[rahma]

Assalamu alaikum,

Alhamdulilah, the wife of my husband's friend accepted islam yesterday, and I've been racking my brain for an appropriate gift to get her So, I'm thinking about puting together a little booklet, a handbook for converts sort of thing. I'm mainly going to print stuff off the internet, and would like any helpful links and articles that you think a convert would like. And, if you're a convert, I'd especially like your input,as you've been there, done that.

I know one of the things I sorely lacked after I converted was information on aqeedah, so inshaAllah that's definately going to be included. There's a lot I'd like to include, but I don't want to overwhelm her. Here's a basic outline of what I'd like to include. Please give feedback on what you'd add or what you'd take out.


1. Welcome/Introduction to Islam
2. Aqeedah
*Basic outline of the 6 pillars
*Some more indepth articles on God, and maybe another pillar or 2 but nothing too deep.
3. 5 pillars
*General article
*Importance of salat (excellant article by SunniSister - The Most Important Advice We Can Offer a New Muslim)
4. Glossary of commonly used muslim terms
5. Marriage stuff
*Will probably just type out or copy a few pages from this book - Blissful Marriage : A Practical Islamic Guide (Dr. Ekram and M. Rida Beshir)
6. Some pretty islamic artwork, maybe of the 99 names of Allah
7. Some stuff on dhikr, cuz I'm a dhikr-aholic


I'm also going to make up a set of index cards with what to say/do in salat on them, so she can hold them and read while she's learning to do salat. That's still the best thing I received after I converted.

Also, I'm looking to provide her with just a neutral introduction to Islam without a heavy bent of salafi vs madhab. I really don't want to get her dragged into that mess so young in her islamic life, ha. My husband has already warned them that I'm a sufi (to which I responded, ha, I wish I was that dedicated), but I'm open to including things from salafi sources, as long as they're not anti madhab or anti sufi

[kellyjaz]

5 pillars:
Salam

Five pillars of islam:
1) Shahada [ Testimony]: La ilaha illa-Allaj, Muhammadur Rassulullah [ None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and muhammad is the messenger of Allah]

2) Iqamat-as-salat [ To offer the compulsort congregational prayers dutifully and perfectly]

3) To pay Zakat [ Zakat is mandatory charity]

4) Hajj [ Pilgrimage to makkah] for whoever is able to do so.

5) To observe saum [ Fasting during the month of Ramadan] with the intention to obstain from the start of dan until sunsent from food, drink and everything else which invalidates the fast]

[shsh]

refer her to islamica

[kellyjaz]

Pillars of Imaan [ Faith]
One has to believe in:
1) Allah [ His existence,his oneness in his attributes,his deserving to be worshipped and supplicated and his right to legislate]

2) His Angels [ Being created from light to obey Allahs orders]

3) His books [ The Torah,The Gospel of jesus, The psalms of David and the Quran which is the best of them.]

4) His messengers. [ The First of them was Noah and the last of them was Muhammad being the seal of the prophets]

5) The last day [ The day of resurrection]

6) Qadar [ Divine preordainment]

[kellyjaz]

Commonly Used Terms by Muslims:
Allah - God
Salam - Peace
Salamu 3alaykum - Peace be upon you
Wa3alaykum Al salam - And peace be upon you
Adhan - is an Islamic way of calling Muslims to the five obligatory Prayers.
Allahu Agbar - God is the greatest.
Bida - innovation - something invented.
BismilaherahmanAlrahem - In the name of Allah - most kind - most merciful.



Good sites.
ReMOSitory*-*MuslimWays [ Wicked stuff]
Muslim Online - Islamic Forum, Arcade, Friends -> Arcade [ Wicked Games ]
Muslim Online - Islamic Forum, Arcade, Friends Downloads [ Good stuff]

[kellyjaz]

InshAllah [ Allah willing - Common term used by muslims] i'll add more stuff tommorow.



P.s. Alhamdulilah - Thank god [ add to the list]

[Kona_Silat]

Add a chapter on how not to get too radical.

[Revert]

Give them a Quraan and ask them to reflect on it.

Congrats on the guy converting

May Allaah make it easy for him insha'Allaah

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by shsh

refer her to islamica

That's a bad idea.

There is a book out there that is pretty basic for aqeedah, it's called "The Pillars of Islam and Iman" and it's published by Darusallam in Riyad. Yes, yes, on the surface you might get turned away becuase it of the taint of Saudi Arabia, but it really is a very good non-biased book. I've found it very useful, and given copies to other converts as well.

[Revert]

Seriously the best thing you can do is emphasise the importance of the Quran. No I haven't gone all Quran only on you, I see a distinct lack of understanding of the Quran nowadays.

We are to quick to refer to Scholars about things when sincire reading of the Quran and reflection is what is neeeded sometimes. Its taken me 2 years to get to this point based on bad advice. Also show them the Ummah films site its a balanced view from a laypersons perspective.

[rahma]

Well, the husband and I are having her and her husband over for an iftar tomorrow. I'm not sure if she has a quran already or not, but inshaAllah if she doesn't, I have one to give her. There is a tafsir class at the masjid on saturdays that I'll invite her too as well.

So here's what I've included in the booklet. I'm going to give it to her her and tell her that she doesn't have to worry about everything in it right now, and in fact, don't even read it all right away - just take it at her own pace.

1. Introduction
Short piece on the Qur'an - just the first 3 paragraphs
Short piece on sunnah - just those first few pieces
6 articles of faith
something on the 5 pillars that I can't find a link to at the moment
The Most Important Advice we can give you

2. Aqidah
Aqidah al-Tahawiyya - this is one of those that I'm going to make a note not to read until later, as it can be kinda deep

3. God
Description of Allah
God and Love
A pretty print out of the 99 names of Allah and explanations of all the names

4. Terminology - she specifically asked me about this, as I tried to teach her assalamu alaikum/wa alaikum assalam and she said she needed to see it written down
Tip of the Muslim Tongue
Terms

5. Dhikr
What is Dhikr?
Some dhikr

6. Dua
The need for dua
Some Dua from the Qur'an


Plus, I made her some prayer cards - the transliteration of a line of prayer, followed by the translation into english. That's the way I learned to pray and it really helped me memorize and learn what I was saying at the same time.

[wheelworks]

I've never read it so take my suggestion with a pinch of salt...

[Revert]

Salams Rahma

Aqida Tahawiyyah is a great text! Just be sure to reiterate everything you say and give them with Quran verses and such. Seriously if someone had done that for me instead of telling me what Shaykh so and so says it would have saved a great deal of confusion.

May Allaah reward you and reward the people with pure Islaam.

[iTz_NoT_Me_iTzZu]

salam,


One of my friends is verry interested in islam and I'm trying to find some good resources for them. Post links and advice please.

I'd especially like to hear from reverts; what sealed the deal for you and made you convert? Thanks in advance

[jinnzaman]

Different people are attracted to Islam for different reasons.

I think you should give him or her a copy of the Qur'an but also something that explains basic beliefs and practices. Also, give them some lectures if possible. Organize a visit to a masjid with someone who knows how to give dawah.

Also, take them to the Texas Dawah Conference.