Finding Islam on the Road to College

By Halimah David

My father raised me on his own and as a Christian. He worked hard to teach me Christian values.

I read the Bible a lot when I was in elementary school (I skipped the words I did not know) and noticed there were some contradictions (i.e. eating pork, Jesus's peace be upon him supposed death).

When I was twelve I knew I did not really believe in Christianity anymore, but I did not know what to think. I continued searching out God and praying to Him for the truth. I sought God a lot and very hard.

I had a lot of questions on my mind: "Everybody, at some time or another, asks themselves the question: "Why do I exist?" or "For what purpose am I here on earth?"

The variety and complexity of the intricate systems, which constitute the fabric of both human beings and the world in which they exist, indicate that there must have been a Supreme Being who created them.

Design indicates a designer. When human beings come across footprints on a beach, they immediately conclude that a human being had walked by there some time previously.

No one imagines that the waves from the sea settled in the sand and by chance produced a depression looking exactly like human footprints.

Nor do humans instinctively conclude that they were brought into existence without a purpose. Since purposeful action is a natural product of human intelligence, humans conclude that the Supreme Intelligent Being who created them must have done so for a specific purpose.

Therefore, human beings need to know the purpose for their existence in order to make sense of this life and to do what is ultimately beneficial for them.

When I was nineteen while calling myself a truth seeker, I traveled a lot looking for other cultures and beliefs to satisfy my need for finding God. I looked into Taoism, Wicca, Buddhism, Rastafarian, Judaism, Free Masonry, Christianity, Hinduism, Animism, etc.

I even looked at one or two pages about Islam but immediately dismissed it as it did not suit my own desire. I saw that Muslims worship Allah, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is their Messenger and that they pray five times a day.

Five times a day!?

I thought that sounds like too much work; that could not possibly be the religion Of God the Creator of the Heavens and the earth!?

By time, I returned to theUnited States almost twenty one, I was not satisfied with any of the religions I had looked into. I decided to attend medical school (which was my dream). I filled out entrance exams and papers and was accepted at my delight.

I took a Greyhound Bus from Michigan and headed to Colorado for college. While I was traveling, I met a young guy who was sitting behind me for most of the trip. I asked his name and learned he was Ibrahim from Africa, traveling to college to be an engineer.

We began talking, and he told me he was a Muslim. I asked him what that was and he explained that Muslims believe there is none worthy of being worshiped but Allah alone and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last and final Prophet of the Abrahamic faiths.

I concluded that Jews were behind on two Prophets: Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them); and Christians were behind on one Prophet: Muhammad peace be upon him.

I inquired further into the religion Islam, and he shared with me a small book of collected prayers (dua and dhikr) that Muslims make. Inside the first daily remembrance I read was this:

"None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things Omnipotent."

It was then that I knew Islam was quite possibly what I had been looking for. I then looked further into the book for more clarification on who Allah is and focused on these two:

"In the Name of Allah, Who with His Name nothing can cause harm in the earth nor in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing."

"O Allah, whatever blessing has been received by me or anyone of Your creation is from You alone, You have no partner. All praise is for you and thanks is to You."

I then turned to Ibrahim and asked him how I could become Muslim. He told me to say my Shahadah: La ilaha illa llaah Muhammadur Rasoolullah (There is no deity that has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone and Muhammad is His Messenger).

And in believing that and stating it, I became a Muslim right then and there on a Greyhound Bus.

So, after speaking with Ibrahim for fifteen minutes I became a Muslim. This was about seven years ago.

I never went to medical school. I decided to spend my time learning my new religion and moved to Utah. I met a great many Muslims there who warmly welcomed me into the community and spent much time teaching me the religion.

To sum up some of the most important things I have learned as a Muslim would be this:

- There has to have been a Creator due to the fact that there is creation.

- A proof that there is a God is shown through the masses; whom all feel the need to worship and do so through the vast amounts of different religions and beliefs.

Otherwise, where would we have ever gotten the idea from to even worship?

- If there were more then one god there would be complete and utter chaos from them arguing amongst themselves.

- Consequently, every human being is responsible for belief in God, which is imprinted on each and every soul. It is based on this inborn belief that Allah defined the purpose of humankind’s creation in Chapter Adh-Dhariyat (which means): *{I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.}* (Adh-Dhariyat: 51: 56)

- The laws that we build our societies upon are a proof that there must be a Creator for everything and that we are mimicking Him and His divine laws by creating our own rules and legislation. Unfortunately, societies often make laws and legislation that are contrary to the divine laws of God.

Without these laws there would be complete panic and disorder spread out through the entire world, which would make life very different from the one we live in and experience.

- A religion cannot be properly judged by its' followers but can be properly judged by its' teachings.

- Islam is for all of mankind with complete structure and guidance for every aspect, condition and affliction that mankind ever meets and suffers with and/or from.

- Islam cannot be changed and 'put into a box' in regards to how you want to practice it, you must change yourself and your way of life to meet and fit into Islam.

- Thus, the essential purpose for which humankind was created is the worship of God. However, the Almighty is not in need of human worship. He did not create human beings out of a need on His part.

If not a single human worshiped God, it would not diminish His Glory in any way, and if all of mankind worshiped Him, it would not increase His Glory in any way. God is Perfect. He alone exists without any needs. All created beings have needs. Consequently, it is humankind that needs to worship God.

- Why do human beings need to worship and glorify God by obeying the divinely revealed laws? This is because obedience to divine law is the key to success in this life and the next. The first human beings, Adam and Eve, were created in paradise and later expelled from paradise for disobeying the divine law. The only way for human beings to return to paradise is by obedience to the law.

- Divine laws represent guidance for humankind in all walks of life. They define right and wrong for them and offer human beings a complete system governing all of their affairs. The Creator alone knows best what is beneficial for His creation and what is not.

The divine laws command and prohibit various acts and substances to protect the human spirit, the human body and human society from harm. In order for human beings to fulfill their potential by living righteous lives, they need to worship God through obedience to His commandments.

I am now married with children and am a stay home mother. I write and illustratebooks for children.

I also maintain three websites on the Muslim's belief, character, manners and business ethics.

Source:

Short excerpts above in quotes from The Purpose of Creation by Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

Obama's former Indonesian school basks in his glow

By Jennifer Henderson

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Pupils at Barack Obama's former school in Indonesia skipped classes Wednesday, as a scrum of guests and media invaded the institution where the new U.S. president studied for two years.

Obama spent four years in Indonesia after his American mother, Ann Dunham, married Indonesian Lolo Soetoro following the end of her marriage to Obama's Kenyan father.

"Having Barack Obama as the president will automatically increase the motivation and spirit in pursuing education," said Hasimah, the principal of State Elementary School Menteng 01.

But the intense media interest Wednesday made it hard for pupils to focus on studies.

Sixth-grader Zulkifly said he had been interviewed three times while waiting for his parents at the front of the school.

"There's lots of media here," said the 11-year-old, dressed in a neat white shirt with traditional Indonesian batik patterns.

Indonesians have followed Obama's political fortunes closely and the media has been packed with stories on his old school and the houses he lived in while in the country.

Obama was six years old when he moved to Jakarta, where he went to a Catholic school and then Menteng 01.

The Menteng school briefly become a source of controversy after a U.S. conservative magazine reported on its website in 2007 that it was a radical madrasa, or Islamic school. The school in a leafy suburb is in fact attended by pupils of many faiths.

A former classmate of Obama attending a ceremony at the school to mark the inauguration said she wanted to meet him again.

"If we had a chance we just want to have a chit chat with him, remembering the old days," said Sandra Sambuaga Mangie.

"We don't want to talk about politics or current issues. Just talk about his time in Indonesia, as our classmate," she added.

Classmates and teachers in Jakarta remember Obama affectionately as a child who loved to draw cartoon characters.

Fourth-grader Ceyco said she wished Obama success for the future but had no desire to emulate his path into politics.

"In the future I want to become an international karate athlete," she said. There has been speculation about whether Obama will visit Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.
Obama promised to improve U.S. ties with the Muslim world in his inauguration address Tuesday, after tensions that followed the September 11 attacks and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A message from Obama was read out on his behalf Tuesday at a ball in a posh Jakarta hotel to celebrate his inauguration.

"My childhood years in Jakarta provided me with many lessons and memories that I carry with me to this day," he said.

(Additional reporting by Lenita Sulthani; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

By Jennifer Henderson

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Pupils at Barack Obama's former school in Indonesia skipped classes Wednesday, as a scrum of guests and media invaded the institution where the new U.S. president studied for two years.

Obama spent four years in Indonesia after his American mother, Ann Dunham, married Indonesian Lolo Soetoro following the end of her marriage to Obama's Kenyan father.

"Having Barack Obama as the president will automatically increase the motivation and spirit in pursuing education," said Hasimah, the principal of State Elementary School Menteng 01.

But the intense media interest Wednesday made it hard for pupils to focus on studies.

Sixth-grader Zulkifly said he had been interviewed three times while waiting for his parents at the front of the school.

"There's lots of media here," said the 11-year-old, dressed in a neat white shirt with traditional Indonesian batik patterns.

Indonesians have followed Obama's political fortunes closely and the media has been packed with stories on his old school and the houses he lived in while in the country.

Obama was six years old when he moved to Jakarta, where he went to a Catholic school and then Menteng 01.

The Menteng school briefly become a source of controversy after a U.S. conservative magazine reported on its website in 2007 that it was a radical madrasa, or Islamic school. The school in a leafy suburb is in fact attended by pupils of many faiths.

A former classmate of Obama attending a ceremony at the school to mark the inauguration said she wanted to meet him again.

"If we had a chance we just want to have a chit chat with him, remembering the old days," said Sandra Sambuaga Mangie.

"We don't want to talk about politics or current issues. Just talk about his time in Indonesia, as our classmate," she added.

Classmates and teachers in Jakarta remember Obama affectionately as a child who loved to draw cartoon characters.

Fourth-grader Ceyco said she wished Obama success for the future but had no desire to emulate his path into politics.

"In the future I want to become an international karate athlete," she said. There has been speculation about whether Obama will visit Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.
Obama promised to improve U.S. ties with the Muslim world in his inauguration address Tuesday, after tensions that followed the September 11 attacks and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A message from Obama was read out on his behalf Tuesday at a ball in a posh Jakarta hotel to celebrate his inauguration.

"My childhood years in Jakarta provided me with many lessons and memories that I carry with me to this day," he said.

(Additional reporting by Lenita Sulthani; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

Characteristics Of Father

A Muslim is necessarily reflect the future with non-invesment do with the stock portfolio, 401K, a house or saving accounts, but with shodaqoh jariyah, disseminate useful knowledge, and to build a children sholeh-ah. The third event was included in this education process and especially children, many of the Deli we have had a child, so I summarize to 6 on the personality characteristics of an ideal father.

1. Keteladanan (for example)

One morning, my surprise when I saw how putriku the Sounds. He entered his feet directly into the shoes without removing the strap. Apparently he is considering how to wear my shoes. Because lazy to open the knot shoelace, I often use without opening the knot binding and lace. I try to give an explanation melarangnya with bhw how to wear shoes like that can quickly lead to broken shoes. But the results naught. This is an example of real bhw children, especially early on, it's easy to imitate their parents. No matter whether it is right or wrong. Advice, we do not serve, if we keep doing what we Disallow.

Do we have to provide the best example to our children? Are we more often watching TV than reading the Al-Quran or other books that useful? Are we more often eat while standing and the road than sitting with Basmallah read? Are we praying late with haste than praying right time? Are we reading a letter that it is only?

Allah SWT said in the letter ash-shaff 61:2-3:

"O those who believe, why you say what you do not? It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not."

Allah SWT also reminded not to conduct oneself as Banu Israil in the films in the Al-Baqoroh 2:44

"Why do you order other people (do) good, you are forgetting oneself (liabilities) your own, when you read the Scripture (Torah)? Will not you think?"

2. Love it and

Warmth, tenderness, affection and heartfelt is the important basis for the education of children. Children early not know what name, but with fitrahnya they can interview. Lihatnya how riangnya highlight the eyes and hands and feet movement of a baby when her mother will embrace and menyusuinya with affection. Kecilpun baby is able to capture shape the face that always provides warmth, tenderness and affection with sincere, especially those who have been larger.

Dawn on many ahadith described as a father figure, uncle, grandfather or the resurrection reveal the love and unfortunately the heartfelt to children. An interesting story is told by al-Haitsami in Majma'uz Zawa'id from Abu Laila.

He said: "I was near dawn. At that time I saw al-Hasan and Hussain al-digendong he is. One of them urinating in his chest and stomach. Water kencingnya run, and I approached him. Dawn said, 'Let the second son, you do not disturb them until he finished hajatnya release'. Then the dawn, telling the water. " In the history of other said, 'Do not make haste release hajatnya'.

How do with us? We arrive say that our heartfelt devotion to our children today?

3. Fair

Who has never heard the word sibling rivalry and favoritism? If you have not heard, then know! Who we know, including people who have done so. Often we stuck by our feelings so we just do not apply, for example, because our children are more obedient than one child or another because we prefer girls than boys, etc..

Messenger PBUH said: "Valid adillah you among children in giving." (HR Bukhari)

The problem of justice is to be preventing the emergence of hatred between brothers. Experts in child education researchers conclusion that the most dominant factors that cause a sense of envy / envious in children is the brother of one pengutamaan among other relatives.

Children are very sensitive to changes in the behavior of himself. If we loose control, as soon as possible to improve, because children can be treated unfairly road feud with his brother or isolate themselves (self-closing and self-low).

4. Socially and Communication

Often, we are in a room with the children, but we do not mingle and communicate with them. We asyiik read newspapers, they asyiik playing video games or watching TV.

Many ahadith that describe how the proximity association with the dawn of children and adolescents. He jokes and play with them.

How can we have a busy studying while working plus' ngurusin 'IMSA (** ** smile)? Where there is a time for chatting with the children? It is time, if we know the strategy. For example, while children play accompany the CD in the computer education, we can explain how to / playing, and give examples briefly, then we can leave. Similarly, reading books and other games. Repotnya some fathers who do not want to gather with children, especially towards the adults who fear losing influence or kharismanya. This view is mistaken. The more we try to keep the right balance, that means we should not be too rigid in holding power and charisma, but also can not be too loose.

5. In the wise create

Messenger PBUH said: "... Perish people over ..." (HR Muslim).

So the method in the most wise to educate and guide the children is a consistent and mid - balanced, which is not exempt as child-free and not mengekangnya; not too often laud, but also not too often mencelanya. When the father ordered something to the children, the father should do so with wisdom, loving, and do not forget the joke membumbuinya necessary. Explain the benefits and wisdom, so that the children motivated to do so. Do not forget to also consider the condition of children in implementing the command or rule.

Imam Ibn al-Jauzi said that the need to train personal tenderness, the stages of the condition that one condition to another, do not apply violence, and uphold the principles of mixing between the enticements and threats.

6. Pray

The prophets always prayed and begged God for the good of his descendants.

"And (remember) when Abraham said:" Lord, make this country (Mecca), the country is secure, and Feel cucuku children and their worship of idols. "(Ibrahim: 35)" Praise be to Allah who has menganugrahkan to me in the old days (my) Ismail and Ishaq. Indeed, my Lord, truly hears (allow) the prayers. Yes, my Lord, I cucuku children and those who remain to establish prayer. Our Lord, doaku Allow. "(Abraham :39-40)

DIFFERENCE PHENOMENON GENDER IN EDUCATION ISLAM

In the process of education in Indonesia in general, there is still a gender bias or partiality. Gender is a concept used in identifying the parameters of the role of men and women based on the influence of social-cultural community (social contruction) with no view of the biological and equality as a tool pendiskriminasian one of the parties because of considerations that are biological. Men more dominant in selecting majors and the ability to learn or in the field of vocational skills, technology and industry and seems specifically men prepared to become a major player in world production. Meanwhile, more women prepared to carry out the role of adjuvant, for example, a management and technology, well-tanggaan. Improvements in the system of curriculum content to ensure the realization of gender equality education berperspektif, AT-AT eliminate gender bias in education, especially in the mengkombinasi-going between the rights and obligations of men and women.

DEVELOPMENT OF ARABIAN INSTRUCTION METHOD

Development of methods of teaching Arabic language can only be done by a teacher of creative and innovative, always consider the principles of teaching languages and able to gather ideas / ideas to be mixed from the things that are normal to be extraordinary.
Therefore, in improving the quality of learning Arabic language teacher is required figure in the creative and innovative approach and implement an effective method of learning. For the purpose of writing this review that the development of effective methods used in the process of learning, especially learning the Arabic language.

EDUCATION SKETCH ISLAM AT A PERIOD OF BACKDOWN ISLAM AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR EUROPEAN RENAISSANCE

Backdown of islam people in its civilization happened in around 1250 M. s/d in 1500 M. That Backdown happens at all of area especially in the field of Pendidikan islam. In Pendidikan that backdown islam by some, believed because indigenous to growing of in extend traditional idea pattern. Existence of that pattern cause loss of free of thinking, tertutupnya door ijtihad, and caused direct to made religious advices of [the] past moslem scholar as [the] dogma that must accepted absolutely (taken for garanted). When islam people on the downgrade, in the world of Europe oppositely/also on the contrary experience of evocation pursues ketertinggalan they, even can crucify root of islam progresses. Science and philosophy thrive in European places. As a consequence if pattern traditional fikir that expand in the world of islam continues planted and thrive, then on-site they in Europe idea pattern rasionallah that relied on philosophy Rasionalnya Ibn Rusyd that raced their evocation pass by evocation movements. This condition is cause beralihnya drastically centers education from islam world to Europe.