THE ISLAMIC WAY OF LIFE

To all those who find comfort in Preface

This booklet grew out of years of volunteer work by this author in a local prison helping with the Islamic program. It is meant for new who are yearning to be introduced to their faith without too much scholarly endeavors. It does not intend to be precise nor complete and thorough. Instead, it tries to be light-hearted and inspiring and presents a middle-of-the-road moderate view of Islam that empowers and helps many during difficult times in their lives.

Muslims are demanding on themselves and lenient with others. They do not settle for mediocrity. They generate their own inspiration and have reserves to reach deep down into when needed. It is heartwarming to see brothers and sisters change for the better and grow in their lives and in their faith, yearning for self-control and empowerment. Their first steps are wobbly, their pronunciation of the words are less than perfect, but they just keep on going like deep sea diving. The deeper they reach, the more precious the results are. It’s amazing!

The program described here is based on the Qur’an and the tradition of , the Sunna. It is strongly based on the positives that help personal growth. The goal is to shed what we do not like in ourselves and strive to acquire good habits and moral qualities: shedding anger and gaining patience, shedding arrogance and gaining humility, shedding carelessness and gaining compassion for others is a lofty goal; may be ambitious, but worthwhile. The idea is not to expect the entire world to change, but to look for change in ourselves.

This booklet lays out the Islamic toolbox: basic beliefs, prayers, , charity, basics of the Islamic law, etc. The works! It covers practical aspects such as what is acceptable and what is to be avoided. It gives the prayer calendar and discusses how it is arrived to. It also explains the lunar calendar. Excerpts from the Qur’an are also included. Useful resources are included at the end.

Many books cover the same material in a much more scholarly way. Here, a humble attempt has been made at including only what is necessary for new Muslims in the US at the right dose. Especially those that do not have access to well supplied Islamic libraries. For example, no Arabic characters are used throughout. Only transliteration is used when necessary.

This booklet is dedicated to all those who participated in this program and benefited from it.

2 Transliteration of the Arabic Sounds

The Arabic sounds comprise the following 28 consonants.

Sound Example Sound Example

‘a ‘apple d dwarf b banana t Italy t table dh those th thumb ^a gag reflex letter j jungle gh gargle letter h coughing letter f fox kh snoring letter q back-throat k d dear k kangaroo dh there l love r Spanish r m mother z zebra n nice s sun h hotel sh shy w water s salt y yourself

Arabic also uses 3 short vowels and 3 long vowels. a Safia aa u ^Umar oo Noor i ‘Amin ee Kareem

This transliteration convention is adopted all throughout. However, some liberties are taken to keep the writing simple.

>> Most of the long vowels are replaced by short vowels. For example, Qur’aan is written Qur’an, ‘Ibraheem is written ‘Ibrahim, in the text. When transliterating parts of the Qur’an, however, long vowels are kept in order to stay true to the basic rules of recitation. >> The first sound (epiglottal stop ‘a) is omitted when at the beginning of a word. For example, ‘Imam is written Imam, etc. >> The closing h at the end of many Arabic words is omitted (for example is written Sunna, etc). >> When using the article al, the usual contraction for the “solar” Arabic letters is eliminated. For example, Ash-Shafi^i is written Al-Shafi^i, etc.

The Italic font is used for transliterated Arabic words.

3 Preface ...... 2

Transliteration of the Arabic Sounds ...... 3

Islam and Muslims ...... 6 The Declaration of Faith ...... 6 Striving to Do Good ...... 7 Islamic Beliefs ...... 7 and Spirits ...... 8 ...... 8 Prophet Muhammad ...... 9 Revealed Books ...... 9 The Holy Qur’an ...... 10 ...... 10 Traditions of the Prophet ...... 11 The Tradition of ...... 11 The Islamic Civilization ...... 12 Muslims in the World ...... 12

The Islamic Prayers ...... 14 The Ritualistic Cleansing ...... 14 The Call to Prayer...... 15 The First Two Basic Prayer Units (Rak^as) ...... 15 Prayer Recitation Requirements ...... 17 The Obligatory Daily Prayers ...... 18 The Optional Daily Prayers ...... 19 The Prayer (Jumu^a) and the Holiday (^Eid) Prayers ...... 20 Other Optional Islamic Prayers ...... 20 Perpetual Daily Prayer Calendar ...... 21 Final Words ...... 23

Fasting in Islam ...... 24 Fasting in General ...... 24 The Islamic Fasting ...... 24 The Month of ...... 24 Optional Fasting ...... 25 Benefits of Fasting ...... 25

The Islamic Lunar Calendar ...... 26 The ...... 26

The Charity Tax in Islam ...... 28 What is ? ...... 28 The Zakat Rates ...... 28 Who Benefits from Zakat? ...... 29 Other Charity Taxes ...... 29 Moral Standing ...... 30

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The Islamic Law ...... 31 The Sunni Schools of Law ...... 31 Basics of the Islamic Law (Shari^a) ...... 31 The Shia School of Thought ...... 32 How About Now? ...... 33

The Lawful and the Forbidden ...... 34 What is Lawful? ...... 34 What is Forbidden? ...... 35 Islamic Etiquette ...... 36

Excerpts from the Qur’an ...... 37 A Few Short Suras ...... 37 A Few Supplications ...... 39

Frequently Asked Questions ...... 40

Closing Remarks ...... 43

List of Islamic Words and Expressions ...... 45

List of and Islamic Centers in the greater DC area ...... 48

5 Islam and Muslims

One of the meanings of the Arabic word Islam is peace. Islam is the last monotheist religion to mankind. It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 1400 years ago. Muhammad came after a long lineage of prophets including , and . Islam is based on a simple prescription referred to as “the five pillars” consisting of: (1) the declaration of faith, (2) the prayers, (3) fasting, (4) charity and (5) the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mekka for those who can.

This package deal consists of a set of ritualistic functions that can lead to an inspired- spiritualistic state. The main goal is to gain closeness to through acts of genuine worship that help us become better human beings. This certainly is no trivial task. It is a journey that lasts a lifetime. Some of the road is bumpy. Hardship could come from having to endure unusual conditions: illness, the loss of loved ones, living under oppression or incarceration. In Islam, hardship is welcomed as much as easiness. For, hardship is the faith-building endeavor that prompts us to question our old ways and hopefully seek positive change and answers to hard questions. What is the ? Why does it have to happen to me? Where did I come from and where will I end up after it is all over? Why is there so much hurt in the world? Why is there hatred and anger? How can I get rid of the anxiety in my life? Trying to make sense of it all is a challenging and worthwhile endeavor. The process of finding answers to these age old questions often involves looking into other faiths and philosophies. In this journey, Islam may be just another stop for you or it may be the final destination. If Islam has put your heart at ease, welcome home. When interviewed, most new converts would say “no one converted me”. They would add “I got convinced that the Qur’an is the word of God and this way of life works for me”.

The Declaration of Faith

This is a rather simple procedure to induct someone into the religion of Islam. It involves committing, in front of three Muslim witnesses, that “there is no other deity except the true God (Arabic word is ) and that Muhammad is the humble servant and messenger of God”. Those are but a few words that carry a heavy meaning. Before someone can attest to that and call himself/herself a “Muslim”, one has to be convinced of those basic statements. Many Muslims inherit their religion from their family but a multitude of others discover or rediscover Islam on their own.

When someone asks to take this “Oath of Faith”, he/she is advised to think about it some more before committing because Muslims believe that this is an irreversible process that should be taken seriously. The seriousness stems from the fact that Islam is more than a religion; it is a way of life. It encompasses all aspects of a Muslim’s life. Daily prayers occupy a central part in this. But there is also fasting, the remembrance of God (a form of meditation called ), help to others, etc.

6 Striving to Do Good

God created us in the most perfect way. He has given us “natural tendencies” which tend to keep us out of trouble. Most people tend towards (and are attracted by) good actions and beautiful things and abhor meanness and violence. He has given us intelligence to distinguish us from other living things and the ability to choose between right and wrong. We also have lower animal instincts that help us survive, evolve in our harsh environment and fulfill our basic needs. These instincts are to be controlled and disciplined so that they do not overtake our behavior. Our “reptilian brain” keeps us attached to the things of this world whereas our inner nature leads us to spirituality and surrender to a higher order.

Humans have free will within the realm of what is possible for them. I have the ability to choose to be thankful for what happens in my life or choose to be bitter and angry for what others may have done to me. Choosing to concentrate on the positives is the best way towards growth. The more I grow, the more I realize that it is better for me to give up control, to stop trying to control the world and just try to curtail my own shortcomings. No one else is to blame for my own doings. If I transgress against anyone, I am transgressing against my own well being.

When I see something wrong, I am required to fix it. If I cannot, I am required to speak up vehemently against it. If I cannot even do that, I am required to feel bad about it. This is the weakest form of commitment. This is a rephrased saying of Prophet Muhammad.

Islamic Beliefs

Like other “” (those who follow the and the Old Testament), Muslims believe in God (Allah), his angels, the revealed books, and his messengers. They also believe in a greater justice dispensed by God and that everyone is accountable on the Day of Judgment.

It is nice to believe in God without any partners or other deities. This is a genuine belief, in the true God who created everything and who takes care of everything. Modern science is starting to understand how intricate the universe and life are. This limited understanding brings about a sense of awe. Powerful telescopes can now observe galaxies 14 billion light years away while still part of our fascinating universe. Modern geneticists have now decoded the human genome (the Book of Man) encrypted in our DNA. They are now isolating the building pieces (genes) that control the various aspects of our physiology, character traits and immunity. Soon, modern medicine will cure illnesses through gene therapy. What an encouraging and inspiring view into God’s intricate and wonderful creation.

Having stated the textbook version of Islamic beliefs, the following question comes to mind. What does it really mean to be a “believer”? Some would say that everyone who is committed to helping others and never expects anything in return from them is a believer. It is better to seek reward from God. A believer is someone who keeps a moral and just behavior not in order to please people or for their own best interests but because they

7 want to please God. The world boxing champion Muhammad ^ is a believer because he refused to participate in the Vietnam War for moral reasons. This cost him his title and much more. He took the moral high ground no matter what. An unbeliever is someone who is focused solely on himself, his own interest, his own profit, his desire for power and control over other people’s lives. An act of unbelief is to insist on spending one million dollars to prolong the life of an old man (in a semi-comatose state) by a couple of months knowing that he will never wake up again. Why not let him go back to his maker? He would be in a much better world! Deceitful advertising, all of the filth on TV, political stunts to get reelected are further examples of locking onto the things of this world without regard to fairness or decency, and without fear of doing wrong.

Keeping our faith focused on God and God alone is essential for keeping it pristine and true to its original message. For example, Muslims believe that God is separate from his creation. Many humans believe that “God is in them”, they start feeling and acting special. Pretty soon, they start claiming that they are “directly inspired by God”. People start looking at them as divine. Muslims strive to keep away from this mind trap. They do not want to be glorified.

Angels and Spirits

Muslims believe in Angels. Angels are the tireless workers that help direct our lives. Sometime angels are sent in human form. The Qur’an mentions for example, that God sent an (in the form of a man) to Mary giving her the good news that a new son (Jesus) will be born to her even though no man ever “touched” her. Some angels are mentioned in the Qur’an by name: Gabriel (Jibra’il) is the angel that brought down the revelations, and ^Azra’il is the Angel of Death. Angels record the deeds of human beings; they can protect from harm and bring peace. Angels never feel pride and cannot disobey. Angels are always perfect.

Jinns are spirits that live in another dimension. Even though we cannot see them, they are real. Like humans, have limited free will and are prone to arrogance and emotions. Their favorite occupation is to tempt humans into doing mischief. Stories of haunting involve manifestations into our world of reality. Humans can achieve a state superior to that of jinns. For our own sanity, we are strongly advised not to try to deal with spirits through sorcery or magic.

The Qur’an states that angels are created from light, jinns are created from a smokeless fire and humans are created from “clay”. Humans are what they are because of what they eat. All food originates in one way or another in mother earth. Clay is the top silt “dirt” layer that sustains life.

Prophets

There were thousands of messengers and prophets sent by God to mankind. Only a few are mentioned in the holy books. The Qur’an mentions 24 of them by name. These include: Abraham (Ibrahim), his sons (Ishaq) and (Isma^il), Isaac’s son (Ya^qoob), Jacob’s son (Yusuf), Moses (Musa), Moses’ brother

8 (Haroon), (Dawood), David’s son (Sulayman), (Yahya), Jesus (^Isa) and Muhammad. God states explicitly in the Qur’an (2:284) “We do not differentiate between the various Messengers”.

Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad was born in Mekka, Arabia in 570 AD. He lost his father (Abdullah) before birth and his mother (Amina) at age 6. Even though he grew up as an orphan, his childhood was full of affection and care first from his nurse (Halima), then from his grandfather (Abdul Muttalib) till age 8 and then from his uncle (Abu Talib) till manhood. He was a highly respected and honest man. At age 25, he married a rich woman (Khadija) who was 40 years old. At age 40, he received his first revelation from God through Angel Jibra’il. When revelations forming the Qur’an became a threat to the social order in Mekka, Muhammad and the small Muslim community were persecuted and abused by members of the Quraish tribe in control. Some Muslims migrated to Abyssinia (present day Ethiopia) across the Red Sea. The Prophet and those close to him were boycotted for a period of three years whereby no one was allowed to interact with them. These were the saddest years in the Prophet’s life. His dear wife of 25 years (Khadija) and his uncle and protector (Abu Talib) died. In order to encourage him and boost his moral, God took the Prophet for a one-night journey first to then to the seventh heaven. There, he met with other prophets and received the final format for the Islamic prayers. This was a truly special experience for the Prophet. But there was much more hardship before easiness would come. Persecution by the pagans culminated in an assassination attempt which forced the Prophet to flee Mekka and settle in another city 300 miles to the north (). Muslims choose this history marking event as the beginning of their calendar (year 622 AD corresponds to year 1 AH or After Hijra).

In Medina, the Prophet and the Muslims that migrated with him (the Muhajiroon) were welcomed by the folks of Medina (the Ansars). Freedom and the ability to determine their own destiny brought to the Muslims of Medina a thriving society based on the teachings of the Qur’an and under the leadership of the Prophet. Many assaults and military attacks upon Medina were unsuccessful and helped the Muslims get stronger in faith and otherwise. A caring functioning society thrived. Islam stormed the hearts of people; even former enemies converted. Mekka and the whole of Arabia were completely pacified under the banner of Islam within 10 years. When the Prophet died at age 63 (in 632 AD), he left a completed holy book, the Qur’an, a set of his own teachings and traditions and committed Muslim companions and followers.

Revealed Books

God has sent revelations many times in the history of Mankind. The best known holy books are the revealed to Moses, the Zaboor to King David, the New Testament to Jesus, and the Qur’an to Muhammad. The Qu’ran was revealed in the Arabic tongue. It was revealed and put down in writing entirely before the death of Prophet Muhammad. In the Qur’an, God mentioned the “Mother Book” from which all revelations are derived.

9 The Holy Qur’an

The holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years (from age 40 to his death at age 63 in year 632 AD). Revelations of the first 13 years (in Mekka) are of an inspiring nature. They call on people to wonder and ponder upon God’s creation. Look at the stars in the sky, the civilizations that flourished (and are gone), the intricate balance of nature, human behavior, life and death, etc. Someone sincerely seeking inspiration is bound to receive this message loud and clear. Revelations of the next 10 years in Medina were of a more practical nature. They addressed pressing social issues that needed to be resolved for the fledgling Muslim community; how to protect orphans and widows, what are the rights of women, what are good business practices, etc.

All revelations were written down during the life of the Prophet. He had many scribes writing down revelations as soon as they came down to him. Muslims also memorized the Qur’an by heart. Revelations came down not sequentially but were sometime prompted by events in the life of the community. The Prophet told the companions how to classify the various verses (Ayahs) in the various chapters (Suras). By the time he died, the Prophet left a pile of manuscripts (written mostly on animal skins) bundled into the 114 Suras in the room of his wife ^. A couple of years after the Prophet’s death, ^Umar ibn al-Khattab borrowed this original version and asked some companions (under Zayd ibn Thabit’s leadership) to compile the first master copy of the Qur’an (referred to as Suhuf ). A few years later, when Islam had spread all over the region, six copies of the original were made and sent to the major centers of the new territories. The Qur’an was written down and kept true to its original that early, but writing down traditions of the Prophet was discouraged from fear that they might contaminate the original Qur’an. The Arabic script evolved during these early years of the Islamic civilization. Diacritical marks and then vowels were added. Grammar was worked out when many non- (Persians for example) entered the fold of Islam. God in the Qur’an stated that he will protect his holy book. This protection has, so far, been very effective. We have been handed down the original revelation in its original tongue, Arabic.

Muslims were reluctant to translate the Qur’an into other languages for a long time. This encouraged non-Arab Muslims, the Persians and the Turks for example, to learn the Arabic language. It is not until the last couple of hundred years that translations started showing up. Nowadays, the Qur’an has been translated into every imaginable language. When recited in its mother tongue, it remains, however, healing to the soul. It is heartwarming to see American Muslims’ eyes get wet when they hear the Qur’an being recited. Even though some do not understand the meaning of the Arabic words, their heart is receiving the message. To this day, the Qur’an remains the most memorized book.

Paradise

Like in many other faiths, Muslims believe in an afterlife. Paradise and are described in the Qur’an and in the traditions of the Prophet. Paradise is a place of comfort for those who succeeded in minimizing their attachments to this world. In it, there is no pain, worry, hurt or sadness. Everyone in it is perfectly healthy and happy. The Prophet stated

10 that everyone will ultimately get to enter paradise except for those who refuse. Paradise can be entered from any of the 8 gates depending on the deeds. Some will get there because of their patience and perseverance, others owing to the kindness of their heart and their unconditional love. A basic requirement for admission is getting rid of anger, hatred and bigotry.

Traditions of the Prophet

Islam spread very fast through the Middle East, East and North Africa, Persia and India. It reached Syria, and Persia within a few years after the death of the Prophet. It reached North Africa then Spain by 711 AD (less than 100 years after Hijra). When Islam’s expansion slowed down, a thriving civilization developed. During the ^Umayyad dynasty (capital at Damascus), then the early part of the ^Abbassid dynasty (capital at Baghdad), the Islamic society was “effervescing” with new ideas and knowledge in sciences, medicine, mathematics, law, etc. After a few generations, Muslims felt the need to structure the legal and religious aspects of their faith. A number of scholars took it upon themselves to compile the traditions of the Prophet. They used a great deal of care to keep only authentic traditions () as transmitted through chains of reliable narrators going back to the Prophet. These compilations took place around 100 to 200 years after Hijra. The best well known of them are Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Bukhari, Sunan Abu-Dawood, Al Muwatta of Imam Malik, etc. During pretty much the same time, some of these scholars developed into legal (Shari^a) scholars.

The basis of the Islamic Shari^a is the Qur’an and the Tradition (Sunna) of the Prophet comprising what he did (Seera) and what he said (Hadiths). The major schools of law were formed during that period of Islamic history. Leaders of that movement include (lived at Kufa in Iraq), Malik ibn Anas (lived at Medina), Al-Shafi^i (lived in ) and Ahmed Ibn Hanbal (lived in Baghdad). The main Shi^a school of law was formed by Ja^far al-Sadiq.

The Tradition of Gabriel

A well-known Hadith referred to as the tradition of Gabriel (Hadith Jibra’il) was reported by ^Umar ibn al-Khattab. It goes like this: “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of God, there came to us a man with exceedingly white clothes, exceedingly black hair, not showing signs of travel and not known to anyone of us. He sat in front of the Prophet, with his knees against the Prophet’s and his hands on the Prophet’s thighs and said: ‘Dear Muhammad, tell me about Islam’. The Messenger of God replied: ‘Islam is to believe that there is no other deity besides Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, that you establish prayers, practice charity, fast during the month of Ramadan, and go on pilgrimage to the house of God (Mekka) if you can’. The man said: ‘Very well’. (^Umar said) We were amazed that he was asking questions and approving of the answers in this way. Then he said: ‘Tell me about Faith (Eman)’. The Prophet said: ‘Faith is to believe in Allah, his angels, his books, his messengers, the day of judgment and that you believe in destiny, the good in it as well as the bad’. He said: ‘Very well. Now tell me about perfecting one’s actions (Ehsan)’. The Prophet answered: ‘That you worship Allah as if you could see Him. If you cannot see

11 Him, he indeed sees you’. He then said: ‘Tell me about the end of time’. The Prophet answered: ‘The one being asked does not know more than the one asking’… Then the man left while I stayed. The Prophet said: ‘Dear ^Umar, do you know who that was?’ I said: ‘Only God and his Messenger know best’. He said: ‘This was Angel Gabriel who came to teach you your religion’”.

The Islamic Civilization

Prophet Muhammad was the initial driving force phenomenon that initiated the Islamic civilization that covered 1,400 years and many continents. After the Prophet’s death in 632 AD (at age 63) in Medina, he was succeeded by four outstanding leaders (called khalifs) that brought an unprecedented era of justice, spirituality and excitement for a period of 30 years. Abu Bakr was the first in charge for 3 years. Umar succeeded him for 10 years. took over for 12 years and ^Ali kept the momentum going for another 5 years. During this pristine time, Islam expanded from Arabia all the way to India in the east and to North Africa in the west. The seat of government was at Medina most of the time.

After this golden period, a series of Islamic dynasties succeeded throughout history. The Umayyad dynasty lasted for about 90 years and was based at Damascus. The Abbasid dynasty lasted much longer (500 years), was initially based at Baghdad and witnessed the golden age of the Islamic civilization. In 1258 the Mongol hordes invaded most of the Islamic empire and reaped havoc over land and people. Within 50 years, the Mongols themselves embraced Islam and gave it a second momentum. From the early 1500s to 1917 AD, the Ottoman Empire controlled most of the Muslim lands from its capital in Istanbul. For the past 100 years, first European colonization then the establishment of independent states dominated the history of the .

Muslims in the World

There are over 1.2 billion “Muslims” in the world. Muslims can be found in traditionally Muslim countries such as in the Middle-East, in North Africa, Central and East Africa, Asia Minor, the Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia and the former Soviet Republics in the Caucus. Muslims are also found in West and South Africa, Europe and North America. Islam is the fastest growing religion in Europe and North America. In the United States for example, Muslims grew from a mere 300,000 in the early 1960s to over 8 million nowadays. They fall into three categories: first-generation immigrants, their descendants, and converts.

Islam gives solace to great many people. Its high moral standard, built-in discipline, sense of social justice and continuous self improvement are appealing to the poor, and the oppressed. Islam is sometime likened to a river that takes the color of its terrain. In Africa, it becomes black, in Asia it turns yellow, in Europe and North America, it turns white and elsewhere it turns brown. When properly applied, Islam can help people free themselves from their own prejudices through a process of genuine change without forcing transformation on them. I do not have to change the world, but I can and must change myself. God is the one that takes care of the world. I just have to improve myself.

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In all fairness, this is an overly rosy picture of Islam. Muslims are mostly regular people struggling with their own weaknesses and social flaws. A quick look at the so-called Muslim countries will unveil many social ills, economic chaos and political despair. Most of them are military dictatorships, backward looking monarchies or autocratic “republics”. For example, it is unconceivable that women cannot drive in the land of Prophet Muhammad in the present era. Moreover, not all Muslims necessarily practice their religion. Islam can be positive and inspiring for those who want it to be. It can also be a source of intolerance and hatred for those who decide to misuse its teachings. Hatred and bigotry is good business for the extremists. Many shocking acts are swept under the rug of . This word, in Arabic, means the consistent and sustained effort of improving ourselves and things around us. Not the killing of innocent people.

Most Muslims call themselves Sunnis (orthodox) with a minority (10% to 15%) referred as Shi^a (mostly in , Iraq and other neighboring countries). They all follow the teachings of the Qur’an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. The Sunnis follow the traditions as reported by the companions and their descendants and the Shi^a follow the traditions as reported by the prophet’s cousin and son in law, ^Ali and his lineage (Ahl al- Bayt).

13 The Islamic Prayers

Prayers have been mandated and were practiced since the beginning of the Prophet’s message. During the early Mekkan years, the number of daily prayers and their time were not fixed. During the Isra and Mi^raj event (10 years after the first revelation), the five daily prayers were structured. After the Hijra migration, prayers were set to the present format (number of rak^as and times of prayer). Ritualistic cleansings and prayers are only sketched in the Qur’an. They are spelled out in detail in the tradition of the Prophet.

The prayer format followed here is practiced by the main stream Sunni Muslims. The five obligatory daily prayers cover the entire day. The first one (Fajr) starts before sunrise, the second one (Dhuhr) is held at mid day, the third one (^Asr) is held at mid-afternoon, the fourth one (Maghrib) is held just after sunset and the last one (^Isha) is held before going to bed.

The Ritualistic Cleansing

The process of ritualistic cleansing has multiple purposes, the most significant of which is to get one’s mood ready to stand in prayer (in front of God). Muslims keep themselves in constant ritualistic purity through these cleansings. Ritualistic cleansings fall into two main categories, the general body-wash () and the habitual ablutions (). The general body wash is performed in special occasions: for example by a woman after the end of her periods, by both spouses after sexual intercourse, by everyone before the Friday prayer, etc.

The habitual ablutions are performed before every prayer and consist in washing the hands three times, rinsing the mouth three times, cleaning the nostrils three times, washing the right arm (from wrist to elbow) three times, then the left arm three times, the face three times, wiping the head once (back and forth with wet hands), wiping the ears once (back and forth), the right foot three times up to the ankle, then the left foot three times. When cleaning the nose, sniff water in from the right palm then clear the nostrils by blowing out. Ablutions have to be redone for example after waking up from sleep or slumber, after vomiting, using the bathroom, passing gas, etc.

Before performing a ritualistic cleansing, intention is made to purify one’s self. Some short prayers are recited in this preparation process. Water is used to cleanse ourselves from our attachments to this world and its shortcomings. After using the bathroom, Muslims wash their private parts; they do not just wipe them. They also make sure that their right hand is never in contact with their private parts. Both hands are thoroughly washed often. Muslims are very particular about their hygiene and grooming. Following the Prophet, they want to look their best before standing in front of God (in prayer).

In case water is not available, a symbolic waterless ablution () is performed instead. It consists in rubbing the hands three times, then the face once after striking both palms on clean earth or on a rock. God wants to make it easy on us to perform our prayers.

14 The Call to Prayer

A group of Muslims are called to gather up for prayer through the Call to Prayer (). It is called by someone among the group (Mu’adhin) as follows:

God is great(er), God is great Allaahu akbar, allaahu akbar God is great, God is great Allaahu akbar, allaahu akbar I bare witness that there is no other deity except Allah Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa llaah I bare witness that there is no other deity except Allah Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa llah And that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasoolu llaah And that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasoolu llaah Come to prayer, come to prayer Hayya ^alas salaat, hayya ^alas salaat Come to your success, come to your success Hayya ^alal falaah, hayya ^alal falaah God is great, God is great Allaahu akbar, allaahu akbar There is no other deity except Allah Laa ilaaha illa llaa

The expression “God is great(er)” (Allaahu akbar) attests that God is greater than anything in our lives. This Adhan is called for all obligatory daily prayers. For the , the phrase “Prayer is better than sleep” (Assalatu khayrun minan nawm) is added after the second “Come to your success” phrase.

After getting ready (i.e., having performed ablutions), everyone lines up into ranks for prayer facing the direction of the city of Mekka (called the ). This direction is towards the North East in the United States. Then, a slightly different call (Iqama) is made by someone behind the Imam (prayer leader):

God is Great(er), God is Great Allaahu akbar, allaahu akbar I bare witness that there is no other deity except Allah Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa llaah And that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasoolu llaah Come to prayer Hayya ^alas salaat Come to your success Hayya ^alal falaah Prayer is ready to start Qad qaamati salaat Prayer is ready to start Qad qaamati salaat God is Great, God is Great Allaahu akbar, allaahu akbar There is no other deity except Allah La ilaaha illa llaah

At this time the Imam can start leading the prayer.

The First Two Basic Prayer Units (Rak^as)

For the first unit (rak^a):

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Step 1 Step 1. From a standing position say Allaahu akbar to start. Read the opening chapter of the Qur’an (Sura al-Fatiha) while standing. Read another short sura for the first rak^a.

Step 2. Say Allaahu akbar while bowing down. Say Subhaana rabbiyal ^adeem three times.

Step 3. Say Sami^a llaahu liman hamidah while standing back up. Step 2 Say Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd.

Step 4. Say Allaahu akbar while going to prostration. Say Subhaana rabbiyal a^laa three times while prostrating.

Step 5. Say Allaahu akbar while sitting up. Step 3 Step 6. Say Allaahu akbar while going to prostration again. Say Subhaana rabbiyal a^laa three times while prostrating.

For the second rak^a, the first 6 steps are repeated:

Step 4 Step 1. From the prostration position say Allaahu akbar while standing back up. Read Sura al-Fatiha while standing. Read another short sura for the second rak^a (but not for subsequent rak^as).

Step 2. Say Allaahu akbar while bowing down. Step 5 Say Subhaana rabbiyal ^adeem three times.

Step 3. Say Sami^a llaahu liman hamidah while standing back up. Say Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd.

Step 4. Say Allaahu akbar while going to prostration. Step 6 Say Subhaana rabbiyal a^laa three times while prostrating.

Step 5. Say Allaahu akbar while sitting up.

Step 6. Say Allaahu akbar while going to prostration again. Step 7 Say Subhaana rabbiyal a^laa three times while prostrating.

Step 7. Say the Affirmation of Faith () while sitting down.

16 At the end of the second rak^a as well as at the end of the prescribed number of rak^as (second for Fajr, second and third for Maghrib, or second and fourth for Dhuhr, ^Asr and ^Isha),

Say Assalaamu ^alaikum while looking over your right shoulder. Say Assalaamu ^alaikum while looking over your left shoulder.

These are the ending salutations which finalize the prayer.

Prayer Recitation Requirements

The following sentences are memorized and recited (in Arabic) during prayers. The opening chapter (Sura al-Fatiha) while standing and the affirmation of faith (Tashahhud) while sitting.

Sura al-Fatiha (first chapter of the Qur’an) is recited at the beginning of every rak^a while standing.

In Allah’s name, the gracious, the merciful. Bismi llaahir rahmaanir raheem Praise is to Allah, the lord of the worlds. Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil ^aalameen The Gracious, the Merciful. Arrahmaanir raheem Master of the day of judgment. Maaliki yawmid deen Verily, You do we worship, and your help do we Iyyaka na^budu wa iyyaka nasta^een seek.

Guide us along the straight path. Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem The path of those upon whom you have bestowed Siraatal ladheena an^amta ^alayhim your grace. Ghayril maghdoobi ^alayhim wa la daaleen. With whom you are not angry, nor who go astray.

The Affirmation of Faith (Tashahhud) is recited during prayer while sitting down. It is recited at the end of the second rak^a in all prayers. It is also recited at the end of the last rak^a (third rak^a for Maghrib or fourth rak^a for Dhuhr, ^Asr and ^Isha).

17 Greetings are to Allah, and all worship and all At tahiyyaatu lillaahi was sallawaatu wat goodness. tayyibaatu. Peace, blessings, and Allah’s grace be upon you Assalaamu ^alayka ya ayyuhan nabiy wa Prophet. rahamatul llaahi wa barakaatuh. Peace be upon us and upon the good servants of As salaamu ^alaynaa wa ^ala ^ibadi llaahis Allah. saaliheen. I bare witness that there is no other deity except Ashhadu an la ilaaha illa llaah. Allah. Wahdahu la shareeka lah. He is one without partner. Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ^abduhu wa And I bare witness that Muhammad is his servant rasooluh. and messenger. Allahumma salli wa baarik ^ala sayyidinaa Dear God, please send your salutations and Muhammadin wa ^ala ali sayyidinaa blessings on Muhammad and on his followers as Muhammad kama sallayta ^ala sayyidinaa you have done for Abraham and his followers. Ibraheema wa ^ala ali sayyidinaa Ibraheem. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. Fil ^alameena innaka hameedun majeed.

This Tashahhud is reported to have been the dialog between God and the Prophet during his mystical journey to the seventh heaven (al Mi^raj).

The preceding Opening Chapter (Sura al-Fatiha) and the Affirmation of Oath (Tashahhud) are the only required memorizations to validate the prayers. It is recommended (but not required) to recite other suras during prayers.

The Obligatory Daily Prayers

Muslims are advised to start praying at an early age. Those who discover Islam as adults are advised to start praying right away. In analogy, if one wants to learn how to swim, it is advised to jump into the water right away in order to feel this medium. There is no need for too much reading about the subject. Islam is an experienced religion. Prayers (Salat) and fasting (Sawm) are the faith building components of the package. Both are obligatory to those who can practice them.

There are five obligatory daily prayers. These are offered at the following times of the day: (1) at (Fajr), (2) around midday (Dhuhr), (3) at the mid-afternoon (^Asr), (4) at sunset (Maghrib) and (5) before bedtime (^Isha).

Obligatory daily prayers consist of the following number of units (rak^as).

Fajr prayer 2 rak^as Dhuhr prayer 4 rak^as ^ 4 rak^as 3 rak^as ^ 4 rak^as.

18 For the obligatory prayers, suras are read out loud in the first 2 rak^as of Fajr, Maghrib and ^Isha. One can read Sura al-Fatiha (required) and any other part of the Qur’an (if possible).

If one joins a congregation in the middle of a prayer, he/she should follow the Imam for the rest of their prayer then finish what was missed when the Imam finishes. If one becomes aware of a mistake that they have made during prayer, they should add two additional prostrations before the ending salutations. Congregational prayers are strongly encouraged. They bring a 27 fold increase in reward.

The Optional Daily Prayers

There is an assortment of optional prayers. The main ones consist in sunna prayers (that are offered regularly) and nafila prayers (that are offered occasionally).

The following table summarizes the number of rak^as for the obligatory () and optional (sunna or nafila) prayers.

Daily Fajr Dhuhr ^Asr Maghrib ^Isha Prayers

Before fard 2 sunna 2 or 4 sunna 2 or 4 sunna 2,4,6 nafila fard 2 fard 4 fard 4 fard 3 fard 4 fard After fard 2 sunna 2 sunna 2 sunna+ After fard 2,4,6 nafila 2,4,6 nafila 2,4,6 nafila

Most Islamic scholars agree that no optional prayer should be offered after Fajr and ^Asr. The number of rak^as before Dhuhr and before ^Asr (2 or 4) vary depending on the Islamic schools of law. The notation 2,4,6 is used to mean an even number of rak^as. After the ^Isha prayer, the optional witr prayer comprises an odd number of rak^as (1, 3, 5, etc). There are no prayers just after sunrise and just before sunset. This is to avoid some old pagan practices of worshipping the sun.

Obligatory (fard) prayers are preceded by Adhan and Iqama and are best performed in congregation. Optional prayers are performed individually (no Adhan nor Iqama); the more of them the better. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be on him) performed all of them.

In special circumstances (such as when in travel or when ill) obligatory (fard) prayers can be shortened to 2 rak^as and grouped into pairs (Dhuhr and ^Asr together and Maghrib and ^Isha together). Actually the Dhuhr prayer time extends till the time for ^Asr but the ^Asr prayer time does not extend beyond mid-afternoon. Similarly, the Maghrib prayer time extends till the time for ^Isha. A missed fard prayer can be made up during those time windows.

19 The Friday Prayer (Jumu^a) and the Holiday (^Eid) Prayers

The Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu^a) is the weekly gathering of Muslims and promotes the spirit of unity. It is held every Friday in lieu of the Dhuhr prayer and replaces it. It is obligatory for all Muslim males over the age of puberty. Muslim females and children are encouraged to attend but are not required to. This prayer consists of a sermon (Khutba) by the Imam followed by the prayer per se. The sermon is split into two parts with a pause in between. The first part is inspiring and meant to strengthen the faith and the second part discusses issues of relevance to that community at that time. The Friday prayer consists of two standard rak^as with the Qur’anic part recited out loud by the Imam. The Adhan is called before the sermon and the Iqama is pronounced just before the prayer part (once the sermon is over).

There are two main Islamic holidays. One just after the month of fasting (Ramadan) called End of Fast (^Eid al-Fitr) and one called Holiday of Sacrifice (^Eid al-Adha) at the time of pilgrimage. ^ performed in the morning (before Dhuhr) consist of 2 rak^as, but are slightly different from the Friday prayer. In ^Eid prayers, the prayer comes before the sermon. At the beginning of the first rak^a, there are 7 takbeeras (saying Allaahu akbar 7 times) after the first Takbeera. At the beginning of the second raka, there are 5 Takbeeras after standing back up. This protocol varies slightly with the Islamic schools of thought. The ^Eid prayers require no Adhan, nor Iqama.

Following in the tradition of the Prophet, the sermon of the congregational prayers (Jumu^a and ^Eid) is started by the following words. “Praise goes to Allah. We praise him, seek his help and mercy. We seek refuge from our bad tendencies and bad actions. Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead astray. Whoever is misguided, no one can guide back (except Allah). I bare witness that there is no other deity except Allah, alone without any partner and that Muhammad is his humble servant and messenger, that he has sent with the word of truth and guidance to the entire mankind. “

Other Optional Islamic Prayers

Muslims that desire closeness to God use every occasion to connect up in prayer. At home, it is better for the entire family to pray together. As the word of wisdom has it: “Those who pray together stay together”. There is a multitude of other occasional prayers. Some well known and otherst less well known.

The optional prayer of is offered individually during the night. It consists of groups of two rak^as at a time and can last as long as it takes.

The optional prayer of Taraweeh is offered during the month of fasting (Ramadan). It is offered every night in congregation after the ^Isha prayer and consists of 8, 12 or 20 rak^as depending on the group’s format. It is split into 2 rak^a units with a short break every 4 rak^as. The idea is to finish the recitation of the entire Qur’an in prayer in congregation (i.e., following the Imam) during this month (most groups finish on the 27th night of Ramadan).

20

The funeral prayer is performed before the burial of a deceased person. It is performed (behind an Imam) in a standing posture only with no bowing down or prostration. It consists of 4 Takbeeras (saying Allaahu akbar) and short recited prayers for the Prophet, the Muslims, and the deceased person. In order to keep Islam clean from the worship of human beings, Muslims are prohibited from worshiping in graveyards, from burying anyone in a place of worship and even from bowing down or prostrating if the body of a deceased person is inside their place of worship.

There is a multitude of other prayers offered during special circumstances: the Prayer of Fear, the Prayer of Rain, etc… Another prayer (forgotten by most) is called the Dawn () prayer and is offered by a group of Muslims who conduct a meeting after having prayed Fajr together. Before leaving the meeting, they would offer two rak^as individually (or a multitude of two rak^as) after sunrise.

Perpetual Daily Prayer Calendar

A daily prayer calendar can be constructed following a simple prescription based on the sunrise time and sunset time for your region and on the time of the year. The Fajr prayer is performed one hour and thirty minutes before sunrise. The Dhuhr prayer is performed at mid-day. The ^Asr prayer is performed at mid-afternoon. The Maghrib prayer is performed 8 minutes after sunset for the Sunnis (15 minutes after sunset for the Shi^a). The ^Isha prayer is performed one hour and thirty minutes after sunset.

Using the sunset and sunrise times for the region of Washington DC, the following perpetual prayer calendar is obtained.

Month/Day Sunrise Sunset Fajr Dhuhr ^Asr Maghrib ^Isha

Jan 1 7:26 am 4:55 pm 5:56 am 12:10 am 2:32 pm 5:03 pm 6:25 pm Jan 10 7:26 am 5:03 pm 5:56 am 12:14 am 2:38 pm 5:11 pm 6:33 pm Jan 20 7:23 am 5:13 pm 5:53 am 12:18 am 2:46 pm 5:21 pm 6:43 pm

Feb 1 7:14 am 5:27 pm 5:44 am 12:20 am 2:53 pm 5:35 pm 6:57 pm Feb 10 7:06 am 5:38 pm 5:36 am 12:22 am 3:00 pm 5:46 pm 7:08 pm Feb 20 6:53 am 5:49 pm 5:23 am 12:21 am 3:05 pm 5:57 pm 7:19 am

Mar 1 6:41 am 5:59 pm 5:11 am 12:20 am 3:09 pm 6:07 pm 7:29 pm Mar 10 6:28 am 6:08 pm 4:58 am 12:18 am 3:13 pm 6:16 pm 7:38 pm Second 6:28 am 7:08 pm 5:58 am 1:18 pm 4:13 pm 7:16 pm 8:38 pm Sunday Mar 20 6:12 am 6:18 pm 4:42 am 12:15 am 3:17 pm 6:26 pm 7:48 pm

Apr 1 5:53 am 6:30 pm 4:23 am 12:11 am 3:20 pm 6:38 pm 8:00 pm Apr 10 6:40 am 7:38 pm 5:10 am 1:09 pm 4:24 pm 7:46 pm 9:08 pm Apr 20 6:25 am 7:48 pm 4:55 am 1:06 pm 4:27 pm 7:56 pm 9:18 pm

21

May 1 6:11 am 7:59 pm 4:41 am 1:05 pm 4:32 pm 8:07 pm 9:29 pm May 10 6:00 am 8:07 pm 4:30 am 1:04 pm 4:36 pm 8:15 pm 9:37 pm May 20 5:51 am 8:16 pm 4:21 am 1:04 pm 4:40 pm 8:24 pm 9:46 pm

Jun 1 5:44 am 8:26 pm 4:14 am 1:05 pm 4:46 pm 8:34 pm 9:56 pm Jun 10 5:42 am 8:32 pm 4:12 am 1:07 pm 4:49 pm 8:40 pm 10:02 pm Jun 20 5:42 am 8:36 pm 4:12 am 1:09 pm 4:53 pm 8:44 pm 10:06 pm

Jul 1 5:45 am 8:37 pm 4:15 am 1:11 pm 4:54 pm 8:45 pm 10:07 pm Jul 10 5:50 am 8:35 pm 4:20 am 1:12 pm 4:53 pm 8:43 pm 10:05 pm Jul 20 5:58 am 8:30 pm 4:28 am 1:14 pm 4:52 pm 8:38 pm 10:00 pm

Aug 1 6:08 am 8:20 pm 4:38 am 1:14 pm 4:47 pm 8:28 pm 9:50 pm Aug 10 6:16 am 8:10 pm 4:46 am 1:13 pm 4:42 pm 8:18 pm 9:40 pm Aug 20 6:25 am 7:57 pm 4:55 am 1:11 pm 4:34 pm 7:57 pm 9:27 pm

Sep 1 6:36 am 7:40 pm 5:06 am 1:08 pm 4:24 pm 7:48 pm 9:10 pm Sep 10 6:44 am 7:26 pm 5:14 am 1:05 pm 4:15 pm 7:34 pm 8:56 pm Sep 20 6:53 am 7:10 pm 5:23 am 1:02 pm 4:06 pm 7:18 pm 8:40 pm

Oct 1 7:03 am 6:52 pm 5:33 am 12:58 am 3:55 pm 7:00 pm 8:22 pm Oct 10 7:11 am 6:38 pm 5:41 am 12:54 am 3:46 pm 6:46 pm 8:08 pm Oct 20 7:21 am 6:24 pm 5:51 am 12:53 am 3:39 pm 6:32 pm 7:54 pm

Nov 1 7:34 am 6:08 pm 6:04 am 12:51 am 3:29 pm 6:16 pm 7:38 pm First 6:34 am 5:08 pm 5:04 am 11:52 am 2:39 pm 5:16 pm 6:38 pm Sunday Nov 10 6:44 am 4:59 pm 5:14 am 11:52 am 2:26 pm 5:07 pm 6:29 pm Nov 20 6:55 am 4:51 pm 5:25 am 11:53 am 2:22 pm 4:59 pm 6:21 pm

Dec 1 7:06 am 4:46 pm 5:36 am 11:56 am 2:21 pm 4:54 pm 6:16 pm Dec 10 7:14 am 4:45 pm 5:44 am 12:00 am 2:23 pm 4:53 pm 6:15 pm Dec 20 7:22 am 4:48 pm 5:52 am 12:05 am 2:26 pm 4:56 pm 6:18 pm

Corrections have been made for daylight saving time on the second Sunday in March (adjust clock by 1 hour forward) and on the first Sunday in November (1 hour back).

It is noted that this calendar was worked out for the Washington DC area (Eastern Standard Time zone of the US). It remains valid for other time zones because the sunrise and sunset times remain the same provided that one follows the Washington DC latitude (same parallel). Small corrections (smaller than one hour) are to be made within each time zone and other corrections are to be made for regions that are farther north or farther south of Washington DC.

22 Final Words

Numerous accounts in the tradition of the Prophet describe his prayer habits. He made extensive use of Tahajjud prayers during the night and of other extra prayers that became the sunna and nafila prayers. Actually, what we refer to as optional prayers for us, he considered as obligatory for himself. He is reported as being in a constant state of connection to Allah through prayer. He would wake up a couple of times during the night to pray. During these night prayers, he is reported to have once repeated the same verse over and over again for a long time. This verse is from the Qur’an 5:118 “if You punish them, they are your servants. If You forgive them, You are the most exalted in power, the wise”. When asked by his wife, the Prophet said that he was praying for Muslims to come. Think about the level of compassion of this man living in the Arabian desert over 14 centuries ago. He was worrying about our well being now. Just imagine that. It was not unusual for the Prophet to recite 100 to 200 verses during the night prayers. Prayer changed him, and kept him close to God.

Besides prayers, the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) keeps Muslims in the positive state of God awareness (). It consists of repeating quietly the words of Subhaana llaah 33 times, Al hamudu lillaah 33 times and Allaahu akbar 34 times. Prayer beads or the fingers of the right hand are used to keep count (three counts per finger). Dhikr is actually the Islamic way to meditate and clear one’s mind, emptying it from the attachments to this world and filling it with unconditional surrender to God’s will. Dhikr is conducted at any time and in any place. It becomes an automatic means to keep the mind busy. Sufi groups make extensive use of Dhikr in group gatherings to get to an exalted spiritual state.

23

Fasting in General

The process of fasting is as old as mankind. Taking the conscious decision of going without food for personal benefits has been going on for as long as humans have sought spiritual advancement. Forms of fasting are practiced in other faiths preceding Islam. In , fasting is practiced during (Day of Atonement), and in , it is practiced during the period of . Jesus is known to have fasted for a period of 40 days continuously nonstop. King David is reported to have fasted every other day. In one form or another, the goal of fasting is to abstain from worldly needs and desires and sincerely turn to God for spirituality. The outcome of this genuine exercise in faith building is self-control and discipline, the build up of personal will power and the strengthening of the sense of compassion for the poor and the less fortunate.

The Islamic Fasting

Fasting (Sawm or Siyyam) is highly structured in Islam. It consists of abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking and any sexual activity from just before dawn to sunset. An early breakfast (Suhoor) is taken before dawn and the main meal (Futoor) is taken after sunset (Maghrib). The spirit of fasting actually goes well beyond these restrictions. Muslims also abstain from getting upset, using un-proper language and questionable activities. They do away with bad habits and immoral behavior. Failing to observe any of these rules breaks the fast. Whenever someone mistreats you while you are in a state of fast, all you are allowed to do is say “Sorry, I cannot respond to you. I am in a state of fast”. The idea is to build up character by depriving the senses.

The Month of Ramadan

Fasting during the lunar month of Ramadan is mandatory for every adult Muslim who is sane of mind, in good health and is not traveling. Children, the seriously ill, and the insane are exempt from fasting and are not required to make up the missed period. Those who are sick, women during their menses (or while nursing) and those traveling are also exempt from fasting but are required to make up the missed days. Or they could (instead) feed one hungry person for each missed day. God wants to make it easy on those who try! In order to keep sincere practicing Muslims from faltering and as a deterrent against their own weakness, non-exempt Muslims are required to pay a heavy toll if they intentionally break their fast. For every day missed, one is required to make up 60 days or feed 60 hungry folks a decent meal. This ought to keep temptation at bay. Actually, after a few days of fasting, Muslims do not feel hunger any more. The psychological drive to eat fades away. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims hold regular jobs and make even more effort than usual. They read the 1/30th part of the Qur’an (Juz’) every day and increase in charitable endeavors. They join the congregation for the Taraweeh prayer after ^Isha. They build up their faith throughout the month and yearn for special spiritual experiences during the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr). The first 10 fasting days are for repentance (tawba), the next 10 days are for mercy (rahma) and the last 10 days are for

24 forgiveness (maghfira). The end of the month of Ramadan is celebrated by the ^Eid al- Fitr holiday.

Optional Fasting

Optional fasting takes many forms throughout the year. It is recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, and during the three middle days of the lunar month. It is important to make the intention of fasting before the start of the day and to stick to it once the decision is made. The Prophet is reported to have fasted extensively during the month preceding Ramadan, and a fair amount (at least 6 days) during the month following Ramadan. The idea is to get ready for the month of fasting and to finish the fast gradually. Many other occasions throughout the year are opportunities for fasting. The Prophet kept himself in a constant state of purity through prayers and fasting. Even when he was not technically fasting, he would eat just enough (keeping one third of his stomach empty). Many Muslims have taken up that habit and skip lunch all year around. If you are one of them, while you are at it, replace lunch altogether by a vigorous walk. It will do marvels to your health.

Benefits of Fasting

Fasting has various benefits, some of which are for character building, to acquire patience, resiliency and develop compassion for the poor and hungry. The month of Ramadan brings about unity among the Muslim community with daily gatherings at the Taraweeh prayer service and the frequent dinners. Some people may complain at the beginning of the month, but no one wants this special month to end. Some of the health benefits of fasting include weight management. Fasting is a good way of dieting without the side effects of crash diets or total fasting. Physiological benefits include lowering blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. Forms of fasting are recommended against mild (non-insulin) , obesity and hypertension. Psychological benefits of fasting include decrease of individual hostility and an increase of level-headedness and patience.

Muslims fast not because it is recommended by the doctor but because of the general benefits (including spiritual) to their lives. Children love to fast even before they become of age. Some middle school and high school Muslim children go to the library (instead of the cafeteria) at lunch time. They are proud of their heritage. Their teachers and responsible educators respect their determination and are proud of their efforts.

Fasting is good for you. Try it. Start skipping lunch.

25 The Islamic Lunar Calendar

The regular calendar that we use nowadays is based on the movement of the sun and is referred to as Gregorian. Before this calendar was established, people used a lunar calendar based on the movement of the moon. It was easier to follow the phases of the moon than to work out more subtle seasonal phases of the sun. The lunar year contains 354 days; it is about 11 days shorter than the solar year of 365 days. For example, the period of 32 solar years corresponds to 33 lunar years. Nowadays, the Chinese New Year, the Jewish holidays and the all follow the lunar calendar. In order to correct for the 11 days difference, the Chinese and the Jewish calendars add one month every three years. That way, their calendar varies slightly from year to year but does not change seasons. The Islamic calendar has stayed purely lunar so that the various holidays vary around the year and the month of fasting occurs during all four seasons throughout the earth. It would not be fair for those living in the southern hemisphere if Ramadan happened always during the month of December (shortest days in the north and longest days in the south). In order to keep this spirit of fairness, those living too far north (close to the North Pole) or too far south (where the day could last either 2 or 22 hours), should follow the calendar of Mekka.

The month of Ramadan is the best known of the 12 lunar months. Muslims rely on moon sightings to determine the beginning of this and other lunar months. The month preceding Ramadan is called Sha^ban, the one following it is called . The Break of Fast (^Eid al-Fitr) holiday (subject to new moon sighting the night before) corresponds to the first day of Shawwal. The second Muslim holiday celebration (^Eid al-Adha) takes place on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja, during the period of pilgrimage to Mekka. There is a period of two lunar months (about 29 days long each) and 10 days between the two ^Eid celebrations.

The names of the 12 lunar months are included here: 1. Muharram, 2. Safar, 3. Rabi^ al- Awwal, 4. Rabi^ ath-Thani, 5. Jumada al-Awwal, 6. Jumada ‘ath-Thani, 7. Rajab, 8. Sha^ban, 9. Ramadan, 10. Shawwal, 11. Dhul Qi^da, and 12. Dhul Hijja.

The Islamic Holidays

The best-known Islamic holidays are mentioned here by order of importance. For Muslims, any time of the year can be a source of reflection, inspiration and celebration.

The Break of Fasting (^Eid al-Fitr)

This holiday marks the end of the month of fasting (Ramadan). It is an opportunity for celebration, congregational prayer, family visits, and visits to the graves of loved ones. Muslim children wear their best clothes to go to the (Masjid), they are given gifts and an allowance especially those who are old enough to practice fasting. Various sweets and traditional deserts are prepared and offered to the family and friends that come to visit during this “open house” period of 3 days.

26 Sacrifice Holiday (^Eid al-Adha)

This holiday commemorates the near sacrifice of Abraham’s son as related in the Bible and in the Qur’an. It is the period of pilgrimage to the holy city of Mekka for those who can. This is a time for prayers, thanks for what we have and charity to the less fortunate. During this holiday, it is customary to sacrifice a small animal (sheep for example) and share the meat with the needy just as Abraham was prepared to do to his own son. Abraham is the forefather of all three monotheistic religions: Judaism, .

New Year (1st of Muharram)

This is the Islamic New Year (first day of the first lunar month). The Islamic calendar started with the migration of the fledgling group of Muslims around the Prophet from their hometown of Mekka to their welcoming and adoptive city of Medina in Arabia. This happened in year 622 AD corresponding to year 1 AH (After Hijra). The small group of persecuted and fleeing emigrants (less than 100) called Muhajiroon were welcomed by their Medina helpers called Ansars. This move gave enough freedom to the Muslims to create a living, functioning and highly prosperous community under the auspices of Islam.

Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid an-Nabi)

Muslims do not celebrate birthdays. They, however, use this occasion to pray and reflect. The prophet had lived from 570 AD to 632 AD, i.e., for a period of 63 (lunar) years. He had started receiving revelations at age 40, had to flee his native city of Mekka at age 53 and died in Medina at age 63. He has left us the book of God (Qur’an) and the tradition of his Prophet (Sunna). The Sunna is made up of what he did (Seera) and what he said (Hadiths).

Isra/Mi^raj

This is not really a celebrated holiday but the anniversary marking the miraculous journey of the Prophet from Mekka to Jerusalem (Isra), then to the seventh heaven (Mi^raj) by night. This journey took place when the Prophet’s mission needed it the most (it had reached its lowest point). God took his servant and Prophet on this special mission to strengthen him and solidify his goals. He ascended to the seventh heaven from the rock around which the Dome of the Rock mosque was built in Jerusalem. There, the Prophet met other prophets that had come before him (Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc), received details on the five daily prayers and was in the presence of God himself. After this event, the message of Islam took off with the Hijra migration (3 years later) and the rest is Islamic history. This event is a subject of inspiration for the mystical branch of Islam, the Sufis.

27 The Charity Tax in Islam

Charity (Zakat) is a compulsory tax paid by those well off to help those in need. It is mentioned extensively in the Qur’an and is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. It is meant to purify one’s wealth and income and is separate from the regular taxes paid to the state. It is paid directly to the needy or to qualified organizations in charge of charitable programs.

What is Zakat?

Zakat should be paid yearly on the amount of wealth remaining after removing the cost of the basic necessities of life. Exempt from the taxable amount is the cost of housing, transportation, food, utilities, education, and other basic needs. Also exempt are expenses incurred for the rent of a business property, the purchase of tools for the trade, and other expenses necessary to make a living. At the end of the tax year, one adds all incomes from employment, investments, rental properties, and so on and subtracts all exemptions necessary for the well being and basic comfort of the family and all necessary expenses to run a business and so on. The total amount remaining is the taxable (Zakatable) amount. This is a rather simple tax code to go by!

Zakat is paid only by those with income means, who after one taxable year, are in possession of a minimum amount (called ). This amount is equivalent to the value of 3 oz of gold. Zakat does not apply to those very poor, or without sources of income.

The Zakat Rates

In order to avoid going into too much detail, and as a rule of thumb, the rate of Zakat is between 2.5% and 20% depending on the source of income. When the amount of effort is high and the risk is high, the Zakat rate is low and vise versa. The minimum rate of 2.5% applies to most regular incomes. Commonly employed folks with regular salaries qualify for this rate provided that they do not own substantial wealth. Cash savings and invested wealth also qualify in this category. For example, invested stocks that are risky fall into this low 2.5% category, whereas secure stocks that show little risk fall into a higher 5% category. Jewelry owned as a means of investment qualifies for the 2.5% rate, and reasonable amount of jewelry owned for personal ornamentation is not taxable at all.

The line between the 2.5% and the 5% is sometimes blurry and requires closer scrutiny. If someone, for instance, owns a business. Even though she is the owner, she would pay herself a reasonable salary based on other salaries in the company and on the amount of effort that she puts in. What remains of her salary (after necessary expenses) would fall in the 2.5% category whereas what remains as company profits (also after necessary expenses) would fall into the 5% category.

The rate of 10% applies to income from farming or a business that does not involve too much “effort”. For example, using only rain irrigation (with no extra expenses) or owning a business that does not require overhead expenses would qualify for the 10% rate. This

28 rate is for the “easy” made money. The rate of 5% applies when substantial effort is made. For example using costly machinery to irrigate and keep a farm or to run a business would qualify for the 5% rate. Grazing cattle on public land falls into the 10% category, buying cattle feed lowers the rate to 5%.

The 20% rate is exceptional for special effortless substantial gains such as the mining of gold/silver, unexpected gains, and other “out of the sky” items. Some hot stocks of the 1990s that created many opportunities to get rich quickly would qualify for this high tax rate.

Who Benefits from Zakat?

The collected taxes are used by the Islamic community to take care of the poor, the needy, those under unusual hardship conditions, etc. For instance, Muslims are not allowed to beg. It is incumbent on the state and the community to make sure that everyone is provided the basic needs. Persons on travel that get stranded with no means to pursue their trip qualify to receive Zakat. So do prisoners that are incarcerated because of their belief or that have genuinely changed and are seeking to improve their lives. A fraction of the income is used to administer the charitable programs. Those under heavy debt incurred due to events that are out of their control (sickness, death in the family, national calamities, etc) also qualify to receive Zakat help to get them out of their predicament. This help kicks in only after other means (such as state social programs, family and friends) have been exhausted. This form of charitable help applies to the needy whatever their background (Muslims or non-Muslims). Immediate family members do not qualify to receive Zakat from you because this would be a conflict of interest. They, however, would qualify to receive from you another form of charity: the optional Sadaqa.

Other Charity Taxes

The optional Sadaqa is not regulated. It can be offered by anyone to anyone else, at any time and for whatever amount or service. A tradition of the Prophet states that “even a smile is a form of Sadaqa”. Muslims strive to purify not only their wealth but also their knowledge and other gifts from God. The way to purify knowledge is to teach it to others. The way to purify a profession is to be available to help others free of charge (as a volunteer) for a fraction of your time. The way to purify ourselves is through striving to please God.

Another form of charity is offered before ending the month of fasting (Ramadan). It is referred to as Zakat al-Fitr and consists in providing a complete meal for a needy person. Each member of the family is required to do so towards the end of the month of Ramadan (in any case before performing the ^Eid al-Fitr prayer).

Some other forms of Islamic taxes are not covered here because they are irrelevant to our present focus. Our purpose is to cover basics, not be thorough or complete.

29 Moral Standing

During the time of the Prophet and during the age of pristine Islam (first 40 years after Hijra), these taxes were the only obligations that citizens had to contend with. In modern times, we all have to deal with much stiffer rates (14%, 28%, and even higher rates in the US). Someone has to pay for the cost of our complicated modern lives. Has the true quality of our lives improved? Materially: yes. Morally, ethically and spiritually, not always.

The Islamic tax rate for wheat, corn and rice (the primary food consumption in the world) is 10% because no artificial irrigation is needed. According to the United Nations, if just 5% of the world production in grains were to be put aside for distribution in poor countries, there would not be any more hunger or famines in the world. Just imagine that!

Taxes and charity are a major stabilizing factor in society. They are meant to help maintain a minimum base funding for social programs such as food and lodging for the poor, financial safety net in times of hardship, fighting immoral behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse and crimes of all sorts. Taxes are what make society function within its set values and aspirations. They are meant to help the needy without strings attached, to alleviate their discomfort without demeaning their dignity. Verse 2:263 from the Qur’an states that “kind words are better than charity that humiliates”.

Genuine Muslims practice this form of charity and the other things not to be popular or to be liked by people but because they believe that their wealth is a gift from God. A tradition reports that once the Prophet had slaughtered a sheep and started cutting it into pieces. Anyone who passed by got a share. The Prophet’s wife, ^Aisha, got out of the house, took a shoulder piece of meat home to cook. When the Prophet had finished giving away the rest of the meat and got into the house, ^Aisha said: “It is a good thing I “saved” this piece so that we can have a decent meal”. The Prophet smiling stated to her that the parts that will benefit them were the parts given in charity and the part that they had “lost” (devoid of benefit) is the part that they were going to eat. The early Muslims sincerely believed that what is given in charity is banked away for their own benefit.

Another story from the tradition of the Prophet relates the hard times in year 9 after Hijra (just before the campaign of Mu’ta). Because the frail Muslim community of Medina was in danger, the Prophet made an all-out call for everyone to help give whatever they could to help the cause. ^Umar came and voluntarily gave half of his wealth without wavering. ^Umar used to like to “compete” with Abu Bakr in doing good deeds, so he sat besides the Prophet to see what Abu Bakr was going to give. When Abu Bakr came and gave all of his wealth, ^Umar felt humbled and appreciated his friend’s high standing in the eyes of God. During these early days, Muslims enjoyed giving without expecting anything in return.

30 The Islamic Law

The Islamic Law (the so-called Shari^a) is derived from the Qur’an and the tradition of the Prophet (Sunna). The Sunna’s primary goal is to explain the Qur’an and expound upon issues that are not clarified in this holy book. It cannot contradict it.

The Sunni Schools of Law

There are four Islamic schools of thought (Madhahib) within the Sunni (orthodox) majority of Muslims. These developed around four reputable scholars: Abu Hanifa, Malik ibn Anas, Al-Shafi^i and Ahmed ibn Hanbal. They agree completely on major issues and agree mostly on minor points. They could be compared to the various penal codes that guide the various states in the union (USA). Most common people cannot (nor want to be able to) tell the differences. Only professional lawyers can. A minor obvious difference can be seen during prayer: the keep their hands along their sides whereas others keep them folded over their chest.

Presently, these schools have adherents in the following regions of the world: -- live mainly in Turkey, Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Bengladesh. It was the official legal system under the Ottomans that were last to rule most of the Islamic world (sixteenth century to beginning of the twentieth century). This is the main-stream group that most Muslims follow. -- Malikis live mainly in North Africa, West Africa, and Upper Egypt. They are considered as middle-of-the road (moderate) Muslims. -- Shafi^is live mainly in Egypt, Southern Arabia, Indonesia, East Africa, and Syria. They are also main-steam Muslims. -- live mainly in the . This group is the strictest of the four and includes the Wahhabi movement in Saudi Arabia.

European and American Muslims cover the whole spectrum depending on whether they are immigrant (in which case they follow their country of origin) or settled new Muslims (who follow mostly the majority).

Basics of the Islamic Law (Shari^a)

When the Qur’an and the Sunna are not clear enough, other mechanisms are introduced to render legal decisions. These are the consensus opinion of jurists (^), the comparison to preceding cases (Qiyas), the progressive reasoning by analogy () or personal opinion (Ra’y). The emphasis on each one of these factors varies slightly in the four schools of thought.

The Hanafi law gives more emphasis to Qiyas and Ra’y and deemphasizes doubtful traditions. The law gives more weight to sincere individual faith and to moral character. It is the most ethical when it comes to interpersonal dealings. The Shafi^i law falls in-between the Hanafi and the Maliki legal frames with less Qiyas and Ra’y and more Ijtihad. The law makes almost no use of Qiyas and Ra’y and focuses on the

31 Qur’an and the Sunna almost entirely. It sometimes prefers weak Hadiths to reasoning or personal opinion. Hadiths are taken literally with no possible change in interpretation. The entire spectrum is needed in the large Muslim family.

Depending on the schools of thought, personal opinion is either considered last or not at all. A Hadith is often cited to reinforce this belief: “Every newly begun matter (under personal initiative or personal opinion) is innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in hellfire”. Islamic law was set in concrete 200 years after Hijra and was not changed ever since. This helped keep Islam in its original pristine state but has also slowed down technological innovations and advances that took over the world over the past centuries. Some argue that this mentality may have caused the Islamic world to fall behind technologically, and led to a weakening of the Islamic civilization (colonization by European powers, etc). Everything happens for a reason and by measure.

There are five distinctive categories in Islamic law with a gradation from the obligatory to the prohibited. These are: -- The obligatory (Wajib). For example prayers, fasting, charity, etc… -- The recommended (Sunna). For example reading the Qur’an on a daily basis, practicing humility, etc… -- The permissible (Mubah). For example enjoying food, being socially active, etc… -- The not recommended (Makruh). For example quarreling, smoking cigarettes, etc… -- The prohibited (). For example drinking alcohol, stealing, etc…

These criteria form a wide spectrum including what is lawful () and what is forbidden (Haram).

The Shia School of Thought

The Ja^fari school of thought that corresponds to the Shi^a law is based mainly in Iran and southern Iraq. The Shi^a form 10% to 15% of the Muslim population in the world. Sunnis and Shi^a agree completely on the divinely revealed nature of the Qur’an, they disagree however, as to the source of traditions. Sunnis consider Hadith transmissions through the companions and their descendant whereas Shi^a accept Hadith transmissions only through Imam ^Ali and his descendants (Ahl al-Bayt). They believe that ^Ali should have been the legal heir to the Prophet. Despite this difference, Sunni Hadiths and Shi^a Hadiths overlap by more than 70%. You may be wondering why? Well, these are the traditions of the same Prophet they are reporting.

The Shi^a law gives higher importance to Ijtihad by the clergy and to the opinion (Ra’y) of the religious scholars (Mullahs). In the Ja^fari school of thought, more emphasis is given to the “hidden” meaning of the Qur’an. Within the Shi^a community, the are a dominant group.

32 How About Now?

For many, the word Shari^a is related to harsh and strict punishment. Islam was sent by God as “Mercy to Mankind”. Occasionally, images flash on the evening news about an unfortunate women who is about to be stoned to death in West Africa for “adultery”, or about another poor soul that got his hand cut off in another part of the Muslim world for stealing something. There are much more pressing problems that Muslims have to deal with before insisting on “applying the Shari^a” in our changed world. These acts belittle the image of Islam in our modern global world of instant news and maximum propaganda. If the woman is to be legally stoned, should not there be four witnesses to her crime? Should not the man who did it be punished first? And then, if this were to be, who is clean enough to carry out the punishment and can still stand clear of conscience before God? During the early days of Islam (and in other societies before that) stoning and the other harsh things were meant as a deterrent to help people keep their impulses in check. While the Prophet was alive, stoning was hardly ever practiced. Society of those times could not afford an elaborate justice system with prisons and the like. That system worked well for them. Now, humanity has graduated to a different standard. Let’s focus on the positives of what Islam has to offer in helping us with our needs here and now.

33 The Lawful and the Forbidden

Islam is a complete way of life. It helps Muslims live a clean life by regulating their behavior at the community level, family level and at the individual level. Instead of going over complicated legal issues about what is lawful (Halal) and what is forbidden (Haram), we will simply cover a set of Dos and Don’ts that Muslims go by.

What is Lawful?

If you want to know what is acceptable in Islam and what is not and do not have access to someone who may know, just use your common sense, your best judgment. You would be able to guess most of the answers if you start from a conservative position of compassion (and maybe a good reference book).

- It is lawful for everyone to get married and enjoy the bounty of God in due measure. Even the Muslim clergy get married. Muslim men can marry non-Muslim (for example Christian or Jewish) women but the opposite is not true. A tradition refers to marriage as “half of someone’s faith”. In other words, someone’s faith is never complete until after marriage. - Divorce is tolerated in Islam. However, a narrated tradition reports that in the eyes of God, divorce is the most disliked of the lawful acts. Muslims go out of their way to stay together, to work it out. After extensive mediation, divorce becomes a last resort solution. - Contrary to many beliefs, contraception is practiced by Muslims. Abortion, however, is not. - In some Muslim countries and in special circumstances, a Muslim man can marry more than one woman, provided that they are treated equally and fairly. The special circumstances could happen during war time when lots of the men die and the women are left to raise their children alone (without the benefits of social services). This rule, however, does not apply in the US and other democracies where legal codes prohibit polygamy. Even in Muslim countries where social services are present, it is hardly ever practiced nowadays. - Investing in the stock market is acceptable provided that one invests in honest companies that benefit the community. Tobacco or alcohol companies do not qualify. Treasury bonds are to be avoided because of the interest built into them. - There is nothing wrong with getting rich provided that the wealth is acquired legally and morally and that one does not get attached to it but uses it to help relieve suffering.

God wants to make it easy on us. We just have to watch our temptations and questionable habits. As originally revealed, Islam is empowerment to individuals, to the family and to the society at large. It is meant to free people from their own prejudices and own weaknesses.

34 What is Forbidden?

Most moral codes of conduct agree on the basic things that are forbidden. Islam spelled out its prohibitions and encouraged Muslims to avoid them through the use of strong deterrents.

- Muslims should not worship anyone or anything other than the true God (Allah in Arabic). This is what kept Islam in its pristine form. - Of course, Muslims are not allowed to steal, or acquire property illegally. They do not mix ill acquired wealth with the honestly earned fruit of their labor. - Muslims do not consume intoxicants (alcohol, beer, liquor, etc) or narcotics (any forms of drugs). If it alters your mind, it is not for you. It’s that simple. - Muslims are not allowed to lie, backbite, slander, spy on others, or play games of chance (such as lottery or gambling). - Muslims cannot eat pork products or dead animals. Muslims are label-readers. They avoid pork products such as lard, gelatin, etc. They consume animals that are slaughtered in the Islamic way. Many studies are starting to document the benefits of these rules. The Islamic way of slaughtering (cutting the jugular vein) is a humane way of killing an animal, the draining of blood helps avoid meat spoilage. Special signs on food packages consist of a circle with either a K or a U inside that refer to “halal” products that can be consumed by Muslims. - Prostitution is illegal as well as fornication outside of marriage. Prohibiting prostitution in modern societies would curb the sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS which is affecting up to 30% of the population in some parts of the world. Fornication is allowed only between two legally married spouses. - Muslims are prohibited from marrying direct members of their family (step parents, in-laws, aunts/uncles, blood or step siblings, etc). This helps avoid genetic defects associated with in-breeding. Two Muslims cannot get married if they have shared milk from the same nurse when they were babies. This sharing makes them milk siblings. - Committing suicide is a serious sin in Islam because of the sacredness of life. This applies to all cases of suicide. - One cannot manipulate prices, exploit others, gain wealth through immoral means, practice fraud, etc. This rule would avoid situations like the artificial stock market “bubble” of the 1990s (and its subsequent collapse), the series of tax evasion scandals that followed and the financial crisis ten years later. - Muslims cannot accept interest (usury) for their invested wealth. Some Muslims argue that the only possible justified case for using interest-based loans is when purchasing their first modest house. Interest is folded into renting a home anyway. They obtain a loan to purchase their first house below their means and try to pay it off as soon as they can. Then they stay in that house until they can save enough money to move on up. Interest loans are not acceptable for other purchases such as a car, gifts, vacation, etc. This simple rule would have helped avoid the housing foreclosure debacle that was prompted by the shady subprime real estate loans of the end of the first decade in this 21st century.

35 - Muslim women and men dress modestly. They tend to cover themselves and avoid making display of their bodies such as in bathing suits or with revealing clothes. - Muslims do not take life insurance because they believe that it would be trying to interfere with the overall plan of God.

After having gone through that long (incomplete) list of prohibitions, it is fitting to remember that God is all-forgiving, most merciful and does everything by measure.

Islamic Etiquette

Muslims tend to fill themselves with the remembrance of God. They include God’s name in the big things as well as the little things in their lives. It just pervades all aspects of their lives.

- When Muslims hear Allah’s name being pronounced, they say “Blessed is His name, full of majesty” (Subhaanahu wa ta^ala). When they hear the Prophet’s name pronounced, they say “May God’s blessing be on him” (Salla laahu ^alayhi wa sallam). - It is nice to greet others before they greet us. If someone greets us first, we try to return a better greeting. This little practice helps us keep a clean heart with no ill feelings towards anyone. - Muslims often “Ask for forgiveness” (Astaghfiru llaah). - When Muslims start something (for example eating), they say “In the name of God” (Bismi llaah). When they finish, they say “Thank You God” (Al-Hamdu lillaah). - When drinking (water) Muslims do not drink more than three gulps at a time. - When someone sneezes, Muslims also say “Thank You God” (Al-Hamudu lillaah). Those present say “God has blessed you” (Rahimaka llaah). - When someone is sick, Muslims visit him/her. Then they ask the sick person to ask for blessings for them. Muslims believe that a sick person is closer to God. - The best way of thanking someone is “May Allah reward you” (Jaza’aka llaahu khayran). - When Muslims are in doubt about something, they “Seek refuge from evil” (A^oodhu billaahi mina shaytaanir rajeem). - When they see someone do something nice, or when they are amazed, they say “This is God’s will” (Maa shaa’a llaah). When they are planning something, they say “If God wills” (In shaa’a llaah). When they are in doubt about something, they say “Allah knows best” (Allaahu a^lam). - When two Muslims have an argument, they tend to work it out before the end of three days. The one who makes the first step is the better person. - Muslims finish a gathering by the following words: “Dear God, how perfect you are. We praise you. None has the right to be worshipped except you. We seek your forgiveness and turn to you in repentance” (Subhaanaka wa bihamdika, la ilaaha illa anta. Astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilayka).

36 Excerpts from the Qur’an

New and young Muslims are always encouraged to boost up their repertoire by memorizing more short Suras. Included here are some of the last Suras in the Qur’an.

A Few Short Suras

The Unbelievers (Al-Kaafiroon) Sura 109 Revealed in Mekka

1 Say, you who do not believe. Qul yaa ayyuhal kaafiroon 2 I do not worship what you worship. Laa a^budu maa ta^budoon 3 You do not worship what I worship. Wa laa antum ^aabidoona maa a^bud 4 I do not worship what you worship. Wa laa anaa ^aabidum maa ^abadtum 5 You do not worship what I worship. Wa laa antum ^aabidoona maa a^bud 6 To you your faith and to me mine. Lakum deenukum wa liya deen

The Help (An-) Sura 110 Revealed in Medina

1 When God’s help comes and victory. Idha jaa’a nasrul laahi wal fath 2 And you see people enter into God’s faith Wa ra‘aytan naasa yadkhuloona fee deeni in groves. llaahi afwaajaa 3 Celebrate the praises of God and ask for Fasabbih bihamdi rabbika was taghfirhu forgiveness for He is forgiving. innahu kaana tawwaaba

The Plaited Rope (Al-Masad) Sura 111 Revealed in Mekka

1 Perish the hand of Abu-Lahab, and perish. Tabbat yadaa abi lahabin wa tab

2 His wealth and his possessions will not Maa aghnaa ^anhu maaluhu wa maa kasab profit him. 3 He will soon burn in a blazing fire. Sayaslaa naaran dhaata lahab 4 And his wife will carry the wood fuel Wamra’atuhu hammaalatal hatab 5 Around her neck is a rope of braided Fee jeedihaa hablum mim masad palm leaves.

37 The Pure Faith (Al-Ikhlaas) Sura 112 Revealed in Mekka

1 Say He is Allah, the One. Qul huwal laahu ahad 2 Allah, the Eternal. Allaahus samad 3 He does not beget, nor was He begotten. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad 4 And there is none like Him. Walam yakul lahu kufu’an ahad

The Daybreak (Al-Falaq) Sura 113 Revealed in Mekka

1 Say, I seek refuge by the Lord of dawn. Qul a^oodhu birabil falaq 2 From the mischief of what He created. Min sharri maa khalaq 3 From the mischief of darkness as it Wa min sharri ghaasiqin idhaa waqab spreads.

4 From the mischief of sorcery. Wa min sharrin naffaathaati fil ^uqad 5 And from the mischief of the envious ones. Wa min sharri haasidin idha hasad

Mankind (An-Naas) Sura 114 Revealed in Mekka

1 Say I seek refuge with the God of mankind. Qul a^oodhu birab binaas 2 The Proprietor of mankind. Maalikin naas 3 The Lord of mankind. Ilaahin naas 4 From the mischief of the whisperer. Min sharil waswaasil khannaas 5 Who whispers into the hearts of people. Aladhi yuwaswisu fee sudoorin naas 6 From the spirits and people. Minal jinnati wan naas

38 A Few Supplications

The Verse of the Throne is often recited after regular prayers.

2:255 Allah, there is no god but He, the living, the self-sustaining. Sleep does not overtake him, nor slumber. To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth. Who can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them. They do not encompass anything from His knowledge except what he wills. His throne extends over the heavens and earth. He does not get tired of guarding them, and He is the Most High, the Supreme. 2: 255 Allaahu la ilaaha illaa huwal hayyul qayyoom, laa ta'khudhuhu sinatuw wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis samaawaati wa maa fil ard, man dhalladhee yashfa^u ^indahu illaa bi idhnih, ya^lamu maa bayna aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bi shay'im min ^ilmihi illa bimaa shaa', wasi^a kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal ard, wa laa ya'ooduhu hifdhuhumaa, wa huwal ^aliyyul ^adheem.

The following nice supplication is inspiring and recited often.

2:286 Allah will never overburden someone except with what he/she can bear. Everyone owns whatever good he/she has earned and whatever ill. Dear God, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Dear God, do not overburden us as you have done to those before us. Do not lay on us a burden greater than we can bear. Overlook our mistakes, forgive us and have mercy on us. You are our Lord. Help us against those who have no faith. 2: 286 La yukallifullaahu nafsan illaa wus^ahaa, lahaa maa kasabat wa ^alayhaa maktasabat, rabbanaa la tu'aakhidhnaa in naseenaa aw akhta'naa, rabbanaa wa laa tahmil ^alaynaa isran kamaa hammaltahu ^alal ladheena min qablinaa, rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa ma laa taaqata lanaa bih, wa^fu ^annaa, waghfir lanaa, warhamnaa, anta mawlanaa fansurnaa ^alal qawmil kaafireen.

39 Frequently Asked Questions

A number of questions are frequently asked by those wanting to know more about Islam. Included here is an attempt at reasonable answers.

If events in my life are set in advance, why should I make any effort?

This is the classic issue of predetermination or free-will. God knows what we do now and what we might do in the future. He gave us the ability to change things around us, i.e., control our destiny. However, God sometimes forces us into conditions that are best for us. We are led to some hard times scratching and screaming. But this hardship builds up our character and makes us stronger for our own benefit. Those who really want to please God know that they have control over their lives. However, they prefer to give up that control. They surrender their lives to whatever God sends to them. They are happy about the good and the not-so-good. They thank God for it all, especially the “bad”. For them there is no such a thing as a bad thing coming from God.

My “non-Muslim” mother just died. Can I pray for her?

Mothers are held in very high esteem in Islam. A tradition states that “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother”. Mothers have an innate love for their children no matter what. This unconditional love is God’s love for all of his creation. Mothers are to be respected, honored and spoiled by their children as long as they are still with us. When they die, we ask God’s blessings for them and remember them often. This is the least we could do. If your mother is “non-Muslims”, she deserves your prayers more. Your prayers will help you a because she is already blessed in the grace of God.

Would only Muslims go to heaven?

Only God knows who will be going where. We try to be good human beings, practice our faith, have good moral standing, and help as much as we can. We struggle to improve ourselves. The rest we leave it to God. The Prophet said that Muslims will fill part of paradise. He meant Muslims that are good human beings. I wonder who will fill the rest of paradise. God stated in the Holy Qur’an 2:62 “Those who believe, those of the Jewish faith, the , and the , who believe in God and the Last Day, and do good, will have their reward from their Lord. There will be no fear for them nor will they grieve”. This verse speaks for itself. The Sabians are a religious group who follow the teachings of John the Baptist (Yahya). Thousands of them remain in Iraq to this day.

Why do some Muslim women wear a veil? Isn’t that unfair to them?

Not all Muslim women wear a veil. Those who decide to wear one should be able to do so freely and of their own choice. The condition of women in some Muslim countries needs improving. Even in these countries, the empowerment of women is on the rise despite men’s eternal grip on power. It is sad to note that wearing of the veil is mandatory in the birth place of the Prophet on the one hand but outlawed in public building (libraries, schools, government buildings, etc) in Turkey (a “democratic” Muslim country) on the

40 other hand. When asked, most Muslim women would want to keep the debate on basic rights, social respect and economic opportunities for women, not on attire and cultural stigmas. Most Muslim woman who wear the veil in western countries have decided to do so of their own choice. They are telling the world: “deal with the strength of my character, not the shape of my body”.

Why should this misery happen to me?

When people are in extreme hardship due to incarceration for example, they start questioning their old ways. This hardship builds inner strength, brings resiliency and focus. No one ever knocks on the door of a prison and states that he volunteers to spend a few months locked up. Everyone resists being locked up. But making the best of it, many incarcerated people change for the better and live experiences that would have never been possible otherwise. If it were not for the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, there may not have been a free South Africa. God does everything by measure. Just the needed dose, when it is needed. Hardship can be a blessing too.

Does Allah love me?

In the rumble and tumble of conquest and empire building in Islamic history, the notion of God’s love has been relayed to the back burner by many Muslims. However, in the Qur’an and the Sunna, it is up there. A tradition states that God’s love is 100 times bigger than love than humans know. One of the 99 names of Allah is The Loving One (Al- Wadood). This is the pure non-physical love that a mother has for her baby. In any possible religion or spiritual philosophy, one cannot transcend and gain closeness to God without complete and unconditional love for Him and all his creation. Only positive actions and emotions sincerely work.

Do Muslims believe in Jesus?

Muslims believe that Jesus (referred to ^Isa in the Qur’an) was one of the mightiest prophets sent by God following up on a long line of messengers going back to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, etc. Muhammad was another of God’s prophets six centuries after Jesus. The Qur’an (revealed to Muhammad) states that Jesus was born through a miraculous birth. He did not have a father. His mother, Mary () was a pure woman. An angel (in the form of a man) informed her of the coming of her son. God blew into her from his . When Jesus was born, she felt concerned about her reputation, so she was asked to point to the baby. Jesus spoke from the crib to exonerate his mother and informed people that he was sent by God. Jesus’ life was full of miracles. He cured the lepers and the blind. He revived the dead (in plural), etc. His “death” was a miracle as well. The Qur’an states that he was lifted up before being killed. The Bible states that after getting crucified, Jesus was laid to rest. Three days later, his body was not found. He was raised up to heaven. The discrepancy between Jesus’ stories in the Bible and the Qur’an is “three days”. Christians believe that he was lifted up three days after crucifixion while Muslims believe that he was raised up before crucifixion. The main substantial difference between the two religions (Christianity and Islam), however, is that Muslims do not believe that Jesus was God himself, but that he

41 was a messenger of God. In any case, Muslims consider Christians as their long time cousins. The Qur’an refers to Christians as “People of the Book”. They both go back to their forefather Abraham. There is much that unites us. They also both believe that Jesus will return in the latter days as the unifying all faiths. Because Muslims believe in Jesus (and Christians do not believe in Muhammad), it is incumbent upon Muslims to build the bridges and reach out. Not for the sake of trying to “convert” anyone, but to be good cousins. It is God who converts the heart of whom He pleases.

What is the status of ?

Mary (Maryam) has the highest status of any woman in the Qur’an. An entire chapter (Sura 19) carries her name. Her father’s lineage has also been honored through the naming of chapter 3 after that tribe (Aal ^Imran). Her uncle Zakaria was a specially blessed man. The mission of his son, John the Baptist (Yahya) is also described in detail in the Qur’an. The story of Mary’s son, Jesus (^Isa), is also spelled out in detail in the Qur’an down to the Last Super (name of chapter 5).

What is the position of Islam on Terrorism?

There is a wide spectrum of Muslim beliefs going from the contemplative and ascetic Sufis that seek spiritual and mystical experiences to the extreme violent wing that advocates Holy War (Jihad). If there is a war to be waged, it should be waged against our own weaknesses and against corrupt governments in Muslim countries. Islam condemns unequivocally (in the Qur’an and Sunna) the killing of innocent people. Islam advocates the protection of life, not its destruction. Even in the state of open warfare, Muslims are bound by strict rules of engagement. They cannot kill an infant or an elderly. They cannot kill a woman or a civilian. Even an “enemy combatant” should be protected when he puts down his weapons. Muslims cannot destroy property nor cut down trees, etc. Extremists have actually done more harm to Islam than they can imagine. The openness of western societies is being questioned. Muslims are on the defensive. Basic freedoms in western societies are an inspiration to everyone. Modern democracies are a gift to everyone including Muslims. The overwhelming majority of Muslims appreciate this.

What is the meaning of life?

Muslims believe that each one of us has been created for specific missions. The primary one is to realize that the life of this world is not the end point of this journey that we call life. God created us to be his vicegerents on earth. He put in us the ability to do that. We have to rediscover that connection back to Him. When discovered, it enlightens and changes our lives. It is a schooling of some sort. After much practice and with good teachers, one learns enough to get to a higher level. That level includes complete surrender to God’s overall plan, and unconditional love for all of God’s creation. This makes us better human beings that strive to do good in order to please God. The grading score is focused on our actions and deeds. It is nice to train and practice but what really counts is the final score on the day that counts.

42 Closing Remarks

The Islamic civilization has made its contributions in history. It acted as a crucial link between the old civilizations (Greek, Persian, Roman, etc) and the modern world. For over 1,000 years, Islam was the shining beacon of light in the world. After getting knocked down for the past few hundred years, a new and improved Islam is coming back; an Islam of compassion and tolerance, an Islam of commitment to morality and ethics, an Islam driven by reason and moderation. This form of Islam is growing in the heart of sincere people; people that synthesize the best in modernity and spirituality. And it is starting to show.

The West has made great progress in science and technological advances, in human rights and the establishment of democracies, in information technology and advanced medicine, in environmental protection and energy conservation. Great progress is also being made in spirituality and religious inclusiveness. Islam is thriving in western democracies thanks to religious tolerance and basic freedoms. And due to moderate Islam’s spiritual appeal.

Islam is a beautiful gift to Mankind. When applied properly, it is a driving force for personal change. It strengthens our lives and makes us better citizens. It advises us on how to respect our spouse and children, how to care for our parents, our neighbors, the sick, and the weak. It gives us means to clean and heal ourselves from within. It gives solace and comfort to great many people and brings tranquility to their hearts.

Islam is, however, many things to many people. It stirs up emotions in some circles such as the sensation-driven branch of the media. When viewed within the context of what some extremist Muslims are doing in the world, Islam looks like an intolerant, backward- looking old religion of the Middle-East. Islam is a divine gift, but Muslims are just people, regular people with their flaws and aspirations. A small minority of Muslims fall into the trap of negativity and arguably “justified” violence just like any other group. That noisy minority is giving a bad image to Islam.

A dear friend once used the parable of a group of people that were living in a small crowded room. The doors were blocked and the windows were always shut offering no view to the outside. Because of their condition, they kept on arguing and bickering among themselves. If they were to stop and look around them, they would realize that the windows can be opened up letting light into the room. The windows yield a view to rolling hills with lush gardens and bountiful orchards. They would also manage to find the key and open the door. The hallway outside the room leads to a multitude of sumptuous other rooms. Downstairs and upstairs, they would find nice family members (cousins and others) that they forgot they had. They had forgotten that they were living in a beautiful mansion in the middle of a spacious property; and that they were members of a large noble family. My friend argued that many Muslims need to rediscover God’s gifts to them, love each other, and reach out to their cousins of other faiths and to those of different backgrounds. Amen to that.

43 List of References/Reading Material

A.Yussuf Ali, “The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an”, Amana Publications (1996)

E. Ibrahim and D. Hohnson-Davies, “An Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths”, Publisher

M.M.A. Akbar, “The Oration of Muhammad”, Ashraf Publishers (1954)

T. Ushama, “Methodologies of the Qur’anic Exegis”, Noordeen Publishers (1995)

A.V. Denfer, “^Ulum al-Qur’an: An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’an”, The Islamic Foundation (1983)

M.Z. Kandhelwi, “Shamaa’il Tirmidhi”, New Edra Publishers (1994)

A. Rahman, “Qur’anic Sciences”, The Muslim Schools Trust Publishers (1981)

M.M. Khan, Translator of “Sahih al-Bukhari”, Maktab Dar-us Salam (1994)

M.A.A. Siddiqui, “Elementary Teachings of Islam”, Kazi Publications (1995)

I.A. Ibrahim, “A Brief Guide to Understanding Islam”, Houston Dar-us Salam (1996)

M.N. Al Albaani, “The Prophet’s Prayer”, Haneef Publications (1993)

J.A. Badawi, “Selected Prayers: A Collection of Du^as from the Qur’an and the Sunna”, Islamic Teaching Center (1991)

M.C. Bassiouni, “Introduction to Islam”, Chicago (1988)

B.A. Lemu, “Islamic Tahdhib and ”, IQRA’ Publications (1997)

Y. Al-Qaradawi, “The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam”, Al-Faisal Press (1989)

T.B. Shu^aib, “Essentials of Ramadan, the Fasting Month”, Islamic Books Center (1991)

Al-Qushayri, “Principles of ”, Press (1990)

M.R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, “To Die before Death. The Sufi Way of Life”, The BM Fellowship Press (1996)

M.A.S. Al-Uthaimin, “The Muslim’s Belief”, (1987)

A.S. Hashim, “A Series of Islamic Books for Beginners”, 20 Volumes, International Graphics Printing (1991)

Y. Emerick, “What Islam is all about”, ICNA Publications (1997)

44 List of Islamic Words and Expressions

General Islamic words Allah Arabic word for God Isra and Mi^raj Ascension journey Ansars Medina Helpers Jibra’il Angel Gabriel Dhikr Form of meditation Maghfira Forgiveness Deen Faith Masjid Mosque ^Eid al-Adha Holiday of sacrifice Muhajiroon Emigrants to Medina ^Eid al-Fitr Break of Fast holiday Muslim Person following Islam Hijra Migration from Mekka to Rahma Mercy Medina Sufi Mystical branch of Islam ^Ibada Worship Taqwa God consciousness Imam Religious leader Tawba Repentence Islamic Adjective relating to Islam

Words related to the Qur’an Al-Faatiha The Opening chapter Al-Kaafiroon The Unbelievers An-Nasr The Help Ayah Verse in the Qur’an Juz’ Thirtieth part of the Qur’an Sura Chapter of the Qur’an

Family and companions of the Prophet Abu Bakr First Khalif ^Umar ibn al-Khattab Second Khalif ^Uthman ibn ^Affan Third Khalif ^Ali Fourth Khalif and cousin of the Prophet ^Aisha Wife of the Prophet Fatima Daughter of the Prophet Ahl al-Bayt Descendants of ^Ali and Fatima Zayd ibn Thabit Compiler of the Qur’an

Words related to the tradition of the Prophet Sunna Tradition of the Prophet Mawlid an-Nabi Prophet’s birthday Seera What the Prophet did Hadiths What the Prophet said Sahih Muslim Compilation of Hadiths Sahih al-Bukhari Compilation of Hadiths Sunan Abu-Dawood Compilation of Hadiths Al Muwatta of Imam Malik Compilation of Hadiths

Prophets mentioned in the Qur’an Ibrahim Abraham Isma^il Ishmael Ishaq Isaac Ya^qoob Jacob

45 Yusuf Joseph Sulayman Solomon Musa Moses Yahya John the Baptist Haroon Aaron ^Isa Jesus Dawood David Muhammad Muhammad

Words related to prayers ^Asr Third prayer of the day Qibla Direction of prayer Adhan Call to prayer Rak^a Prayer unit Dhuhr Second prayer of the day Salat Prayer Fajr First prayer of the day Salat al-Jumu^a Friday prayer Fard Obligatory Salat al-Nafila Optional prayer Ghusl General body-wash Salat al-Sunna Optional prayer ^Isha Fifth prayer of the day Tahajjud Optional night prayer Iqama Second call to prayer Taraweeh Ramadan prayer Khutba Sermon Tashahhud Recitation during prayer Maghrib Fourth prayer of the day Tayammum Dry ablutions Mu’adhin Caller to prayer Wudu Regular ablutions

Words related to fasting Futoor Dinner Iftar Break of fast dinner Laylatul Qadr The night of power Ramadan Month of fasting Sawm Fasting Suhoor Early breakfast

Islamic cities and early dynasties Mekka Birthplace of the Prophet Medina The Prophet’s adoptive city Damascus Capital of the ^Umayyad dynasty Baghdad Capital of the ^Abbassid dynasty

Words related to Islamic Law Shari^a Islamic law Madhahib Schools of Islamic law Abu Hanifa Leader of the Hanafi law Malik ibn Anas Leader of the Maliki law Al-Shafi^i Leader of the Shafi^i law Ibn Hanbal Leader of the Hanbali law Ja^far al-Sadiq Leader of the Shi^a law Ijma^ Consensus Qiyas Analogy Ijtihad Collective opinion Ra’y Personal opinion Wajib Obligatory Halal/Haram Allowed/Prohibited

46 Islamic Lunar months Sha^ban Lunar month before Ramadan Ramadan Month of fasting Shawwal Month after Ramadan Dhul Hijja Month of pilgrimage

Words related to Islamic Charity Zakat Mandatory Islamic charity Nisab Minimum taxable amount Sadaqa Optional charity

General Islamic expressions A^oodhu billaahi mina shaytaanir rajeem I seek refuge from Evil Al-hamdu lillaah Praise is for Allah Allaahu a^lam God knows best Allaahu akbar God is great Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa llaah I bare witness that there is no other deity except Allah Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasoolu llaah I bare witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah Assalaamu ^alaikum Peace be with you Astaghfiru llaah I ask forgiveness from Allah Bismi llaah In the name of Allah In shaa’a llaah If God wills Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji^oon We came from God and are returning to Him Jaza’aka llaahu khayran Allah will reward you with good Maa shaa’a llaah Whatever Allah wills Rahimaka llaah Allah blessed you Salla laahu ^alayhi wa sallam May God’s blessings be on him Shukran/^Afwan Informal Thank you/You are welcome Subhaanahu wa ta^ala His name is blessed, full of majesty Fi amaani llah Take care.

47

List of Mosques and Islamic Centers in The Greater Washington DC Area

The District of Columbia

Islamic Center of Washington DC 2551 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 Phone: 202-332-8343

Jama^at al-Qawiyy 1830 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Phone: 202-332-4976

Masjid al-Islam 5021 A Street, SE, Washington, DC 20019 Phone: 202-581-1616

Masjid Muhammad 1519 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 Phone: 202-483-8832

Masjidul llah 531 Kennedy Street, NW, Washington, DC Phone: 202-462-9362

Masjidush Shura 3109 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-574-8417, 202-322-2937

Maryland

Darut Taqwa 10740 Route 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042 Phone: 410-997-5711

Islamic Center of Maryland 19401 Woodfield Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Phone: 301-840-9440

Islamic Community Center of Laurel 7306 Contee Road, Laurel, MD 20707 Phone: 301-317-4584

48 Islamic Education Center 7917 Montrose Road, Potomac, MD 20854 Phone: 301-340-2070

Islamic Society of Baltimore, Masjid ar-Rahmah 6631 Johnnycake Rd., Baltimore, MD 21244 Phone: 410-747-4869, School Phone: 410-719-0921

Masjid as-Saffat 1335 W. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 Phone: 410-669-0655

Masjid Taqwa An-Nur 8000 Martin Luther King Avenue, Glenarden, MD 20785 Phone: 301-772-5969

Masjid al-Haqq 514 Islamic Way. Baltimore, MD 21217 Phone: 410-728-1363

The Muslim Community Center 15200 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301-384-3454

PG Muslim Association Community Center 9150 Lanham Severn Road (Rt. 564), Lanham, MD 20706 Phone: 301-459-4942

Virginia

All Dulles Area Muslim Society, Center 500 Grove Street - P.O. Box 1085, Herndon, VA 22070 Phone: 703-318-0529

Dar al-Hijra 3159 Row Street, Falls , VA 22044 Phone:703-536-1030

Darul Huda 6666 Commerce Street, Springfield, VA 22150 Phone: 703-922-0111

49 Idara Da^watul Irshad, USA Inc P.O. Box 22885, Alexandria, VA 22304. Home-Style Inn, 6461 Edsal Road, Alexandria, VA 22312 Phone: 703-256-8622

Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences of America 8500 Hilltop Road, Fairfax, VA 22031 Phone: 703-641-4890,

Islamic Circle of North America 106 Hume Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301 Mount Vernon Square Community Hall, 2722-A Arlington Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306 Phone: 703-684-1621

Islamic Community Center of Northern Virginia 8253-G Backlick Road, Newington, VA 22079 Phone: 703-541-2043. Columbia Pike - P.O. Box 1453, Annandale, VA 22003 Phone: 703-569-7913

Manassas Mosque 12950 Center Entrance Court, Manassas, VA 20109 Phone: 703-257-5537

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