Quranists: Does your connection with Allah feel different?(Than before quranism)
-
Asalam Aleykom )
The reason I ask this is because when I denounced sunnism and embraced "quranism" (God Alone/Quran Alone), the way I connected with God feels very different now. I'm not sure how to describe it. I feel like a huge burden has been lifted from me, and like what was once a cluttered heart, feels so clear and "empty" (in a good way, I think).
Also I don't find myself burdened with guilt, shame or unworthiness like I slumbered most of my life feeling. And it feels like the "voices" in my head have quieted and I almost feel like the calm before the storm. I have to admit I'm wondering if Allah "has left" me (forgive me Allah for the comparison but or else it was shaytan that has left). It's just so quiet inside me! I also feel less fearful (terrified) of Allah. Very much less. I'm not sure if that last one is a good thing..I guess I'm still going through "shock". I only just "reverted" three weeks ago.
I definitely feel liberated though.
I'm curious to know what everyone else felt/feels in terms of their connection with God. Please share )
-
Yes, much much more personal. I still do the Traditional salah prayers sometimes but my number of units are flexible. I recite the chapters I've memorised and then bow and prostrate - it gives me a somatic experience of submission (as per 84/21-22).
-
Peace
Back when I was Sunni, some of my Christian (trinitarian) friends and/or acquaintances, would try and talk to me about Christ's unconditional love and how I would be saved if I just accepted him as my personal savior. Now, you may wondering about what kind of people I hung out with! Well, I lived in the Bible Belt here in the States. So, these discussions were the norm and you could not avoid running into such people.
Though, they really bugged me. They bugged me because I did not have any sort of personal relationship with God at the time. It was completely fear based. I did not feel His love or mercy. I often felt jealous of those who claimed to KNOW God. Well, I still don't know God in the way that these people claim to know Him, but I do know that I can have a direct relationship with Him.
Sunnism was all about pleasing other people and making sure you don't upset anyone in authority by saying or doing the "wrong" thing. When I could recite that He was the most Merciful, I just didn't feel it until I completely rejected Sunnism, and took the God alone track. People are mistaken when they think that the God of Abraham or Allah is only inclined toward wrath. They are mistaken because of the fear mongering that goes on within the sectarian communities. It's only until you start reading the book for yourself, seeking the truth for yourself, and reaching out to God for yourself (for the first time); this is when you start feeling His love and mercy. This is when you start to feel and understand every blessing in your life. It becomes clear in regard to what is expected of you.
Also, I am able to see His love and blessing upon all of His creation. Before, I was suffering from "the chosen people syndrome", and I was under the impression that the "others" don't matter nearly as much. However, now I am able to appreciate the relationship people have with Him, even if they do not call themselves "Muslims" as the end of the day. In doing this, I have a much better relationship with my family members.
So, my connection with God has definitely changed. Rather, I should say that it has been officially established and is running more smoothly than before. There are still low days and high days, but I think that's normal. The Quran is a constant reminder though.
-
Peace,
At first, I felt a little dejected and stupid. Here I was (again) changing up. You see, as a Christian I went through several different denominations (Protestant, Disciples of Christ, Jehovah's Witnesses, Non-Denominational) trying to find the right one. Everyone would comment on how I couldn't make up my mind and I needed to choose one and stay there. Then I found out about Islam and reverted.
I wondered if the issue was with me and not the teachings of Islam...why did I keep finding issues with everyone? Was I just getting tired of following...or was I even (gulp!) one of those blind, deaf and dumb? Everyone else seemed to be able to stay where they were and stick with it, so why was I questioning everything?
Someone on the forum pointed out 6116 And if you obey most of those on the earth they will lead you
away from the path of God; that is because they follow conjecture,
and that is because they only guess.I felt a lot better after reading that because it made me realize that the reason everyone else wasn't questioning was because they were in a "comfort" zone of sorts. They were the ones blind to the truth. It made so much sense to me then, as I remembered reading in the Bible about the "wide path" and "narrow path." The major faiths are the wide paths, and we as God alone followers are the narrow path.
My first couple of weeks of following God alone were scary...since I had no strict schedule to guide me through everything and I had to think on my own, I ended up missing a couple of prayers. I was in hiding so that my husband didn't figure out that I was no longer following the Sunni way...it was a troublesome time for me. I was afraid I was going astray.
Now, things are much better and I understand that faith is not about a schedule or rules...this is an individualized journey, in which we share a common belief but will often get to our destination in different ways. Your walk is not mine, mine is not yours, but we all believe in one God and the principles of pure, devoted worship.
May Allah guide and allow us to remain on the straight path.
-
Peace )
Peace,
I wondered if the issue was with me and not the teachings of Islam...why did I keep finding issues with everyone? Was I just getting tired of following...or was I even (gulp!) one of those blind, deaf and dumb? Everyone else seemed to be able to stay where they were and stick with it, so why was I questioning everything?
I felt the same way. After Sunnism, I look into Sufism, Jehovah's Witness, Mormonism, Buddhism, Kharite Judaism, and etc. I just kept finding things I didn't agree with. It it wasn't one thing..then it was another. I eventually came back to Islam, but this time I headed straight for the Quran.
-
peace peace
- For one, i too had a burden taken off my shoulder. At the time, i was doing salat and then learned you have to do extra salat, which is obligatory and more and more and more ! nope
How could anyone live in the 21 century and do all these salat + more + more.
I then learned about Rashad Khalifa, and his way of doing 5 salat, which is the same as the sunni salat ommiting some things.
I then changed into doing 3 salat, but i had no strong basis, so i didn't really know what to do. With time i become more proficient in doing 3 salat
Here is my version of salat http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=TANyL4A2n0k&lcOne big difference between Observing Sunni salat and my salat was that I felt more connected with God during my salat, because i was not bound by any ritualistic, robotic movements that i have to go through. (Though now thinking, conformity within doing salat is not a bad thing, even though it might seem robotic.)
-
I didn't have to observe all of the other traditional stuff, like fasting on day of ashura, arafa, white days, and celebrate Eid, birtdday of prophet, grow beard,eating with right hand, not having statues in houses, no music etc etc etc
-
Many things are not "haram" anymore, as it kind of seemed before in Sunni Islam.
- For one, i too had a burden taken off my shoulder. At the time, i was doing salat and then learned you have to do extra salat, which is obligatory and more and more and more ! nope
-
peace peace
-
For one, i too had a burden taken off my shoulder. At the time, i was doing salat and then learned you have to do extra salat, 2) I didn't have to observe all of the other traditional stuff, like fasting on day of ashura, arafa, white days, and celebrate Eid, birtdday of prophet, grow beard,eating with right hand, not having statues in houses, no music etc etc etc
-
Many things are not "haram" anymore, as it kind of seemed before in Sunni Islam.
;D Al Hamdulilah we came to the truth! Life was extremely restrictive under hadith!! Just this weekend I dug out a framed picture of my mother and I and put it back on the bookshelf that I had it on years ago...it makes it feel more like home again.
-Amina
-
-
No because I have always felt close to our creator.
I felt relief because though I've never douted a thing I've read in the kitab I've douted hadith and sholarly interprtation and this freed me from dout.
I do think we shouldn't identify ourselves as Quranist because to do so is to become a sect which is forbidden. -
Salaam PAB,
If you like, you can read my whole story by clicking here... Some people may find it boring
May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His only path pr
mmKhanmmKhan,
Thank you for the link...I am so happy to know your background now, and I am with you 100%...as much as it hurts, I am muslim and my family is not. My mother told me my grandmother would have not stood for me to become muslim, as she raised us christian. I told my mother I didn't care...that my grandmother could not save my soul or stand for me in front of God, that my choices (and hers) were her own.
Sometimes we will end up losing family and friends over our choice to stand for what is right. This life is temporary...what comes next is eternal.
Peace,
Amina
-
mmKhan,
Thank you for the link...I am so happy to know your background now, and I am with you 100%...as much as it hurts, I am muslim and my family is not. My mother told me my grandmother would have not stood for me to become muslim, as she raised us christian. I told my mother I didn't care...that my grandmother could not save my soul or stand for me in front of God, that my choices (and hers) were her own.
Sometimes we will end up losing family and friends over our choice to stand for what is right. This life is temporary...what comes next is eternal.
Peace,
Amina
You're right. I fear I might lose some friends as well...
-
mmKhan,
Thank you for the link...I am so happy to know your background now, and I am with you 100%...as much as it hurts, I am muslim and my family is not. My mother told me my grandmother would have not stood for me to become muslim, as she raised us christian. I told my mother I didn't care...that my grandmother could not save my soul or stand for me in front of God, that my choices (and hers) were her own.
Sometimes we will end up losing family and friends over our choice to stand for what is right. This life is temporary...what comes next is eternal.
Peace,
Amina
My grandmother on my mom's side is alive and kicking. She's a good person by heart and I've learned many of my values from her. However, she cannot understand monotheism for the life of her. I've tried to break it down into the most simple terms, but it's like their is a block in her mind. Also, she starts to get upset because she can't understand what I am trying to say, and then blames herself for the fact that I turned out so odd. My grandfather I believe is a monotheist but greatly dislikes the sectarians. His whole perspective of Islam (he sees it as a religion rather than a state of being) is twisted because of his interactions with them.
I think if my grandmother ever found out about my beliefs (in relation to the Quran), I think she would fall ill. That's how devastating it would be for her. I've just learned to keep my mouth shut and keep a safe distance.
-
HAJ I do think we shouldn't identify ourselves as Quranist because to do so is to become a sect which is forbidden.
Can you provide Quranic evidence for this, HAJ?
-
mmKhan,
Thank you for the link...I am so happy to know your background now, and I am with you 100%...as much as it hurts, I am muslim and my family is not. My mother told me my grandmother would have not stood for me to become muslim, as she raised us christian. I told my mother I didn't care...that my grandmother could not save my soul or stand for me in front of God, that my choices (and hers) were her own.
Sometimes we will end up losing family and friends over our choice to stand for what is right. This life is temporary...what comes next is eternal.
Peace,
Amina
Salaam Amina,
You are very welcome. I am muscle now with your support
I agree 100% with what you said handshake BTW, it won't hurt me anymore now as I feel easy and comfortable by my theCreator's grace and blessings, alhamdulillah hail
May Allah bless you and fill your life with happiness and peace and guide us to His only path pr
mmKhan -
Peace to all of you,
After being christian and not satisfied, I became sunni for most of my adult life and became dissatisfied.
I've always been a reader, and thru research, reflection and prayer, I have found that my life is
between me and Allah. The complications of jummat are gone even though I have many muslim and
christian aquaintences (sura 109). I have arrived at certainty and that feeling is beyond anything
I ever expected. I've learned the importance of Zakat and it's cleansing and peaceful effects.
I could go on for a long time on this subject.Peace O0
-
You're right. I fear I might lose some friends as well...
Peace Madiha,
I lost someone that I considered a very good friend over my conversion to Islam. It hit like a ton of bricks...I was depressed for a while. She and I had been very close before I got married and converted to Islam. I think the one time we spent together in public and I was covered embarrassed her, because after that she stopped calling and texting. I had to send a letter to her in order to get a response. She said "I am happy you have your so-called life that you wanted, but I feel you have changed. I tried not to be judgemental but in reality we all are."
No, we all are not judgemental...some of us are able to accept the differences that we have as friends and loved ones.
This woman that I considered such a good friend was a single mom to two boys, had overcome alcoholism, was living on social security income because she couldn't work, and in the time I knew her, had several male friends that she was in sexual relationships with (I wasn't living that way). She always needed cash or help from me for things and I was happy to do it for her because she was a great person and I really felt close to her. So when she sent that letter, it hurt like crazy.
So yes, you may lose some friends over this, but you will gain something even better in return. I have gained a handful of believing "friends" on this site to replace what I lost in her. Al Hamdulilah!
-Amina
-
I feel, by Allah's blessing, this way was a natural way for me. I did not believe or follow many cultural and religious practices even as a child.
-I started menstruating at the age of 9, but at that age, I would still pray salaat and read Qur'an as I did not believe Allah had made me "impure".
-I did not see why I had to mention Muhammad and Abraham in salaat as it seemed completely irrelevant to the objective. Why was the entire process of it so prescriptive rather than something personal as it ought to be. God is not stupid, so why would he require mere tokenistic symbolism from you five times a day in the form of a brief aerobic exercise and some ancient Arabic utterance which meant nothing to you.
-I did not believe that my judicious Allah wanted men to have multiple wives to satiate their sexual desires rather than exercise control over their nafs.
-I did not see why Allah had created me, but wanted me to wear a tent. The way I acted and what I intended was more important than superficial adherence to purported modesty.
-I did not believe that the merciful Creator of The Worlds and all that resides in them would be unmerciful in His command. I did not agree with gays and adulterers and fornicators being punished as they were being done in some "Islamic" states, especially K.S.A. -all in the name of "Allah".
-I did not see why I would pay 2.5% to charity when I had more than 2.5% to give. I have always given money to charity even as a child and didn't feel that I had to put a restrictive quota or be guided in this aspect to do good. There was even a limit to doing good (?!?!??!?!).
-I thought it was laughable that the Pakistani children at the mosque would not have the soles of shoes facing towards the ceiling as this meant "God was being hit by a shoe" (?!?!?!?!?!). So, whilst the men had gone to pray salaat, these kids would turn the shoes the "right way around". Even at the age of 4, by the grace of God, I could see this was a ridiculous and benign cultural belief.
-I never put faith in "holy men" or "soothsayers". Even as a 3-4 year old child, I never paid heed to the peremptory authority of pirs and fakirs. I always believed, even as a child, that we have an equal footing towards God and our intentions and deeds and actions are what separate us. We don't require any intercession through any other being.There is so much more which I never believed, but these were just a few examples.
I believed that my relationship with Allah was between my Creator and myself. I always "knew" my Creator despite any fallacies that others might exert, I was never interested. I thank Allah for making me that way. He always had me on this path. Allah brought me to realise some years ago to completely denounce the absurdities of Sunni scripture and practice. Then, some time later, I discovered there were others who believed this too. I suppose I never felt a burden because I never really believed the established dogma. I have always known my Rabb and we have aways been friends. I have never feared my friend. I am at peace.
This is what my Lord had put in my heart from the beginning how could I follow any path other than that which my Creator, Lord of The Worlds has guided me to.
I am glad you guys feel more "connected" now. That is what it is about, what it should be about. Not blindly following nonesensical and illogical ancient traditions and practices. This is something I understood from a very young age. Praise the Lord!
Peace H.A.J,
I do think we shouldn't identify ourselves as Quranist because to do so is to become a sect which is forbidden.
I find myself describing myself as a "Qur'anist" for initial descriptive purposes to other "Muslims" as there are marked differences in beliefs. Otherwise, being a "Muslim", to them, means holding faith in the same ritualism as they do. On a practical level, we are different and, if relevant, I will point this out. However, I do not like the term "Qur'anist". Alhamdulillah, by the grace of my Lord, I am and always have been a Muslim.
"And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith Lo! I am of those who are muslims (surrender unto Him)." (4133).
-
Asalam Aleykom
The reason I ask this is because when I denounced sunnism and embraced "quranism" (God Alone/Quran Alone), the way I connected with God feels very different now. I'm not sure how to describe it. I feel like a huge burden has been lifted from me, and like what was once a cluttered heart, feels so clear and "empty" (in a good way, I think).
Also I don't find myself burdened with guilt, shame or unworthiness like I slumbered most of my life feeling. And it feels like the "voices" in my head have quieted and I almost feel like the calm before the storm. I have to admit I'm wondering if Allah "has left" me (forgive me Allah for the comparison but or else it was shaytan that has left). It's just so quiet inside me! I also feel less fearful (terrified) of Allah. Very much less. I'm not sure if that last one is a good thing..I guess I'm still going through "shock". I only just "reverted" three weeks ago.
I definitely feel liberated though.
I'm curious to know what everyone else felt/feels in terms of their connection with God. Please share
Having come from Christianity directly to Islam (God-Alone), I feel so much closer to God. I no longer have the barrier of a priest and preacher telling me how my relationship to God should be. Rather, I let God illumine my heart through Qur'an. And God is the best guider. Sometimes, I feel a little anxious about not having a physical community anymore, but I will soon get used to that. But I have God in a way I have never had God before and it is amazing. I kinda understand now what the Sufis were talking about when they said to "get drunk on the wine of love." It is a heady feeling.