Comments on: The Ramadan Muslimah

By: Goolam

Goolam — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:49:29 +0000

I think the author is just pointing out, that ramadaan becomes a burden on those sisters who regularly attend the masjid. InshaAllah, we can all work together to make Ramadaan a month of blessing for everyone, by being more considerate of others. Soap or no soap

By: mash

mash — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:57:46 +0000

on the topic of the post it self I pretty much agree with Zohra Sarwari and Suraya – I was far from a ‘good or practising Muslim’ (whatever that is) for most of my life and I would hate to think that I was being judged on the occasions I did go to the mosque, as Zohra says I make effort to never forget how I was and how I still am.

Far from perfect.

We have to accept that many people struggle with practice and yes many people do wait until Ramadan to attend the mosque but if these ’seasonal Muslims’ didn’t turn up would we all be reading pieces on the fact Muslims don’t even make the effort during the Holy month??

On the issue of women in Mosques I think it’s less to do with the mosque itself than their place in the community and as Shak stated if it’s simply being done to assert power then it’s rather pointless anyway.

In every case it’s a question of sincerity and intention we can only HOPE that the intention and sincerity of those us around is ‘correct’ we can never know, let’s all leave that to Allah.

By: shaista

shaista — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:17:24 +0000

Just to point out that the authors experience of gossip and chattiness at the mosque is not universal and should not be used as an ‘I told you so’ by those who believe women cause fitna. I personally have never experienced that type of behaviour. On the contrary, last night the teenage boys standing outside the mosque I went to laughing while we prayed Salaah showed far less consideration or commitment than the young girls praying inside. So its not about gender, its behaviour. All women cannot be judged by the actions of a few.

By: Shak

Shak — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:23:00 +0000

Just wanted to +1 Suraya’s comment. Well said.

By: Technics

Technics — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:07:09 +0000

Am I the only one that has been shocked by this expression (English is not my mothertongue, but saying of Allah swt big guy, is not respectful at all) or didn’nt I understand it well

“But I kept my big mouth shut; after all there is no point on having the big guy upstairs invalidate my fast just because I could not hold my tongue.”

By: Aasia

Aasia — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:25:45 +0000

Salma. You right. But as a whole alot of girls barely dress decently on most occasions. I just meant when going to the mosque, more care should be taken. Like Mohammed said. Reading at the mosque doesn’t make you a better muslimah. I just don’t believe any of us have a right to cast doubt or judge others. I know plenty of mosque horror stories. None which shall be repeated here.

By: little bird

little bird — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:04:13 +0000

Assalam Alaikum,

Ummmm…you know, perhaps there is some pride and arrogance in the author. Or it might just be frustration. Or perhaps she was just trying to be comical. One thing is for certain, so long as we are debating our issues and trying to find solutions for them rather than ignoring them, then we are moving in the right direction. Even if our hearts may not be so pure

By: Suraya

Suraya — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:02:28 +0000

This was a good read but I have to disagree.
What I love about going to the mosque on EID is the fact the parking lot is crazy packed. Yes I see so many people I had never seen before. But the energy is absolutely positive. When you go to the mosque u shouldnt care what peoples intentions are. What u should care about are ur own intentions and why u are there. Looking at peoples fashion and what not. Why? Why should u look at someone elses clothes? And then nit pick at what they are wearing and what they shouldnt? it is no ones business. I myself being a convert am highly into fashion. I like wearing nice things and like to have nice abayas or hijabs or scarves. Should I stick to the same color code of black? Black is nice but it is ultimately depressing. I wear clothes that are nice for myself not to grab the attention of others or make myself better than anyone else. Again one should only be concern of their own intentions and not the intentions of others. I do agree with your friend in stating that Islam is the perfect religion given to imperfect human beings. Because when I converted I really held muslims on a high pedestal until I got to know them individually. It doesnt mean I would walk into the mosque and think negatively of others just because others didnt live up to my standards of what a muslim should be. We should all be thankful that Muslims are going to the mosque. That they are praying together. That even though its one day that they are there at least they are there. None of us are God. So none of us knows the intention of others nor should we judge the intentions of others.

By: Mohammed

Mohammed — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:45:57 +0000

I don’t think anyone is disputing that women should be allowed to perform salaah at the masjid. Rather it is the judgemental tone of the author of the article that is irking people. To believe that one is a better muslimah for performing salaah in the masjid as opposed to reading at home is wrong. In fact there are numerous hadith mentioning that there is a greater reward for women to read salaah at home. It is up to the individual to decide which they prefer as both are permissible.

Unfortunately the following paragraph from the article highlights exactly why many South African Ulema encourage women not to come to the masjid.
” People hung about everywhere; some where just standing around waiting for the adhan to go while they laughed away and brought their gossip up to date; others where somewhat moving into the masjid although if they walked any slower, they could have been moving backwards. yet others still where displaying various merchandise – scarves, tasbih’s, mussualas – and appeared to be attempting to barter it off to the laggards around them”

One can assume that the Ulema would rather not the masjid and its surroundings become a meeting place for fitnah. I can understand this point of view, even though I may not agree with it.

By: Mariam

Mariam — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:34:50 +0000

@ Bilal

Kindly reread my post. Nowhere do I say that the writer has pride.

However like x mentioned, I do feel that the writer is being judgmental. To quote the writer:

“The kind that are believers for 30 days of the year while for the remaining 335 they seem to be on a perpetual holiday from ibada.”

Fair enough, we are supposed to think the best of our brothers and sisters but when the fellow sister in question herself makes such a statement, I have all the right to ask exactly how is she qualified to say something like that? Is she in the homes of those “Ramadan Muslimahs” for the rest of the 335 days to really know that they do not perform ibadah? Suddenly by attending mosque only, does one’s ibadah become “accepted”?

And shouldn’t the writer herself be thinking the best of her sisters as well? That they are actually taking the time to attend the mosque during the holy month of Ramadan?