I am so lost...
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I don't know what to believe about God. I was raised in a non-religious Catholic family and I never had much of a sense that there was a Jesus/God. I never believed in Christianity and wasn't too shy about it... It was when I was introduced to Islam that I began to think that there might be a God. I think it was just the way that Muslims are dedicated to God, and how clear the religion was/seemed (I realize now that it's quite complicated to figure it all out).
But what I'm still struggling with is "feeling" God. I see some people really feeling that they want to worship God and want to please God. They feel a love for God. I don't have any of these feelings towards God. I am amazed by a lot of things in life and I think that there must be some sort of all-controlling "force", but does that mean it wants to be worshipped?
I really don't know what to think about it all... And I want to find this connection to God that so many people have. It's like having some sort of reason for life... But I don't feel it...
Any ideas/thoughts?
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Peace, and welcome, Candice!
If you are having difficulty connecting to God, consider that before you were born, you did not exist as you do now. One day you will also die, and you will not exist as you do now. You seemingly came into this world from nothing and will seemingly go out of it into nothing. What happened before, and what will happen after? More importantly, what keeps you from dying at any moment?
The food that grows out of the ground which you eat, the air you breathe that clings to the surface of the earth, the ground you walk on, the sun that gives us light in the day time and the night time which brings rest... if the universe wasn't designed by One God, how could these things be as coherent and dependable as they are? Human life on earth is a clear miracle from God; and that God has sent us the Qu'ran with proof that it is from Him.
<b>Most exalted is the One in whose hands is all sovereignty, and He is capable of all things.
The One who created death and life, that He may test you, which of you will do better works? He is the Noble, the Forgiving.
He created seven skies in layers. You do not see any imperfection in the creation by the Almighty. Keep looking; do you see any flaw?
Then look again twice; your eyes will come back humiliated and tired. (<i>671-4</i>And in the Earth are signs for those who comprehend.
And within yourselves; do you not see?
And in the heaven is your provision, and what you are promised.
By the Lord of the heaven and the Earth, this is truth just as the fact that you speak. (<i>5120-23</i></b>The religion is very clear if you read the Qu'ran without the commentary of someone seeking to complicate it
<b>"Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know." (<i>3030</i> </b>
Is that confusing? As for ritual prayers, fasting, and all that
<b>There is no compulsion in the religion; the proper way has been made clear from the wrong way. Whoever rejects evil, and believes in God, then he has grasped the most solid branch that will never break. God is Hearer, Knower. (<i>2256</i></b>
You don't have to do it. To ensure your salvation, God has told us you only must believe in Him and reject evil. You instinct should guide you in both of these things, but if you want to know with certainty, it is in the Qu'ran (6151-152).
Peace!
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It is sad that you do not recognize the dedication of Christians to GOD, but it is how your were raised. So often the Catholic schools dwell on man made doctrine and not the truth in the Holy Bible.
Luckily, I was raised Lutheran. I would have been a bad Catholic!! LOL!! Have you tried another church?
I went through a time when I had doubt, I was in complete despair. I prayed for GOD and He surrounded me in warmth and comfort. I no more then expressed my despair when He was present, as if He heard my call before I even recognized it myself.
God gives us free will to come to Him on our own. Very often it takes for us to be at our lowest point in life to recognize that we need Him.
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Thanks, rsw. I love the verses that you pulled out and really enjoyed that. I try to read the Quran when I can because I figure that if it is the truth, by reading it, it will really just jump out at me, but I have been quite busy and can hardly find enough time to myself to get to really reading the Qur'an.
Wakas, thanks for those links.
pvb, I do know that some Christians are dedicated to God. I just don't know many personally. Religious Christians are hard to find around here. The elderly are the only ones who go to church, and really, half the churches in my city have been sold in the past 2 or 3 years, but it was a long time coming. I have never had any desire to try another church, or even go to my own, which I have been to only for baptisms, weddings and funerals (baptisms and weddings should be singular, it has been one of each in my whole life even though most people I know are Catholic). I have been to more aqiqah's than baptisms and I just recently have had Muslims in my life (my husband is Muslim and we have been married for 2.5 years). To get to the point, I have tried to learn about Christianity in different forms (the beliefs of different denominations) but it's just not what I believe in. The basic beliefs just aren't there.
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I don't know what to believe about God. I was raised in a non-religious Catholic family and I never had much of a sense that there was a Jesus/God. I never believed in Christianity and wasn't too shy about it... It was when I was introduced to Islam that I began to think that there might be a God. I think it was just the way that Muslims are dedicated to God, and how clear the religion was/seemed (I realize now that it's quite complicated to figure it all out).
But what I'm still struggling with is "feeling" God. I see some people really feeling that they want to worship God and want to please God. They feel a love for God. I don't have any of these feelings towards God. I am amazed by a lot of things in life and I think that there must be some sort of all-controlling "force", but does that mean it wants to be worshipped?
I really don't know what to think about it all... And I want to find this connection to God that so many people have. It's like having some sort of reason for life... But I don't feel it...
Any ideas/thoughts?
Think HE is your own GOD.. one who loves you and when you do good things in this world.
I also feel I dont need a physical ritualistic form of worship to please god.. but a simple thankyou for the good things I face daily and want him to guide me in the right path and this is my prayer. -
But what I'm still struggling with is "feeling" God. I see some people really feeling that they want to worship God and want to please God. They feel a love for God. I don't have any of these feelings towards God. I am amazed by a lot of things in life and I think that there must be some sort of all-controlling "force", but does that mean it wants to be worshipped?
I really don't know what to think about it all... And I want to find this connection to God that so many people have. It's like having some sort of reason for life... But I don't feel it...
Any ideas/thoughts?
It seems to me that God is a stranger to you. This is something that can be remedied very easily. I love God because God is immeasurably wise and I know this because God gives us the smartest and most humane solutions to all our problems. Many countries jail thieves in these times, which is absurd, because jailing thieves doesn't reform them. Jailing thieves simplify tortures them disproportionate to their crime, and some inmates become hardened due to their experiences in jail. Hardened criminals become a real threat to society when they're released into society. The Quran gives us the most intelligent solution to the problem of thievery , and thievery's just one of the problems to which the Quran has a brilliant and pragmatic solution. If you read the Quran, you will also see that everything God ordains with regard to governance is libertarian and this will also make you love God.
You should also observe nature, and read about the stars, planets, animals, orchids, the seas, etc., and you will come to admire God's creativity and artistry. The natural world and the Quran really do make you love God, which is one reason why God tells you to study them.
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It may be of some help to you CandiceSj,
welcome to the forum.
5657 "WE who have created you, why, then, do you not accept the truth?"
Nahnu khalaqnakum falawla tusaddiqoona
(5657)
5658 Have you ever considered that which you emit?
Afaraaytum ma tumnoona
(565
5659 Is it you who create it - or are We the source of its creation?
Aantum takhluqoonahu am nahnu alkhaliqoona
(5659)
5660 We have decreed that death shall be among you but there is nothing to prevent Us
Nahnu qaddarna baynakumu almawta wama nahnu bimasbooqeena
(5660)
5661 from changing the nature of your existence and bringing you into being in a manner unknown to you.
AAala an nubaddila amthalakum wanunshiakum fee ma la taAAlamoona
(5661)
5662 And you are indeed aware of the coming into being in the first instance - why, then, do you not bethink yourselves?
Walaqad AAalimtumu alnnashata aloola falawla tathakkaroona
(5662)
5663 Have you ever considered the seed which you cast upon the soil?
Afaraaytum ma tahruthoona
(5663)
5664 Is it you who cause it to grow - or are We the cause of its growth?
Aantum tazraAAoonahu am nahnu alzzariAAoona
(5664)
5665 were it Our will, We could indeed turn it into chaff, and you would be left to wonder,
Law nashao lajaAAalnahu hutaman fathaltum tafakkahoona
(5665)
5666 ?Verily, we are ruined!
Inna lamughramoona
(5666)
5667 Nay, but we have been deprived!
Bal nahnu mahroomoona
(5667)
5668 Have you ever considered the water which you drink?
Afaraaytumu almaa allathee tashraboona
(566
5669 Is it you who cause it to come down from the clouds - or are We the cause of its coming down?
Aantum anzaltumoohu mina almuzni am nahnu almunziloona
(5669)
5670 were it Our will, We could make it burningly salty and bitter why, then, do you not give thanks?
Law nashao jaAAalnahu ojajan falawla tashkuroona
(5670)
5671 Have you ever considered the fire which you kindle?
Afaraaytumu alnnara allatee tooroona
(5671)
5672 Is it you who have brought into being the tree that serves as its fuel - or are We the cause of its coming into being?
Aantum anshatum shajarataha am nahnu almunshioona
(5672)
5673 It is We who have made it a means to remind, and a comfort for all who are lost and hungry in the wilderness.
Nahnu jaAAalnaha tathkiratan wamataAAan lilmuqweena
(5673)
5674 Extol, then, the limitless glory of thy Sus?tainer?s mighty name!
Fasabbih biismi rabbika alAAatheemi
(5674)
5675 NAY, I call to witness the coming-down in parts
Fala oqsimu bimawaqiAAi alnnujoomi
(5675)
5676 and, behold, this is indeed a most solemn affirmation, if you but knew it!
Wainnahu laqasamun law taAAlamoona AAatheemun
(5676)
5677 Behold, it is a truly noble discourse,
Innahu laquranun kareemun
(5677)
5678 in a well-guarded divine writ
Fee kitabin maknoonin
(567
5679 which none but the pure can touch
La yamassuhu illa almutahharoona
(5679)
5680 a revelation from the Sustainer of all the worlds!
Tanzeelun min rabbi alAAalameena
(5680)
5681 Would you, now, look down with disdain on a tiding like this,
Afabihatha alhadeethi antum mudhinoona
(5681)
May Allah guide us all towards the correct path.
Regards,
mmKhan -
Dear CandiceSj if one can understand then it is easy to achieve.
Base of Islam -
569 Surely those who believed, and the Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians - whoso believes in God and the Last Day and does good deeds, on them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Quran clearly states the basic Islam(Submission) in the verse 569 which are as following.
- One creator.
- One must believe in the final day(resurrection day or judgment day)
- Good deeds or righteousness. (this part of the Islam(Submission) is rarely disputed by any religion)
Anyone who follows the above basic rules (laws) is in Islam (submission) according to the Quran. Now for what is righteousness read the following.
2177 It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah.fearing.
Just workout on the bold lines. it is simple as that. othere than this The other basics which are common among all the religions are morals. basic understanding about the morals on part of humanity is almost the same. Each religion agrees on these basics.
- Telling a lie is bad.
- Killing of innocent is bad.
- Persecuting of weak is bad.
- Adultery and extra marital affairs are bad.
- Not giving full measure is bad. Etc.
There is a long list but i am just giving you some examples. Do what you understand clearly and God will guide you to the greater understanding.
Regards.
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salam candicesj. allah guides whom he wishes towards him. allah guides and we have to walk towards him. if allah guides and we do not walk towards him, we cannot "feel" allah. therefore walk towards allah.
walking towards allah, on the path of allah, is abandoning all other ways. let allah determine for you what a correct thought is, and what an incorrect thought is. the quran is from allah, his thoughts, his words, for you to recite. as you recite the quran, your mind will be altered to view the world through changed eyes. the more you recite, the more you will feel allah, the more you will understand what allah knows.
you will find constant interruptions of other thoughts, that try and intrude on your walk towards allah. thoughts that try and make you question allah. if these thoughts get the upper hand, your walk is delayed, your ability to feel allah moves away from you. of all things man is most contentious.
allah is the way.
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salaam
i love this post by al araf
walking towards allah, on the path of allah, is abandoning all other ways. let allah determine for you what a correct thought is, and what an incorrect thought is.
but of course these words, especially; "let allah determine...." some big words are they not?
so, how do we do that? perhaps al araf can share his views?
peace
mohammed noh
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I am amazed by a lot of things in life and I think that there must be some sort of all-controlling "force", but does that mean it wants to be worshipped?
To worship something is another way of saying your recognize that's where you're getting your food from.
In other words, the god made you requiring needs. Either you recognize the primary provider, or you miss your change getting what you need.
As for feeling the god... you sure you weren't feeling the devil mess about with your brain chemistry before?
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Candice - It sounds like you are judging faith of people by what you see man doing. Remember -if we weren't sinners we wouldn't need church!! Dwell on these verses and try to find a church that preaches this simple truth.
Matthew 22
The Greatest Commandment
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."This verse really simplifies how to follow GOD
40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. -
Candice - It sounds like you are judging faith of people by what you see man doing. Remember -if we weren't sinners we wouldn't need church!! Dwell on these verses and try to find a church that preaches this simple truth.
Matthew 22
The Greatest Commandment
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."This verse really simplifies how to follow GOD
40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.Mark 12
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Deuteronomy 64
Hear, O Israel The Lord our God is one LordMatthew 19
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
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LOL!! Yes FAR - the Quran has it wrong or it has been mis-interpreted to lead think that Christians believe in more then One True GOD. LOL!!
All Muslims repeat after me Christians believe in ONE TRUE GOD!!
Matthew 19
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
The general public at the time did not all the truth that is Jesus. it was more important to Jesus to get out this message about following the one True GOD, then convincing the of His Father's plan. Even the disicples did not fully understand the plan!
Matthew 26
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.Finally two came forward 61and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "
62Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God Tell us if you are the Christ,the Son of God."64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered. -
salaam,
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Inna allatheena amanoo waallatheena hadoo waalnnasara waalssabi-eena man amana biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waAAamila salihan falahum ajruhum AAinda rabbihim wala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona.
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Indeed those who have faith, and those who have become ?Jews?, ?Christians?, and ?Sabians? too, anyone who have the faith in God and the last day, and they are actively reforming themselves, so for them rewards from their Lord, and they have no fear, and they do not grieve.
peace
mohammed noh
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Peace to all,
Joe, I dont think this verse means that if somone calls themselves a christian they will be rewarded, in fact, theres also a verse in the Quran that says those that say God is a part of the trinity are not believers and will be punished, and this is what the vast majority of christians believe, even pvb, she keeps saying that christians onlybelieve in one God, but then also say that its three different manifestations of him, father,son, holy spirit,, this is not believing in One God, therefore, according to the Quran they are not believers and will be punished. Though there are a very few so called christians who only believe jesus was a messenger, prophet but that GOd is not part of the trinity, its these that are probably talked about in the Quran.
Kurt
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salaam,
perhaps you may want to ponder on the requirement, i.e. 'waAAamila salihan' which in my understanding is 'and they are actively reforming themselves'.
many people claimed to have the faith in God and the last day (in earth or the physical body), yet they resisted the call to reform their ways. to reform their ways means to adhere to the call to correct our understanding of God, our reverence of God, our understanding of how the message is delivered to us, etc. in the Qur'an we are warned against jumping into conclusions before sure verifications by God, but how many of us are really following the guidance contained in the Qur'an?
everyone must implement reforms, except perhaps the one who claims to be 'maksum' or one who commits no sin forever. is there anyone out there so audacious to ever claim as such?
thus, everyone must implement reforms, the very least is to frequently (every moment of remembering God, for example) seek forgiveness from God and ask God to restore or reinstate His 'rahmah', since most people have no knowledge on whether what they have accumulated in opinions are the absolute truth according to God, or merely perceived truth limited by their intellectual capabilities.
everyone of whatever label of faith (christian, jewish, hindu, (pop) islam, etc.), as long as the faith is in God and the last day AND (for emphasis, since it is a prerequisite) 'actively reforming themselves' or mend their ways to conform to the will of God, then 'they have no fear, and they do not grieve' or 'wala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona.'
the Qur'an is merely a guide, or a collection of lectures uttered by muhammad the 'nabiy' which is essentially materials for ponderings in our search of the correct method or way to serving God. when one follows the methods explained in the Qur'an, then one will discover how easy is the path to God, though not necessarily the same in its implementations. there are too many billboards, marbles and what nots that could make one oblivious of the original intent or aim which is to serving God. 'khalifah' is a loaded word indeed. yes, most people who claimed to be 'muslims' are oblivious of the basic or fundamental requirement of acknowledging, appointing and revering God as God, or God as 'rabb', etc.
so if there are christians who today claim to have the faith in the singularity God and the last day, who are we to question them?
even if there are christians who today claim to have the faith in the trinity of God and the last day, AND (again as emphasis) 'AAamila salihan', who are we to question them?
the worry is to each and everyone of us indeed, whether we implement 'the reforms' or otherwise. isn't it a shame when those who were presumed to be in 'the wrong' implement 'the reforms' while those who were presumed to be in 'the right' are too arrogant to implement 'the reforms'? are we oblivious of the fact that 'arrogance' is the trait of 'iblees'? and it is in the mind?
'the reforms'. that is the underlying message of the guidance contained in the Qur'an. it is the reforming of ways (originally in mind).
may God guide us all. insha-Allah.
peace.
mohammed noh
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Peace to all,
Qur'an is merely a guide, or a collection of lectures uttered by muhammad
Is this what you really believe the Quran is, just a collection of lectures? Doesnt the Quran say it is from God himself, and that it is only God that can produce it, and if it was from any other than GOd then produce a verse similar if you can, and call your assistants, but you wont be able to. So please try and prove me wrong first.
Kurt
