The Biggest Challenge in Our Community Today: Trust Issues
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The biggest challenge we face in our community today is a lack of trust. Many members on the forum seem to have "trust issues" and do not trust one another easily. I don't blame them. I myself might have "trust issues" as well. As far as I am concerned, the trust issues in our community are mainly driven by concerns about risk, privacy, and loyalty. These concerns are often made worse by the anonymous nature of our community, which can make it difficult to assess each other's credibility, motives, and long-term commitment.
It seems that many forum members trust their neighbors, colleagues, acquaintances, and friends more than "monotheists" (who rely solely on the Qur'an for their faith). This does not seem fully logical to me. One possible explanation is that they assume "monotheists" know too much about their beliefs, compared to people around them from whom they have kept their faith secret. From that perspective, it makes sense because they might be concerned that they have something to lose if someone they consider a "monotheist" were to turn against them and share confidential information about their faith with others.
If you are a "monotheist" (who rely solely on the Qur'an for your faith), it would make sense to trust people who share your beliefs and are like-minded at least as much as, if not more than, those who are not. But this doesn't always seem to be the case on the forum. This raises an important question. Why might that be the case?
Trust, of course, must be earned. So I do understand that it is wise and prudent to be cautious and to get to know someone well before deciding to join forces (collaborate) with them. However, sometimes it seems that some forum members build walls between themselves and others. At times, bridges between forum members seem few here. Caution is wise and prudent. But in some cases, caution becomes distance, and distance becomes fragmentation and separation. What should be a connected community becomes a collection of isolated individuals, each acting like their own Batman, Superman, Catwoman and Wonder Woman.
I see five main reasons for the lack of unity in our community.
1. Status and perceived superiority
Some members on the forum seem to be arrogant and think they are better than others. So they tend not to bond with many members on the forum. Instead, they might try to bond only with a select few whom they perceive to have high status, position, power, fame, or wealth in the community. I might be wrong, and I hope I am wrong about this. But if my observation is correct, they might be prioritizing image and status over "character" (honesty, sincerity, integrity and trustworthiness).
Furthermore, if my aforementioned observation is correct, they are consciously or unconsciously playing games and might have hidden (secret) agendas. Additionally, they might ignore or be unaware of the commands of the Qur'an to join forces (collaborate) with others based on their character, not on their position, wealth, power, and status (see verses 2:247, 11:27, 26:111, and 80:1-10).
If status and perceived superiority start to shape social interactions in our community, we might begin to respond to rank rather than character. Even when unintended, this dynamic can create distance among members and weaken the sense of equal belonging.
The scripture of the lord teaches us to value an individual's morals and virtue rather than their worldly status or wealth. We are supposed to judge others by their character, not by their privilege or material success.
Personally, I have spoken with and had conversations with people from all walks of life, rich and poor, educated and non-educated, public figures and ordinary people, housed and homeless, and people of many different faiths and beliefs, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, agnostics, atheists, skeptics, and even those who hold conspiracy beliefs or heterodox perspectives.
If you are my friend, that friendship does not depend on whether you are rich or poor, or on your social status, background, or circumstances. Instead, I look at your character. I value character above everything else, as I have been taught by the scripture of the Almighty and because it is the right thing to do. True friendship is not defined by what a person has, but by who they are (their character). That is what truly matters.
Like I mentioned earlier, the Qur'an commands us to join forces (collaborate) with people based on their character, not on their position, wealth, power, and status (once again, see verses 2:247, 11:27, 26:111, and 80:1-10).
Those who really reflect understand that people in our community who have wealth, privilege, and excellent careers did not necessarily achieve them through effort alone. They might have had certain advantages that others didn't have. They might have had a head start in life through family support, connections, inheritance, or being born or raised in more favorable economic conditions in developed countries such as the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Singapore, Japan, or South Korea. This gives them advantages that others might not have had. In many cases, they might have stood on the shoulders of giants. Therefore, their success might reflect not only their own effort but also the circumstances and opportunities they were given.
On the other hand, others in our community might have been poor or lived in dysfunctional families that not only didn't support them but also limited or, in some cases, severely restricted their opportunities, so they had to build everything from scratch or almost from scratch. Therefore, no one on the forum should judge others based on their position, wealth, power, or status.
Furthermore, as shown in the Qur'an, there is an important reminder in the story of Qarun about what self-exaltation and arrogance can ultimately lead to (see verses 28:76-82, 29:39, and 40:23-34). Qarun (who was from among the people of Moses) betrayed his own people by exalting himself above them through his wealth. He was urged to seek the Hereafter (afterlife) with what God had given him, while not forgetting his share in this world. He was also urged to do good to others as God had done good to him. On top of that, he was warned not to spread corruption on earth. Qarun falsely claimed that he had been given his wealth because of his own knowledge and took credit for it himself. Therefore, he believed he deserved to use his wealth for selfish purposes. He was arrogant and heedless, ignored the warnings he received, persisted in ingratitude (kufr), and chose foolishness over guidance. The story of Qarun serves as a warning against self-exaltation and arrogance, as well as the belief that material success proves superiority. Qarun claimed credit for what had been given to him by God and forgot the moral and spiritual responsibilities that came with it. Ultimately, this led to the serious and significant consequences described in the Qur'an.
Those who really reflect understand that there is a difference between "being good" and "looking good." "Being good" is about intentions, character, and actions when no one is watching. If someone asks you for help in private, you help them regardless of their status, wealth, position, or power. You do not only help them if it benefits your image. You help them because they need help. Help is its own reward.
At the same time, "being good" does not mean offering someone help without discernment. Help should be genuinely beneficial and not enable harm, dependency, or outcomes that ultimately work against a person's well-being or growth. True sincerity requires both compassion and discernment. In some cases, the most responsible form of help might be to set firm boundaries or to refrain from intervening in ways that could make things worse. Sometimes, the best help is allowing a person to learn the lesson on their own, even if it's difficult and painful.
Furthermore, "being good" is the opposite of non-Qur'anic behaviors such as passive-aggressive behavior. In addition, it is the opposite of manipulative tactics such as excessive flattery, a**-kissing (or a**-licking), triangulation, intermittent reinforcement, silent treatment (as opposed to healthy and constructive silence used for reflection, self-control, de-escalation, and reality check-in), guilt-tripping, divide and conquer strategies, obligation induction, gaslighting, shifting or moving goalposts, victim inversion, DARVO, and other similar manipulative behaviors.
On the other hand, "looking good" is about actions or behavior that appear good to others. It is external and often tied to social approval.
To sum up, some forum members seem to prioritize social status, influence, or visibility when they choose who to engage with here. This can lead to selective bonding with a small group of perceived "high-status" individuals, rather than broader engagement. Over time, this reinforces distance within the community and discourages equal cooperation. Ultimately, it leads to division, disunity and sectarianism in our community, which violates the balanced stance we are supposed to have (see verse 2:143). We must call out this kind of behavior within our community. All of us can become guilty of this kind of behavior if we are not careful, and if we start engaging in it, we must change our ways. We are supposed to have high standards for ourselves, as taught by the Qur'an. We are supposed to be inclusive, not exclusive, as taught by the Qur'an. So there is no room for division, disunity and sectarianism in our community. Remember, even Hajj is inclusive and intended for all people (humankind), not exclusively for Muslims (see verse 22:27).
2. Jealousy and comparison
Some forum members might have issues with comparison. Instead of focusing on and nurturing their own strengths and gifts, and competing with themselves by measuring their progress against their past self and future goals, some members on the forum appear to compare themselves with others. Ironically, this holds them back from growth and accomplishment.
All of us have experienced this at some stage. Some of us ignore it, others act on it, some work to eliminate it, and some have eliminated it entirely.
Comparison with others can become a source of division, distraction, and jealousy, and waste valuable energy and time that could otherwise be used for serving the Lord and increasing one's faith and personal progress.
The Qur'an calls us to compete in good deeds, not in self-importance or vanity (see verses 2:148, 5:48 and 23:61). For example, this means trying to help others more than they help you. The goal is not to compare ourselves with others or become like them, but to serve more, contribute more, grow more, and become who we are meant to be in accordance with our own unique purpose in life (see verses 17:84 and 92:4). The way to achieve this is to shift one's focus from one's ego to the cause of the Almighty and the approval of the Lord. When the focus is on the cause of the Almighty and the approval of the Lord, rather than comparison with others, jealousy naturally disappears.
3. Small inner circles and personal preference
Some forum members might simply have a small inner circle of relationships. Perhaps they are content with their spouses, children, parents, current friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and local networks. They might not feel the need to form new connections. They might not feel a strong need to expand social ties online.
In such cases, distance is not rejection but preference. Perhaps they have high expectations of others too. Not that they themselves are perfect, and neither am I nor anyone else. Their preference for maintaining a small inner circle might also be related to trust, caution, and life priorities.
4. Preference for online discussion over offline connection
Some forum members might not connect with other members offline because they see the forum mainly as a place for discussion rather than personal relationship-building. They might feel that being engaged in conversations online is enough and not feel the need for further interaction outside the forum.
Furthermore, these members might see themselves more as doers (men or women on a mission) rather than talkers. These members might view too much talk as a hindrance to getting things done.
It is well known that there is a significant difference between talk (words) and action (deeds). Talk has its proper place (see verses 14:24-25). It is valuable for those who are learning, growing, or seeking answers, as well as for sharing what one has learned with others and receiving feedback on one's work. But action is more important and more impactful, as shown in the Qur'an (see verse 35:10).
A significant number of members on the forum seem to engage mainly in discussion. Some are new, and some are at different stages of their journey. But excessive talk without action can slow or even hinder progress.
5. Preference for anonymity, privacy, and boundaries
Some forum members might intentionally maintain distance to preserve anonymity and privacy. Online interaction has limits, and some members might prefer to keep their personal lives separate from their digital identities. This naturally restricts close connections.
Close connections reduce anonymity, so some members on the forum might prefer to maintain boundaries in order to preserve privacy. I think it is important to respect this. Perhaps they have good reasons for wanting to remain anonymous. Perhaps they have received threats or had other negative experiences that made them cautious. Perhaps they are not ready to transition from being anonymous to non-anonymous. Perhaps they are reluctant to transition from anonymity to full identification because they live in conservative Muslim-majority countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Brunei, Nigeria, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Mauritania, Comoros and The Maldives. Or because they live in socially religious and institutionally mixed Muslim-majority countries such as Chad, Guinea, and The Gambia, where social and religious norms might strongly shape public expression. Or because they live in cities with large Muslim populations in non-Muslim countries such as New York City, Toronto, London, Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Vienna, Sydney, Amsterdam, Stockholm, or Bangkok, where some local communities might observe very conservative religious or social norms.
Unlike in conservative Muslim-majority countries, it might feel easier and safer for "monotheists" (who rely solely on the Qur'an for their faith) to be non-anonymous and practice their faith openly in certain Muslim-minority countries, such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Micronesia, Japan, Armenia, South Korea, Timor-Leste, and The Bahamas. In addition, it might feel easier and safer for "monotheists" to be non-anonymous and practice their faith openly in Muslim-majority countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which have socially mixed and internationally integrated environments, where urban life and diverse populations coexist alongside traditional values and regulated but socially visible forms of public expression.
Furthermore, it might also feel easier and safer for "monotheists" to be non-anonymous and practice their faith openly in Muslim-majority countries often described as reform-oriented, pluralistic, or institutionally diverse, such as Tunisia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, which reflect different balances between religion, state institutions, and civic life, as well as varying degrees of openness in how identity and belief are expressed publicly.
Across all these contexts, individual experiences differ significantly depending on local communities, environments, and personal circumstances, which means that openness, caution, or anonymity cannot be accurately determined by country labels alone. Additionally, experiences are also influenced by local laws and broader social attitudes. Unfortunately, "Islam" (derived solely from the Qur'an) is not yet a universally accepted faith, unlike traditional Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other well-established faiths. As a result, many forum members who identify with this understanding of "Islam" appear to choose to remain anonymous and exercise much greater caution when expressing their beliefs publicly.
Regarding anonymity, some members have shared their first names or even their full names, sometimes along with additional personal details, yet they still retain a degree of anonymity. To my knowledge, the only member who has fully revealed his identity and practices his faith openly is Edip Yuksel, who also openly spreads the message of Islam derived from the Qur'an as the sole source of guidance, law, and practice in Islam. I find this commendable, as it requires profound courage, deep vulnerability, and unwavering trust in God.
Perhaps a believer's ultimate aim should be gradual openness over time, by moving from anonymity toward full identification, but this depends on personal readiness and circumstances.
Additional reasons
Some forum members might also not connect with other members due to laziness, being busy with work or career, geographical distance, language barrier, or preferring to spend time alone (being "lone wolves"). Others might prefer to stay online rather than offline to save time and money. Additionally, some members might value anonymity strongly.
By not bonding with other members who share similar beliefs, we might unintentionally deprive ourselves and others of useful knowledge, experience, feedback, advice, help, and support.
In terms of what we stand to lose, a real-world example illustrates this. Fifty monotheists invest $5,000 each into farmland, totaling $250,000. Together, they could acquire a significant amount of farmland (roughly 6 to 10 acres) in a country like Portugal. Doing this alone would require far more time, resources, and effort to manage. This shows how collective effort can turn what is very difficult for individuals into something far more practical and attainable.
The reason I chose Portugal in the aforementioned example is that it is widely considered one of the best countries in the world for expats. Moreover, it is known for strong property rights and a relatively accessible path from residency to citizenship compared to many other countries.
Another example is that online interaction has limits. Even platforms like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, and Zoom are not comparable to in-person (face-to-face) conversations whatsoever. They have clear limitations in communication, as well as in privacy and freedom. Some members might want to discuss certain projects offline and in private that involve doing something good/righteous (see verse 4:114). These kinds of projects might achieve better results when discussed in-person (face-to-face) before they are launched. Therefore, bonding with other members offline offers benefits that are not available through online interaction.
Conclusion
It is unfortunate that many members on the forum don't trust each other. If this challenge is solved, our community could become significantly stronger and more connected. Instead of remaining a distant online group, it could evolve into a more meaningful real-world community, with local groups, meetups, and strong collaborations. Forum members and their families could meet in person, reduce costs for different projects, and strengthen bonds beyond digital interaction.
Ultimately, trust is the foundation of unity in our community. Without it, even shared beliefs remain fragmented. With it, real cooperation becomes possible.
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Peace all!
The article in the OP was updated again on June 26th to correct inconsistencies, fix incomplete sections, and improve its prose. It has now been finalized after additional revisions and rewrites, and is no longer in draft form. I really appreciate your patience while I worked on this. If you have already seen earlier versions, I would appreciate it if you could take one last look at the updated version. As always, any feedback, thoughts, opinions, questions, or discussion are very welcome.
I trust you are enjoying the World Cup as much as I am.
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Peace all!
Regarding our community, I don't believe we are meant to form a large, separate real-world community similar to groups such as the Amish (USA), Hutterite colonies (USA), Soto Zen groups (Japan), Findhorn Ecovillage (Scotland/UK), Freetown Christiania (Denmark), or Auroville (India). To me, these communities seem exclusive, not inclusive. The Qur'an indicates that we are meant to be a balanced community among other communities, not isolated or separated from them (see verse 2:143). In addition, the Qur'an indicates that humanity is one nation (see verses 2:213, 10:19, 21:92, and 23:52).
That being said, smaller local groups could be established in different countries, and occasional meetups could also be organized. If forum members and their families were to meet in person in different countries, it would reduce travel costs (since there would be no need to book hotel rooms or Airbnb accommodation). In addition, it would strengthen connections beyond digital interaction. Lastly, it could have a positive impact on the lives of forum members through joint collaboration and shared experiences.
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I think anonymity is not the problem here; it may actually be the protection. On a sensitive subject like Quran-only belief, many people need a safe space to speak without exposing themselves socially or personally. Offline groups and meetups may work for a few mature individuals, but if they become a community direction, they can create pressure, inner circles, hierarchy, and loyalty expectations.
That may take us toward the same problems we criticize in other religious groups. So I would keep the forum mainly open, anonymous, and discussion-based. Private friendships can happen naturally, but they should not become the model or expectation for the community.
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I think anonymity is not the problem here; it may actually be the protection. On a sensitive subject like Quran-only belief, many people need a safe space to speak without exposing themselves socially or personally. Offline groups and meetups may work for a few mature individuals, but if they become a community direction, they can create pressure, inner circles, hierarchy, and loyalty expectations.
That may take us toward the same problems we criticize in other religious groups. So I would keep the forum mainly open, anonymous, and discussion-based. Private friendships can happen naturally, but they should not become the model or expectation for the community.
@Fusion said in The Biggest Challenge in Our Community Today: Trust Issues:
I think anonymity is not the problem here; it may actually be the protection. On a sensitive subject like Quran-only belief, many people need a safe space to speak without exposing themselves socially or personally. Offline groups and meetups may work for a few mature individuals, but if they become a community direction, they can create pressure, inner circles, hierarchy, and loyalty expectations.
That may take us toward the same problems we criticize in other religious groups. So I would keep the forum mainly open, anonymous, and discussion-based. Private friendships can happen naturally, but they should not become the model or expectation for the community.
I agree.
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Also GOD has given each one of us responsibilities and duties.
It is not a coincidence that each male pairs up with a female ,create a family and both become responsible to bring up the family in a healthy and safe environment-where possible-.
Our utmost duty is to GOD Alone ,then to our family and inner circle then to the community/socially and in cooperation, friendship and care.
First and foremost one is looking/living with a family, this is our priority each one of us.
only the relationship with GOD takes precedence.
A contract with GOD Alone requires the individual to submit tp GOD s authority and rules to lead a way of life in GOD s path. Those fulfilling this extremely improtant contract in life will find themselves uniting with each other through GOD Alone eventually.
All our social contact/neighbors/friends/community are also included in GOD s instructions in His message to us.
Treating everyone with respect, ,with peace and amicably is a requirement. Meeting with like minded individuals, studying together ,helping one another is also another requirement to live by. GOD will provide both our friends, and enemies, the decision and relationship with all people is ours to make.
May GOD unite and help us to save ourselves and to help others and live in peace and security with each other.
GOD bless you all. Peace. -
I think anonymity is not the problem here; it may actually be the protection. On a sensitive subject like Quran-only belief, many people need a safe space to speak without exposing themselves socially or personally. Offline groups and meetups may work for a few mature individuals, but if they become a community direction, they can create pressure, inner circles, hierarchy, and loyalty expectations.
That may take us toward the same problems we criticize in other religious groups. So I would keep the forum mainly open, anonymous, and discussion-based. Private friendships can happen naturally, but they should not become the model or expectation for the community.
@Fusion said in The Biggest Challenge in Our Community Today: Trust Issues:
I think anonymity is not the problem here; it may actually be the protection. On a sensitive subject like Quran-only belief, many people need a safe space to speak without exposing themselves socially or personally. Offline groups and meetups may work for a few mature individuals, but if they become a community direction, they can create pressure, inner circles, hierarchy, and loyalty expectations.
That may take us toward the same problems we criticize in other religious groups. So I would keep the forum mainly open, anonymous, and discussion-based. Private friendships can happen naturally, but they should not become the model or expectation for the community.
Peace Fusion and all!
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I agree that anonymity is not the main issue. In many cases, it is a necessary form of protection for people who could face social, family, or legal consequences for expressing their beliefs openly.
The main challenge is trust, not anonymity. Anonymity is simply one of several things that can contribute to trust issues, alongside status-seeking, jealousy and comparison, preference for small social circles, preference for online discussion, and so on.
I support the view that no one should feel pressured to reveal their identity or join offline groups. Friendships, collaborations, and disclosure of one's identity should develop naturally and voluntarily, and at the right time (when one is ready and sees it as necessary). That said, trust is generally harder to build in anonymous environments. Not because anonymity is inherently bad, but because it limits how well people can know one another and build rapport. In any case, we are closer in our views than it might first appear.
There is another point worth reflecting on. While no one should feel pressured to be non-anonymous or to practice their faith openly, I do find full identification commendable. I say this because it requires great courage, vulnerability, and trust in God. History also shows that those who spoke out publicly and stood firmly behind their convictions often had greater and more lasting influence. This approach is often summarized in the saying, "High risk, high reward." For example, scholars, thinkers, and social, spiritual, and religious reformers (like Martin Luther, Syed Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Iqbal, Ghulam Ahmad Parwez, Muhammad Shahrur, Inoue Enryō, Seneca the Younger, Frederick Douglass, Lu Xun, José Rizal, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, and Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi) had a lasting influence because they spoke out publicly and stood firmly behind the messages they spread, by associating their names, reputations, and lives with those messages. Without that kind of public commitment, their influence and impact would likely not have been as strong.
People generally place greater trust in those who openly stand behind their actions and words with their identity, reputation, and example. Anonymous voices can make valuable contributions, but they rarely achieve the same level of influence and impact as those who publicly identify with their message. They are also harder to reach, and harder to build alliances and collaborations with. Being non-anonymous has a price, but anonymity and "playing it safe" has a much greater price. It can mean loosing opportunities for feedback, advice, mentorship, collaboration, alliances, and support. It can also reduce the chance of public financial backing and other forms of support, which has historically played a major role in enabling many individuals to bring about significant and meaningful change in their societies and communities.
In the digital era (information age), sharing knowledge or expressing a message anonymously has become easier than ever before. Precisely for this reason, public identification can carry even greater significance today than in the past. When anonymity is the easier and more common option, attaching one's name to the information one shares becomes rarer, and therefore potentially more impactful and influential.
At the same time, a balance between privacy and openness is not only a practical concern but also a moral and spiritual one, which the Qur'an itself illustrates through a particular story. As the Qur'an shows in verses 40:28-46, a believing man from Pharaoh's family concealed his faith for a time, then disclosed it when he was ready and felt it was necessary. He delivered a reasoned speech, appealed to justice, and invited others to God. When they plotted against him, God protected him. This story also draws attention to the importance of supporting God's messengers, in this case Moses, and calling others to faith. In that way, it parallels the story of the man from the town (see verses 36:13-29). In both stories, certain individuals support the messengers and call their people to God, even at personal risk (see verses 36:13-29 and 40:28-46).
The Qur'an permits both approaches, anonymity and open identification. Still, it also indicates that disclosing one's faith at the right time, when one is ready and it is necessary, aligns more closely with its overall message. The Qur'an presents many examples of messengers and righteous people who practice their faith openly. The believing man from Pharaoh's family stands as an exception, not the norm. Even he did not conceal his faith forever. The Qur'an calls believers not to fear human judgment but to fear God (3:173-175). Therefore, openness at the right time appears more consistent with the Qur'anic message than permanent concealment of one's faith. At the same time, as stated earlier, anonymity remains permissible in the Qur'an. That interplay between openness and privacy captures an important part of the beauty and nuance of our faith.
All praise is due to God, the Almighty.
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Peace friends.
GOD calls ,everyone is invited,those who hear the call and respond are already united in their Islam to GOD.
GOD does everything, our trust in GOD is our protection. Therefore we should give people the benefit of a doubt. As far as I know I trust people except those that prove me wrong- give me a strong reason they cannot be trusted-.
When I meet people I treat them the same way I treat the believer I know and respect.
My relationship with people is transparent and honest. Most of my friends and those I live with and share a community with ,they reciprocate the friendship and respect.
I trust everyone in this forum , without clear evidence It will be wrong of me to even think otherwise.
GOD bless you all.
Peace. -
Peace friends.
GOD calls ,everyone is invited,those who hear the call and respond are already united in their Islam to GOD.
GOD does everything, our trust in GOD is our protection. Therefore we should give people the benefit of a doubt. As far as I know I trust people except those that prove me wrong- give me a strong reason they cannot be trusted-.
When I meet people I treat them the same way I treat the believer I know and respect.
My relationship with people is transparent and honest. Most of my friends and those I live with and share a community with ,they reciprocate the friendship and respect.
I trust everyone in this forum , without clear evidence It will be wrong of me to even think otherwise.
GOD bless you all.
Peace.@good-logic said in The Biggest Challenge in Our Community Today: Trust Issues:
Peace friends.
GOD calls ,everyone is invited,those who hear the call and respond are already united in their Islam to GOD.
GOD does everything, our trust in GOD is our protection. Therefore we should give people the benefit of a doubt. As far as I know I trust people except those that prove me wrong- give me a strong reason they cannot be trusted-.
When I meet people I treat them the same way I treat the believer I know and respect.
My relationship with people is transparent and honest. Most of my friends and those I live with and share a community with ,they reciprocate the friendship and respect.
I trust everyone in this forum , without clear evidence It will be wrong of me to even think otherwise.
GOD bless you all.
Peace.Peace good logic and all!
That's interesting. If you trust everyone here, may I ask why you choose to remain anonymous rather than disclose your identity?
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Fair enough Ronin and yes I agree that people who openly attach their name to a message can sometimes have more influence and I respect that courage.
But personally I don’t see myself in the category of public reformers or people trying to lead a movement. I am just an ordinary forum member, here to discuss, learn, question, and exchange thoughts.
So for me, “high risk, high reward” is not really the measure. Sometimes taking a high risk may be meaningful, but sometimes it may simply be unnecessary exposure. Each person has to judge that according to their own situation, responsibilities, and readiness.
I think public openness can be admirable, but anonymity can also be a wise and valid choice.
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Peace Ronin.
This is not about me,who am i or what I do.
I am here to shout out GOD s mercy and message that has amazed me.
I have introduced myself as a believer and said a summary- Where I live, my age, my family- Carol my wife, Anna, Adam and Jenna my three children and my grandchildren- Alexander, Aalyah ,Kaiser, Wilba, Albi and Aleena- Children of my three children s families.
I am irrelevant brother and I am not after anything. This forum is all about GOD s message and its benefits.
I have had private chats with some members and I have tried to set up meetings in the past to say hello to those who could meet as a group for a meal and chat.
I hope this answers your question.
Thank you for asking.
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
Fair enough Ronin and yes I agree that people who openly attach their name to a message can sometimes have more influence and I respect that courage.
But personally I don’t see myself in the category of public reformers or people trying to lead a movement. I am just an ordinary forum member, here to discuss, learn, question, and exchange thoughts.
So for me, “high risk, high reward” is not really the measure. Sometimes taking a high risk may be meaningful, but sometimes it may simply be unnecessary exposure. Each person has to judge that according to their own situation, responsibilities, and readiness.
I think public openness can be admirable, but anonymity can also be a wise and valid choice.
@Fusion said in The Biggest Challenge in Our Community Today: Trust Issues:
Fair enough Ronin and yes I agree that people who openly attach their name to a message can sometimes have more influence and I respect that courage.
But personally I don’t see myself in the category of public reformers or people trying to lead a movement. I am just an ordinary forum member, here to discuss, learn, question, and exchange thoughts.
So for me, “high risk, high reward” is not really the measure. Sometimes taking a high risk may be meaningful, but sometimes it may simply be unnecessary exposure. Each person has to judge that according to their own situation, responsibilities, and readiness.
I think public openness can be admirable, but anonymity can also be a wise and valid choice.
Fusion, thank you for your reply. I appreciate your perspective, and I see our views as complementary rather than contradictory. I agree that anonymity can be a wise choice depending on one's situation, readiness, and circumstances. My point is simply that openly identifying with one's faith can often make the message more personal and impactful when someone is ready to do so. Likewise, the Qur'an calls on believers to stand firm in their faith while exercising wisdom and prudence, so both anonymity and openness can be appropriate depending on one's situation, readiness and circumstances.
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Thank you for your reply, good logic. I really appreciate your contributions here, by the way. Your reasonable approach, along with your warm and respectful tone, stands out and adds significant value to the forum. I also appreciate your sincerity and your desire to keep the focus on God rather than on yourself, and I respect that.
However, I don't think you actually answered the question I asked. You might also consider editing your post to remove the names of your family members, as they aren't part of this discussion, although it's entirely your choice if you're comfortable keeping them here. My question wasn't about your family or your personal life, and you also mentioned "where I live," and "my age", but you didn't actually say where you live or what your age is.
My question was simply this. If you trust all the members of this forum, why do you choose to remain anonymous rather than openly identifying yourself? By "identifying yourself," I mean sharing information such as your real name, your country, your educational background, your job, and other basic information that lets people know who is sharing the message. Please keep in mind that I'm not asking you to disclose your identity or share any personal information about yourself at all. Rather, I'm simply interested in understanding why you prefer to remain anonymous while also saying that you trust everyone here. If your reason is not a lack of trust, what is it?
The reason I asked is because I believe when someone is willing and able to attach their identity to their faith, it can make their testimony more personal and, in many cases, more impactful. Of course, I understand that different people might reach different conclusions about that, and I respect your decision not to disclose your identity. I'm simply interested in understanding your reasoning.
I also don't think it's wrong to be cautious about trusting everyone. Trust is usually earned over time, and in any community (whether online or offline) there might be people who don't have our best interests at heart or who might not be as genuine as they appear. In some cases, there might even be adversaries who present themselves as allies (what is sometimes described as "wolves in sheep’s clothing"). Therefore, trusting everyone indiscriminately can leave us open to manipulation, deception, or even betrayal. I'm not saying that's the case with anyone here, and I hope that everyone is reliable and trustworthy. But I think a degree of caution is reasonable, wise, and prudent. Doesn't that seem like a reasonable approach?
That said, I also don't think we should demand absolute proof before extending any trust, as that can make it difficult to build close and meaningful relationships and might lead us to spend unnecessary time looking for hidden motives. A balanced approach is best, in my opinion. Begin with basic goodwill, observe whether forum members' words consistently match their actions over time, check whether they follow or contradict Quranic principles, teachings, laws, values, and rules, and gradually place greater trust in them as they prove themselves to be reliable and trustworthy. Also consider whether their behavior remains consistent and stable over time.
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Peace Ronin.
The point I am making is I do not have to identify myself to platforms besides a brief introduction and a name/user name.. There is no need or use for it for those using platforms/internet /social media...etc.
We identify to people we have contact with them daily and to people we take responsibility for/with.
If you want to know more about me that will be a private discussion between us.
I do not mind then answering anything you wish to know about me . I am a brother believer who is learning and amicably discussing GOD s message with my brothers and sisters.However there is one thing I need to share with you and everyone here about using "good logic" as my user name:
I got interested in Qoran around 2009 onwards, then I came across this forum in 2012. I had already been studying Qoran for about 3 years or so before that. I filled the form ,got accepted and statted reading threads. few weeks later I wanted to get involved and join the discussions.
IPrior to writing my first post I did a prayer and asked GOD to guide me to wards my journey with this.
I had Qoran with me and it was open on surah Saad. I looked at the page and my eyes focused on this verse:
We strengthened his kingship, and endowed him with wisdom and good logic.
وَشَدَدنا مُلكَهُ وَءاتَينٰهُ الحِكمَةَ وَفَصلَ الخِطابِ
This translation caught my eye-RK translation-
On finding out I could use "good logic" because it was not used by anyone else , I used it.
I thought to myself everything I will talk about will be in GOD s message,and wanted GOD s permission/favour to let me use it.
May the Lord bless you and all the believers brother.
Peace.
