Jama Masjid India

(part 1 of 2) Description:  The family is one of the central organizing institutions of the Muslim society.  This two part lesson gives insight into the core sentiments of family life that define the nature and meaning of this social institution. Part 1: The basics and purpose of marriage, inter-faith marriages and spousal rights. Objectives ·         To learn the basics of basics of marriage and family in Islam. ·         To learn the purpose of marriage. ·         To become familiar with the Islamic regulations on inter-faith marriages. ·         To appreciate the rights of husbands and wives on each other. New Terms ·         Mahr The family is one of the central organizing institutions of society.  In Islam a family is built through marriage.  Marriage is a legal arr...

Description:  Practicing Islam entails one to participate in the community of faithful in communal worship. This lesson provides guidance to help in the process of adjusting and becoming part of the Muslim community. Objectives ·         To understand seven important points related to adjusting, participating and becoming a part of the Muslim community, and some tips and pitfalls related to them. Part of practicing Islam is to participate in the community of faithful in communal worship.  Like any faith community, it has certain characteristics, some good and some bad.  The purpose of this lesson is to help you in the process of adjusting and becoming part of the Muslim community. First and foremost, before you meet Muslims, you should keep in mind that Islam is perfect, while Muslims are not.  They are, after all, humans. You will find some Muslims who will be easy to get along with and will make great friends, while you...

Description:  The real status of women in Islam. Fourteen hundred years ago Islam gave women rights; rights that could not have been imagined by European counterparts.  Bold words!  Words that have been spoken repeatedly, especially in the last two or three decades by Muslim converts, and Islamic writers, academics and educators across the globe.  Women’s rights, responsibilities, and choices have been the subject of books, articles, essays, and lectures.  Sadly however, convincing the world that Muslim women are not oppressed by Islam is a message that is just not getting through.  Media headlines scream oppression and the words Muslim, women, and oppression seem to have become inextricably linked. No matter what Muslim women do or say to try to convince the world otherwise, words like hijab, burka, polygamy, and Sharia seem to do little but convince people that Islam oppresses women.  Even educated, articulate women fulfilling the modest conditi...

Description:  A brief discussion about changing one’s name upon conversion to Islam. Objective: ·          To discuss the benefits or merits of choosing a new name. ·          To understand when it would be preferable to take a new name. ·          To identify any drawbacks to changing one’s name. Arabic Terms: ·          Hajj  - A pilgrimage to Mecca where the pilgrim performs a set of rituals.  The  Hajj  is one of the five pillars of Islam, which every adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their life if they can afford it and are physically able. ·          Ka’bah  - The cube-shaped structure located in the city of Mecca.  It serves as a focal point towards which all Muslims face when praying. ·      ...

(part 1 of 4): The Human Condition Description:  Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest. (Quran 13:28) The average human being in the developed world battles sadness and worry on a daily basis.  While the majority of the world’s population confront extreme poverty, famine, conflict and despair those of us privileged to lead relatively easy lives must tackle fear, stress, and anxiety.  Why are those of us blessed with riches beyond compare immersed in loneliness and desperation?  We are living in a time of confusion, we try as we might, yet gathering material possessions can do nothing to mend broken hearts, and shattered souls. Now, more than at any other time in human kind’s history, stress, anxiety, and psychological problems are taking a tremendous toll on the human condition.  Religious beliefs should afford a sense of comfort however; it seems that 21 st  century man has lost the ability to connect to God.  Pondering the...