Linda "iLham" Barto and Abdur-Rahman Abou Almajd Around RAMADAN: A Daily Celebration.

"Ramadan is the month during which the Qur’an was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation." [2:185].

Prophet Muhammad said: “When it is the first night of Ramadan the evil devils ar e chained. The gates of Fire are locked- not a single gate is opened, and the gates of Paradise are opened- not a single gate is locked, and a caller calls out: ‘O seeker of good come forward, and O seeker of evil withhold,’ and there are many whom Allah frees from the Fire - and that is every night. ”

I and a lot of readers wonder what Ramadan is like in the West, especially in the US and how they enjoy fasting.

We have a fresh opportunity to reflect about the role of fasting in Ramadan in the World, more particularly its role in a Muslim's life.

At this point, Linda "iLham" Barto is going to speak about her views on Ramadan.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, on its website, featured a very nice review of her book Ramadan Rhapsody:A PUBLICATION OF THE COUNCIL OF ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS OF GREATER CHICAGO.

Perfect picks for Ramadan: Ramadan Rhapsody.

Linda “iLham” Barto has encapsulated the beauty of Ramadan as A Daily Celebration. In her book, “Ramadan Rhapsody,” Barto touches upon every aspect of spirituality in Ramadan with verses from the Qur’an, hadith, her own reflective poetry as well as a dua.

For each day of Ramadan, she gives the reader a lot of food for thought. She starts with Divine Verses as the theme of her daily topic like Truth, Humility or Compassion and then elaborates on them with her personal reflections about how Muslims can celebrate every day of Ramadan and make the most of this special season.

Barto is a veteran of the U.S Air Force and lives in the foothills of North Carolina. According to her book, “Islam found her in 1999.”

“In each of my daily Ramadan devotions, I offer a taste-berry of Ramadan delights so that each Ramadan day will be flavored with a numinous spice,” writes Barto in the introduction of the book. 

This book makes a perfect gift for yourself and your loved ones this Ramadan – visit www.amana-publications.com

The lion of hunger growls from our bellies a subtle hint 
Not only of those without adequate nourishment 
But also of those starving for spiritual food 
May we be living vessels offering bread that is good 
And water that heals broken spirits and gives insight 
Feed the world hungering for truth and life and light

from Ramadan Rhapsody.

About Linda "iLham" Barto

The Arabic, pen name “iLham” means ‘divinely inspired,’ and rare inspiration is reflected in Linda’s spiritual and philosophical art and writing.

Linda writes with interfaith sensitivity interwoven with a sincere desire for harmony and unity within the world’s faith diversity. She displays respect for all religions and focuses on the consonant values of peace, honesty, justice, charity, and integrity.

Talented in several forms of writing, Linda received a Certificate of Achievement after completing a two-year writing program from Writers Institute (CT).

Some of her essays have been translated, extending her authorship to span five languages. She is a member of the North Carolina Writers Network and was a featured author at the 2009 Book Expo America (NY).

With sparkling colors, Linda illustrates numinous messages. Brilliance and passion are evident in vibrant images, and her calligraphy is flowing and elegant.

Linda received an Associate of Arts degree from the commercial art program at Central Piedmont Community College (NC). She also completed a two-year course in fine arts with Art Instruction Schools (MN).

“Glad to be a hillbilly,” Linda enjoys country living in the foothills of North Carolina. She brags of “three whacky brats, oodles of critters, and a pet husband.” Her greenhouse, vegetable garden, homemade soap, furniture refinishing, and crafty, household projects keep her busy.

Linda maintains a black belt in karate and trains with the weapons sai (a small sword) and bo (a long pole). Linda enjoys camping, hiking, canoeing, shooting targets with a rifle, and embroidering clothes.

Having served during two wars, Linda is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the North Carolina Air National Guard. She was a decorated soldier having been awarded the National Defense Service Medal (twice), the Air Force Commendation Medal (twice), the North Carolina National Guard Achievement Medal, the George Washington Medal of Honor, and the NC Adjutant General’s Commander’s Coin.

The National Association of Professional and Executive Women has recognized Linda as one of the most prestigious women in America.

She is listed among “Women of Excellence” for “professional excellence, leadership, and distinctive service.” The association elected her the 2010 Woman of the Year in the category of authors and illustrators.

During revisions of this interview, Linda e-mailed a version to her friends of an e-pal group she calls “Definitely Dawah.”  A Christian lady e-mailed Linda back to say that this interview inspired her to plan on reading the Qur'an.  Another friend wanted to know if she could post it on her blog after it appears on alukah.net.

Q: Your delightful book is a daily celebration of the Muslims’ month of fasting.  Ramadan Rhapsody is a delicious blend of poems, prayers, and Qur’anic renderings arranged in a day-by-day, devotional adventure. Could you elaborate on that?

LIB: Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Some people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and some people who pray at night get nothing from it except lack of sleep.”  Writing about Ramadan was my way of getting more than hunger, thirst, and lack of sleep.

Originally, I wrote the messages as an act of daily devotion and sent them to all my e-pals.  They were so well received that I arranged them into an attractive book so that many others could share my way of getting more than hunger and thirst.  (It is also available as an e-book from the publisher Amana Publications.)  Each daily chapter has a theme, like “Courage,” “Faith,” “Hope,” and “Responsibility.”

Each daily devotion begins with my own lovely rendering of a Qur’anic passage (which was approved by scholars).

Following the Scripture is a pertinent hadith.  Next, poetic verse from my own hand spirals through the reader’s mind to inspire deep pondering.  The daily devotion ends with a thoughtful du’a, a personal prayer that anyone can apply to his or her own prayer life.

Q: From the book Ramadan Rhapsody:

“O Ramadan, alarm us of hungering, thirsting souls 
And inspire us to include their welfare in our goals. 
We must offer bread to those weak in spiritual strife. 
We must serve milk to those faint from struggles of life.”

Great! When did you start to fast Ramadan and how did you find it?

LIB: Islam found us in 1999, but my husband and I actually made an awkward attempt at Ramadan before we knew anything about Islam.

Although we were Christians, we wanted to experience some of the blessings from Jewish and Islamic holidays, so we stumbled through some of the rituals of holidays unfamiliar to us.

We felt blessed despite the meagerness of our attempts.  Because of our ignorance, our first Ramadan wasn’t exactly proper, but our hearts were right, so we were spiritually nourished anyway.

Q: What about your daily celebration here in the month of fasting?

LIB: We live in the foothills of Western North Carolina (USA).  There is no mosque nearby or any Islamic community.

We are very much alone in our Islam, so making Ramadan a reality is a challenge.  Although I’m sure I will get criticism from many vintage Muslims, our family has incorporated an American tradition into Ramadan.

Where we live, people decorate trees for most holidays.  For Independence Day, for example, people decorate trees with little USA flags and red, white, and blue lights.

For my family, I decorate a Ramadan and Eid tree with beautiful stars, lights, and calligraphy verses from the Qur’an.  Having this visual reminder of Ramadan helps make it real for us.

I also like to plan a special project to do each Ramadan.

This year, insh’Allah (God willing), I will calligraphy some prayers from the Qur’an to include in a book of 366 daily readings from the Qur’an.

We spend as much time as possible in prayer and Qur’anic study and try to empty ourselves of everything that is us and fill ourselves with everything that is Allah (blessed and exalted is He).

Through Ramadan, we have the opportunity to experience life in all its fullness by forsaking the physical needs of life and focusing on the blessings of the spiritual dimension.

In my book Ramadan Rhapsody, I use the story about the companions of the cave (Surah 18: 9-24) and compare the Ramadan experience to such seclusion:

“Ramadan is a cave wherein we escape for awhile

From our busy lives of struggle that tends to rile.

Plugged with piety, our ears may get a vacation

From the vile taunts of religious persecution.

While we strive to be more attuned to Allah’s guidance,

We avoid distractions and seek what will enhance.

Allah will soon rouse us from sheltering Ramadan.

O Ramadan, how your precious time is so quickly gone!”

Q: I wonder, how do you stay the night of Ramadan?

LIB: Not having been raised a Muslim and not having convenient access to a mosque, I haven’t become proficient in all the Ramadan rituals that most Muslims share.

My du’a prayers are important to me, however, and I feel safe in the knowledge that Allah (blessed and exalted is He) takes my personal prayers seriously.

I have magnificent blessings for which to thank Allah (blessed and exalted is He).  For examples, recently my husband’s medical tests showed that he is cancer-free (after having had prostate cancer), my medical tests showed that I only have anemia (instead of something more serious), and we figured out that we just need a new water pump after fearing that our well was going dry (we’d rather have to buy a new pump than to dig a new well).

I get the greatest pleasure, however, out of thanking Allah for the things people often take for granted; indoor plumbing, for example.

I grew up without it, so I’m really grateful for it now.

I also make prayer requests that may seem unusual.  For example, I pray for honeybees.  Did you know that honeybees are currently experiencing an in-hive, social problem that threatens their entire security and welfare? Allah, please bless the honeybees and help them overcome their problems.  May they be healthy, happy, and prosperous.  Amen.

Q: Let's get back to the usual question of what first captured your attention towards Islam.

LIB: My husband and I were quite happy as Christians and never had any desire to change our religion.  I never questioned any of the Christian doctrine; for example, the concept of the Holy Trinity made sense to me, and I taught it in Sunday School.

I understood the message of salvation through the crucifixion and was able to explain it to others.  I had studied the Bible all my life and was convinced that Christianity was the true religion.  I knew very little about Islam and did not know any Muslims.

My journey to Islam began with dreams about Islam and its message.  The full story of our experience is in my newest book Memoirs of a Hillbilly Muslim.

In that book, I explain, “In late summer of 1998, I began having dreams about a country to which I had never been and people I had never met.  One night I dreamed that I was a little kid rocking in the chair Daddy had made me.  The family was watching a documentary on TV, and the narrator described an Islamic state on the Mediterranean Sea.

He explained that it had gained its independence within the twentieth century, and that its government had built homes and schools for the citizens.

Eventually, God revealed to me that the country was Tunisia.  Tunisia? I had to look it up in the encyclopedia, and I found that my dreams were accurate. God proceeded to drag me on the greatest adventure of my life –a fantastic, spiritual journey!”  In my dreams, Islamic ideals were explained to me, and I began to understand.  I began to read the Qur’an, and if I had a question about anything I read, it was explained to me in my dreams.

When I became confused about the Church’s teaching, I got a stack of library books and began to study the history behind Church doctrine.  Whenever I thought the Qur’an was wrong, my research showed that it was right. My spiritual adventure led me on a journey to Tunisia where my husband and I said shahada in the Great Okba Mosque in Kairouan.

Q: What first captured your attention towards Prophet Muhammad?

LIB: Sometimes people have to unlearn in order to learn.  I had to unlearn the Church’s portrayal of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) before I could accept him as a true prophet.

The Church’s impression of Muhammad (peace!) is that of a madman who wielded a sword to force Christians to become Muslims or be unmercifully killed.

Many, if not most, Christians believe that Muslims worship either Muhammad or a false moon god.  If you were to tune into a Christian radio station today, you may hear a preacher relaying some fabricated history of the moon god and how Muhammad forced people to worship the false god.

I was impressed by the fact that Prophet Muhammad (peace!) was raised in a pagan society and then received revelations that caused him to preach against the religion of his own society.

Although I was already quite familiar with the Bible, I was surprised to find that a new prophet and Book were prophesied in the Bible.

In my book The Bible and the Qur’an at the Edge of Renaissance, I explore such prophesies, including this one from the Tanakh, or Jewish Bible (the Christian Old Testament varies):  “There is yet another Revelation made plain on tablets to be delivered by a herald [angel].  This Revelation awaits an appointed time; it prophesies the (Day of Judgment), and it will be proven true.  Though it is slow in coming, wait for it still, for it will surely come in due time” (Habakkuk 2: 2-3).

Q: What were some big changes in your life after fasting during Ramadan?

LIB: Well, I gained twenty pounds trying to make up for it.  Nah! Just kidding!

When one delves deeply into the Ramadan experience, he or she gains a deeper connection to the spiritual realm.

We can better understand that the life of this world is like a rehearsal and how well we act determines the part we secure in the next life.  We can learn to release the linear concept of time and grasp the magnificence of the time continuum that exists in Allah’s reality.

Our past, present, and future exists in one grand adventure as we ponder the significance of our individual lives.  After a successful Ramadan experience, one feels refreshed and ready to wake with Allah, walk with Allah, and rest in the everlasting embrace of Allah (blessed and exalted is He).

Q: You wrote great works such as THE BIBLE AND THE QUR’AN   AT THE EDGE OF RENAISSANCE:  A Judeo-Christian-Muslim Compass to a World of Peace. What are some beautiful aspects that you like about Islam that you cannot find in other religions?

LIB: I appreciate the beauty of all the Abrahamic Scriptures. The Tanakh (Jewish Bible) contains the Torah with its precise laws and adventurous stories.

It contains the stories of the prophets (peace upon them) and their messages, and it contains the poetic writings such as the Psalms of David (peace!) and the epic of Job (peace!).

The New Testament of the Christian Bible gives fragments of the life of Jesus (peace upon him) and his beautiful teachings, and it documents stories about and commentaries by early Christians.

With the revelation of the Qur’an, Allah (blessed and exalted is He) re-emerges as the God of the Big Bang to become the God of every soul longing to be re-created as an awesome vessel of God.

The Qur’an explains that the true religion is to submit one’s whole self to Allah (blessed and exalted is He).  This is the religion of Abraham, who was not a Jew or a Christian.

Islam, in its purest definition, was the religion given to humanity from the time of Adam and Eve.  For the perfect religion, Islam does not point us back to the old, rugged cross or to the famed Ten Commandments.

Instead it takes us back to the pristine dawn of humanity’s creation.  It takes us back to Allah’s original plan of perfection.  I think that’s awesome!

Q: You told me that you actually had a new book just published the week before; it is not even on your website yet, but I hope, insh' Allah, you will tell us something about it.

LIB: Memoirs of a Hillbilly Muslim begins with an autobiographical sketch that includes my unusual journey to Islam, and then I examine my rural life in a series of ninety-nine parables.  Each parable begins with a Qur’anic passage, followed by a personal story.

Each parable merges into a thoughtful discourse that applies the Scripture to daily, modern living.

The book uses rural wisdom to explore an array of diverse topics.  Values, ethics, and morals emanate from pages concerning such issues as citizenship and environmental responsibilities.

Uncommon advice can be found on subjects ranging from marriage to war to universal harmony.  Theology and science combine to probe such mysteries as space and time and eternal life.

Even with such serious topics as these, I use wit and humor to keep the content lively.

Regardless of the reader’s religion, this book will enlighten, encourage, and inspire.  With interfaith sensitivity, I attempt to show the beauty of Islam’s true message while not ignoring the problems affecting Islam as the conflicted religion of today.

The book is especially helpful to new converts to Islam as it gives common-sense advice on comfortably emerging from a previous religion.  Vintage Muslims will find new insights, and readers of other faiths will learn about Islam in an entertaining and fascinating way.

My books are available on my website www.Lit-by-Linda.com, and the website is currently being updated to include my new book, which is already available on amazon.com and on the Barnes & Noble website.

Q: In your opinion, how should Prophet Muhammad be shown for Western readers?

LIB: I think that the most important thing is that our own lives reflect the compassion, honesty, piety, generosity, and hospitality that the Prophet’s life exhibited.  Peacefully and faithfully living our religion is the best way to present the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him).

In my book The Bible and the Qur’an at the Edge of Renaissance, I use several hadiths to show that “Muhammad was not only a great prophet, but also a devoted family man, a cherished friend and neighbor, and a dedicated servant of God.”  I write, “He was fun to be around, but often pensive.  He was an ordinary man with an extraordinary gift for seeking and performing the will of an awesome God.  His legacy remains an example of courage and piety for Muslims and non-Muslims.”  This picture of the Prophet (peace!) is missing from the reports heard on the six o’clock news, but it is the picture Muslims must actively present.

In my book Memoirs of a Hillbilly Muslim, I present an idea for extending Islam into areas in the USA where it is missing.

Most of the large mosques and Islamic centers are based in cities and large Muslim communities.  My idea is that the large, successful mosques sponsor small, satellite mosquettes in rural areas.

The message of Islam would then be available to people who would never otherwise take the incentive to learn about Islam as a living religion.

Each mosquette should be visible and active as a good neighbor and friend in its community.  The sponsoring mosque should help the mosquette become independent as it becomes an integral part of its rural community.

Q: How would you describe such a mosquette?

LIB: For one thing, the name of it should be in English (or whatever language is common for the specific community; in the USA, it would most likely be English or Spanish).

The Arabic language scares Americans because they associate it with terrorism.  A good name for a mosquette, for example, may be Spirit of Truth Mosquette.

People won’t know what a mosquette is, but that will only increase the curiosity.  The mosquette should have an annual open house to invite visitors to learn about Islam.  At the open house, sophisticated brochures and continuously running videos or slide shows should explain Islam in simple terms without debasing any other religion, and representatives would be available to answer any questions.

An outdoor sign should invite visitors, and the changing times of the prayer services should be posted on the sign.  When a visitor comes to the mosquette, he or she should be kindly welcomed regardless of how he or she is dressed.

If the visitor’s clothes are not appropriate, he or she may be asked to wear one of the outer garments that should be kept at the mosquette for such an occasion.

Each visitor should be given a printed program that explains the service in the language spoken by the majority in the community.

The program should include all prayers and Qur’anic recitations in English (or other appropriate language) and in phonetically-spelled, transliterated Arabic.

The transliterated Arabic and English translation should also be projected on the wall or on a screen at the appropriate times.  For those wishing to observe but not participate, chairs should be provided.

The mosquette should join the efforts of churches and synagogues in providing relief for the sick, hungry, afflicted, and imprisoned.

These are just a few rough ideas, but a mosquette, or satellite extension of an established mosque, is, I think, the best avenue for introducing Islam in rural areas where Islam is hated, feared, and misunderstood.

Q: I remember sister Jeannie Ohira said:  “For fun I enjoy Linda Ilham Barto’s books, like Ramadan Rhapsody; no doubt there are more who enjoy reading Barto.” I wanted to know if your great book helped others to convert to Islam.

LIB: I would like to know that myself.  A person cannot always realize the good that he or she brings to this world.  We will not get the full picture until the scrolls are unfurled in Heaven.

We must keep doing Allah’s will even if we can’t see that it is making a difference.  I hope, insh’ Allah, that, when I get to Heaven, I will meet people who will say that I influenced their lives even though I never met them.

I guess that is the hope of every religious author.

Q: What about your break-fast and Sahoor?

LIB: Finally getting to eat and drink at the end of a Ramadan day is a blessing for which we should be truly thankful.

Eating should not be done gluttonously and carelessly, but with sincere gratitude for and awareness of the gift of food.

We should be most humbly grateful for any meat, because Allah first commanded humanity to eat plants, but He gave us permission to eat His beautiful animals.

We should also be aware of and remember those people and the parts of creation that, by no choice of their own, are destined to continue their fasting.  In my book Ramadan Rhapsody, I write:

“As we fast, let’s remember that all creation

Is fasting from its original perfection.

We are commanded to commit no pandemonium,

But nature continues to suffer an evil syndrome

From rape of forests, pollution of rivers, lakes, and land,

Lusty slaughter of wildlife, and disgrace of seas and sand.

As we break our fast, we should commit our hands

To acts of repair and improvement to waters and lands.

After all, nature needs a sunset from its fast too.

To ignore such a need would show ingratitude.”

Abdur-Rahman: What a great poet! Sister Linda. Thank you very much.

LIB: Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to share my ideas and opinions.  All praises, honor, and glory belong to Allah!