Re-opening the Muslim Tearoom?

[perfectlybroken]

Salaam/peace, I haven't seen a tea room thread for ages. Would anyone be interested in resurrecting it? Perhaps we could redecorate, and have a new range of yummy cakes!
The previous tearooms were places where all were welcome, and we could chat about parenting/marriage/Islam stuff. Visits from those we questions about Islam were also welcome.

Keep reading and learning, I think you're are doing great There is no substitute for the Quran though, and your reaction to it and feelings will tell you a lot, even a translated version should illicit a strong response. The Pickthall translation is wonderful IMO and easy to read too. Do you pray or talk to Allah swt Pannnn? I used to recommend to people interested in converting that they follow the prayer times and at these times just sit and talk to Allah swt. If they converted to Islam it was a good start and if they didn't most still found it beneficial. You can find the times for your area on islamicfinder.org as your rural just search your nearest city. Not all Muslims enjoy the first prayer (fajr) in the very early morning but IMO it's the best way to start the day. Its lovely and peaceful at that time and if you stay up for a bit afterwards you can watch the sun come up, maybe give it a go and see how you like it

muhajaba, my loved one is bringing the Pickthall copy round tomorrow. She has given me some basic rules regarding storing and handling and I've done a bit more research. Again a lot of the 'advice' is contradictory but I am understanding the respect and reverence.
I didn't actually grasp what a big step it will be to have a translated copy in my house. It does feel like a massive step.

I have already downloaded the salah times for the nearest city and have become familiar a bit with the organisation of them. I know I cant (and wouldn't expected to) commence in full observance. Just being aware of the times and setting aside specific actions, reading and contemplations for myself would be acceptable initially. As I keep reading, God knows my heart and knows I will be being as best as I can be.

And yes I've often 'talked with God' over the years and do feel comfortable with that, but obv that's been the Christian God. But talking with the Islamic God will be quite different I think. I have never addressed him as Allah but this afternoon and evening this will change as I talk with Him about the mus-haf coming to my house and what it signifies.

I am becoming much more sharply aware of the differences between faith and culture the more I ask and/or read. My loved one is from a quite wealthy, conservative sounding family with roots in Punjab and the South Asian conduct is something that has caused major problems for her and I can see why. At the moment I am trying to focus on my own faith development and not be enmeshed in those issues, initially.

I'm really pleased you will soon start to read the Quran. I don't even really recommend people consider converting until they have read it all, I hope you will let me know how you get on

Pannnn if Allah swt really is in your heart and Islam is really right for you then you will want to fully observe. Please believe me that the five daily salat have the power to change your life and will only be an inconvenience or hardship if you make the choice to view them that way. Many converts are instructed to perform lengthy, hard to learn prayers, there is absolutely no need for this, if you learn only the obligatory parts to start the prayer is short and easy and you can fully understand and enjoy it without worrying about remembering a load of extra bits, the extra bits can come later when you know your salat well.

Muslims believe that Christians, Jews and Muslims (and maybe other monotheistic religions) share the same God. If you have been talking to God for years then you have already been talking to Allah swt

Your observations on religion and culture are spot on and unfortunately people very often mix the two, often without realising, often with disastrous results. Culture corrupts religion. IMO it's extremely important for Muslims to have a thorough knowledge of our faith so we know the difference between them. New converts especially are often faced with people pushing religiously incorrect cultural and tribal ideas on them, knowledge and confidence are the best weapon against it but of course sometimes smiling and nodding has to do!

Morning

I'm new to mumsnet and would like to join.

Pannnn- I grew up RC and reverted to Islam during Ramadan last year.
I have a very long conversion story but in a nutshell- I moved to the Middle East and met my now husband. He opened my eyes to Islam and revealed that all the unanswered questions and things I don't understand about in Christianity do not exist in Islam. Everything just makes sense.

We had many long conversations about religion but never even discussed converting to begin with. He would never start the discussions and would let me take things at my own pace. When I said I wanted to convert he was beyond happy but made sure that it was something I wanted and didn't just do for him.

I did so much learning in the lead up to my shahada as I wanted to make sure I knew the very basics before I took the final step. I started to read the Holy Quran and many other books for information, tried to learn the timings and movements of the prayers and embraced Ramadan.

When I took my shahada I went to a mosque and had a number of witnesses. I did officially change my name and my now husbands family do call me by that name. I am slowly trying to introduce my new name at work and with friends but I suspect it will take some time for people to get used to. Saying that, everyone knows I have converted and have made some quite big lifestyle changes and I haven't had any problems so far- Alhamdulilah.

I got married in January this year and can honestly say converting to Islam is still a journey which I am undertaking, my husband is still great and helping me on my way.

The only thing that grates on me is when people introduce me and say ' this is .... she's married to .... so is now Muslim.' I didn't become Muslim for my husband and don't need people to justify to others why I'm not drinking alcohol. Obviously it is getting to me but I just smile politely and carry on. Maybe I will say something in the future but I'm not sure how to tackle it.

Any questions- I am more than happy to answer.

Salam Forevertimes, great to read your story, congratulations : )
If it makes you feel any better- I was born into a very mixed Muslim family and have been Muslim all my life, but plenty of Arab people assume that I'm a convert who converted for my Arab husband as I don't have a name they recognise. I've given up saying I've been Muslim for 31 years as that just raised questions about botox!
I have Bosniak relatives too who get a bit fed up with daft questions. It is annoying, I sympathise x

Evening all,and esp Forevertimes!
Hope all is well?

Loved one arrived with the Holy Quran today and brought a salat guide and a bathroom mat.

Thank you for your story, it's always refreshing to read/hear people's conversion stories - it helps make it seem natural and uncontroversial. Loved one is not taking any lead almost to the point of being unhelpful in discussion. As you say she says it must come from me - she will provide things but has no role in leading.

Still a lot to talk about and read, and contemplate.

Assalamu alaikum

How is everyone? Pannn how are you finding the Quran?

Time is flying by and it is nearly time for Ramadan! 😃

I am so excited this year. I fasted last year (helps living in the Middle East where everything is closed and it is illegal to eat and drink in public during the fasting hours) and after saying my Shahadeh went to the Masjid to pray every evening.

But this year, I just feel I want to really take part in everything. And to be more prepared for the fasting. Has anyone got any tips or advice?

Walaikum asalam

I'm also very intrigued to know how Pannnn is getting on?

I won't be fasting this year as I'm pregnant, it'll be strange.
I recommend eating plenty of protein and fats with less carbs, it keeps your energy levels up and you can go longer without feeling hungry than with carb based meals. I try to avoid all the overeating and overindulging that goes on, it's really not what Ramadan is about. I do all my housework and prep as much as I can for iftar in the mornings, then sleep in the afternoons when it's hot. I always decorate my house too so it feels festive.

Just wanted to say Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim sisters. I will beraying that God gives you strength to keep fast, especially during this very warm weather and these long days. May he bless you and keep you.

Ramadan Mubarak from this Catholic girl.
Peace to you all.

Ramadan Kareem everyone!

Thank you @lessstressed and @maras.

@maras it really means a lot for you to wish us all!

Regarding abortion, my daughter did relgious education for gcse and abortion was a topic. I can definitely remember that in Islam abortion was allowed up to a certain date ( I think that was deemed when the soul entered the foetus).

Hello ladies, I hope you won't mind if I as a question, as a non Muslim? I work in an area with a large Muslim population who are, of course, at present observing Ramadan. Would I sound like a twat if I offered a 'ramadan mubarak' greeting? I certainly wouldn't want to offend but would like to recognise that it's a special time for my customers, in the same way I'd say 'merry Christmas though late December. I don't really know why I feel so awkward about it!

Glitter, go for it! :) Or you could just say 'hope your fasts are going well'. You might find that less awkward. When Eid is announced, you can say Happy Eid, or Eid Mubarak.

It is lovely to have this safe space on MN, thanks OP for starting it :)

In the past few months, I have seen alot of anti-islam and muslim bashing on MN, which is utterly frustrating and makes me a bit angry and upset tbh. It is lovely to have this space

Hope everyone's ramadhan is going well!

Thanks Sunegg, I don't want to seem to 'try hard' if you see what I mean!

Hi all and thank you to posters recalling my conversion process.
I can say that things are a little complicated though I have explained things to my sisters and they are fine and happy for both of us.
I don't wish to say too much on here now as I will be v easily identified and some folk from my profession and work places are also MNers and what I am doing, and being with loved one is personal and specific to us.
It doesn't mean I don;t wish to discuss, just off thread if that's okay.

but yes hope all people's ramadan is going well too.

This isn't an Islam justification thread as far as I can see. One to defend a faith. It's the Muslim tea room for chat and support.
There are quite a few threads running where your question has been answered. Imho

Sorry - my mistake and absolutely no offence intended.
x

Salam everyone! I'm a Christian married to a lovely Muslim, just nice to be able to read about everyone's experiences and join in now and again! I hope Ramadan is going well for all! I fasted last year with DH but can't this year as we are expecting our first child together this year! Peace to you all!

Salam all!
Just an update - I am going over to a local mosque at the weekend (not sure if Sat or Sunday yet) and will be making the testimony of faith. IN discussions with people and reading a lot I almost feel I am over-cooked and just really want to get on with it. It's been much more challenging than I first anticipated, and there have been times when I just wanted the Islamic God and Christian God to have a chat with himself and make things easier for me! It's really difficult to renounce the beliefs that you have grown up with and are accepted by just about everyone you know. Despite having severe reservations unspokenly until now.

Hope everyone's Ramadan was as peaceful as possible and the very hot days here in the UK on the last week were bearable, and of course also being the longest of fasts in any year.

Could you give us an update @ pannnn

Bumping x

Eid Mubarak!

My we are all a bit slow in the tea room!

My update is that I made my shahada in July at a city mosque. The 'hearer' for want of a better word also gave me some what sounded like v good advice about taking things at my own pace and not be 'told' I must be doing certain things by certain times. We have 'new converts' classes that are extremely interesting and helpful.

I did miss Ramadan and so with this Eid coming I tried a fast yesterday and completed it. 14 hours with no food/water was my longest ever by some distance, and the money saved went to the Alzheimer's Society.

So all is well here, and thank you for asking, all.