I am losing faith :(

[Mercy Not Sacrifice]

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

This sounds much like where I was about 5-6 years ago. Something I found helpful at the time was a much more liberal form of Christianity. Perhaps something like that with Islam could suit you well?

 

[EiNsTeiN]

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

.

I only wanted to say that sometimes our minds can drift away and begin to doubt the beliefs we hold. This is Satan's work, but it could happen. This doesn't mean we are beginning to lose faith, it just means we need to ask more questions, and to get back to the Allah.

 

[Revoltingest]

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

My advice:
Become comfortable with loss of faith. Then, with a perspective of equanimity & objectivity, you can better evaluate what you believe.

 

[Sahar]

My advice:
Become comfortable with loss of faith. Then, with a perspective of equanimity & objectivity, you can better evaluate what you believe.

More equanimity and objectivity when losing faith?! Really?!

 

[GabrielWithoutWings]

More equanimity and objectivity when losing faith?! Really?!

I think what he means is that with the loss of faith and the (possible) resulting change in worldview, one can reevaluate their beliefs without (or with less) bias.

 

[Sahar]

I think what he means is that with the loss of faith and the (possible) resulting change in worldview, one can reevaluate their beliefs without (or with less) bias.

Of course less bias to the previous beliefs but for sure a new bias to other beliefs/views.

 

[GabrielWithoutWings]

You mean less bias, right? You'd be less biased against other views.

Other views would be seen fairly, making one's conclusion more sincere.

 

[Sahar]

You mean less bias, right? You'd be less biased against other views.

Other views would be seen fairly, making one's conclusion more sincere.

I mean naturally the person would be less biased against his previous beliefs after losing faith yet he would develop a new bias towards his new decision/position/views/beliefs.

 

[.lava]

My advice:
Become comfortable with loss of faith. Then, with a perspective of equanimity & objectivity, you can better evaluate what you believe.

that's not a good advice. faith is valuable for Muslims and any believer of God. i sincerely doubt if any believer would say such a thing. besides, our friend's asking advice on Islam DIR which means he's asking advice from certain group of people

.

 

[Revoltingest]

that's not a good advice. faith is valuable for Muslims and any believer of God. i sincerely doubt if any believer would say such a thing. besides, our friend's asking advice on Islam DIR which means he's asking advice from certain group of people.

Sorry 'bout that....I wasn't watching the thread category.

 

[Luminous]

I only wanted to say that sometimes our minds can drift away and begin to doubt the beliefs we hold. This is Satan's work, but it could happen. This doesn't mean we are beginning to lose faith, it just means we need to ask more questions, and to get back to the Allah.

doubt is satan's work? could it not be your conscience telling you: "you are lying!" and urging you to search for truth? please explain.

 

[EiNsTeiN]

We call doubting "weswas" which means having "disturbing" thoughts from Satan.

Islam doesn't prevent us from thinking or questioning, but it tells us to do that with complete faith. Whenever the faith is shaken, then this is Satan's work who tries to lead us away from the truth.

In fact, many Islamic scholars questioned their beliefs as to learn more, that's why "Mostafa Mahmoud" (a famous Islamic thinker) said about his experience that he was "an atheist in a prayer room".

 

[EiNsTeiN]

that's not a good advice. faith is valuable for Muslims and any believer of God. i sincerely doubt if any believer would say such a thing.
.

Agreed.

 

[bowingtoGod]

thank you everyone
I pray I am guided and we all are. And that Allah (swt) in His endless Mercy forgives us our sins Ameen.

 

[EiNsTeiN]

Ameen

 

[Sahar]

BowingtoGod, you raised four or five topics, I believe we should discuss in detail, like what Abibi did;
Islam being a political ideology,
The concept of Jihad,
Treatment of non Muslims,
Apostasy,
Homosexuality,
And eternity of hell...

I hope I can come back soon to post my thoughts on this...

 

[Reptillian]

Some of the wisest men in human history have believed that all wisdom begins with the phrase, "I don't know." Its only when you are willing to admit that you don't have the answers to your questions that you're able to seek the truth. What I'm saying is, don't be afraid that you're losing your faith. If your religion is true and you value truth, (as all mankind should) then you will eventually regain your faith in it. If your religion is false and you value truth, then you will have come one step closer to finding the actual truth by abandoning your preconceptions. Remember that falsely held beliefs are chains that keep you in the dark cave of ignorance and prevent you from seeing the light of knowledge. I became an agnostic after asking similar questions and having similar doubts about the Christian faith I was brought up in. I've heard that Islam values reason, and I can't help but think that any deity worth worshiping would take more pleasure in reasoned dissent than in blind obedience. The way I see it, some of the most righteous men in scripture questioned God and came out of their experience with a stronger faith. Don't be like the plants in Jesus' parable of the sower that wither and die when tough conditions arise. Best to have a strong root.

 

[bowingtoGod]

Some of the wisest men in human history have believed that all wisdom begins with the phrase, "I don't know." Its only when you are willing to admit that you don't have the answers to your questions that you're able to seek the truth. What I'm saying is, don't be afraid that you're losing your faith. If your religion is true and you value truth, (as all mankind should) then you will eventually regain your faith in it. If your religion is false and you value truth, then you will have come one step closer to finding the actual truth by abandoning your preconceptions. Remember that falsely held beliefs are chains that keep you in the dark cave of ignorance and prevent you from seeing the light of knowledge. I became an agnostic after asking similar questions and having similar doubts about the Christian faith I was brought up in. I've heard that Islam values reason, and I can't help but think that any deity worth worshiping would take more pleasure in reasoned dissent than in blind obedience. The way I see it, some of the most righteous men in scripture questioned God and came out of their experience with a stronger faith. Don't be like the plants in Jesus' parable of the sower that wither and die when tough conditions arise. Best to have a strong root.

thank you

 

[bowingtoGod]

BowingtoGod, you raised four or five topics, I believe we should discuss in detail, like what Abibi did;
Islam being a political ideology,
The concept of Jihad,
Treatment of non Muslims,
Apostasy,
Homosexuality,
And eternity of hell...

I hope I can come back soon to post my thoughts on this...

Jazak Allah Khair

 

[Bismillah]

Salaam,

Brother I believe it would be easiest if you were to post your questions and concerns in regards to the points posted by not4me