Comments on: My first time in a mosque http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html ...exposing the evils and deviancy of modern-day extremist movements that operate under the guise of religion... Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:57:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-338 Anonymous Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:10:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-338 reading your article make me feel that there is some fact of Islam which may not be so clear . Muslim pray five times a day as reminder that they are here for a purpose and they will be question for all their deeds.Stopping whatever you do and moving towords the One who Created you is atestimony that God not My Will but yours. Muslims stand in a line and bow down as one in a Mosque whether they r rich or poor , or from any cast or may be of any color is the testimony that in eyes of God we all our One . richer is not superior to poor , neiher One color makes u superior . Islam say only and only your deed and intension make u different from other . <br/><br/> within the Qur'an, it states the following:-<br/><br/>"Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's, and he joined not gods with Allah." (Surah Al-Imran, 67) <br/><br/>Islam itself is belief in the unity of God (Tauhid) and the destruction of polytheism, which is Shirk, so that the will of a human being is bowed to God's. "People of the Book", that is, Jews and Christians, r termed "Muslims" as well, so long as they ascribe no partner with God and worship him alone<br/><br/><br/>Then set your purpose for religion as a man upright by nature - the nature made by Allah in which He has made men; there is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know - turning to Him only, and be careful of your duty to Him and keep up prayer and be not of those who ascribe partners to Him (polytheists), of those who split their religion and became schismatic, every sect rejoicing in its own tenets." 30:30-32Quran<br/><br/>Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. (The Noble Quran, 3:113-114)"<br/><br/>"Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (The Noble Quran, 2:62)" reading your article make me feel that there is some fact of Islam which may not be so clear . Muslim pray five times a day as reminder that they are here for a purpose and they will be question for all their deeds.Stopping whatever you do and moving towords the One who Created you is atestimony that God not My Will but yours. Muslims stand in a line and bow down as one in a Mosque whether they r rich or poor , or from any cast or may be of any color is the testimony that in eyes of God we all our One . richer is not superior to poor , neiher One color makes u superior . Islam say only and only your deed and intension make u different from other .

within the Qur’an, it states the following:-

“Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah’s, and he joined not gods with Allah.” (Surah Al-Imran, 67)

Islam itself is belief in the unity of God (Tauhid) and the destruction of polytheism, which is Shirk, so that the will of a human being is bowed to God’s. “People of the Book”, that is, Jews and Christians, r termed “Muslims” as well, so long as they ascribe no partner with God and worship him alone


Then set your purpose for religion as a man upright by nature – the nature made by Allah in which He has made men; there is no altering (the laws of) Allah’s creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know – turning to Him only, and be careful of your duty to Him and keep up prayer and be not of those who ascribe partners to Him (polytheists), of those who split their religion and became schismatic, every sect rejoicing in its own tenets.” 30:30-32Quran

Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. (The Noble Quran, 3:113-114)”

“Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (The Noble Quran, 2:62)”

]]> By: sheilaX http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-253 sheilaX Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:42:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-253 Shalom Irzan, Yes, you may. Shalom Irzan,

Yes, you may.

]]> By: irzan http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-252 irzan Tue, 02 Jan 2007 23:09:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-252 salam... can i feature this article in my blog? it feels really calm. salam…

can i feature this article in my blog? it feels really calm.

]]> By: Irving http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-235 Irving Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:35:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-235 This story sent tingles up my spine also :) Beautifully written and evocative. Thank you so much for sharing the experience :) Ya Haqq! This story sent tingles up my spine also :) Beautifully written and evocative. Thank you so much for sharing the experience :)

Ya Haqq!

]]> By: Baraka http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-46 Baraka Mon, 02 Jan 2006 22:12:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-46 Shalom & salaam,<br/><br/>This was a beautifully articulated description of your visit. I truly enjoyed reading it. While mosques around the world are similiar there are also distinct cultural differences, so reading about a mosque in Singapore was fascinating to me.<br/><br/>And, although the barrier has become more widespread, traditionally women prayed without the barrier in front of them & continue to do so in many places.<br/><br/>Peace,<br/>B Shalom & salaam,

This was a beautifully articulated description of your visit. I truly enjoyed reading it. While mosques around the world are similiar there are also distinct cultural differences, so reading about a mosque in Singapore was fascinating to me.

And, although the barrier has become more widespread, traditionally women prayed without the barrier in front of them & continue to do so in many places.

Peace,
B

]]> By: Arief http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-39 Arief Sun, 01 Jan 2006 11:23:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-39 it's a very good writing on finding out muslim's life in southeast asia region, i.e. singapore. v.s. naipaul did the same thing ("among the believers"). and, religious conversion may not be necessary, even we decide to do research on religious matter (example: robert d. lee, edward said, anne maried schimmel, greg barton, etc.)<br/><br/>keep it up, sheila. <br/><br/>arief <br/>- a javanese muslim, originally from indonesia, interest in interfaith dialogue, currently a research officer at data storage institute. it’s a very good writing on finding out muslim’s life in southeast asia region, i.e. singapore. v.s. naipaul did the same thing (“among the believers”). and, religious conversion may not be necessary, even we decide to do research on religious matter (example: robert d. lee, edward said, anne maried schimmel, greg barton, etc.)

keep it up, sheila.

arief
- a javanese muslim, originally from indonesia, interest in interfaith dialogue, currently a research officer at data storage institute.

]]> By: Aaron http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-15 Aaron Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:38:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-15 Salaam! I just finished reading this "article" while eating my pre-fajr meal. Thank you for taking me along on this journey. As a convert to Islam, I could strongly relate to what was written between the lines. Please stay "present" and humble and pay attention to even the smallest of signs on yor journey less you miss the exit and take the long way home. Are you familiar with the work of Zaytuna Institute in California? I serve as the audiovisual artist/engineer there and most of the photography, audio and video content on the site were produced by me, alhamdulillah. I feel/hope that you will find much benefit from the combined resources on our website at, www.zaytuna.org. Please do visit and your feedback/reflections would be much appreciated.<br/><br/>At your service, Aaron audiovisual@zaytuna.org Salaam! I just finished reading this “article” while eating my pre-fajr meal. Thank you for taking me along on this journey. As a convert to Islam, I could strongly relate to what was written between the lines. Please stay “present” and humble and pay attention to even the smallest of signs on yor journey less you miss the exit and take the long way home. Are you familiar with the work of Zaytuna Institute in California? I serve as the audiovisual artist/engineer there and most of the photography, audio and video content on the site were produced by me, alhamdulillah. I feel/hope that you will find much benefit from the combined resources on our website at, http://www.zaytuna.org. Please do visit and your feedback/reflections would be much appreciated.

At your service, Aaron audiovisual@zaytuna.org

]]> By: Shaik Abdul Khafid http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-11 Shaik Abdul Khafid Sat, 29 Oct 2005 05:54:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-11 This is a very moving post. You write so well. Masha'Allah. This is a very moving post. You write so well. Masha’Allah.

]]> By: Syed http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-10 Syed Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:47:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-10 Hi, I liked the blog. <br/>I wanted to ask one thing...you said "The yellowed skullcap on his head confirmed this [that he was a haji]". I didn't know there was any distinguishing caps worn by hajjis. In fact, I think they don't. Skullcaps (and they are not like the skullcaps of the Jews, they cover a lot of the head) are worn by almost everyone in a mosque. So I was curious what was that yellow skullcap you are talking about?<br/><br/>Secondly, I didn't know before reading this blog that you were Jewish. I was like surprised. I thought you were an athiest.<br/><br/><i><b>Sheila replies</b>: Many thanks for your support, Syed. I was told by Rashid (the guide in the essay) that skullcaps used to be a sign of a Muslim's hajj status. But the skullcap's simplicity eventually outdid itself. It's worn by virtually everyone nowadays, in place of the traditional Malay songkok. Let me know, ok? You may email me at <a HREF="higher.criticism@gmail.com" REL="nofollow">higher.criticism@gmail.com</a></i> Hi, I liked the blog.
I wanted to ask one thing…you said “The yellowed skullcap on his head confirmed this [that he was a haji]“. I didn’t know there was any distinguishing caps worn by hajjis. In fact, I think they don’t. Skullcaps (and they are not like the skullcaps of the Jews, they cover a lot of the head) are worn by almost everyone in a mosque. So I was curious what was that yellow skullcap you are talking about?

Secondly, I didn’t know before reading this blog that you were Jewish. I was like surprised. I thought you were an athiest.

Sheila replies: Many thanks for your support, Syed. I was told by Rashid (the guide in the essay) that skullcaps used to be a sign of a Muslim’s hajj status. But the skullcap’s simplicity eventually outdid itself. It’s worn by virtually everyone nowadays, in place of the traditional Malay songkok. Let me know, ok? You may email me at higher.criticism@gmail.com

]]> By: blueangel http://higher-criticism.com/2005/10/my-first-time-in-mosque.html/comment-page-1#comment-9 blueangel Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:39:00 +0000 http://66.147.242.95/~deendotc/addondomains/highercriticism/?p=56#comment-9 Hi. I'm totally amazed and intrigued by the way you write about Islam. Pardon me for asking but are you a Muslim yet? I'm really happy to hear that there are people who are interested in Islam. Keep writing and I'll be back for more.<br/><br/><i><b>Sheila replies</b>: Many thanks for your kind words. I have always held the belief that interest in a religion doesn't necessarily entail conversion. A Muslim can be interested in Christianity or Judaism without converting to either religions. It works the other way too.</i> Hi. I’m totally amazed and intrigued by the way you write about Islam. Pardon me for asking but are you a Muslim yet? I’m really happy to hear that there are people who are interested in Islam. Keep writing and I’ll be back for more.

Sheila replies: Many thanks for your kind words. I have always held the belief that interest in a religion doesn’t necessarily entail conversion. A Muslim can be interested in Christianity or Judaism without converting to either religions. It works the other way too.

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