Part V:  Touching Stephen Ogilvie's Face. Touching the Face of Islam.

Let's discuss the rituals which might make it difficult for Muslims to adapt to the West; and how these rituals might result in "Islamophobia" which has been self-generated from their belief system.

And let me remind each of you once again of my signature statement:  Your conviction requires your sacrifice and not mine.  And in the public square, centers of commerce, and public schools and private universities, non-Muslims cannot be subjugated to the rituals of the Islamic gestalt. Because Islam is state.  And it uses religion for coercive control of the population.

The Call to Prayer:

Across the Muslim-majority regions the call to prayer rings out five times a day.  Hurry to prayer, admonishes the muezzin.  This was necessary, before German Henlein invented the first spring-driven clock in 1510.  This was followed by the pendulum clock in 1656.  There were no clocks. We have them now.

Arab bedouins relied on narratives and simple geometry:  "When the first thin line of light is seen on the horizon..." it is time for the Fajr prayer. The noon prayer was determined by placing a stick in the sand.  When the shadow cast was equal to the length of the wood, it was time to pray. (This was told to me by a Palestinian attorney who received his degree in law from Damascus).

There is no need for the call to prayer to ring out five times a day in the West. Our cell phone is our timepiece. There is no need for a call - nor power projection in the public square. We should reject it.

Prayer on Time:

One of the most important Ahadith regards what is the best of deeds before Allah. It is prayer on time:

https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2019/06/14/salat-on-time-safe-lisan/

There are exceptions for "prayer in the time of fear" - where prayers are abbreviated and with weapons at one's side. (Qur'an 2:239 and 4:102)

Scholars also agree on a basic x times y formula where prayers can be delayed for journeys of length. The Muslim who seeks to unroll his prayer mat to pray on a flight - does not need to do so.

Once again:  Your conviction requires your sacrifice. And your conviction cannot be hoisted onto me as a sacrifice of my belief in the separation of church and state. No differently than smokers cannot make demands and are told to smoke on their breaks, Muslims should not be allowed to make demands on their employers or any public facility to accommodate prayer times. We should reject this.

Halal (Hal Al - A State before Allah):

The Halal food industry is rife with corruption. It is also a funding arm for the Muslim Brotherhood's activities in the West.

Orthodox Jews observe Jewish laws relating to what is kosher.  Muslims are observant regarding Halal. These should be private, personal practices which do not burden the greater (unbelieving) public with their demands. We should reject demands for Halal in the public square and which use taxpayer dollars for enforcement.

Rituals related to sleep:

Al Kursi, or the "Throne ayat, is often spoken prior to sleep.  This is no different than the Christian vocalizing "The Lord's Prayer"  each week in the congregational setting.  These things can bring comfort.

But there is a ritual related to sleep which is being taught to our Muslim third-graders in the largest mosque in my city.  I obtained a copy of the textbook.  And obsessive compulsive disorder is never a good thing to introduce to the young.  They are being taught to sleep on their right side with their right hand under their right cheek.  This is how their prophet slept.

* This teaching of the children extends to grooming: the right side of the head and beard first, and footwear placed on the right foot first.  And of course, order the sandals with two straps and never walk along with just one sandal - as is the custom of the Jinn.

Can you say, OCD?

Rituals related to Toiletry:

Stepping into the bathroom, say this prayer: "Oh Allah, verily I seek refuse in you from all filthy and nasty devils."

Allaahumma innee a'oodhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khabaa'ith.

"If you go to defecate, do not face the Qiblah nor turn your back toward it.  Instead, you should turn toward your left side or your right."

* I have had vibrant relationships with some of our Muslim surgeons.  Q.  "Do you squat to urinate?"  Answer: "Yes, that is how the Prophet urinated."   There is a back story, unknown to most. I am unable to share it.  I would like to keep my head.

Once Prophet Muhammad passed two graves.  "Both are being punished!   They are not being punished for major sins.  One did not shield himself from urinating and the other carried gossip."  Found in Sahih al Burkhari (Arabic-English) Volume 1, p. 142, no 217. Also found in Sunan Abu Dawud (English translation) Volume 1, p 5, no. 20 and Sahih Muslim (English translation) Volume 1, p. 171-2, no 575)

In other words, "Do not splatter" which is every mother's dream for her young sons. wink

There are also the more obscure rituals, which I will not mention.  Because being invited into a Muslim home to share their lives has been an honor, and some things are best kept private.

There is much more that could be shared regarding rituals based on Islamic Law.  But let me just place one final post on the page to bridge the aforementioned thoughts.