Page 5 - Pakistan Link - April 21, 2023

OPINION PAKISTAN LINK - APRIL 21, 2023 - P5
n By Abdul Malik Mujahid Our Ramadan Duties to Muslims Who least one day of Ramadan. It will raise
Chicago, IL awareness among students about the

met him at the train station in Ra- Don't Fast This Holy Month blessed month and may even encour-
age those who drink and are involved
madan. He was an acquaintance I in other vices to stop, at least during
h
I ad encountered at Muslim com- the month of fasting.
munity events here and there, but I This small gesture to inform an-
didn’t know him very other Muslim about the blessed month 5. Don’t forget Facebook and Twitter
well. This time though, reaped unexpected benefits for both Make sure to update your status
he was drinking from the giver of good news and its receiver. throughout Ramadan to share what you
a bottle in a brown are doing. Beyond the first day of wish-
bag. As soon as he saw 3. Host an Iftar party ing everyone Ramadan Mubarak, you
me, he became a little A number of Muslims have can include messages like (your name):
angry. stopped hosting or attending Iftar par- • is listening to awesome recita-
“Why didn’t you tell me Ramadan ties in Ramadan. They feel that since the tion of Surah al-Anfal during Taraweeh
was here, brother?” he asked, his voice month should be devoted to worship- • wishes he could give more mon-
accusatory. ping God, parties take away from that. ey for (cause of choice) this Ramadan
I had no answer. But I did know But one thing these gatherings • is feeling hungry but feeling for
that had this brother fasted, he would are good for is bringing Muslims oth- the panhandler on Michigan avenue
have gotten away from the other ills he erwise distant from the community to- four hours before Iftar
was involved in, even if it was for one gether. They are a venue they not only • is trying to eat that one-third of
month. It was a mistake I promised means not only the limited number of Call and/or email every person in enjoy, but crave, during the blessed food for Iftar
myself I would never again make. people we may meet in the mosque for your email list to wish them Ramadan month. If you host only one Iftar party • is trying to eat during Suhoor
Not more than 10 to 15 per- prayers or at the Iftar parties we attend. Mubarak. For those who don’t frequent this Ramadan, please do so for your with her eyes open
cent of Muslims are connected to the It includes those who, for whatever Islamic institutions, send a personalized family members or friends who nor- The point is to share various as-
mosque, and Islamic life in general, in their reasons, have chosen to distance message instead of a generic one, wish- mally don’t associate with Muslims or pects of Ramadan in a fun and person-
the United States. That means that as themselves from the Muslim commu- ing they, their spouse, and every one of the Masjid. al way without sounding preachy.
announcements about the start and nity and its institutions. their children a blessed Ramadan. Very often, people who don’t usu- You can do the same thing with
end of Ramadan, timings for Taraweeh But while we share the good news ally partake in Ramadan’s duties and text messages on your phone.
prayers, and opportunities to give char- of Ramadan’s arrival and encourage 2. Don’t be shy to approach someone rituals will, for example, fast if they (Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid
ity are made regularly within our Mas- fellow Muslims to gain its benefits, in person have to go to an Iftar party to share in is the founding Chairman of Sound
jids, the majority of American Muslims it’s crucial that we use wisdom and A brother I know once went to the experience with their hosts. Vision Foundation, the leading pro-
don’t get this information. This comes beautiful preaching. If Allah ordered the home of a Muslim acquaintance to ducer of educational content on Is-
under our Ramadan duties to inform Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, to wish him a Ramadan Mubarak. When 4. On campus: host a collective day of lam and Muslims. He is also executive
and help them about. approach Pharaoh in the most polite he didn’t find him there, he left a note fasting producer of the daily Radio Islam talk
And yes, there are Muslims who manner (Qur’an 20:44), then we have on his door, saying he just wanted to let In a survey, the Institute for So- show on WCEV 1450 AM in Chicago.)
don’t fast, as well as those who don’t no excuse to be harsh and judgmental him know that Ramadan had begun. cial Policy Understanding found that Photo Attribution - Seier+Seier
know how to pray. when sharing the beauty and brother/ After the blessed month had 47 percent of Muslim students had - http://www.flickr.com/photos/sei-
While it’s easy to forget about sisterhood of this blessed month. Here ended, the acquaintance contacted consumed alcohol during the previ- er/1786608880/
these brothers and sisters and focus on are some ways we can share the news this brother and told him the past Ra- ous year. https://www.soundvision.com/ar-
our own spiritual development during of Ramadan with others this year: madan had been the first one during It is likely that these students are ticle/our-duty-to-muslims-who-dont-
the blessed month, this attitude ignores which he had fasted since his arrival in also those who don’t fast. This is why fast-this-ramadan?eType=EmailBlas
the fact that community is a criti- 1. Scour your phonebook and email the United States almost two decades Muslim Students’ Associations should tContent&eId=3ce21fd1-7813-478d-
cal part of Ramadan duties. And that address list, then send a message earlier. organize a collective fast and Iftar at 845e-efbdd5e518c4

Eid & The New Muslim – Ways to Make the Day Special translators to make sure that those who
were not natural Arabic speakers would
understand and know his message.
• Sit with them at the Eid Salah so
n By Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen daily life in an Islamic way. they are not alone. If you are able to,
US So, make the day special. For the pick them up and take them to the Eid
new Muslim convert, this is their first prayer.
e all agree that Eid is the Eid, and first experiences are often • Give them decorations for their
most wonderful time of the most memorable. Think about it: home or identify websites where they
W year. Muslims who are If the convert is fairly new, this may can buy their own decorations and
new converts to Islam anticipate the have been their first time fasting in beautify their spaces based on their
Eid with a mixture of wonder and un- the month of Ramadan, so as the day own preferences.
certainty. Unlike single Muslims who of Eid approaches, refer them to the • Send them an Eid card. Ameri-
may deal with loneliness or isolation, Qur’an and point out how pleasing the cans love receiving holiday cards.
the new Muslim convert often lacks a fast is to Allah, The Most High. • Share pictures of past Eid cel-
frame of reference for what Eid is all On Eid ul Fitr itself: ebrations.
about and what happens. • Explain to the new Muslim con- • If your community is having an
It is reported by Ibn Umar that vert what happens on Eid day. Give Eid event after the Salah (prayer), then
Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and them examples from the Sunnah of be at the side of the new Muslim so that
blessings be upon him, instructed the how the Muslim should prepare, wear they never feel alone.
believers, "Let no person get up only their best clothes, say the Takbir (say- • Take the opportunity where so
to have another to sit in his place, but ing “God is Greater, which is Allahu many Muslims have gathered to intro-
rather make room and enlarge your the personality and level of outgoing- Muslims completely oblivious to this Akbar in Arabic) and how all should duce the new Muslims to others.
circle" (Bukhari and Muslim). ’ness’ of the person who converted, this cultural tradition. attend this special day. • Give Eid gifts to the new Muslim
This particular Prophetic tradition may or may not be successful. The key to enhancing the Eid ex- • Call the new Believer on Eid and their family.
is a reminder for us to always remem- It is the best Adab (etiquette) for perience for the new Muslim convert morning and wish blessings of the day. • Reassure the new Muslim con-
ber to widen our circle of compassion. Muslims in the community to extend is similar to that for the single Muslim In a Hadith it is reported “At the time vert that they can make and enjoy their
Many converts or reverts to Islam come themselves to the new convert rather – inclusion, inclusion, inclusion. Keep of the Prophet when people met one own culturally relevant celebration
from a culture in North America where than the other way around. In days the new Muslim in the loop! For the another on the day of `Eid, they would foods on this day. If special days in
their previous faith communities go out past, some communities would pair a new Muslim convert, go the extra step say, ‘Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa min- their culture include tres leches cake or
of the way to welcome attendees even new convert with a Muslim of similar by providing an example as well. ka.’ (May Allah accept good deeds from peach cobbler, help them understand
if just for being present at one religious age and situation. For example, a Mus- To celebrate this recurring hap- us and from you)” (Reported by Ibn the importance of family and commu-
service. But the new Muslim convert lim mother of four would pair up with piness, explain what Eid is to them. Hajar) or simply “Eid Mubarak”. nity connectedness of this day.
may not have any introduction other a new convert mother with children. They may have the official version • Give them a copy of the Takbi- • Make Dua that Allah, The Most
than the one they received on the day This person would serve as a compan- from the Imam or a book on Islam, ratul Eid and practice with them so they High, blesses them with a beautiful Eid.
they took their Shahadah. After that, ion and guide so the new convert did but share what Eid means and has know how to say it. Make sure you have https://www.soundvision.com/
for many communities, the onus is on not have to navigate the etiquette of meant to you and your family. Per- the English/Spanish or French transla- article/supporting-new-muslims-con-
the new Muslim convert to ingratiate Islam or meet other people on their sonalizing Islamic practices is con- tion so that they know what they are verts-this-eid-ul-fitr?eType=EmailBla
themselves in the community, seek out own. Unfortunately, over time, these sistent with the Hadith and example saying. Culturally, people from North stContent&eId=b1495ffa-b9e4-4a05-
study groups and classes on their own, once common practices have all but of the Prophet. His example provided America are not comfortable repeating bea0-2e34ea71532d&eType=EmailBla
and attend community functions to slipped away as the Muslim com- real life instances of how to internal- words in foreign languages that they stContent&eId=f633121e-1209-4af8-
meet and make friends. Depending on munity grew with a diverse array of ize and respond to situations in our do not understand. The Prophet used a631-6905255dc59e
www.Pakistanlink.com