared or over-prepared (bringing unneeded items, which will only burden the person during the travel). Some people, after setting out to go to the school, became sidetracked and lost valuable time before reaching the school. Others did not reach the school at all, mainly due to not having information to contact people to aid them on their journey. The following information should help out those interested in the visiting the school of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj.


<b>THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OF MAURITANIA</b>


The traditional Islamic school in Mauritania is referred to as "mahdhara." It literally means "a fenced in or protected place." It has a long tradition going back to the Murabitun who came in and established institutions to train Muslims both spiritually and martially. They also divided the needs of the society among the present tribes. So, for example, certain tribes were appointed the duty of preserving the knowledge, and these tribes are known as the Zawaya. Other tribes were appointed the task of pursuing extensive martial training to protect the other tribes, and these became known as the Bani Hassan tribes. There were also tribes concerned with farming, some with carpentry or blacksmithing, and others with herding. The mahdhara was where the Zawaya focused their concern and succeeded in providing a system to disseminate the traditional Islamic sciences among the Ummah.


<b>ABOUT SHAYKH MURABIT AL HAJJ</b>


The mahdhara that most people have heard of is that of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj. His true name is Sidi Muhammad bin Salek bin Fahfu, and he is from the tribe of Massumi who trace their lineage back to the Himyar tribe of Yemen. The shaykh himself comes from a long line of scholars and is known throughout Mauritania for his knowledge and piety. After studying in the school of his father, he decided to make the trip to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage at the age of about nineteen. A total journey of about three years deserves a book to chronicle his experiences.


He traveled by foot crossing Mali, Niger, Chad, and Sudan and then by boat to Yemen where he then made his way to Mecca, spending time along the way teaching in many areas, and he was offered a position of teaching in Mecca. Although he had a great love to live in the city of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he did not think he could assume the right of being a neighbor to the Best of Creation (peace and blessings be upon him), and therefore he made his return journey home. It was after his journey to Hajj that his mother gave him the title "al Hajj."


The shaykh then spent most of his time in solitude worshiping through prayers, fasting, and reading the Book of Allah. Staying near the encampment (as they were still nomadic at that time), he rarely interacted with people and had his food and drink brought to him. It was only after students came to sit with him upon hearing about his knowledge that he left his solitary worship. He then spent most of his time teaching with little time for family, sleep, and other basic needs. He would teach late into the night by fire light and then get up in the last part of the night to pray. However, if a student came for a lesson, the shaykh would quicken or give up this time for prayer, as well as all other types of extra praying. He has continued this way of life up until the present day where he still teaches, and the only thing that has slowed him down, although not considerably, is old age as he is about 95 years old. May Allah give him a long life to continue benefiting the Ummah of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him).


Through his perseverance and sacrifice, Murabit al Hajj has produced many scholars, some of whom are his own children and cousins. At his present school, his cousin Shaykh Muhammad al Ameen; his son, Muhammad Tahir; and his grandson, Shaykh Abdullah bin Ahmadna teach alongside him providing a complete system to teach the necessary sciences. Also, throughout the village are people who have memorized the Quran and are able to teach it and usually have a few small children learning from them. The wives and daughters of the shuyukh also teach the Quran and the basic texts of fiqh. In addition, there are advanced students who also spend their time tutoring others.


<b>THE MAHDHARA OF SHAYKH MURABIT AL HAJJ </b>


The Mauritanian school system of the mahdhara is a microcosm of the traditional style of learning that was going on throughout the Ummah. Then, within Mauritania, the school of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj is outstanding in that it has preserved the traditional way more so than other areas due to the remoteness of the village, an area where not even the Mauritanians in general frequent. In the early 1970's, Shaykh Murabit al Hajj and his family decided to go down and live in a city that was being established nearby, Guerou, because the drought had made it hard to live in the badia (open land) since their lives depended on their livestock and seasonal farming. It was an easier life, but Shaykh Murabit al Hajj did not feel comfortable living there as he felt that people were drifting away from the Sunnah. So, in accordance with the hadith about the last days, he took his family and livestock and returned to the badia to protect his deen.


The present location of his school has, at times, up to 400 people. About 100 of them are students with the rest being the shuyukh, their families, other families that have come to live with Shaykh Murabit al Hajj, and seasonal workers. There are two other schools in the area which follow the same style of teaching and learning. About 20 km to the northwest is the school of Shaykh Murabit Ahmad Fal, who is the father of Shaykh Abdullah. Shaykh Ahmad Fal was married to the daughter of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj until she passed away. About 30 km east of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj's school is the school of the noble Shaykh Muhammad Zain (who is descended from the Prophet, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him).


The method of learning utilizes the lawh , or wooden tablet, whereby the text is written in charcoal ink on the tablet and then memorized and studied under the watchful guidance of the shuyukh. Everything that is studied is committed to memory, and this is one of the reasons why the scholars of Mauritania (also known as Shinquitt) made a distinguished presence wherever they went. The children first memorize the Quran, starting at about seven years of age. After memorizing it, they study the rasm, which is the science related to writing the Quran according to the 'Uthmani script. Next, they study the Quran a second time, though this time they write it on their tablets from memory. The first time they write it either having the shaykh write it for them, dictate it to them, or by looking at a mushaf (copy of the Quran). After that, they learn the dabt which is a science related to the differences between the two narrations of Nafi' (Warsh and Qalun). They then move on to pursue further studies in fiqh, grammar, aqidah and hadith.


The madhab of Imam Malik is taught using traditional texts. The text of Ibn Ashir, Imam al Akhdari, the Risala of Ibn Abi Zaid, Ashalul Masalik, Nathmu Muqadimaati ibn Rushd, and the Mukhtasar of Sidi Khalil are the main texts studied there for fiqh. As for grammar, they use the Ajrumiyyah, Mulhat al 'Iraab, Qatru Nada, and the Alfiyyah of Ibn Malik. In aqidah, they teach the Ash'ari creed using the texts of Imam Ash Sharnubi, Imam al Bulaym, Jawahar at Tawhid, and Idaah as well as other texts.


The school is very simple in its set up, and there is no registration, semesters, or tuition. Each student enters study at whatever level he is on and may begin at any time of the year. After learning the basic texts of fard 'ain (individual obligation), the course of studies is up to the student, although the shuyukh will generally recommend what each particular student should study. Once a subject has been chosen, the student will then write out a small section of the text onto his lawh and then go to the shaykh. The student will read it to him so that he can correct any mistakes, since the teachers there have memorized the texts. Having corrected the mistakes, if any, the shaykh will then give an explanation and answer any questions the student may have.


The entire sitting is one-on-one, and the student is given as much time as he needs for the lesson. This is very important because it allows the student to study at his own pace by going as fast or slow as he wants through the texts. Also, because of this independent type schedule, the student can come and go to the school any time of the year. Once the student finishes that particular lesson, it is studied the remainder of the day for the purpose of committing it to memory. By giving the entire day to study that one lesson, with no other subjects interrupting, the student can concentrate deeply and spend many hours reviewing it. This review comes through sitting with the other shuyukh who are at that particular school, getting tutoring from one or more of the advanced students who are there, and then memorizing it. This last point is the reason that a student studies only one subject a day and goes on to another text once that one has been completed.


<b>WHY HAVE MEMORIZATION OF THE TEXTS?</b>


Memorization of texts was the traditional way students all over the Muslim world would retain the knowledge they were seeking. There are many stories and sayings of the scholars emphasizing the need to have the text memorized, but there is a famous one of Imam Al Ghazzali with which many people are familiar. Imam Al Ghazzali had spent two years transcribing texts that he would be using in his studies. He then traveled with this library when brigands attacked the caravan. They began to take his books because books in those days were very valuable. He asked one of the brigands to at least leave his books and not take away his knowledge. The brigand responded, "What kind of knowledge is that if a person like me can take it away from you?" Imam Ghazzali realized then that Allah (glory be to Him) had made him say that, and he resolved to memorize any knowledge he pursued in the future. Imam Al Shafi' also stressed the importance of memorization, and there are many amazing stories about his power of memorization. He has some lines of poetry to the effect of, "My knowledge is with me wherever I go, and it is not in my trunk at home," meaning that his knowledge is not only recorded in the books of his library but also imprinted on his mind and heart.


<b>WHAT IS THE STUDENT LIFE LIKE?</b>


The place where Shaykh Murabit al Hajj has his school has actually become a village with many of the residents not necessarily being students. Depending on the time of year, the village, called Tuwamarat (a Berber word), can have up to 400 people. Of these, about 100 are students and the rest comprise of the shuyukh and their families, and other families who had moved there for the sole purpose of living and praying with Shaykh Murabit al Hajj. Additionally, there are a number of laborer families who do jobs for people in the village. These laborers take care of things from building the dwellings to fetching the water to preparing the food. All this is done for a relatively modest wage.


Part of the village is reserved for the students and part for the shuyukh. The masjid is in the center of the village, and the families are on the other side. The shuyukh and the families usually have adobe houses or the traditional sheep-hair tents. The students build small huts with wood frames and then cover them with cloth or canvas. Some students live together and build larger huts (15' by 20'). Others prefer to live by themselves and build small huts (8' by 10'). The students who live together help each other out with daily work such as cooking and fetching water. Other students who prefer not to deal with these chores usually hire some of the laborers to do the work. It is very inexpensive, relatively. Having 20 liters of water brought to you every day costs the equivalent of about $1.50 for one month. The type of food there is very basic and limited.


<b>WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?</b>


The food they usually eat is rice or macaroni for lunch, seasoned by either beef jerky or black-eyed beans, which are grown locally. In the night they usually have wheat cous-cous and sprinkle the jerky on it or add fresh meat when available. In the morning they have milk (when available) and bread cooked by a local baker when he is in the village. They also have dry wheat biscuits and dates that some people might have in the morning when the milk or bread is not available. As there is currently no butcher in the village, fresh meat is available only when a group of students or someone else slaughters a sheep or a goat and then divide the meat among those who participated in the purchase and butchering.


<b>WHAT IS THE WATER LIKE? </b>


The water in the village is from a well which has a pipe that goes about 270 feet down into the mountain. The power needed to bring the water up is supplied by solar panels which are so efficient that the power they generate can carry over into the night and continue pumping up the water. Another well of that type was recently drilled and will soon be providing water as well. The only difference is that the power source for the latter one is by a diesel generator. The actual water is of very high quality and is as clear as the water out of the tap here in the United States.


<b>IS THERE ELECTRICITY?</b>


The village does not have electricity other than the two solar panels which power the well and the three lights in the masjid. So, at night people get around using flashlights unless the moon is full enough to provide adequate light for moving around. The students who study at night usually don't need lighting as they use it for reciting Quran or practice other memorized material. The students who wish to use lighting at night can choose between the lighting in the masjid, flashlights, or candles. Batteries, flashlights, candles, and other basic materials are sold in the village. Some students have brought solar powered flashlights, and there is also room for people interested to bring solar panels from home to provide electricity for personal needs. The only advice for this is to buy quality products as the desert is very harsh, and only good products can withstand the conditions.


<b>WHAT IS THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE AREA LIKE?</b>


The village, known as Tuwamarat, is situated in one of the most remote areas in the world. Most people don't even know where the country of Mauritania is, and even more have not even heard of the country. Then, within that country, there is a mountain state known as Taganet (another Berber word meaning " the forest"), and most Mauritanians have not been to it. This is because the majority of the state is not accessible by roads, and the foot or animal paths are very rugged. The nearest paved road to Tuwamarat is a rugged 20km footpath or a 50km path that only the best 4x4s can travel on.


Many people may have a picture that only top trained people can reach this village, but keep in mind that all paths to the village have been traveled by old men, women, and young children. Then, in other situations, young strong men have refused to travel those same paths or, after travelling them once, have a hard time returning. The main reason for this is "Where there is a will, there is a way," and those who have a will to be in the company of some of the greatest men of Allah and seek sacred knowledge will look past the hardships and focus on the goal. So those young healthy men lost the will and therefore lost sight of the way.


<b>WHAT ARE THE SEASONS LIKE? </b>


The main season that people are concerned about is the summer which officially starts May 15 and goes to August 15, but the heat of the Sahara sets in about April and goes through July. (Precise temperatures may be obtained from some of the tourist websites of Mauritania.) The heat, like that of most deserts, is dry, not humid, and that makes it easier to tolerate. At the peak of the summer, the students usually take a two to three week vacation and either visit their families or go to the capitol, Nuwakshott, where it is cooler.


The summer begins to cool off as the rains of autumn begin, and this also turns the land green with grass. Autumn is officially from August 15 to November 15. Because of the abundant pastures and water, the animals in the village produce much milk which provides enough milk and yogurt for most of the students. From November 15 to February 15 is the winter which can get very cold at times. The cold does not actually start until about the end of November, and the months of October and November are actually very moderate months, oftentimes resembling the weather of California.


The cold of the winter is increased by ever-present winds which add to the wind chill factor along with the fact that most students don't live in the warm adobe structures. This does not hinder the studies of the students, and for many it actually causes their studies to increase. The reason for this is that the students often collect fire wood and then have a bonfire in the last part of the night both to keep them warm and give them light for reading their lawhs. Other students prefer to stay inside their huts and read by candlelight. With some extra clothing, such as sweaters and warm pants, it is actually not that hard of a season.


The spring is officially from February 15 to May 15. Because of the moderate weather, it is a good time for people who wish to study there to come and begin their studies. Arriving in the spring will allow one to adjust to the weather gradually, and so one will not have too much difficulty dealing with the heat of the summer that follows it.


<b>WHY WOULD ONE CHOOSE SUCH A REMOTE PLACE TO STUDY IN? </b>


Generally speaking, the life there is hard for even the Mauritanians, and more so for the people coming from the West who are accustomed to the luxuries of life. However, once a person experiences the serenity of Tuwamarat, all hardships are patiently borne. Studying with some of the most knowledgeable and God-fearing people is enough of a reward by itself, but there is another peace that is achieved there.


The isolation due to the location of Tuwamarat is something that all should experience. One type of isolation is from family and friends, as travelling in and out is hard, so many don't do it. There are no phones in the village, and the nearest phone is about one day's hard travel. This allows the student to spend his time focusing on the studies at hand. Imam Ghazzali mentions in his section on The Manners of Learning that studying far from one's home and not having many friends is essential for the student. Whereas most people do not have the discipline to implement this technique, those who are in Tuwamarat have no other choice than to follow this, and it works out for the best.


The other blessing that this isolation provides is separation from the vices of the city. Markets, cars, music, pollution of all types, and most other problems associated with the city are not present. This provides for such a pure environment that when a car comes to the village, its sound is heard long before it arrives. Then, once it arrives and after leaving, the stench of the diesel is quickly noticed by those near and far. Many people living in the cities take one weekend out of the year to go camping to try and "get away from it all." Allah (glory be to Him) has blessed those living and or studying in Tuwamarat with this peace every single day.


<b>WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW ARABIC?</b>


One can bring books designed to teach Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and then study them on one's own and get help from other students there who know Arabic, a few of whom learned the Arabic language, for the most part, there in the school of Shaykh Murabit al -Hajj. One of the most ideal books is the Kitab al Asaasi fi ta'lim al lughatil al 'Arabiyah (The Basic Book for Learning the Arabic Language). They are a set of three books and are the books used in the Syrian schools that teach Arabic. With the help of these books, it has been proven that the Arabic language can be learned at this particular school.


When I put this concern of non-Arabic speakers and their not feeling like they can go and study without the language to one of the shuyukh there (Shaykh Muhammad al Amin--the cousin of Shaykh Murabit al-Hajj), his answer was simple. He told me that the reason you go out to study is to rectify your worship of Allah through the traditional texts and that this can be done with having no knowledge of Arabic. Firstly, this is because you will learn the Arabic you need as you go through the text by using a dictionary and the translation. As for sitting with the shaykh and understanding him, there are students there that speak both Arabic and English and can translate for you. This is not a new thing and has been going on for some time. In fact, there was a student who could not hold a conversation in either Arabic or the dialect spoken there, and yet he had studied and memorized the fiqh text of Al Akhdari and (at the time this paper was written) was studying and memorizing the fiqh text of Ibn 'Ashir.


Then, after finishing the basic books, one can choose to move on to a more extensive book in fiqh, the Risalah of Ibn Abi Zaid, and this covers all chapters in fiqh. This book takes about a year, but after having completed it as well as the other books (which should take between two to three years), a person will be well grounded in the areas of knowledge and will have a basic or extensive command of the Arabic language. At that time, if one chooses to continue studying, one will no longer have to rely on translators, translations, or dictionaries and might even be able to do without them after a year. Another thing to remember is that one of the main things to study is the Quran, and that can be memorized without having any knowledge of the Arabic language. This is a promise that Allah has made by making the Quran easy to memorize and has been proven throughout the ages by Muslims from all lands.


<b>CAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN STUDY THERE?</b>


Everyone who wishes to come to the village is welcome, whether they come for a visit or for studies or just to spend their days praying behind the Murabit. The only thing that should be taken into consideration is the difficulty of the life there and the inadequate accommodations, especially for young children.


The Mauritanians themselves have a hard time living there, and they have had hundreds of years to adapt to the lifestyle. Inadequate food is not so much a problem for young men, but it may pose a danger to young children. Many of the young children there around two years of age will often eat dirt or sand, and they say the reason for this is a lack of vitamins. This is even present in some of the smaller towns, where although they occasionally have fruits and vegetables, it is obviously not enough. If you have children, you might consider having them study in a modernized country, such as Morocco, or at least one with adequate facilities. There they can learn the Quran and the other basic texts and then when older go continue their studies with the Murabit.


For those thinking about taking a family there, they should get in contact with many people before making any move. They should contact the Zaytuna institute, people who have gone to Mauritania, and people in Mauritania. Taking a family there without proper accommodations can be putting them in a dangerous situation which may lead them to catching a number of diseases which are present in Mauritania (such as malaria). One's hope of bettering the situation of one's family's spirituality can actually cause him to disobey Allah as the Law (Shari'ah) has required us to protect our bodies.


<b>WHAT IS THE COST OF LIVING?</b>


The cost of living will differ depending on if you choose to live in one of the schools in the badia (mountainous, desert regions) or in the city. As for the badia, after buying the materials you will use to build a place to live in and all the necessary utensils (between $250 to 500), you can figure about $20 a month for living expenses. The only thing you would add would be travelling expenses and the cost of the phones if you go down to the city to phone. The phones will range in price from $2 to $4 a minute. You might want to look into buying a satellite phone if you plan to stay a while and want to have regular contact with family or friends.


If you choose to live in the city, you might want to figure about $200 to $300 a month. Remember, these are only rough estimates for a single man, and even that will differ depending on his life style. If he is planning on bringing a family to live in the city, then he would have to figure out a different set of expenses, and he might better work that out after talking to someone from Mauritania.


WHAT IF I CAN'T STUDY IN MAURITANIA BUT LIKE THEIR TRADITIONAL STYLE?


There are students of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj who are now qualified scholars who live in areas where the living is more suitable. So, you don't necessarily have to give up the idea of Mauritania altogether. There are students of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj who are now scholars and teach in the cities, such as Nuwakshott, Kiffa, and Guerou. Life there is more suitable to people who may not be able to live in the badia. You can find an apartment with running water, electricity, etc. for about $50 a month. Many of the modern conveniences, such as phones and an abundance of fruits and vegetables that would make life easier, are found in the cities.


Another choice for people who like the traditional style of living is to go to some of the Mauritanian scholars who live in Medina and Mecca. There are a number of them there, and a few are students of Shaykh Murabit al Hajj.


<b>HOW DOES ONE REACH THE SCHOOL OF MURABIT AL HAJJ?</b>


The most important thing to do before travelling to Mauritania is to get in contact with people there who can help you once you enter the country to get to the school. To protect those people's privacy, these contact numbers are available through the Zaytuna Institute. To ensure that those numbers are given only to people seriously planning on going, you may be asked to fax a copy of your ticket or visa before you receive those numbers or to visit the Zaytuna Institute in person. For anyone interested in going, these contact names and numbers are very important as traveling to the school will be easily facilitated. The other thing to remember is that people who traveled not having these contacts often reached the school after much difficulty, and some did not even find the school and returned home. Thus, it is very important to contact and preferably to visit the Zaytuna Institute before making any plans for attending any schools in Mauritania. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala help those with sincere intentions. May He bless our shuyukh and all those who are striving to preserve this deen.


<b>Source:</b> http://www.ikitab.com/portal/ikitab/public...010926040259193

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu


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I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone and to know how was your Ramadan this year. I am sort of a new muslimah, I'm 3.5 years old . I've seen a lot of new muslims on this site and it is so inspiring and makes me so happy to read about people finding Islam!


So Ramadan is almost over, subhanAllah! This is the first year that I have tried to read the entire Qur'an during Ramadan, and alhamdulillah it has been such a blessing! Is anyone else having such a wonderful Ramadan?


I'm looking forward to joining the discussions on this site inshaAllah, I'm happy to find such a nice place for talking about Islam


wasalam