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I've often been confronted with people who are really motivated
to do something for Islam, but who were aimless. You know what
I'm talking about. Sometimes we are so filled with feelings of
wanting to help but we don't really know where to begin.
Doesn't it seem like there's just too much that needs to be
done? Muslims are starving in war zones all over the world,
kings and dictators rape our lands, misinformation about Islam
is rampant, our children are succumbing to the non-Muslim way of
life, maybe half our family members don't practice Islam, even
if they say they're Muslim, the Masjid needs funds, Muslims need
to be taught the difference between what's Islam and what's
cultural, etc...
I'm sure many of you could add endlessly to this list. Have you
ever felt like the problems are just too great to solve? Have
you ever blocked it out of your mind because if you really
thought about it
you would become depressed? If so, then you're not alone. I've
met tons of believers, real sincere people, who lament that they
don't know what to do or how they can really help.
Of course, there are some people who will make one specific
issue their focus and they'll work to help in that direction.
For example, someone might make the support of the local Masjid
their cause. Another person may support whole-heartedly an
Islamic school or the activities of a relief agency, etc... But
most of us don't have time to do justice to those types of goals
like we should.
But the alternative, sitting at home and watching TV is hardly
worth our time when there are real Muslims out there who need
us, and a cause that we must support. So in view of all the
variables that affect most of our lives in the modern world,
I've come up with a list of ten easy things that every Muslim
family should do so that they can contribute to the betterment
of Muslims and the establishment of Islam in the West.
Anyone can do these ten things and I've selected activities that
are not overly time-consuming, nor expensive. I expect that
you'll agree and will tape a cut out of these ten "to do's" to
your refrigerator door. (Before grabbing that snack you can be
reminded about what is more important than filling your belly!)
#1 Sponsor an Orphan. Before anything else, there are hungry
Muslim children everywhere who have needs right now. There are
several reputable relief agencies who offer orphan sponsorship
programs that only cost from $20-$40 a month. You and I know
that's nothing expensive on your part - so do it. Some agencies
even offer automated withdrawal so you can send a letter once
with a voided check and never have to fill anything out again.
Doing this can make you close to the Prophet in Paradise.
#2 Subscribe to at least three Muslim magazines. This is
practically the only way you can keep abreast of issues
important to the Muslims in the West. It also supports the
budding Muslim media. Even if you don't intend to read the
magazines, subscribe anyway. Someone around you will read or you
can leave them with others. Make it at least three and try to
subscribe for 2-3 years at a time.
#3 Go to the Masjid at least once a week for Salat. In the West
today, nearly all of us have a Masjid within driving distance.
Even if you don't go to the local Masjid for Jum'uah because of
your job, then go for at least one Maghrib a week or for Zuhr on
Sunday. Whatever, just go at least once a week- WITH YOUR
FAMILY. It's the only way that you and your family will consider
the Masjid to be your place.
#4 If your children go to public school, and there is no Islamic
school nearby, then make sure they either get into some Sunday
school program, or, if the local Masjid doesn't run it right,
then pool together with some like- minded families and run your
own program at somebody's house every Saturday or Sunday and
conduct it the way you think it should be done. This is the
minimum requirement for not losing your children to secular
Christianity.
#5 Buy at least one book, audio or video produced by a Muslim
company or author per month. Have you ever wished that there
were better items for you and your family's pleasure?
Unfortunately, Muslims don't support their own writers and
artists very well. No one can make even a decent living if they
want to write or produce for the Muslim market. That must change
if you want to see wonderful products for you and your children.
Just buy one thing per month. Either out of a catalog or from
your local Muslim bookstore. For you it's only $5-$10 bucks, but
collectively, it can encourage our creative and talented
brothers and sisters to do more.
#6 If you see any new Muslims at your Masjid, then partially
"adopt" them into your family. The convert experience is
basically one of isolation and loneliness. You'd be surprised to
know that most converts are outright ignored by the people in
the Masjid. Beyond a few pleasantries and handshakes, they are
usually never made to feel welcome or accepted. They are often
cut off from their non-Muslim friends and relatives so they are
doubly vulnerable. A new convert should be invited into various
peoples home for dinner a minimum of six times a month. Get
together with others and make sure you all put the new convert
on your guest list for any sort of gathering.
#7 Keep three extra Qur'an translations and some literature in
your home at all times. You never know when you'll find someone
interested who wants to know more. Besides, your children read
only and understand only English. (You wouldn't believe how many
Muslim families don't have an English Qur'an translation in
their homes! How will the child read it if they don't understand
Arabic, and they never understand Arabic, even if their parents
are Arabic speaking!)
#8 Go to one convention a year. Even if you have given up on
them, you have to go. It's the only way your children will feel
a part of a greater community of believers. Think about it and
realize that you don't just go to a convention for your personal
enrichment. It's about Muslim solidarity. Go to at least one
every year. Couple it with your vacation plans or something.
Just go.
#9 Eat only Halal or Kosher Food. Besides all the religious
aspects I could mention, which are the most important, by the
way, there is another advantage. You solidify your identity and
introduce to your family the concept that animals should not die
cruelly (like they do in all American slaughterhouses) and that
Muslims eat cleaner food. If there are no Halal meat stores
nearby, you'll probably find a Kosher store. At least many of
the Jews are not shy about Allah's commandment there and have
established kosher markets everywhere.
#10 Lastly, make sure you and your family have cultural-type
items in your home in abundance that are associated with Islam
or Islamic culture. Everyone in your home should have prayer
beads, prayer rugs, kufis, Hijabs, (even if they're worn only
for prayer), gowns, posters, wall plaques, stickers, logo-
shirts, Islamic screen-savers on the computer, and on and on.
You want to establish an identity in your home. Everything
outside is totally un-Islamic. At least let the Islamic flavor
be present inside.
Originally, there were only ten things on this list, but then a
very important item came to mind but I just couldn't bring
myself to delete any of the preceding items. But in the interest
of simplicity, I'll keep the upper ten intact and mention this
item as a separate issue because it's something that you don't
really need to list with the other things.
This is extremely crucial: Resolve to raise your family as
Muslims. Don't be passive. Don't sit around and watch your
spouse and children drift further and further away into
disbelief and kufr. Would any of you like to be on their
deathbed and then realize that they only left non-Muslims behind
them? Imagine entering the great sleep with that realization on
your heart!
These ten things can be done, with minimal trouble and fuss, by
each and every Muslim family. Through these ten points nearly
every purpose of Islam is served and you can finally feel that
you're doing something in an organized fashion to help promote
your healthy way of life and also to fulfill your responsibility
to your Creator. Give it a try and see how easy these things
really are. Then stick with it. You have no excuses for inaction
anymore.
Source > > http://www.jannah.org
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