Struggling in Singapore
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Peace and blessings to all,
I was born and raised in Singapore and I'm still in this little island state. The majority of Muslims here are of the Shafi'i school of thought and their Islamic practices are fused with local rituals and culture that were fused with supposed Islamic practices. The community here is generally strict yet westernized at the same time but recently there has been an influx of salafi preachers in mosques doing their little study circles and my dad has recently subscribed to the anti-innovation in religion doctrine that is essentially wahhabism and salafism but like most people, would disagree to be labelled but strives to be known as Ahl-Sunnah-Wa-AlJammah. So its been hard for me to express myself here at home where he barks down my throat telling me whats right and wrong and whats religious innovation yet at the same time insists that Islam is simple.
My late grandfather however had a more spiritual approach towards Islam, he was a pretty mild Imam in our local mosque over a decade ago. In my teenage years I've struggled to reconcile the liberating spiritual approach towards Islam and the strict rules that the Hadith portrays and I see similarities between the Hadith and the Jewish Talmud - additions to scriptural ordinances. I grew up questioning alot of Islamic practices and became pretty defiant and chose to just let go of religion and focus on God alone without any religious inclinations. I spent about 5 years in that limbo state, almost drifting around like a jellyfish in a religious vacuum.
At 21 I discovered the Baha'i Faith, I was attracted to its teachings that promoted spiritual and social progress, the equality of both gender (almost) I became pretty active in the local Baha'i community, going for classes, prayers and devotions. But after a while and after careful reading into the history and their countless sacred literature, i decided it wasnt for me. I plunged back into jello-limbo. I then became an apathetic agnostic and started my teaching position in a local prestigious Methodist Mission school for boys. Oh how discomforting it was for me.
A year ago, I started picking up the Quran i left collecting dust on my book shelf in my bedroom. I starting reading it, highlighting the verses that speak out to me. So i thought, yes this message is clear and simple, this religion IS simple but why the countless prohibitions and nonsense we hold to be true and divine from the Hadiths? I started feeling uncomfortable about Islam all over again, I couldn't connect the dots. Love your neighbour says the Quran but dont give your salam and greetings to the non muslims or say death be to you according to the hadith.
So recently Ive been in a heated argument/discussion with my parents about the ritual impurity of dogs and how we're supposed to wash 7 times and with soil (my parents who have never read the entire Quran in their native language, insists that all these are in the Quran btw). I started researching and found this site and couple of others that proclaims that The Quran alone should be obeyed. I rejoiced yet fear sank in. I wonder if I'm going down a road far worse than being plain agnostic, or what if I proclaim this publicly and a fatwa against me is decreed by our neighbouring nation (that is supposedly Islamic but a corrupted government) or i get gunned down by local fundamentalists or the worst case, my family might ostracize me.
There you have it, my lengthy testament. I hope to get to you guys and be able to discuss and share in your spiritual journey in this reversion to true early Islam. (we're like a protestant movement back during the reformation era!)
Salam wa Allahu Akbar!
Meisnazt -
Peace Meisnatz
Peace and blessings to all,
I was born and raised in Singapore and I'm still in this little island state. The majority of Muslims here are of the Shafi'i school of thought and their Islamic practices are fused with local rituals and culture that were fused with supposed Islamic practices. The community here is generally strict yet westernized at the same time but recently there has been an influx of salafi preachers in mosques doing their little study circles and my dad has recently subscribed to the anti-innovation in religion doctrine that is essentially wahhabism and salafism but like most people, would disagree to be labelled but strives to be known as Ahl-Sunnah-Wa-AlJammah. So its been hard for me to express myself here at home where he barks down my throat telling me whats right and wrong and whats religious innovation yet at the same time insists that Islam is simple.
My late grandfather however had a more spiritual approach towards Islam, he was a pretty mild Imam in our local mosque over a decade ago. In my teenage years I've struggled to reconcile the liberating spiritual approach towards Islam and the strict rules that the Hadith portrays and I see similarities between the Hadith and the Jewish Talmud - additions to scriptural ordinances. I grew up questioning alot of Islamic practices and became pretty defiant and chose to just let go of religion and focus on God alone without any religious inclinations. I spent about 5 years in that limbo state, almost drifting around like a jellyfish in a religious vacuum.
At 21 I discovered the Baha'i Faith, I was attracted to its teachings that promoted spiritual and social progress, the equality of both gender (almost) I became pretty active in the local Baha'i community, going for classes, prayers and devotions. But after a while and after careful reading into the history and their countless sacred literature, i decided it wasnt for me. I plunged back into jello-limbo. I then became an apathetic agnostic and started my teaching position in a local prestigious Methodist Mission school for boys. Oh how discomforting it was for me.
A year ago, I started picking up the Quran i left collecting dust on my book shelf in my bedroom. I starting reading it, highlighting the verses that speak out to me. So i thought, yes this message is clear and simple, this religion IS simple but why the countless prohibitions and nonsense we hold to be true and divine from the Hadiths? I started feeling uncomfortable about Islam all over again, I couldn't connect the dots. Love your neighbour says the Quran but dont give your salam and greetings to the non muslims or say death be to you according to the hadith.
So recently Ive been in a heated argument/discussion with my parents about the ritual impurity of dogs and how we're supposed to wash 7 times and with soil (my parents who have never read the entire Quran in their native language, insists that all these are in the Quran btw). I started researching and found this site and couple of others that proclaims that The Quran alone should be obeyed. I rejoiced yet fear sank in. I wonder if I'm going down a road far worse than being plain agnostic, or what if I proclaim this publicly and a fatwa against me is decreed by our neighbouring nation (that is supposedly Islamic but a corrupted government) or i get gunned down by local fundamentalists or the worst case, my family might ostracize me.
There you have it, my lengthy testament. I hope to get to you guys and be able to discuss and share in your spiritual journey in this reversion to true early Islam. (we're like a protestant movement back during the reformation era!)
Salam wa Allahu Akbar!
MeisnaztBrother I UNDERSTAND ur Condition very symapthetically, I pray to the Lord that u be Rewarded with Courage and Wisdom and may He shower His blessing on us.
Do NOT EVER be Stressed in UR SEARCH OF TRUTH. I am sure the Lord reward people who take pains in Search of Truth irrespective of whether they Find IT OR NOT.
Do not be FEARFUL OF anyone. But Be GOOD TO UR PARENTS, They will Ultimately LISTEN TO U IF U PRESENT THE MATTER HUMBLY AND WITH CORRECT ARGUMENTS.
Peace
Ur Friend
Harun..... ) pr pr pr -
Thank you for your sincere encouragement Es & Harun! Its a pity that people with our point of view are scattered all over the world. May the blessings of God enable us to grow from strength to strength through the internet!
Salaam Meisnazt,
Strive for righteousness and take a firm route along the path of God. Search for the truth and don't feel alone; Allah is with you.
May you be successful in attaining hikmah and moving towards God. May you always do the right thing.
Salaam.
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Salam Meisnazt..
Nice to see you.. welcome welcome
Fatwa from 'islamic and corrupted neighboring nation' ?
You mean Malaysia?
Don't worry meh.. since they're 'corrupted' in the first place, as long as you pay enough amount of zadakah to the "Majlis Ulema", you're going to be ok lah.. They might even like you and invite you to go 'jalan-jalan' and 'makan-makan'.Salam / Peace
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Salam from Singapore!
Don't worry, you are not alone in Singapore ) In fact I think there are a number of Us who follow Quran Alone and God Alone, it is just that we are a more reserved lot in Singapore for fear of being "gunned" down by traditionalists in Sg.
I am pretty new on this forum and a silent reader most of the times.
anyway welcome
May Allah continue to guide Us on the straight path.
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Salam Nadya!
Im happy to k ow that there are others like me here in S'pore. Imagine having to worry about just way too many things in our nation and then to top it off, our religious point of view too! Haha, may God grant us wisdom I do hope to one day have the Quranists in Sg to gather together for reflections or even be able to celebrate God's glories as a small community of believers D
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Greetings Emil!
Yay! More people near me! Well yeah that form of religious puritanism/fundamentalism is pretty widespread in the region. Started with the House of Saud in Saudi Arabia adopting Wahhabism in the early 19th century if Im not wrong and then spreading its influence across the globe slowly but surely. Shudders
Whereabouts in Singapore are you guys at?
Peace!
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Salaam and welcome to the forum handshake
I wonder if I'm going down a road far worse than being plain agnostic
6149 Say "With God is the greatest argument. If He wished He would have guided you all."
6150 Say "Bring forth your witnesses who bear witness that God has made this unlawful." If they bear witness, then do not bear witness with them, nor follow the desires of those who deny Our revelations, and those who do not believe in the Hereafter; and they make equals with their Lord!
6151 Say "Come let me recite what your Lord has made unlawful for you that you should not set up anything with Him; and do good to your parents; and do not kill your children for fear of poverty, We provide for you and for them; and do not come near lewdness, what is evident of it and what is subtle; and do not take the life which God has made forbidden, except in justice. That is what He enjoined you that you may comprehend."
6152 "And do not come near the money of the orphan, except for what is best, until he reaches his independence; and give honestly full measure and weight equitably. We do not burden a soul except with what it can bear, and if you speak then be just even if against a relative; and regarding the pledges made to God, you shall observe them. This He has enjoined you that you may remember."
6153 And this is My path, a straight one. "So follow it, and do not follow the other paths lest they divert you from His path. That is what He has enjoined you to that you may be righteous."If you follow this then you are on the right road inshaAllah, and you have nothing to fear on your road except if Allah wants to.
Salaam,
Benderps I like your skyline, inshaAllah one day I will visit your country pr
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Peace
Your story is touching. I could see the seeking for knowledge and truth.
I'm sure there are a couple of people who follow he Quran alone in sg on Facebook.
also, did u Ever consider moving over seas and maybe teaching etc?Best of luck and May God support and protect you guys.
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You got two out of 3 Singlish expressions right Made me feel at home.
Only two out of three? How Can ah?
I used to live in SG, about 10 years ago.I think SG is not bad at all. I mean from 'sectarianistic' perspective.
Over there.. You can believe in anything you want..
That is as long as you keep paying taxes for Pay And Pay party lah.And around the region, I see some quite 'positive' development.
More and more critical thinker (especially from the young generation) sprung up like rainfall in Indonesia and Malaysia. Malaysia might be more 'sectarian' compared to Indonesia, partly due to the "Islam" being considered as social identity among the native Malays, but I believe things will get better in the near future.Indonesia is growing fast, and the political power of the 'sectarian sunnis' are weak there. Although around 80-90% of the population there (claim to be) Sunnis, it's not being reflected on the election results, the islamist parties barely managed to survive with 20-30% of votes, and it grows weaker and weaker each day. In other words they are becoming more and more secular each day, and tolerance is actually within their blood.
So.. light up dude.. no need to worry lah...
Things getting better already..Salam / Peace
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I'm sure there are a couple of people who follow he Quran alone in sg on Facebook.
also, did u Ever consider moving over seas and maybe teaching etc?Salam Youssef & Jaafar!
I'm actually in the midst of planning to relocate to Dunedin in New Zealand for my Masters programme at the University of Otago. Im also looking at getting a teaching position in Perth after that.
I'm pretty sure there are other Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) Muslims here in Singapore but on fb, i havent found a concrete group and I would love to spear head a local online community for the S'poreans (and risk getting my life under scrutiny gasp). But all in good time Inshallah.Well we can believe in anything we want in Singapore but because the Islamic Council is endorsed and has government support, it becomes really tricky, the Islamic council in Singpoare has a record of who is muslim and who isnt and therefor should a muslim profess a slightly different view of Islam, they will take action - counselling and what not.
Indonesia has always been a tolerant society my grandparents hailed from Indonesia and they spoke of how people of the same tribe can profess different faiths and live side by side and probably eat from the same plate and sleep on the same bed, whereas in singapore that is only possible amongst the other ethnicities except the Malays who are mostly muslims and so if a malay is known to have left the faith or whos ancestors never embraced Islam, they'll be viewed in a negative way. Sort of like "hey you heathen throwback" or "omg you betrayed the faith, your race (yes race too coz in Singapore race and religion has gotten intertwined to such a confusing level for those who are not muslims).
Malaysia, despite the growing number of thinkers, its way too tricky, the government there mixes religion and politics. (Not gonna say more ;P).
Pardon my morning rambling.
Have a blessed Friday!
meisnazt -
Salam Youssef & Jaafar!
I'm actually in the midst of planning to relocate to Dunedin in New Zealand for my Masters programme at the University of Otago. Im also looking at getting a teaching position in Perth after that.
I'm pretty sure there are other Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) Muslims here in Singapore but on fb, i havent found a concrete group and I would love to spear head a local online community for the S'poreans (and risk getting my life under scrutiny gasp). But all in good time Inshallah.Well we can believe in anything we want in Singapore but because the Islamic Council is endorsed and has government support, it becomes really tricky, the Islamic council in Singpoare has a record of who is muslim and who isnt and therefor should a muslim profess a slightly different view of Islam, they will take action - counselling and what not.
Indonesia has always been a tolerant society my grandparents hailed from Indonesia and they spoke of how people of the same tribe can profess different faiths and live side by side and probably eat from the same plate and sleep on the same bed, whereas in singapore that is only possible amongst the other ethnicities except the Malays who are mostly muslims and so if a malay is known to have left the faith or whos ancestors never embraced Islam, they'll be viewed in a negative way. Sort of like "hey you heathen throwback" or "omg you betrayed the faith, your race (yes race too coz in Singapore race and religion has gotten intertwined to such a confusing level for those who are not muslims).
Malaysia, despite the growing number of thinkers, its way too tricky, the government there mixes religion and politics. (Not gonna say more ;P).
Pardon my morning rambling.
Have a blessed Friday!
meisnaztCor blimey, I never knew Singapore was so strange like that. One learns something new every day. Talking of which what does "lah" mean?
All the best in N.Z., dude.
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Hello Es!
Its a strange place. Secular but rights to religiousity are given. "Lah" at the end of sentences or words, denotes emphasis. Its from our colloquial variety of English with a mix of many other words and expressions from the languages spoken in Singapore.like we say "Really meh?" to mean "Are you sure?"
I was in Dunedin in december and i love how peace and quiet the city is. Well prolly because it was term break and the university was almost empty. Im sure it'll be pretty chaotic during term time.
D
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Salam Youssef & Jaafar!
Well we can believe in anything we want in Singapore but because the Islamic Council is endorsed and has government support, it becomes really tricky, the Islamic council in Singpoare has a record of who is muslim and who isnt and therefor should a muslim profess a slightly different view of Islam, they will take action - counselling and what not.
Of course meh, number is important for the Islamic Council, because that will decide how much $$$ they will get each year as grant from the Pay and Pay party (read Government).
Then why don't you tell them or announce you've converted out from Islam? (read I ain't your sheep anymore)
And converted IN to the same faith as they are now? (read $$$ is our God)Luckily I was (considered) as a 'matsaleh' when I was there..
And there's no "religion" in my passport..Indonesia has always been a tolerant society my grandparents hailed from Indonesia and they spoke of how people of the same tribe can profess different faiths and live side by side and probably eat from the same plate and sleep on the same bed, whereas in singapore that is only possible amongst the other ethnicities except the Malays who are mostly muslims and so if a malay is known to have left the faith or whos ancestors never embraced Islam, they'll be viewed in a negative way. Sort of like "hey you heathen throwback" or "omg you betrayed the faith, your race (yes race too coz in Singapore race and religion has gotten intertwined to such a confusing level for those who are not muslims).
Yeah that's the strange thing about SG and MAL.
They ask about 'your race' on the immigration form.. the choices are Chinese, Malays, Indians etc..
I always choose "others" DMalaysia, despite the growing number of thinkers, its way too tricky, the government there mixes religion and politics. (Not gonna say more ;P).
Well religion by itself originated from politics anyway.. thus it's nothing new at all..
Salam / Peace
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Yeah, its all intertwined that way. But there are ex muslims who were bold and wrote in to them that theyve left religion all together or converted to christianity.
On a lighter note...
Of course meh,
"meh" is an article that denotes a question. So you cant use meh here coz you meant to say, "Of Course!" so it should be
"Of course lah!" =P And yes Singlish has a grammar.=D