Stranger in this Dunya

About Me

Assalaamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh!

I am a revert Muslimah, currently living with my Algerian husband and six children (aged 13, 11, 8, 5, 2 1/2 and newborn) in Saudi Arabia. This blog is for random musings about Islam, parenthood, summers in Algeria, life in Saudi Arabia or wherever else I happen to be since nothing in this life in permanent. Who knows where we could be in another year or two!

My journey to Islam began in 1991 when I started at university at the tender age of 18 to study modern languages. I thought it would be ‘fun’ to try out a bit of Arabic while I was there and so enrolled in a minor course. It was a small class and all the other students were Muslim and taking a degree in Islam or Islam and Comparative religion. Through the Arabic class I started learning about Islam, a religion about which I knew virtually nothing and had no preconceived notions since Islam was not in the headlines as it is these days.

Through studying some of the short Surahs of the Qur’an in detail and asking lots of questions I began to draw closer to Islam and found myself incorporating new things into my life without a thought. I never made a conscious decision to incorporate these things into my life and converting was never something I toyed with – it is just something that happened by itself. One day I was reciting the words of the Shahaadah aloud, “La ilaaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasoolu Llah” and there came a turning point where I realised that I believed these words and that made me Muslim.

I was able to incorporate Islamic Studies into my degree and enjoyed studying Shari’ah, Ethics and Seerah to some extent which was a wonderful opportunity for a new Muslimah.

I speak French although it has become somewhat rusty over the years, I understand German but have problems conversing in the language these days and I can communicate somewhat in Arabic although I find it more difficult to understand the spoken language!

I still have a fascination with Shari’ah and Usool ul fiqh. I also love reading about Ancient history and ancient civilisations which often tie in with Qur’anic stories. I have a strange fascination with etymology and apart from this I love photography, baking and generally being creative in the kitchen.

Umm Ibrahim

38 Comments

38 responses so far ↓

  • Digital Nomad // August 31, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    MashaAllah, I love this new place of yours, sis!

  • lameyaa // September 1, 2008 at 12:13 am

    aselamualaykum werahmatullah
    mashaalah, i really like your simple messages.
    i am really wondered how did you do it , while you have got a house, a husband and children to look after?
    i guss u might be one of those people whome allah has blessed their time into doing lots of khirat. may allah help you. i will try to keep intouch inshaallah.
    weselamualaykum werahmatullah

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 1, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    Wa alaikum salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh,

    Thanks DN. :)

    Thanks for visiting Lameyaa and thank you for your kind message. Hope to see you here again insha’Allah. Ramadan Kareem. :)

  • Niyaz // September 2, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Assalamualaiukum!!

    came here thru another blog, Interesting to see a saudi blogger! nice to see u here…

    Ramadan kareem..

  • Marahm // September 2, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    “Who knows where we could be in another year or two!”

    I’ve lived long enough to see the truth in these words more than once, yet the human tendency is to project one’s current condition upon the rest of one’s life. That may actually be appropriate, but again, “Who knows…?”

    Allah, of course! He’s not telling, and I’m thanking Him for that.

    Welcome to WordPress!

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 2, 2008 at 6:06 pm

    Alaikum salaam,

    Niyaz: pleased to ‘meet’ you and welcome! Ramadan Kareem to you also.

    Marahm… seriously when you have children everything you do has to be in their best interests. I guess we’re driven the children and their education and as you well know I’m sure, it’s hard in this country once your children reach a certain age; they can’t go to university for starters. :? Thanks for the welcome. :) xxx

  • asqfish // September 10, 2008 at 12:44 am

    I love your ever changing 99 nines of Allah, can you teach me? I would love to put it on my blog too!
    Thanks

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 10, 2008 at 1:41 am

    Assalaamu alaikum,

    Thank you for your visit sister asqfish. I have sent you instructions on how to add the 99 names; hope it is clear enough insha’Allah. :)

  • turgayevren // September 13, 2008 at 7:22 am

    I am touched by your story of conversion to Islam and sincerity to practice your faith. May Allah keep your feet firm on the straight path and give you His blessings both in this world and in the hereafter.

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 13, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    Assalaamu alaikum Turgayevren

    Thanks for stopping by and ameen to your beautiful du’a. May Allah give you the best in this life and in the hereafter, ameen.

  • Rayyan // September 14, 2008 at 5:36 pm

    Salam
    Umm Ibrahim,
    I just read about you quite recently, the little you said made my mom and I just tear…

    We Alhamdulillah are born Muslims, but people like YOU I always admire, because you had been a searcher for the TRUTH, and ALLAH guides whom HE loves!

    May ALLAH keep us with Iman for every breath we take while living and pass away on Husna Khatimah,
    Ameen thumma ameen

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 15, 2008 at 2:03 am

    Assalaamu alaikum

    Masha’Allah sis… you made me tear too! Ameen to your du’a also. :)

  • Umm Aisha // September 17, 2008 at 2:30 am

    Assalamoalaikum Sister,

    I stumbled across your blog and what a pleasure it was to read. May Allah SWA reward you for all your efforts and I certainly look forward to reading more.
    Your chocolate Fudge looked very appetizing I must say!

    Ramadan Kareem
    Umm Aisha

  • julia // September 18, 2008 at 12:29 am

    Hello,
    what is Usool ul fiqh ? I’m very sorry to ask a question that I could probably answer by searching the Internet, but all the articles I found I don’t understand.
    Other than that: I like your blog.

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 18, 2008 at 1:28 am

    Hello Julia,

    Thanks for your comment on my blog. :)

    A very brief explanation of usool ul fiqh: if fiqh is the law, then usool ul fiqh are the tools from which the rulings are derived which are primarily the Qur’an and the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and secondarily consensus, analgous reasoning and others.

    I love the photos on your blog – they make me wish I could visit France again soon!

  • Hanifah // September 19, 2008 at 5:36 am

    As-Salamalaykum Sister!

    Ramadan Mubarak! =)

    Masha’Allah, you have such a diverse history yourself. How is life in Suadi? I am a Mom of two boys and I just moved to Michigan a year ago. We love it here because there are many Muslims. What is Ramadan like there? Is it very festive? Do people close down shop early?

    JK for visiting my page! Sister Hanifah

  • Ahmed Ali and Safiyah Laher // September 19, 2008 at 11:21 am

    Assalaam O Alaikum Sister

    There is a possibility that we as a family could move to Riyadh in the next few months (insha allah). I have searched through several websites etc to try and get an understanding of what it is really like to live in Saudi/Riyadh for non Arab muslims. Alhamdu Lillah I have always been a muslim and my wife is a muslim revert of about 9 years. We have 4 children (all boys), aged between 9 months and 10 years.

    We could really benefit from getting some more info about life in Riyadh. Compounds have been mentioned a few times, but we are not too keen on this as we have heard that they are ‘designed’ for the non-muslims. We are from the UK.

    We would be very grateful if you could ‘get us up to speed’ on the matter, and Safiyah has some other questions which are probably best left as private.

    Love your blog, its probably the best one out there from a Saudi Resident!

    Jazakallah

    Ahmed Ali and Safiyah

  • WM // September 19, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    ‘I… enjoyed studying Shari’ah, Ethics and Seerah to some extent…’

    Wow, that’s very good masha Allah. Would you mind sharing some details about the curriculum with us? I was pretty shocked by the content of Islamic studies nowadays. Shari`ah is the study of Schacht and Juynboll and Seerah is the study of Crone, Cook and Wansborough *a slight exaggeration, of course)! Do you have any favourite Siyar/books about Islam in general? Are there any books you can recommend to non-Muslims?

    I remember thinking that your post on Hisba used Cook’s book on the subject- am I wrong?

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 19, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    Assalaamu alaikum,

    Br. Ahmed ~ let your wife know that she is free to email me with any questions and I’ll do my best to answer.

    WM ~ I think it’s inevitable that any introduction to Islamic law will cover those Orientalists and their views of ‘Mohammedan law’ to some extent. I do dislike the books of many of the Orientalists (Schacht, Goldziher, Von Kremer…) though and their views of Shari’ah being derived from Justinian law and prefer Nallino’s research.

    As for non-Muslims (and Muslims), I think Kamali’s Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is a good introduction to the subject.

    Other sources we used… I can’t remember many: Muhammad Azami, Shatabi, Al-Marghinani, Guraya… a good lecturer who can translate bits and give a jolly good lecture on the subject. ;)

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 19, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    Assalaamu alaikum

    I missed your comment Hanifah, oops sorry! :oops: Welcome to my blog.

    I have heard about some of the strong Muslim communities in the USA, masha’Allah tabaarak Allah.

    Saudi has it’s ups and downs like anywhere. As for shops closing early… see my post on Ramadan opening hours. ;) Shops open late, close just before maghrib, reopen after taraweeh and then stay open until the wee hours. Everything is skewed during Ramadan so you are utterly confused and don’t know when to go out! :lol:

  • WM // September 19, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    Wow masha Allah…who is Nallino? Who is Guraya?

    Motzki is good.

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 19, 2008 at 8:29 pm

    Guraya wrote Origins of Islamic Jurisprudence
    Nallino: Italian Orientalist who did not hold the stance that Shariah is derived from Roman laws.

  • WM // September 19, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    These authors aren’t ancient! They just aren’t on reading lists anymore…I was stumped…

    formidable :O

    Do you still…read? How did you deal with it (I mean, those works)? I mean, bearing in mind that you probably lacked the critical apparatus to dismantle their stuff…wow masha Allah.

  • Umm Ibrahim // September 19, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    I don’t read as much these days unfortunately (need to get of the net for 5 minutes ;) )

  • um_intisar // October 5, 2008 at 3:30 am

    assalam’alaykum

    barakAllahufiki for this little part of your life,im from france and i will move to saudia ,i dont speak well english and i would know if you speak french for have some information about life in KSA.Im algerian from france :)

    sorry for my aproximatif english

    I hope you contact me

    hayakiLah

  • Umm Ibrahim // October 5, 2008 at 6:48 am

    Assalaamu alaikum Um Intisar,

    Soyez la bienvenue!

    Si vous voulez poser les questions, vouz pouvez envoyer un email a: expatsinsaudi@gmail.com :)

  • um_intisar // October 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm

    MachAllah

    je vous ai envoyé un email ,j’espere vite avoir de vos nouvelles!

  • UmmAdam // November 7, 2008 at 6:16 pm

    As Salaamu Alaykum

    I haven’t seen you around and I just want to check in with you.

  • Mujahida // November 14, 2008 at 2:06 am

    BismiLlahi arRahmani arRahim

    As salamu aleikum wa rahmatuLlahi ukhti.
    I pray everything is ok, for you and your family, insha Allah Ta’ala.
    Fi amani Allah.

  • ittosjournal // November 20, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    salam alaikoum sister, hope you are well!! I miss your posts!!! may Allah bless you.
    xxx

  • MZ // December 9, 2008 at 12:31 am

    Assalam o Alaikum
    hows u sister?
    Wish u a happy EID MUBARAK

  • Ramiza // February 3, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    AssalaamuAlaikum sister,
    Marshaallah,you have an interesting site and i stumbled across it quite by accident.I am south african and living here for a year.My son is 9 and my daughter is 2 and im looking for a madressah for quraan reading with tajweed [son] and swimming lessons for ladies and kids in my area SULAY Exit 15.i only go out when my hubby is home certain days of the week.shukran

  • julia // February 10, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    Hello Umm Ibrahim,

    Thank you for the explanation and your compliment on my photos.
    France is cold and uncomfortable at this season, though.

  • Um Youcef // April 1, 2009 at 12:10 am

    Assalamu alaikoum sister Um Ibrahim!

    I’m very happy to read your blog masha Allah, wonderful and useful info here! We have a lot in common sister and hope to meet with you one day as we are to leave for Riyadh in about 5 months insha Allah! I’m an American muslimah (revert) married to an Algerian with 5 children (sound familiar? LOL) Pls do email me as I would like to have more info from you if you could spare some time:) We are to be situated on a compound as well and I desperately need info about the schools for my kids (ages 9, 7 and down.)
    Barak Allahu feeqi,
    Um Youcef

  • lina // July 14, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    Mashaa Allah Umm Ibrahim , your blog is wonderful.I subscribed to your feeds and determined to every bit here in shaa Allah :)

  • umm qahtan // August 17, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    As salam alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu ukhti.
    Mabrook on ur reversion to Islam & mashAllah on all your children.
    Like you im a revert to islam & began to love islam since i was a child…not knowing id embrace islam at 19 yrs young and here i am 7 yrs later alhumdulillah.
    its a pleasure to read ur blogg, look at the wonderfull pics and be reminded of some healthy foods like couscous and addas..time for me to cook lunch lol 1pm.
    Have urself a happy ramadhan inshAllah.
    Hiyyach Allah
    xxx

  • Umm Ibrahim // August 21, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    Asslaamu alaikum,

    Jazakillahu khair sis Umm Qahtan. Seems that we have some things in common. :) Welcome to my blog by the way.

  • tanu // September 13, 2009 at 5:44 am

    Assalamualikum,

    My husband , my new born and I are planning on moving to Riyadh in the near future. We are looking for a 1 bedroom in a compound. Our budget is at max 75,000 SAR. Can someone please give me some info.? It’s hard to find it online. My email address is Tanu_zahir@yahoo.com.

    Thanks,
    Ma salama,

    Tanu

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