Learning Islam the right way Friday, 17 December 2010 02:06

Muslims have just celebrated the new Hijrah year which marked a turning point in the history of Islam. Very soon the whole world is to celebrate Christmas. So, starting a new leaf, let us make the best use of the two occasions. Those who recently converted to Islam may be passing through a difficult stage. Sometimes they will find themselves, in some situations, isolated for a reason or another. This isolation is not recommended. Islam wants its followers to be active members in society.

When Christmas comes, as a Muslim, you are allowed to share your family’s joyous moments, but you should not go beyond this. Do not do the things which Islam prohibits you from doing. Let them know that after you converted to Islam you are still with them, though. You are still a member of the family and it is your religion that asks you to do certain things and to avoid others.

Another of the problems facing new Muslims is how to learn Islam. Some new Muslims may fall a prey to deviated groups or sects because they do not find someone to teach them the true Islam. Others want to learn Arabic but, as students, they can’t afford it. Some girls want to wear the hijab but, concerned about their family’s reaction,  they wear it outside the house and take it off as they get home. I know of some new Muslims who hide under the bed to take the pre-dawn meal in order to fast the next day. These are some of the problems new Muslims may face. But with a better understanding of the new life style, they will manage to overcome these problems.    

As for the where to start learning Islam, the simple answer is by asking and enquiring. But, whom to ask? Islam teaches that if you do not know something, go to the people who have knowledge (scholars) and ask them. You have to make sure that you are asking the right person who is qualified enough to answer your queries. Some may ask where to find that qualified person? Local mosques are the best guide. Try to find a nearby mosque and visit it frequently. Go the mosques that teach the Quran and the Sunnah according to the way the Prophet’s Companions and their followers understood it. Muslim communities must sacrifice to help new Muslims in their journey as they do not only need the sympathy of Muslim communities, but rather they need their help and assistance.

If you are interested in seeking deeper knowledge of Islam, travel to a Muslim country and join one of those universities. In this case, you will have to learn Arabic so that you can follow the courses offered. But for now, you will find many universities offering courses on Islam in English and in other languages. About learning Arabic, I can tell you that it is not necessary in the very beginning. What you need is to know a few words in Arabic so that you can offer the prayers. If you cannot manage to learn them at first, start to perform the prayers in your own language.

A Muslim is a person who is kind, generous, and tolerant with people, including those of other faith communities. If you do this, you are indeed a true Muslim. Learning Islam comes also form reading books, but which books? Those written by people who have a deeper and better understanding of Islam, scholars who have an objective prospect of Islamic law and how to apply Islam in our daily life. Read for those that don’t use literal translations of the Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah. Better still, before reading books, get a good translation of the Quran and read it. If you have a problem with understanding a certain verse, get a good commentary on the Quran to know the meaning. Many parts of the translation have been printed by the Islamic Foundation in London.

After reading the Quran, try to get a biography of the Prophet’s life. I highly recommend a book entitled Muhammad, Man and Prophet: A Complete Study of the Life of the Prophet of Islam, written by Dr Adil Salahi and published by the Islamic Foundation. Another recommended book written by Dr Tariq Ramadan is entitled In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad, published by Oxford University Press, 2007. The Prophet’s biography will give a great insight on how the Prophet dealt with his wives, children, companions, and even his opponents, as you learn how he embraced Islam in his daily life from the moment he woke up till he went to sleep.

There are hundreds of books written about Islam and Muslims. Pick those written by skilled scholars. When learning from the Internet, you have to be very cautious and selective as there are thousands of websites that talk about Islam and Muslims.

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