I am losing faith :(

[bowingtoGod]

It seems that in history Muslims are always nice and tolerant at first, and then they begin to take over countries and do mass amounts of discrimination to non believers. It seems that Islam is this political ideology bent on taking over the world
it scares me what Muslims believe. I can not reconcile my beliefs on an individual level, and those on Islam on the other. How can apostasy be punishable? How can war ever be justified when it is aggressive? How is homosexuality sinful? So many of these why why why
I love Islam so much... but IDk
Please help

 

[bowingtoGod]

also the whole eternal hell thing...

 

[Luminous]

nevermind, i deleted my previous message because i now see this is the DIR.
you only wish to remain in bliss, am i correct?

 

[beenie]

It seems that in history Muslims are always nice and tolerant at first, and then they begin to take over countries and do mass amounts of discrimination to non believers. It seems that Islam is this political ideology bent on taking over the world
it scares me what Muslims believe. I can not reconcile my beliefs on an individual level, and those on Islam on the other. How can apostasy be punishable? How can war ever be justified when it is aggressive? How is homosexuality sinful? So many of these why why why
I love Islam so much... but IDk
Please help

also the whole eternal hell thing...

i have to admit, these things haunt me too...
that and the treatment of women; i just can't reconcile it.

Muslims all over the world have lost their way; they are committing acts that are so horrific i can't bear to read about them anymore. where are the "true Muslims"? what is it in our faith that leads to such twisted behavior? i know there are the issues of poverty, corruption, being invaded, battle-riddled, etc. but every religion and every culture has suffered through these times...what are we doing wrong?

i think Islam's message has been lost on people; we are making our religion so much harder than it's intended. we add culture into it and make it part of Islam; everyone does it.

weak hadith have taken precedence over our Qur'an...it's just a mess right now.

if you have a few hours, watch this video; it gives us hope:

Rethinking Islamic Reform: Hamza Yusuf & Tariq Ramadan on Vimeo

it's so nice to have our scholars make sense of everything. when i'm feeling a bit down i just remember this "reform of Islam" that they are promoting and hope that more and more people will support this movement.

 

[Madhuri]

Hi Bowingtogod,

what is it you love about Islam?

 

[bowingtoGod]

nevermind, i deleted my previous message because i now see this is the DIR.
you only wish to remain in bliss, am i correct?

I suppose so. But more than that, I can not believe in something that can cause such horrors.

 

[bowingtoGod]

Hi Bowingtogod,

what is it you love about Islam?

I love what it talks about in tolerance, submission to the divine. The way we pray, care for the poor, treat everyone with respect. I love how beautiful the Qur'an is, how we constantly seek for God's help and protection, guidance and everything. How everyone is equal, everyone bows before God side by side. I love how we are to be modest and shy. How there is such a huge love amongst Muslims. Our brotherhood. Things like this.

 

[bowingtoGod]

i have to admit, these things haunt me too...
that and the treatment of women; i just can't reconcile it.

Muslims all over the world have lost their way; they are committing acts that are so horrific i can't bear to read about them anymore. where are the "true Muslims"? what is it in our faith that leads to such twisted behavior? i know there are the issues of poverty, corruption, being invaded, battle-riddled, etc. but every religion and every culture has suffered through these times...what are we doing wrong?

i think Islam's message has been lost on people; we are making our religion so much harder than it's intended. we add culture into it and make it part of Islam; everyone does it.

weak hadith have taken precedence over our Qur'an...it's just a mess right now.

if you have a few hours, watch this video; it gives us hope:

Rethinking Islamic Reform: Hamza Yusuf & Tariq Ramadan on Vimeo

it's so nice to have our scholars make sense of everything. when i'm feeling a bit down i just remember this "reform of Islam" that they are promoting and hope that more and more people will support this movement.

thank you sister

 

[.lava]

It seems that in history Muslims are always nice and tolerant at first, and then they begin to take over countries and do mass amounts of discrimination to non believers. It seems that Islam is this political ideology bent on taking over the world
it scares me what Muslims believe. I can not reconcile my beliefs on an individual level, and those on Islam on the other. How can apostasy be punishable? How can war ever be justified when it is aggressive? How is homosexuality sinful? So many of these why why why
I love Islam so much... but IDk
Please help

what does your faith for God got to do with what others practice?

practice of religion starts corrupting after death of Prophet. it was lived perfectly during time of Mohammad SAW because people used to ask everything to him. today there are hudreds of fabricated hadiths in hadith books and some religious leaders accept all of them as real and lead others. this would eventually end because it is destiny. what you need to do is to wish to reach God on your own. you need to be aware of one command of God in Qur'an. God speaks of Spirit of human as a 'trust' and God command human to return it back to God before death. most religious leaders deny this fact. they say "if Spirit leaves body, people die". that's wrong knowledge. it is not Spirit that keeps people alive, it is only God who keeps people alive. when one wishes to reach God or in other words when one wants to return this Spirit back to God, God hears this sincere request and make it happen. when it happens lies and truths would become clear and you would meet your teacher that's chosen by God. as Qur'an says there are Imams who invite to fire and there are Imams who invite to heaven. those who's chosen by God to teach people do invite and lead people to heaven.

PS: homosexuality is a sin. but kiling people who commit it is not written in Qur'an

.

 

[beenie]

i think you've gotten some very wise words of wisdom from people of all different walks of life.

mostly everybody questions their faith at one time or another; it's natural. to me it's along the same lines as questioning our parents for setting curfew rules, etc.

.lava's response was accurate and point-on as well:

what does your faith for God got to do with what others practice?

practice of religion starts corrupting after death of Prophet. it was lived perfectly during time of Mohammad SAW because people used to ask everything to him. today there are hudreds of fabricated hadiths in hadith books and some religious leaders accept all of them as real and lead others. this would eventually end because it is destiny. what you need to do is to wish to reach God on your own. you need to be aware of one command of God in Qur'an. God speaks of Spirit of human as a 'trust' and God command human to return it back to God before death. most religious leaders deny this fact. they say "if Spirit leaves body, people die". that's wrong knowledge. it is not Spirit that keeps people alive, it is only God who keeps people alive. when one wishes to reach God or in other words when one wants to return this Spirit back to God, God hears this sincere request and make it happen. when it happens lies and truths would become clear and you would meet your teacher that's chosen by God. as Qur'an says there are Imams who invite to fire and there are Imams who invite to heaven. those who's chosen by God to teach people do invite and lead people to heaven.

PS: homosexuality is a sin. but kiling people who commit it is not written in Qur'an

 

[Sahar]

The problem is we live in a world of reversed standards, bad is seen as good and good is seen as bad. Muslims became ashamed of their religion because of what "others" think. What the non Muslim has to say became the reference and the standard.
We shouldn't let others decide for us, we shouldn't let ourselves define our purpose and our relations with everything/everyone in this world according to how people define them, no. Who/what is your standard? Is it what people might think or do? I remember asking a Muslim convert here on RF about how he could deal with the lack of faith and lack of the good character of many Muslims and if this affected him after embracing Islam. I'd like to quote his reply:

No because as I said, people do what they do. I do not follow people I only follow those God told my to follow and those who follow that principle. These are my role models. I do not care for the entertainment world or things dealing really with the whole hollywood scene. I am not what todays society considers to be normal. My martial arts teacher is muslim and he is not normal we think rather way outside the box. If you are not the Messenger or His companions or the great scholars who dedicated their lives to the study of Islam then I really do not have time for your opinion. Islam is simple, the context is clear and the guidance and path is true. So if some person chooses to do otherwise that is definitely on him and not something I accept. I choose my own path and it is a path defined for my by what Allah says and His beloved Messenger Muhammed may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. As I said people do what they do.

People do what they do, right and I do what I am capable of. If Muslims around me are bad...etc then why not I be the light that guides them? In addition, I am responsible for myself, I am the only one who is accountable for my deeds, not anyone else. You should choose your own path, make your own deep and independent research but while being very honest and sincere.
Islam is not about finding some aspects that are beautiful and loving them, no. Islam is the air you breathe, the ground you walk on, the blood in your vessels. Islam is based on a very simple concept that the one God the Creator is the only one that deserves to be worshiped. Not our desires, people's standards, no, my only standard is God. If we started from this point, we would be very comfortable and in peace. If some points are bothering you, then do your own research, read about it, ask, think about it....until you find your relief but most importantly you do this for your own self, not because of what people might think and say.

 

[EiNsTeiN]

We all Question our faith and beliefs all the time. You do not have to worry about that

Whenever you feel confused, or losing faith, read Quran. It has a great effect on our faith. Read the versus that talk about Allah, about his mercy. And always remember our golden rule; that, sometimes we have to just believe without much thinking. (that is not as bad as it sounds)

We believe in Allah, and accordingly, we believe in everything He has ordered us to do, and we trust everything He says, even if our little minds are not convinced. Everything is there for a reason, that we do not necessarily have to realize.

Don't judge our religion and the mercy of Allah from the actions of Muslims. And remember that our ancestors used to light up the world with science, arts, morals and other great achievements. It's not about the followers, it's about the faith

 

[Sahar]

For example, the issue of apostasy....there is Islamic thinking that says no, it shouldn't be punishable.
The other example of eternity of hell, there is another Islamic opinion that says no hell mostly is not eternal because God is the Most Merciful.
And so on...search and ask....but before all this be sincere and ask guidance from your Creator.

 

[Peace]

The problem is we live in a world of reversed standards, bad is seen as good and good is seen as bad. Muslims became ashamed of their religion because of what "others" think. What the non Muslim has to say became the reference and the standard.
We shouldn't let others decide for us, we shouldn't let ourselves define our purpose and our relations with everything/everyone in this world according to how people define them, no. Who/what is your standard? Is it what people might think or do? I remember asking a Muslim convert here on RF about how he could deal with the lack of faith and lack of the good character of many Muslims and if this affected him after embracing Islam. I'd like to quote his reply:
People do what they do, right and I do what I am capable of. If Muslims around me are bad...etc then why not I be the light that guides them? In addition, I am responsible for myself, I am the only one who is accountable for my deeds, not anyone else. You should choose your own path, make your own deep and independent research but while being very honest and sincere.
Islam is not about finding some aspects that are beautiful and loving them, no. Islam is the air you breathe, the ground you walk on, the blood in your vessels. Islam is based on a very simple concept that the one God the Creator is the only one that deserves to be worshiped. Not our desires, people's standards, no, my only standard is God. If we started from this point, we would be very comfortable and in peace. If some points are bothering you, then do your own research, read about it, ask, think about it....until you find your relief but most importantly you do this for your own self, not because of what people might think and say.

:clap I second not4me in all what she said.
Pray to Allah brother and make a lot of du`a in order to guide your path and increase your iman and knowledge of deen! Don't hesitate to ask the scholars of Islam as well since they are more knowledgeable in the matters of deen. Since you are in California why not to contact Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, the American convert, who is so knowledgeable and has started a college in Bekeley that offers Islamic education ZAYTUNA COLLEGE | Home
You should search brother and seek more knowledege from the Quran and the Sunnah and resort to the scholars for more clarifications..
May our dear Merciful Allah guide your way and increase your faith, ameen!

 

[EiNsTeiN]

For example, the issue of apostasy....there is Islamic thinking that says no, it shouldn't be punishable.
The other example of eternity of hell, there is another Islamic opinion that says no hell mostly is not eternal because God is the Most Merciful.
And so on...search and ask....but before all this be sincere and ask guidance from your Creator.

I agree. Search, ask, and pray for guidance

Be certain that Allah is the most merciful and most wise. And be sure that our minds will never be able to understand all His wisdom

 

[beenie]

The problem is we live in a world of reversed standards, bad is seen as good and good is seen as bad. Muslims became ashamed of their religion because of what "others" think. What the non Muslim has to say became the reference and the standard.
We shouldn't let others decide for us, we shouldn't let ourselves define our purpose and our relations with everything/everyone in this world according to how people define them, no. Who/what is your standard? Is it what people might think or do? I remember asking a Muslim convert here on RF about how he could deal with the lack of faith and lack of the good character of many Muslims and if this affected him after embracing Islam. I'd like to quote his reply:

Originally Posted by Mujahid Mohammed
No because as I said, people do what they do. I do not follow people I only follow those God told my to follow and those who follow that principle. These are my role models. I do not care for the entertainment world or things dealing really with the whole hollywood scene. I am not what todays society considers to be normal. My martial arts teacher is muslim and he is not normal we think rather way outside the box. If you are not the Messenger or His companions or the great scholars who dedicated their lives to the study of Islam then I really do not have time for your opinion. Islam is simple, the context is clear and the guidance and path is true. So if some person chooses to do otherwise that is definitely on him and not something I accept. I choose my own path and it is a path defined for my by what Allah says and His beloved Messenger Muhammed may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. As I said people do what they do.

Originally Posted by not4me
People do what they do, right and I do what I am capable of. If Muslims around me are bad...etc then why not I be the light that guides them? In addition, I am responsible for myself, I am the only one who is accountable for my deeds, not anyone else. You should choose your own path, make your own deep and independent research but while being very honest and sincere.
Islam is not about finding some aspects that are beautiful and loving them, no. Islam is the air you breathe, the ground you walk on, the blood in your vessels. Islam is based on a very simple concept that the one God the Creator is the only one that deserves to be worshiped. Not our desires, people's standards, no, my only standard is God. If we started from this point, we would be very comfortable and in peace. If some points are bothering you, then do your own research, read about it, ask, think about it....until you find your relief but most importantly you do this for your own self, not because of what people might think and say.

i love love love this post. well thought out and so eloquently put. :clap

it's natural and expected for us to question; it's our responsibility to research and learn for ourselves what is the truth, and it's our obligation to realize that we may not always know the answer.

 

[Bismillah]

Brother Insha' llah we'll discuss some of your doubts among the Muslim community and dispel the doubts that have troubled you

It seems that in history Muslims are always nice and tolerant at first, and then they begin to take over countries and do mass amounts of discrimination to non believers. It seems that Islam is this political ideology bent on taking over the world

Brother which ruler/country do you think is truly Islamic and still is bent on discriminating others? As I see it, when the Ummah was at its peak and faith at its strongest in the Muslim community, the Islamic community was the only world class civilization bar none. It was our community that was the leader in the sciences, arts, and human rights. Please compare this to Europe during the Middle Ages which was when they, arguably, reached a peak in their own faith. Or even Imperial China who used their citizens as objects to be used and discarded.

it scares me what Muslims believe. I can not reconcile my beliefs on an individual level, and those on Islam on the other.

It scares me also what some "Muslims" believe. There are some truly vile individuals who would subvert a whole religion to achieve their own political aims. But do not confuse these worldly motivations for the beliefs of Islam. Could you please state which beliefs you hold yourself that you see are in conflict with those of Islam?

How can apostasy be punishable?

There are many scholars and individuals well versed and smarter than I, but I have a simple logical reasoning to refute the idea of punishment for apostasy. All people are born Muslim are they not? Among these people there are many who choose to leave their parent religion to others. These non-believers are allowed freedom of religion and cannot be persecuted. These non-believers can be labled apostates then and thus the majority consensus is to leave these individuals unharmed. Then why is it ok to attack those who are similarly labeled apostates? Here is a good link that argues the case in a much more eloquent sense. Is Apostasy a Capital Crime in Islam? - IslamOnline.net - Living Sharia'h

How can war ever be justified when it is aggressive?

Can you please give an account of which war/s?

How is homosexuality sinful?

Brother how could homosexuality not be considered sinful? It is the height of lust of subjugation of animal desires. One needs only to look at the Greek societies that are so famous for emphasizing homosexuality to see their self destructive and immoral indulgences.

So many of these why why why
I love Islam so much... but IDk
Please help

Please do not be so sad. I know that it can be tough to deal with these doubts, especially while living in countries that are so contrary to our basic tenants and beliefs. May I suggest that what you love about Islam (i.e the community) should also be a tool to help relieve your doubts? I'm sure there are many enlightened brother and sisters in your community, do your best to express these doubts sincerely and I am sure the Ummah will look after you

 

[Quagmire]

***Mod Post***

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​

 

[.lava]

We all Question our faith and beliefs all the time. You do not have to worry about that

Whenever you feel confused, or losing faith, read Quran. It has a great effect on our faith. Read the versus that talk about Allah, about his mercy. And always remember our golden rule; that, sometimes we have to just believe without much thinking. (that is not as bad as it sounds)

We believe in Allah, and accordingly, we believe in everything He has ordered us to do, and we trust everything He says, even if our little minds are not convinced. Everything is there for a reason, that we do not necessarily have to realize.

Don't judge our religion and the mercy of Allah from the actions of Muslims. And remember that our ancestors used to light up the world with science, arts, morals and other great achievements. It's not about the followers, it's about the faith

as you may know, in many verses of Qur'an God invites people to think. if i am not mistaken, it is called tefekkur as in "thinking over stuff". anyways... i just thought i should mention the difference between thinking deeply, questioning, researching, considering and doubt. doubt is very different and it is considered as 'from Satan'. if we ever doubt our faith, IMO we should take it as a matter of Jihad and fight against it. doubt is shallow and it only divides mind of person in two unlike tefekkur/thinking. there's depth in thinking. i am afraid so many times Muslims were given fear when it comes to thinking over verses as if thinking or questioning to reach a deeper understanding is equal doubt. doubting your faith because of the cruelty and injustice you see is a trap. because when mind was divided in two, thinking process is nothing but a loop and it serves no better or deeper understanding. btw i am not telling this only to you. i quoted you only because you say we all question our faith sometimes and i am not sure what you meant by questioning faith

.

 

[MissAlice]

I would like to add to the OP that while I may not be Muslim, I've gone through the same thing. I still do to this day and age.

Why don't people in general treat eachother with respect and dignity? It's one of those life's mysteries you know...