New on this journey...
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Hi everyone,
Forgive me if I'm posting on the wrong board, but this one seemed the most appropriate. I have been reading the information on this site and others for about the past year on and off, but I have really gotten into it within the past few weeks. I converted about 10 years ago, and its funny because I thought that my spiritual 'journey' ended there. Well, as a Muslim convert, I was always seeking to learn more about the overall religion, but it never really occurred to me that one day I might be seriously questioning my faith again, like I did when I wasn't Muslim. In my mind I had always been so critical of people (particularly Christians) who followed faith blindly without really exploring the belief systems, and now it seems that over the past years I have fallen into the same trap. So much of what you are saying makes a lot of sense to me, and even though I feel its right, it is so hard to abandon what I have learned. (Amazing how Allah makes you face the things that you are most critical about in other people!) I have always believed in Islam in the spiritual sense and not the ritualistic sense, but it seems like so many Muslims are really into the rituals and less into the spirit of the actual religion.
I'm not really sure what I'm asking for...I guess I just want to know if other people have had this experience of wanting to learn more but being a little scared to turn away from what you were previously taught? Thanks. Peace.
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Peace and welcome Jippy!
I think a lot of peole are afraid of learning something that goes against what they've been previously taught; it's human nature. But only a few, truly sincere ones like yourself will overcome that bit of fear.
Good luck in your journey and I hope to see more posts from you! )
Peace
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Welcome Jippy. peace
I'm sure many of the people here have experienced the exact same thing you speak of. I know I have. It is scary at first, but just try to embrace it. You sound like an open-minded person, which is great. Ask God for guidance and it will be given to you. If your journey is anything like mine, that fear will soon turn into a thrilling feeling of self-discovery and awareness. Change is hard, but can also be very good.
Peace.
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Peace and welcome!
I think a lot of people here will know what you're talking about to some degree. When I was a sunni I often heard and repeated to myself and others how 'lucky I am to be born into the right religion'. Of course at that point I never thought how ridiculous that sounded, especially since I had never given any other religious ideas serious thought. Now I'm traveling down this road of God alone I realise how important it is to sincerely question what you've been taught, no matter how difficult that is. Purely for your own benefit and piece of mind. There have been a few times I wanted to run back to my old beliefs because I felt lonely and lost, but I can only keep praying to God to give me guidance and show me the straight path. It's all a journey! peace
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Greetings Jippy,
If you were to take your post from above and replace '10' with '18' you will have my story as well. I've been 'here' now for about a year and a half, and I feel so much better, so much more at peace again.
I hope you enjoy your time with us!
Be well and may you always walk in the light... sun
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Peace Jippy and welcome to the board )
The 'being scared' that you talk about, happens to most people. Infact the more you've learnt or practiced your religion, the harder it is to change to something else. Religion is a powerful thing. Traditions are instilled from a young age, even questioning becomes a problem. So it is understandable to move cautiously, in fact it is quite an act of courage more than fear, I think.
For me, it happened a little differently... when I found out about what islam really is, I got excited about it and went through smoothly and quickly. Maybe that's just because I had doubts and unanswered questions and was searching for many years before that.
Everyone's journey maybe be a bit different, but in the end, it's what you 'do' with your findings that matters the most.
peace
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I have always believed in Islam in the spiritual sense and not the ritualistic sense, but it seems like so many Muslims are really into the rituals and less into the spirit of the actual religion.
Many Muslim criminals in prison still maintain their fasting ritual during ramadhan and avoid the consumption of pork. As if those things are more important than the crimes they already committed such as murder or theft which is completely forbidden in Al Quran.
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Peace Jippy, All
Welcome to the forums and I hope you learn much from all these wonderful people.
Many Muslim criminals in prison still maintain their fasting ritual during ramadhan and avoid the consumption of pork. As if those things are more important than the crimes they already committed such as murder or theft which is completely forbidden in Al Quran.
I find that quite funny (ironic), but its true. About the ramadan, how exactly are they able to eat? Do they have special privaleges that let them eat later on in the day? Also, are most Muslims in prison NOI?
Peace
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Salaams everyone, I appreciate all the welcomes and encouragement! Thank you!
Also, are most Muslims in prison NOI?
I don't know if they have special privileges, but I do know that there are many Muslims in prison that are Sunni and not only NOI. I hear what you are saying about the fasting though, although part of me feels that if they feel they are doing the right thing and trying to please Allah, well more power to them.
Many Muslim criminals in prison still maintain their fasting ritual during ramadhan and avoid the consumption of pork.
This is funny because my friends and I joke about this all the time...many Muslims we know will drink, smoke, do drugs, sleep around, lie, cheat and steal (ok I'm exaggerating for effect but you get the point) but they will NOT eat pork! It's like the last thing they are holding onto, lol. Its almost like Muslims can do anything else, but if someone were to order a ham sandwich its like they've REALLY abandoned the religion. Funny the little rules people make up.
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Jippy
"I have always believed in Islam in the spiritual sense and not the ritualistic sense, but it seems like so many Muslims are really into the rituals and less into the spirit of the actual religion."
this sounds very much like me....
there is a facebook group that i was able to stumble on called "progressive muslim alliance", and something that grabbed me from their "mission statement" was this
We affirm that a Muslim is anyone who identifies herself or himself as "Muslim," including those whose identification is based on social commitments and cultural heritage.
and
Recognizing our participation in the broader human family, we seek to engage with and contribute to other philosophical and spiritual traditions and progressive movements.
i feel that to be a person of faith is also to doubt and to struggle. even to question the most basic tenants of one's faith. something that has drawn me to Islam is recognizing that my heart was longing after God above all else, and recognizing within Islam language and practice that responded to that. and what the Quran says again and again, more than anything else, is to consider the signs of God's existence, to pray, to remember God, and to seek.
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