1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

36 Questions

Could you recommend websites where books of Hadeeth and Rijal are available in the Arabic language for extensive research?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Ahlul Bayt Library. 
www.ablibrary.net
I am a convert to Islam and I wish to fast during Ramadan but I don’t know how to pray as I cannot speak Arabic. Will my fast count as I have read that if you don't pray then no good deeds are accepted?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Fasting during the whole month of Ramadan is obligatory on every Muslim even if they don't know how to perform Prayers properly. You must fast and pray as much as you know and must learn as much as you can.

You should take help from those Muslims who know how to pray or pray with congregation.

'Wassalam.
I have been reading Quran in English phonetic transliteration since a couple of years now. Is it okay to recite in this way and does it offer the same rewards as someone reading the Quran from the Arabic script?
Amina Inloes

It is ok to recite that way. After all, there have been many Muslims who can't read at all and still recite from memory.

Still there is a certain blessing that the actual Arabic script of the Qur'an is said to hold and it is narrated that looking at the Qur'an is a type of worship; my understanding is that this involves the actual Arabic letters. So it is good to learn to read the Arabic script if you can. There are a lot of self-study materials available today.

But if you can't, that is also ok too. 
Are there English classes in the Hawza in Najaf? If not, what level of Arabic language understanding is needed to study there? And where can I find information on their courses?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

As far as there being an English speaking curriculum, or madarasa is concerned, in Najaf al-Ashraf, I do not think there is such an establishment. 

However, I also do not recommend that if you were interested in joining the Hawzah, that you study only in English. It is imperative that a Hawzah student not only learns Arabic, but also masters it. Ultimately, you are going to be working not just with Arabic Hawzah texts, but also the Quran and hadith, and with deeper insight and stronger comprehension. 

You will be able to pick up on the language quickly, and learn it like how all other non-Arabs have learnt it. 

As for information, I have a FB page where I have put together some sources and material for Hawzah studies. Hopefully it will be of benefit:

https://www.facebook.com/Hawzah-Studies-Resource-Page-1424569624476422/

With prayers for your success.