Introduce Yourself

Salaam Alaykum, Thanks for all the kind words of welcome brothers and sisters. Ahlan feek. Brother Matinbhagat, If you want to live as a shepherd in the desert in Jordan I would suggest you go to Rum Village and meet some of my brothers there. Of course there are many other places in the world where you can live as a herder nowadays, (contrary to the opinions of some people I have talked to) but if you are keen on southern Jordan, I have lots of brothers there that I am very close with, my brother Salem has access to the internet and we send emails back and forth now and then so I could write to him on your behalf. It's a beautiful life; herding and wandering free in the desert, leading the goats to pasture and water, sleeping out under the stars every night with the open fire, boiling the tea and watching the canopy of shooting stars, milky way, and bright moon lighting up the long warm desert nights. The freedom of the life certainly makes one feel so very alive and from the Bedouin I received such a level of respect and honesty that it made me realize that there is reason to have faith in human beings and that there are others out there who share the same human values I consider important and necessary. There is not one day that goes by that I am not eager to be back in the desert, remembering the antics of my goats and donkeys, collecting water from the mountain springs, riding the camel in the moonlight, the feasts and laughter and joy shared with my brothers, the lessons learned in subsisting on simple fare and being thankful for the opportunity to be able to live according to one?s inclinations and praise God in a beautiful land. The gratitude felt when you quench your thirst on a hot afternoon when the sand burns the soles of bare feet, after you have climbed a mountain and gaze upon the fresh water spring. The realization that at this moment you could not be more thankful for anything else than the life-giving water from God, and all the gifts of life that God provides for you. In the desert there is such directness with all aspects of life; with what you eat, drink, how you sleep, with who you are and how you interact with the earth and other people and how you should live your life according to what you feel is right and in accordance with God?s commandments. When one spends enough time in solitude in the desert(or other wildlands), there are no barriers, no distractions that one can use to escape from dealing with their underlying issues and one is forced to confront themselves and their problems and desires, and at this point one either leaves the desert to seek refuge in busyness and social distraction or they persist on, endure and walk forward with patience; learning, listening and being open to what God wants to teach them. The prophets were led out in the desert to spend months in solitude for a reason, I think it was probably because in order to be able to carry out God?s commandments for their lives they had to confront themselves and work through their own worldly desires, receive guidance and come back full circle to their purpose in life and be strong and steadfast therein. In order to achieve this they needed to be away from human habitations which offered relief through social discourse, in order that they find no relief and guidance except through God alone. One need not be a prophet to be able spend a little time in solitude in wildlands and learn what God has to teach them. I do believe God works in mysterious ways, and that there are many mediums and methods through which he spreads his message and guides his people. This is one such way in which to receive that message and guidance which will help keep one steady on the right path that God has chosen for them. I feel that small-scale nomadic goat/camel herding (and hunting/gathering) is a beneficial way of life in both personal, economic, social and spiritual aspects so I definitely encourage you to follow your path and may God help you in this and provide guidance and support for you on your journey brother. I am not entirely sure what you mean by "loopholes" could you explain ? I am sure you could bring your dog (but not 100 percent sure as I haven't looked into it before) so long as she/he has shots and papers to go along with them. Most of the Bedouin herders use one or two dogs for herding their goats and sheep.

IMHO, the basic point is the value system. NB A value system refers to how an individual or a group of individuals organize their ethical or ideological values. A well-defined value system is a moral code. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_system Yup agree, al Quran is called as miqdarul haq (standard of thruth). It deals wil value Iman is to believe in God's value system ; a value system that does not come from the society, but from something outside God ; a value system in which social promotion is not the goal of life ; a value system in which the ultimate reward is in the hereafter . Not agree, it must be a value system while living in the world not there after. It is a social value system not personal value system. Iman should not be an opinion about the existence of something ; iman is the real conviction that God will, in the hereafter, requite us for our deeds. When our belief is that the rewards are to be seek for in the hereafter, and not in earthly life ; there can be a shift in our concepts of "right" and "wrong". When we expect rewards only in the earthly life, the "right" is that serve our interests. But when we expect rewards only in the hereafter, the "right" is what serve the interests of humankind. IMHO, the basic message of God is "Act for humankind, not only your you, and you will be rewarded for that in the hereafter". A reward is the kingdom of Allah as a gift from Him since men a strugling for establishment Allah's deen in the world. Withouth taking oath and deed with Allah and His Rasul, iman means nothing. Shirk is to believe in a false value system. As an example, believing that killing female children is a good deed is shirk. And taking one's value system from any political or religious ideology designed to serve the interests of some group of people (and not humankind) is shirk. Shirk is making rival dor Allah's law (QS.5/44-4 Shirk is living divided into parties and groups (QS.30/31-32). Shirk is making 8 pleasures more preferences than surender to Allah (QS.3/14). Kufr is to know what the right value system is, while refusing to live by it. I suggest you to read the quran with these definitions in mind. I am sure you will see it become clearer. Kufur is men declares to refuse Allah's law to be applicable for men's life.

While I don't have a copy of the Qur'an in book format, I have two translations in (e-book) format which I read from my handheld PC. I have The Message which I downloaded recently, and a translation from the Iranian Virtual Library (irvl.net), which I have had since mid-March. The translation of irvl is the one of Shakir. If you are interested, you can find other translations here http//www.studyquran.org/EnglishTranslations.htm Peace

Selam brothers and sisters I am Nermin, a 17 years old Bosnian from Sarajevo. Currently I live in Italy, and since my family is not religous, I had to come to Islam alone. Unfortunately I would always have those people that would bring in hadeeths to show some sick things the Prophet supposedly did, so that unfortunately would bring my fate down. So I was wondering how can it be... when I found the site submission.org which pretty much says what is said here about hadiths. And I completely agreed with everything. So, selam brothers and sisters,I hope I'll enjoy my stay As salamu alaykum. Respectfully. Yes, Submission.org .... that's what i've been reading. It's the best site ever. You should also check this site www.quran-islam.org Trust me. I live in Slovenia, Ljubljana. As salamu alaykum.

Peace iso, If you stand by the river and fill 2 glass of water from it, same place & same time, the mineral contents will be different. Correct. This is why any legitimate experiment would probably not include the use of river water. Peace, Tay

peace lisa and imran thank u for ur replies i think every believer would agree with these words, and day after day, they turned to be not only beautiful words and meditation but a law. 238 We said "Descend from it all of you, so when the guidance comes from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve." salam

now I know that Islam is not an "Arabic thing", it's a way of life. Thank God. If you want to find God (by using common sense and prayer), then God will find you peace stoked_youth welcome u can speak for me bro... i agree with u, evenmore in many things arabs has betrayed islam just watch them fighting each other... they forgot what is islam.. they forgot what the coran says.. salam

Peace and welcome..... Enjoy the rollercoaster............

thank you ah yes, rollercoaster peace sis goldust sun

Salaam to all, but this is what I do because I feel that it is right for me. May Allah help me so that I just follow what "HE" feels is right for me, and not what "I" feel right for me. What do you say about Rukoo, Sajdah, Qiyam mentioned in quran? VE

Did i ever say it wasn't?

Salam, hehe then I am not old with my 33 years of age, I'm so damn childish Maria

Salam Open mind, You have been led to the truth at a very young age.But do be careful about people on what you take as fact in these forums.My best advice to you would be to hear different perspectives,but read the quran a lot to gain knowledge.Take care and salam. Your brother in Islam, Jai

welcome to the forum, MAsadi . ) salam.

salaam dark, Just like you do, I'm moslem by birth. And yeah, we have a little commonality of having parents with similar approach when it comes to religion. However, that doesn't mean we have to follow all of their words in our search for the truth. To my opinion, it's even might be wrong to do so. You don't have to be afraid of anything so long as you've done your best and follow your heart. Mind you, that we've been given a not so clear guide within ourself, our heart. Just follow what it says, of course judge it with your logic too whenever it makes you doubt about something. In my opinion, we would only obtain the so-called "peace" when our logic/mind, our heart, and what we do are leading to the same direction. We don't need to be afraid. My experiences have taught me that the more you struggle you find the truth in Islam, the more you will feel "peace" and close to God, no matter how hard the problem you face. Moreover, oddly enough, those "peace" comes when I face ever stronger obstacles. I don't know why. just my two cent -- half-way around the globe, sleepless coding and number crunching ;D greetz, Pinczakko

Dear tanveer, I am glad to know things I've said are not something new (believe me, I'm not an innovator in any case). Be a muslim rather than be a Muslim, huh? That's a good thought. Thank you for sharing.

peace you must've forgotten these verses Say, "I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of GOD. Nor do I know the future. Nor do I say to you that I am an angel. I simply follow what is revealed to me." Say, "Is the blind the same as the seer? Do you not reflect?" Say, "I have no power to benefit myself, or harm myself. Only what GOD wills happens to me. If I knew the future, I would have increased my wealth, and no harm would have afflicted me. I am no more than a warner, and a bearer of good news for those who believe." Another words Muhammad did not know the future !

Posted Mon Feb 14, 2005 1141 pm Salam Fahad, Thank you for sharing your story. Mashallah you are right on track (Sirat-ul-Mustaqim) . I live in California and I was in Lahore about a month ago. It was a big time religion courrption everywhere in pakistan. Mosques over there sings and Praise Muhmmad. It makes me wonder What is a really diffrence between a Sunni Version of Islam or a christian doctrine? They both idolize their prophets by singinng and praising in their temple. On Friday prayer over there, Whole kutba by the Iman (specialize in Hadiths and so called our 'Ulama' ) was about what kind of Goat/sheep/cow muslim should used for bakara-Eid celebration. How many teeth? how old the animal should be. what color? He picked and choose all kind of Hadiths to support his point and pick all kind of punishments supported by Haidth literature. He Did not mention one sinlge statement from Quran to justify his view. Now we all know the story of the cow/Heifer in sura bukra. (26774) how Jews made a simple order to a complex one by asking above mention quetions. hmm and look what our Haidth so called 'scholars' doing? Our Mosques should a place of full-fulling the commandent of Salah and our Imams should try to solve current muslim issues and as Umma whole. But Alas as long as they will hold those baseless Hadiths other than the Best Hadith (Quran). They will be the looser in this world and world hereafter. May Allah give them true guidance. I am very impressed with Allama G.A Pervaiz books on Quran both in Urdu and English. He has written a good amount of stuff on Quran alone rejecting Hadith worshipper thoughts and showing them their dark faces and exposing their belief. From his writing I finally understand what is difference between Deen of Quran and Religion (Mhadham) of Hadith's holders. you can check following links some of his books. http//www.tolueislam.com/ Again thanks for sharing your story Peace Kashif Posted Mon Mar 20, 2006 910 pm salam Kashif. ops i m sorry that i didnt read your reply before . i m replying very late , but thank u for your kind words . ) i have read Pervaiz's book "Muqaam e Hadiths" . it is very good . i will sure try to read his other works as well . thanks and salam.

Babysheep~ I accidently stumbled on to this site, I read few things I didnt agree with, so I decided to join. D Coincidentally, most of the members here found this site by 'stumbling' too. Again, welcome. I hope I am not offending anyone. oops Not at all. I hope you will stay on and perhaps challenge me and others to discuss and debate in a way that is beneficial. Agree or disagree, just be aware of the Forum Rules and you should be fine. Peace be with you.

my point exactly. JazakAllahkhairun bro.