The Islamic Bulletin Volume X IX No. 24 Page 3 work and tour the Middle East. They love it there, and the locals there are thrilled to see a westener to visit their country and choose to work/visit there. If they happen to be Muslim, you’ll be having dinner at a new home everyday!! -I cannot understand what day of the week is holy to Allah. Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Very confusing. Or none at all? All days are holy. No one is better than the other. But Friday is the one He chose for the congregational prayer. Well these are things that come to mind, and I am grateful for you reaching out to me in this way. It is obvious that we share a world in which evil dwells and affects humanity in very bad ways. I have hoped for a long time to find the right way to follow the Creator that goodness might be more full in me and in the world. The way society/culture is headed is extremely wicked, and what is coming will be far worse. Most disturbing is the destruction of a child’s natural innocence by the media and Internet. I have hoped that if Islam is the Truth, that I would know 100% and that Islam could truly change cultures to be more in line with Allah’s will and be more pleasing to Him. I should get a Koran sometime. I appreciate your help and any insights you wish to share. I did think of another question and that is how do Muslims relate to Jewish people and how will the Israel/Palestine issues ever be resolved to what is pleasing to Allah. They have no problems with the Jewish faith. They don’t have issues with Jews either. They only have issues with people who oppress, regardless of their faith. One final question, I feel bad for Hagar and Ishmael who were forced to leave their home with Abraham (pbuh). I feel sometimes that Jews and Christians have sometimes been against Ishmael and his mother. What actually happened in the home. Was it really justified for Abraham (pbuh) to ask them to leave? Did Ishmael really show great disrespect to Abraham’s wife Sarah and her son? We don’t believe they were forced, rather they left at the inspiration given to them by God. We dont believe that there was any disrespect. Thank you for your patience with me, I have no one to talk about these things. Most people I know have no interest in Islam. Why me? I do want to be a better person, to one day live with the Creator, and that the world would be a more holy place. I regret much of the life I’ve lived. I continue to be challenged in my heart concerning Islam. Perhaps you may say a pray for me that I would truly know the Truth and be set free by it. Thank you for your kind help, Eric Christopherson Syracuse, New York Dear Editors of the Islamic Bulletin, First of all I would like to say Assalamu Alaikum and may this letter reach you in the best of health. Second, I would like to thank all of you for an excellent newsletter. I subscribe to many magazines, but never has a newsletter such as yours made me feel so spiritually connected to Islam (my Deen) and Allah. When I read your newsletter, I feel so calm and at peace. I also love that you add stories about the Prophet(S) and his companions because I love learning more about our beloved Prophet(S). Writing this letter, in this month of Ramadan, I am grateful that Allah (SWT) has allowed me to experience another Ramadan. I am grateful that I can experience all the beautiful joys of Ramadan, such as fasting and Taraweeh. Another thing for which I am extremely grateful for is that my grandmother, who is Italian and was formerly Catholic, has Alhamdulillah embraced Islam at the age of 68. My grandmother used to be a very strict Catholic and had statues and pictures of Jesus and saints all over her house. In fact, she was as such a strict Catholic that not only would she go to church on Sundays, but she would go every day of the week. Once, I remember her getting extremely angry if I or my sisters ever started mentioning Islam to her. Even though we were maybe 10,11 years old at the time, we still tried to speak to her about Islam.But her religion was hers and mine was mine,Yet she was always respectful and loving. I knew that I could not ask for a more loving grandmother and I loved her very much (as I do today). Alhamdulillah, my grandmother started slowly asking more questions about Islam and one day announced that she wanted to become a Muslim. This Ramadan is extra special since both my grandmother and I will be fasting together and praying Taraweeh. I have been encouraging my grandmother and she has just started writing a story about why she embraced Islam. I was wondering when my grandmother has finished writing her story, if I could submit it to the Islamic Bulletin to be placed in a future issue? I would really like to share with your Readers my grandmother’s spiritual path to Islam. Salaams, RB, San Francisco, California Need to contact us? Web Address: www.islamicbulletin.org E-Mail: info@islamicbulletin.org Editor, Islamic Bulletin P.O. Box 410186 San Francisco, CA 94141-0186, USA IMPORTANT REMINDER The verses of the Holy Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet have been printed for the benefit of our readers. You are asked to ensure their sanctity. Therefore, they should be disposed of in the proper Islamic manner. ABBREVIATIONS USED PBUH; SAW; AS - Peace Be Upon Him, R.A.; R.A.A. - Allah was pleased with him/her Bukhari, Muslim, Sahih, Abu Dawoud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah are the names of the transmiters of the Prophet’s (pbuh) Hadith and Sunnah (words and lifestyle.) Response: Asalamu Alaikum, Thank you so much for your touching letter. We are happy to know that your grandmother found Islam.We always encourage all our readers to participate in our Newsletter.
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