May I have an opinion please?

[sandandfoam]

I have in the past come to the brink of reversion to Islam. But I stopped short.
I have had some experiences which I can only account for through God/Allah.

The writing of Tariq Ramadan appeals greatly to me. My vision of Islam, which I have gleaned in the main from Ramadan, is one of peace, tolerance and respect for minorities.
Inherently I am a very liberal person and this is something that I don't imagine will ever change, I believe in equal rights for gay people, and am pro-choice, I don't drink or take drugs but believe that they should be freely and legally available to anyone who wants them etc etc. I believe implicitly in non-violence. I do not have many heroes but Badshah Khan is one. If there was a Muslim I aspired to emulate it would be him.

I have been reading around Islam again of late and I am drawn to it. Given my liberal outlook, what do you think?
Am I barking up the right or the wrong tree?

[I have also been reading around Universal Sufism of late - perhaps that is a better direction for me?]

Thanks in advance,
SW

 

[Badran]

My opinion and anybody else's for that matter i believe is irrelevant, however i understand you could make use of it. But what is most important for me to tell you is to not rely on anybody's opinion. You continue your studying, and you decide entirely based on your conclusions.

That said, i also happen to agree with some of the things you mentioned in your post. I would say you're not barking up the wrong tree, but i would also say (with little i know) that Sufism might be better fitted to you, but in my humble opinion its not really about whats already fit to you.

In a nutshell, i would say you let go of yourself, study what you want, ask the questions you need answers for, and eventually decide. With little regard as possible to other people's opinions.

 

[Starsoul]

You should keep reading, and the only advice I can give you is that, If you must search the truth, search it with all your heart, and sincerely ask for Allah to Always guide you to the right way, to remove obstacles from your path, clear any confusions, and bless you with the Love of Almighty, make this decision easier for you, and keep your faith safe from the whispers of the (doubtful deceitful) satan. For, if it is Allah you truly seek, you must ask Him for all this.

InshAllah you wont be disappointed. For Allah says in the Quran,(similar words)

" I may reject a prayer, but Never the one which asks me for guidance".


(which means that sometime we may asks for worldly things that we really want, and we do not always get them, because Allah swt, either has something better for you in store,
and that thing we want the most might hurt or damage us more in the long run, or He wants to test your patience and increase your understanding of deen and raise our level in eeman and eventually elevate our rank in the Jannah (heaven). But Allah Never rejects the prayer for true guidance, since that is our utmost right)

Muslims are taught to not focus much on the worldly desires of this world, since they are always temporary,short-lived and can be better compensated in huge amounts in the hereafter, BUT to never compromise on their beliefs, and practise of their beliefs. With the acknowledgement from the creator, that man is to err, and all will still sin, the only biggest sin you do, is not to ask for his forgiveness, and mend your ways.

" If you want me to forgive you, forgive those around you" (similar words in hadith Qudsi)

 

[Peace]

Hi Stephen,

Since you are revolving aroung Islam and attracted to it again , I would say you are not barking up the wrong tree. Islam is for everybody regardless how liberal your opinions are. No body will impose something on you, for there is no compulsion in religion, but by making a lot of reading about Islam and also by reading the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, a bit by bit some of your opinions may change and by conviction. In Islam there is always logic and the use of brain so you won't find it difficult to reason its teaching.
We have no right to tell you that this religion doesn't fit you because this religion is the religion of God and since it is so, it is for anyone to consider it and think of it and embrace regardless of their opinions.
As sister Starsoul said, resort to Allah for guidance and always ask Him guidance and do it with sincerity, for Allah knows all our intentions.
I just thought of this song while writing this, may be you will like it
Incha'Allah means God Willing!

[youtube]KfXIF2Mm2Kc[/youtube]
YouTube - Maher Zain - Insha Allah | Insya Allah |

May our dear Allah show you the way, be your companion in your spiritual jounrey and may He bless you!

Peace

 

[Starsoul]

hey i just noticed that you're from Ireland! It is a lovely place and I love the people! ( the suburbish more , oh this is so exciting)

 

[Alex_G]

I have in the past come to the brink of reversion to Islam. But I stopped short.
I have had some experiences which I can only account for through God/Allah.

The writing of Tariq Ramadan appeals greatly to me. My vision of Islam, which I have gleaned in the main from Ramadan, is one of peace, tolerance and respect for minorities.
Inherently I am a very liberal person and this is something that I don't imagine will ever change, I believe in equal rights for gay people, and am pro-choice, I don't drink or take drugs but believe that they should be freely and legally available to anyone who wants them etc etc. I believe implicitly in non-violence. I do not have many heroes but Badshah Khan is one. If there was a Muslim I aspired to emulate it would be him.

I have been reading around Islam again of late and I am drawn to it. Given my liberal outlook, what do you think?
Am I barking up the right or the wrong tree?

[I have also been reading around Universal Sufism of late - perhaps that is a better direction for me?]

Thanks in advance,
SW

I offer you advice from the land of the non-theists, although i know its not what you primarily seek with regards to this thread, but never the less it cant hurt!

'I believe in equal rights for gay people, and am pro-choice, I don't drink or take drugs but believe that they should be freely and legally available to anyone who wants them etc etc. I believe implicitly in non-violence.'

Above you list these virtues that you possess and hold dear, and ultimately i would imagine they constitute part of what it means to you to live a good life. I always feel that these, true, pure values can exist de novo, or apart from theology, and for me at least i prefer to keep them uncomplicated by religion and the supernatural.
It is the secular liberal in me that sees all of these things, as great and important as they are, as being a core part of me, and thus not augmented by attachment to religion, which is far more superficial to my soul.

How do you envisage that a religion, such as Islam might better things for you? What are you considerations regarding a non religious path?

Am I barking up the right or the wrong tree?
Sometimes with so many attractive trees around, you don't realise keeping your feet firmly on the ground is the best place to be


Alex

 

[sandandfoam]

I offer you advice from the land of the non-theists, although i know its not what you primarily seek with regards to this thread, but never the less it cant hurt!

'I believe in equal rights for gay people, and am pro-choice, I don't drink or take drugs but believe that they should be freely and legally available to anyone who wants them etc etc. I believe implicitly in non-violence.'

Above you list these virtues that you possess and hold dear, and ultimately i would imagine they constitute part of what it means to you to live a good life. I always feel that these, true, pure values can exist de novo, or apart from theology, and for me at least i prefer to keep them uncomplicated by religion and the supernatural.
It is the secular liberal in me that sees all of these things, as great and important as they are, as being a core part of me, and thus not augmented by attachment to religion, which is far more superficial to my soul.

How do you envisage that a religion, such as Islam might better things for you? What are you considerations regarding a non religious path?

Am I barking up the right or the wrong tree?
Sometimes with so many attractive trees around, you don't realise keeping your feet firmly on the ground is the best place to be


Alex

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.

How do you envisage that a religion, such as Islam might better things for you?

Sometimes, especially when outside in nature I experience what my mind can only begin to make sense of as God. My thinking, conscious mind wants to reconcile itself with that primal feeling of wonder at the ineffable.
In Islam I perceive beauty, tranquility and peace. Islam tells a story that I think is worth my listening to and perhaps becoming a part of and through which my thinking mind might reconcile itself with being. I know that when I look at or reflect on the world after hearing or reading some of the things that I appreciate from Islam my step seems lighter and my breathing easier.

I also know that in times of sickness or hardship I will need God. I know not everyone is so - but if I am honest I have to admit I am, I feel the need to connect with the ineffable while things are good. I know at best I would be a daylight atheist and I have no desire to be a deathbed convert

 

[sandandfoam]

hey i just noticed that you're from Ireland! It is a lovely place and I love the people! ( the suburbish more , oh this is so exciting)

Opinions like that never hurt

 

[sandandfoam]

Hi Stephen,

Since you are revolving aroung Islam and attracted to it again , I would say you are not barking up the wrong tree. Islam is for everybody regardless how liberal your opinions are. No body will impose something on you, for there is no compulsion in religion, but by making a lot of reading about Islam and also by reading the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, a bit by bit some of your opinions may change and by conviction. In Islam there is always logic and the use of brain so you won't find it difficult to reason its teaching.
We have no right to tell you that this religion doesn't fit you because this religion is the religion of God and since it is so, it is for anyone to consider it and think of it and embrace regardless of their opinions.
As sister Starsoul said, resort to Allah for guidance and always ask Him guidance and do it with sincerity, for Allah knows all our intentions.
I just thought of this song while writing this, may be you will like it
Incha'Allah means God Willing!

[youtube]KfXIF2Mm2Kc[/youtube]
YouTube - Maher Zain - Insha Allah | Insya Allah |

May our dear Allah show you the way, be your companion in your spiritual jounrey and may He bless you!

Peace

Thank you Peace. I believe I'm nearly there.

 

[sandandfoam]

My opinion and anybody else's for that matter i believe is irrelevant, however i understand you could make use of it. But what is most important for me to tell you is to not rely on anybody's opinion. You continue your studying, and you decide entirely based on your conclusions.

That said, i also happen to agree with some of the things you mentioned in your post. I would say you're not barking up the wrong tree, but i would also say (with little i know) that Sufism might be better fitted to you, but in my humble opinion its not really about whats already fit to you.

In a nutshell, i would say you let go of yourself, study what you want, ask the questions you need answers for, and eventually decide. With little regard as possible to other people's opinions.

Thank you Badran. I appreciate it.

 

[Peace]

Sometimes, especially when outside in nature I experience what my mind can only begin to make sense of as God. My thinking, conscious mind wants to reconcile itself with that primal feeling of wonder at the ineffable.
In Islam I perceive beauty, tranquility and peace. Islam tells a story that I think is worth my listening to and perhaps becoming a part of and through which my thinking mind might reconcile itself with being. I know that when I look at or reflect on the world after hearing or reading some of the things that I appreciate from Islam my step seems lighter and my breathing easier.

I also know that in times of sickness or hardship I will need God. I know not everyone is so - but if I am honest I have to admit I am, I feel the need to connect with the ineffable while things are good. I know at best I would be a daylight atheist and I have no desire to be a deathbed convert

Alhamdulillah "thanks be to Allah!"

 

[Peace]

Thank you Peace. I believe I'm nearly there.

Islam is always welcoming you brother and we are all here, in the Islam DIR , ready to offer any kind of help and support.

 

[Starsoul]

Sometimes, especially when outside in nature I experience what my mind can only begin to make sense of as God. My thinking, conscious mind wants to reconcile itself with that primal feeling of wonder at the ineffable.
In Islam I perceive beauty, tranquility and peace. Islam tells a story that I think is worth my listening to and perhaps becoming a part of and through which my thinking mind might reconcile itself with being. I know that when I look at or reflect on the world after hearing or reading some of the things that I appreciate from Islam my step seems lighter and my breathing easier.

I also know that in times of sickness or hardship I will need God. I know not everyone is so - but if I am honest I have to admit I am, I feel the need to connect with the ineffable while things are good. I know at best I would be a daylight atheist and I have no desire to be a deathbed convert

Very well said.

I would like to share this piece of Quranic verses (Qirrat, Recitation) with you, please lend an ear when you're free. It is one of the many miracles of Quran that it touches your heart even when you don't know what it means. And when you do know what it means, you cant help what it does to your spirit SubhanAllah.

Trust me, when you fall in love with Allah, language is no barrier, He understands all languages of his creation, be it a silent prayer. It is just that you also fall in love with arabic gradually, when you start to feel the Love of Allah, it isn't compulsory though, and might appear difficult at first, it was a new language for me too, along with so many other muslims who are not native to arabic so don't worry you got many brothers out there. : ) InshAllah all prayers for you.

I would suggest that you listen to such chapters ,only just listen to the recitations by Qaris( People who are specialized in good recital of the Quran) who are well versed in its recital, like this one that I'm sharing ( with meanings written beneath in english) I'm sure you must have before, but just pure listen to it without going into its meanings first.

[youtube]riW4W66ptqI[/youtube]
YouTube - Surah Rahman - Beautiful and Heart trembling Quran recitation by Syed Sadaqat Ali

 

[Badran]

In case you guys don't know, stephen has just became a Muslim.

http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/islam-dir/114330-la-ilaha-illa-allah-wa-muhammad.html

 

[Sahar]

I'd like to emphasize that whether you embraced Islam or not, it is your decision solely and something between you and Your God. However, I feel the need to express my opinion and my understanding of Islam in a straight way. I don't intend to push you away from Islam at all because I believe guidance is from God. I disagree with that approach mentioned in the OP.

I understand Islam as the blood that runs in the vessels and the blood naturally must reach every organ and tissue in the body. When it stops reaching an organ, it will die and this will affect the entire body. The heart that can pump this blood into all the organs and tissues must be made of the element of sincerity. Sincerity is the will to be God's no matter what it might take, regardless of the sacrifices, is the will to be purified from all the vain desires for God until God's will and want become your will and want. This status doesn't come between a day and a night, it might take the entire life to reach this stage, it might need more knowledge and experience, more supplication and more good deeds, etc. Also, this doesn't mean that we won't fall or retreat in the way, this must happen because we are human beings, it's a part of us to be weak, to err, for our vain desires to have a victory on us. But at the same time, Allah is Forgiving, so whenever we are soiled with mud, we shall hurry to purify ourselves by turning to God, after that we can resume the journey while we are stronger and more experienced.
What I am trying to say that our vision sometimes become foggy but we should have the decision to favor God's path and want on what we/others might want. Thus I disagree with the decision of I won't give up 1, 2 and 3 while knowing that it might contradict the teaching of God's message. Because, at the end it's going to open the doors for what I want winning over what God want, it wouldn't end up at 1, 2 and 3 only. It would lead to a slope if we didn't wake up from the consequences of such decision. As for not believing that the path of Islam or the Qur'anic message is the truth, it would be a different thing. I believe any walk in the path of Islam must be out of conviction that it's the true message revealed by God.

May God lead us all to His straight path.

I didn't mean to discourage you but I wanted to say this the last time when you felt that Islam was not for you.

 

[Gharib]

I'd like to emphasize that whether you embraced Islam or not, it is your decision solely and something between you and Your God. However, I feel the need to express my opinion and my understanding of Islam in a straight way. I don't intend to push you away from Islam at all because I believe guidance is from God. I disagree with that approach mentioned in the OP.

I understand Islam as the blood that runs in the vessels and the blood naturally must reach every organ and tissue in the body. When it stops reaching an organ, it will die and this will affect the entire body. The heart that can pump this blood into all the organs and tissues must be made of the element of sincerity. Sincerity is the will to be God's no matter what it might take, regardless of the sacrifices, is the will to be purified from all the vain desires for God until God's will and want is your will and want. This status doesn't come between a day and a night, it might take the entire life to reach this stage, it might need more knowledge and experience, more supplication and more good deeds, etc. Also, this doesn't mean that we won't fall or retreat in the way, this must happen because we are human beings, it's a part of us to be weak, to err, for our vain desires to have a victory on us. But at the same time, Allah is Forgiving, so whenever we are soiled with mud, we shall hurry to purify ourselves by turning to God, after that we can resume the journey while we are stronger and more experienced.
What I am trying to say that our vision sometimes become foggy but we should have the decision to favor God's path and want on what we/others might want. Thus I disagree with the decision of I won't give up 1, 2 and 3 while knowing that it might contradict the teaching of God's message. Because, at the end it's going to open the doors for what I want winning over what God want, it wouldn't end up at 1, 2 and 3 only. It would lead to a slope if we didn't wake up from the consequences of such decision. As for not believing that the path of Islam or the Qur'anic message is the truth, it would be a different thing. I believe any walk in the path of Islam must be out of conviction that it's the true message revealed by God.

May God lead us all to His straight path.

I didn't mean to discourage you but I wanted to say this the last time when you felt that Islam was not for you.

good post sister i agree with what you've said.