Muslims/Muslimahs Day of the Dead Help.?

Hello brothers and sisters. I have a question. I have recently converted to Islam. I am Mexican and in our culture we have this holiday that is callled Day of the Dead. It is when we pray for the sake of our dead, also we arrange food on the table, flowers and candles, then we eat the next night. Is this something that I can still do? I mean I will be praying to Allah for my beloved dead.

Muslims/Muslimahs Day of the Dead Help.?
u can pray for them all the year around, but without previous intention of specifying a specific day. similar idea, mother's day 21 March, we obey mother all the year not only in this specific day (means this DATE has no islamic origin).


u r welcome to islam :)
Reply:as-salaam aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,





Mabrook (congratulations) on becoming Muslim sister!





like most everyone is saying, this holiday is one you cannot celebrate anymore now that you are Muslim. I do know that depending on the region you are from, it is either just a day of families gathering and enjoying lots of food and time together, and in other places, it is a very religious celebration. But, the origins of this holiday was religious and today it is now mixed with the Catholic holiday of Día de Todos Santos.





We can keep cultural practices as long as they do not go against Islam, and unfortunately, Dios de los Muertos was and still is a non-Muslim religious celebration so it goes against Islam.





I totally know how hard it is to have to stop when it is all around you and you have been doing it for so many years... I am half Japanese and the Japanese have a celebration to honor the dead called O-bon or Bon Festival. It is a Buddhist celebration although even non-Buddhist families in Japan celebrate it as well. Families get together and go to clean and decorate graves and make prayers for them. Then there is also a dance festival that is celebrated for the dead called Bon Odori.





It is soooo fun but I had to stop celebrating it too. You may have some family who will get offended if you don't celebrate it. They won't understand why you won't and will tell you it is no big deal for you to celebrate it with them(even some of my family just don't understand why I can't celebrate it anymore).





inshallah you will have an easy time breaking away from this cultural practice sis. It was not too hard for me, but even after 5 years of being a Muslim I do miss all of the fun dancing and celebrations.





May Allah replace this with something better for you!
Reply:no sister , that is n't allowed in Islam.





what we ppl who still alive could pray for the dead at any time doing charities to their souls ..and they should be Muslims too sister.





the reason i told u that isn't right cuz that is cultural and not from religion besides , that is called bedaa i donnu what does it mean in english but it is when u do something and introduce it to the religion and it isn't from it although it is similar !also we aren't ordered honey to follow non Muslims , especially in the religious rituals and stuff, Islam has its unique features and Muslims has his own unique character.





wish i 've made it clear.





may Allah have mercy on all the dead and guide us to his straight path.





peace and happy Ramadan.
Reply:well sure u can pray for ur dad, but the flowers, and the table part, wont be allowed, u can pray to Allah s.w.t anytime u want and it will be answered





Hola! lolz
Reply:Fourteenth of Sha'baan, the month before the month of fasting is usually dedicated for people to pray for the dead and ask for forgiveness for their sins. Symbolically you are praying for them, but it also helps yourself to avoid committing sins that keep you from reaching your goals of spirituality.





Do not forget to ask the Holy One for your own salvation and to make you get closer to Him Almighty. As close as possible to His Divine presence that you are capable of reaching.
Reply:It's best to keep the Du'aa for those you love during the whole year, because God's mercy is not limited to just one Single Day. But if you go on this specific day and Make Du'aa and Prayer for them then that is still acceptable, just keep in mind that THIS specific day has no advantage on any other, because God's forgivness is present at all times, everyday...





Peace and have a blessed Ramadan
Reply:No you're not allowed to be celebrating any other holiday besides the 2 Eids. If you want to pray for the Dead you can make dua for them.
Reply:No, I'm pretty sure thats not allowed.
Reply:Not sure please ask the scholars at www.sunnipath.com
Reply:it is bidah, and the prophet prohibitied females visiting the graves. refrain from this act.
Reply:all I know is that prophet Muhammad didn't do that if you want to pray for the dead you can do it any other day Allah is always here why choose this day this is something you did when you weren't Muslim now you are and you know that you can pray anytime you want.


there is no such thing as the day of dead in Islam so be careful


may Allah guide you to the right path and forgive your sin and all Muslims
Reply:Yeah sure, I don't see why it would be a problem.





Wow, that's pretty amazing...you're Mexican and you converted to Islam!!!! God has truly lead you to the straight path, sister =)





Ramadhan Mubarak!!!
Reply:GOD knows what is truly in your heart.Mexicans have a culture and tradition that is part of who they are too.


Let your heart be your guide and let it be true.


By the way Mexicans are some of the most humble people on the planet . Welcome.
Reply:Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim





Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah





May Allah bless you and keep you on the Straight Path. I don't know all the details of this holiday, but I know it does have some parts which are really pagan in nature. I would advise you to refrain from participating as much as possible. Instead, concentrate on the fasting month of Ramadan and ask Allah to guide those of your relatives who are still living. Concentrate on learning as much as you can about your religion so that you can serve as a positive role model for them.





Definitely stay away from any ceremonies that involve a parade with statues, or ceremonies with statues that are supposedly of Jesus or Mary, since this is not permissible in Islam. Stay away from where people are praying in Jesus' name as you now know that Allah is the only One to whom we should direct our prayers.





May Allah help you to practice your Islam in peace.





Fi Aman Allah,





Nancy Umm Abdel Hamid
Reply:I think you could still visit the graves as long as you don't go decorate them or anything. I starred this for you.
Reply:I would place your prayers with a different Allah, and change the name of your holiday to living.

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Cryptic Chocolate quiz, what is the name of the chocolate bar from the clue given?

ie Sly giggles is Snickers


High class thoroughfare


Money making royalty


Dark occult


Mother's local


Clever folk


Various black items


Sport for Princes


Frankie Vaughan wanted it


Good children get these


Feline equipment


Garden flowers


Assorted girls


Dairy holder


Arrange marriage partners


Edible fasteners


Wobbly infants


Talk quietly


Big bus


Gem orchard


Spin around


Capital granite


Lorry driver's snack


100% Au


Istanbul harem


Up out there


Even more up out there


Big cat's pub


Noisy insect


One who wanders


Musical bard


It's a party


Outside meal


Easily blown


Locals from Malta


Reward


Ten cent pub


Toothless drink


Lost them…..?


Sweet tooth


Pub pins


I know I'm cheating ,but thanks for your help

Cryptic Chocolate quiz, what is the name of the chocolate bar from the clue given?
Quality Street


Mint Imperials


Black Magic


Mars Bar


Smarties


Liquorice Allsorts


Polo


Moonlight


Treats


Kit Kat


Roses


Dolly Mixtures


Milk Tray


Match Makers


Chocolate Buttons


Jelly Babies


Wispa


Double Decker


Opal fruits


Twirl


Edinburgh Rock


Yorkie


All Gold


Turkish Delight


Milky Way


Galaxy


Lion Bar


Humbug


Drifter


Minstrels


Celebration


Picnic


Fuse


Maltesers


Bounty


Dime Bar


Wine Gums


Marble


Candy Floss


Skittles
Reply:High clas thoruoghfare - Quality Street


Garden Flowers = Roses


Lorry Drivers Snack - Yorkie


Outside Meal - Picnic


Locals from Malta - Maltesers


Ten Cent Pub - Dime Bar


Istnbul harem - Tukish Delight


100% Au - All Gold


Talk Quietly - Whisper


Arrange Marriage Partners - Matchmakers


Clever Folk - Smarties


One who wanders - Drifter
Reply:Dark Occult - black magic


sport for princes - polos


garden flowers - roses


assorted girls - dolly mixtures


edible fastners -chocolate buttons


wobbly infants - jelly babies


talk quietly - wispa


big bus - double decker


spin around - twirl


capital granite - edinburgh rock


lorry drivers snack - yorkie


100% au - all gold


istanbul harem - turkish delight


even more up out there - galaxy


big cats pub - lion bar


outside meal - picnic


ten cent pub - dime bar


locals from malta - malteasers


pub pins - skittles





sorry can't work out the rest
Reply:Quality street,mint viscount,black magic,mars bar,smarties, ,aero, ,treats,kitkat,roses, ,milk tray,


matchmakers,chocolate buttons,jelly babies,whisper,double decker, ,twirl, ,trucker,all gold,turkish delight,galaxy,milky way,lion bar, , , ,celebrations,picnic, ,maltesers, ,dime bar,


gum drops, , ,skittles
Reply:Big bus = double decker


Spin around = twirl


Talk quietly - whisper


edible fasteners = buttons


wobbly infants = jelly babies


100% au = all gold


istanbul harem = turkish delight


outside meal = picnic





cant give them all now can i that would be cheating
Reply:mothers local, milky bar
Reply:edible fastners.... buttons


spin around.... twirl


istanbul harem... turkish delight


locals from malta... maltesers


wobbly infants.... jelly tots or jelly babies


feline equipment... kit kat


toothless drink... wine gums


easliy blown... aero bubbles
Reply:High class thoroughfare - Quality Street


Dark Occult - Black Magic


Various black items - Liquorice Allsorts


Sport for Princes - Polo


Garden flowers - Roses


Big bus - Double Decker


Wobbly infants - Jelly Babies


Big cat's pub - Lion bar


Istanbul Harem - Turkish Delight


Outside meal - Picnic


Locals from Malta - Maltesers


10 cent pub - Dime bar


Assorted girls - Dolly Mixture
Reply:Snickers - yummy peanuts and chocolate!!
Reply:Lost them…..? - Marbles? (Cadbury's did a 'Marble' bar)


Various black items - Liquorice allsorts


Noisy insect - Humbug


Gem orchard - Opal fruits?


Mother's local - Milky bar?


Good children get these – Treats


Sweet tooth - Sugar fangs/ fizzy fangs? Not sure about this one!


Hope it helps! I could have got the other ones too, but came along too late!
Reply:garden flowers=roses


lorry drivers snack=yorkie


istanbul harem=turkish delight


toothless drink=winegums


spin around=twister


100%au=terrys all gold


wobbly infants=jelly babies


assorted girls=dolly mixtures


up out there=mars bar
Reply:talk quietly wispa
Reply:Big Cats Pub = Lion Bar


Talk quietly = wispa


Dark Occult = Black Magic


Lorry drivers snack = Yorkie??


Pub pins = Skittles


Ten Cent Pub = Dime Bar
Reply:Locals from Malta - Maltesers.


Talk quietly - Whisper


Outside meal - Picnic


Edible fasteners - Buttons


Big Bus - Double Decker


Spin around - Twirl


Dairy holder - Milk Bottles


Up out there - Milky Way
Reply:High class thoroughfare – Quality Street


Money making royalty – Mint Imperials


Dark occult – Black Magic


Clever folk - Smarties


Sport for Princes - Polos


Frankie Vaughan wanted it – Moonlight


Feline equipment – Tiger nuts NO not really its Kit Kat


Garden flowers - Roses


Assorted girls – Dolly Mixtures


Dairy holder – Milk Tray


Arrange marriage partners - Matchmakers


Edible fasteners – Chocolate Buttons


Wobbly infants – jelly tots or babies


Talk quietly - Wispa


Big bus – Double Decker


Spin around - Twirl


Capital granite – Edinburgh Rock


Lorry driver's snack – possibly a Yorkie


100% Au – All Gold


Istanbul harem – Turkish delight


Up out there – Milky way


Even more up out there - Galaxy


Big cat's pub – Lion Bar


One who wanders - Drifter


Musical bard - Minstrels


It's a party - Celebrations


Outside meal - Picnic


Easily blown – Aero Bubbles


Locals from Malta - Maltesers


Reward - Bounty


Ten cent pub – Dime Bar or Daime Bar depending on where you buy it


Toothless drink – wine gums


Pub pins - Skittles





Still can’t get these


Lost them…..?


Sweet tooth


Noisy insect


Gem orchard


Mother's local


Various black items


Good children get these – not sure but could be Rewards or Treats





Will ask my daughter she's an expert on any advertising (consumer)
Reply:Money making Royalty: Mint


Dark occult: Dark Magic


Dairy holder: Milk Chocolate


Wobbly infants: Jelly Babies


Sport for Princes: Polo


Big cats pub: Lion bar

Wedding flowers?

i'm planning my wedding. when you got married, did you go to a florist and have them do everything, or did you buy your flowers wholesale? if so, who created your bouquet and arrangements? i really want irises and either white roses or calla lilies, but i dont know where to start on finding them (i havent gone to any florists yet). i've just been looking online, and i found lots of wholesalers where i can get each flower at about $1.25 (give or take) a stem, so for like 225 flowers it would only cost around $300. i can arange them myself (i think), but i dont know how to make the bouquet. but i dont know what a florist would charge to get the flowers and do all the arrangments herself.just thought i'd get some ideas for you guys. my wedding isnt until may 2009, so its not a rush kinda thing. for valentines day, my fiance and i each got eachother irises, both arranged by ourselves cause they just came as buds in a box and came out great so i dont think that parts an issue

Wedding flowers?
my mom is a florist and did all of my flowers, we did mostly silk so that the week before the wedding wasn't overwhelming. you can easily make hand tied bouquets but realize that's one more thing you need to do the week before the wedding and that week goes fast. as for the flowers you mentioned, i don't think calli lillies are that price whole sale but you should still be able to find them cheaper than at a florist. if you have a family member that is willing to help that would make a difference, if not you may want to spend the extra cash and have a florist do it for you.
Reply:when I got married, I had Loblaws create a bouquet of Casa Blanca Lillies...they were absolutley stunning...and very reasonable.





check out places like Wallmart, Loblaws,...etc...they're very reasonable, and really nice arrangements.





(remember after the day,...they don't last very long,.....put your money towards something else).....





also...keep the arrangement very simple..less is best
Reply:When I got married, I bought all of my flowers wholesale and my Mom did all of my bouquets... They turned out beautiful and have much more meaning to me than if I had just hired someone to do them. Silk flowers may be an option (that is what I used) they look real and keep forever. As far as making a bouquet, they can be as simple or elaborate as you want them. Flowers in weddings have become so versatile that you can go from one simple long stem to a bouquet the size of a basketball... that is really personal preference.
Reply:I made my own and used fresh flowers. I was able to buy tulips online and they were packed well and were in excellent condition despite the hard texas july heat (and tuplis are a spring cool temp flower). I had them delivered Friday morning and my wedding was Saturday. My moh, my mother and a family friend put them together the night before the wedding. They turned out great. You need to be able to keep them in the fridge though, so make sure you have room and dont have them shipped too far in advance. You're taking a change that they might not arrive, so I was very nervous, but it turned out fine. I had a back up plan to go buy silk flowers at the last minute just in case but I did not need to. I found a lot of help on making the arrangements and getting ideas from www.bhg.com.
Reply:I went with a florist - and a wedding planner. She's taking care of about 90% of everything - right down to making hotel/limo/dinner/makeup/hair reservations... cake... you name it, she's taking care of it for me. Even is finding a place to have my gown/veil steamed before the wedding.





Gotta love it!





I'm doing a destination/elopement wedding on the other side of the country. So she's been a great help!





Good luck and Congratulations!!!
Reply:I don't recommend doing flowers yourself. I almost never do. Florists know how to process the flowers etc from beginning to end. Wedding flowers are a lot more involved than people really know. Wholesalers usually only sell to floral shops. Unless you have a flower market near you that would work. Keep in mind the price of flowers fluctuates. Prices go up and down depending upon the harshness of the season, oil prices(to heat greenhouses , shipping etc.) supply and demand of certain fad flowers and colors.


I advise having a consultation with a floral designer. I am one and I never charge for the first meeting. Make sure before you call for the appointment you have all of the dresses picked out, swatches are helpful too. Be prepared. Have a list of everything you need. The less you have to go back to the designer the less your flowers are. Pick up your bouquets and boutonnieres instead of having them dropped off if that is all the flowers you are buying. Good luck :)


By the way Iris are lovely and especially at that time of year!
Reply:i had my florist do it all. i told her what i wanted and she more than came through. i would hire a florist you do not want to stress out about how your flowers look and how many boquets you do. can you be sure that you can have all the bridesmaids look equal?

Appropriate gift for conductor?

What is an appropriate gift for a conductor, a soloist (soprano) and the orchestra. I thought a donation to the travel fund and flowers for the soprano and conductor. Does that seem appropriate?





It's a high school performance and the premier of an original song. I feel like I should do something for the lady who arranged it, too...the least of which would be file the paperwork and pay the fee to have it copyrighted.

Appropriate gift for conductor?
What is your role here? Your suggestions sound like something that will be appreciated. One caveat--if the conductor (or anyone else) is a public school employee, the school system might have a gift policy. If so, keep it in mind, so you don't inadvertently put them in an awkward spot. One way to get around that might be to make the donation to the "band boosters" or whatever the orchestra parents' group is called, if there's not an officially-sanctioned travel fund.

Flowers after a second date?

Met a girl and have been on two dates which went well and have arranged a third. Am thinking of sending her flowers when she's at work but don't know if this is a good idea or is it too early to be doing stuff like this.

Flowers after a second date?
Brilliant :). You sound like a clever boy. She's very lucky.
Reply:Personally I think it's a lovely idea! Romancing is definitely a dying art and something I constantly hear girls talking about. I think she would be really flattered. My boyfriend buys me flowers every month and I LOVE IT. I don't know any girls who don't like them. I think it would be better to give them to her face to face rather than at work though to avoid a public display as you are feeling unsure and don't want to embarrass her. Good luck and I hope you do send flowers!
Reply:I would send a small boquet with a note saying something like you look forward to seeing her on (the day). Otherwise, if you aren't sure about sending them to work, then bring her a boquet when you pick her up for date.

Trust me don't go big, but this will really set the tone that you want to romance her. I think most girls would be highly flattered. Why not go with something like tulips due to the season?
Reply:As long as shes not elergic to flowers she will love them,

we all love flowers. when i first went out with my now hubby i was only 15 and every time i seen him he brought me flowers i loved the idea of regfular flowers, 20+ years later i still get flowers although not everyday now.





?Midnight~Angel?
Reply:depend on what kind of girl she is, if she will be like whats he sucking up for then no no no. but if she the sucker for anything sweet then yes, but maybe not go all out and spend like 60 bucks maybe just a rose sent to her house or something, not a yellow one thats something you give to your sick grandma.
Reply:Nope, infact its a great idea.. 3rd date is perfect! The 1st %26amp; 2nd way to early, they might think your just a pushoever.... BUT 3rd date... good idea!

P.S You start doing this now... you will have to continue doing spontaneous things for ever.... thats not a bad thing right?
Reply:Good idea! Just don't go overboard with it. Send a mixed arrangement with a card that isn't too mushy. Like saying I am looking forward to our next date or something like that. Do NOT send roses - it will send the wrong signal. Good luck!
Reply:It's definitely a good idea, I was with someone for 3 years and after about 4 dates I bought her 2 tickets to court no 1 at Wimbledon and looking back now I went over the top so flowers are a good idea.
Reply:Go for it you must be a real gentleman to even be thinking like that!! You must do what you feel is right and show your own personality.
Reply:Go for it. Just don't spend too much, coz she might be two-timing you and that would be a waste of money.



Also, don't put anything sexual on the note card.
Reply:said it with flowers as simple as that. She will be happy to date you again.
Reply:Bring her one single rose when you pick her up and then after that send flowers if all goes good..GoodLuck!!
Reply:she will think thats sweet

good idea

go for it
Reply:its a bit too early for it
Reply:she will think there a sweet and romatic thing
Reply:i think that is nice.

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isotretinoin

A poem called Forbidden?

Forbidden


Written by Semper Fi Reborn





She seemed to rise


From the surface and sprout flowers


A bouquet of pleasant petals


Arranged to please the eyes


Her branches


Flowed out from her sides


Then slightly upward


Toward the sky


In a serene dance with the wind.


The sun shined on her


Happily


Braggingly


Pleased with this ability to


Caress her


Hold her in the light


Of a bright morn


She was created to stand there


In the center of the garden


Unscathed


Untouched


Purely tempting


For her fruit was forbidden.

A poem called Forbidden?
wow..........wow.


I absolutely love it.


Thank you sooo much:)
Reply:I do have a little problem with the 'she' of it all, but what the heck, I'm not gonna let a gender issue stop me from saying


TERRIFIC


It's a beautiful day when I


Stay out of the way of


The Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil


:)
Reply:You had me right up until the last line.





5.0/10 The picture is a little fuzzy.
Reply:Do you publish your poems? This one is really beautiful and to the point!





You do have a bit of a stumble in the second line that you may want to fine tune.
Reply:Beautiful.


As usual Semper, your gift shines!


God Bless your day!
Reply:this is one of your best one's yet!!!
Reply:I have entered my poems into a contest and i am a published author and I'm only in Gr. 8. I really think you should consider sharing them with the world. Your poems are beautiful and truly from the heart. If you want some contests feel free to ask!
Reply:Wonderful, Semp. The description of the Tree of Life is remarkable,and such a message. There are somethings in this world that we,as human beings, and most importantly children of God,are not to interfere with. There are things to admire in nature,but unfortunately,as with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden,we still meddle with balance of nature that God created. This should be a wake-up call to leave well enough alone,and once again,bless you Semp for some eloquent,thought provoking word.

Tips for Homecoming if You Can't Stand Your Date?

I am going to homecoming tonight, and i need a few tips. My date is hard to be around. He is loud, immature, and has never had a date before (something which i found out after he asked). I had known him for a week and a half before he asked me and i thought he was a nice normal guy. A week after this he changed dramatcally. I now can't even stand to be in the same room with him, much less dance with him. I found out last night that he is bringing me flowers, he is picking me up (i already arranged a ride), and his parents want to meet my parents. I have told him we are just going as friends. He can meet me at my friend's house for pictures, go to dinner, and the dance. I can take myself. I have told him it's ok for me to take myself, he doesnt have too. How do i handle this? This is his first date, so i think he is tryign to make it sometihng like in the movies in the 50's. I have had numerous dates, and i dont feel tha comfortable getting treated like a flower! i am independent! Help!

Tips for Homecoming if You Can't Stand Your Date?
Smile your way through the evening. Make sure you dance with him at least once. Spend as much time with your friends as you can. Try and talk your friends into sitting with you.





Make sure he has a good experience with his first date. You will be free of him soon enough, but his memory of the first date will live with him forever.





Remember that what he says or does is not a reflection on you. You are not responsible for his actions no matter how dumb they may seem. Just shrug your shoulders and look at the other people. They will understand.





Make sure he takes you home right after the dance. Go straight home and refuse any offer to go out for a party or food. Get home as soon as possible and don't go out with him again.
Reply:I would cancel the date and tell him exactly what you just told us.

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