Looking for answers, and some help!

aynur

Hello,
I have found this site and have read a copy of The Message and I am really taken by the whole thing. I really feel truth and everything flowing from it. Here's my problem I am married with kids, and we are Jewish. My wife and family would KILL me (probably not literally) if they knew how I felt about the Quran and these things. What do I do? How can I reconcile my life and my G-d? Like, how should I pray now? Do I continue in Hebrew? Can I believe these things and pray and read the Quran yet worship in synagogue with my family? I feel really stuck and and I'm not sure who to turn to or assistance, besides G-d. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

welcome

I don't see a problem with praying in Hebrew.

Like Wakas said
You may be Jewish, but you are actually in the same boat as most of us, i.e. we have rejected or reduced the Traditional Muslim influences/practices in our lives, contrary to what our friends and family may do/think.

for me that's the case ... everyone else in my immediate in-law family are Traditional Muslims. It's hard, because I can see things so clearly but they're bogged down with "you need to listen to this person, they're a scholar" or if I question something they think I'm crazy.
What I do when I pray is omit anything that mentions a prophet or anything other than G-d. That is not what Traditional Muslims do, and it's not even something that others would hear me do since I'm normally alone when I'm praying.

Layth

Peace,

Welcome to the path...

My suggestion is to keep your faith private until you feel more comfortable about bringing it out in the open. Changing the path you were raised on or your community follow is a heavy burden, and likely one that will allienate you and cause you hardship from your current suuroundings.

midafrasa

Thanks for all of the welcomes and helpful messages. ;D
So what you're saying is that I can continue with praying as the Hebrew Siddur (prayerbook) says, and that is okay? Doesn't the Quran say I should pray at night and in the morning? How do you do that? Like, what are you supposed to say? Whatever comes to mind, or specific verses? I know "traditional" Islamic praying involves supplication and movements. Am I supposed to do that too?

MUNZIR_ALI

Thanks for all of the welcomes and helpful messages. ;D
So what you're saying is that I can continue with praying as the Hebrew Siddur (prayerbook) says, and that is okay? Doesn't the Quran say I should pray at night and in the morning? How do you do that? Like, what are you supposed to say? Whatever comes to mind, or specific verses? I know "traditional" Islamic praying involves supplication and movements. Am I supposed to do that too?

You might find these verses interesting.

Not all of them are alike Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right) They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration.
Those who are near to thy Lord, disdain not to do Him worship They celebrate His praises, and bow down before Him.
But celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration.

Muhammad - the messenger of GOD - and those with him are harsh and stern against the disbelievers, but kind and compassionate amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, as they seek GOD's blessings and approval. Their marks are on their faces, because of prostrating. This is the same example as in the Torah. Their example in the Gospel is like plants that grow taller and stronger, and please the farmers. He thus enrages the disbelievers. GOD promises those among them who believe, and lead a righteous life, forgiveness and a great recompense.

Layth

Salam,

So what you're saying is that I can continue with praying as the Hebrew Siddur (prayerbook) says, and that is okay? Doesn't the Quran say I should pray at night and in the morning? How do you do that? Like, what are you supposed to say? Whatever comes to mind, or specific verses? I know "traditional" Islamic praying involves supplication and movements. Am I supposed to do that too?

You can pray to God as and when you please (there are no restrictions on prayer). The matter you refer to in Islam is "Salat" which is to link/connect/bond. This act has form/times/rules and is not to be mixed with prayer (if you know Jewish law, it is like the 'tent of meeting' that Abraham set-up to link/connect/bond with God at dawn and dusk).

No longer a Sunna-rejecter

welcome midafrasa,

Hello,
I have found this site and have read a copy of The Message and I am really taken by the whole thing. I really feel truth and everything flowing from it. Here's my problem I am married with kids, and we are Jewish. My wife and family would KILL me (probably not literally) if they knew how I felt about the Quran and these things. What do I do? How can I reconcile my life and my G-d? Like, how should I pray now? Do I continue in Hebrew? Can I believe these things and pray and read the Quran yet worship in synagogue with my family? I feel really stuck and and I'm not sure who to turn to or assistance, besides G-d. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

4144 Had We made it a non-Arabic recitation, they would have said, "If only its signs were made clear!" Non-Arabic and Arabic, say, "For those who acknowledge, it is a guide and healing. As for those who reject, there is deafness in their ears, and they are blind to it. These will be called from a place far away."

Study the Quran as much as you can. Get more familiar with its teachings, concepts, etc. Once you feel confident enough, you can introduce your family to it and they can study it for themselves.

482 Do they not reflect on the Quran? If it were from any other than God they would have found many contradictions in it.

4724 Do they not reflect on the Quran, or are there locks on their hearts?

565 If the people of the book only would have acknowledged and been aware, We would have cancelled for them their sins and admitted them to gardens of paradise.

937 He found you lost, and He guided you?
938 He found you in need, so He gave you riches?

9311 You shall proclaim the blessings from your Lord.

Thanks for all of the welcomes and helpful messages. ;D
So what you're saying is that I can continue with praying as the Hebrew Siddur (prayerbook) says, and that is okay? Doesn't the Quran say I should pray at night and in the morning? How do you do that? Like, what are you supposed to say? Whatever comes to mind, or specific verses? I know "traditional" Islamic praying involves supplication and movements. Am I supposed to do that too?

Just read from the Quran and praise, glorify, remember and submit to God, etc.

984 Those who had previously received the book did not divide except after the proof came to them.

985 They were not commanded except to serve God and be loyal to His system, monotheism, and hold the bond (salat) and contribute towards betterment. Such is the valuable system.

2945 Recite what is inspired to you of the book, and hold the bond; for the bond prohibits evil and vice, and the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do.

2946 Do not argue with the people of the book except in the best manner; except for those who are wicked amongst them; and say, "We acknowledge what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is the same; to Him we peacefully surrender."

1778 You shall hold the bond at the setting of the sun, until the darkness of the night; and the recitation at dawn. Surely, the recitation at dawn is witnessed.

1779 From the night you shall reflect upon it additionally for yourself, perhaps your Lord would grant you to a praiseworthy rank.

For more info on salat, see
http//mypercept.co.uk/slw.htm
http//www.free-minds.org/salat

Peace

midafrasa

Thank you!
I just feel so pulled in so many directions. I don't want to deny truth, but I don't want to upset my wife or my daughter or our friends and my work and my Torah study partner. I am afraid that I'm betraying everyone who cares about me, and that I am stuck because of my life, like I can't change anything and if I do I will lose it all. I don't know...I appreciate everyone's advice and pointing things out.

anthonywallace

Peace,

Preach the need for change, but let us not try to reform too much at once. peace

Edip_Yuksel

Hello,
I have found this site and have read a copy of The Message and I am really taken by the whole thing. I really feel truth and everything flowing from it. Here's my problem I am married with kids, and we are Jewish. My wife and family would KILL me (probably not literally) if they knew how I felt about the Quran and these things. What do I do? How can I reconcile my life and my G-d? Like, how should I pray now? Do I continue in Hebrew? Can I believe these things and pray and read the Quran yet worship in synagogue with my family? I feel really stuck and and I'm not sure who to turn to or assistance, besides G-d. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Dear Midafrasa

Stay as a Jewish muslim (peacemaker, and peacefully surrendering to God) my friend. I have several Jewish friends who have accepted the uniting message of monotheism, after reading Quran a Reformist Translation and Manifesto for Islamic Reform. Some, gave up their Jewish culture but others kept it. I am in contact with several Jewish Muslim rabis. If you wish to get in touch with them, please feel free to send me an email.

Shalom,
Edip

midafrasa

Edip, I would be very interested in hearing more from/about Jewish Muslim rabbis, or other Jews who accepted the Quran and kept their culture. This sounds like a very good thing to me and any information would be awesome! Thank you!