Topic: Newly converted Muslim-so many questions

[jasminerebecca]

I converted to Islam on 14th of Ramadan this year. I was raised a Christian and even attended a Bible college for youth ministry. I have many questions about being Muslim and Islam.

Am I able to pray in English until I learn Arabic to pray?
Do I have to go to Mosque to pray?
Is wearing the hijab required?

These are just a few I have, more to follow.

Thank you all,

[MuslimYoungMan]

Bismillah..
dear sister.. at first, i'd like to send my warmest & greatest GONGRATULATIONS to become a muslima.. i am really so happy to hear this

I am An Arabic Muslim -from Syria- raised in a good conservative family (alhmdulillah=thanks god).. i advice new muslims to learn the teachings of Islam directly from Islamic Centers, especially those centers that are raised & build via Suadi efforts. do you have such centers in your town? i do not know where are you living now, so, would you like to tell me your town or city name and in which state and country it is -so i may help you better?
now, let us say general speaking & basic information regarding your questions:

1- hijab: yes! it is required.

2-women' praying: women are NOT required to pray the prayers (5 prayers) in the Mosque. you can pray them in your home, work, school, ... or mosque.. the best place for women to pray in is their homes as the Prophet Muhammed said, but, at the same time, he did NOt prevent them from going to Mosques.

3- concerning praying in any language other than Arabic: I do not know. but you may learn them in English letters as follows until you learn arabic: example from Suraht Al-Fatiha (the first Surah in the Quran) : "Al-Rahmanul Rahiem * maliki yaomiddien*...", i wish i could pass the idea to you..

any way, as i said earlier: Islamic Centers are better than forums & sites because NOT all of them are trust worthy!! a GREAT site is www.islamway.com but i do not know if it is for new to islam or not! a visit to it may be good..

waiting your reply concerning your city information to attempt to help you more.. and here is my email address if you need any thing wish i could help you in all what you need: rashadsibai@hotmail.com (i do not know whether it is allowed here or not)..

take care..
Rashad

[ahmadimuslim]

Welcome and May Allah bless you. First of All, imagine yourself as a new born- who is being taught the prayers. So you can learn (ie break down the words and remmember what that means, stick it on your fridge etc). And test yourself like that.
The way i learnt is that, i would have it infront of me and i use to pray like that.Allah knows your're trying.
As far as the brother said about Saudi centres. I think its no necessary. You see, go to your Local mosque, i am sure then have some ladies who are willing to help you learn the prayers etc. Make new friends. However remembers, some people have a habit of passing " this is not allowed" or "thats not allowed". Half of them just pass what they have heard. without knowing- so once you have learnt the basic then look YOURSELF for answers. You'll be surprised.
check out www.alislam.org thats a great website, to get to know the basic 5 pillars etc. And the even have videos and downlaods, for you iPOD, or computer, so you can memobrise the prayers like that.
Hope that helps.Stay postedSister in Islam

[MuslimYoungMan]

bismillah
how are you again sister?

here is the English link to the site that i talked about yesterday:
http://english.islamway.com/

today, they put a topic about the prayers onto the main page of the site, the title of the topic is: "The status of prayer in Islam".  .

Too, they have a very interesting good topic about teaching beginners how to pray in the right way on the following link (it is a nice flash page with a downloadable file) :
http://english.islamway.com/flashpage.php?id=2&cat=1&file_name=PrayerBeg&width=782&hight=438

hope you get benefit of the mentioned topics

 

[jasminerebecca]

Thank you for the replies. I will check out the websites. I am trying to learn what I can and find people out there that I can talk to and find out more.

Again Thank you.

Oh I live in Denver, CO.

[jasminerebecca]

Anyone know of a website that I can listen and learn how to speak Arabic? I have found some that show the English translation of Arabic. But I have no idea how to pronounciate the words so I am looking for one that is audio.  Please send me any suggestions. I would like to start to learn some Arabic, at least the basics now and then slowly learn more as I go.

Thanks,

[amar_labedi]

bismillah
how are you again sister?

here is the English link to the site that i talked about yesterday:
http://english.islamway.com/

today, they put a topic about the prayers onto the main page of the site, the title of the topic is: "The status of prayer in Islam".  .

Too, they have a very interesting good topic about teaching beginners how to pray in the right way on the following link (it is a nice flash page with a downloadable file) :
http://english.islamway.com/flashpage.php?id=2&cat=1&file_name=PrayerBeg&width=782&hight=438

hope you get benefit of the mentioned topics

 

Assalamalaikum wa rahamtullahi wa barakatuhu

Thanks for providing this site brother

[MuslimYoungMan]

bismillah

dear sister jasminerebecca,
i will do my best regarding your requests..


dear amar, thanks for your kind posting

 

[jasminerebecca]

I am so blessed to be able to find wonderful people out there to help and answer my questions.

[MuslimYoungMan]

bismillah,

dear sister,

here is the contact details for an islamic center near you (if it is far away, you may contact them asking them to guide you to a closer trust worthy center) :

website: http://www.denvermosque.org

MAIN OFFICE 
MONDAY - FRIDAY
9:00 PM - 5:00 PM
303.696-9800
FAX: 303.750.4763

CMS ADMINISTRATOR: Shoaib Ghori

Office Manager/ Bookkeeper: Sumayya


mmmmm, what is else!?
yes; regarding learning arabic, i will look again for the matter... please be patient with me.. 

sister, pleeeeaaaaaase, do not hesitate to ask me, i will help you as possible as i can..

i remembered: the above mentioned center may give you an advice or a way for learning Arabic, is not it!? (of course, i will not stop looking for the matter... i am not going to escape..    )