Peace to everyone, this is my first post.
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Assalaamu Alaikum,
African-American checking in. I reverted to Islam in January of 2012. I was raised by a Catholic father and Southern Baptist mother, but I was never particularly religious. I read the bible as a youth and didn't feel any true connection to it, nor did I feel any obligation to participate with my parents' religion. In January of 2012, I read the entire Quran in 1.5 weeks, and performed the Shahada the day I finished.
On this site, God-willing, I'll find a critical thinking community of believers who can share ideas and grow together. I've spent time in several mosques since reverting, never quite feeling ok with the bitterness, hatred, and ignorance that I heard amongst my brothers in passing, direct conversations, or in Khutbahs. That has led to me feeling quite isolated from my brothers in the mosque.
I work with 3 other Muslims, all from Iraq(2 Sunni, 1 Shi'ite), and they are all very open-minded and provide me with encouragement to find my own way. I read extensively in my free time, and would love any suggestions from anyone to help me get closer to Allah, and further understand our other brothers and sisters in Islam, even if we don't agree with them.
Peace
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I've spent time in several mosques since reverting, never quite feeling ok with the bitterness, hatred, and ignorance that I heard amongst my brothers in passing, direct conversations, or in Khutbahs. That has led to me feeling quite isolated from my brothers in the mosque.
Salam.
Well, yeah... most of them want us submissive to the common Islamic religious belief a.k.a "Sunnah of the 'holy' Prophet (saw)" a.k.a "the lessons of qualified trusted famous scholars".
Deviant questions are not allowed! Personal opinions are not allowed! Healthy discussions are not allowed!, etc...
The scholars/clerics/preachers want us just listen and obey... but to their words, and not to God.
Perhaps we have to earn bachelor/master/doctoral degree of famous Islamic university to make them listen to us.
Welcome to the forum! peace
" W E L C O M E "
Peace.
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Perhaps we have to earn bachelor/master/doctoral degree of famous Islamic university to make them listen to us.
Do you feel this(attaining an advanced degree in Islamic Studies or something similar) is the best means of getting enough clout to facilitate discourse among Muslims of a certain disposition?
I ask this because, I run a youth development program that performs Socratic seminars on a wide range of issues. When we get to religious topics, some people ask great questions, but are emotionally invested in certain answers despite the deductions they come to. The youth in my program are of all Abrahamic faiths and others as well.
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Do you feel this(attaining an advanced degree in Islamic Studies or something similar) is the best means of getting enough clout to facilitate discourse among Muslims of a certain disposition?
Nope, that's not serious statement, forgive me. I'm sorry, brother, please don't take that as serious.
That's a sarcasm for the scholars and their loyal followers. I've ever been deceived by their da'wah and their writings. >(
I ask this because, I run a youth development program that performs Socratic seminars on a wide range of issues. When we get to religious topics, some people ask great questions, but are emotionally invested in certain answers despite the deductions they come to. The youth in my program are of all Abrahamic faiths and others as well.
May I know your understanding about "Abrahamic faith"?
Peace.
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By Abrahamic faith, I mean Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Peace
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By Abrahamic faith, I mean Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Peace
Hmm... I don't know much about Judaism.
However, if I look from the Qur'an, then the Christianity and the popular "Islam" are not suit to be categorized as Abrahamic faith. That's my current understanding.
Peace.
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My understanding is that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all trace their roots to Abraham. The Prophet Mohammed (PHUB) does so through Ishmael.
In Judaism, he's considered the first Jew.
Christians affirm believers as the descendants of Abraham on more than one occasion I believe. I have it bookmarked in my Bible at Galations 36-7.
6 Just as Abraham ?believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,? 7 so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham.So all three faiths are similarly linked to Abraham, thus, Abrahamic faiths.
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Ibrahim (the one who is mentioned in the Qur'an) was a man who is very obedient to God.
What he applied in his life (in connection with his faith) very contrasts with the basics teachings of Christianity and basic teachings of "Islam" nowadays.
I think Ibrahim is a true servant of God, true monotheist.
Peace.
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What he applied in his life (in connection with his faith) very contrasts with the basics teachings of Christianity and basic teachings of "Islam" nowadays.
I think Ibrahim is a true servant of God, true monotheist.
Ibrahim absolutely is a true servant of God(SWT).
Can you explain to me what you mean by "Islam" in that context? I'm assuming with Christianity you mean the Trinity, Jesus is God, etc. What part of basic teachings of Islam are you referring to?
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Can you explain to me what you mean by "Islam" in that context?
Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, Ahmadiyya,...
and other Islamic sects/groups that still following man-made hadiths or man-made rules in their religious practices.
I'm assuming with Christianity you mean the Trinity, Jesus is God, etc.
Indeed.
What part of basic teachings of Islam are you referring to?
- Man-made hadiths
- Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad
- The Five Pillars of Islam
- Fatwas of the scholars
Peace.
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- Man-made hadiths
- Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad
- The Five Pillars of Islam
- Fatwas of the scholars
I see. Anything that isn't specifically of the Quran. Ibrahim had no book to follow at all, and yet still had those morals and faith.
peace
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I see. Anything that isn't specifically of the Quran.
Yep! peace
Ibrahim had no book to follow at all, and yet still had those morals and faith.
Looks like Ibrahim received some kind of scriptures/scripts/scrolls (suhuf) <--- Qur'an 8719.
However, I still don't know the exact meaning of 'suhuf', perhaps it means something else other than scriptures.
Peace.
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Peace Javalette,
I think he means that all those faiths stem from the same man's exceptional devotion to God and also from his prayer that caused there to be a promise from God forever after. God mentions Ebrahem as an example of exceptional service and the creed to follow.
God bless you
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Anyway, I forgot to say welcome to the forum.
God bless you
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Peace Javalette,
I think he means that all those faiths stem from the same man's exceptional devotion to God and also from his prayer that caused there to be a promise from God forever after. God mentions Ebrahem as an example of exceptional service and the creed to follow.
God bless you
Salam brother.
When I was still influenced by Sunni, I suppose I also have similar perception that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are originated from Abraham's creed, something like that.
If I'm not mistaken, that's how they (Islamic religious teachings) taught us to believe.
But after I try to follow Qur'an alone, my perception in this regard has changed,
and personally, I don't agree if these religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) called as Abrahamic faith.
Peace.
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Peace,
The recitation tells to have faith like Ebrahem had and follow his example. He was not the founder of a religious branch of "religions" although there is a certain promise from God to Ebrahem and his progeny.
God bless you
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I did some quick research, read 5 translations, and they all seem to have the same message of Abraham being the father of the monotheistic religion we practice today.
Surah Al-Hajj 2278
And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before and in this that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah . He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper. -
salaam surah al asr
read this and speak to your brothers about the knowledge,
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Peace,
Figuratively speaking, I think the use of father for Abraham is either allegorical or the word for father in this regard has a slightly wider meaning. Not everyone can have Abraham as their ancestor so logically it is not literally father. But also in traditional regard you tend to use father as a courteous title for someone of deep respect.
But if you ask me father in this regard is like in fathering the shape of our faith. Abraham's exemplary devotion and service to God fathered the link between us and God. God was seemingly very pleased with the creation of Abraham and put him as a role model hence the use of father in the phrase.
Father Abraham was also the man who prayed together with his son for a faithful land in absolute devotion to God alone. He asked God on how he could serve The Master well and could be the one who received certain rites as we know them as are quite specific for the middle-eastern ways. Father here could be towards those who follow the rites that Abraham had done. But doing good and have strong faith in God alone is basically what to follow the ways of father Abraham mostly stands for.
God also gave Abraham a promise as long as those after him are righteous to make leaders of those and of blessed character. And it can be anyone who is a faithful follower of God. So it is positive to look back on father Abraham and his devotion to God alone, and the God of Noah, Isaac, Ishmael, Yacub, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Jonah, Jesus, Muhammad and the rest of messengers. And we make no distinction between them but The Master we serve wholeheartedly.
God bless you
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God also gave Abraham a promise as long as those after him are righteous to make leaders of those and of blessed character. And it can be anyone who is a faithful follower of God. So it is positive to look back on father Abraham and his devotion to God alone, and the God of Noah, Isaac, Ishmael, Yacub, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Jonah, Jesus, Muhammad and the rest of messengers. And we make no distinction between them but The Master we serve wholeheartedly.
Wisdom
jedi