Seeking The Straight Path Reflections Of A New Muslim

Common challenges and issues faced by converts,the reasoning behind conversion, analysis from a Western view of many controversial or misunderstood topics in Islam, and basic information needed by new converts. Spanish translation is also available.
It is a long time now that I have wanted to write regarding my conversion to Islam. My problem has been that I did not know what to write or how to write it. One of my main con-cerns now is that I want to write something that is of value to someone other than me.


I can remember a few times when I was asked to speak at a masjid and I was a little bit horrified, because I had come to learn from the people there and, in turn, they wanted to learn from me. What could I say that they didn’t already know or that would be of use to them? Whenever I’ve asked myself that, the answer has always been that I could speak only of my own experiences. Well, it seems arrogant to think that other people would want to listen to me talk about myself. But, perhaps there is some value in the tale of the experience of someone who chose to become Muslim.


In the past, I have written a few very brief accounts of how I came to be Muslim and I got tremendous feedback. People wrote to me who were investigating Islam and could relate to my story or wanted information. Other people who wrote to me were born Muslim and had found inspiration in the stories of converts. I have really enjoyed meeting so many people through those brief accounts. It made me realize that something in my story must be of value to other people, so that by telling my story I may be able to improve someone’s situ-ation...

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A New Perspective Women In Islam

"A New Perspective – Women in Islam” is a dialogue between a Muslim woman and a Muslim Scholar. The book dis-cusses and expounds upon various issues regarding the rights and governing laws that pertain to women in Islam and un-wraps some of the distorted images and misconceptions that surround Muslim women.
Sayyid Moustafa al-Qazwini was born in Karbala, Iraq. He graduated from the Islamic seminary in Qum, Iran and immig-rated to the U.S. He is an author of several Islamic books and lectures across the nation. He is the founding Imam of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, California.

Fatma Saleh a native of Lebanon, raised in Southern Califor-nia since 1971. She is an active member in the Muslim com-munity of Los Angeles. She has published writings on Islam and speaks at universities and religious institutes on Muslim women.

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Eternity Of Man

The discussion regarding the resurrection of man after death is, in reality, an answer to a general and universal question. In addition, it is also the answer to an individual and social need, in the meaning that, with the proving and establishment of the life after death, one of the most important individual and social needs of man - and that is - the love for permanence (or love for eternity) shall be fulfilled. Most important of all, man, in the light of his belief in Resurrection and in an eternal life, becomes directed, motivated and purposeful in his worldly life and saves the priceless moments of his life from becoming aimless and without goal and direction.

From another aspect, with the clarification and understanding of the issue of Resurrection, an important historical, philosophical, scientific and social issue, and the summary of a doctrinal and religious belief, shall find itself the object of discussion and deliberation. That faith and belief which has been the object of deep attention of all the Divine religions and amongst them - Islam, and towards which they have attached a great deal of importance.

So much so that, the Holy Qur’an has always mentioned the belief in Resurrection and life after death, after mentioning the belief in God. The importance which the Holy Qur’an associates with this issue is such that some of the commentators of the Holy Qur’an have said that a third of the Holy Qur’an - directly or indirectly - deals with the issue of Resurrection.

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Islamic Factsheet Shiite Beliefs And Practices Explained

One Messenger, Proclaim what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you don’t do it, you
have not delivered His Message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people[1]
The Shi’ah believe that the proclamation mentioned by the Qur ’anic verse was fulfilled by the
Prophet (s.a.w.a.) when he appointed Imam ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) as his successor on the day of
Ghadir Khumm.

Ghadir Khumm is a location some miles from Makkah on the road to Madinah. When the Prophet
(s.a.w.a.) was passing by this place on 18 Dhu’l Hijja (10 March 632) on his return from the Farewell
Pilgrimage, the verse “O Messenger, Proclaim what has been sent down… ” was revealed. He
therefore stopped to make an announcement to the pilgrims who accompanied him from Makkah and
who were to disperse from that junction to their respective destinations. By the orders of the Prophet
(s.a.w.a.) a special pulpit made of branches of trees was erected for him. After the noon prayer the
Prophet (s.a.w.a.) sat on the pulpit and made his last public address to the largest gathering before his
death three months later.
The highlight of his sermon was when, taking Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) by the hand, the Prophet (s.a.w.a.)
asked his followers whether he was superior in authority (awla) to the believers themselves. The
crowd cried out in one voice: “It is so, O Apostle of Allah”.
He then declared:
“He of whom I am the master (mawla), of him ‘Ali is also the master (mawla). O God, be the friend
of him who is his friend, and be the enemy of him who is his enemy.”
Immediately after the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) finished his speech, the following verse of the Qur ’an was
revealed:

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Islamic Edicts On Family Planning

This book is a compilation of rulings given by the Maraji' on issues related to family planning, like birth control, its various applications and procedures, and abortion. It also includes rulings by Sunni scholars on these topics.

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PESHAWAR NIGHTS

Recently the non-Muslim world has forcibly learned that Islam is divided into two sects, Shia and Sunni, but there is so little material in languages other than Arabic and Persian on the Shia side of the issue that real understanding is all but impossible. This is the consequence of the historical accident that Western contact with Islam was almost entirely with Sunni communities, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ottoman Turkey, most of Muslim India, etc. The present work corrects this imbalance in a most extraordinary way, for the case for Shi'ite Islam is argued and supported virtually entirely from orthodox Sunni sources. The political, juridical, and spiritual legitimacy of the Shi'ite position has been argued and documented in the English language, and from sources that the West has largely overlooked.




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A Code of Ethics for Muslim Men and Women

The Laws and Regulations of Islam are divided into two major and distinct categories – the first being those laws that deal with a human being’s relationship to his Creator and Master. The second category is those laws that regulate and govern our relationship with each other. Seeing as how in the branch of Islamic Law, known is Fiqh, 90% of the rules govern our interaction with each other, it is a requirement that we become familiar with how we should carry ourselves when around members of the same sex and more importantly, those of the opposite









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The Status of Music in Islam

Since time immemorial, the issue of music has been debated by various sectors of the Muslim world. Both sides in the debate have brought their proofs and arguments with the hope of making the other side see "the light" and thus bring an end to this time consuming dilemma.
It is not the purpose of this short article to bring all the evidence in regards to the ruling of Allah جل جلاله and His Prophetصلى الله عليه و آله وسلم in regards to music; rather, we will suffice with the minimum, with the hopes that Insha-Allah, it will help and guide the Muslims - especially the youth - to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong.
Before discussing the ruling of music, a few of the Islamic (Arabic) terms must be defined that are constantly referred to in this article, in the different ahādīth and in the various books of Ahkam



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Islamic Culture and Religious Studies Book-2

A Human being is constantly in search of knowing the Truth. He explores different ways in which to confirm his beliefs and when he succeeds in going back to his FITRA (Nature), he eventually reaches the point where he realises the need of a Master and Creator - Allah (S.W.T.). In the Islamic beliefs (Aqaidi-Islami), ‘To Know God’ is one of the fundamental issues for Muslims. It is only after proving His existence that a Muslim can believe in His divine system of Law and Order. All other moral, spiritual and religious values are included in the essence of Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah (S.W.T.).
In order to understand Tawheed and be able to submit to Him, it becomes necessary for us all to undertake the spiritual journey towards Imaan (Faith) and Taqwa (Piety). A person might believe that this is a difficult path to walk on but it not impossible. All it requires is a strong urge to know the great Maker of the Universe!
We must remember that by learning the true Islam, we will be able to practise its valuable teachings. It is necessary for us to understand that if we want to reach perfection in both Imaan and Amal-e-Saaleh (Good Actions), we have to study the lives of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) and Infallible Aimmah (a.s.)

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Al Khisal

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.
Praise be to Allah, with all His Glorious Extolments and Peculiarities related to all the Favors of Him. prayer and peace be upon our master prophet Mohammed' and his kind purified house hold furthermore.
The need to simplify the heritage, make it feasible and very near to the people's apprehension, is dedicated by the fact that all the juristic Texts and provisions have not been monopolized specifically to the learned people only other than the public or the individuals of the nation at large.
So, If all the texts concerning the juristic judgments can not be usually digested but by the specialists of the diligent jurisprudents, then the moral, ethical, and educational Traditions as well as narrations are to be addressed verily to the Muslim whatever his ideological or intellectual levels are.
Therefore in creasing the sense, towards the necessary need to facilit- ate the books of tradition, which include inside their pages the treasures of knowledge, the jewels of the narrated prophetic and the house hold's wisdoms, to him and - to his household may Allah's prayer be granted - has been increased enormously in an attempt to avoid keeping them away from the majorities of the nation, and to make them available to those who are enthralled or bewitched by the prophetic wisdom, and the seekers of knowledge who are striving diligently towards purifying and straightening their souls by means of the useful science and good deeds.

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Fundamentals_Of_Islam_according_Quran

When I was busy for the second time writing Introduction to the w Holy Quran translated by my friend , Mr . Mir Ahmed Ali , Late Mr . Mohammed Ali Khuraasaani , Internal Auditor P . I. A . , suggested me to dictate to him a brief outlinnoand then , whenever he had opportunity , he took dictation from e of fundamentals of Islam according to Shia faith . Every me. Hardly we had finished the work , God deprived me of this sincere and zealous friend whose ambition was to introduce the teachings of Shia school of thought in English language . The religious zeal of Mr . Khuraasaani was not confined to him alone , his wife equally shared his love and devotion for the propagation of Truth . The mutual zeal of husband and wife in achievement of this holy aim was a valuable asset for our mission .Unfortunately , for some time the shock of her husband's death brought the work to a standstill . However , the work as a whole is the result of initiation of the interest of husband and wife and I have no option but to dedicate the work to them and pray God to bless them both for the services rendered by them in this Cause . Here I have to mention another friend of mine , Mr . Syed Mohammed Murtaza who was assisting me ever since my undertaking to produce a new introduction to the Quran . Besides noting my dictation ,he has translated into Urdu this treatise which is the first part of my religious work . I thank him for his sincere devotion which was an encouragement for me to carry out the work , in spite of my indisposition . I request my readers to go through the work with critical insight and inform me of any shortcoming whatsoever .

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Adabus Salat - The Disciplines of The Prayer

In the Name of Allah
The book which is before you covers a part of Imam Khomeini's looks into the valley of theoretical gnosticism. It is dedicated by that godly man to his efficient and gnostic son, the late Hujjatul Islam wal Muslimin Haj Sayyid Ahmad Khomeini, who, with a clear heart and a pure soul, spent his life walking along practical gnosticism, and who tried hard to carry out all the moral instructions of the Imam. It is dedicated to his daughter-in-law, too. Now that the pen has inscribed the names of such great men, I feel ashamed of having my feeble fingers scribble an intro- duction to such a great book by such a great man. I request the people of knowledge, research and readings to pardon me, and to extend their helping hands to me, who am lost on the road, trembling upon myself like the leaves of a willow! At the end, I regard it necessary to offer my thanks to the respected Head of the International Affairs Department of the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, his colleagues and the honourable translators who have trans- lated this and other books of the Imam. I request all the translators in the country and those familiar with translating the gnostic works to assist this Institute in bettering such translations, since such an important ques- tion cannot be handled without their cooperation and heart-felt sympathy.

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Beacons of Light: Muhammad the Prophet and Fatima the Radiant

It has been our intention for a long time to translate into Eng- lish a book that would narrate the lives of the fourteen ma`sumin (sinless ones) ‑ the Prophet, peace be upon him and the people of his household, his righteous and pure daughter Fatimah az‑Zahra', peace be upon her, and the Twelve Imams, peace be upon all of them. Such a book would, it was hoped, discuss the circumstances of the Prophet, his daughter Fatimah and the Imams of his descendants. It would present proofs of their special favor with Allah, and the exalted status with which He favored them. The book would also present proofs of the obligations with which Allah has charged all men to obey and follow them. When Kitabul‑Irshad ila Hujaj Allah 'alal-'Ibad (The Book of Guidance to the Proofs of Allah over Mankind) of ash‑Shaykh al‑Mufid was recently translated into English by I. K. Howard, we felt that it had largely fulfilled our hopes for the author, Abu `Abdillah Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn an‑Nu'man al‑`Ukbari al‑Baghdadi, known as ash‑Shaykh al‑Mufid (336‑413/948‑1022), was one of the foremost scholars of the Imami Shi`i community, and one of its greatest jurists and theologians. We therefore decided to republish the book ourselves with a special introduction, which is now in the pro- cess of being translated. As soon as this introduction is ready, we shall, with Allah's help, proceed with our task

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What is Islam ?

Praise be to God the Lord of the Worlds and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure progeny and may God curse their enemies until the Day of Judgement. In today‟s world we see that materialism has rushed in from all sides and spurious values prevail in every quarter and peace of mind and tranquillity now barely exist. Revolution and wars throughout the world have caused everyone to be apprehensive and people feel that they have been robbed of their security and sense of stability. Many are beginning now to seek a way-out from this state of anxiety and alarm which would bring them contentment and inner peace and are looking for a cure to this all- pervasive disease and a way to rid themselves of mental and spiritual pain and disquiet. For a long time I have been thinking that if people only lived according to Islam as it has been revealed by the God of the Universe, they would find therein a complete cure which would remove every anxiety and unease and quench this thirsting for inner serenity. Islam is indeed a way of life, a religion of light, equanimity and peace, for the Almighty says in the Holy Qur‟an: “ when He calls you to that which gives you life” [8 : 24] and speaks of those who follow “the light which has been sent down.
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Islamic Laws Simplified

All praise is for Allah Alone, and His peace and blessings be upon the last of his Messengers and his holy Progeny. This book is a summaried and simplified adaption of the book, Al-Ahkam Al-Fiqhiyya, in accordance to the edicts of His Eminence, the Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Sa’eed al-Tabatabai al-Hakeem. This book has been written to help those who are not familiar with the usual comprehensive books of Islamic rulings, so that they may understand the common laws which are relevant in the usual course of their lives, in a manner that is succinct and clear. We pray that Allah Almighty accepts this as sincere effort, to benefit the believers, for He is the Master of this life and the Hereafter, and from Him we seek support and guidance


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Muntakhab Al Asar Vol1

Today, in our times, the Muslims are being tested with modern, materialistic, secular philosophy. Islam, with its solid divine laws withstood all the deviations in all its modes in every era and time. Its great book (the Holy Quran) guides towards that which is most upright as it was at the time of its revelation. This is the first volume of this voluminous book concerning our Master Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and is captioned as “Muntakhabul Asar” (A Selection of Traditions). We have selected them so that the masses may derive independent benefit from it, underlining the significance of Caliphate, the status of Wilayah and Imamah. Allah, the High, informs us: On that day We will call every people with their Imam.

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ISLAMIC CORRESPONDENCE COURSE ADVANCED-Book 3

Name: Muhammad. Agnomen: Abu ‘l-Qasim. Title: Rasulu ‘l-lah; Nabiu ‘l-lah; Khatamu ‘n-Nabiyyin. Father: Abdullah bin ‘Abdu ‘l-Muttalib. Mother: Aminah bint Wahab. Birth: 17th Rabiu ‘l-Awwal, 1st year of ‘Amu ‘l-Fil at Mecca; i.e., 53 years before the hijra. Death: 28th Safar, 11 after hijra. 1. Birth to Bi’that The last prophet of God is Muhammad al-Mustafa—upon whom be blessings and peace. He was born on 17th Rabi’u ‘l-Awwal, 1st Year of ‘Amul Fil in Mecca amidst the family of Banu Hashim (of the tribe of Quraysh) who were considered the most honoured of the Arab families. Banu Hashim were descendants of Isma’il, the son of Prophet Ibrahim. The Prophet’s grandfather, ‘Abdu l-Muttalib, was the chief of Banu Hashim and also the guardian of the Ka’bah. His father was called ‘Abdullah and his mother, Aminah bint Wahab. His father passed away a few months before his birth. At the age of six, the Prophet lost his mother as well and was placed under the care of his paternal grandfather, ‘Abdul Muttalib. But his grandfather also passed away after four years; and at this time the Prophet’s uncle, Abu Talib, took charge of him and became his guardian, taking him to his own house. Thus the Prophet grew up in his uncle’s house and even before reaching the age of adolescence used to accompany his uncle on business journeys by caravan. The Prophet had not received any schooling; yet, after reaching the age of maturity he became famous for his wisdom, courtesy, trust-worthiness and truthfulness. He soon became famous as “as-sadiq al- amin” (the truthful, the trustworthy). Abu Talib used to say: “We have never heard any lies from Muhammad, nor seen him misconduct himself or make mischief. He never laughs unduly nor talks untimely.” As a result of his sagacity and trustworthiness, Khadija bint Khuwaylid, a Qurayshi lady well-known for her wealth, appointed him as the custodian of her possessions and left in his hands the task of conducting her commercial affairs. The Prophet once journeyed to Damascus with Khadija’s merchandise and as a result of the ability he displayed was able to make an outstanding profit. Before long she asked to become his wife and the Prophet accepted her proposal. After the marriage, which occurred when he was twenty five years old, the Prophet began the life of a manager of his wife’s fortunes, until the age of forty, gaining meanwhile a widespread reputation for wisdom and trustworthiness. He refused to worship idols, as was the common religious practice of the Arabs of the Hijaz. And occasionally he would make spiritual retreats to the cave of Hira’ in the mountains of the Tihamah region near Mecca, in which he prayed and discoursed secretly with God.
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Imam Mahdi (Atfs) The Spring Of Life

There i s a very important ziyaarat of Imam-e-Zamaana (a.t.f.s.) called Ziyaarat-e-Aale Yaaseen. Renowned traditionalist Shaikh Abbas Qummi (ra) has mentioned it as the very first ziyaarat of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) in his celebrated work, 'Mafaateeh al-Jenaan'. It is highly recommended to recite this ziyaarat on Mondays and Fridays. These beliefs have been stated in this ziyaarat as well and Imam-e-Zamaana (a.t.f.s.) himself is made as a witness over these beliefs. "Then you be a witness on what I have made you as a witness."

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Heroes Of Islam

The Peermahomed Ebrahim Trust has launched a programme for bringing out short life sketches of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the other infallibles in his holy progeny delineating their immortal services for the cause of Islam. It is hoped that this volume would give the readers a vivid idea of how our predecessors have striven hard, in some cases, even by offering their very lives for the sake of religion, in order to keep the torch that was lit by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) burning as commanded by Allah. Peace be upon them all.


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Woman’s Value and Role & Rights

This book discusses the status of women in Islam and sheds some light on a lot of important issues which the woman is exposed to in her daily life, such as her value and role, her rights, her learning, the veil, marriage, divorce, chastity, woman‟s work and so on.
Praise be to God, The lord of all the worlds. And God‟s prayers and peace be bestowed upon the messenger of mercy Muhammad ibn Abdullah and his household.
It is doubtless that great Islam has within its concepts and rules the path of the guidance for all the people in order to get them out of darkness into light. These rules are decreed, so that they will be adequate to the human being with all his/her characteristics, inclinations, and peculiarities and so that they will grant each person the guidance path which suits him/her.

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