Islam and nuns

I was reading online the other day, I happened to come across a site talking about nuns [sisters however was their choice of wording] I realized, Islam is one of the few religions that doesn't have nuns.

I wondered why that was and I have been trying to figure out where I would begin to look to read about that and do not know where to start.

A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam

I laid in bed last night after a episode of the worlds gone crazy and for some reason I am taking the backlash for it and read this little book cover to cover.
It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

It's full colour the whole way through, it's on high glossy paper, completely Illustrated, as you can tell by the cover they pulled out all the stops with this one.

I got this book in a batch of books from a volunteer run information organization. I had actually completely forgotten about it until the mail man knocked on my door to hand it to me. Upon opening it I realized that Oh.. wow apparently the organization does what it says it does, and with little to no press.

Needless to say I wrote them a very nice thank you. Its not often you see people do that kinda good just because they can.
They make next to no money on this book, especially considering there is no copyright and they offer up the high glossy files to whomever wishes to make copies and an address to obtain more free copies.

You'd think with something so "free" there would be something negative to say about it but in this case there is nothing.
I found this book highly informative, well written, with lots of information both in what was written in the book but also their footnotes.

This is one of those books that I think should be given to every person on the planet because it shoots down so many of the misconceptions that are out there and helps someone with a little bit of curiosity in them find a starting point about Islam.

Which can be something that's difficult especially for those in a small city with no mosque near by.

Whats covered in the guide:
Some of the science in the Quran
The Benefits of Islam

And as a last chapter - General Information on Islam
What it is, Beliefs, How one becomes a Muslim, and touches on some of the real truths that get misconscrewed in the media. Islamic policies and beliefs on issues such as Women, terrorists, and the elderly.
Honestly if nothing else that section should be printed and tucked in every mail box because people seem to be too ignorant to figure out what is coloured in the media by hate and whats not.

It never ceases to amaze me just how little people understand about the lives and ways of those who follow Allah.. I had a reminder the other day when I hada friend ask questions about it, another make an assumption and an ignorant sound when the television showed a man praying with his head to the floor.

But little by little it gets better as we slowly start breaking down walls in our personal lives with people.. but books like this help.
Its my belief they should also be more readily available, its a shame they're not.
But I can understand the flip side of it.

I would recommend this book to everyone.
Educational, and light yet packed with information.
Very well put together. Also including reference pages to gather your own information once you have completed the booklet.

Islam media...

I spent a good chunk of today watching Ar-Risaalah (The Message) Wow. is all i can say, its emotional and breath taking. It also made me more sure that i am on the right path, not that i had any doubts.
I put that on my amazon wish list so i'd not lost it and discovered a national geographic program called inside mecca. To my surprize it is also on you tube in parts.

Also the sister i spoke with is indeed incorrect on some level she seems to think that there is no 'devil' however, in the beauty in islam series the jinn who did not bow to adam has been called the devil and continues today to being the hell fire because he refuses to repent.


My own story of converting and how hard it has been to get information has showed me that society does a poor job of helping others be open to religion because its not taught properly.
Catholic schools teach only that and even university classes focus on the catholic side of things.

Thats unfair and wrong.

Starting off.

I'm not sure I realized prior to my being to study the Quran how much Islam moved me or just how much I felt it from the inside.
I knew i felt it, you can't experience the Whirling Dervishes and not... but... wow.
I had started reading it a month or so ago until my kitten decided to remove my bookmark.

So i restarted - this time studying more as i went and doing more prayer.
Making notes of the verses that really hit me so I can come back to them.

I have also looked into learning Arabic, its just something that I have to do, I need to be able to read the Quran the way it was intended to be read.
The library has some audio books but i am debating on purchasing it since I would be using it that much.

I still have yet to stop thinking about the other night.. thinking about it just gives me shivers and I am not sure what to make of it.
I think that ones going to sit with me for a long time.

I was reading about fasting the other day and it got me to thinking about the Christians and their saying Hail Marys and whether Christians fasted but of all the Christians i know none of them ever fast. (They practice their faith)

I don't know if its just my not feeling anything when i think about that faith and my attempt to make myself fit - but it doesn't seem that there is anything to strive at. No reality in it, no chance for self or spiritual improvement or development.
It all just felt like one big story book to me.

Also why the need for more then one god?
I had the same trip up in Paganism with the Sun and Moon gods/goddess.

Its like it was said in a lecture i was watching if that was the case then one would always be taking from the other and we would never end up where we are.

IMHO there can only be one god.. and that's why.

The one thing i was reading today that made me curious tho, if wine and alcohol is forbidden why does Allah say it shall be in paradise for us? (47:15)

"The allegory of Paradise that is promised for the righteous is this: it has rivers of unpolluted water, and rivers of fresh milk, and rivers of wine - delicious for the drinkers - and rivers of strained honey. They have all kinds of fruits therein, and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are they better) or those who abide forever in the hellfire, and drink hellish water that tears up their intestines?"

Food for my thought.