Ask....
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aly-sam
your journey sounds very much like my own... and like you i find it easier talking to non-muslims than muslims, yet i feel a great closeness to my muslim brothers and sisters.
may God guide you and bless you with understanding, aly. we are all talibs here.
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Salaam Brothers and Sisters
I too find myself in the same boat as many of you. Frustrated because I found the truth (which I need to build on). I want to share it with everyone I meet especially my closest friends and family. I came close to making enemies, I managed to get some to look into my claims, but for the most part I found myself arguing with everyone.
My 5 cent worth to anyone is, approach the subject carefully. Study the Quran, remember references, build on your knowledge. If you really want someone to listen to you try approaching them subtly with questions like.. Have you ever wondered why..... , I came across something that made a lot of sense.... give them some "entry level" articles if you can. Appeal to their common sense. One step at a time. For reading Quran without the shades of Hadith is the best thing to do.
I found the most difficult part for me was not having someone to talk to, some of my close friends I approached with this are still trying to save me from Jahannam. I've had everything from "You've got the Jinn in you" to "These people are trying weaken your iman".
I am fortunate in that there are a group of people within my community who try to follow Quran alone and setup weekly gatherings. There is still a general reluctance to step out completely and establish and follow rules based on Quran Alone. One step at a time I guess. People generally fear being ostracized, some passionate sunnis will even try to kill you.
Using tact here is the best way to get to people
May Allah guide us all
Namnoc
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aly-sam
your journey sounds very much like my own... and like you i find it easier talking to non-muslims than muslims, yet i feel a great closeness to my muslim brothers and sisters.
may God guide you and bless you with understanding, aly. we are all talibs here.
aly-sam,
i agree with you about it sometimes being easier to explain myself to non-muslims, and this really upsets me. but this forum has been a blessing.
I thought I could talk to non-muslims as my background was non-muslim...but I realise that a muslim who was been exposed to a certain way of thinking all their lives will definetly find it harder to accept a different way of thinking.
All this time, being from a Shia household, I was taught to give so much importance to Imam Ali (and his famliy) that to me the prophet and sometimes even god was a hazy by-stander.
It has now got me thinking that perhaps other religions like Hinduism/Egyptianism (?) etc started off in this way...the Ultimate God slowly faded away in the background as the representatives/messengers of God gained importance and also people started personifying Gods attributes...ie the protector, the merciful, the provider...people started making up stories for some of these and linked charachters to these attributes of god etc and see how their "religions" evolved.
Its really got me thinking...that we are not so different from each other...no matter how people try and make all sorts of distinctions.
Finally, I would like to say that I think was a better "muslim" before I converted to "Islam"....if that makes any sense to any of you -)
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Ali- i think you are right.
many Hindus i have talked to say that the many "gods" are really ways that people illustrate different attributes of the One God.
i think that trying to understand God is something that is sewn into our being. others would say "hardwired", but i prefer the embroidery imagery. )
Aly, something i keep thinking about also is the Quran continually urging us to turn to One God, to pray, to be just, and to turn away from what is evil. i think the true message of Islam is more universal than many traditional Muslims might think...
Finally, I would like to say that I think was a better "muslim" before I converted to "Islam"...
yes, that makes sense! i couldn't explain how very well, but it makes sense to me.
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Welcome namnoc and Aly-sam I hope you enjoy being here..
Peace David
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Ali- i think you are right.
many Hindus i have talked to say that the many "gods" are really ways that people illustrate different attributes of the One God.
i think that trying to understand God is something that is sewn into our being. others would say "hardwired", but i prefer the embroidery imagery.
Aly, something i keep thinking about also is the Quran continually urging us to turn to One God, to pray, to be just, and to turn away from what is evil. i think the true message of Islam is more universal than many traditional Muslims might think...
yes, that makes sense! i couldn't explain how very well, but it makes sense to me.
Interesting topic. Here's a couple of blurbs on Monotheistic practices rooted in Hinduism and influenced by Islam, especially Sufism ...
In Punjab ...
Sikhism(IPA (help?info) or (info); Punjabi , sikkh, IPA is a religion that began in fifteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus. This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally the counsel of the gurus) or the Sikh Dharma. Sikhism comes from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root iya meaning "disciple" or "learner", or ika meaning "instruction." Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world, and is generally considered the fifth largest organized religion, depending on how one defines an "organized religion"...
Philosophy and teachings
Sikh religious philosophy has roots in the religious traditions of northern India. The Sant Mat traditions are fundamental to the teachings of Sikhism's founder, Nanak. Especially important to the connection with Sikhism were the teachings of some of the saints such as Ravidas and Kabir. Sikhism is also inspired by the emphasis on devotion to God in the traditions of Vaishnavism, especially through the Bhakti movement, as well as influences of Sufism. However, Nanak's teachings diverge significantly from Vaishnavism in their rejection of idol worship, the doctrine of divine incarnations and a strict emphasis on inward devotion; Sikhism is professed to be a more difficult personal pursuit than Bhakti. The evolution of Nanak's thoughts on the basis of his own experiences and study have also given Sikhism a distinctly unique feature.
Scholars have presented Sikhism as a distinct faith. Some scholars have presented it as a syncretic religion which combines some elements of Hinduism and Islam. Sikhs maintain that their religion was directly inspired by God, and many of them consider the notion that Sikhism is a syncretic religion to be offensive.
Sikhism primary beliefs and principles
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One God - There is only one God who has infinite qualities and names Pantheism. S/He is the same for all religions. God is Creator and Sustainer - all that you see around you is His creation. S/He is everywhere, in everything. S/He is fearless and with no enemies. Only God is without birth or death and S/He has and will exist forever.
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Reincarnation, karma and salvation ? Every creature has a soul. On death, the soul is passed from one body to another until liberation. The journey of the soul is governed by the deeds and actions that we perform during our lives.
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Remember God Love God, but have fear of Him as well. Only by keeping the Creator in your mind at all times will you make progress in your spiritual evolution.
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Humanity (brotherhood) All human beings are equal. We are sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty.
Uphold moral values Defend, protect and fight for the rights of all creatures, in particular your fellow human beings. -
Personal sacrifice Be prepared to give your life for all supreme principles. See the life of Guru Teg Bahadur.
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Many paths lead to God ? Sikhs are not special; they are not the chosen people of God. Simply calling yourself a Sikh does not bring you salvation. Christian, Hindus, Muslim, Jews, etc. have the same right to liberty as a Sikh.
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Positive attitude toward life "Chardi Kala" ? Always have a positive, optimistic and buoyant view of life. God is there ? He will be your help.
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Disciplined life Upon baptism, a Sikh must wear the 5Ks and perform strict recital of the five prayers Banis, etc.
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No special worship days Sikhs do not believe that any particular day is holier than any other.
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Conquer the five thieves It is every Sikh's duty to defeat these five thieves Pride (a?Hankar), Anger (Kr?odh), Greed (Lob?H), Attachment (Mo?H), and Lust (K?haam). Known collectively as P.A.G.A.L.
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Attack with Five Weapons Contentment (Santokh), Charity (Dan), Kindness (Daya ), Positive Energy (Chardi Kala), Humility (Nimarta).
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh_religious_philosophyAnd also in my neck of the Subcontinental woods, Bengal ...
Brahmo Samaj (Bengali Bramho Sh?maj) is a social movement which culminated in the Brahmo religion. It was conceived as reformation of the prevailing Bengal of the time and began the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century.
Meaning of name
"Brahmo Samaj" literally means the society of worshippers of the 'One True God'. Brahmo ( bramho) means one who worships Brahman, or the supreme spirit of the universe existing within one's self, and Samaj ( sh?maj) means community of people united.
Doctrine
The fundamental principles of the Brahmo Samaj are that
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There is only one God, the creator and sustainer of the world, who is infinite in power, wisdom, love and holiness.
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The human soul is immortal, capable of eternal progress, and responsible to God for its doings.
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No created object (including Human being) is to be worshipped as God. God manifests himself directly to the human soul, and no prophets or scriptures are mediators between God and the soul.
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There is only one way to salvation and that is by worshipful deeds.
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Neither Vedas, nor any other scriptures are infallible. All religious teachers and books are to be honored but not venerated.
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All human beings are equal before God. Thus there is no division based upon caste, colour, race or sex.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmo_Samaj
Peace ...
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Peace all,
welcome all new forum members !
- I believe in One God
- I do not worship idols
- I do not associate partners with God
- I believe the Quran was sent down with rules and laws for the betterment of humankind. (these laws have always in existence)
- I believe the Prophet Mohamed was sent to convey those rules and laws through the Quran.
I would add the following
- I am a peacemaker
- I do good deeds
May The God guide us all to the truth and the straight path.
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Peace brother Zein,
Thank you for the re-welcome ! Just the usual worldy tribulations, that all of us have to go through, keeps us away sometimes ! I pray to the Almighty to give us the strength to face these experiences that test our endurance, patience, and faith, and to help us learn and grow stronger from them.
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Peace bro DArgento,
Thank you for the welcome !
Hope you and your family are doing well. May The God reward you and all muslims for their positive contributions to this forum. It is good to see an influx of so many new members on this forum. It is a healthy indicator of the true message of islam gaining momentum. May The God help us establish islamic community according to His message.
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Interesting topic. Here's a couple of blurbs on Monotheistic practices rooted in Hinduism and influenced by Islam, especially Sufism ...
In Punjab ...
And also in my neck of the Subcontinental woods, Bengal ...
Peace ...
Thank you Sohel for that information. Its very interesting.