The Muslim Tearoom

[HardlyEverHoovers]

Salaams/peace to all! I'm already missing our old thread, so taking the bull by the horns and opening our very own Muslim Tearoom, all welcome (non-Muslims too of course), to chat, share, ask questions etc etc. Imagine a cosy cafe with floor cushions, tea and coffee of all kinds, and lovely cakes! Please join me!

You know I remember the names of Allah that I use most in prayer, I use the names appropriate to my prayers, so when I was going thro my children's court hearing I prayed using the name Al-Adl meaning The Just, I use Ar-Rahman almost constantly The Beneficent and Ar Raheem The Merciful.

I was told many years ago that the prayers made during rainfall are answered, I've not minded rain since (good job given where we all live!).

Sis Crescent, that Hadith makes me feel bad about being grouchy when people yell at us to move down the train during rush hour when we're packed together like sardines, my usual response is to mutter move down, where where, I shall be more patient in future and attempt at being accommodating inshallah.

As salamu alaikum, I have been lurking on this thread and also read the last one. I don't have much to add to the conversation, but I'm enjoying reading and grateful for those of you that are keeping the thread going.

I've been Muslim for seven years now. Hope everyone is well.

Salaam everyone, crescent, i am so happy to see you active on here again....cant do without you sis. Fuzzy, thanks for that link. Still on the topic of Allah's names, i dont really understand fully the name ya hayyu and ya qayyum, though i use them regardless.

ya Hayy means the ever living ya Qayyum means the one with no end the self subsisting

Salaam everyone. Can I get a strong coffee please? Tired.com

I'm definately a lurker, feel I don't have anything of value to say that's why I read but don't post

Although I will say I've just spent a lovely week away in Turkey, but am now very confused about the Turkish beliefs on Islam. The hotel we stayed in does not allow its female workers to wear hijab for fear of offending the guests and the local mosque had to TURN DOWN the Azan as tourists complained it was too loud Surely if you visit a Muslim country, you should expect to see Islamic culture and traditions? Out of the staff working at the hotel, about 90% drank alcohol and only about 25% followed Ramadan this year (according to one worker). It makes me think, if they can say they're Muslim but drink and don't fast or pray or cover up, then why can't I?

Obviously I know the answer to that, just being facetious!

Presumably they identify culturally as Muslim? Or they believe in one God and the Prophets but don't do the acts of worship, so are non practicing?

About ten years ago in Dubai, the expats/tourists complained about the Adhan so speakers were turned off.
One of the Dubai royals happened to stop by and was staying near his Masjid (he'd paid for a masjid to be built) and was furious at ex BIL for not making the call to prayer in the morning (ex BIL was the Muezzin and one of the imams of that masjid), he faced losing his job, when the prince heard about the new law that had been passed he threw a fit and told ex BIL to turn on the speakers and he'd answer for it.

It always greatly amuses me when the racists and xenophobes trot out the old well in a Mozlamic country they would not consider our feelings blah de blah. lol

It makes me feel that in the UK there is more pressure to be a good Muslim, because you're surrounded by temptations, than in a Muslim country, where they've got used to non-Muslim ways and have become too relaxed!

Sis Crescent, over the years when I've learned to woman up, I often remember the following hadith;

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Strange is the affair of the Mu'min (the believer), verily all his affairs are good for him. If something pleasing befalls him he thanks (Allah) and it becomes better for him. And if something harmful befalls him he is patient (Saabir) and it becomes better for him. And this is only for the Mu'min." [Muslim]

I also spent a lot of time reciting surah al inshirah;

1.Have We not opened your breast for you?
2.And removed from you your burden,
3.Which weighed down your back?
4.And raised high your fame?
5.So verily, with the hardship, there is relief,
6.Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs).
7.So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allah's worship (i.e. stand up for prayer).
8.And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your intentions and hopes and) your invocations.

I've actually recited verse 5 & 6 in answer to a friend commiserating to me about something and barely had I recited the verse then the thing she was sympathising about completely changed for something better. I remember it vividly and try and avoid complaining.

Thanks for the welcome crescent I'll have a decaf coffee (breastfeeding).

I really hope your friend takes shahada soon.

I'm away from lots of Muslims where I am living and feeling a bit isolated and low imam, so really want to feel connected somehow, hence reading and posting here. There have been some very inspirational posts and useful reminders, so thanks to everyone who is keeping me going.

Love that Surah fuzzy

ummshi I'm the same, although I'm not that far from other Muslims. it's just Muslim mums spend their day cooking and cleaning and are too busy to meet up for a coffee lol! And the ones I know, if you talk about religion, they think you're judging them rather than trying to learn and increase in imaan. I tried to set up a sister's circle where I live, using a sister from London via Skype. I couldn't get anyone to commit to coming every week

That's a shame swish. I have known people like that in the past also.

Yes, I'd really like for my iman to get stronger and this is definitely helping, it's really important to me for my children to see Islam in their daily lives as well because they only see it from me, so I need to get better for their sake as much as my own.

I really want to read some translation of the Quran daily, but it's finding the right time. What about everyone else, do you prefer morning or evening for reading/reciting Quran?

hello ladies. I am not muslim but my ex is and would like our son to be. but I am struggling massively so any help would be greatly appreciated x

Hi Walter, you're more than welcome here.

Ummshi, I prefer to pray at night, when my girls are in bed and I'm de-stressed and showered and calm, it makes it easier for me to concentrate as I know I am not about to rush off to anything, I tend to read a quarter juz a day (take about fifteen minutes) and read surah Khaf on Fridays.

I spend a small amount of time which I know I can do regularly.

Hello walter.

Will try to help you in any way that i can.

Ummshi, i prefer to read at night, but i get so tired nowadays that i am trying to get up a bit earlier in the morning
I am ready for bed already today. Goodnight everyone.

Inshaallah, I'm going to try and get into a routine of doing a bit of reading every night, before i get too tired. The winter nights are getting me into bed earlier these days.

Hi Walter, I'm also happy to offer any support or answer any questions you have. It must be difficult for you, I hope this thread will help.

Good evening ladies! I hope you are all well

Early night for you defuse, 8pm! Yikes. I could do with learning to go to bed earlier. Although now I have started salah properly I quite enjoy getting up for Fajr. I've never experienced it before. That'll answer your question Umm... I find I get the most out of praying the Quran in the mornings however I'm only ever able to do that now as I'm not back at work yet, not sure how it'll fair when I've got the early starts at work. It is something that I am training myself to do though.

Hello TeaJunky. You sound like me last year, I wasn't the greatest practicing muslim. It always felt like it wasn't compatible with my daily life, like when do people actually have time to pray and do ablution 5 times and not go out all the time etc. I always had the belief but there was something missing, until I started fasting last Ramadhan. I started bringing little things into my life. Praying the Quran - took me ages at first cos I was so slow! . Learning salah from scratch etc. well a year on and I can't believe I thought it was so difficult. It's easy and I've realised following Islam isn't complicated or difficult. Sometimes, in my culture especially, people make it out to be difficult, you have to do this this and that but not this, but it's not like that at all. It is so simple and I love it.

crescentmoon After reading all the Rumi poetry me and DH ended up going to see the Whirling Dervishes in Istanbul a few weeks ago. DH didn't really get it, however I was totally taken by it all. Not sure what you all think of Sufism, I like [[http://elizaphanian.blogspot.co.uk/2006/03/moses-and-shepherd-rumi.html Moses and the Shepherd*.

Fuzzywuzzy you really are great at teaching me these surahs . Surah Inshirah is next on my list to pray in salah. I need to keep remembering the hardship to relief, in my circumstances I do find it difficult to accept things sometimes. Alhamdolillah though I am in a better state than I was a few weeks ago and I am trying to be patient.

Walter feel free to ask any questions even if you think they may be daft or offensive to us. I guess you need to understand what Islam is all about first of all?

Moses and the shepherd