~*Sister Aishah's Journey Continues…Through Good Times and Bad*~

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED OCTOBER 18, 2005

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatuallah wa Barakatuhu.

Insha'Allah this message finds you in the best of health and imaan, in addition to enjoying the peace and blessings of Ramadan.

This week I have been reading and sporadically participating in conversations between a few of the new Muslimah's and some of our more seasoned Muslim sisters, touching on many issues, the majority of which seem to be focused on spiritual turmoil, disappointment and loneliness.

What initially triggered these conversations was the first reply to an email I recycled and circulated called "The Rusty Muslim's Ramadan Action List", which was followed up by an email imploring one another as sisters and brothers in Islam, to reach out to anyone we might know who could be alone during this Ramadan, particularly new Muslims, many of which only know of a "Muslim Community" through e-group memberships.

As the combined emails began to be read, one-by-one, those passing the time alone, started replying. Amongst the replies were:

Welcoming Eid Al-Adha

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatuallahi wa Barakatuhu!

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala bless you
and your loved ones
with a joyous celebration
on the glorious occasion of Eid Al-Adha,
and may He accept your sacrifices,
forgive your sins,
multiply your rewards,
grant you good health and happiness,
count you among the righteous in His worship,
and reward you with the highest levels in Paradise. Amin.
Eid Mubarak!
Wa'Salaam Alaikum,
~Aishah

The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,
"One who helps a fellow Muslim in removing his (or her) difficulty in this world,
Allah will remove the formers distress on the Day of Judgment.
He who helps to remove the hardship of another,
will have his difficulties removed by Allah in this world and in the Hereafter.
One who covers the shortcomings of another Muslim,
will have his faults covered up in this world and the next by Allah.
Allah continues to help a servant
so long as he goes on helping his own brother (or sister)."
(Muslim)

Aishah's Islamic Journey
http://www.sisteraishah.com
http://aishahsjourney.blogspot.com

How the Grinch Stole Ramadan - the Rest of the Story...

By Aishah Schwartz
Sept. 21, 2009

In my days of reflection this Ramadan I experienced and felt many things, one of which, of course, was hunger! While feeling hungry may have caused some to think of, pray for, or extend a random act of charity for the hungry in this world, for me the awareness of hunger brought to mind something completely different altogether. 

I paused to reflect on the countless other people in the world sitting very much alone, like me, taking every suhoor alone and breaking their fast alone…in fact, when I first came to Egypt, I met a woman who had done just that – for TWENTY YEARS after her husband died and her four children had all gone on with their own lives, raising their own families. They visited her, of course, but in those notable hours of Ramadan – she, like me, like so many others – was "home alone".

So, while many remembered the hungry in Ramadan; I remembered the lonely. 

In remembering the lonely, I also paused to reflect on the state of the Muslim Ummah, asking myself again and again – how? Why? Can it truly be that we are so preoccupied with our own lives that we either cannot or refuse to see what is in front of our eyes?

One of the most talked about teachings of Islam is to be a good neighbor; something that, particularly in Ramadan, we should strive all the more to be.

However, as one day moved into the next throughout Ramadan – my neighbors and friends were all so preoccupied with their own lives that nary a one stepped up-to-the plate in inviting me for Iftar or to join them for taraweeh at the mosque. I even asked five different people (via sms) if anyone could let me know what time the Eid prayer would be - and you guessed it; no replies. 

How could that be?!? One might ask.

Indeed, we should ask.

We should ask ourselves – are we truly good neighbors? 

And closer to home – to all who are reading – do you know a new Muslim? 

Many new Muslims come from backgrounds in Christianity, where, like myself, we spent our congregational time in warm, inviting environments, despite that fact that we ultimately felt that somehow there was something missing in our religious experiences; thus we came to Islam.

But after coming to Islam, the "trouble with new Muslims" – as I have so often heard – is that we take things quite literally; like the teaching to be a good neighbor; like the message of charity and of doing good deeds.

Now, I am not going to offer a listing here of those things that I did in Ramadan for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, but I am going to implore each and every one of you, for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala; take off the blinders – and reach out to your neighbor – reach out to a new Muslim; it's never too late – and the reward is oh, so great, insha'Allah. 

RELATED: 
How the Grinch Stole Ramadan (the poem)
Do YOU Know a New Muslim?

How the Grinch Stole Ramadan

(Background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grinch)

From a Muslim land far, far away

a little Muslimah waited day after day

For a greeting; an invite

a single Muslim to share one bite

In a time known for its charity

there was no sign of familarity

She pondered and prayed;

puzzled that their goodwill should be delayed

Oh Allah, Oh, Allah! How can it be?

there is not even one to share of their tea!

Eid morning is here and she strains to hear

but there is not even the sound of Eid morning takbeer!

Oh Allah! Oh Allah! I give thanks to Thee!

for with my two cats; together we make three!

And this afternoon while they're all at their feasts

my two cats and I will share our roast beast!

Eid Mubarak.

SEE ALSO: "Do YOU Know A New Muslim?"

Eid Greetings from Aishah Schwartz