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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| A convert brother falling into a black hole |
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| Anonymous |
| 06/19/05 at 01:10:05 |
| As Salaam Alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. Dear bothers and sisters, I have been in acquaintance with this American brother who converted to Islam a year ago. Alhamdulillah he's a practicing muslim, but he told me that these days he had been at a loss and fallen into what he called a spiritual black hole. His spirituals need have failed to be met as he feels 'isolated' and depressed. There is no Islam in where he lives. He means that there is no even a muslim around. No mosque for miles, no halal food, no muslim community ( he happened to meet only 'bad' muslims). All of his family are Christians. His friends go to clubs, drink and so on. Of course he doesn't do those things. I have suggested going to a mosque regularly, but it takes him almost a half day to get there for jumu'a prayer only. He doesn't have time to take any Islamic class or something like socialize and hang out at a mosque due to being busy all day. One more thing, he can't move anywhere because his beloved mother is badly ill and under medical care. I have given him some advices, but he keeps saying that it's not the same with where I live (and he's right). That I'm not in his shoes. There are probably more muslims in my mosque than there are in his region. What else can I advice him? It makes me sad seeing him so depressed like that and I feel so helpless since I live so far away. I think he needs a brother (especially who faces similar situation) to talk to near him. Someone who is wise enough, because I sense that he is kind of quick-tempered person. Oh yeah, he lives in Pittsburg, PA. I would appreciate your advice. Thank You. |
| Sabr... |
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| ummnajmah |
| 06/19/05 at 05:42:11 |
| [color=blue] [slm]Do not give up on him.Inshallah try to find good islamic articles you can print for him or even some books that you can lend him and take them to him. Also you can try and get some good recorded lectures that he can listen to at home, it would be good for him. Visit your muslim brother often and let him know he is not alone especially now that he is also coping with his mother's illness.If you can too, I would talk with the bros at your local masjid and make a little arrangement whereby each one of you who has a little spare time during the week , can visit the bro and see how he is and also to encourage him to know that you all love him , fisabilillah.It does not have to be for long just dedicate an hour or so to see to his welfare. Rally the community together to assist him, for he is one of us.For example maybe you sit down on a Friday or whichever day the most bros are at the masjid and decide okay, Bro A will visit him on Mon, maybe Bro S will visit him two days after etc.Allah(SWT) rewards you for all your efforts to help another muslim. If I was a brother and I lived closer I would hasten to even bring the bro over every Jumaa if he has no means to get there. In this world we live in now, it is good to make time for your muslim brother for we all have our obligation towards them but most of all it is very fulfilling.Inshallah, I hope I have given you some advice you can use.Make Allah(SWT) make it easier for you to assist this bro.UmmNajmah.[/color] Ps: With regards to his quick temper: We are told to make excuses for our bro/sisters. It just maybe that he feels frustrated with his whole situation, so please be patient with him.Do not express this to the other muslim bros, it may influence how they react with him.The word is [color=red]May[/color], becoz we shouldn't be quick to judge pple. So if it was me ,I wouldn't say this to the bros, give him a chance and excuse him for he indeed has a lot on his plate.Inshallah you understand what am saying. |
| 06/19/05 at 05:55:06 |
| ummnajmah |
| pittsburg |
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| bhaloo |
| 06/19/05 at 07:55:41 |
| [slm] Pittsburg is a big city, and like any big city in the US it should have many masjids in and around that community. Maybe he isn't aware of this? Tell him to visit http://www.islamicfinder.org and enter his zipcode and it will come up with all these Islamic places. |
| A convert brother falling into a black hole |
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| onemuslimgirl |
| 06/19/05 at 08:43:37 |
| asalam alakum, make duaa for him, and stick close to him by calling him on the phone as much as you think he would like to hear your voice. sometimes just knowing someone is there to listen to your troubles, even if they can't solve them, helps alot.... also, the internet would be a great place for him....tell him to come here and other Islamic websites inshAllah may Allah help to make things easy for him inshAllah! |
| 06/19/05 at 08:44:51 |
| onemuslimgirl |
| Re: A convert brother falling into a black hole |
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| muslimah853 |
| 06/19/05 at 21:13:30 |
| [slm] Make du'a for him, try to be there over the phone and email as much as you can. But I know for a fact that there are several masajid in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. If he lives a decent way outside of Pittsburgh in the rural areas, he's probably right, I can't imagine there'd be anything remotely near some of those towns, but if he lives in or near the city itself, then he has options. |
| anonymous reply |
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| Anonymous |
| 06/27/05 at 15:32:39 |
| As Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh, Brothers and Sisters, Thank you for your kind words and advice. Jazakumullah khairan. Insha Allah I will keep trying to help him out. Sorry I made a mistake. He doesn't live in Pittsburg, but Pittston. From his saying, I guess it's kind of a remote town. |
| another option |
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| thezman |
| 07/05/05 at 03:33:42 |
| Bismillah [slm] a temporary band aid would be, if he communicated regularly via the net with fellow muslims (either private emails or through forums), he won't feel so isolated, or even have brothers keep in touch via the phone. some muslim communities have brothers who visit the ill in hospitals or muslims in prisons to ease their sense of isolation and to lift their spirits. Can't a few members in your community and other communities visit him on a regular bases. I'm sure he'll appreciate it. take him to a movie, a picnic or drive back and forth to the masjid. |
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