Our World of Islam is in terrible condition—not because you fully understand the Holy Qur’an, even in Mecca. If you understood the Holy Qur’an, why would you put it behind your back and accept guidance from the White House? – Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan
I know it’s difficult for us to wrap our minds around wickedness so great that people would plot to get the country into war at the expense of young patriotic men and women, but this is exactly what has happened.
Watch “The War on Islam: 9/11 Revisited, Uncovered & Exposed”http://dld.bz/f7pM3
by Nzinga Muhammad
The never-ending propaganda that demonizes Muslims and our entire faith gets annoying. More than annoying, it gets dangerous. This rhetoric has become a fact to many people, but it is a sinister view of Muslims and our faith that bears no tangible truth. The lies, myths, and straight up foolishness that I see and hear about Muslims needs to be debunked, and completely thrown away from our thinking.
“Muslims don’t believe in God or Jesus, they believe in Allah”
This is literally one of the most ignorant statements I’ve ever been encountered with. This lie attempts to accuse Islam as being anti-Christian and some radical religion with a grudge against Jesus. Jesus is loved and appreciated in Islam. In the Holy Qur’an, his mother Maryam (Mary) has an entire chapter dedicated to her. Muslims generally don’t worship Jesus as God, but see him as an important Prophet and Servant of Allah, and a good example in his obedience to God.
Do people who say that quote know what “Allah” means in English? It translates to God. If you are a person of any other faith besides Islam, and you speak arabic, then you would also say “Allah”. Jesus being a man who did not speak English, but most likely Arabic, would have said “Allah” too. We don’t have a “Muslim god”. There is but One God.
Muslims like ISIS want to kill everyone *inserts false verse allegedly from the Qur’an*
ISIS doesn’t even pray in the same direction as us, let alone read from the Qur’an! As far as I’m concerned, they are not Muslim. They are far off from Islam and the true teachings of it. Of course, you will have those who use the Qur’an as justification for their own political agenda. Kind of how the Bible was used to justify chattel slavery. Often times, people who claim that Muslims want to kill everyone, bring up verses from the Quran that have either been misinterpreted completely, or aren’t even in the book. If you’re going to quote the book, at least read it. Muslims do not want to kill everyone. And if you have read the Qur’an you would have read that it says killing one person is like killing all of mankind ( Surah 5:32). Don’t believe the hype.
Islam is wrong because all Muslims have an agenda to wage Jihad against America.
True “jihad” is the struggle with self. It truly is about overcoming war with yourself; your own personal challenges, often times, spiritual. Muslims are never to be the aggressors, however if we are attacked first, then fighting back is never a bad thing. In terms of a physical war, as Minister Farrakhan has said before, “No leader of any Muslim nation can call for Jihad or Holy War and cause the Muslim world to obey that call.”
I’ve been Muslims all of my life, and I’ve never been told to hate people of other faiths, or that it’s wrong to love Jesus. Islamophobia gets tiring. It, unfortunately, extends beyond some troll on twitter. This is propaganda that has been repeated post-9/11, and has not stopped since. This shaped the minds of many Americans (and people around the world) to potentially mistreat Muslims. Women have had their hijabs pulled off of their heads, and hate crimes against Muslims have happened many times. Words are powerful and should never be taken lightly, especially when it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about people of an entire faith.
(Nzinga Muhammad is based in Rochester, NY. Follow her on Twitter @QueenNzinga13)
Black Muslims in America have to deal with two struggles: anti-Islam rhetoric and anti-blackness. Inside and outside of the mosque, or masjid, there is racism that shouldn’t be ignored. If you tell a Muslim who isn’t black that there is racism among the ummah, sometimes the response will be “That’s not true! There is no color in Islam!” Colorblindness is never a good thing. There are dangers in a colorblind society. If you claim that you can’t “see color”, you are choosing to ignore racial injustices that people face. You ignore people’s identities and conform them to say that who they are is wrong. Just because Islam is diverse, doesn’t mean you should deny my blackness, or the issues we face while being black. Black Americans in particular have had to deal with white supremacy for centuries. It has not yet disappeared.
By Nzinga Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon him) had to teach the Arab people of his day to not discriminate against the black people who followed him. Sadly, that anti-blackness still lingers in many Muslim communities. You would see sometimes during Jummah, all of the black people all together in a corner, segregated from the rest. You would see disrespectful glares of non-black Muslims towards us, and even hear the repetition of racist speech in Arabic. This is not Islam. But this is an unspoken reality. Actually, its spoken of, but always talked over by the loud recitation of Quranic verses and hadiths discussing diversity. If you can’t identify or listen to Black Muslims, or dismantle any racist behaviors, then your quotes on diversity mean nothing.
One of the reasons why “traditional” or Orthodox Muslims don’t like the Nation of Islam is because of the teachings to empower mainly black people to bring us back from a “dead” state. Black power was manifested in our own grocery stores, newspapers, businesses, schools, etc from the Nation of Islam, who had a very big hand in establishing Islam in America. This has gotten criticism for many years as “un-Islamic.” But understand what black people have gone through and still go through daily in an unholy society. Understand the need for self-love in a community with likened conditions as the Arabs in jahiliyyah, during Prophet Muhammad’s time. No one else would willingly teach black people Islam at first.
There are those Orthodox Muslims who claim our great brother Malcolm X, or Malik El Shabazz, yet didn’t care for him until AFTER he got taught by The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. The Nation of Islam cleaned him up. We did that. He learned “As Salaam Alaikum” and all of his prayers from the Nation of Islam, not Orthodox Muslims. No one else taught us until after the fact, and even still, there was discrimination.
With all due respect, there are some so called “Muslims” who sell the forbidden swine in black communities. There are some so called “Muslims” who mistreat black women, and disrespect black people in general. It happens more often than we think, not even limited to American borders, but the issue is always pushed to the back of our minds. There are a lot of black Muslims who have to find an all-black mosque to pray in, because they haven’t been treated as they should in other mosques. It’s a horrible thing when people who claim to follow Prophet Muhammad hate the same people who look just like Bilal.
There is definitely racism in the mosque. You can’t sweep it under the rug and pretend blackness doesn’t exist to make the issue go away. Islam and religion in general needs to be cleansed so that it can be as pure as it’s supposed to be.
(Nzinga Muhammad is based in Rochester, NY. Follow her on Twitter @QueenNzinga13)
We know, or at least should know by now, that American mainstream media demonizes Islam constantly. I hear repeated jargon of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being a pedophile. I hear that the oppression of women is a religious obligation. Of course, none of these are true, yet they contribute to a justified hatred towards Islam and Muslims altogether. They are believed fairy tales and it’s about time people grow up and realize how silly they are:
“Islam hates women and the Hijab oppresses Muslims.”
Actually, in Islam, women are respected and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spoke about treating women with kindness. Islam teaches that heaven lies at the feet of our mothers. Islam also gives equal rights to women. Woman are to be treated with the utmost respect and honor.
By Nzinga Muhammad
The hijab, and really any covering we wear, is a choice that Muslim women make. It is to show our devotion to Allah (God), and to reject the unwanted sexualization and objectification of our bodies. The hijab or any other head/body covering does not oppress us. Can non-Muslim, white feminists stop concerning themselves with our choices? I hope that when you say “Ok but women can wear whatever they want!” that you also include the Muslims who voluntarily want to cover our hair/bodies.
Yes, men have tampered with the true teachings of Islam to fit their sexist systems, but that’s not Islamic. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would be very disappointed.
Not to mention, other religions have head coverings for their women, so it’s not just a “Muslim thing”. I don’t know why a Muslim in a niqab, burqa, or hijab is demonized, but a nun is considered a “devoted worshipper”. I don’t know why in all the depictions of the mother of Jesus, Mary, she’s covering her hair, but only those who say “Allahuakbar ” are wrong for wearing a veil.
“Muhammad was a pedophile. Aishah was nine when he raped her, so child brides are ok in Islam.”
Let me first say, rape in Islam is punishable by death. Paedophilia is also haram, therefore forbidden. I find it hard to imagine and believe that someone who was revealed the wisdom of the Holy Qur’an would be that low and vile.
Evidence shows that Aishah was actually older than fourteen (probably nineteen) at the consummation of her marriage, not nine. America has a history of women being nineteen years old, or younger, with a husband.
I don’t think Americans are fit to speak about other countries as though they are holy. The same thing goes on at home. “Child brides” exist in America, but your fake concern for them and the Middle East is only present to demonize Islam. Virginia this month banned child marriages.
No, it’s not as common here as other places, but that still does not make America’s hands clean. That still doesn’t mean child marriages and paedophilia is some Islamic sunnah. It’s not. Usually the people who associate child brides with Islam have never actually read the Holy Qur’an, nor do they really care about girls being married off at young ages.
I’m not saying don’t have a concern for them or don’t speak on what’s happening. I’m saying: don’t think America is clear of paedophilia and child brides, and don’t use those girls as your tools to slander Islam, instead of coming up with solutions for them.
“All terrorists are Muslim”
Actually, only 6% of terrorists are under the label “Muslim”, even though terrorism is completely unislamic. We aren’t to be the aggressors, although fighting with those who fight with us is ordained.
You should be more concerned about white, “Christian”, terrorists who terrorize people in churches, schools, and movie theatres. Or even The KKK who wants to make a comeback. How about the police? Americans are more likely to be killed by a policeman than a “terrorist”, so especially as a black person, my threat isn’t overseas, it’s at the police station.
This propaganda about Islam/Muslims is not based on facts, nor does it come from the mouths of those who have read the Holy Qur’an from cover to cover and understood it. Hands Off Islam.
(Follow Nzinga Muhammad on Twitter @QueenNzinga13)
Every time Ramadan comes around a few Believers and I discuss ways to “bottle up” this spirit we feel over these 30 days and carry it over into the other 11 months on the calendar.
To someone who is observing Ramadan for the first time, it’s easy to get caught up on not eating and drinking. Your stomach seems to be growling every second and your mouth is as dry as the Arabian Desert.
Believe me, I know the feeling.
My first Ramadan was in ’97 when I was a freshman at Prairie View A&M University. I was so focused on not being able to eat or drink that I would sleep in between classes to pass the time and got behind on my Qur’anic readings on the second day because Surah 2 seemed so long. I told myself I would catch up. I did not.
I even started nibbling on peppermints because I figured that wasn’t actually food. As you can see, I was all messed up. I was thankful to my older brother, who is a Muslim also, for smelling crunching peppermints on my breath when I came home one weekend from school. He asked, “You fasting?” I said, “Of course.” He said, “No you’re not, eating peppermints.” He laughed when I told him it’s not real food and then he told me it’s activating the digestive system. He went on to guide me and encourage me to finish Ramadan stronger than when I started.
By the Grace of Allah (God) I did.
Since then I have come to realize that Ramadan is sooooo much bigger than the absence of food and drink throughout the day. It’s about deep reflection and channeling that same sense of joy, unity, love, high spirituality, compassion and self-discipline towards the rest of the year.
During Ramadan we put a halt to many things such as cursing, arguing, lying, gossiping, complaining and even step back a bit from personal addictions such as TV, the Internet, sugar or video games. Even the grumpiest of us become all of a sudden pleasant. Many clear the dust off of their Qur’an, that was placed at the highest point in their homes, to start reading it. We take the time to pray more than ever. The list goes on.
What’s halting us from doing this every day? Is it possible to experience the spirit of Ramadan every month?
Absolutely!
Not that we have to abstain from food, drink and sexual relations throughout the day every single month but the discipline of putting things in check can be practiced daily.
When I converted to Islam, I was taught that it is not a religion but it is actually a way of life. Therefore, like all religions, we have rituals but those rituals are seeded with meanings that guide us towards a higher reflection of that which we say we believe in.
Thus the same laser focus we put into these 30 days can be done year round. I love taking this time to reflect on how I need to be more dutiful to Allah (God) and His Cause. I love reading the beautiful words of the Qur’an and hearing the recitation. I love breaking fast with family, fellow Believers and friends. I smile brightly every time I get a text message from my Christian friends and family who had just completed one of the days of fasting with us in solidarity. We’re all in a spirit of love!
I reflect on how much better I can serve my family and community. My fervent prayer is that I can “bottle up” this Ramadan spirit and develop into a better Muslim.
If I can’t be this same ‘Brother Jesse’ beyond this holy month and become a stronger Muslim because of it, then what is my motive?
Self-improvement is the key, so as the late musical legend Michael Jackson said, I’m looking at the man in mirror. I am in love with the possibilities of being a better me.
I know you are too.
PS: I haven’t had a peppermint fast since ’97. (smile)
(You’re welcome to follow Brother Jesse Muhammad further on Twitter, become a friend on Facebook)
[Source: FinalCall.com]
TEHRAN, Iran—The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and a Nation of Islam delegation made a special trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran as the Muslim nation celebrated the 37th anniversary of its revolution amid the end of U.S. sanctions and plans for a late February election.
The Minister was invited to Iran by the Coordinating Council For Islamic Publicity, a non-governmental organization, and as a special guest at Iran’s freedom anniversary on Feb. 11. Min. Farrakhan attended but did not speak at the celebration. He was warmly received at the gathering and participated in private meetings. One session included a dialogue with former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, who now heads the Center for Strategic Research and remains an advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and an important figure in Iran.
The Minister was also an honored guest at a symposium, the “International Seminar of Foreign Guests On the 37th Anniversary of Victory of the Great Islamic Revolution of Iran,” where presenters laid out the importance of the Iranian revolution, its history and its place in history.
Some presenters expressed pride that the Muslim state exists despite nearly four decades of opposition from the United States and a tense relationship with Saudi Arabia, a major U.S. ally in the region.
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In two separate meetings with the press, one following the meeting with Mr. Velayati and the other hours before leaving the country, Min. Farrakhan saluted the Iranian revolution and its accomplishments despite opposition. The delegation departed for Iran on Feb. 6 and returned Feb. 14.
A press conference that was planned for a few journalists became a full room with a bouquet of microphones in front of the Minister and a bank of cameras in the back or the room and other cameras in the aisles. The journalists who attended included a leading group of young Iranian newsmen, an anchor for the country’s English-language PressTV network, as well as important regional news outlets based in Iran. Among the languages into which the Minister’s words were reported were English, Farsi, Arabic, French and Urdu. The reporters, editors and videographers represented Iranian outlets, Pan-Arab news sources and agencies reporting to Azerbaijan, Syria, Palestine, India, Afghanistan.
Min. Farrakhan called for the two major Middle East powers, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the Muslim World to find the path to unity.
Mustapha Farrakhan, son of Min. Farrakhan and student Supreme Captain of the Fruit of Islam, and Min. Farrakhan were seated as honored guests with former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati during a symposium on the Iranian Revolution in Tehran. Photos: Richard B. Muhammad
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The Minister called the visit “a great honor and privilege for us to be here in Iran to celebrate with you the 37th anniversary of this great revolution that brought Islam back to Iran in a manner that makes it an example for all Muslims throughout the world.” The meetings with Mr. Velayati and others were an opportunity to share with Muslims in Iran the Nation of Islam’s work in the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Africa and to discuss ways to increase American understanding of Iran.
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“Whenever America wants to destroy a nation, a people, they must first demonize them and the Zionist controlled media in America has chosen to demonize Iran,” said Min. Farrakhan.
“Not because Iran is a demon but the demon is the demonizer.”
He explained how Blacks were made slaves and Christians but members of the Nation have chosen to become Muslims and retain close ties with family members, friends and others who are Christian.
“We are trying to make as many of our people Muslims by Allah’s help. It started first with Black people because the Blacks are the most oppressed, along with the indigenous Native Americans called Indians. And we are uniting with our Indian family, our native family, our Mexican and Latino family and we are doing all whatever we can to spread the word of Allah among them,” he explained.
The Minister observed that since the 1979 revolution brought about by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini those who wish to destroy Iran have been watching and busy. The Iranian religious leader was exiled in France for his opposition to the ruling regime but sent messages into the country via cassette tapes. Iran prior to the revolution was a U.S. client state and its brutal ruler was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. He presided over an Iranian monarchy with an iron fist and was backed by the United States.
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“The divisions that are plaguing the Islamic world will sentence our world to death, unless we can find the path of unity,” Min. Farrakhan warned. An outside enemy, the United States, has inserted herself between Iran and Saudi Arabia and seeks to exploit a 1,400-year-old breach between Sunni Muslims in Saudi Arabia and Shia Muslims in Iran.
The U.S. wants to manipulate and control both nations and destroy the power of Islam, he said.
The negative forces in America are real, they want Muslims to kill one another and hate the Iranian Revolution, he said. Leading Republican candidates for president are vowing to rip up the agreement with Iran. The lifting of U.S. and other sanctions came after negotiations and Iran meeting guidelines for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The United Nations found sanctions should be lifted as Iran has met terms set by America, the UN and other powerful countries.
Min. Farrakhan and former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s president. Photo: Robert E. Muhammad
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America’s claim of friendship is false, said Min. Farrakhan, who shared how Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi’s revolution and nation were destroyed by the U.S.
America fed internal dissent and U.S. allies kept Col. Gadhafi from fighting off a rebellion the revolutionary leader said was linked to Al-Qaeda, Min. Farrakhan observed.
Once Col. Gadhafi gave up his weapons of mass destruction, America moved against the Libyan leader and the once-thriving North African nation is now a virtual failed state.
Every nation on earth contains dissatisfied elements and the U.S. wants to use those dissatisfied elements to foment revolt in Iran, the Minister said.
Originally published 8.10.11
Ramadan Mubarak to all fasting Muslims throughout the world!
I’ve never visited Arabia, but I’ve heard it is extremely hot during this time of the year. Yet, Muslims who live there still participate in Ramadan. Right now America is facing dangerous hot temperatures! Being properly hydrated has always been important and it has become very critical during this intense heat–especially if we’re participating in Ramadan. Drinking water before sunrise is a necessity if you’re fasting. However, no matter how thirsty we get during the day, we should not break our fast. Think about how many people around the world go hungry and thirsty every day?
I recently received the following article from Dr. Akili Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 45 in Houston. He shared some wonderful information on hydration that I believe all of us can benefit from.
Dr. Akili Muhammad writes:
I am writing this for all of us who are dealing with hot temperatures and also for those who will be starting Ramadan. The most important thing to do in heat is to hydrate your self with WATER. Please see the links below because if you believe the corporate lies that Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water, flavored water, juice or soda can hydrate you, you are highly mistaken.
The best thing to do if you plan on being in the heat is to hydrate in the morning with 1 teaspoon of pure sea salt in a bottle of water to begin your day. Maintain a constant intake of water throughout your day. For those doing Ramadan, please make it a priority to drink water in the morning before sunrise. You can start with sea salt in the first bottle followed by 1 or 2 bottles more. The sea salt should not have any other ingredients in it. The salt helps pull the water into the tissues and into the cells which makes the water maintain in the body for a longer time. We SHOULD NOT concentrate on replacing our electrolytes through drinks. GOD hasn’t made any water on His planet that we should be drinking with enough electrolytes to replace what we lose in sweating, breathing or urinating during strenuous activity. Electrolytes should be replaced in food such as fruits, vegetables and also cooking with sea salt. The ocean is the only source and I think we all know what would happen if you drank that type of water all day! On the evening side of our days in Ramadan we should also drink water before eating our meals. The digestion process can’t happen well without water. The cleansing of the body through the liver and kidneys can’t occur when the body is dry. Very similar to the earth. All of these areas in America that are in a drought is a sign of how the body doesn’t work without water. So please hydrate yourself well and avoid the dangers of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. There have been plenty of deaths already this summer because of these dangerous problems so please don’t believe it can’t happen to YOU!
Dr. Akili continues:
Many of the young children that are dying while playing sports are due to improper knowledge of nutrition. The many colors of different fruits and vegetables that are in the grocery store represent different nutrients and vitamins that the body NEEDS to do its daily processes. You cannot get those nutrients from hamburgers, hot dogs, burritos, fried chicken, noodles, chips, hot fries, candy or soda. You need to eat plenty fruits and vegetables to be healthy as a human and if you add the athlete’s schedule, it takes more than the average person. BUT, the biggest problem is hydration. Most athletes think that Gatorade, Powerade and Vitamin Water are good replacement drinks. THEY ARE NOT. These drinks have a lot of coloring and additives that are not natural and they will not hydrate you as well as fruit juice and water. The blue, red, orange, green and so on colors of these drinks are man made food colorings. You do not see these colors come out in your urine nor in your stool so that is another thing the body has to work hard to deal with. The colors in fruit juices are used by the body to help it exist. It is important to hydrate yourself during the game but it is most important everyday as well as before and after the game.
The heat in the summer is the source by which we lose most of our fluids. We lose fluid when we sweat and when we breathe in addition to urinating. My suggestion would be to drink mostly water (should be bottled because we cannot trust tap water) and periodically through the day drink 100% fruit juice (orange, apple, grape, grapefruit, cranberry etc.; organic would be the best). A lot of medical people suggest that people drink 8 eight ounce glasses of water per day. That is not good information. People come in all different sizes and shapes. The only way to determine whether you are drinking enough water/fluids is to watch your urine every time you go to the bathroom. Your urine should be as close to clear as you can get it. If your urine is yellow, dark yellow or orange, your body is dehydrated. Give your body what it needs and drink more water. Some coaches and schools have agreements or contracts with these drink companies, so some schools will have plenty Gatorade and Powerade around. You would be better off bringing your own fluids.
I pray this information is helpful. Stay hydrated and safe!
(You’re welcome to follow Brother Jesse Muhammad further on Twitter or visit his award-winning site http://jessemuhammad.blogs.finalcall.com/)
Originally published 7.31.11
The blessed month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around August 1 and will finish on or around August 29. Muslims are excited! I even know many non-Muslims planning to fast along with us in the spirit of unity. Some will be fasting for the first time and also reading the beautiful Holy Qur’an which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Every time Ramadan comes around a few Believers and I discuss ways to “bottle up†this spirit we feel over these 30 days and carry it over into the other 11 months on the calendar.
To someone who is observing Ramadan for the first time, it’s easy to get caught up on not eating and drinking. Your stomach seems to be growling every second and your mouth is as dry as the Arabian Desert. With the extreme heat hitting the country right now, it may seem even more difficult to fast but it can be done.
Believe me, I know the feeling!
My first Ramadan was in ’97 when I was a freshman at Prairie View A&M University. I was so focused on not being able to eat or drink that I would sleep in between classes to “pass the time†and got behind on my Qur’anic readings on the second day because Surah 2 seemed so long. I told myself I would catch up. I did not.
I even started nibbling on peppermints because I figured that wasn’t actually food. As you can see, I was all messed up. I was thankful to my older brother, who is a Muslim also, for guiding me and encouraging me to finish it stronger than when I started. By the Grace of Allah (God) I did.
Since then I have come to realize that Ramadan is so much bigger than just the absence of food, drink and sexual relations with your spouse throughout the day. It is about moral discipline. It’s about deep reflection and channeling that same sense of joy, unity, love, high spirituality, compassion and self-discipline towards the rest of the year to battle against bad habits that we commit to breaking during Ramadan. Bad habits can become like grips taught in martial arts but we know all grips can be broken with the proper technique. What bad habit has a grip on you right now that you would like to break?
In the Holy Qur’an, in Chapter 2 Verse 183, it reads “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.”
That’s beautiful! Fasting is likened unto medicine because it’s a physical, moral and spiritual healing to the human being. Fasting is practiced in all religions.
When I converted to Islam, I was taught that it is not a religion but it is actually a way of life. Therefore, like all religions, we have rituals but those rituals are seeded with meanings that guide us towards a higher reflection of that which we say we believe in. Islam means to enter into a state of peace through submission to Allah (God).
During Ramadan we put a halt to many things such as cursing, arguing, lying, gossiping, complaining and even step away from personal addictions such as TV, the Internet, sugar or video games. Even the grumpiest of us become all of a sudden pleasant. Many clear the dust off of their Qur’ans that was placed at the highest point in their homes to start reading it. We take the time to pray more than ever. The list goes on.
I love taking this time to reflect on how I need to be more dutiful to Allah (God) and His Cause. I love reading the beautiful words of the Qur’an and hearing the recitation. I love waking up to join Muslims every morning on the Tsunami Prayer Line. I love breaking fast with family, fellow Believers and friends at my home and theirs. I smile brightly every time I get a text message from my Christian friends and family who had just completed one of the days of fasting with us. We’re all in a spirit of love!
I reflect on how much better I can serve my family and community. My fervent prayer is that I can “bottle up†this Ramadan and develop into a better Muslim.
If I can’t be this same “Brother Jesse†beyond this holy month and become a stronger Muslim because of it, then what is my motive? Self-improvement is the key, so as the late musical legend Michael Jackson said, “I’m looking at the man in mirror.†I am in love with the possibilities of being a better me. I know you are too.
Ramadan Mubarak (Blessed Ramadan) to all of the Muslims and non-Muslims striving to successfully complete the 30 days of fasting and reading of the Holy Qur’an. And may we all be blessed to break any bad habits we have to enjoy the blessings of overcoming them.
~Brother Jesse
PS: I haven’t had a “peppermint fast†since ’97. (smile)
(You’re welcome to follow Brother Jesse Muhammad further on Twitter or visit his award-winning site Brother Jesse Blog)