GUIDED TO THE TRUE CREED.
-
peace to all. D
I was born into a regular sunni family in Malaysia..(holler to all Malaysians btw, if there's any)..and as a muslim in this country, I was taught to accept whatever that has been moulded in Islam and questioning them is a big taboo. &
Even as a child, I could see that women?s place in the society is well...degrading... I actually wished that I was born a boy instead....how can I not?
When it comes to comparing men and women, these are what I used to know.
- Men were made better.
- Men can have 4 wives.
- Men can beat their wives.
And there?s also this mindset where if you?re not wearing a veil, you?re basically a bad person. voodoo Just like that.
I found myself drifting along with the rest of typical sunnis, following whatever that has been taught to me. Being out of the country however changed that. I'm currently studying in a university in London and being in a country where the people takes you for who you are, it?s so much easier to be yourself. O0
Topics that used to be taboo are now freely discussed. I came to an understanding that religion is only a card that politicians use to manipulate the people in my country. And later I came to find that the histories (especially those that tell about what happened prior to independence) that I learnt in textbooks are distorted! I was sad for not knowing earlier, angry at those who did this and thanking God for letting me know.
And then, God?s willing, something inside me started asking. What about my faith? For years I've been accepting and never paid much attention to it. So I started looking for confirmations about simple stuff that used to irritate me but had managed to wave them away. It wasn?t long before I found this website. It was January 2008. I spent the whole night reading articles after articles (at 1st on woman rights) and I remember being scared. Scared that this is another man-made doctrine concocted to stray Muslims. Scared that these men and women are nuts or how they could be lost.(SORRY... angel
But above of all, I was scared that I could be wrong this entire 21 years of my life. I remember my first question- what does the Quran say about prayer?-which proved that I had very little knowledge about the Quran. I laughed out loud rotfl when I found out that the supposedly very important event such as Miraj was never mentioned in the Quran.
Questions after questions were answered... they made perfect sense!
I didn?t make a decision right away though, due to the lack of confidence in myself and the meagre amount of knowledge I have on the Quran, I got busy...yada2..but even then I knew, I'm going to take a turn in my life. A big one. yay
The 1st time when I really prayed to God alone was the start of summer. My humble tears rolled down my eyes and I've never felt closer to God.
It felt like I was reborn, but this time, I'm actually glad I was born a girl. sun
Im still in the shadow though. I know that my family loves me unconditionally so I plucked up the courage to tell my brother and my mom....it wasnt easy.
they had the shock of their life but my mom was the best. In the end she said to really dig deep before I decide on anything but what she didn't know is that I'm already in.. But thats good enough for now. As for my friends...we'll see when the summer ends. InshaAllahand to londoners...it would be great to meet up sometime. group
love and peace,
aqidah O0
-
Salaam, Aqidah... and welcome
Your testimony literally brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad to hear that you have found your way!
I am so sad of knowing that so many Muslims are so lost in tradition and that many don't spend very much time reading ALLAH's Word, His Message... the Qur'an!
It is such a blessing to learn of ISLAM and how to be a "proper", "good", and "faithful" Muslim for ALLAH.
I especially became emotional when you said that you felt like you were born again... and especially glad about being born "a girl"! I am so happy for you, that your mind has been freed! I truly thank ALLAH for helping you to escape from that prison that you were in (in the mind).
Continue in your search for the TRUTH through your study of the Qur'an, ALLAH's revelation and guidance to the Straight Path. And it is a beautiful thing that your mother was so understanding and encouraging to you. Prayerfully, she will follow your lead and she too, will become free!
I have no doubt that all of your questions will now be answered. YES, you CAN ask questions... and you will find your answers, STRAIGHT from ALLAH, Himself!
Hold Al-Fatihah very near and dear to your heart, Sis. Remember it... meditate on it... and DO IT... as in SERVE and SEEK ALLAH for your aid in ALL matters! If you SINCERELY trust and BELIEVE, HE will certainly HELP you! You need no other source!
It's a pleasure meeting you... and I hope to hear from you on the forum often.
Peace and blessings to you!
ALLAH knows BEST!!!!
Signing of without my title... Sis, Huruf has it for now! yes BUT, I will have it back REAL soon! yay
-
and I remember being scared. Scared that this is another man-made doctrine concocted to stray Muslims. Scared that these men and women are nuts or how they could be lost.(SORRY... angel)
But above of all, I was scared that I could be wrong this entire 21 years of my life.
Salaam Aqidah,
Your story really touched me! It was my questioning of woman's status due to the way my mother was treated in the Arab world that made me WAKE up! However, it took someone else to question me before I realised how ignorant I was. Then I started reading and reading.
I eventually started questioning everything and realised how blinded I was. (see intorduction, my story)
I quoted the above because that is how many muslims feel when you talk to them and get through to them. It is very difficult to challenge someone who has live his/her life a certain way for 30/40 years as it challenges at their very core! They would feel lost if they let go, and it takes a lot of courage!
So congratulations! God bless.
Meek and me and also new members of this forum in the hope of learning and learning.
(Meek when are you gonna learn how to quote!? P)
Regards
Ramzi
-
peace to all. ;D
thanks for all the support. handshakeI am so sad of knowing that so many Muslims are so lost in tradition and that many don't spend very much time reading ALLAH's Word, His Message... the Qur'an!
well actually, we do read the Quran (alot)....we just dont get it...as in the meaning...
i remember getting an offline msg a long time ago from one of the 'religious' friends that i hv...she sent a hadith which justifies that it is 'ok' to read the Quran w/o understanding the meaning...we'll be rewarded just fine... confusedone of the rituals that really send me the creeps now is where a bunch of people sit in a circle reciting Yaseen and having bottles of water in the middle of the circle.and without knowing the meaning of the Yaseen..we'd read it all night long...
looking from a different perspective now, anyone could have seen us as chanting nonsense while hoping that the water would then be 'upgraded' and consumed during eg. exams
love and peace,
aqidah
Give peace a chance
-
Welcome Aqidah
You'd probably be better off forever searching and making small strides than sitting blind in a horribly disgraceful home. I think books are meant to convey ideas not to be dead things. But even the dead have something to offer us and this world.
Joe
-
I forgot to say, for fellow londoners, check out quranconnection.com
-
Peace,
Respectfully.welcome to the forum, dear sister and may The Exalted God help you, bless you, protect you from all evil and guide you to Paradise. I hope you will enjoy your stay on the forum, i'm looking forward talking to you.
Have you read thishttp//submission.org/women/
May The Exalted God AllPowerful, The Most Merciful bless you.
Glory be to our God, The Forgiver.
Peace. jedi -
Salaam and welcome
When it comes to comparing men and women, these are what I used to know.
- Men were made better.
- Men can have 4 wives.
- Men can beat their wives.
I thought I should let you know that number 2 and 3 are rooted in the Quran. Before anyone attacks me for saying this I am aware that some hadith rejectors don't agree with the translations that suggest this, but it was a particular understanding of the Quran rather than hadiths that led to the belief in number 2 and 3.
-
Peace "Bubbles",
Salaam and welcome
I thought I should let you know that number 2 and 3 are rooted in the Quran. Before anyone attacks me for saying this I am aware that some hadith rejectors don't agree with the translations that suggest this, but it was a particular understanding of the Quran rather than hadiths that led to the belief in number 2 and 3.
JK- Whether you follow other hadith besides Quran OR you use hadith literature to interpret the Quran, which here has obviously been the case, distaters are bound to happen. "muslims" never cared to cross reference the Quran and see what the verse in question 434 really means. hers an article where this has been done
http//www.yuksel.org/e/religion/unorthodox.htm#BEATING
GOD Bless! -
When it comes to comparing men and women, these are what I used to know.
- Men were made better.
- Men can have 4 wives.
- Men can beat their wives.
Peace,
Respectfully.Their Lord responded to them "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female - you are equal to one another. Thus, those who immigrate, and get evicted from their homes, and are persecuted because of Me, and fight and get killed, I will surely remit their sins and admit them into gardens with flowing streams." Such is the reward from GOD. GOD possesses the ultimate reward.
1.The Muslim woman has the same right as the Muslim man in all matters including divorce.Quran 3195
-
She enjoys property and inheritance rights. (Which other religion grants women these rights?). She can also conduct her own separate business.Quran 47
-
She can marry any Muslim of her choice. If her parents choose a partner for her, her consent must be taken. Quran 424-25
-
The dowry in Islam is a gift from a husband to his wife .Quran 44
-
A Muslim widow is allowed to remarry, and her remarriage is the responsibility of the Muslim society. Quran 2234
6.Mixed marriage is encouraged and is a mean to prevent racism creeping in society.Quran 425
-
A Muslim mother (and father) is given the highest form of respect. Quran 1723
-
Marriage is between consenting adults. Since marriage is a more significant institution than a financial one which needs maturity, see 46. Maturity and understanding is required for marriage as much.
9.God teaches clearly in the Quran "...do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me (God) instead...." Quran 544, 918
When it comes to having four wives, we can't just marry the first four virgins we see in the nieghborhood. The Quran is very clear whom to marry and gives a clue why.
If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers - you may marry two, three, or four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship.
From 43 it is seen, God willing, that we are to marry 2 or 3 or 4 widows in order to take care of the orphan children, which means that if there are 2 or 3 or 4 widows in your area, it must means only one thing a devastating war has happened and most man are dead so the goal of such a marriage, to marry so many widows, is to repopulate the Earth and not for sexual pleasure.
A man can't beat his wife and let's leave it at that.
Let's see what The Exalted God The Most Just, The Most Wise says434 "The men are to support the women by what God has gifted them over one another and for what they spend of their money. The upright women who are attentive, and keep private the personal matters for what God keeps watch over. As for those women from whom you fear a desertion, then you shall 1) advise them, and 2) abandon them in the bedchamber, and 3) "Idribuhun" let them go forth; if they obey you, then do not seek a way over them; God is High, Great."
As one can see, God willing, the first appraoch is psychological. The next is desertion from the bed and finally seperation. But as one knows, AlhamdilAllah, no one wants to be abandoned in bed, so the couple will return to step one - to the table and discuss it and solution is reached, InshaAllah.
Glory be to our God.
Peace.
