First step to reading arabic is knowing the letters and how to pronounce them. This book was the one that helped me write arabic (aka - know the letters) and it has descpritions and examples with english words on how to sound out the letters. It's like a kindergarten book with the letters written out in light grey and you trace, then it leaves space for you to try it yourself.

You could even photocopy the pages and blow them up bigger - maby it could be something you and your girls could learn together if they are interested. Your husband could help you with how too


Write It in Arabic: A Workbook and Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Arabic Alphabet

My favourite is Mashary Rashid Alafasy.... on www.alafasy.com and he has beautiful nasheed too.

Rajaa- its normal to have ups n downs whats important is to realize u re in that phase n work on getting that good feeling again "khosho3".. its normal n its all about the internal struggle; remember the thawab "good points" u get when u try hard (: listen to lessons on that subject it gives u ideas or tips on how to get over that. i know im struggling too these days coz im obssessed with this visa process im guilty of having my mind occupied by it too much!! i need to relax! :S

Correction, religious muslims do not have pictures or statues on display in their homes for religious reasons..... extremely supersticious muslims may believe it's because demons live in them

Hay thanks... after the approval yesterday I tooK my time in prayer today very slow concentrating on everything I was saying in Arabic and translating it in english in my head and the meaning behind it. I think you are right sometimes we just have other things on our mind and this is a time I must clear and just focus on prayer..... Insha'allah the feeling will come back but the intense focus was very relaxing Alhamdolilah.

In my experience...no correction needed...they walk hand in hand. I want to clarify by saying extremist...in any area/religion can become supersticious.

Never heard of Muslims who do have images in their homes being called supersticious (demons living in them) rather I have heard that supersticious Muslims have the amulets like Hamza and Evil Eye, etc. Muslims who donnot believe in having images in the homes, fear that the images will be worshipped.

I wonder why Sufis have gotten such a bad rap?!

Did I miss a post about Sufis getting a bad rap?

No, you did not miss anything! I just wonder why some people say Sufis are not "real" Muslims and the whole bit?! ALot of misconceptions!

What? Alot of Muslims dismiss Sufis and Shia as being not "real" Muslims ... so I wonder but anyway forget it!

ooooooh... ummmm that's a hard one to answer and not have feathers ruffled you know what i mean? But I was so intrigued by part of your question I've been doing a lot of reading about the orgins of Islam and the rift between Shia's and Sunnah. I am having great conversations around this with a Shia friend of mine and it is requiring me to learn more about my religion overall... i love learning and this has been quite a path of discovery of my own path and others.

Sufi~ i haven't started my reading on that yet..and I stress YET cause i will Insha'allah. I've read some writtings but not enough to know anything other than I feel their hearts are beautiful..... my opinion so don't freak anyone please.

lol.... Rajaa

I'm with you on that one Rajaa. I think Sufis have beautiful hearts, at least from the things I have read about them, but I keep meaning to read something more in depth. I told my father about sufis (at least what I know) and he got really interested. My father is agnostic so I was suprised he wanted to know more.

I didn't mean it that way silly!! LOL I meant, none of us would mention that (or not those of us active enough on here! ) I have seen so many debates on it....we could share some articles if you wanted!

No one should freak Rajaa It's your opinion and you're entitled to it!

Sufism is very spirtual ... deeper then the just the rituals that many Sunni and Shia believe Islam to be about. But many debate that Sufis with all their mediation are doing bidna by devoting so much time to prayer/mediation ... leaving many other "must do"s out. Allahu Allem! In my personal experience, I have noticed Sufis are the most peaceful and wise people out there ... never seen one yet blowing up things! Sorry for that! But is true! Personally, I rather think about my "inner" then the outer world!

Thanks Nawal... you know how MENA can get and I think we're due for another one of our "tiffs"

Very True! But not from this chickie! Hehe. That's why I typically write "in my experience or in my opinion". Not that it works all the time. On another note, how are ya?

Good days and bad days you know??? I just got the hard copies of our NAO2 for cr1 and k3. So I guess I call NVC next??? i'll go check out loto's guide.

How are you doing? and I agree the "...." works with my and me and I I try not to interject my beliefs as fact that others are required to take... I think that helps .... hehe

OK... gotta share. So my husband likes me to see my mom and sister as much as possible.. not a problem they're in Portland I am in Seattle so it's a drive. So at the request of my husband and my mother I've gone down there two weekends in 4 weeks (every other weekend). Well the weekend is also the only time I get to see my husband... only two hours by day (sat & sun)so they are very special times for me.

My mother has a boyfriend that lives with her... he knows I am muslim as it's obvious by the scarf I fashion on my head.... he never seemed to mind or say anything rude. Well, yesterday (sunday) i was saying goodbye to my husband and started tearing up.....I miss him so and knowing this is the last time I get to see him for 5 days. My husband said "please, please stop crying" I got up and my mom was talking to him telling him that I just miss him and love him that all the girls in the family are crybabies..lol

I sit back down and finish my goodbyes.... get off the computer and my mother's BF said..."Dam* muslims next thing he'll want you to do is stop breathing" I went from saddness and soft in side to stone cold. I said excuse me! That is my husband... he only wants me to stop crying cause he loves me.... you just insulted my husband, my religion and me.

I told my kids "let's go" we started packing... my mother yelled at him about respecting someone even if they don't understand... but iwas so mad i could only see RED and tears were flowing. my mother begged me to forgive him for being naive that she loved me but that i should've known noone would except my conversion.

I left... saddend I told my husband on the phone what had happened and now he doesn't want me to go anywhere near that man.

Any suggestions? I love my mom and my sister that lives with her is going to have a baby soon.. my only nephew! uuuuggghhhhhh

Rajaa

Im so sorry to hear u go thru this!!! subhan Allah its obvious he was just waiting for anything to make a comment!!! may Allah guide him!! dont let it get to u.... i think u ve done enuff to show what he did was wrong n that he doesnt even know what he is talking about!! i think u wait till things calm down n again in awhile ur husband will cool off too.. and may be when u visit again u just totally ignore that man even when he talks just avoid any convos!

Rajaa, I hope you can find a common ground for your family's sake with the BF. I will share a little of what I have found.

I have been muslim for 6 years..and just when I think it is accepted by my friends and family, I will catch a little wiff of 'OMG I cant belive you just said/did that' to something.

My friend Tiffany, her and her husband have known about my choice of religion for YEARS, yet when I put something from Quran on my Myspace and a Jordan flag...her husband was pissed at me :| Did it hurt my feelings? hell yea.

Be strong. Hold up your head and you be the one to show him compassion and understanding. Don't fuel his fire. You can't change the world. But you might be able to change one narrow-minded BF Respect what your husband asks, but DO keep breathing if he tells you to stop

Jackie

You gotta have a thick skin to be a minority, and it helps to accept that not everyone will see you as you see yourself. I found that it's best not to react to malicious statements with emotion and let them get the satisfaction that they got a rise out of you. Besides, not everything needs to be a fight. Just remember, God must love idiots coz He made so many of them. That will take you a long way.

Hugs Rajaa... ((((((Rajaa Reda)))))

Rajaa,

Hold your head up girl and be proud! You know in your heart you are right and this man is wrong. My husband dealt with something similiar the other night from an ignorant family member which is also a good friend of his. This man said he hated Muslims that they wanted to take over the world and this and that....Well, I said to him, I would have choked him! He said no, that is not the way that God wants you to deal with people like that. He said he was patient, didn't want the other person to feel wrong with their belief but he started saying things to an extent that he struck the man's curiosity. This man says things like why don't you drink? My husband will explain to him what the Koran says and that it is bad for you. He was so ignorant he said it wasn't bad for you...okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! I would want to say stupid but not Ayman, he let him talk and didn't take it to offense. He said next time I will show him something about the Koran and drinking...strike his curiosity again. Also, this same person told my husband he prays to a false God. He prays to the bloodline of Ishmael.....where in the world did this come from?? Ayman did explain I pray to the same God you would, the one that created the world and Adam and Eve.

I wanted to share this recent experience with you to see it happens all of the time. See Rajaa, the ignorance can be everywhere. You are in a minority but not the wrong minority. I think you will have to overlook this man but show him that God is merciful and that you can be merciful too. He made that remark because of ignorance which unfortunately we have a lot of in our country due to wrong perceptions that the media often gives. You love your mother and sister and do not let this interfere with your relationship with them.

Tasha

Unless he was talking about the 12th Mahdi and Isa's return, which somehow I doubt, then it sounds like he is just going of conjecture. People should learn about a little somehting called tact and keeping their mouths shut

I know and I get so embarassed sometimes at things he says. This is my sister's husband and she often says just keep it shut if you have no clue. He actually told my husband my Bible just says SURVIVE! Ohhhhhhhh, that foolish man!

girl that sucks. I hate hearing that anybodies family is against them in any way.

I keep getting anti-muslim e-mails from my dad and it really hurts my feelings. What happens is that he sends emails he likes to everybody in his address book without thinking about WHO its going to. He knows about my choice to be Muslim and he says that whatever makes you feel closest to God is the path you should take. But then he sends this stuff..arggggggggg.

Then there's my mother who made me promise not to make her grandbaby live his life with his head on the floor! I haven't told her of my decision yet and don't know if I ever will. My sisters both know as well but I can't muster up enough strength to tell my mother, aunt, and grandparents. Is it necessary to tell them?.....

Rajaa, I'm so sorry this happened to you. Discrimination in all forms sucks so bad. My uncle has said some things in jest about my husband's ethnicity that have made my DH and myself thoroughly pissed...so pissed that he doesn't want to see him again.

Not that it would make you feel better but better thorn in someone's a## but a faded memory I say! I have alot of these "hate" family reaction to my religion and me coming here ... but in the end of the day - WHO THE HELL CARES! They donnot walk in your shoes ... so they will never know! Just as someone already said, Keep your head real real high and use that ignore button! Even in real life! You will soon have your SO with you ... focus on that!

Thanks eveyone... I knew I could find the support.. and JJ my husband would never ask that in fact he swore in Arabic on the phone when i told him and I said "Baby?" he said"what? "you shouldn't say that" he laughed so hard cause I knew what he said was a bad word. lol,

We want to move to Portland to be near family but there is a bigger muslim community in Seattle. In the end as REda says we should only care what Allah, him (or me) thinks and noone else.

I know I should do as he requested but have no idea where to stay if I can't stay with my mother and driving down for the day is just not an option with kids. Anyway, i'll let it all cool down I would love to get him (BF) in a conversation around this but he just has a closed mind and heart.

it's times like his i feel so lonely it's nice knowing I have you guys no matter what or when...Shoukran

Rajaa

Well said Tasha!

Best of luck Rajaa. Thank god for good friends and good advice here! Big hugs and I'm sure everthing will work itself out. God always has a plan!

you are right....

And on a good note today we have a new sister to the Muslimah community!!!! I won't say her name and she'll say if/when she is ready but it makes my heart happy to hear things like that.

Mabrook and you know who you are!!
Rajaa

I told her in a PM i'd kiss both her cheeks and say Mabrook.. just not the same when you are not in person but i remember when I converted..all the huggs and kisses I got lol

Hugs and kisses to my new sister May this Ramadan be blessed for you and your family.

Jackie

Awwwww masha Allah!!! ALLAHU AKBAR if that person doesnt mind me knowing someone plz PM with her name so i wd say mabrook to her.


Rajaa me n my huband n his family want to move to seattle in a couple of yrs. if u dont mind telling me more about it in a PM:D

Congrats to the new Muslima...I'm happy for you to find your path in your faith. May your soul sing the praises of Allah- and may your joy eminate from within.

Bless you and your family at this special time.

sure... pm me with questions and i'll answer as best as I can insha'allah... always love to have more muslimahs around hehe

been a while thougt i'd bump it back up

Did I miss something? Someone take chahada? If so ... then ALIF MABROUK to them!

Well, it was me, I did my Shahada last week! I have studied Islam for almost two years now and feel that it is the religion for me. I will not go into all of the reasons why I converted and did my Shahada because I don't want to cause any controversy with any Non-Muslims but I feel very good about my decision. I was Christian for 32 years before then, studied the Bible, previously taught Sunday School and knew what I was doing when I decided to accept Islam.

My poor husband caught the bad end of the deal there for awhile. I would say show me this or show me that and he would just point and say find out for yourself. I would yell and say I'm asking you, tell me, show me!!! He would say if God is leading you, you will find your way love. I now know that it is because he didn't want me to think that it was something I had to do for him or for anybody to say I did it for him. He wanted it to be something that I felt from my heart and led to do on my own. And for this I am extremely grateful to be married to the man that I love. Through his actions did I see how peaceful Islam was and should be and through his devotion did I see him living as an example for the love of Allah. Seeing this is what struck the curiosity to learn more and then I was able to let go of my preconceived misinterpretations as Allah led me through my new journey.

I want to say thank you to all of you that Allah guided to help show me my way. I know some of the questions I may have asked may have seemed silly to some but it meant a lot that some of you were willing to go the extra mile to help me to understand.

I'm taking it easy and slowly and learning every day. Jackie and my hubby are helping to learn Al Fatiha and I think I am almost finished with it minus a few verses. I am praying beside my husband have got the movements down, just learning the Arabic for the prayer and concentrating on the meaning so I can feel it when I pray.

Please remember me through my new journey in life. I pray that one day I can be a light to others as some of you have been to me. I pray that I can be a good wife, mother and servant to Allah. Thank you again.

Mabrook!!!!!!!!
You are doing just right.. Taking it slow and we are all, always learning!!!
fi amen Allah, I know he will!!!

Alf Mabrook

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Aymsgirl! ALIF ALIF MABROUK! Just in time for Ramadan! Wishing you all the best ... enchallah you will enjoy this Ramadan and benefit from the power-packed month of spirtuality!

Have you signed up for courses during Ramadan or planning to attend the Tarawee prayers? If you are, plz let us know how it went ... what you felt! HUGS AND MABROUKS again!

Ready for the next line?

Welcome to Islam my sister.

Jackie

Mabrook! I'm so happy to hear this

Your husband sounds alot like mine in his responses and I'm glad you realize this was a good and helpful thing. I am beyond happy that I converted for myself after researching the religion myself and it wasn't for him. This is something that is for you, but you both can share together. It's wonderful that he is helping you with your prayers and how to say the arabic. Keep taking it slow and learn something new everyday, and before you know it you will be a pro

Alf Mabruk indeed!!! my thought to you is this - take everything slowly and learn "at your own pace". If you ever want to chat, holla at me!