back to the basic belief
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Salam all,
If you have a great love of all people,races and religions(including animals and all life)why would god not think you are a good muslim?
Because I don't always seem to follow the rules of the Quran. That's why I get the feeling that I'm not being a good muslim. Sometimes I think it's satan who makes me feel bad and makes me think that I'm not a good muslim. ?
But after much "learning", I feel that laws and rules are NOT what its about. Also, due to the ambiguity of meaning in many of the verses it is impossible to know whether one is actually following the laws "to the letter".
I don't think that's true. Yes, the belief in God, the hereafter and his messengers is necessary to be a good muslim, but to stick with God's rules is also one of the crucial valuable requisites for being a good muslim.
'The good deeds take away the bad.'
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Peace heart and nazz and all. I agree with nazz,its the 'spirit ' of the laws not the letter. And i dont think all knowledge is just in one book. We all have a conscience,awareness,interaction with the world, and our mind to decide whether something is harmful(to others or ourself) or beneficial. You have to modify and adapt the basic rules to each person and each situation. I think a basic rule is to try not to harm anything,and if you accidently do; then try to make amends.
Peace all. -
True Peace All, trance
Because I don't always seem to follow the rules of the Quran. That's why I get the feeling that I'm not being a good muslim.
What are the rules!? Salat 3,4,5 times? Alcohol ok? Polygamy? Masturbation? Gambling? Are Jinn real demons, or just the "demons" of the soul? How does this affect the concept of Satan?You will find that despite the sincerity of almost everyone on this board, there is zero collective understanding or agreement on any of the above issues. arrow Therefore, how can you go on everyday worrying about whether you had that one beer you "shouldn't have"? Looked at some porn and masturbated? Scratched a "Scratch & Win" Lotto ticket ?
Vietnam?go out at night, and take a stroll through the streets. The homeless, the needy, the deformed and the poor are in true abundance. Spend a night out giving to these people, and all of those little rules and laws become absolutely meaningless.
its the 'spirit ' of the laws not the letter.
Absolutely. If you live by the law you shall die by the law.Jesus set a magnificent example when he healed the sick on the sabbath. That's what its all about. Extending one's hand to those who need it, whenever they need it?not Umming and Ahhing over insignificant details.
'The good deeds take away the bad.'
Indeed. -
Peace heart, all
you're absolutely not alone, except may be zenje wink
i also often analyse and scrutinize my acts and thoughts and wonder if they were the right thing to do...
with age it gets better in a way, but i wouldn't want it to stop altogether, coz when u believe that every thing u do is the right thing then u really have a problem lol
lk
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Peace nazz and elke. Magnificent posts!Great wisdom. Thanks. D
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Peace all. Nazz made two superb points in his post,i would like to repeat these;
1)'Vietnam-go out at night and take a stroll through the streets.The homeless,the needy,the deformed and the poor are in true abundance.Spend a night out giving to these people and all of those little rules and laws become absolutely meaningless.'
2)'Jesus set a magnificent example when he healed the sick on the sabbath. Thats what its all about. Extending ones' hand to those who need it,whenever they need it-not umming and ahhing over insignificant details.'
The single most insightful post i have read. !
Ponder and reflect please... idea idea idea
Peace and respect all. Thanks nazz.
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Peace everyone,
1)'Vietnam-go out at night and take a stroll through the streets.The homeless,the needy,the deformed and the poor are in true abundance.Spend a night out giving to these people and all of those little rules and laws become absolutely meaningless.'
2)'Jesus set a magnificent example when he healed the sick on the sabbath. Thats what its all about. Extending ones' hand to those who need it,whenever they need it-not umming and ahhing over insignificant details.'
I have to disagree. We have to ask ourselves why those people are living on the streets in the first place. Is it not b/c we as a society just do not care? We have the resources to fix practically everything that is wrong with the world, but we individually just do not care enough to fix them. That is why it is extremely important to fix yourself before you go out and tr6y to help others. So, these "little rules," as you call them, in my opinion, are much bigger than going out and helping people. If we individually cannot look to God and our conscience, then how are we to help others and truly fix what is wrong with our world? Thes little rules like salat, zakat, right and wrong are there for this purpose. So, they are not little at all! We cannot continue to say "ohh, there are so many ills in the world, why should we care about insignificant things like praying and whether or not gay people should get married or if fetuses should be aborted" Just b/c there are other problems does not mean that others should be disregarded. We don't say "children are getting killed in sierra leone, so let's stop worrying about cancer." We have to care about all of it for everything to work well, or nothing will work at all.
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Peace ichephren and all. I dont disagree that some people need salat,zakat etc.. to discipline themselves. However is not the goal of these practices to have more compassion and refrain from harmful acts?(2945)
When referring to 'insignificant' rules and laws i mean the 'mass' of different(and sometimes contradictory) interpretations. I dont mind any intepretation anybody has(except if someone says my way is the only way.),What i regard as 'insignificant' is when these laws are a means in themself without making a person more aware or do good deeds. The laws have an objective; which is to reduce suffering? If they are not for reducing suffering then in my opinion they are insignificant. And with regard to whether gay people should get married and the other philosophical issues you talked of,yes they are truly valid issues,but still we talk about them in an effort to alleviate suffering,not to increase suffering?Thinking and philosophy are means to an end? Karl marx said 'philosophers have sought to understand the world.The point is to change it'.
Now that is not saying philosophy is insignificant(in fact it it a great medium for change and understanding)but the point is that philosophy should achieve something positive.(even if changing ones own
understanding positvely).
When my wife is in pain(or my children) then my first priority is helping her.(i can philosophise before, during and after helping her. ) Now extend this attitude to all life(and all that exists) ;im not going to wait till i understand every issue of life till i help someone. You can learn and improve your personal development while helping others.
Peace all. ps;a great way to get goodie points in all religions; help yourself and others. -
Peace all. A story from buddha;
Regarding those who philosophise innappropriately,or want to know answers to questions which are currently not in their grasp.(or not a priority);
'Like a man with an arrow in his chest(close to death)asking 'who shot me?From what direction?What was the arrow made of?How heavy is the arrow?
Answer; Get the arrow out of your chest and get help,then ask your questions.(you can live for another day and then find the answers you need,or think you need.)
Can anyone see the relevance?
Peace all. ps;5101.(quran).