Losing my faith? Please read!
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Original post by Zamestaneh
Although it is true that you get reward for reciting it in Arabic, that is not the main concern right here - the main concern is you understanding Islam. If you end up not even believing in Islam, having read it in Arabic without you having understood it will be of very little benefit to you.
In short: I used to see people debate in Islam on TSR, and occasionally I would join in as an ignoramus and slate hijab or whatever, but I didn't actually know anything about Islam - TSR was the first place that I was exposed to it. For various reasons I decided to learn about Islam with sincerity, so I went to the TSR ISOC, spoke to the brothers and sisters there for a period of months, reading the Quran and commenting on my journey as I read it, trying to learn and understand, participating in discussions etc, and eventually after periods of thought and internal conflict, I was convinced that Islam was the religion from God - before I even realised I wanted to become Muslim, I was counter-arguing against non-Muslims who were chatting the same old recycled tosh, and I realised that they lacked understanding and that criticism was overhyped.
The longer answer would encompass a greater spiritual journey and trying to find out if God was real, which religion/beliefs made the most sence etc.
In short: I used to see people debate in Islam on TSR, and occasionally I would join in as an ignoramus and slate hijab or whatever, but I didn't actually know anything about Islam - TSR was the first place that I was exposed to it. For various reasons I decided to learn about Islam with sincerity, so I went to the TSR ISOC, spoke to the brothers and sisters there for a period of months, reading the Quran and commenting on my journey as I read it, trying to learn and understand, participating in discussions etc, and eventually after periods of thought and internal conflict, I was convinced that Islam was the religion from God - before I even realised I wanted to become Muslim, I was counter-arguing against non-Muslims who were chatting the same old recycled tosh, and I realised that they lacked understanding and that criticism was overhyped.
The longer answer would encompass a greater spiritual journey and trying to find out if God was real, which religion/beliefs made the most sence etc.
thanks for that
Hello,
I am sorry to hear that you are going through hard times. And I hope you find peace soon
Obviously the best thing to do here is to find out for yourself what values, philosophies and thoughts want to hold. By researching it all yourself, and I would urge you to research both non-Islamic as well as Islamic viewpoints.
Anyway, I'm not going to preach or give atheism dawah here (too much
). But I will say that there are of lot sources on the internet (specially on youtube, but not limited to that) that you can go on, and follow the works of many intellectual. (If you are willing, I can direct you to some starting points through PM).
Also, please bear in mind that, despite what many will say, it is not a dichotomy between orthodox Islam and leaving it and becoming an atheist. There is a spectrum, and there are many people in between (so "my way go to hell" attitude is nonsense imo). You have your Nouman Ali Khans, your Taj Hargeys, your Asra Nomanis, your Tarek Fatahs in between your Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Zakir Naik & al-Munajjid.
I will leave you with this, and though it may not as detailed (and totalitarian) as IslamQA, I think it is well worth a read through for its philosophical, moral, and rational outlook.
http://agnosticmuslimkhutbahs.blogspot.co.uk
I hope you find the answers you're looking for, and your life becomes better
I am sorry to hear that you are going through hard times. And I hope you find peace soon
Obviously the best thing to do here is to find out for yourself what values, philosophies and thoughts want to hold. By researching it all yourself, and I would urge you to research both non-Islamic as well as Islamic viewpoints.
Anyway, I'm not going to preach or give atheism dawah here (too much
). But I will say that there are of lot sources on the internet (specially on youtube, but not limited to that) that you can go on, and follow the works of many intellectual. (If you are willing, I can direct you to some starting points through PM).Also, please bear in mind that, despite what many will say, it is not a dichotomy between orthodox Islam and leaving it and becoming an atheist. There is a spectrum, and there are many people in between (so "my way go to hell" attitude is nonsense imo). You have your Nouman Ali Khans, your Taj Hargeys, your Asra Nomanis, your Tarek Fatahs in between your Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Zakir Naik & al-Munajjid.
I will leave you with this, and though it may not as detailed (and totalitarian) as IslamQA, I think it is well worth a read through for its philosophical, moral, and rational outlook.
http://agnosticmuslimkhutbahs.blogspot.co.uk
Spoiler
I hope you find the answers you're looking for, and your life becomes better
Spoiler
I would advise you to look at Ex-Muslim Youtubers like Mufassil Islam who is very knowledgeable on Islam: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgaZdTGZBeNT25Sw4dYlCQ
Original post by Lord Gaben
I would advise you to look at Ex-Muslim Youtubers like Mufassil Islam who is very knowledgeable on Islam: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgaZdTGZBeNT25Sw4dYlCQ
Theres quite a few of ex muslims on youtube which really know what they're talking about. I'll link some more later but Mufassil is good.
I also like atheists like logicked/TRC/AA etc.
Original post by Cobalt_
Theres quite a few of ex muslims on youtube which really know what they're talking about. I'll link some more later but Mufassil is good.
I also like atheists like logicked/TRC/AA etc.
I also like atheists like logicked/TRC/AA etc.
Do you like IntrovertedSmiles?
Original post by Lord Gaben
I would advise you to look at Ex-Muslim Youtubers like Mufassil Islam who is very knowledgeable on Islam: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgaZdTGZBeNT25Sw4dYlCQ
Just checked one of his videos and he gave a nub argument against the Hijab being compulsory... I someone doubt he is that knowledgeable.
This is likely to be a long process.
I would advise you to read the Qu'ran. Since you don't speak Arabic it will have to be in translation.
As you read it, ask yourself some questions. If this is the word of God, why is it so opaque and liable to misinterpretation? Why would a loving creator allow his definitive message to be so unclear as to be misconstrued, causing such suffering?
Why does it seem so redolent of the thinking of the seventh century, if it was sent by a timeless, immortal deity? Doesn't that make it more likely to have been the product of man?
How can it be so ignorant of science? Of evolution? So primitive, frankly, if it is the product of a timeless, immortal, all knowing God?
Why can it only be understood in Arabic, when almost the whole world speaks other languages? Is God a monoglot, unable to transmit his concepts in anything other than one tongue? Why create other languages at all, then?
If everything is predestined, what is the point of living anyway?
Those kinds of questions, but there are many more. Read, think, decide for yourself.
Good luck! Atheism is the most wonderfully liberating thing. I'll say that.
I would advise you to read the Qu'ran. Since you don't speak Arabic it will have to be in translation.
As you read it, ask yourself some questions. If this is the word of God, why is it so opaque and liable to misinterpretation? Why would a loving creator allow his definitive message to be so unclear as to be misconstrued, causing such suffering?
Why does it seem so redolent of the thinking of the seventh century, if it was sent by a timeless, immortal deity? Doesn't that make it more likely to have been the product of man?
How can it be so ignorant of science? Of evolution? So primitive, frankly, if it is the product of a timeless, immortal, all knowing God?
Why can it only be understood in Arabic, when almost the whole world speaks other languages? Is God a monoglot, unable to transmit his concepts in anything other than one tongue? Why create other languages at all, then?
If everything is predestined, what is the point of living anyway?
Those kinds of questions, but there are many more. Read, think, decide for yourself.
Good luck! Atheism is the most wonderfully liberating thing. I'll say that.
If you're doubting the veracity of your religion and seek to ascertain the truth, maybe you could ponder and scrutinise over why you think Islam is true? Ask yourself questions like, are you a Muslim because you were raised to be a 'Muslim', by your parents - who themselves were raised to be a Muslim, by their parents and so on? Some personal experience? the 'scientific, linguistic and numerical miracles' tripe? other fallacious arguments (that are not unique to Islam)? Is there evidence for the numerous claims of Islam? etc.
Whatever happens, I hope you eventually find peace of mind.
(If you're interested in the accounts of other's departure from Islam, just ask, I'll try and locate and link you to the relevant post/links)
Whatever happens, I hope you eventually find peace of mind.
(If you're interested in the accounts of other's departure from Islam, just ask, I'll try and locate and link you to the relevant post/links)
Original post by Zamestaneh
Just checked one of his videos and he gave a nub argument against the Hijab being compulsory... I someone doubt he is that knowledgeable.
Muffasil Islam is right about the hijab. This is backed up by the following Hadith from Sahih Bukhari:
Sahih Bukhari Book 1, Volume 4, Hadith 148
Narrated 'Aisha:
The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).
Source: http://www.quranexplorer.com/Hadith/English/Index.html
How am I supposed to reply when you've closed off your PMs ?
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
just lose it (ah ah ah ah ah)
Original post by Lord Gaben
Do you like IntrovertedSmiles?
Hes okay prefer TRC/Logicked
Original post by Lord Gaben
Muffasil Islam is right about the hijab. This is backed up by the following Hadith from Sahih Bukhari:
Sahih Bukhari Book 1, Volume 4, Hadith 148
Narrated 'Aisha:
The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).
Source: http://www.quranexplorer.com/Hadith/English/Index.html
Sahih Bukhari Book 1, Volume 4, Hadith 148
Narrated 'Aisha:
The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).
Source: http://www.quranexplorer.com/Hadith/English/Index.html
That doesn't exactly prove his point. His claim was that hijab was only for the wives of the prophet, but that hadith is not an explicit evidence for this, rather it just shows the context of revelation. As I said, he's a nub .
Original post by HAnwar
Ik. I hope he is ok insha'Allah.
Original post by h333
Ik. I hope he is ok insha'Allah.
Yeah Insha Allah.
Maybe he got fed up with all the PMs lol
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by HAnwar
yeah maybe.
This is not going to be easy to give some useful advice to you, but I'll try my best.
I wouldn't talk to your Imam if I were you. They will probably get a little mad. I would talk to your parents though. Seen as what you told us, they'll probably be more understanding of your predicament, and help you find an answer to this crisis of faith. Personally, I think it's up to you to decide whether or not you want to leave Islam, though it seems this may be difficult, as you said you lost the will to live. Try finding a new religion, or you could even convert to another branch of Islam (if you are a denominational Muslim, i.e, Shia, Sunni, etc.). In the meantime, I agree with you that religion is flawed, but some people need religion to give themselves a purpose. This is probably the case with you. I'm Agnostic, but I believe in many principles that a lot of religions preach (Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Jews, and more!) so more specifically, I'm an 'Agnostic polytheist'. I would say you are an Agnostic Muslim.
But anyways, good luck with finding the answer to your problem. Sorry if this wasn't good advice. It's a rather sensitive topic to talk about.
I wouldn't talk to your Imam if I were you. They will probably get a little mad. I would talk to your parents though. Seen as what you told us, they'll probably be more understanding of your predicament, and help you find an answer to this crisis of faith. Personally, I think it's up to you to decide whether or not you want to leave Islam, though it seems this may be difficult, as you said you lost the will to live. Try finding a new religion, or you could even convert to another branch of Islam (if you are a denominational Muslim, i.e, Shia, Sunni, etc.). In the meantime, I agree with you that religion is flawed, but some people need religion to give themselves a purpose. This is probably the case with you. I'm Agnostic, but I believe in many principles that a lot of religions preach (Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Jews, and more!) so more specifically, I'm an 'Agnostic polytheist'. I would say you are an Agnostic Muslim.
But anyways, good luck with finding the answer to your problem. Sorry if this wasn't good advice. It's a rather sensitive topic to talk about.
Original post by uh5rc
Hi
I have made a throwaway account to ask a couple of questions (Will be making more threads). I feel as if I am losing my faith and am now stepping away from Islam. I know the student room isn't the best place to be looking for advice but it would help to get other opinions from this forum, muslim forums, imams, converting/ reverting muslims and people who have left the religion. If you wish to tag anyone in this thread who could be of help please do.
I want everyone to be respectful and not troll on this thread. I am looking for help and will be open minded about this.
I was born into a muslim household which is not overly religious. I would say we are more cultural muslims. At the age of 12 (I am currently 18) I knew nothing about religion. One day in school a group of muslims talked about the Dajjal and I started researching it. I got really scared! I started researching it and the links with christanity and started praying out of the fear of Allah swt / God. A couple of weeks later I stopped because I was no longer frightened. I didn't pray then for 3 years. I fasted (this wasn't forced upon me, but I thought it would look bad if I didn't). Some of my cousins in Pakistan don't fast. I live in England. In the summer when I was 15 I started falling in love with the religion again. I used to watch many talks, pray etc and did for 2 years. Now when I was 17 I started going through hard times. I started questioning everything I knew and lost confidence in myself. I even lost the will to live. After a long period of trying to better myself I now feel like the person I was before. However I now have serious doubts about Islam and might just leave the religion. Like I mentioned above I will not do so lighly. I will see an Imam, talk to my parents , get a range of opinions etc etc.
Like some of the threads I have read here before I am blessed I have a family who won't kick me out of the house or do anything crazy. It is not like that they pray 5 times. I just don't know if I should leave the religion or not. Here is what I like about the religion and what I dislike.
Hope in Afterlife, a set code to live by liking giving money to poor (zakhat), praying (provides good mediation and cleaning of the the body), Interesting lessons from the Quran. Now here are some of the bad things. It seems incredibly outdated. Women are not treated equally and are treated like second class citizens. They need a mahram and are not considered as smart. They have less value compared to a man even stated in the Quran. Note I am a male and have not read the Quran but I have read about stuff like Dajjal, the stories of the prophets like how moses pbuh even commited murder and then sorted his ways, the escort who gave milk to a cat who was granted heaven etc. I have not read the Quran as it is in Arabic and even If I read it I won't be able to translate it. Why has Allah swt made it so hard and all religions claim they are the true 'one'. How is it possible for the average being to learn hebrew, sanskrit etc and read the books. Religion just seems so flawed.
I am not a troll and will look forward to a good discussion. I will try wrap up this thread up as quick as possible. Please do not troll or flame in this thread and be open minded in these discussion. I look forward to see other view points and I will post more as I don't want this to be too long.
Edit: Thank you for all your contributions I appreciate every single post. Here is another thread made by me this is more to do with studying http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4222494&p=66542936#post66542936. If you could give it a look?
I have made a throwaway account to ask a couple of questions (Will be making more threads). I feel as if I am losing my faith and am now stepping away from Islam. I know the student room isn't the best place to be looking for advice but it would help to get other opinions from this forum, muslim forums, imams, converting/ reverting muslims and people who have left the religion. If you wish to tag anyone in this thread who could be of help please do.
I want everyone to be respectful and not troll on this thread. I am looking for help and will be open minded about this.
I was born into a muslim household which is not overly religious. I would say we are more cultural muslims. At the age of 12 (I am currently 18) I knew nothing about religion. One day in school a group of muslims talked about the Dajjal and I started researching it. I got really scared! I started researching it and the links with christanity and started praying out of the fear of Allah swt / God. A couple of weeks later I stopped because I was no longer frightened. I didn't pray then for 3 years. I fasted (this wasn't forced upon me, but I thought it would look bad if I didn't). Some of my cousins in Pakistan don't fast. I live in England. In the summer when I was 15 I started falling in love with the religion again. I used to watch many talks, pray etc and did for 2 years. Now when I was 17 I started going through hard times. I started questioning everything I knew and lost confidence in myself. I even lost the will to live. After a long period of trying to better myself I now feel like the person I was before. However I now have serious doubts about Islam and might just leave the religion. Like I mentioned above I will not do so lighly. I will see an Imam, talk to my parents , get a range of opinions etc etc.
Like some of the threads I have read here before I am blessed I have a family who won't kick me out of the house or do anything crazy. It is not like that they pray 5 times. I just don't know if I should leave the religion or not. Here is what I like about the religion and what I dislike.
Hope in Afterlife, a set code to live by liking giving money to poor (zakhat), praying (provides good mediation and cleaning of the the body), Interesting lessons from the Quran. Now here are some of the bad things. It seems incredibly outdated. Women are not treated equally and are treated like second class citizens. They need a mahram and are not considered as smart. They have less value compared to a man even stated in the Quran. Note I am a male and have not read the Quran but I have read about stuff like Dajjal, the stories of the prophets like how moses pbuh even commited murder and then sorted his ways, the escort who gave milk to a cat who was granted heaven etc. I have not read the Quran as it is in Arabic and even If I read it I won't be able to translate it. Why has Allah swt made it so hard and all religions claim they are the true 'one'. How is it possible for the average being to learn hebrew, sanskrit etc and read the books. Religion just seems so flawed.
I am not a troll and will look forward to a good discussion. I will try wrap up this thread up as quick as possible. Please do not troll or flame in this thread and be open minded in these discussion. I look forward to see other view points and I will post more as I don't want this to be too long.
Edit: Thank you for all your contributions I appreciate every single post. Here is another thread made by me this is more to do with studying http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4222494&p=66542936#post66542936. If you could give it a look?
As Salamu Alaikum,
You touched on a number of issues there. If there is anything you wish to ask specifically you can message me. As a convert to Islam I may be able to help.
My advice would be seek knolwedge of the religion in scholarly manner. Buy books,attend classes.Whenever I ever had doubts on something I would listen to lectures and buy books on the topic to clear the doubts about it.
(edited 7 years ago)
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