I think I think I'm going to be a Muslim before I'm finished.

[sandandfoam]

I have a way to go and I'm not there yet but the more I learn about Islam the more drawn to it I am. I think I'm going to be a Muslim before I'm finished.
I think it is extraordinary the gulf between the Islam that I read about and the Islam I thought existed.
There is a beauty and a gentleness to this religion that really appeals to me.

 

[EiNsTeiN]

I hope you settle for what you think is the truth very soon

Don't rush the decision, and give it too much thinking so that you feel peace inside whenever you actually take it.

 

[Peace]

I have a way to go and I'm not there yet but the more I learn about Islam the more drawn to it I am. I think I'm going to be a Muslim before I'm finished.
I think it is extraordinary the gulf between the Islam that I read about and the Islam I thought existed.
There is a beauty and a gentleness to this religion that really appeals to me.

Alhamdulillah (thanks be to Allah)!
I am really glad to hear it Stephen May our dear Allah be your guide and companion in your spiritual journey!!
May Allah be with you
Peace

 

[3.14]

a strict moslim or just a moslim ?

 

[monta]

My sister started studing to become Muslim a couple of years ago, she attended free Arabic classes in UCC which she found helpful this year, there may be the same where you are.

 

[AlsoAnima]

I would consider making your decisions carefully. Consider adopting a period of study before conversion. May you decisions guide you to your best self.

-Anima

 

[Fatihah]

I have a way to go and I'm not there yet but the more I learn about Islam the more drawn to it I am. I think I'm going to be a Muslim before I'm finished.
I think it is extraordinary the gulf between the Islam that I read about and the Islam I thought existed.
There is a beauty and a gentleness to this religion that really appeals to me.

Response: Al hamdu lilah. May Allah's blessings and guidance be upon you, insha'Allah. I believe I speak for all muslims here when I say that you have our love and support.

 

[TashaN]

May Allah help you in your spiritual journey bro.

 

[Sahar]

Take your time Stephen, and I wish you all the best.

 

[zenzero]

Friend stephenw,
Whatever be the way, one reaches the same place.
Reaching is important, not the path one takes to reach the destination.
Best Wishes, always.
Love & rgds

 

[iloveislam]

A man called Amr came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said: “Give me your right hand so that I may give you my pledge of loyalty.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) stretched out his right hand. Amr withdrew his hand.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "What has happened to you, O Amr?"

He replied: "I intend to lay down a condition."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked: "What condition do you intend to put forward?"

Amr said: "That God forgive my sins."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Didn’t you know that converting to Islam erases all previous sins?"

[Narrated in Sahih Muslim - Book 1, Number 220]

 

[kai]

Take your time Stephen i know there are a couple of issues that you would need to certain of. The journey is all part of the experience good luck with it.

 

[Peace]

I believe I speak for all muslims here when I say that you have our love and support.

:yes: Absolutely!

Peace

 

[autonomous1one1]

Interesting Stephen. You will be a light for us wherever you go. And considering the depth into which you seem to go and your experience already with more than one religious practice, you might follow the path of Ramakrishna who 'corroborated for himself the essential unity of all religious paths by becoming a practitioner of each of the major religions.'-1

Incidentally, would it be appropriate here to describe for us what you found versus what you had thought previously about Islam?

-1 Semi quote from The History of Mysticism by Swami Abhayananda.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

I hope you find the place where you will be trully happy!

One piece of advice I would give as a new convert to a religion myself (although not Islam i admit), is take things slowly...one step at a time!

You have come a long way since you joined RF...I was reaing your very first introduction post where you stated you did not want to believe only understand...look where you are now!

 

[sandandfoam]

Interesting Stephen. You will be a light for us wherever you go. And considering the depth into which you seem to go and your experience already with more than one religious practice, you might follow the path of Ramakrishna who 'corroborated for himself the essential unity of all religious paths by becoming a practitioner of each of the major religions.'-1

Thanks.

Incidentally, would it be appropriate here to describe for us what you found versus what you had thought previously about Islam?

-1 Semi quote from The History of Mysticism by Swami Abhayananda.

Since .lava invited me to fast at Ramadan last year I've learned a lot.
Things I have read by Tariq Ramadan are having a big influence on me for example

Sharia for me is not what the fuqaha and the jurists have defined as only Islamic law. It is much more than that, it is the way towards faithfulness. We have to think the laws in the light of this way. This Sharia way is just providing the broad visions that we have to achieve. When a German law is telling me that men and women are to treated equal before law or that you get the same salary for the same work, this is sharia for me.
This is my problem with the literalists – some Islamic scholars think sharia and the secular system are two conflicting systems. I think that this is completely wrong. On our way to faithfulness we look at the inheritence law, at justice, social dynamics and sciences. There are laws coming from non-Muslim minds that are more Islamic than laws comimg from Muslim minds in Islamic countries. I would go for what is done in the West much more than what is done in Islamic countries.

I am interested in Celtic Christianity, there is a spirituality there that touches me. I especially connect with the way the Celtic churches of long ago thought about 'the book of creation'. I have found this way of thinking in Islam. For example I read

"As..alJahiz put it We are created to comprehend creation, with all the signs and evidence that it has been created with design, purpose and harmony"

There have been many many things that I have read about Islam which appeal to me but this captures the spirit of them all:-

Islam is not an historical phenomenon that began 1,400 years ago. It is the timeless art of awakening by means of submission

 

[blackout]

Well.... every religion needs it's well spoken heretics.

It's a noble & necessary role.

And we each choose our own dramas.
So I'll refrain from further comment.

"Break a leg" then.

~Vi~

 

[autonomous1one1]

....Since .lava invited me to fast at Ramadan last year I've learned a lot.

One can understand your choice if you have fallen under the love spell of .lava and the Sufi.
....

There have been many many things that I have read about Islam which appeal to me but this captures the spirit of them all:-Quote:
Islam is not an historical phenomenon that began 1,400 years ago. It is the timeless art of awakening by means of submission

A beautiful statement.

 

[maro]

I am glad you were able to see the beauty of islam hiding behind the fog ,stephen....May allah guide your steps and ours...and grant us all guidance

 

[Wandered Off]

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