Did I Commit Shirk???

Layth

Dear sister Myr,

That was an extremely perceptive analysis on your part with regards to the tests of faith as well as God being the ultimate provider (not any employer or any group).

I thank you for sharing your understanding and wisdom.

Tony

Salam soul2squeeze,

No, you didn't commit shirk. Read this verse

16106 Whoever rejects God after having believed; except for one who is forced while his heart is still content with belief; and has opened his chest to rejection, then they will have a wrath from God and they will have a great retribution.

You have been forced to disbelieve yet your heart is content with belief.

God looks at the heart.

unknownuser

salam alaykum

i myslef have been in many situations where people are talking about the bad things"muslims" do really sunnis and shias etc i dont want to group myself with them....

i although am white if i dont wear a allah necklace or somehting no one knows im muslim and assumes im christian they usually never ask since im white american and dont wear hijab i can not imagine being in the brothers istuation since im not arab

sometimes im directly asked if im christian and i dont say im christian sometimes its a rough situation to explain your beleifs versus sunni shia etc so sometimes its impler to say i was raised christian but i dont go to church anymore

which is true but not a clear lie but not a clear explanation

other times it is safer to say im a monotheist it is much easier for americans since if your not looking arab popele assume things

i too have felt the discrimination of being a muslim wearing a hijab and upon takin the hijab the discrimination has faded

sometimes muslims ask are oyu muslim i say yes

then they start with the questions

are you sunni ahia
i say neither then what r u they say
i say muslim

they like how do oyu pray

im like why

they still wanna group you

it is human nature

other times i do tell people

im muslim but i dont follow the hadith books of culture that the arabs follow which has nothing to do with religion

to me it depends on the situation

there is a test you never know brother maybe god was testing you to say your faith and maybe if you said it they would have discirminated afainst you and would have lost oyur job but allahu ellem you never know you could sue them and become rich off there ignorance maybe the lawsuit would have been gods reward for passin the test

so allahu ellem

you never know

amanda

Elke

Peace soul2squeeze

i understand you were in a tough situation and if there really was a thread on your career just because of you being part of a specific group imo the sin is on the other side

also, quran states that if you sincerely repent and reform, god will forgive you - even it it might have been considered shirk in the first place

i used to live this kind of situation all through university, but no career at stake, just people thinking i was deranged )

on my first job in europe i had no problem either, but i also found it best not to let someone corner and label me too easily - if things came up in a conversation (quite often as i prayed five times a day then) i usually said that i considered myself a muslim. Then the usual question was - so why are you not veiled ... and so on -

these discussions gave me the chance more than once to present quran differently but this worked only on the non-sunnis....

elke

unknownuser

Peace to all of you
Thank you all so much for your advice and suggestions and the stories relayed to me made me feel that I'm not alone. I appreciate all your posts. After reading everyone's ideas and upon deep introspection I came to the conclusion I really didn't commit shirk. It would have been better had I replied differently, but this is only a mistake I can learn from. So thank God for the great learning experience.
I believe while I have been tested one way, we're all constantly tested on our faith in God on a daily basis. I hope we all stay humble with that thought and are ever-constant in our struggle to be stronger Muslims to God alone and lead a more harmonious life with our fellow brothers and sisters of the human race.
Keep the posts coming if anyone wants to add anything to the discussion, I find them all quite insightful )
Peace

unknownuser

Peace Tanveer,

Just because you told someone you are a Christian does not make you a mushrik. Someone can be a Christian and still have nothing to fear as per the following verses

Actually, identifying onesself with Christianity makes one a Kafiir not a Mushrik.

The verses you have quoted have no Christian in them...They speak of the Nassara which is Nazarines in the closest translation I can see...Christianity is a pagan religion which identifies Jesus as the son of God as well as being hismelf God as well as the concept of the trinity.

Peace Soul,

I sense Someone and Layth believe I did commit a sin. (Yes/no?) How can I rectify this situation? Do you think it would be considered shirk which can never be fixed?

As I mentioned, you are better aware of your situation to be the judge...In all cases, as long as you have realized the error and have made amends, then you should have nothing to worry about.

Love an answer - as i have heard this befo

unknownuser

Salaams layth,

Peace Tanveer,

Just because you told someone you are a Christian does not make you a mushrik. Someone can be a Christian and still have nothing to fear as per the following verses

Actually, identifying onesself with Christianity makes one a Kafiir not a Mushrik.

The verses you have quoted have no Christian in them...They speak of the Nassara which is Nazarines in the closest translation I can see...Christianity is a pagan religion which identifies Jesus as the son of God as well as being hismelf God as well as the concept of the trinity.

Peace Soul,

I sense Someone and Layth believe I did commit a sin. (Yes/no?) How can I rectify this situation? Do you think it would be considered shirk which can never be fixed?

As I mentioned, you are better aware of your situation to be the judge...In all cases, as long as you have realized the error and have made amends, then you should have nothing to worry about.

Is it just my misunderstanding or do these verses talk about christians.

Falamma ahassa AAeesaminhumu alkufra qala man ansaree ila Allahiqala alhawariyyoona nahnu ansaruAllahi amanna biAllahi waishhadbi-anna muslimoona

When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the disciples "We are Allah's helpers We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.

Waqalati alyahoodu AAuzayrun ibnu Allahiwaqalati alnnasara almaseehuibnu Allahi thalika qawluhum bi-afwahihim yudahi-oonaqawla allatheena kafaroo min qablu qatalahumu Allahuanna yu/fakoona

The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them how they are deluded away from the Truth!

God Bless.

unknownuser

Salaams ,

the best replies-i think.

"muslim" is not an english word, it is an arabic one. So if you speak english at your work place, why don't you translate "muslim" to english?

It is better to convey the meanings of the words we use in the language we use, if not it will become meaningless labels.

The word is a wrong translation and wrong conception of Quranic meaning of AMANOO (attainment of FAITH).
SHIRK is an act of HEART and not a mere sound coming out of our lips. LIP SERVICE does not suffice either way. SHIRK and FAITH in ONENESS is a motion within SOUL.

"I believe in God, but reject organised religions and dogmatic belief systems."

unknownuser

Peace be upon you,

Good responses, I would like to give my input.

First, I would like to address the verse being given to support your response that mentions "being forced". You were not forced at all, you were afraid. And many of us have experienced similar tests of fear, and most of us have failed. Not only is it failing to lie and say you are a Christian, which subconsiously adds a point to the "christian sect crusade", but it is also a failure to say "I am a MUSLIM, what's it to you!!??" Which is the underlying attitude of one responder. As was fantastically stated by one responder, we MUST translate that word "muslim" into English, if that is the language we are speaking.

My response would have been, "neither, I am a peaceful follower of God". One could add to that as they see fit or leave it as simple as that, but this is the truth. We do not want to feed christaianity, or the the ORGANIZED RELIGION of ISLAM", we only promote peacefulness and submission to the God's Law.

But with all that said, its over and done with and your "weight" about it shows that your heart is in the right direction. So just take this SCENARIO into your meditations and see yourself responding in with the correct answer (whatever you reason that to be), over and over and over again, while remaining at peace, not tense(afraid), until it becomes automatic habit.

TAJ

Peace S2S,

Peace to all of you
Thank you all so much for your advice and suggestions and the stories relayed to me made me feel that I'm not alone. I appreciate all your posts. After reading everyone's ideas and upon deep introspection I came to the conclusion I really didn't commit shirk. It would have been better had I replied differently, but this is only a mistake I can learn from. So thank God for the great learning experience.
I believe while I have been tested one way, we're all constantly tested on our faith in God on a daily basis. I hope we all stay humble with that thought and are ever-constant in our struggle to be stronger Muslims to God alone and lead a more harmonious life with our fellow brothers and sisters of the human race.
Keep the posts coming if anyone wants to add anything to the discussion, I find them all quite insightful
Peace

That is cool bravo

We are only humans. And mistakes and problems have a good side to them too they take us to a higher level of thinking.

Elke

Peace all;

idol, guess you meant me about saying im a muslim... lol, you are right

at that time i still liked to shock people a little in order to make their images shudder - and im not yet totally over it

you are absolutely right, the concept of muslim should be translated in our respective languages

elke

Layth

Peace Simple,

Is it just my misunderstanding or do these verses talk about christians.

Falamma ahassa AAeesaminhumu alkufra qala man ansaree ila Allahiqala alhawariyyoona nahnu ansaruAllahi amanna biAllahi waishhadbi-anna muslimoona

When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the disciples "We are Allah's helpers We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.

Waqalati alyahoodu AAuzayrun ibnu Allahiwaqalati alnnasara almaseehuibnu Allahi thalika qawluhum bi-afwahihim yudahi-oonaqawla allatheena kafaroo min qablu qatalahumu Allahuanna yu/fakoona

The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them how they are deluded away from the Truth!

The cult of Christianity that is in existence today recognizes as its principle tenants the following doctorine

Jesus is God
God is a trinity
Jesus is the son of God

This doctornine has been prettymuch in-place since about 300 years after Christ when it was established in the Nicene confernece.

The Scripture tells us that either of the the first two of these tenants makes the person stating them to be a Kafir/Rejecter, while the last tenant is an extreme in blasphemey

Rejecters indeed are those who have said God is the Messiah son of Mary! And the Messiah said O Children of Israel, serve God, my Lord and your Lord. Whoever sets-up partners with God, then God will forbid Paradise for him, and his destiny will be the Fire; and the wicked will have no supporters.
Rejecters indeed are those who have said God is a trinity! There is no god but One god. If they do not cease from what they are saying, then those who reject from among them will be afflicted with a painful retribution.
And they said the Almighty has taken a son!
You have come with a gross blasphemy.
The heavens are about to shatter from it, and the Earth crack open, and the mountains fall and crumble.

Based on the above, it is quite clear to state that christianity (which is based on tenants of blasphemy and rejection) has no relation whatsoever with the pure message of God Aone that Jesus delivered and after which his decsiples were known as Nassara (Nazzarenes, or those who support)...

Christianity is a sect of the Nassara just like Sunnism or Shiasm is a sect of Islam/Submission.

FreedomStands

Peace all
I'd like to know what the general stance is on a situation I've recently encountered. Since this forum is fairly anonymous and generally in agreement with the beliefs I hold, i feel safe and confident that I'd get some good advice and feedback.

There has been an issue that's weighed extremely heavily on my heart these past few days.

I feel discriminated against at my work place because I am of Middle Eastern descent and Muslim. When colleagues and upper-level management realize my ethnicity and my knowledge of Arabic, they begin to automatically talk about world politics and terrorism. Then they immediately make a link to Islam, which is understandable coming from people who are ignorant of real Islam. They only see the mainstream corrupted kind which has led to an extreme group of mofsidun (mischief makers). Many times I have gotten into casual conversations which led down a road of discrimination and even persecution.

I am humble in nature and would rather choose the road of peaceful relations between myself and others, rather than conflict, rudeness and clashes - especially when speaking to people who know nothing about what they claim to know.

What has weighed heavily on my heart was my reaction a few days ago. Many in upper-level management and others have been targeting me many times in passing comments linking my heritage to terrorism. Then I was questioned whether I was Muslim or Christian by one person. Out of fear of further persecution and possibly losing the position I just received I replied Christian. His tone and demeanor was so much warmer and softer to me after that. But from that moment, I feel horrible that I did that. I don't believe in Christianity so I feel that its my beliefs that would constitute shirk, not if I just say I'm Christian to protect myself. But at the same time something inside me is worried that I committed the greatest sin of all! One that will never be forgiven...

I've never felt so discriminated against and never felt so weak before. In the past, I've proudly proclaimed my identity to whoever wants or doesn't want to know because I consider myself good PR for my faith and my ethnicity. This time I felt so intimidated, that my pride diminished... especially since these people have no idea what they're talking about half the time and have created a really uncomfortable and hostile environment for me.

I know the least I've done was deny this man the opportunity to understand from me what Islam is really about. Many ingorant people in the West imagine young Muslim women to be the weakest and have the least freedoms and rights. They are covered from head to toe as dictated by men, and speak when spoken to - and only when it is in agreement with her father, husband, brother would her opinion be respected. I could have been a positive example for him and I think I've forever ruined that chance, at least with him. This is the least of what I've done.

At the same time, the consequences of my proclaiming that I'm Muslim may have been grave with respect to my job. Considering I do not associate myself with the mainstream "muslims" who follow blind dogma, I would be grouping myself in a wrong category anyway.

I don't know ... I'm very confused and worried. I feel extremely guilty and scared.

I would love to hear others' views on my predicament... if I really did commit a sin, if so to what extent. Is there any way to fix my mistake, specifically with God and secondly with my colleagues. Did I really commit shirk when I replied that I'm Christian? This is a serious matter to me so I'd appreciate it if people choose their words carefully before posting. I haven't been sleeping for days over this.
Thanks in advance to all who'll help!
Peace

If you are ever in fear of having done wrong, and even if you are not in fear of having done wrong in any case, always ask for forgiveness of Allah regularly at anything at all and about everything whatsoever.

If someone asks me if I am a Christian, I say of course! Why? There is no better or bigger Christian than me, I take the dominant stance, and I put them all under my curved Islamic slippers thereby.

You are not a snake or an old dragon like me perhaps, but you should know what you are saying when you say it, and then you will be less afraid.

What they are doing at your workplace is illegal generally, and you should see if you can sue them for discrimination and destroy them by having ample evidence of this extreme prejudice which is impeding your ability to work at peace.

You are a Christian, this is no concern, you did not say "I worship Jesus Christ as God incarnate", let them assume what they want, who is a better follower of Christ (meaning Anointed, as in selected to be the Prophet), than you among them?

To the Satanists, I say I am a Satanist (even to other people too), and I know what I am saying, and I can explain it and justify it, I don't mean "I worship Iblis or thing that Iblis is wise).

Always be quick and agile in your mind if possible, so when you say a thing you know how you mean it and can explain it.

See if you can get out of that work environment, the world is spacious (the Qur'an says this in response to people who say "we were oppressed in the land&quot, so seek elsewhere out of the company of the evildoers who are acting so harshly towards you.

May Allah destroy them utterly (the Qur'an itself pronounces the curse "Allah destroy them!&quot.

unknownuser

Chill out you don't mean it

OussamaNL

Peace upon you,

"muslim" is not an english word, it is an arabic one. So if you speak english at your work place, why don't you translate "muslim" to english?

It is better to convey the meanings of the words we use in the language we use, if not it will become meaningless labels.

And don't forget that the god is the most mercifull

--

That will clarify alot D!

All praise due to God