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the Practice of Islaam in Prison RE: Inmate Maryam Uloho #464534 Dear Chaplain Sumrall: BISMILLAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM (In the name of Allaah, Most gracious, Most Merciful) May the Peace of Allaah be upon you. I forward this letter to you in regard to the above captioned inmate regarding her practice of Islaam at your facility. I
am an inmate and Islaamic Imaam (Spiritual Leader), and would like
to share a few words with you regarding the religion and requirements
of individuals seeking to learn about this religion. My purpose
is to help facilitate you and your staff's broader understanding
Please be advised that Ms. Uloho have not asked me to contact you. In fact, she does not even know I am writing, but she will be receiving a copy of this letter. I take this initiative because she and I have been corresponding with one another and I have been sharing, as best as I can, information to help aid her and other interested parties, in the proper application and understanding of this religion. Ms. Uloha has brought to my attention that she is a "beginner" in Islam and thus seeks to learn and advance, so that she will be able to practice her religion in the most correct form. As I have explained to her, one may be a Muslim for many years and still -- in the true sense of the word -- be a "beginner," because there is so much to learn. In fact, one will never in a lifetime, learn everything there is about the religion. Just as in Christianity or in Judaism, learning takes place in perpetual stages, until the day one dies. Therefore, when Ms. Uloho implies she is a "beginner in Islaam", she is, in fact, speaking the truth. I have been a Muslim for over 35 years and there is still much for me to learn. For example, every Muslim is required to learn the language of Arabic because that is the language in which the Qur'aan was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), and as such, it is the language in which we must offer our prayers. It matters not if you are an American, Japanese, a Spanish speaker, an Italian, or what have you, all must learn Arabic, which can be a trying language. It
is a language of words with precise, unquestionable meanings, as
well as multiple nuances. Many of its words cannot be translated
verbatim. For example, as-Samad, one of the names of Allaah, can
mean the Absolute, the eternally Besought of all, etc. Classic I
don't wish to take up much of your time, but I wanted to share with
you so that Ms. Uloho should not be looked upon suspiciously when
she expresses being a "beginner" in the religion of Islaam.
I thank you in advance for your time and understanding. Please feel
Ali
Khalid Abdullah # 148130 |
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