Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh.
Prior to moving to Saudi Arabia, we had been living a very "green" life, mashaa'Allah. We took seriously the amanah of our bodies, our earth, and our environment from Allah. We ate organic, unprocessed, whole foods. We were concerned about being able to eat healthily here in Madinah, especially knowing how limited good quality food is and not knowing what kind of regulations Saudi Arabia had on the types of pesticides and insecticides permitted for agricultural use.
There is an amazing amount of very poor quality, cheap, chemical-laden food here. Junk food such as chips loaded with MSG, artificially colored and flavored everything with all manner of additives, no apparent regulations on the ingredients of cheap candy for children, with the exception of it being technically halal, and shelves full of empty, harmful calorie snack and processed foods. Sadly, the diet of the majority here is very poor. It is the subcontinent workers, who cannot afford all those little convenience packs, who seem to eat more healthily as they have to actually cook. They are the ones who we see carrying bags of vegetables back home on Jumu'ah, mashaa'Allah.
We researched before coming and found that there was a Saudi company committed to organic foods, Al Watania, mashaa'Allah. On arrival, once settled into our apartment, we found that the supermarket right over the road from our apartment building had a diet section with a small but good range of organic foods, such as wholewheat pastas, brown and red rice, raw sugar, fruit spreads, etc. After checking out the other supermarkets, we found wider ranges of beans, grains, apple cider vinegar, etc. Al Watania chickens were easily available, as were the eggs.
Then, just a few months after we arrived, an Al Watania shop opened in Madinah, where we can buy organic flour, wholegrains such as barley and wheat, organic meat, dates, honey, pasta, beans, herbs, produce, and even soap. We later learned of another shop called Kul Thimar, which sells locally grown produce and some natural foods. Another source of natural foods is a shop we finally located about a month ago called, Beit al Gheethaa. It has many things for natural health, including bancha tea and twigs, different whole grains and flours, real soy sauce and tamari sauce, seaweed, natural body products, books, acupressure sandals, and fresh herbs.
There is a big fruit and vegetable market in Madinah where a wide variety of vendors sell produce. Beside it is a meat market and also a fish market. There is a strip of shops that sell freshly deep fried fish, which is delicious. There is also a chicken and bird market, where live birds can be bought and chickens or turkeys can be selected to be slaughered and defeathered. There are women selling the natural, organic eggs from those birds as well. The women also sell the handwoven palm leaf mats that we bought to eat on, baskets, and palm leaf brushes.
After more investigation and looking at the size of the animals here, we learned that Saudi Arabia doesn't allow genetically modified products into the country, mashaa'Allah. They also do not appear to use any form of steroids on the animals. We have never seen a big fat animal since coming here, LOL. Even the chickens are tiny compared to what we were used to. A standard weight for a chicken here is 1 kilogram, perhaps 1.3 kg at the most.
It takes some effort to find the various things we need as usually you have to go to 4 or 5 different shops to complete our whole list, but truly Allah has made it easy for us to maintain a good standard of healthy living.
In addition, we found that there were many like minded Muslims here. They are well-educated, religiously committed, and consider healthy living part and parcel of their Islam, mashaa'Allah. The wife of a student at the Islamic University holds classes once a month on health and nutrition, reminding and teaching the sisters about living according to halal and tayyibaat. Many families are increasingly health conscious and environmentally aware, mashaa'Allah.
Subhaan Allah, we came here thinking we might be the odd ones out, but we find that people are seeking us out for advice on where to find healthy, safe food and on natural living. We have traveled to this blessed city and found people from all over the world with like minds and hearts, wa al hamdu l'Illah!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Is Hijrah Forever?
Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh.
This is a post that may have a sequel, however hubby and I have sat and composed this to address the outlook and reality for others who desire to make hijrah to Muslim countries, and to Saudi Arabia - Makkah/Madinah specifically.
It is important to think about the meaning of hijrah and whether the place you move to is somewhere you will be able to stay or not. When we got on the plane to move to Madinah, we came with the understanding that this isn't our country and that with the immigration laws so difficult here, it isn't likely we will be able to live here forever. Anyone who comes here, unless they are a national of the country, can end up leaving at any time. Even if you are a national, your citizenship can be revoked.
It isn't wise to put all your eggs in one basket. Ideally if we could live here and do all the things we want to do in the States here, and have the assurance that things could go without trouble then we would stay. However, we are expats - here to work. Once we don't work or aren't of any service to the government or private sector, there is no compelling reason to keep us here. Unlike the countries we are from, we are very familiar with the job market, retirement, and things needed to live but we don't have the fear of being kicked out of our own country.
If we look at the life of the sahaba (radhi Allahu anhum), we see that very few of them are buried in Madinah. They scattered throughout the world giving da'wah. How can we justify living in a land that is not ours after we have acquired knowledge? Shouldn't we go back and benefit the people that are like us and didn't have the opportunity we had?
For a scholar who was born and raised in Saudi Arabia to come to the United States or the UK for example and give da'wah to educate the people, it would very difficult. He is not familiar with the common problems in Western society, such as drug abuse, blended families, deviant racist branches of so-called Islam and a whole style of life that is not conducive to Islam. However, we are from these lands, we know the problems such as when the Muslim drug addict comes to the masjid and steals the money from the zakat box...or the woman who is a stripper during the evening but attends the masjid for jumu'ah. The simple answer that the scholars give of "fear Allah" is not what the hearts of these people need. However, those who have lived amongst those people have a better understanding of the trials and tribulations they go through. In that respect we are better suited to help the negative nature of these Muslims and help them strive towards the straight and narrow path.
If I sit in Saudi, who am I giving da'wah to? Who am I teaching? For us, it is a life of service and you cannot serve until you learn, so this is our school.
This is a post that may have a sequel, however hubby and I have sat and composed this to address the outlook and reality for others who desire to make hijrah to Muslim countries, and to Saudi Arabia - Makkah/Madinah specifically.
It is important to think about the meaning of hijrah and whether the place you move to is somewhere you will be able to stay or not. When we got on the plane to move to Madinah, we came with the understanding that this isn't our country and that with the immigration laws so difficult here, it isn't likely we will be able to live here forever. Anyone who comes here, unless they are a national of the country, can end up leaving at any time. Even if you are a national, your citizenship can be revoked.
It isn't wise to put all your eggs in one basket. Ideally if we could live here and do all the things we want to do in the States here, and have the assurance that things could go without trouble then we would stay. However, we are expats - here to work. Once we don't work or aren't of any service to the government or private sector, there is no compelling reason to keep us here. Unlike the countries we are from, we are very familiar with the job market, retirement, and things needed to live but we don't have the fear of being kicked out of our own country.
If we look at the life of the sahaba (radhi Allahu anhum), we see that very few of them are buried in Madinah. They scattered throughout the world giving da'wah. How can we justify living in a land that is not ours after we have acquired knowledge? Shouldn't we go back and benefit the people that are like us and didn't have the opportunity we had?
For a scholar who was born and raised in Saudi Arabia to come to the United States or the UK for example and give da'wah to educate the people, it would very difficult. He is not familiar with the common problems in Western society, such as drug abuse, blended families, deviant racist branches of so-called Islam and a whole style of life that is not conducive to Islam. However, we are from these lands, we know the problems such as when the Muslim drug addict comes to the masjid and steals the money from the zakat box...or the woman who is a stripper during the evening but attends the masjid for jumu'ah. The simple answer that the scholars give of "fear Allah" is not what the hearts of these people need. However, those who have lived amongst those people have a better understanding of the trials and tribulations they go through. In that respect we are better suited to help the negative nature of these Muslims and help them strive towards the straight and narrow path.
If I sit in Saudi, who am I giving da'wah to? Who am I teaching? For us, it is a life of service and you cannot serve until you learn, so this is our school.
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Rowdah
Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum.
Yesterday, Thursday morning, I went to the Rowdah Shareefah with my daughters. It is the first time I've been there since I arrived in Madinah, Qadr Allah. It was also one of my last chances to get there before the Umrah crowds return. Subhaan Allah, it was so easy. The light green section of the carpet is the area of the Rowdah to pray on....and we prayed easily, mashaa'Allah. I remembered every one of you in my dua', al hamdul'Illah.
The graves were sectioned off so we couldn't go over to give salaams directly in front of them, but I gave salaams for all of you - my followers. I also gave salaams by name for certain of you who asked, and certain of you who I knew would want me to. If you are wondering why the graves are sometimes open for ziyaarah and other times not, I believe it has to do with which Umrah groups are visiting, the volume of people. You see, some people don't understand that we do not worship the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, or pray facing the graves, etc. Many things are done here to protect the Muslims from themselves, their misunderstandings, and innovation. When the Umrah groups are not here, apparently both sides are often open, and Allah Knows best.
Yesterday, Thursday morning, I went to the Rowdah Shareefah with my daughters. It is the first time I've been there since I arrived in Madinah, Qadr Allah. It was also one of my last chances to get there before the Umrah crowds return. Subhaan Allah, it was so easy. The light green section of the carpet is the area of the Rowdah to pray on....and we prayed easily, mashaa'Allah. I remembered every one of you in my dua', al hamdul'Illah.
The graves were sectioned off so we couldn't go over to give salaams directly in front of them, but I gave salaams for all of you - my followers. I also gave salaams by name for certain of you who asked, and certain of you who I knew would want me to. If you are wondering why the graves are sometimes open for ziyaarah and other times not, I believe it has to do with which Umrah groups are visiting, the volume of people. You see, some people don't understand that we do not worship the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, or pray facing the graves, etc. Many things are done here to protect the Muslims from themselves, their misunderstandings, and innovation. When the Umrah groups are not here, apparently both sides are often open, and Allah Knows best.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Life for Women
Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum.
I have had a couple of people ask me about social life and what women can do with their time here. There are various options.
If a woman wants to work, she can easily get employment as a teacher of English if she is a native speaker. If she doesn't have a degree, she may get a job in a private school or nursery school. If she has a degree, then she may have a wider choice of places to work. If she has a degree and a TEFL, CELTA, or similar certification, then she can apply to work at Taibah University. There are several companies that hire English teachers and then subcontract them out to different universities and institutions. If you sign a contract with one of those companies, it is possible when they are desperately trying to fill positions, that they will take you even if you don't have the ideal qualifications. There is a great difference in the salaries from perhaps SAR 2000 for a private school with no degree, to SAR 9,000 with benefits for a job at Taibah.
That said, if a woman wants to work without the headache and structure of a formal job, tutoring is very big business here. I cannot count how many times I have been asked to teach English privately. It is lucrative, you can work as much or as little as you like, and you can set your own hours. If a visa and iqama (residence permit) aren't an issue, this is the route I would recommend. However, if you need a job to get your visa and iqama, then usually the low paying jobs won't provide them. It would be something you would have to ask about straight away, before anything else.
Of course, I already said that there are plenty of opportunities to learn Quran, Arabic, and about Islam mashaa'Allah. However, don't expect much else when it comes to learning or programs for women. There aren't many libraries, there aren't classes to develop interests or learn new sports, and you really have to get together with people of like mind if you want to do any kind of crafting circle or organised activities.
Socially, we cannot drive so our drivers, aka our husbands, are the ones we have to "book" for any outings or events. As this is the way of life, the men are usually accommodating. One sister established a monthly talk on Fridays on health and nutrition. We had the idea of having a monthly activity for the children - similar to a scouts concept. Sisters get together at parks and each others' houses. We like to meet up at Masjid an Nabawi on Jumuah. School or tahfiz programs often give us another outlet for socialization as we make and meet friends there. Of course there are always the malls, where sisters could go and browse and then stop for coffee. We have Starbucks, Costa Coffee, etc. here and they have separate sections for sisters.
Just like anywhere, we are usually busy with our families and lives so we are always trying to find time for socialization. That is the plight of the woman...wherever she lives, LOL!
I have had a couple of people ask me about social life and what women can do with their time here. There are various options.
If a woman wants to work, she can easily get employment as a teacher of English if she is a native speaker. If she doesn't have a degree, she may get a job in a private school or nursery school. If she has a degree, then she may have a wider choice of places to work. If she has a degree and a TEFL, CELTA, or similar certification, then she can apply to work at Taibah University. There are several companies that hire English teachers and then subcontract them out to different universities and institutions. If you sign a contract with one of those companies, it is possible when they are desperately trying to fill positions, that they will take you even if you don't have the ideal qualifications. There is a great difference in the salaries from perhaps SAR 2000 for a private school with no degree, to SAR 9,000 with benefits for a job at Taibah.
That said, if a woman wants to work without the headache and structure of a formal job, tutoring is very big business here. I cannot count how many times I have been asked to teach English privately. It is lucrative, you can work as much or as little as you like, and you can set your own hours. If a visa and iqama (residence permit) aren't an issue, this is the route I would recommend. However, if you need a job to get your visa and iqama, then usually the low paying jobs won't provide them. It would be something you would have to ask about straight away, before anything else.
Of course, I already said that there are plenty of opportunities to learn Quran, Arabic, and about Islam mashaa'Allah. However, don't expect much else when it comes to learning or programs for women. There aren't many libraries, there aren't classes to develop interests or learn new sports, and you really have to get together with people of like mind if you want to do any kind of crafting circle or organised activities.
Socially, we cannot drive so our drivers, aka our husbands, are the ones we have to "book" for any outings or events. As this is the way of life, the men are usually accommodating. One sister established a monthly talk on Fridays on health and nutrition. We had the idea of having a monthly activity for the children - similar to a scouts concept. Sisters get together at parks and each others' houses. We like to meet up at Masjid an Nabawi on Jumuah. School or tahfiz programs often give us another outlet for socialization as we make and meet friends there. Of course there are always the malls, where sisters could go and browse and then stop for coffee. We have Starbucks, Costa Coffee, etc. here and they have separate sections for sisters.
Just like anywhere, we are usually busy with our families and lives so we are always trying to find time for socialization. That is the plight of the woman...wherever she lives, LOL!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Studying and Learning in Madinah
Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh.
There are various ways to study Arabic, Quran and Islam here in Madinah. The most famous is the Islamic University of Madinah, which takes applications from all over the world. Although there was much rumour that it only accepts students under 25 years of age, we can now say that is not true. Construction is in progress for a brand new Women's Campus at the university, so sisters will soon be able to apply as well - whoopee!
In addition, for men who work, there are free evening classes at Islamic University for Arabic. They use the Madinah books and do all four levels.
For women, there are two main programmes for Arabic language/Quran/Islamic Studies. One place is Mount Uhud School, which takes only married women. They teach at a fast pace and the course of studies is wide, varied, and intense. They teach from Lughat Al Arabia Bayna Yadayk Books and complete one book per semester. That means two books per year. On top of that, there are fiqh, aqeedah, hadith, and Quran memorization classes. There is a great deal of memorization of hadith and Islamic information involved and the sisters I have spoken to that attend or attended say it is difficult, mashaa'Allah. One sister said it is excellent if you already know Arabic reasonably well.
The other place, that I am attending, is Dar al Haafidhaat al Thania. It is really a tahfiz school for Quran memorization, but for years they have been teaching Arabic as well, mainly for the wives of the Jamiah students. They have Nursery, Pre-K, KG1, and KG2 classes for younger children, a special class for elementary school age girls which teaches Quran, tajweed, a bit of Arabic, and some Islamic studies, and the women's classes. There are levels and an ordinary tahfiz programme as well. The tamheedi level teaches from the book Lughat al Arabiya Bayna Yadayk. This is for those who need to get speaking the language. They also teach some basic tajweed and, of course, Quran memorization. The first level teaches Madinah books - level 1, the second level teaches Madinah books - level 2, the third level teaches Madinah books - level 3, and the fourth level teaches the second half of Madinah books - level 3.
Everywhere, in every area, neighbourhood, or district you will find tahfiz programmes. They run in the mornings and the afternoons and are free for all. If you want to memorize Quran, every facility is available for you, mashaa'Allah.
Alternatives for learning are to learn Arabic and then study at the foot of a shaykh. Several Jamiah students have said this is a much more effective and efficient way to study. There are classes held in Masjid an Nabawi, Masjid Qiblatain, and various other locations. Dr. Muhammad Al Jibaly holds classes for teenage boys once a week. Wives of shaykhs and qualified sisters hold classes for women, also.
This is a place where it is difficult not to gain 'ilm. Rather you bump into it even when you aren't trying. Just imagine, my husband called me at Asr time to tell me that there was a lesson on Quran recitation, the rules of tajweed, being given at the little masjid by our apartment. It was on the loudspeaker, so I could even open the window and hear it, mashaa' Allah. Truly, there is no excuse not to learn and grow.
Even though my husband is teaching here, he has gained immense knowledge just from his talks with his friends who attend the Jamiah or used to attend. These are brothers who have degrees in Shariah, Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, and Da'wah. Some have Masters and some are working on their PhD's mashaa'Allah. May Allah give them tawfeeq and may we, who are so blessed to be invited to the home of our beloved Rasool, salla Allahu alahyi wa sallam, gain all the benefit Allah is offering us from this - ameen.
There are various ways to study Arabic, Quran and Islam here in Madinah. The most famous is the Islamic University of Madinah, which takes applications from all over the world. Although there was much rumour that it only accepts students under 25 years of age, we can now say that is not true. Construction is in progress for a brand new Women's Campus at the university, so sisters will soon be able to apply as well - whoopee!
In addition, for men who work, there are free evening classes at Islamic University for Arabic. They use the Madinah books and do all four levels.
For women, there are two main programmes for Arabic language/Quran/Islamic Studies. One place is Mount Uhud School, which takes only married women. They teach at a fast pace and the course of studies is wide, varied, and intense. They teach from Lughat Al Arabia Bayna Yadayk Books and complete one book per semester. That means two books per year. On top of that, there are fiqh, aqeedah, hadith, and Quran memorization classes. There is a great deal of memorization of hadith and Islamic information involved and the sisters I have spoken to that attend or attended say it is difficult, mashaa'Allah. One sister said it is excellent if you already know Arabic reasonably well.
The other place, that I am attending, is Dar al Haafidhaat al Thania. It is really a tahfiz school for Quran memorization, but for years they have been teaching Arabic as well, mainly for the wives of the Jamiah students. They have Nursery, Pre-K, KG1, and KG2 classes for younger children, a special class for elementary school age girls which teaches Quran, tajweed, a bit of Arabic, and some Islamic studies, and the women's classes. There are levels and an ordinary tahfiz programme as well. The tamheedi level teaches from the book Lughat al Arabiya Bayna Yadayk. This is for those who need to get speaking the language. They also teach some basic tajweed and, of course, Quran memorization. The first level teaches Madinah books - level 1, the second level teaches Madinah books - level 2, the third level teaches Madinah books - level 3, and the fourth level teaches the second half of Madinah books - level 3.
Everywhere, in every area, neighbourhood, or district you will find tahfiz programmes. They run in the mornings and the afternoons and are free for all. If you want to memorize Quran, every facility is available for you, mashaa'Allah.
Alternatives for learning are to learn Arabic and then study at the foot of a shaykh. Several Jamiah students have said this is a much more effective and efficient way to study. There are classes held in Masjid an Nabawi, Masjid Qiblatain, and various other locations. Dr. Muhammad Al Jibaly holds classes for teenage boys once a week. Wives of shaykhs and qualified sisters hold classes for women, also.
This is a place where it is difficult not to gain 'ilm. Rather you bump into it even when you aren't trying. Just imagine, my husband called me at Asr time to tell me that there was a lesson on Quran recitation, the rules of tajweed, being given at the little masjid by our apartment. It was on the loudspeaker, so I could even open the window and hear it, mashaa' Allah. Truly, there is no excuse not to learn and grow.
Even though my husband is teaching here, he has gained immense knowledge just from his talks with his friends who attend the Jamiah or used to attend. These are brothers who have degrees in Shariah, Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, and Da'wah. Some have Masters and some are working on their PhD's mashaa'Allah. May Allah give them tawfeeq and may we, who are so blessed to be invited to the home of our beloved Rasool, salla Allahu alahyi wa sallam, gain all the benefit Allah is offering us from this - ameen.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Prayers for Rain
Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh.
Two weeks ago we had a national prayer for rain. It is a very powerful thing to witness, and this is my second year to be here for it al hamdul'Illah. For those of you who don't know how it goes, schools will adjust their start times and people will adjust their work times to go to this prayer. All the masaajid hold the prayer and it is held shortly after sunrise.
Subhaan Allah, we pulled up to school as the prayer was going on and I could hear the dua' being made for Allah's forgiveness, mercy, blessings, and of course, rain. It brought tears to my eyes, because this is true tawakkal - total reliance on Allah with the knowledge that only He can bring the relief of rain to dry desert and life to the dead. Subhaan Allah, it is these things that strike me and remind me how fortunate I am to be in a country focused on tawheed. All thanks and praise to Allah, the Perfect Provider of all needs!
Two weeks ago we had a national prayer for rain. It is a very powerful thing to witness, and this is my second year to be here for it al hamdul'Illah. For those of you who don't know how it goes, schools will adjust their start times and people will adjust their work times to go to this prayer. All the masaajid hold the prayer and it is held shortly after sunrise.
Subhaan Allah, we pulled up to school as the prayer was going on and I could hear the dua' being made for Allah's forgiveness, mercy, blessings, and of course, rain. It brought tears to my eyes, because this is true tawakkal - total reliance on Allah with the knowledge that only He can bring the relief of rain to dry desert and life to the dead. Subhaan Allah, it is these things that strike me and remind me how fortunate I am to be in a country focused on tawheed. All thanks and praise to Allah, the Perfect Provider of all needs!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Ahhhh....Bliss!
Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum.
Perhaps people imagine that living in Madinah means praying every day in Masjid an Nabawi and making ziyaarah to the Prophet's grave (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as often as one likes. Not so! This is the second most important stop for all the hujjaj and umrah visitors, so those places are packed to bursting most of the year. After over one year living here, I still haven't made ziyaarah, Qadr Allah.
Imagine then, the feeling of us residents when all the hujjaj leave. There is a hiatus on umrah visas for a period of 6-8 weeks after the deadline date for the hujjaj to leave and finally there is a chance for us. Today was the first jumu'ah since the hujjaj left. We went for the prayer...and it was so empty we could sit wherever we liked, mashaa'Allah. We could see the beauty and grandeur of the Masjid. We could sit in peace and read surah al Kahf before the prayer. Subhaan Allah, we could just walk up and get a drink of Zamzam water without waiting for anyone ahead of us! These are precious days for us. Days when we can finally enjoy and spend quality time at Masjid an Nabawi and know the peace (sakinah) of Madinah.
I'm hoping that these days will provide me with the opportunity to make ziyaarah. I missed the chance today after Jumu'ah, but inshaa'Allah next week. Then I'll give salaams from all of you dear sisters as well, bi ithn Illah, taala.
Perhaps people imagine that living in Madinah means praying every day in Masjid an Nabawi and making ziyaarah to the Prophet's grave (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as often as one likes. Not so! This is the second most important stop for all the hujjaj and umrah visitors, so those places are packed to bursting most of the year. After over one year living here, I still haven't made ziyaarah, Qadr Allah.
Imagine then, the feeling of us residents when all the hujjaj leave. There is a hiatus on umrah visas for a period of 6-8 weeks after the deadline date for the hujjaj to leave and finally there is a chance for us. Today was the first jumu'ah since the hujjaj left. We went for the prayer...and it was so empty we could sit wherever we liked, mashaa'Allah. We could see the beauty and grandeur of the Masjid. We could sit in peace and read surah al Kahf before the prayer. Subhaan Allah, we could just walk up and get a drink of Zamzam water without waiting for anyone ahead of us! These are precious days for us. Days when we can finally enjoy and spend quality time at Masjid an Nabawi and know the peace (sakinah) of Madinah.
I'm hoping that these days will provide me with the opportunity to make ziyaarah. I missed the chance today after Jumu'ah, but inshaa'Allah next week. Then I'll give salaams from all of you dear sisters as well, bi ithn Illah, taala.
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