hi newbie !
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Peace and Welcome!
You'll find this forum to be potentially full of wonderful thoughts, ideas and information. It is also marvellous in that it is not based on consensus... so it is in a way alive and developing.
As advice on your path forward I would like to say
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Don't be afraid of doubt, uncertainty or confusion. These can be stages or phases that one goes through in different areas at different times. Pray for clarity.
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Don't crave for consensus and perfection. You won't find it in this world in this life. Just realize that our life is an individual journey in which we have to grow, and one person's life, challenges and lessons is not like that of someone else's... so again, don't be impressed by consesus.
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Be sure to grasp the difference between the religion Islam, also known here as traditional Islam, and that which the quran teaches. Realize that the quran speaks to each individual on that individual's level of understanding. Some things are plain and will be understood the same by everyone, but other things can mean different things to different people depending on one's level of spiritual development and understanding of life. The quran is a very deep book, and nobody knows how deep. The understanding of the quran is in many instances between you and God. What Islam (traditional) teaches, is many other things than what the quran teaches. The teaching of God and the teachings of Man (mullahs etc of Islam) is NOT the same. This can be rather difficult to grasp by newcomers... but the quran talks about an approach to life, while Islam is a religion of the world beside other religions of the world. There is a difference, although many won't see it.
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You must decide what you want. Do you want a new, fresh religion.. a change from your previous religion... or do you want to upgrade from religions to an approach to life? This approach to life I'm talking about is what is called 'deen' in arabic, as per my understanding, and this is what the quran's main theme is about. And I'm not talking about beard, attire or such things... I'm talking about what is in your heart. There is the famous Yusuf Estes on Peace TV (India, Pakistan, UK and perhaps elsewhere) who is a former priest (or whatever title he had) who shifted and became a mullah, complete with beard and arabic 'auto-complete' phrases. Although I'm not the one to judge anyone, but it it seems that he just shifted over from a role Christianty to a similar role in Islam.... new label, same contents. DO you want that, or do you want to completely new thing, which is not religion as we commonly know it? You decide for yourself.
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It is good to know what Islam (traditional) is all about, especially if you are going to attempt to follow the quran. You will be living in a zone that is unclear and misunderstood by many... the zone between quran on one side, and Islam on the other. They are often mixed up in the minds of the general population. Therefore it is good to know lots about Islam, because if we are to make a choice or stand, then we need to be familiar with our options. So, by all mean, get familiar with mosque-going, and all what that entails... BUT, be clear why you do it. Mosques can be very tranquil and soothing for a stressed mind, but so can a cinema or park. Also, be sure to read up on the quran and on traditional Islam, so that you will know what people talk about when they approach you to tell you what to do.
Actually, I'm not so sure about the timing of when to get to know traditional Islam (to a certain extent) because you would also like to AVOID getting fed with falsehood and viral ideas that will fog your fresh look on things...
6... and hadith will be explained by someone else, who is more knowledgeable than me...
...because I need to sleep now.
Best regards!
Peace
sun -
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what kind of islam this forum is based on ? ( I hope I am not offended anyone by this question , as it is not my intention at all )
thank you zulf you have gave lof of food for thought which I am really grateful for. I am not looking for a new, fresh religion but like you suggested something that kind of understand and speak to me. I think so far I am developing my own relationship between me and God and this had lead me here. I am very personal and like to keep myself to myself. i am not looking to alienate myself lol I am very aware of my root and where I come from. )
I regard doubt, uncertainty as somewhat healthy as for me it can be a way to strengthen faith and conviction.
with love.
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thank you again everybody,especially oneandonly your words describe exactly how I am feeling right now. I do believe that allah has guided me towards this path.
can I ask a bit more about Hadith and what is exactly ?
Peace and welcome syriusj13 --
With exceptions of names and places perhaps try to translate words e.g.
63 and he the god in the heavens and in the earth
These two articles by brother Ayman are a quick read and informative...
http//www.quran4peace.org/documents/Quran4peace-English-part1.pdf
http//www.quran4peace.org/documents/Quran4peace-English-part2.pdfHadith are simply narrations i.e. hearsay mostly as stated in the verse ...
12111 truly it is in stories theirs a lesson for the ones the understanding not it is adthan/narration of invented and however confirmation the one between his hands and detailed explanation each thing and guidance and mercy for folk believing
This means praying five times per day according to tradition with a pair of prostrations in each cycle. You can quite easily find the details. I do this type of prayer due to my belief in the so-called Code 19. The prayer pattern 2 4 4 3 4 when put as a whole number is a multiple of 19. It has convinced me so far that it is right, but I am not absolutely certain to be honest.
Peace Man of Faith,
There are 0 to 99999 combinations with over thousand multiples e.g. 43244 (19 x 2276); so why not use that pattern?24434 1286
24443 1286.473684
24344 1281.263158
23444 1233.894737
42434 2233.368421
42443 2233.842105
42344 2228.631579
44234 2328.105263
44243 2328.578947
44324 2332.842105
44342 2333.789474
44423 2338.052632
44432 2338.526316
43244 2276
43424 2285.473684
43442 2286.421053
32444 1707.578947
34244 1802.315789
34424 1811.789474
34442 1812.736842 -
Peace and welcome syriusj13 --
With exceptions of names and places perhaps try to translate words e.g.
63 and he the god in the heavens and in the earth
These two articles by brother Ayman are a quick read and informative...
http//www.quran4peace.org/documents/Quran4peace-English-part1.pdf
http//www.quran4peace.org/documents/Quran4peace-English-part2.pdfHadith are simply narrations i.e. hearsay mostly as stated in the verse ...
12111 truly it is in stories theirs a lesson for the ones the understanding not it is adthan/narration of invented and however confirmation the one between his hands and detailed explanation each thing and guidance and mercy for folk believing
Peace Man of Faith,
There are 0 to 99999 combinations with over thousand multiples e.g. 43244 (19 x 2276); so why not use that pattern?24434 1286
24443 1286.473684
24344 1281.263158
23444 1233.894737
42434 2233.368421
42443 2233.842105
42344 2228.631579
44234 2328.105263
44243 2328.578947
44324 2332.842105
44342 2333.789474
44423 2338.052632
44432 2338.526316
43244 2276
43424 2285.473684
43442 2286.421053
32444 1707.578947
34244 1802.315789
34424 1811.789474
34442 1812.736842Dear (Brother/ Sister) "Noon",
I don't understand this. I get the impression that this brother/ sister is a complete newbie, so I'm not sure whether it might be a lot to digest. Anyway, I don't know. I don't get it meself, to be honest.
Sajda.
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Salaam, welcome to the forum!
Good to have some more people from the UK! ) That's really interesting that you've stumbled across Quran only Islam first. I would definitely categorise this as a progressive form of Islam although in my opinion, Islam was always progressive. In terms of attending a mosque, I would also advise against it. You could if you want to pray the way they tend to in the long run. For now though, I would say its about building your relationship with God and enquiring what it is that GOD wants you to do. Prayer is obviously the starting point and reading the Quran and taking notes or writing down any questions you have etc. I would advise careful note taking as early as possible, because I didn't and it would have been more helpful if I did.
Hadith are accounts written by men about the sayings and customs of Prophet Muhammad. They were written hundreds of years after his death and include things which go against the Quran. The Quran also states that this will happen 316 - you will need to check the transliteration for the word hadith. You can do so here http//corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp
There are also many other verses a couple of examples are 7750, 456 and 7185. There are some simple things like following a different form of ablution than that in the Quran - why do you need another way? And then there are central issues such as the Shahadah - the declaration of faith. In the hadith, there is a second shahadah. The fact it's called a second shahadah is important.I would also advise that you don't pay too much attention to how others interpret parts of the Quran. I mean of course read up on it, but its important to know that there may be flaws in what they say or there is more to be said. There are for example some people who say Jesus was not born a virgin birth, which is fair enough, they can believe that. From what I have gathered though, in my reading of the Quran is that he was. You may find a lot of divergence on some issues but this isn't a problem. This is the nature of the human beings and the Quran allows us to express this and formulate our own understanding based on God's guidance and our own learning process.
In terms of doubt and uncertainty - I would say establish the central points and the firm evidence and footing for them. Such as the belief in the Quran itself as a Reminder from Allah. As it states in the Quran, Allah provides the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. On other topics such as Ramadan, salat, Hajj, understanding what shaitan is, etc there will be uncertainty about what some of these thing are. You may also find your understanding evolves. Allah will be your Light and guide you through. As Zulf said, with prayer you will find clarity. Of course, Allah is your Guide and Protector.
love and blessings.
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I accidentally pressed quote instead of modify so now I have this empty post. )
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Salaam noon,
Like I said, I am split when it comes to certainty about the Truth regarding prayers, guess the 2 4 4 3 4 is the remnant of my stubbornness.
I pray on this schedule nowadays though, from the dawn until night, 6, 9, 12, 3, 6, 9 with some slight adjustments and finishing it with a prayer before I go to bed. This system is inspired by the tales of the people in the Bible. I do not consider it mandatory and is voluntary on my part. It is not too off from the Quran anyway, the Quran is not forbidding it. It says regular prayers and my way is filled with discipline, almost military style, aye?
I feel better this way and that is what is most important for us right?
And I am "signaled" by God that it is approved of, unless I am falsely believing I am guided, but I am certain I am not.
Anyway, I suppose the 2 4 4 3 4 system is the last piece of superstition I have to get rid of. It is just 5 of my prayers which contain this pattern, the classical ones.
I have begged the Lord to make me certain whether this prayer system is wrong or not, but I still need to find the Truth myself. I sense that the prayer is perfectly individual and does not contain much prescribed details except the standing, bowing and prostration.
The intense arguments have felt like when Moses and his people are commanded to sacrifice a heifer and they reluctantly keep asking questions about it, ie which color, type, age etc, while God just wants them to pick one best out of intuition and go on sacrifice it with a pure heart.
It is the intention with the prayer that is most important.
God did not lie when he said the human being is the most argumentative type.
Sorry about my usual rambling, I know I annoy some people.
To our new member The Islam on this forum, God willing, is based upon God's religion. His religion is the only religion, all other "religions" are sects. There is only one Truth, one Message and the messengers have been preaching it all along. Do not be tricked into the sects in exchange for uniformity and unity, you religion does not have a merely social function.
God bless you
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oh thank you everyone . group
thanks Noon waalqalami, I have printed the pdf document so I can read it properly.
I think I am starting to understand the concept of hadith and why I should place more importance to the Quran.
I mean by progressive (inclusive)a place where everyone is welcome , equal and no judgement is based as I think it as to be God to judge us . i think the world need a place where people can feel safe . I am all about peace, acceptance and respecting others.
I understand where this forum place the Holy Quran first and to which I agree with !
thank you again for putting me into the right path.
May god bless you . pr
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hi Noon waalqalami , thanks for the pdf document ,. i am finding them very interesting in how it challenges the misconception of islam . it has started some of my question,. i am so glad and happy to have found this website and forum .
may god be with you . -
thank you again everybody,especially oneandonly your words describe exactly how I am feeling right now. I do believe that allah has guided me towards this path.
can I ask a bit more about Hadith and what is exactly ?
Dear Syriusj13,
Please go through the link below which might be helpful to you to understand regarding Quran message and Hadith. I will also suggest you to go through other articles in the same site which are very knowledgeable.
http//quransmessage.com/articles/hadith%20FM2.htm
May God continue to guide you to the right path.
Peace