Any Shia in Topeka, Kansas?

[ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS]

Assalamu Alaykum!

 

This post might be a tad convoluted, for that I’m sorry, but circumstances and influences can be a bit hard to explain, so thank you for bearing with me.

 

I want to partake in more religious community events due to the barakah that I may be able to accumulate and fundamentally provide my heart an outlet to express my love for our religion and specifically the ahl-ul bayt. I know I’m not alone in this, but it certainly feels like I’m starting from scratch to find a solution for this. Obviously, first by asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) for guidance on this matter, but in what I’m beginning to do now, which is to communicate to others about this.

 

And I think this matter may increase rapidly and I want to make sure I have a network and plan when it does.

 

I’ve been attending the mosque with regularity (ahlul sunnah establishment and the only mosque in our city). When I first reverted in 2006, this is the kinda brothers I started around, so I feel like I understand them. At the same time, I love so many of the aspects and disciplines and schools of thought so much, in my conception of community, I would NEVER want to do or say anything that would make another believer in Allah and His Messenger to feel sad, rejected, or turned away. Consequently, I don’t want anything to attract the ire of a community who’s articles of formation clearly stated they are not here for me. However, in my faith, my responsibility it to Allah, I WILL BE ASKED! Many things in this world will testify with me or against me and I want to be sure I’m accumulating the right things even if I don’t live where the shia have populated in larger numbers. (Of course, I’m looking at addressing this on a larger scale as well, if you have any recommendations on that, please share!)

 

Now, a portion of my background lies in managing, repairing, and assisting in libraries and law libraries. So, naturally, when I saw the book holdings at the mosque, and that some of the books are hard to get and behind glass (I actually cut myself on one), I prayed and had a profound proclivity to just step up and help with this. Which, actually, I’m somewhat embarrassed that a building which claims to be a mosque would allow to lapse the management of the source of our knowledge, books!

 

I want to be the change I want to see in my community. This is my mission.

 

This past Sunday, when helping to tidy up, I had noticed many books (All shia texts) were piled up and placed in bags. They were not given the good graces of being retained on a dirty and unkept bookshelf. (Bro, like, fr, I found a doc in one of the books from over 10 years ago. A fundamental text. I thought, “Man, has THIS book not been picked up in 10 years???) Anyway, back to these Shia books, I’m looking through them (most I already have) and I notice that an inscription is written in a few of the books as being from Az-Zahara Mosque (The nearest shia mosque over 100 miles away). I’ve made multiple attempts to go by the Az-Zahara Mosque by the way. Last time I was there the mailbox was lying on the ground and gates locked. But, then, here it was, this was the proof of life that other shia exist within some sort of radius and they’re fundamentally trying to build communication with the mosque in my city. 

 

I don’t want to rock the boat, but I know they don’t want these books in there. I’m also trying to find shia brothers to invite them to form our own gatherings. I certainly do not feel as though it would be blameable on me to take the shia texts for safeguard and safekeeping (because I’ve witnessed in the past first-hand these wahabis destroy our books). However, is it? Is my influence outside involvement? Am I wrong if I take the community books for safekeeping even if they are not being respected and given place on the shelf? I know it can seem like such a small thing, but the implications are certainly meaningful. 

 

I mean, certainly, Allah is the Best of Guides, if it is meant for these books to be disrespected, disregarded, degraded, then no amount of “safekeeping” means anything. At the same time, I don’t want to place them on the shelf and cause issue or “flag” myself as “one of those brothers”. But I also don’t want the bear the responsibility of being a flippin coward because they’re bringing harm to texts that contain wisdom that has saved my very life! 

 

AND THIS IS AMERICA!!! Not to be pegged as some patriot, I’m certainly not, I’m a native whos people have beared the brunt of corrupt federal policy. But, my point is I find it hard to sit still when they take religion from the companions, but religion from the Holy family (RDSC) are placed in bags. It’s like, yeah, I’m free to practice my religion, but I’m not free to practice my religion HERE. If they put our books in bags, what do you think would happen if I showed up with a turbah and prayed with my hands at my sides???

 

In retrospect, I don’t fully know what I’m trying to get out of this post. In a certain respect, I’m just venting because I don’t feel like I have any brothers around me and that hurts. I want some place to go to recite the Quran. I want to go someplace where we can engage in conversations about hadith. Where remembering Ashura would be accepted; where the words of Islamic scholars are valued; their works given proper space and attention; where community mentors who specialize in Islamic and worldly science can be contacted for consultation. 

 

Till then, I’m just going to keep working on myself to be the change I want to see. 

 

I welcome feedback, guidance, and things to reflect upon.

 

May Allah hasten the return of Imam Mahdi (RDSC) and may Justice be spread!

[Hameedeh]

Salam. The reason that the Shia books are in bags is because someone doesn't want anyone to read them. Safekeeping is desirable, in my opinion. However, please do not be hasty. Allow others to reply before you do anything. 

[Guest guest]

Walaykumsalam dear brother,

I am not in Kansas, however, here is my personal advice.

Keep safekeeping those books brother.

Also here is my other advice:

If you have the economic means, move to the area where there is the Shia masjid.

If you do not have the economic means to relocate but the Sunni Muslim masjid you use to frequent is not wahhabi or anti shia(kinda redundant I know), you could still attend the masjid, and for events such as Muharram, Mawlid, various birthdays of the Imams, or other Majalis, invite your Sunni brothers and sisters to some form of events on those days. (After all, Sunni Muslims are still our brothers in faith, albeit imperfect). You could do an in-person event or zoom event. Also when I say attend, you do not need to do Jumaah in the Sunni masjid.  This is very important because I also live in area with not a lot of Shias; doing such activities have opened many Sunni brothers and sisters' hearts(as well as non Muslims).

Otherwise, if you think the Sunnis there are a mixed bag or are entirely wahhabi/anti shia, keep doing taqiyyah.

Jazakallah kheir and make Allah make things easy on you.

[Abu Hadi]

13 hours ago, ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS said:

Assalamu Alaykum!

 

This post might be a tad convoluted, for that I’m sorry, but circumstances and influences can be a bit hard to explain, so thank you for bearing with me.

 

I want to partake in more religious community events due to the barakah that I may be able to accumulate and fundamentally provide my heart an outlet to express my love for our religion and specifically the ahl-ul bayt. I know I’m not alone in this, but it certainly feels like I’m starting from scratch to find a solution for this. Obviously, first by asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) for guidance on this matter, but in what I’m beginning to do now, which is to communicate to others about this.

 

And I think this matter may increase rapidly and I want to make sure I have a network and plan when it does.

 

I’ve been attending the mosque with regularity (ahlul sunnah establishment and the only mosque in our city). When I first reverted in 2006, this is the kinda brothers I started around, so I feel like I understand them. At the same time, I love so many of the aspects and disciplines and schools of thought so much, in my conception of community, I would NEVER want to do or say anything that would make another believer in Allah and His Messenger to feel sad, rejected, or turned away. Consequently, I don’t want anything to attract the ire of a community who’s articles of formation clearly stated they are not here for me. However, in my faith, my responsibility it to Allah, I WILL BE ASKED! Many things in this world will testify with me or against me and I want to be sure I’m accumulating the right things even if I don’t live where the shia have populated in larger numbers. (Of course, I’m looking at addressing this on a larger scale as well, if you have any recommendations on that, please share!)

 

Now, a portion of my background lies in managing, repairing, and assisting in libraries and law libraries. So, naturally, when I saw the book holdings at the mosque, and that some of the books are hard to get and behind glass (I actually cut myself on one), I prayed and had a profound proclivity to just step up and help with this. Which, actually, I’m somewhat embarrassed that a building which claims to be a mosque would allow to lapse the management of the source of our knowledge, books!

 

I want to be the change I want to see in my community. This is my mission.

 

This past Sunday, when helping to tidy up, I had noticed many books (All shia texts) were piled up and placed in bags. They were not given the good graces of being retained on a dirty and unkept bookshelf. (Bro, like, fr, I found a doc in one of the books from over 10 years ago. A fundamental text. I thought, “Man, has THIS book not been picked up in 10 years???) Anyway, back to these Shia books, I’m looking through them (most I already have) and I notice that an inscription is written in a few of the books as being from Az-Zahara Mosque (The nearest shia mosque over 100 miles away). I’ve made multiple attempts to go by the Az-Zahara Mosque by the way. Last time I was there the mailbox was lying on the ground and gates locked. But, then, here it was, this was the proof of life that other shia exist within some sort of radius and they’re fundamentally trying to build communication with the mosque in my city. 

 

I don’t want to rock the boat, but I know they don’t want these books in there. I’m also trying to find shia brothers to invite them to form our own gatherings. I certainly do not feel as though it would be blameable on me to take the shia texts for safeguard and safekeeping (because I’ve witnessed in the past first-hand these wahabis destroy our books). However, is it? Is my influence outside involvement? Am I wrong if I take the community books for safekeeping even if they are not being respected and given place on the shelf? I know it can seem like such a small thing, but the implications are certainly meaningful. 

 

I mean, certainly, Allah is the Best of Guides, if it is meant for these books to be disrespected, disregarded, degraded, then no amount of “safekeeping” means anything. At the same time, I don’t want to place them on the shelf and cause issue or “flag” myself as “one of those brothers”. But I also don’t want the bear the responsibility of being a flippin coward because they’re bringing harm to texts that contain wisdom that has saved my very life! 

 

AND THIS IS AMERICA!!! Not to be pegged as some patriot, I’m certainly not, I’m a native whos people have beared the brunt of corrupt federal policy. But, my point is I find it hard to sit still when they take religion from the companions, but religion from the Holy family (RDSC) are placed in bags. It’s like, yeah, I’m free to practice my religion, but I’m not free to practice my religion HERE. If they put our books in bags, what do you think would happen if I showed up with a turbah and prayed with my hands at my sides???

 

In retrospect, I don’t fully know what I’m trying to get out of this post. In a certain respect, I’m just venting because I don’t feel like I have any brothers around me and that hurts. I want some place to go to recite the Quran. I want to go someplace where we can engage in conversations about hadith. Where remembering Ashura would be accepted; where the words of Islamic scholars are valued; their works given proper space and attention; where community mentors who specialize in Islamic and worldly science can be contacted for consultation. 

 

Till then, I’m just going to keep working on myself to be the change I want to see. 

 

I welcome feedback, guidance, and things to reflect upon.

 

May Allah hasten the return of Imam Mahdi (RDSC) and may Justice be spread!

Salam Alekum Brother. As a fellow revert born and raised in the US, I can tell you that incidents like this are disappointing, but unfortunately very common. It is usually one way. Salafis and Salafi influenced Sunnis doing whatever they can to get rid of any mention of anything that contradicts their very narrow and bigoted version of Islam. 

I am not saying all these brothers are bad muslims. Most of them are just ignorant. They were raised in a certain ideology and never looked outside of it, even after they came to the US and had he opportunity to do so. As the old saying goes 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink'. Lol. There are very few human beings that are actually interested in finding truth. This applies to Muslims and non muslims. Most people use religion as a kind of cultural and identity currency. They say 'I am this, and these are my people. This is my tribe, my clan, the ones who 'have my back' (So they think they have their back). They use it to self identify and this is as far as it goes. Unfortunately, there are many followers of Ahl Al Bayt((عليه السلام)) that are also like this. 

I realized this shortly after I reverted when one of the brothers who was instrumental in my reversion and was also university educated (in the US) turned to me and said 'You know, If my family wasn't Muslim I don't think I would be Muslim'. This is from an educated brother who (I believed at the time) was rock solid in his deen and his love of Ahl Al Bayt((عليه السلام)). So I thought to myself 'After all this, this is all he got out of the Quran and teaching of Ahl Al Bayt((عليه السلام)) ? That Islam is nothing more than a tribal or clan identity ? '. Then I started to think if he is like this, what about all the other brothers and sisters who are more cultural and less educated, which is most of them ? This is what kind of scared me. 

At the same time, the real Islam, the true Islam is still there. It is mostly in books, and the ones who attempt to put what is in those book into practice in their lives are very, very few. It says this in the Holy Quran. I am not saying this to scare you or discourage you, I am just saying it brother to brother, who has been in the community for a decade or more longer than you. I believe that you can only get to where you want to go if you know where you are. This is where we are as a community, currently. This is reality. This is more reality than most people want to hear, which is why I don't bring it up very much.

The authentic books are the sources of guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى), because we don't have access to our Imam(a.f.s), who is currently in occultation,  and you should hold onto them. If they don't want them, then you should ask them if you can take them and then you can disseminate them to whoever you think is appropriate. There are many brothers and sister, despite not seeking the truth, actively, and despite being cultural do have good qualities. You can appreciate them for these good qualities and ignore the other things. This is probably the only way you can exist in the community. This is because the entire universe was founded on love and mercy, and this is the basis of Islam. We must first be loving and merciful with each other, forgive, and look over each others faults. Once we can do this, then we can go for the other things, but without this, we can never really call ourselves Muslim, because we forgot about the basis of the religion that we claim to follow. 

Sorry for the longwinded post, but I went to Jumma yesterday and the Sayyid gave a good khutba. He said that on the Day of Judgement there are 50 stations. 50 places where people will stop and have to stay for a while. He said each stop could last up to 1,000 years, depending on the deeds of that person. He said the first station is where every single one of our deeds is show to us. Everything, every moment of our lives from when we woke up in the morning to when we went to sleep, then the next day, the next day, etc, till the moment of our death. We are asked about everything, every single detail. Every movement, every word and why we said it, every single act, big or small, i.e. what was our plan or intention behind it. It is a trial, where all the evidence is presented and nothing is left out. 

When the Sahaba heard about this they got really scared and asked Rasoulallah(p.b.u.h). 'This is too difficult, is there any way to bypass this'. They were asking for a shortcut or a 'hack', what people call it now. Rasoulallah(p.b.u.h) said, 'Yes, there is a way to bypass this 50,000 years trial and make it short or instantaneous'. They asked what it was. Rasoulallah(p.b.u.h) said 'Forgive those who wrong you'. From the context of the hadith, he was specifically talking about brothers and sisters in Islam who you have a relationship with and family members. So the ones who are merciful, forgive, and look over other people's faults will be in Paradise before anyone else. The Holy Quran uses the term 'gharil hisab', without accounting. They will be in Paradise without having to account for their deeds. 

Edited November 19, 2022 by Abu Hadi

[ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS]

On 11/19/2022 at 5:25 AM, Abu Hadi said:

Salam Alekum Brother. As a fellow revert born and raised in the US, I can tell you that incidents like this are disappointing, but unfortunately very common. It is usually one way. Salafis and Salafi influenced Sunnis doing whatever they can to get rid of any mention of anything that contradicts their very narrow and bigoted version of Islam. 

I am not saying all these brothers are bad muslims. Most of them are just ignorant. They were raised in a certain ideology and never looked outside of it, even after they came to the US and had he opportunity to do so. As the old saying goes 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink'. Lol. There are very few human beings that are actually interested in finding truth. This applies to Muslims and non muslims. Most people use religion as a kind of cultural and identity currency. They say 'I am this, and these are my people. This is my tribe, my clan, the ones who 'have my back' (So they think they have their back). They use it to self identify and this is as far as it goes. Unfortunately, there are many followers of Ahl Al Bayt((عليه السلام)) that are also like this. 

I realized this shortly after I reverted when one of the brothers who was instrumental in my reversion and was also university educated (in the US) turned to me and said 'You know, If my family wasn't Muslim I don't think I would be Muslim'. This is from an educated brother who (I believed at the time) was rock solid in his deen and his love of Ahl Al Bayt((عليه السلام)). So I thought to myself 'After all this, this is all he got out of the Quran and teaching of Ahl Al Bayt((عليه السلام)) ? That Islam is nothing more than a tribal or clan identity ? '. Then I started to think if he is like this, what about all the other brothers and sisters who are more cultural and less educated, which is most of them ? This is what kind of scared me. 

At the same time, the real Islam, the true Islam is still there. It is mostly in books, and the ones who attempt to put what is in those book into practice in their lives are very, very few. It says this in the Holy Quran. I am not saying this to scare you or discourage you, I am just saying it brother to brother, who has been in the community for a decade or more longer than you. I believe that you can only get to where you want to go if you know where you are. This is where we are as a community, currently. This is reality. This is more reality than most people want to hear, which is why I don't bring it up very much.

The authentic books are the sources of guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى), because we don't have access to our Imam(a.f.s), who is currently in occultation,  and you should hold onto them. If they don't want them, then you should ask them if you can take them and then you can disseminate them to whoever you think is appropriate. There are many brothers and sister, despite not seeking the truth, actively, and despite being cultural do have good qualities. You can appreciate them for these good qualities and ignore the other things. This is probably the only way you can exist in the community. This is because the entire universe was founded on love and mercy, and this is the basis of Islam. We must first be loving and merciful with each other, forgive, and look over each others faults. Once we can do this, then we can go for the other things, but without this, we can never really call ourselves Muslim, because we forgot about the basis of the religion that we claim to follow. 

Sorry for the longwinded post, but I went to Jumma yesterday and the Sayyid gave a good khutba. He said that on the Day of Judgement there are 50 stations. 50 places where people will stop and have to stay for a while. He said each stop could last up to 1,000 years, depending on the deeds of that person. He said the first station is where every single one of our deeds is show to us. Everything, every moment of our lives from when we woke up in the morning to when we went to sleep, then the next day, the next day, etc, till the moment of our death. We are asked about everything, every single detail. Every movement, every word and why we said it, every single act, big or small, i.e. what was our plan or intention behind it. It is a trial, where all the evidence is presented and nothing is left out. 

When the Sahaba heard about this they got really scared and asked Rasoulallah(p.b.u.h). 'This is too difficult, is there any way to bypass this'. They were asking for a shortcut or a 'hack', what people call it now. Rasoulallah(p.b.u.h) said, 'Yes, there is a way to bypass this 50,000 years trial and make it short or instantaneous'. They asked what it was. Rasoulallah(p.b.u.h) said 'Forgive those who wrong you'. From the context of the hadith, he was specifically talking about brothers and sisters in Islam who you have a relationship with and family members. So the ones who are merciful, forgive, and look over other people's faults will be in Paradise before anyone else. The Holy Quran uses the term 'gharil hisab', without accounting. They will be in Paradise without having to account for their deeds. 

Brother, I am sorry for the delay in response, but I wanted to be sure to spend time on your response, reflect on it, digest it, and so forth. I admire this is very profound and insightful. May Allah reward you! I should admit to myself and others that I may have experienced and formed a “vision” if you will of what I think the Ummuah SHOULD be based on the teachings and my limited exposure, but the reality is this wisdom is more important than ever to dispense and distribute.

 

Similar to some of the sentiments you had mentioned, about the brother that was “instrumental in my reversion”, I too have come across brothers who seemingly submit to the habit of a thing as opposed to a conscientious decision made from conscious reflective thought, but in fact, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) speaks about this and I think you are referring to that. But I do believe that what we are held to be responsible for our own beliefs.

 

One thing I want to make as an observation, and perhaps you may have some feedback for this too, is the fact we’re not foreign-born. Another central tenant of the faith is patience, and gratitude obviously among others. I’m wondering if most brothers and sisters are simply so grateful just to be here in America that they don’t really want to be on the forefront of efforts in dawah. And to be honest, I don’t know that they should. But my thinking is where WE, people like you and I, may affect the most change is in mergers and acquisitions aka dawah. I know Islam will continue to grow here in America, but I think it’s possible that more growth and conversion will come from those that look like them. 

 

In my observations about community, it just seems like we NEED converts/reverts to step up and step out for the religion even if that means taking a mis-step. We miss 100% of the shots we don’t take and there’s EASY things we could be doing in our respective communities to bring people to the faith. For example, one thing I saw in my city was that they do not have even the most basic of texts about the faith in their libraries from our primary sources. All I see is Shia/Sunni Dialog and House of Saud material. I think out loud and wonder, “Well, where the heck is Najul Balagha??” So, this is something that I’m working on slowly in my own locality, but it’s something we could all be doing. A squeaky wheel is the one that gets the oil! Lol

 

Jazakallah Khair, brother. I really appreciate the response and I look forward to possibly connecting in the future, inshallah!

 

walaikum assalam rahmatullahi barakatuh!

[Abu Hadi]

22 minutes ago, ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS said:

Brother, I am sorry for the delay in response, but I wanted to be sure to spend time on your response, reflect on it, digest it, and so forth. I admire this is very profound and insightful. May Allah reward you! I should admit to myself and others that I may have experienced and formed a “vision” if you will of what I think the Ummuah SHOULD be based on the teachings and my limited exposure, but the reality is this wisdom is more important than ever to dispense and distribute.

 

Similar to some of the sentiments you had mentioned, about the brother that was “instrumental in my reversion”, I too have come across brothers who seemingly submit to the habit of a thing as opposed to a conscientious decision made from conscious reflective thought, but in fact, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) speaks about this and I think you are referring to that. But I do believe that what we are held to be responsible for our own beliefs.

 

One thing I want to make as an observation, and perhaps you may have some feedback for this too, is the fact we’re not foreign-born. Another central tenant of the faith is patience, and gratitude obviously among others. I’m wondering if most brothers and sisters are simply so grateful just to be here in America that they don’t really want to be on the forefront of efforts in dawah. And to be honest, I don’t know that they should. But my thinking is where WE, people like you and I, may affect the most change is in mergers and acquisitions aka dawah. I know Islam will continue to grow here in America, but I think it’s possible that more growth and conversion will come from those that look like them. 

 

In my observations about community, it just seems like we NEED converts/reverts to step up and step out for the religion even if that means taking a mis-step. We miss 100% of the shots we don’t take and there’s EASY things we could be doing in our respective communities to bring people to the faith. For example, one thing I saw in my city was that they do not have even the most basic of texts about the faith in their libraries from our primary sources. All I see is Shia/Sunni Dialog and House of Saud material. I think out loud and wonder, “Well, where the heck is Najul Balagha??” So, this is something that I’m working on slowly in my own locality, but it’s something we could all be doing. A squeaky wheel is the one that gets the oil! Lol

 

Jazakallah Khair, brother. I really appreciate the response and I look forward to possibly connecting in the future, inshallah!

 

walaikum assalam rahmatullahi barakatuh!

JazakAllah Kheir Brother, 

Thank you for your response. I always get inspired by new reverts and their accounts of their reversion experience. Please keep posting. 

I am always inspired by the hadith from Imam Ali((عليه السلام)). Other Imams have also narrated it. I will summarize it here, since I don't have the exact hadith in front of me. The hadith says

‘If you want strength without being associated with powerful family & status without being in charge, then leave the disgrace of God’s disobedience & enter the dignity of His obedience.’

There is a website called al-islam.org. They have most of the books you are talking about online. I like to read paper books sometimes, especially the Holy Quran and Nahjul Balagha, but to tell you the truth if you have access to that site and a screen with decent contrast, you will have access to almost every book that has been translated into English for free. There are many books that haven't been translated, but that is another topic. 

As far as missing most of our shots, we only have the power and the resources that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) has given us. If we use what we have been given in the best way we can, then we definitely haven't missed 100% of the shots. We have made 100% of the shots. It might not seem to you that way now, but you will see in the future. Islam in the US at this stage is like a tree which is growing roots underground. Once the roots are established, you will see it spring to life from out of the ground. Whether that will be next month, next year, in 10 years, 20, I don't know. We are responsible for making our best efforts, based on what we have been given by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى), nothing more, nothing less. If we have been given knowledge, we should use that knowledge. If we have been given financial resources, we should use that. If we have been given leadership abilities, we should use that. If there is any way I can help, let me know. Salam and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) give you the ability, we say in Arabic, the Tawfeeq, i.e. the ability to accomplish what you set out to accomplish, in the way of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). 

Edited November 23, 2022 by Abu Hadi

[ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS]

On 11/18/2022 at 10:54 PM, Guest guest said:

Walaykumsalam dear brother,

I am not in Kansas, however, here is my personal advice.

Keep safekeeping those books brother.

Also here is my other advice:

If you have the economic means, move to the area where there is the Shia masjid.

If you do not have the economic means to relocate but the Sunni Muslim masjid you use to frequent is not wahhabi or anti shia(kinda redundant I know), you could still attend the masjid, and for events such as Muharram, Mawlid, various birthdays of the Imams, or other Majalis, invite your Sunni brothers and sisters to some form of events on those days. (After all, Sunni Muslims are still our brothers in faith, albeit imperfect). You could do an in-person event or zoom event. Also when I say attend, you do not need to do Jumaah in the Sunni masjid.  This is very important because I also live in area with not a lot of Shias; doing such activities have opened many Sunni brothers and sisters' hearts(as well as non Muslims).

Otherwise, if you think the Sunnis there are a mixed bag or are entirely wahhabi/anti shia, keep doing taqiyyah.

Jazakallah kheir and make Allah make things easy on you.

Well, what I've been doing the last few weeks is helping and volunteering as much as possible. I don't want to step on any toes of the "shura committee", but considering this is the only Islamic establishment in the city, I'm surprised and concerned it's kept in the condition such that it is, that others do not invite others in the community. Right now, the predominant attitude is "everything is because of the pandemic" so no taleem, Quran classes, nothing. Right now, there is literally no activity at the mosque besides Jumuah. 

Frankly, I have no idea how the brothers would respond if I showed up with a turbah and put my hands on my sides. However, I've heard of issues and violence occuring at the mosque over methodology. I hate it. I don't like, but I can't attribute the current state of affairs to the things I've heard through the grapevine either.

I'm wanting to reposition myself out of insurance, which I've found myself in as apart of the family business after my step-dad passed. I know Islam is growing in America and I want to help it. I'm thinking how can we generate revenue for the community to build up our establishment? There's no digital representation of our community either. We could be helping people and be broadening our base, I kind of believe a rising tide lifts all boats. I also feel we ourselves need to address this issue head-on, but objectively and leave the emotions out of it. 

I suppose the thing that motivates me is the same thing that hurts me. That I've read so many books on the deen, I don't have contempt for the wahhabi's or their books. It's cute. And the whole thing about destroying books without evening reading or investigating them themselves, it's just another one of Allah's Signs! Read a lot of sufi stuff too. They oughta be welcome just the same, but the brother is right, if you don't have mercy in the religion, what do you really have??

Inshallah, those that taste from the cup of the Ahlul-Bayt tho...THOSE THAT HAVE TASTED THIS PURIFIED DRINK! Know full well the difference! 

Which is why I am seeking out positions within my community related to what I know so well...librarian! A caretaker, preserver, and publisher even of books that are rare and/or expensive and offering affordable budget prints. Yes, everything is online, but who is reading this here?? Are we doing it justice by not manifesting it in the physical space??

Lo! I think many of these bothers and sisters and organizations just wanted to give us a hand up to at least have access to free pdf, but we need to print them and get them in the hands of the seekers...those in prison, those in work camps, those in mental institutions, care facilities, schools, universities, public libraries, and other public spaces. We don't need to be rude, but we DO need to be seen!

To this end I'm am working on all these things. YouTube channel, podcast, books, what they call "content creation". I just really feel like this is OUR time to get the message of Islam Original out there! I mean to say, when the brothers down in NM were murdered because they were Shia, that really changed my internal position about how vocal I want to be with my religion, so perhaps this is just unique to me, but I'm increasingly finding peace by doing it and that speaks for itself, I think.

walaikum assalam rahmatullahi barakatuh!

[ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS]

27 minutes ago, Abu Hadi said:

JazakAllah Kheir Brother, 

Thank you for your response. I always get inspired by new reverts and their accounts of their reversion experience. Please keep posting. 

I am always inspired by the hadith from Imam Ali((عليه السلام)). Other Imams have also narrated it. I will summarize it here, since I don't have the exact hadith in front of me. The hadith says

‘If you want strength without being associated with powerful family & status without being in charge, then leave the disgrace of God’s disobedience & enter the dignity of His obedience.’

There is a website called al-islam.org. They have most of the books you are talking about online. I like to read paper books sometimes, especially the Holy Quran and Nahjul Balagha, but to tell you the truth if you have access to that site and a screen with decent contrast, you will have access to almost every book that has been translated into English for free. There are many books that haven't been translated, but that is another topic. 

As far as missing most of our shots, we only have the power and the resources that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) has given us. If we use what we have been given in the best way we can, then we definitely haven't missed 100% of the shots. We have made 100% of the shots. It might not seem to you that way now, but you will see in the future. Islam in the US at this stage is like a tree which is growing roots underground. Once the roots are established, you will see it spring to life from out of the ground. Whether that will be next month, next year, in 10 years, 20, I don't know. We are responsible for making our best efforts, based on what we have been given by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى), nothing more, nothing less. If we have been given knowledge, we should use that knowledge. If we have been given financial resources, we should use that. If we have been given leadership abilities, we should use that. If there is any way I can help, let me know. Salam and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) give you the ability, we say in Arabic, the Tawfeeq, i.e. the ability to accomplish what you set out to accomplish, in the way of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). 

Mashallah, brother!

Yes, and I have been actually printing books from al-islam.org right off from the printer! LOL In my former community, we always used to donate our books to a common library. We had a lot of books! The community here places sliding glass over the shelves. Very hard to get into. This past weekend when I was cleaning I thought, "Who does this?" And then I heard, "Some one who doesn't read books!" LOL HAHA!! (Anyway>

I was going to send you a message, but it looks like I need to be a bit more active here before I'm able to. But I was going to ask, you know the best place to buy bulk religious articles such as turbah, thobe, flags, and the like? I mean I look online, I come across a lot of stuff, but especially the turbah...I want to just, like, be able to give those away to brothers who need them. I'm also working to get turbah's listed as a primary religious article for incarcerated Muslims. Sure, cardboard is ok...I know for a fact prostrating on the sands of Karbala make the prayer hit different! LOL Is there, like, an online business directory for this kind of stuff somewhere within the site?

[ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS]

On 11/18/2022 at 9:12 PM, Hameedeh said:

Salam. The reason that the Shia books are in bags is because someone doesn't want anyone to read them. Safekeeping is desirable, in my opinion. However, please do not be hasty. Allow others to reply before you do anything. 

Wa laykum assalam!

I agree. I certainly do not want to deprive others of this material. Since I'm in the process of trying to...SLIDE IN the role of librarian (clearly the role no one wants here) I'm looking at purchasing dawah books in bulk. Also printing books. 

BTW, sister, what are some of your favorite dawah books? Any you've read or heard about? It'd be cool to print some off! Or do you possibility know where I could get "free" dawah books?

[Abu Hadi]

14 minutes ago, ShiaSeekeroftheFaithfulKS said:

Mashallah, brother!

Yes, and I have been actually printing books from al-islam.org right off from the printer! LOL In my former community, we always used to donate our books to a common library. We had a lot of books! The community here places sliding glass over the shelves. Very hard to get into. This past weekend when I was cleaning I thought, "Who does this?" And then I heard, "Some one who doesn't read books!" LOL HAHA!! (Anyway>

I was going to send you a message, but it looks like I need to be a bit more active here before I'm able to. But I was going to ask, you know the best place to buy bulk religious articles such as turbah, thobe, flags, and the like? I mean I look online, I come across a lot of stuff, but especially the turbah...I want to just, like, be able to give those away to brothers who need them. I'm also working to get turbah's listed as a primary religious article for incarcerated Muslims. Sure, cardboard is ok...I know for a fact prostrating on the sands of Karbala make the prayer hit different! LOL Is there, like, an online business directory for this kind of stuff somewhere within the site?

For the thobes, they sell them on Amazon. lol. If you want turbahs, they sell them here in Dearborn, I can send you some if you give me your address, or an address where I can send them. You can send me a pm thru the site. you should have enough posts now to be able to send. There might have been a delay because some of your posts weren't approved. I approved them. For the flags, I'm not sure, I'll look around. I usually get them when I go to demonstrations or to Ashura programs. 

Edited November 23, 2022 by Abu Hadi

[Hameedeh]

11 hours ago, Abu Hadi said:

You can send me a pm thru the site. you should have enough posts now to be able to send.

@Abu Hadi Brother, you can send the OP a PM and he can reply to you. Since he is not yet an Advanced member he cannot send you a PM.