EID MUBARAK

Ramadan day 30

Eid is finally here. My husband wants to go to at least one Pakistani friend’s house for dinner. I think that we should stay home and just zoom it. We will at least zoom the prayer, but I know that my husband wants to cause enough drama that we go to someone’s house for a dinner celebration. Note to self: find the masks, even though I know that my husband will try to find any moment to remove the mask and show his selfishness. We will see.

Most years, we go to the mosque, pray and eat. The children’s activities are getting more and more elaborate. Muslims seem to be in this catch 22 when they start thinking about others and comparing Eid to Christian, secular or western holidays.

I think that many Muslims try to make Eid as special as possible because they feel like they must compete with Christmas. Sometimes, at the mosque, there are bounce houses, ice cream, pony rides, carnival games and barbecues. I wonder if Muslims will have hay rides when Ramadan is in the fall. Even more interesting is what Eid will be like in the winter.

My first Eid was in 2010 and it was in August, then. It slowly moves backward about eleven days each year due to the fact that it is determined by the lunar calendar and not the Gregorian calendar.

There is really nothing wrong with fun on Eid. The problem becomes when Muslims do this in response or reference to other Christian holidays. Anyway, the other extreme is the desire not to “imitate the Christians,” This leaves the Muslim in a quandary. Not imitating the Christians really means that there is less fun to be had for the children. Apparently, fun is decidedly Christian. Conversely, things that aren’t fun are not Christian.

It seems as if both positions are comparing themselves to Christians and therefore, miss the true intention of Eid. Both positions can be nauseating for different reasons.

At the end of the day, I want to try to make Eid as special for the children as possible. I don’t care if we are imitating the fun of the Christians. Yet, I try to be less materialistic about it than I see many Muslims being – even though they might criticize the Christians for doing that very same thing. I have seen expensive Eid outfits, women being decked out in their most elegant outfits and sparkling jewelry and feasts that could feed hundreds of people set for thirty or forty guests. Children want gifts and money. Yet, I always feel a little guilty and encourage my children to be extra generous. We celebrate Christmas and all of the other calendar holidays, whether secular or religious. We’d celebrate Hanukkah and Diwali, if it didn’t feel like cultural appropriation and if we had some willing people to usher us through the celebrations. Many Muslim children do not get to celebrate so many holidays. Their parents are quite conservative about celebrating anything other than Eid… … or their native country’s holidays, sometimes. That is another hypocritical story. . I have always wanted to make (and get my children to help me make) little bags for others with small toys and candy in them. And, maybe have a carnival type of celebration which could include the playing of Islamic games, Islamic trivia, the making of treasure boxes to get out for next Ramadan. I’d like to create an Eid treasure hunt with Arabic clues and a twist to make it really Eid like. Of course, we can’t forget lots of Eid music.

Actually, I have had a few ideas for some really neat Islamic games which could double as cool Eid gifts for families. I do wish that I could construct some of these and just pass them out to the children at Eid.

Maybe I could produce a laminated Islamic coloring book of the fifty most popular mosques. A small picture of a well-known mosque with facts would be on the right hand side of one page. The next two pages would contain an elaborate picture of the mosque and an outline for someone to color in. On the left-hand side of the next page are ten questions to answer. The questions would come from the facts on the previous page. It would be laminated, so dry erase markers could work. This would be especially educational since the controversy and uncertainty of one of the most famous silver domed masjids, al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Click this link for more information about this mosque. I have also written another post about the mosque. Check it out for more about famous mosques and stunning pictures.

Hundreds of Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

Why not make a trouble like game of seven layers or rows. The board is square. Each role of the dice gets you closer to the Kaaba. There are three spaces on each side. That means that it will take 84 moves to get to the Kaaba. You must go around seven times. The first person to circumambulate seven times and get to the Kaaba presses the button that calls the prayer.

I have been looking in many Islamic book stores and toy stores. I have not found magnetic Arabic letters. The letters that I do find have all been reviewed as not very durable. Has anyone ever made magnetic Arabic letters? I am certain that a durable magnetic letter set with the accents could be made. If someone really wants to get technical, they could make an electronic part to the magnetic letters, similar to the leap frog system. I thought about them being magnetic, but like the wicka sticks so we could change the shape to fit the word that it would go in. sometimes the letter slightly changes shape depending on the accent put on the letter or what comes before or after it.

Card games that help a child match the correct Prophet to the story could be laminated and made for a great Eid gift and/or activity for the mosque.

During Eid celebration, kids could also play a Guess the Trash game. First tell the story of the Prophet and the bag of Trash. Then, there is a cloth bag with a glove to stick your hand in. The glove has no fingers. There is a zipper at the other end to take out or insert more objects. Fill the bag with objects and see how many a person can guess by touch in one/two/three minutes. Timer is by the wrist of glove. Included objects: replica of Masjid, moon shape, camel, sheep, grapes, prayer rug, minaret, cup, dog, sandal, Replica of Kaaba, small book, star shape, lantern, scarf, bird, prayer beads, date, sword, ark, cradle and staff. Another game is to find one object in the bag and either think of a verse that includes this object or tell a story about this object.

The Little ones could play a version of Hungry Hungry hippo where the marbles are dates or pieces of fruit. The concept could be expanded upon by making the food different shapes. Dates, samosas, water melon wedges, flat bread, chicken leg, water bottle, French fries, puff puff bread and pizza could all be food items.

It would be fun to have a maze like game for the children. The children could go through the maze and it could be labeled with different places that the Prophet went. One maze could be like a cave. But, each person would have to figure out how to move the dogs from the cave. We could talk about that story.

If I could sew, I would make a collection of three or four books in one binder. There would be felt objects and animals. On one page would be the story and the other would be a piece of material for any child to set the scene.

Why not engage the children in an Islamic Bingo game of sorts. This would mean that they would have to know their Arabic alphabet and some Arabic words.

There are so many possibilities with stone mosques, the Kaaba and statues. An idol could be built and two teams could take turns throwing stones at it. Two teams could build a large fort like mosque and the team to put the minaret on top is the winner.

I have not heard Eid celebratory songs being played at the Mosque, but I am sure that some people play them in their houses. I have not heard people do so because, whenever I have been invited for Eid celebrations, the crowd has been quite conservative. Gender mixing is not even a thing, much less music. Usually when my family is invited for Eid, though, it is by an Auntie who is a friend of my mother-in-law. This means that most often the invitation comes from conservative Pakistanis.

Eid and/or Eid celebrations are usually not complete without at least four of the following experiences occurring.

shoved into a crowded mosque for prayer,
My little child pulling off at least one head scarf (Okay, less likely to happen since my children are older but certainly was an occurrence at least twice a year for the last eight years),
not being able to find my shoes for at least twenty minutes after the prayer and before eating even with sighted assistance,
Having at least six different rice dishes on the menu
Being in the middle of a stampede to eat,
My children wanting to play and have ice cream and do everything that is available to do at the mosque(pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, cotton candy, yard games and a video game truck),
Any party decorations (Birthday, Christmas, etc.) that can be purchased put on tables and my in-laws encouraging my children to collect them all into a bag for them to play with when we get home,
Uncles and Aunties giving my children various denominations of money that my husband use to hold for them but now are grasped tightly by my eight-year-old),
My mother-in-law telling everyone that I am blind so that she can get to the beginning of a food line (last time, I told her how much I disliked this practice and tried to get little girls to go ahead of me, so I got no pizza – the exact thing we were standing in line for),
African, Asian, Middle Eastern and American perfumes, aromas, languages, foods, expressions of joy all praying and experiencing Eid together
Gender segregation, either at the Mosque or at someone’s home afterwards (sometimes, if we eat outside, gender segregation is not practiced),

I know that people have to play Eid music in their homes, though. I have found some celebratory songs. Here are a few songs that they and you might play on Eid.

One of my favorites is the song Festival, by Khaled Siddiq. There will probably never be another song that mentions Biryani and Fanta in the same verse. BTW. I have never had eid without Biryani and Fanta. This year, there is no fanta because I am not a fan of soda. And, while we did not have biryani, we did have hummus, tabouli, meat and rice and goat feet gravy.

This Eid Song called Eid Mubarak by Sami Yusuf is live and it makes you think that you are at a concert.

Eidun Sed by Zain Bhikha is exactly what we would expect from the South African musician. The joyous selection thanks Allah for Ramadan and the blessings of Eid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS-_NPoM_XA

Eid Morning Takbeer by Native Deen is all in Arabic. It is close to what we hear at the mosque before Eid. It is an elaborate Takbeer chant that is said between Fajr and the extra prayer at Eid. Takbeer just means the phrase that God is great. But, during Eid, this takbeeri chant can be heard about ten minutes before the Eid prayer begins. Many imams give a Khutbah (similar to a sermon) after the prayer and before eating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl9AbmXXNV4

Here is the percussion version.

Its Eid day by Zaky is a child’s song discussing and celebrating Eid. My children like the video and the music.

Eid Mubarak everybody is a fun rap by Native Deen (I believe), about Eid. I believe that it was performed on the Deen Show. My children like the video, I am not sure why.

Omar Esa has a fun celebration song about Eid and being a Muslim. His pride in being a Muslim and excitement over Eid is apparent. The song is called Celebrate Eid.

We’ve scanned the Sky by Dawud Wharnsby tells about eh progression from the beginning to the end of Ramadan. It reminds us that we look for the moon to indicate the beginning and end of Ramadan.

UN-COVER-ING THE LYRICS

Ramadan day 15

I guess it is time to talk about covers. I am not a fan of covers in general or “Covering.” To each his/her own, of course. Everyone has to make their own decisions. But, by in large, unless it is a blanket on a bed, covers are not for me. Coveralls are the most inconvenient piece of clothing. Covering up secrets is usually a recipe for future drama. Cover girl never gets my business (although I confess, I am not a makeup person, in general). If you have a good resume, cover letters could possibly be a bit redundant. I think that I have made my point.

… … … lest you think that I am going to talk about head coverings, let me ease your mind. This post is not about hijabs, gilbabs or burqas. Although, if you want an awesome hijab song, check out Mona Haydar’s Wrap my Hijab.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMNdl4cuOhU

It seems inevitable that at some point, I’ll talk about women in Islam. Additionally, I realize that many artists have written and sung about hijabs, I choose to focus on the one artist that has a large stake in the game. That is, Men’s opinions about what women wear really don’t concern me.

Women and what they wear might be discussed at some point, maybe when I profile some awesome songs either by women or about women. … Maybe. This subject will be discussed later

And I will revisit Mona Haydar. (Sorry, I do love a rhyming lymric… …).

The covers that I want to discuss today are those of songs. There are some artists that sing other people’s songs and do not change a word. There are those parodies, like all of the Corona parodies that are popping up. [I admit, I have a corona parody play list].

As I have said before, I generally don’t like people who try to sanctify a song. First, the artists who do the covers are rarely as good as the original artist. If there are words changed, the song sounds lame or cheesy. And, lastly, there is something that feels inherently dishonest about taking someone else’s song arrangement and melody……as well as most, if not all of the words, and trying to either pass it off as your own or sing the song at least as good as the original artist. The lyrics have to fit well, both in meaning and syllabically. At least, I like some of them. Bonus points if they rhyme without compromising on meaning. Even when I only listened to Christian music, I found it truly cringe-worthy when Christian artists would take a perfectly good secular selection and inadvertently contaminate it by trying to make it Holy. It wasn’t only Christian artists, though. Even though I enjoyed the movie “Sister Act,” I could not stand the Motown covers. I don’t like when Kids Bop does clean covers of songs, either. I do have a couple of exceptions. I admit to liking covers done by groups like Pentatonix, Straight no chaser or BYU Vocal point. I don’t like all of the covers that these groups do. The ratio of covers that I like does go up. I think it is something about the vocal arrangement. Anyway, for a cover to work successfully, in my humble opinion, at least two of the following requirements must be met.

The artist must be able to vocally sing the melody, at least as well as the original. The artist does not need to imitate the original artist, but they have to be able to hold their own vocally.
The artist has to work diligently at making the words sound authentic, if they change them.
The artist has to change the arrangement in some way so that the song becomes their own. They can’t be trying to emulate the original in every detail.
The older the song, the better.

Muslims have jumped on the ban wagon and have made covers of popular songs. Many covers just fall short. But, here are a few of the ones that I feel have passed Muster.

Note: I left out the “Tala Al Badru Alayna,” song and other Islamic nasheeds and songs because I don’t even know who did the original. And, while it is more of an authentic cover and not a parody, I don’t call these songs parodies because I reserve “parody,” for Weird Al and/or funny word changes like those done by the Holderness family.

As I have mentioned, there are a few artists that perform many covers. Khaled Siddiq, Raef, Omar Esa, Waheeb Nasan, Rhamzan Days, Siedd, Deen Squad, Nadeem Mohammed and Kareem Ibrahim are pretty well known for their covers. For an extensive list of covers, visit this brother’s site.

So, now, let’s reveal my favorites!

I think that Khaled Sidiqq’s perfect cover from Ed Sheeran’s hit record is awesome! Z knows this song better than he knows the original. Actually, that song, I believe has gotten the most Muslim covers and remakes.

In fact, I think that Khaled Siddiq should do more ballads and less rapping. The acappella version is heart stopping. I actually like it better than the original and changing the lyrics didn’t sound like he was trying too hard to make it a Muslim song. I do admit, however, that this particular song seems to be a popular one.

One other cover of the same song worth noting for its originality or performance is this hip-hop version by Waheeb Nasan featuring Kareem Ibrahim. It is vocally sound and is uplifting.

I thought about including this song when I talk about community, but I must include it with my post about covers, simply because it *is* a great cover. Zain Bhikha does a stunning rendition of Michael Jackson’s Heal the world. While I love Michael Jacksons songs, I admit that I have stopped listening to him. Having young sons, I just can’t listen in good consciousness. I won’t chide or bash anyone who does, I just can’t. Yet, I found Zain Bhikha’s cover a really charming alternative. Bhikha has a good falsetto without trying to actually be or sound like a replica of Jackson. I am not saying that his voice doesn’t resemble Jackson’s. I am saying that his voice is the same on this recording as it is on many of his other albums. Thus, you can tell that he is not trying to sound like the original artist. He doesn’t try to imitate Jackson’s inflections and/or lilts and expressions. But, he sounds a bit like Jackson and it doesn’t make the song sound too off balance, as it would if I or a baritone male voice would. His voice is just his own.

Belal Muslim and Omar Esa’s cover (or maybe more applicable an extensive sampling) of Where is the Love, is lyrically on point, even if it is a bit lengthy in parts.

Waheeb Nasan and Kareem Ibrahim have also collaborated on a version of changes that is brilliantly written.

If I have to pick a Deen squad cover, this one about Ramadan is hands-down the best. I might have previewed this song in an earlier post. I am not sure, but it bears repeating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN5R9_omG1Y

Raef does a few covers. I am on the fence about his remake of Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson. The Chris Brown song without you is okay. I really like his cover of Jessie J’s Price tag, but I’ll talk about that when I talk about materialism and gluttony. But, one of his best covers is Maroon 5’s won’t go home without you called Mercy.

Another Maroon5 cover Girls like you has been remade by Ramzan Days. He has good vocals and the lyrics are pretty sound and fit the song well.

Muhammed Yaseen does a cover of John Legend’s All of me that I actually enjoy. I did not think that I would like this remake, but he carries the vocals and his lyrics are not cheesy. This is a new artist on my radar. Most of his songs that I first found were not in English.

THE PERFECT PRAYER — MOVING TOWARD SUBMISSION

Ramadan day11

Prayer accompanied with movement has the ability to be so inspiring. Muslim prayers are called Duas. I admit, I have not learned the prayer nor the sequence of movements. It touches the heart when someone is not saying their duas robotically and with expression. I do admit that I don’t understand all of the Arabic. There are translations of the prayers, however. First, my memory is getting worse. Remembering a set of movements along with the words and their accompanying definitions, as well as when to change positions seems like a daunting task in the best of circumstances. I have not felt comfortable with my husband teaching me and I would have to repeat it … … let’s say five times every day to get it down perfect. I don’t want to tattle on my husband and his prayer is his own business. Yet, I don’t think that he would have the commitment to teach five times a day. And, then, there is the Arabic. I have thought that once my son learns it, we can do it together. He won’t have any of that toxic masculinity to contend with and we can pray, talk and discuss together.

Here is the thing about prayer, though. I don’t feel comfortable asking God/Allah for anything. I don’t believe that my litany of demands should be at the top of any supreme being’s list. God/Allah knows what I want, anyway. It isn’t like Allah is unknowing about my heart and/or wishes. I don’t want to treat prayer like a trip to the vending machine. So many people do this or approach prayer in this way. I am sure that there are people who have more pressing requests. If I pray for anything it would be the ability to understand and accept life as it is. I feel a bit uncomfortable praying for healing, wealth or something that others don’t have. I could get with prayer for its meditative benefits or just to display my gratitude. Most prayers that start with praising Allah just to ask for something, seem to be too manipulative and greedy. I don’t believe in “hell fire,” so the “protect me from hell fire,” just does not sound authentic for me. Besides, it sounds too much like a passive get out of jail free card. If I believed in Hell as an all-consuming fire, I’d do my best to try to avoid it, not sin whenever I can and then just pray for protection. Furthermore, if I am just praying for Allah to give me things and/or protection from my own consequences, I sound like a spoiled child. Although I don’t agree with asceticism, I can agree with and understand the Sufi Rabia Al Adawiyya when she says

“If I worship Him out of fear of the Fire,
Or out of love for His Garden,

I would be like a hireling.”

And

“O Lord, if I were to worship you out of desire
For Your Paradise, then deny it to me.

But if I worship you through Your Love,
Then do not deny me Your Everlasting Beauty.”

Rabi’a al ‘Adawiyya

So, I admit to having lots of triggers and strange notions around prayer. Yet, I also confess that I want to be more peaceful and reflective in making decisions. I am a bit envious of those who have learned all of the prayers and seem to effortlessly flow through prayer with their body and their heart. Using your body and your heart to worship feels more authentic than just sitting or kneeling for prayer.

One day, I’ll learn to pray. If you want to see the prayer, check out this demonstration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFuVaM698es

Being honest, though, I will never pray with my husband. First, his prayers seem too ritualistic for me. Not only would I constantly wonder if he was critiquing and making notes, I know that he would have that arrogant superior attitude that one gets when they believe that they have more knowledge than you. I am not far off base with this one. He gets that same attitude when we talk about computers or money or Islam in general. Second, there are way too many power struggles in this house for him to be the leader in an act that we might engage in five times a day. I would not be comfortable and my heart would learn to resent prayer. I don’t want him anywhere near any act of submission of mine, nor do I want him understanding all of my vulnerabilities. I understand all about marriage and I know what any sane happily married person is thinking. But, I know where my boundaries lie. I must protect myself. Third, I want prayer to be a transforming act. It does not seem to transform my husband at all. This is the exact opposite of what I want to happen. So, even if we did pray together, we would be hoping for vastly different experiences and I believe, like almost everything else, it would turn into something that was contaminated by an emphasis on the ritualistic nature of prayer and someone’s desire to inflate their ego. In this type of environment, I fear that I would still be yearning for something more refreshing and authentic.

It is highly unlikely that I would pray in public with a group of people. I don’t want to be judged for getting something wrong. It is human nature to criticize and scrutinize. I have been scrutinized at the masjid for not covering properly. That inch of hair that peeked out from the top of my forehead had to be dealt with immediately… okay, it was more like three inches. Still, I don’t like being on display, anyway. My anxiety would cancel out any focus that I might want to have on the prayer. Not only would I be preoccupied with the motions, the words, the timing and the others around me, but I would have the additional worry about my head scarf falling off of my head. Besides, I admit to being more comfortable in the role of Christian wife, at the mosque, because there are far less expectations about how I should behave or what I should say. There are too many expectations and there is too much judgment for me to ever pray at a masjid. Nope, that is not my idea of a God-centered worship. So, maybe I’ll untangle all of these strands, one day. That day is not today. I will be content to respond with my heart and find music that conveys the words that I might wish to utter someday. Until then, here are some selections that discuss prayer. I hope that you find them soul centering.

Here is Ani Zonneveld, a song writer and president of MPV (Muslims for progressive Values)

http://www.mpvusa.org

Performing an English hymn-like version of the first sura, Al Fatiha. This helps me understand the prayer.

Dawud Wharnsby reminds us to pray five times a day. This is more of a children’s selection, but I really enjoy this song for its acappella style, simplicity and naturistic feel.

As long as we are talking about children learning the prayers, Zaky helps the children learn when and how to pray. The song is called My Five daily prayers.

Labayk performs a great piece called WE Pray together. and this is a great addition to my collection. I am glad that I found this gem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WB0-2lBl5c

Switching gears a bit, Khalid Siddiq tells why he is praying his five daily.

Abdullah Rolle’s Establish the Prayer is haunting and definitely belongs on this post about prayer.

Hamza Robertson sings about the importance of making every prayer. I put it last because I am conflicted about whether I actually like it. Depending on my mood, I can find it a bit judgmental and guilt inducing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyN2iZ5okiI