Q&A: Islam Sequence

"Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life, and We will most certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did."

Qur'an, 16:97

❤ السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته 

A question I have been asked recently, more than once, "Since you became a Muslim, how do you feel?"

Euphoric: I feel as if all, if not most, of my past problems have ceased. Whether my problems really have ceased or not, I have obtained the ability to take on the given dilemma with refined confidence. With the assurance of knowing who, what, when, how, and why, Alhamdullilah. I am undaunted, audacious, and liberated. I am in accord with myself and my surroundings.

Since becoming a Muslim I can see my true beauty, the truth of this world. I am no longer afraid of the many things that once refrained me, I conquered anxiety. I can focus, I can complete personal goals.  I can understand, I can forgive, I can move forward: manifest. Life has become unambiguous to my personal satisfaction. I was able to override my struggles, on my own, from the trust and faith I have entrusted in Allah (swt). By His will he has granted me promised happiness.

Tell me, how has Islam changed your life? How has/does it made/make you feel?

Q&A: Doubts in Islam

❤ السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

I have stumbled upon a fellow blogger who was Almost a Muslimah. She writes about how she didn't convert to Islam sharing her opinion on why she doesn't agree with Islam. Out of interest in her story I have commented on a few of her posts and we have been having a healthy debate on some of her subjects. I really enjoy it because she has asked some pretty intense questions that I myself have been stumped on answering. Alhmadulillah it is exercise for building my faith. I dig deep to find answers to her questions because I myself begin to ask them. I want to share with everyone the questions she has asked that I didn't know how to reply. I did, however, find answers. Answers that I wish to share with everyone if they have the same questions. For me Islam is flawless and I like to show this and why a once atheist like me chose Islam.

Almost a Muslimah asked: Isn't God and the Qu'ran flawless? Why do so many people argue about what the Qu'ran means and why is there tafseer's for understanding it? People tampered with the Qur'an? isn't it supposed to be protected from that by God? Are you also saying that Qur'an can only be understood if its entirety in Arabic? "Allah wants us to do our best in how we interpret the Qu'ran"- uhh no, I'm sorry but when we are talking about eternal damnation in hellfire, there is no room for "trying to interpret". The commands might be challenging to fulfill but shouldn't be subject to interpretation, don't you think? Can the Qur'an be understood on its own, without hadiths and tafseers you think? is it clear enough? Literal vs metaphorical Qur'an. how do you distinguish which verses should be taken literally and which not, and why you think so?

My Response: The Qur'an is flawless. It is the final word of God. Prior was the Torah and Bible. These books have been lost in translation and the original languages for these books have been lost. Allah gave free will and another chance to his people. They failed. So He gave new challenges yet something that is not so ambiguous. He gave Islam. Perfected and protected. When people say it's corrupt and wrong; it's the people not the religion. We as human's have tainted Islam but the text and meaning itself has remained in it's original Arabic text since it has been revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).  The Qur'an is also protected through the duty of Muslims to memorize it. Not in English but in Arabic. In it's original, authentic meanings. The true words of the Qur'an will never be lost even if people decide to destroy all the texts in the world. It has been protected in the hearts and minds of Muslims. Yes, the Qur'an can only be understood exactly in Arabic. There are many reasons why. One of my favorite examples being the translation of 'He' when referring to Allah. The Arabic word that refers to Allah that translates to English as 'He' is actually neither sex. It is rather someone or something (I don't have sources for this. However I was taught this in a Islamic course I took in school with Dr. Jamal Badawi and have read it online many times. I will confirm it too when I learn Arabic). Another example is translation itself. Do you know in Japanese they have one word that explains the  look of rain drops on flowers as refreshing? So the Arabic of the Qur'an may not mean exactly what it means when it's translated in other languages. Is this not perfect? Well I see it as perfect because it remains authentic in language and words that meanings cannot be changed and can only be understood it's original form and meaning. That is why it's good for Muslims to learn Arabic. So that they can become even closer to Allah, Islam, and the true meaning of the Holy Qur'an. Here is a really good article about the meaning, interpretations and translation of the Qur'an.

I hope this makes sense and answers her doubts in any way..... ( 〃．．);

I want to thank Almost a Muslimah for her questions and interest in Islam, jazakallah khair. I take this as a blessing. She has helped me gain some more insight on my own religion and faith. I pray that Allah opens her heart and guides her to choose Islam. I look forward to her future posts and questions.

If any of you have anything in response to her questions or anything to add to my response please answer!

Q&A: About Me Survey

❤ السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته 

My first Q&A! ~~~ヾ(＾∇＾) No worries...I do not plan on all of them being like this. I want you, my followers, to ask me questions and I will answer them in these posts. If this does not go over well I will have to change Wednesday's post into something else Orz

For now here is a simple survey Q&A from online to introduce more information about myself.

BASIC
Nickname: Cheeku, Cheekz, Jess
D.O.B: June 22nd, 1990
Place of birth: Canada
Current location: Canada
Eye color: Hazel green
Hair Color: Dark brown
Contacts or glasses? Lenses for fun
Left or right handed? Left
Siblings: 5: 2 brothers from Mom, 2 sister and 1 brother from Dad

FAVOURTIE
Movie? The Vengeance Trilogy
TV show? Degrassi, Little Mosque on The Prarie
Singer/Band? Dir en grey, Miyavi, Plastic tree
Song? Heartbeat
Number? 22
Cartoon character? Sailor Moon and Hello Kitty
Color? Green
Sport? To play Basketball to watch Football (soccer)
Quote? "Verily with every difficulty comes relief" - The Qu'ran
Place to relax? Outside in the sun
Hero? Sailor Moon
Book: The Qu'ran
Manga: NANA
Drink: Milk

PREFER
Music or TV? Music
Summer or winter? Winter
Night or day? Night
Diamond or pearl? Diamond
Sunset or sunrise? Sunrise
Funny or scary movies? Scary
On the phone or in person? Person
Rich or famous? It depends...fame for right reason's, money if I deserved it
McDonalds or KFC? McDonalds forever! First thing when I enter a Halal McD's 10 cheeseburger's PLEASE!
Single or group dates? Single
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
Cappuccino or coffee? Tea please

FINISH THE LINE
I am...sincere
My heart is...to forgiving
I wish...that I could become a better Muslimah
So many people don't know that...I'm insecure
If I could be anyone I would be...me!
If I could change one thing about the world, it would be...world peace