It might seem mysterious.
Foreign,
Strange.
But all it’s about, is believing in, appreciating and humbling oneself before The Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.
All posts by Danielle LoDuca
The Real Reason to Hate Islam
Islam has pretty much always had haters. Every prophet we know of had adversaries.
Some well known examples are Noah and Jesus. Both had plenty of detractors in their times.
The thing is, the haters hated the message for the right reason; because of its core belief:
There’s nothing worthy of worship except the One and Only God.
In previous times, some didn’t like the idea of change, of leaving the “traditional” religions of their forefathers.
Some were profiting grandly from idolatry, as was the case in Makkah at the time of the prophet Muhammad.
Others did not like that they should shift their attention from profiting at others’ expense to instead humbly devote themselves to One more worthy.
Still others didn’t accept the concept that they would be accountable for their actions being in accordance with a purpose for their existence.
Whatever the complaint, it went back ultimately to the belief in and service of One Eternal Creator and Sustainer who has absolutely no partners.
Prophets were killed and threatened.
Ridiculed.
The prophets weren’t hated for the reasons people claim to hate Islam today.
The contemporary complaints are divorced from Islam itself. They all have solid rebuttals and evidence that proves the complaint baseless and inappropriate.
Islam does not condone or promote:
Terrorism
Murder
Violence
Domestic abuse
Pedophilia
Racism
Oppression
Lying/cheating
Smelling bad
Being dirty
Worshipping anything in creation such as the sun, the moon, people, black boxes etc.
And whatever other false accusations are flying around. In fact quite the opposite.
So if you want to hate Islam, hate it because it calls to the recognition, appreciation and service of the One God, who created all that exists. Because that’s what it’s all about.
Otherwise it’s simply not Islam you hate.
And if you don’t have a problem with calling to serve and acknowledge the One Creator of all creation, then you don’t have a problem with Islam.
Period.
Share this:
Unlocked
Islam is liberation.
Freedom.
Every person has the ability to be free through Islam if they choose.
Even if they are poor.
Even if they are oppressed.
Even if they are physically in chains-
In the bowels of a torturous prison.
Because Islam straddles every rift;
It’s able to encompass every one and every thing.
It’s kind of like this:
Think of a type of success; say, via business.
You want to be successful-
Rather, you need a successful form of sustenance.
So you decide to start a business.
But you don’t know what kind of business will be successful; how to start one, how to run it.
You know nothing about being an entrepreneur.
If you have to go through the process all alone and figure out every detail from knowing absolutely nothing,
it will surely be a struggle.
If your success and wellbeing depend entirely on running that business flawlessly, the process will no doubt be stressful.
Your lack of knowledge is a burden.
Let’s say you are receiving conflicting information about the correct way to run a business. It will be hard to decide which advice will be more beneficial. You may fail many times over.
You struggle everyday.
And then suddenly an experienced and highly successful business person comes along. They provide everything you need to make your business more than you even imagined it could be.
They give you the money, the knowhow, the contacts. They educate you on what to do every step of the way. They are entirely at your disposal.
Can you imagine the burden lifted? The relief?
That’s how Islam works.
The tools to surmount every obstacle are provided for you. Handed to you.
For free.
So naturally: implementing it is freeing.
The burden of not knowing is lifted.
Guidance is provided at every step.
You see and feel the results.
And it all has to do with the self, or the soul.
So, that self can adapt to be in the best state relative to its particular situation.
Contrary to what you might think, even wealth and comfort are tests in this life.
So someone seemingly living an easy life is also in need of guidance on how to reach true success.
Pitfalls exist in every situation. We need knowledge to avoid them.
Opportunities for benefit exist in every situation. We need knowledge to recognize them.
To be successful in the life we all have been given, we need knowledge from the One who gave life to us.
Naturally.
When you have that knowledge, it liberates you from the shackles of ignorance and the burdens of incorrect advice.
It’s like driving on a smoothly paved, straight road as opposed to an uneven ground covered in stones and obstacles.
Wouldn’t you feel free once you get off the rocky terrain onto that smooth road?
Woohoo! That’s the free life.
And I think whatever way someone might follow, the satisfaction can never compare to the complete satisfaction of living the way you are intended to live: Driving on that straight, clean road.
According to the guidance given by the manufacturer. Your manufacturer.
So one might ask how do we know which is the right set of instructions?
If you really want to know, it just takes a little dedication.
Truth stands out amongst falsehood.
If you want it, really want it, it will be shown to you. Given to you.
Handed to you with utmost Mercy.
That smooth road you were hoping for.
Comfort.
Peace.
Then if you choose it and put effort into following it:
Success.
Freedom.
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful.” (7:157)
“Falsehood shall not come to it from before it nor from behind it; it is a revelation from the Most Wise, the Worthy of Praise.” (41:42)
Share this:
I Was Born Muslim
Did you know everyone was born in a state of Islam?
It’s true.
I didn’t choose my gender… did you?
I didn’t choose my eye color or hair. I didn’t choose my country; my family, my language.
I was born in submission. I was born a Muslim.
We all were.
But humans only remain in the state of natural Islam for a short time until our free will kicks in; Then it’s up to us what we do and what we believe.
You were taught to be a Christian, or a Jew, or an Atheist, or a Hindu, or a Buddhist or whatever you might have been as a child.
I used to go to Catholic church, because my family is Catholic.
But we all have had a spiritual spark embedded in us. Kind of like a homing feature.
It’s our intrinsic spiritual and moral disposition. In Arabic, it’s called the fitrah.
It is the reason why some people search for truth. They know there is something more to this life.
Do you remember wondering?
You probably had all kinds of big questions, like: Why are we here? What’s the purpose of life? How do we know if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing? What happens when we die? Why is there suffering? What is reality?
Does God exist?
In some though, especially after time passes and questions go unanswered, that spark can be completely buried and forgotten.
There are other tools and evidence that support the fitrah though; if we are willing to look.
My unique fingerprint is a sign.
Snowflakes, fruits, the sun and the moon are all signs.
When I look in the mirror at the features I didn’t choose, I remember where I came from.
As I age and begin to notice, that the lines on my face don’t disappear after I smile anymore;
I remember where I am going.
Freely choosing to submit to the guidance provided by our Maker is like following the instruction manual for a machine. It doesn’t make any sense to use a refrigerator as a bookshelf or a computer as a chair.
I would’t use my lawnmower on my hardwood floor or my vacuum in my garden.
Following the guidance is like that. Using your existence for it’s purpose.
The sense of relief that comes with that is indescribable.
When you align your will with the supreme will of the one who designed us, you accept that you have curly hair, or brown eyes. You realize you couldn’t have been born to be a little taller or more attractive. You are supposed to be just how you are.
You then focus on the things you can control: choosing between good and bad actions, using your time wisely.
You can stop fighting what can’t be fought.
And the link between the two involuntary submissions: birth and death, is complete.
It’s the only way to make the transition from one, to the other
in peace.
Share this:
Common Ground
This is a message especially for Jews and Christians.
There is a line in the Quran that Muslims have been instructed to share with you. It is simple and clears up so much confusion, misunderstanding and provides common ground. I think it can help us be better neighbors:
“We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. Our God and your God is one (the same); and it is to Him we submit.” (29:46)
All of us: Jews, Christians and Muslims, can agree we believe in The Creator.
Similarly, we can agree that we believe in and revere the prophet Abraham (Among many others in fact).
“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to God]. And he was not of the polytheists.”(3:67)
He worshipped only the Creator, ascribing no partners to Him. The example of Abraham is mentioned often throughout the Quran. His way of life was submission to the Most Merciful. That’s Islam.
This is food for thought.
Muslims believe in all the prophets including Moses and Jesus. Where do our differences lie? Has God not provided a consistent message from the beginning of humankind’s sojourn on Earth? Shouldn’t all of us be striving to emulate Abraham?
The Quran says:
“The Messenger (Referring to Muhammad) has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in God and His angels and His books (including the original Torah and Gospel) and His messengers, [saying], ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.’ And they say, ‘We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.'”(2:286)
The way I see it, there is no reason to fight or to hate.
So when you see a Muslim, remember, they worship the same God as you. The one who created all of us. They believe in your prophet, be he Moses or Jesus. They Believe in Abraham, Noah and Adam.
I welcome your thoughts.
Share this:
It’s Not All Bad
Yesterday, a woman I was talking to on the street looked into my eyes, hers were sparkling in the sunlight.
Sweet, blue pools nestled into her weathered and weary face.
Her eyebrows arched toward the center, questioning… “You look like a saint – you must be a saint.”
She looked me over and repeated it.
There are those who hate to see a Muslim, people who may be suspicious of my smile- people who mock the cloth on my head, or pity the fact I’m not showing the world how very fashionable I can be.
There are people who lump Islam along with fascism and Muslims with madmen.
I feel so often this negativity is the focus of our discussions.
But it’s not all bad.
Some perceptions are negative, but some are positive.
Very positive.
In fact, some people have such a favorable reaction to my dress and my manners- both of which are not really mine, they are just my feeble attempts at implementing Islam-
They don’t even know what to make of it other than comparing me to an angel.
I’m surprised at how often I get that.
“You look like an angel.”
Someone who helped me choose the right PVC pipes in a hardware store once, after our brief experience together asked if I was.
An angel in disguise, shopping for PVC
It was as if he was sure I must be…
I’m usually dumbfounded when this happens- at a loss for words.
What I would like to say is, “No, I’m just a Muslim.”
Like I said before, Muslims don’t fly. Not even close. We are very human, with all the variation and fallibility that goes along with it.
But this reaction, this comparison, I get it.
Because I’m trying, a little bit, to be like a human who was the best of mankind.
The person closest to being an angel a human could get.
His name was Muhammad.
Is that how you think of Muhammad?
What do you think when you see or meet a Muslim?
If you are a Muslim, please share your positive experiences in the comments section!
Share this:
They’re speaking Muslim!
One reason Islam might seem unfamiliar is due to the preference and tendency of Muslims to use Arabic words and phrases- even amidst an otherwise English conversation.
If you were standing in line near me at the grocery store let’s say, and my cell phone rang, you’d probably hear me answer it and say, “assalamu alaykum! How are you?”
When my friend asks me how I’m doing, I’ll probably answer, “alhumdu lillah! I’m fine!”
Then I might let them know I’m busy and say, “I’ll call you back, insha Allah.”
So why does someone like me, who only speaks English need to mix Arabic and English when I speak?
Good Question.
Well, I don’t have to and I’m not trying to alienate you. There are reasons I choose to, though.
If I am speaking to a person who is not Muslim I will most often either translate those very same phrases or I leave them out altogether. (I still say them in my mind though!)
Some things just sound weird in English to me. I love the meanings of them, but that’s because I understand those meanings through the perspective given in the teachings of Islam.
Imagine if every time I met you, I was like, “peace be upon you.” or “May peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God.”
It’s not a part of our social culture, therefore it is strange to our ears.
The only familiarity American Christians might have with this greeting is from church, when the priest says to the congregation, at a ritual aspect of his sermon, “Peace be with you” and the people respond in unison, “and also with you”.
The meaning is lovely if you think about it, but when when I had to say it in church, it felt unnatural for me. Many other sayings and actions especially of the priests and clergy just didn’t resonate with me and felt strange at the time. It made me feel uncomfortable. I think it was really because those concepts were so divorced from the speech and meanings of everyday life.
We weren’t taught much about the practicality of religion and the origins of such phrases; causing them to feel alien and artificial – it was never common practice to greet one another in that way.
In Islam, everything we do has a clear reason and/or proof behind it. So we know exactly why we say “peace be upon you” when we meet one another, we also can learn the in-depth precise meaning of the word “peace” which is “salam” in arabic.
The meanings of “salam” and “peace” can actually have slight differences. Arabic words tend to be rich with meaning, so when I say “salam” that is more clear and accurate as opposed to saying peace. Make sense?
So, for example, this particular greeting, “peace be upon you” is actually as old as humanity. There’s a good reason priests say it in their sermons, and you’ll find orthodox Jews and the Jews who live in Israel all greet one another saying “shalom” which means salam, which means of course, peace.
It was the greeting taught to Adam as soon as he was given life and it has remained a part of God’s guidance ever since then. For most (Non-Muslim) English speakers it has been lost and we are no longer familiar with it, outside of church.
The meaning is extraordinarily beautiful and it needs to really be said and practiced with sincerity in order to be fully appreciated. When you meet someone or address someone with “peace be upon you”, you are beginning by saying a prayer for them and their general wellbeing. You are also indicating and reminding yourself that your dealings with that person are peaceful and that you wish good for them, not harm.
How you proceed after that should be in line with that intention, if you are conscious of what you have said and you meant it.
It’s lovely; anyone who believes in God might appreciate a prayer like that being made for them as a greeting, but functionally, in English at least, it is awkward. That’s why I say it in Arabic to my Muslim friends and that’s why I don’t even say it when I’m not speaking to a Muslim person.
So let’s take another example, the word God. In a previous post I explained the meaning of the word “Allah” and that it is interchangeable- to a degree- with the word “God”.
But god is different in that it can be changed to be plural: gods.
It can refer to something entirely other than the Creator of all that exists: “He made wealth his god.”
There is no scripture stating that God’s name is… God.
So it doesn’t feel right to me. The meaning is there; enough to use the word God to serve a purpose of communication, but if I am speaking to another Muslim, of course I will choose to use the name Allah.
Linguistically, you can’t say “He made wealth his Allah.” You would say instead, “He made wealth his ilah.”
Ilah (ee-lah) is something worshipped, very similar in meaning to the word god.
God (Allah) chose Arabic for His final revelation to mankind. Once you get a little familiar with Arabic, it becomes clear why. It’s extraordinarily expressive and rich with meaning, and in spite of what one might think, it’s actually very easy to learn.
In Islam, there is a big focus on remembering God. We have things to say and do all throughout every day to keep our Maker and our purpose in our minds at all times.
We have been instructed in the Quran, for example, never to say we will do something in the future, except if we add to it, “insha Allah“. (Quran 18:24)
Insha Allah means: if God wills, or God willing. That’s a phrase many people still use today, especially practicing Jews. So unless I am speaking to a Muslim person, I will say “God willing.”
But if you and I are talking and I say, “I am traveling tomorrow, God willing.” Is it immediately clear to you what I mean by that?
Finally, I will explain one final saying that I mentioned in the beginning of this post because it is very common: alhumdulillah (al-hum-do-leel-lah)
Now if I were to translate this into english it’s not even really possible with a couple of words. When we say alhumdu lillah, we are praising God, ascribing perfection to Him, and indicating that He is most worthy and deserving of praise and gratitude. Not only that, but also that He is The Owner of praise and perfection.
So imagine if you ask me how I am doing, and I say, “I am well, All thanks and praise are due to God and He is most deserving of it. The perfect, The Owner of praise.”
I think in our culture, in our English language, it seems a bit much. I don’t expect anyone who’s not a Muslim to get it.
So that’s why we use Arabic. I hope I haven’t bored you with lots of technical talk, but I do want to open doors of understanding.
If you keep this in mind, at least you may not feel so uncomfortable if you happen to be on line in the grocery store, next to a Muslim who gets a phone call.
Share this:
Why me?
I had always felt that the path that led me to Islam was somehow paved by me.
I thought it was my actions, my choices that prepared me and that it was I who discovered it.
I vetted it out. I did countless hours of research. I couldn’t deny it’s truth.
I.
me.
I would marvel at all the events and decisions that lined up so incredibly perfectly.
And I thought it was amazing how I did that.
Not long ago however, I began realizing fully, how truly blessed and indebted I really am.
I’ve always been grateful, but I had gained a deeper consciousness of what Islam really means to me and how empty life would have been without it – And I started to really wonder-
Why me?
Why did God bless me with His guidance? I wasn’t any great person before, just regular: not especially kind or righteous in any way, not inclined to religion at all…
And then one day it hit me. I know why now.
I remember the moment.
I was the kind of person who loved going to the beach at night. I remember running along the shore, as fast as I could under the stars.
The stars.
I remember the exhilaration of looking out into the unfathomable night sky, enamored.
I remember laying in my bed on saturday mornings as a teenager and wishing I could know everything about the world. What happened before me, what would happen after me. I would imagine that I would be given a view of the Earth and I’d be able to just watch history unfold.
I asked a lot of questions. I found it exciting.
Especially when the answers seemed unknowable.
So, after all that wondering and all the marveling I did at leaves and insects and stones; after looking at the astonishingly beautiful stars so many times and trying to comprehend how little me, a speck of intricately formed insignificance, could be living on a spinning rock flying around a burning orb suspended in a gorgeous galaxy – merely a blip amongst the others.
How? Why?
I think subconsciously I knew the world; humanity, beauty, pain- They couldn’t have just popped out of nothing.
So one night…
I was a freshman – I was sitting in my dorm room window: a big, square window.
I was looking out at the sky.
And I said something.
I said to myself, there must be some force out there. There must be.
Then I spoke to that force, but not with my lips. Only in my heart, quietly. I asked to know.
I wanted knowledge. I wanted the truth.
Then I forgot about it. I went about my life after that, for four years.
But that force I had beseeched, had heard me. And gently, I was guided to get ready. To get ready for Islam.
I did the weirdest things.
I used to listen to music a lot. Somehow I completely stopped listening to music with words and switched to classical.
I won’t tell you what kinds of music I liked before, but let’s just say that was an unpredictable move. I did it as if it was perfectly normal. Natural.
Then after a while, I ditched classical and switched to ambient: you know, the music that’s not really music? It’s just some sounds, almost like an environment more than music.
At 18, I gave up TV. I forbid my roommates from having a TV in our common areas.
That was odd. I lost some roommates like that.
But what I had effectively done, or had been guided to do, was remove external influences. No one was chattering into my ear anymore, telling me what to think.
My mind was mine again! Or, you know what? That might’ve been the first time it was really my own.
I started pondering about holidays and birthdays and about saying “God bless you” when someone sneezed.
I stopped saying “bless you” when people sneezed.
I stopped, because I didn’t know what that meant.
It didn’t make any sense to me, so I’d say instead, “you okay?” or something equally awkward.
I stopped celebrating holidays. Nobody Liked that very much…
But I just didn’t understand who Jesus was and why I needed to celebrate his birthday with a tree and Santa. I didn’t get why I had to eat chocolate bunnies or what was so significant about turning one more day older.
I stopped doing things I didn’t understand.
Oh, except for the time I just had to travel to a war zone as an international observer so I could walk in front of tanks and M16’s. That was all gut.
That was also how I met the first Muslims I had ever seen, and how I heard the recitation of the Quran, for the first time.
The Quran that I had been reading a translation of for the previous year, because I was going to prove to the world that religions were all flawed and thus man made.
So the point is, I asked for this. I asked for guidance. I wanted answers and God, in His infinite Mercy, granted my wish, answered my request; answered all my questions.
Because in that moment, in that window, I believed in Him.
Even though I didn’t know anything about God at the time and I never would have used that word. Still, I was a believer in that moment. I realized my smallness, and His Greatness.
That was how it all began.
Share this:
Islam: A Way Of Life
The word Islam is not just the name of a religion: It is a state of being and a way of life.
If you think about most other religions you know of, you will find that the name “Islam” is quite unique.
For example: Christianity is named after Christ. Judaism is named after the tribe of Judah. Hinduism is a word related to location.
Islam describes the state of being it entails. It can be translated as “surrender” or “submission” but really the arabic word Islam is too rich to translate into a single word.
Islam comes from a root word that denotes both peace and submission or surrender. In our context it means submission and surrender to God and His Will. It implies that one does so peacefully, in a peaceful state, as well as indicating that peace is attained through this submission.
A Muslim is one who does Islam. It’s the active form of the word. It could be translated as “one who submits to God” or “Submitter”.
So really when we say Muslim that’s what it means, we are just speaking arabic. Really in english I’m a submitter, but the word Muslim is common enough that I will continue to use it for my purposes here.
What we believe in Islam, is that God created the first humans, Adam and Eve. They were placed in paradise; The Garden of Eden. They were given a test: Everything in paradise was for them except one small thing. A single tree was forbidden to them.
Well, of course they made the mistake and disobeyed God, but that was merely the precursor for life on Earth. That mistake set the ball rolling, so to speak.
Adam and Eve were sent down to Earth where they were to live, reproduce, and die. But God did not leave them alone.
In their remorse over their disobedience, God Himself taught them how to ask forgiveness. He also promised not to leave them without guidance and told them:
“when guidance comes from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.” (Quran 2:38)
All that was setting the stage for a greater test: life on Earth.
Adam received revelation from God, and he submitted to that guidance and followed it. He was a submitter. He was a Muslim.
After Adam, God bestowed the prophethood on many, many more throughout the ages. Some of the names of God’s prophets and Messengers are mentioned in the Quran. Some of them are : Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Lot, Aaron, Moses, Solomon, David, Jonah, Jesus the Messiah.
Sound Familiar?
We are taught all of them were given guidance from God. Some were given revelation, such as the Torah which was given to Moses and the Gospel given to Jesus.
All of them taught people to follow God’s Guidance-to submit to it.
That’s Islam.
Every one of them was a Muslim and no one can say they weren’t – because a Muslim is simply one who submits themselves to God. One who follows God’s guidance for success in life.
So we are just continuing along the path set for us from the beginning. God promised to send us guidance. He gave us the solace of knowing that if we are to follow His guidance, we won’t have any fear, we won’t live in grief.
And that is truly the gift of Islam.
Share this:
Ask Away!
A new neighbor is moving in. You bake a lovely pie and head over to meet and welcome them to your neighborhood.
Does anybody still do that?
Anyway, you ring the bell and to your surprise, the man who opens the door has a big beard and the woman is covered up from head to toe…
They’re Muslims!
You’re going to be living with them from now on. What’s your reaction?
What are some things you’d like to know about them?
If you could ask them any and every question -freely- what would you ask?
I am Your Muslim Neighbor. I’m here for you. Post your questions and I will do my best to address your curiosity and concerns to the best of my ability.
Don’t be shy. I want to know what’s on your mind.
Understanding is a key to living in harmony and peace.
The Muslim Next Door 