The End is Near

The end of Ramadan is quickly approaching and I realize there is so much I haven’t been able to tell you. I want to write all the things I have learned, but I feel like I may lose some of your interest if I drone on and on about Islam. I know I have lost some Volunteers interest with my constant, “Hey! Guess what I learned today?!” comments.

So, here are the cliff notes, but I whole heartedly recommend you go out and learn more about Islam.

Mohammad (peace be upon him) is considered the final prophet of Islam. In 610, while mediating, Jibreel (Gabriel) visited him and told him to begin to recite. This is when Muhammad began to recite the Qur'an and knew they were the words of Allah.

The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam and was given to Mohammad during the holy month of Ramadan. It outlines Allah’s word to his people and was first only verbally transmitted to Arabic people. Later, it was written (first without and then with short vowels) for non-Arabic speaking people to understand how the words should be pronounced.

Sunni vs. Shi’a: The fundamentals of their faith are mostly the same with most major differences stemming from the question: who was the successor of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). Sunnis believe Abu Bakr was initially chosen while Shi’as believe it was Mohammad’s cousin Ali. Eventually, Ali pledged his allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Sunni Muslims is the larger Islamic sect.

Jihad describes 3 types of struggle within Islam:

1. A believer’s inner struggle to live a life centered around Islam;
2. The struggle to build a good Muslim community; and, 
3. The struggle to defend Islam.

Most scholars agree that the first definition is the main meaning of Jihad and is often called the greater Jihad.

Sufism is Islamic mysticism (like Kabbalah to Judaism). It is not a sect, but an aspect of Islam.

Abraham or Ibrahim is considered the father of Muslims as well as Jewish people. He had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael (or Ismille).

Sharia Law - Part 2

A part of me feels weird writing about Islam in light of what is happening in the US, but (and from my perspective) more [accurate] information is needed, so here I go.

Qur'an, 5:48

For Muslims, life did not begin at birth, but a long time before that. Before even the creation of the first man. It began when God created the souls of everyone who would ever exist and asked them, "Am I not your Lord?" They all replied, "Yea."

God decreed for each soul a time on earth so that He might try them. Then, after the completion of their appointed terms, He would judge them and send them to their eternal destinations: either one of endless bliss, or one of everlasting grief.

This life, then, is a journey that presents to its wayfarers many paths. Only one of these paths is clear and straight. This path is the Sharia.*

When I read this quote, something inside of me says, “Yes.” Now, I am not saying I’m on a path to conversion, but I am beginning to see what millions of Muslims see - the tranquility of knowing exactly what God wants.

When I was fasting, it was really simple. I woke up. I ate. I drank water. I observed my own religious rituals. I read about Islam. I went back to sleep. I woke up again, washed my hands and went to work.

When I returned home, my actions were similar. It was all so easy. Everything was laid out in front of me.

I think that’s what Sharia is: if you want to be in the presence of Allah, follow the carefully laid path. Don’t steal or cheat or lie or treat others poorly. Invite your neighbors to your house. Pray with your children. If you deviate from the path, you know exactly what to expect because it’s all stated in Sharia. There are no surprises.

Of course, in the west, we aren’t all about our religious lives intermingling with our secular. I’m not entirely sure why that is, I just know it is. Maybe that’s why when we hear the word, “Sharia,” we all freak out. It’s inconceivable to us.

I am not sure if this is one of those cultural relativistic moments, but something inside of me says, “olsun.” (lit. let it be). So maybe it is.

*BBC - Religions: Islam [link]

Have I Arrived?

To Whom It May Concern;

This is Löki Gale Tobin (student ID 301*****). My Alternate Proctor application is attached to this email as a jpeg file.

After speaking with Emil K., the Director of our local IREX Center, he as agreed to proctor the exams with Könül A. assisting in English translation (she is his assistant and will be acting as Alternate Director during his upcoming vacation).

Könül speaks and writes in English; however, I would suggest using basic English as complicated words do not translate well into Azerbaijani.

Additionally, as the IREX Center does not have a fax machine and it is expensive to fax internationally, Emil plans to submit tests and any required documentation through scan/ email.

Please contact me if you have any questions. I plan to apply to take my first exam by September 15 (September 14 in Alaska).

lgt

Hörmətcili,

Bu Lüki Qal Tobındır (tələbənin nömrəsi 301*****). Mənin başqa test götürən tərəfdaşımın ərizəsi jpeg qovluq kimi bu email ilədir.

Emillə danışdıqdan sonra, yerli İREX Mərkəzi Direktor onunkıdır, mənə o Könüllə test vermək razı olubdur. Könül İngilis dilinə təccrümə edəcək və o Emillə kömək edəcək (Könül Emilin köməkcisidir. Emil istrahətə gedəcək).

Könül İngilis dilində təmiz yazır və danışır amma cətin sözləri istifadə etməyin cünki İngilis dilinə təmiz teccrümə olmur.

Bundan əlavə, İREX Mərkəzinin fax maşını yoxdur və fax etmək benalxalq bahadır, Emildən test və dokumetları skan və email ilə göndərəcək.

Xahış edirəm ki, problemlər və suallarınız varsa, mənə sörüşün, Sentyabr 15-də (Alyeskada Sentyabr 14-də) birinici testimi verməyə planlaşıdırırram.

lgt

Mən rok ulduzam (mənin email teccrüməsim əladir!). I am a rock star. (My email translation is awesome)!