Help Me Decide Where To Go On Holiday

[Anyabwile]

Ok so here's the situation, i'm from the U.K. i've never ever been outside of my own country, i've never been abroad ever. Never been overseas, and i've decided along with this new fresh point in my life ISLAM, that it's time to take the brave step and go on holiday for the first time. This will be alone as i also need the time to think by myself about where i'm taking my life. The plan is for this to be the first of many trips overseas over the next few years. Too much western living...i want to see the other side and speak to the people, i need to escape!!!!


This will be sometime in March. Now preferably it would be somewhere i can flex my Arabic, because by then i would have completed three courses and be able to speak basic Arabic. Also i would prefer to go somewhere if not a fully Islamic society, then at least a society with a rich Islamic culture i can learn from and interact with.


The thought of going alone is obviously nerve racking but i think i need to do this. I need time to be away from my life if you will, away from the society i'm used to. Speak to new people, and eventually come back with a clear head and decide where i want to take my life next regarding my Girlfriend etc. I really need this and the funds will be there because of my new job. I would appreciate some suggestions.


Right now i'm looking at some where in Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia maybe Yemen. Not decided yet but suggestions and website Links would be appreciated. I'm gonna want rich culture and to see the history of the place, so areas like that. Away from British tourist spots or just away from common tourist spots in General. I'm prepared to walk you know what i mean? Do a bit of trekkin and that, so that's cool. Like i said i have no clue where to go, the above places i've read up on on the internet and they have all interested me but any suggestions would be appreciated. Im working straight for three months just for this, so price isn't really an issue as i will be saving.


I know it's all subjective, but suggestions please. Then i can look into this further. Before i found Islam it would have been a country with those i would consider my brothers (African Origin) but now i don't look at things like that. Anywhere there is Muslims, that's where i'll wanna be. Even if they don't look at it like that. So suggestions pleeease. When i do go i'll buy a webcam and post up pics...but i am gonna go, i need to. So help!

[NaSra]

Asalamalaykum Anya


I was born in europe and really much of what I have seen of the world is only the west, however I went to egypt when I was 9. It was just beautiful being able to hear the Athan 5 times a day. That is one memory I cherish very deeply, I will never forget the wholeness and inner happiness I just recieved from hearing the Athan. It's just beyond million words could ever explain, alhamdulilah. Hearing the Athan was soo glorious.


ok now enough about the Athan


One place Anya that I would suggest for you to go is <b>Saudi arabia</b>, go to Haj .


If I personally would want to leave the west for a muslim land, it has got to be the city of Madina. I suggest Madina for you.


This is what is what is soo special about madina:


<b>The Dajjal will not enter Madina </b>


<b>1780. It is related from Abu Bakr that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The terror of the False Messiah (Dajjal) will not enter Madina. On that day it will have seven gates with two angels at each gate."
</b>


<b>1781. It is related that Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'There are angels at the entrances to Madina and neither the plague nor the Dajjal will enter it." </b>


<b>1782. It is related from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There is no city which the Dajjal will not enter except for Makka and Madina. There will be no entrance which does not have angels in rows guarding it. Then Madina will shake with its people three times and Allah will expel every unbeliever and hypocrite."
</b>


<b>1786. It is related that Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O Allah, bestow on Madina twice the blessing You bestowed on Makka." </b>



<b>1789. It is related from Abu Hurayra that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Everything between my room and my minbar is one of the meadows of the Garden, and my minbar is over my Basin."
</b>


So as you can see, the Dajjal will not set a foot in madina and that means everyone who is in Madina will not go through the trial of the Dajjal (May Allah protect us from the evil Dajjal). That is why I love Madina so much, Its the city of the prophet and the Ansar.


I hope that I was helpful anya,


May Allah guide you to the place that can benefit your Islam and Faith the most ameen, may it even be China.

[Muslimah]

as salam alykom Traveller to be Anay


I echo Intution's suggestions. Haj is an obligation in Islam if u can afford it money and health wise.


So if u Insh a Allah looking forward for leaving somewhere near March, let me see. I think Haj Insh a Allah will be around end of Jan. I wonder if u shift your holiday schedule a bit. however, certainly Saudi Arabis IS the place. Of course meeting your brothers from Africa will bring u here to Egypt , but Saudi comes first for many reasons.


However, I must be honest with u, regarding the Arabic, none of the Arabic speaking countries speaks the classical Arabic u r learning. Rather has its own colloquial language. Well among them, Egyptian colloquial is the easist to understand . Why dont u go to Haj, which is enough of a trip to meet Muslims from all over, it is an informal Muslim convention, first then may be come to Egypt .

[umm Zachariah]

Assalamu aleikum brother,


Of course my sisters are so right - Saudiarabia next! That must always be the goal, the wish of the heart to fulfill the 5th pillar of Islam.


But if it will not be this year, inshaAllah it will be some of the next coming years. AND there is a bit also to prepare before you leave for Hajj, isn't there? To be practical there is some paperwork to be done, you need a visa for entry and learn a bit about the rituals and so on. And if you now are working full time until you are going, it may be tough. I don't mean to put it like a burden, just trying to be practical - sorry.


Sister Muslimah is right, the Arabic spoken in these northern part of Africa is not so very Arabic at all, it is very local. Here in Morocco we have two other languages besides Arabic and French. So pure Arabic is rather hard to find, unfortunately.


A trip out into the desert sitting and looking at the stars in the ABSOLUTE silence must be an experience never to forget. Silence, lonliness and darkness. AND a million thoughts, that will not be interrupted by anyone.


I wonder how Malaysia is? I have been there many years ago, and the atmosphere was so calm. All believers of different faiths living side by side. How may it be today? I think we have brothers or sisters living there that are members of this board - I am truly curious to know how it is today.


Indonesia, the largest Muslim community. Sounds very interesting. Do they speak Arabic - I don't know.


Whereever Allah, SWT, guides you, will surely be benefitting for you, inshaAllah.


Wasalam your sister

[Muslimah]

To be precise, only Middle Eastern countries are native arabic speakers, apart from that no. so Indeonisia and Malaysia dont.


O we all forgot to bring this to your attention. Insh a Allah as the case that eventually u would need to go to Saudi Arabia, u will need what proved u a Muslim. So I think in such case, to the best of my knowledge, u need to go to an Islamic center, declar faith, probably they will have u pronounce Shahada again, and they will give u a certificate Boo.


I know what Umm Zachria is talking about, but, if u make a sincere intention to Allah, Allah Shall Make it easy, open ways to fulfill the proceedings.


Try reading thru this thread, Insh a Allah u will grasp what we are trying to tell u about Mecca and Saudi Arabia


Anya looking at Ka`ba is breath taking Sobhan Allah. when u realize that Ka`ba is exactly established under Allah's Throne, when u visulaize that angles are circling around the throne just as we are circling around Ka`ba when u visualize that we are doing this only because Allah Commanded us to do so not in any way for this block of stones. O Anya Sobhan Allah, I have a lot to say. When u look how birds never, never and I stress, never cross over Ka`ba from any direction but rather circle around it to go from one direction to another. U will just know how much Allah Is there.....

[umm Zachariah]

Assalamu aleikum sister Muslimah,


Thank you for drawing my attention to WHO really is Arabic speaking, that is good to know.


Yes you are probably right, brother A surely must go to an Islamic center or maybe the mosque to be 'legitmate'. Alhamdulillah to have a paper in your hand that says that you are a Muslim. Sometimes when I hear some bad talk from other Muslims that are trying to 'tell me' that I am not legitimate, I want to say, 'I have a certificate stating that I am a Muslim - do you have one'? BUT sister that is only in my THOUGHT, I would never say that. It is just some kind of 'make me feel good thought' to myself. Alhamdulillah. So far Allah, SWT did prevent me from showing such bad temper.


MashaAllah sister when you describe Kabah, do I want to be THERE! I am longing to be there one day. InshaAllah.


''When u look how birds never, never and I stress, never cross over Ka`ba from any direction but rather circle around it to go from one direction to another. U will just know how much Allah Is there.....''


I remember very briefly when I was also a 'baby' someone told me about these birds. I don't recall from what Hadith maybe you know OR if I remember wrong (the old age 'problem') that the birds never fly across the Kabah due to that there is an invisible pillar (invisible for us humans) direct up to Allah, SWT. Do you know sister about this?


Wasalam your sister

[Anyabwile]

A trip out into the desert sitting and looking at the stars in the ABSOLUTE silence must be an experience never to forget. Silence, lonliness and darkness. AND a million thoughts, that will not be interrupted by anyone.

Ahh this is why i want to go as soooon as poss.


Of course no question Hajj is the aim but it's too soon i won't have no where near enough saved. That's the reason i decided to leave Hajj until next year. Even march is probably a bit early for me to have a holiday, i have no passport or anything so there's no way i could make Hajj this year.


The course i plan to do in Jan claims to teach modern arabic as well, i wish to learn classical to read Quran but modern to communicate. Thus the several different lessons. Even if i can grip a basic understanding it'd be fun to try and communicate.


Could i have more information on the muslim certificate, can this only be obtained in Saudi Arabia? Thank you VERY much for the responses, i'm going to look over some of these suggestions and decide. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are looking good right now though. Thank you again everyone...

[Muslimah]

as salam alykom Anya


the Muslim certificate can be obtained anywhere. Like here in Egypt, they usually go to Masjed Al Azhar, get it done on the spot. But from what I know is that u can seek any Islamic center or Masjed to give it to u Insh aAllah. In case u need to go to Saudi Arabia only for Haj or Umrah u d certainly need this.


As far as comparison, I must be honest with u, only in Saudi Arabia u d feel complete closeness to Islam. Here in Egypt, not all women abide by the Islamic dress code, 5 star hotels have discos and bars. well I dont want to make u sad. But in Saudi Arabia, nothing of the like.


U know what Anya, in Islam there is the concept of Istikhara. Which can best translate as consulting Allah S&T I know there was a post with the dua. I will look it up for u Insh aAllah


The concept is that u make 2 rak`a voluntary, then make dua after saying salam to consult Allah on the matter u r about to do. The Messenger SAW adviced the companions to pray this for any matter even the least important like going out to purchase a pair of shoes, for one never know if going out now is best or not, but Allah Does Know.

[Muslimah]

salam again


too many posts tonight


go here:


http://www.islamsms.com/bb/index.php?s...st=0entry1215


whole thread on Istikharah Insh a Allah may Allah reward amma for it.

[Peace in Ireland]

I hear Cyprus is a really nice place. It's got a good mix of Turks and Greeks, Christians and Muslims. The culture is a mix of European and Middle-Eastern. That may be worth checking out. Plus, cheese from Cyprus is AMAZING. But if cheese isn't your main attraction (as it is mine) you might want to look somewhere else.