Would Pakistan be a good place for an American revert to live??

[abdulwahhab]

Yes, that's what I heard. I work in telecommunications infrastructure which is a big deal in developing countries, which is why I seem to end up getting offered jobs in places like that. But I've been here for just over 10 years now and I have a nice cushy job that pays me a first world wage to live in a third world country, so I'm not giving it up unless it's to go somewhere that I really want to be.

Also as sad and pathetic as it may sound, my two dogs mean more to me than almost anything, so I won't go anywhere that I can't take them. My love for them is also one of the major obstacles that keeps me from converting to Islam, as I read that keeping them as pets is haraam. I could try to get out of saying that they are guard dogs, which apparently isn't haraam, but it would be a lie, they are beloved pets. Also the eldest of the two (who has shared many of my biggest ups and downs over the years) is completely black. I read somewhere that according to some Sunni's, black dogs are evil, so I assume that would be a big issue.

It's an issue here in Cambodia too. I rescued him from a restaurant where he was about to be eaten, as local culture states that eating a completely black dog gives people the ability to see ghosts. He has to sleep in my bedroom just so the neighbors don't steal him and add them to their soup

Sorry, didn't mean to go so completely off topic . Back on the subject:

Revert2001: As others have said, just try it and see. I've met some people who come here proclaiming that they are going to stay for decades, only to see them running to the airport a month or two later after realizing it isn't how they thought it would be. Likewise, I know people who came here for a quick holiday, and are still here many years later. It won't just depend on where you go, but also who you meet, the experiences you encounter, and the way you cope with them.

The dog issue is dependent on the madhhab. Many Africans follow the Maliki madhhab, which allows dogs as pets, including black dogs.

[justwanttolearn]

The dog issue is dependent on the madhhab. Many Africans follow the Maliki madhhab, which allows dogs as pets.

From what I've read it seems pretty clear:

"Whoever keeps a dog, except a dog for herding, hunting or farming, his reward will decrease by one qiraat every day."

That doesn't sound very open to interpretation to me. However, I did also notice that the Qur'aan does mention animals a lot, and usually in a good way. I even read that Muhammed (PBUH) posted sentries to make sure that a female dog he'd seen with newborn puppies wouldn't be disturbed by his army, and that he loved his cat so much that if it was using his cloak to sleep on, he'd rather just go without his cloak than disturb his cat. I find both of those stories to be very heartwarming.

[abdulwahhab]

From what I've read it seems pretty clear:

"Whoever keeps a dog, except a dog for herding, hunting or farming, his reward will decrease by one qiraat every day."

That doesn't sound very open to interpretation to me. However, I did also notice that the Qur'aan does mention animals a lot, and usually in a good way. I even read that Muhammed (PBUH) posted sentries to make sure that a female dog he'd seen with newborn puppies wouldn't be disturbed by his army, and that he loved his cat so much that if it was using his cloak to sleep on, he'd rather just go without his cloak than disturb his cat. I find both of those stories to be very heartwarming.

The secondary source of law (after the Qur'an) in the Maliki madhhab are the actions of the people of Madinah during the early generations. The Maliki madhhab has many positions that are contradictory to the ahadeeth because the ahadeeth are not their primary or secondary source of law. This is because it is accepted by them that the best of those who would follow the commandments of Rasoolullah would be the people of Madinah and they would not do something unless it was abrogated. So, even though that narration exists, Malikis would see it as being abrogated since the people of Madinah did not practice upon it and kept dogs.

[justwanttolearn]

The secondary source of law (after the Qur'an) in the Maliki madhhab are the actions of the people of Madinah during the early generations. The Maliki madhhab has many positions that are contradictory to the ahadeeth because the ahadeeth are not their primary or secondary source of law. This is because it is accepted by them that the best of those who would follow the commandments of Rasoolullah would be the people of Madinah and they would not do something unless it was abrogated. So, even though that narration exists, Malikis would see it as being abrogated since the people of Madinah did not practice upon it and kept dogs.

Thank you very much for the info and insight. Seems like something I'd need to learn more about to fully understand

[a.s.]

The secondary source of law (after the Qur'an) in the Maliki madhhab are the actions of the people of Madinah during the early generations. The Maliki madhhab has many positions that are contradictory to the ahadeeth because the ahadeeth are not their primary or secondary source of law. This is because it is accepted by them that the best of those who would follow the commandments of Rasoolullah would be the people of Madinah and they would not do something unless it was abrogated. So, even though that narration exists, Malikis would see it as being abrogated since the people of Madinah did not practice upon it and kept dogs.

first time im hearing this. So that means they view the early people of madinah to be a better source than the Ahadith. Isn't this sort of against Islam? Ahadith come from God also (but are said by the Prophet ) so why do they hold this view? Also, isn't this what the salafi's do (depend only on the salaf)?

[abdulwahhab]

first time im hearing this. So that means they view the early people of madinah to be a better source than the Ahadith. Isn't this sort of against Islam? Ahadith come from God also (but are said by the Prophet ) so why do they hold this view? Also, isn't this what the salafi's do (depend only on the salaf)?

It is not about contesting the validity of the ahadeeth. It is about knowing how the best generation of Muslims in the city of Rasoolullah lived and understood his commands. The Malikis say that the a'maal of Madinah themselves are sunnah and thus are to be followed (after all, a lot of the Salaf from whom we even get our ahadeeth lived there). The ahadeeth are secondary to them and are abrogated by the a'maal. For example, there are authentic narrations about folding the hands in prayer but the preferred position in the Maliki madhhab is to leave the hands to the side in salah since the a'maal of the Ahlul Madinah Munawwarah was to do so.

[Anybody]

Bismillah Ir-Rehman Ir-Raheem

Dear Brother JustWanttoLearn:

Brother, if you are convinced that Islam is the truth, then Insha-Allah, Brother say the shahada and voice the words that will take into the fold of Islam. Brother, as someone who later submitted in life to Islam, I can tell you that while Islam is the Truth, some aspects of my life changed overnight (on the night of my submission), but some did not. For example, I used to use foul language a lot (a lot, a lot) prior to Islam, because that is simply way I had learned to converse with my friends. Also, while I had been convinced after much soul-searching that hijab is obligatory in Islam, I did not start hijab overnight. (At that point in time, I had also not been convinced of the obligation of niqab.) So, Brother, from what I have learned and experienced, some aspects of Islam you will find somewhat a challenge to either your personality or your life (in the beginning). However, Brother, the important thing is not to let those things get in the way of you making the decision that is right for you if you are convinced that Islam is the Truth. Insha-Allah, this is just heart-felt advice from someone who has walked in your shoes (so-to-speak) and wanted to tell you that the fit (read "Islam") will be right even if it initially feels too tight (for some aspects like you keeping dogs). So, worry about things like keeping dogs later and don't let it keep you away from Islam. I can honestly tell you that from every moment that I have ever lived in my entire life, the best moment and night of my life was the one when I made a conscious decision to submit to Islam: Today, I honestly tell you I love Islam more than anything in the world; I live it, breathe it, and want to die with it. There is nothing more important or anything else that can compete. So, honestly, keep the dogs and research more on the topic later but enter into Islam now if you believe in Allah and His Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad . And of course, you know yourself, your situation, and your heart the best; so, only you can make the decision that is best for your life.

Also, I wanted to share with you the inspirational story of woman revert who returned to Allah but whose words echo with the struggle that all Muslims face, whether revert or not, in giving the best to Islam, giving the best up for Islam, and becoming the best for Islam.

And Allah knows best.

If there is anything that I have said that is good and true, it is from Allah, and anything other than that is my own mistake.

[amr123]

It is not about contesting the validity of the ahadeeth. It is about knowing how the best generation of Muslims in the city of Rasoolullah lived and understood his commands. The Malikis say that the a'maal of Madinah themselves are sunnah and thus are to be followed (after all, a lot of the Salaf from whom we even get our ahadeeth lived there). The ahadeeth are secondary to them and are abrogated by the a'maal. For example, there are authentic narrations about folding the hands in prayer but the preferred position in the Maliki madhhab is to leave the hands to the side in salah since the a'maal of the Ahlul Madinah Munawwarah was to do so.

I also would like to add some more points.

-Not always a'maal of Madinah is given preference over Hadith. I have heard in a bayan that its over 'ahad' hadith that its given preference. The usool must be really complicated, so we laymen won't be able to comprehend this completely.

-About praying salah without folding the hands, I have heard a Maliki scholar mention hadith also to back it up.

first time im hearing this. So that means they view the early people of madinah to be a better source than the Ahadith. Isn't this sort of against Islam? Ahadith come from God also (but are said by the Prophet ) so why do they hold this view? Also, isn't this what the salafi's do (depend only on the salaf)?

These early people of madina consisted of hundreds of Sahabah and thousands of Tabieen.
lolz. Kindly stay out of making statement like 'isn't this agaist Islam'. You certainly do NOT know the maqaam of Imam Malik (ra).
Just keep silence ok.

P.s. I didn't mean to be harsh ok.

[faizanakram99]

A Pakistani friend of mine that lives in Lahore sent me an email saying that I should consider moving there.

I have the option of retiring in a few months.

He said that it is very inexpensive to live there and recommended that should live in Islamabad.

I mentioned to him that I would like to teach English part time; maybe from my home.

He said that it would be easy to get students.

The one down side is that I really want to learn arabic; and in Pakistan they speak urdu.

But on the plus side, I want to marry a niqabi muslimah; and he told me that there are plenty of niqabi sisters looking for a husband.

Comments?

Suggestions??

brother

i suggest you to do istikhara on the issue and leave the result to Allah Azza wa Jal

it seems easy to migrate to other country but in reality it wont be such easy,

[justwanttolearn]

lolz. Kindly stay out of making statement like 'isn't this agaist Islam'. You certainly do NOT know the maqaam of Imam Malik (ra).
Just keep silence ok.

With all due respect, I think he worded it as a question rather than a statement, and while it may demonstrate a lack of understanding on his part (I don't know, so can't judge that), I appreciate him asking about it because to a newcomer, it seems like an obvious question to ask.

Here's another way of putting it: If the practices of these early people (whom we are supposed to respect) contradict clear instructions from the Qur'aan, then which is right? I would have guessed the Qur'aan, but from information I'm seeing here, I'm not so sure anymore.

The only thing I am sure about is that this is all fairly complicated, and depends entirely on one's interpretation of various edicts, verses, and cultural practices, which makes it all the more confusing for an outsider such as myself. I apologize in advance if this is a rude thing to say, it's not intended to be, but seriously; If Allah (SWT) wants us to be good people, why has he made it so difficult to establish right from wrong, correctness from ignorance, and truth from deception? I thought the hard part was supposed to be in being a good person, I didn't realize that working out what makes a good person good was such a big part of it.

Brother, if you are convinced that Islam is the truth, then Insha-Allah, Brother say the shahada and voice the words that will take into the fold of Islam

Thank you once again for your kind invitation and for sharing some of your own experiences and insight. However, my understanding (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that if I say the Shahada before truly understanding all of it's implications, it's in some ways worse than not doing it at all.

As mentioned previously, I do see a lot of truth in Islam, and the more I learn the more truth I see, but I think it would be in some way dishonest to devote myself to Allah (SWT) without really understanding what such devotion entails, and without knowing how to follow his wishes and be a "good Muslim". It would be terrible to begin my Muslim life by sinning out of ignorance.

Thanks once again, I do appreciate the encouragement and advice.