New Convert Questions

[iraj]

Assalamu Alaikum,

I performed my Shahada about a week ago. So far I think I've been doing fairly well keeping up with the mandatory prayer times, reading about and practising the lifestyle of Muslims. I've had some difficulties with people I knew being hostile towards my conversion and trying to talk me out of it, both in person and online. I've even experienced some hurtful racist insults by those who used to call themselves my friend. I recognize that Allah is testing me, so I'm trying not to feel too hurt. If anything these things are strengthening my resolve.


I do feel a bit lonely, confused and overwhelmed, and I have a few practical questions.

1. What happens if you miss a mandatory prayer time? For example, I often find it difficult to get up early enough for the Fajr prayer. I take prescription medications at bedtime that make me sleepy. So sometimes I sleep through the alarm or I wake up and immediately fall back to sleep. I do not have the option of taking my meds at a different time. If I took them during the day I'd be too groggy to function. I've started going to bed an hour earlier but so far it hasn't made much of a difference. I also sometimes have trouble with the afternoon/evening prayers when I have to run errands or if I have a doctor's appointment. I don't drive, so it takes me more than two hours plus travel time to do things like grocery shopping, which means I miss a prayer. So - if I miss a prayer should I do it as soon as I can? Or do I just wait until the next prayer?


2. Wudhu - I do it before each prayer, but some prayer times are only an hour or an hour and a half apart. Is it permissible to skip Wudhu for a prayer that's less than two hours after the previous one, assuming I didn't do anything unclean during the time between prayers?


3. How do you connect with other local Muslims, in person? I live in Toronto which has many mosques run by different sects. I'd rather stay away from the extremists. I don't share their belief in hatred of non-Muslims (especially Jews) or violent jihad. Recently two local mosques have been found to be uttering hate speech and inciting violence in their sermons, and they are now under police investigation. How do I find a group that does not advocate violence, hate or terrorism without ending up in an apostate group? I found the Ahmadis, but they are considered to be apostates because of their belief in a latter day prophet after Muhammad (pbuh). Does a non-violent, non-apostate group of Muslims exist?

4. Once I've chosen a mosque, how do I initiate contact with them? Do I just show up at a prayer time on Friday, or should I contact them first? When do people normally attend mosque services? Does everyone go on a Friday for the Zuhr prayer? (I understand that anyone can pray at a mosque at any given time). Is it possible to observe a prayer so I can see how it's done? So far I've been relying on "cheat sheets" I created from instructions I've found on websites, but there's no substitute for seeing people actually praying in the various positions. Also, I'm sure there's an etiquette and I don't want to make a bumbling fool of myself and disturb others.


5. Reading /studying the Quran - I've seen some websites that mention "guides" to reading the Quran, is there some sort of order I should follow to read it, or do I just start at the beginning?

[Another Revert]

W Alaikum Salam,

So I would like to try to help and answer some of your questions. It’s only things that I’ve experienced or learned from lectures or talked to friends about it.
1.I’m not sure what happens when you miss mandatory prayer time. I’ve been told to make sure that you try to make it up as soon as you can, but also God knows your heart and your intentions. At the end of the day, He sees you trying and He knows best. He’s the most merciful and gracious.
2. Wudu, I’ve read and been told that you only have to make wudu when it’s been broken, so like if you go to the bathroom, sleep and there are other reasons as well.
3.And 4. Yes, there are groups that exist that aren’t like that. I’m not sure the way you can find them though. I’ve made friends through coffee shops and just asking questions to any Muslim I see. Lol. But ones that I’ve met have been super super friendly and more than willing to like meet other people and explain anything. So in regards to the mosque, definitely go and I believe that you could watch. Let them know a little bit about you, and they can help you out for sure. You won’t be a bother because you’re learning.
5. The Quran, you can honestly start out wherever you want. The Quran is sectioned into 30 sections for each day of Ramadan- it’s called a juz. There’s a lecturer/teacher named Nouman Ali Khan that talks a lot about Quran and the background information about it.

I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, I’ll try to help the best I can.
Some really cool scholars to watch on YouTube are Nouman Ali Khan, Omar Suleiman, Mufti Menk, Dr. Zakir Naik as well as others. They are very close to Islam, and try to explain things very easily.

[Shannon]

I am here to help. I also live in toronto. Just want to say you are doing fine. There is Masjid Toronto, Abu Hurrairah, Islamic Foundation, Islamic Institute of Toronto, Imdadul masjid. They all have been fairly welcoming and not extream at all. If you want a friend feel free to connect with me via skype ([e-mail]) and I can give you my phone number and we can chat. I think the other person did a great job at answering your questions.