Need Spiritual Help

[Taahir]

As salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa baraakatuh.

I apologize that my posts on here always tend to be so negative and asking for help, please forgive me for not offering the same help to all of you, that all of you give me.

I am just having some serious spiritual problems lately and it's worrying me. I came from a spiritual background before I reverted to Islam, I would say that I was a spiritualist. I'm just having trouble finding spirituality lately. I'm mainly absorbed in fiqh and I find that's what most people concentrate on. Of course that is very very important, as it is the rules of God and things you can and cannot do set by God are important. But thinking 24/7 about what I have to do and can't do, and the exact ways you have to do them, and all the different opinions regarding it, and having to be worried about everything I do whether it is haraam or not, is driving me a bit crazy.

But (I may be wrong) I feel like there must be more to Islam than dos and donts. I want to get back into things like meditating and other practices like that, but then I don't know if I should because of the things that say we shouldn't do things like that. That they are mimicking other religions.

A lot of people say that the prayer is all the meditation and spirituality that you need, which I agree it can be, but, astigfirallah, I'm not being able to find it in that. I can't focus, I don't necessarily feel relaxed or at peace after. This really scares me because obviously it means there is something wrong with my heart.

I need to find ways to fix my heart and spirituality but I don't know how. Dhikr would probably help but unfortunately even when I do that too I just simply cannot focus. I'm saying the words but my mind is somewhere else. I try to focus on the meanings but my mind always strays. That's one of my biggest problems. I have a very very very constant, interactive and active imagination and thought process.

Doing something like Al-Ghazali and just going away and secluding myself for a bit would probably help but I can't exactly do something like that right now.

If anyone could offer any advice or be some sort of spiritual helper it would be appreciated. It would really help me right now. For the first few weeks after I reverted it was the best feeling in the world, so much happiness and positivity and optimism but I've done something to make that all go away.

Edit: Another thing probably important to mention is that I feel like I'm doing things more out of fear of punishment and because I have to rather than out of love for God. I'm more scared of God than loving for God, and that's not good. My mind is also always trapped in negativity all the time, thinking negatively about people and things almost constantly, no matter how hard I try not to. I'm sure this is a main reason for all of this.

 

[muiz.sg]

I find surrounding myself with Nature helps linking me up to God..
I don't know, but there must be some significance in the fact that Prophet Muhammad found God/Enlightenment in a dingy cave..

Perhaps there's a lesson to learn in that? God is not just confined around the four walls of a mosque? I don't know. That's my personal take.


God knows best.

Just a question though, when you make dua's/supplications, do you do it in Arabic or your native tongue..?

I find it easier to connect with God when I actually understand the words that I speak.. Again, just personal experience.

Have a blessed Ramadhan!

Here's a verse that might be apt in your situation:

"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe!" and will not be tested?

"And We indeed tested those who were before them. And God will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars". ( The Holy Koran, Chapter 29, Verses 2-3)


Edit: Forgot to return your salam!

Waalaikassalam warahmatullahi barakatu.

And may peace, God's Blessings and Mercy be upon you too!

 

[Union]

As salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa baraakatuh.

I apologize that my posts on here always tend to be so negative and asking for help, please forgive me for not offering the same help to all of you, that all of you give me.

I am just having some serious spiritual problems lately and it's worrying me. I came from a spiritual background before I reverted to Islam, I would say that I was a spiritualist. I'm just having trouble finding spirituality lately. I'm mainly absorbed in fiqh and I find that's what most people concentrate on. Of course that is very very important, as it is the rules of God and things you can and cannot do set by God are important. But thinking 24/7 about what I have to do and can't do, and the exact ways you have to do them, and all the different opinions regarding it, and having to be worried about everything I do whether it is haraam or not, is driving me a bit crazy.

But (I may be wrong) I feel like there must be more to Islam than dos and donts. I want to get back into things like meditating and other practices like that, but then I don't know if I should because of the things that say we shouldn't do things like that. That they are mimicking other religions.

A lot of people say that the prayer is all the meditation and spirituality that you need, which I agree it can be, but, astigfirallah, I'm not being able to find it in that. I can't focus, I don't necessarily feel relaxed or at peace after. This really scares me because obviously it means there is something wrong with my heart.

I need to find ways to fix my heart and spirituality but I don't know how. Dhikr would probably help but unfortunately even when I do that too I just simply cannot focus. I'm saying the words but my mind is somewhere else. I try to focus on the meanings but my mind always strays. That's one of my biggest problems. I have a very very very constant, interactive and active imagination and thought process.

Doing something like Al-Ghazali and just going away and secluding myself for a bit would probably help but I can't exactly do something like that right now.

If anyone could offer any advice or be some sort of spiritual helper it would be appreciated. It would really help me right now. For the first few weeks after I reverted it was the best feeling in the world, so much happiness and positivity and optimism but I've done something to make that all go away.

Edit: Another thing probably important to mention is that I feel like I'm doing things more out of fear of punishment and because I have to rather than out of love for God. I'm more scared of God than loving for God, and that's not good. My mind is also always trapped in negativity all the time, thinking negatively about people and things almost constantly, no matter how hard I try not to. I'm sure this is a main reason for all of this.

Don't give much importance to the Fiq's books and that kind of staffs . The writers are themselves are confused what then you can expect from them .

In fact don't bother much by human written books like hadith , tafsirs , sirahs etc. rather concentrate in learning and understanding Qur'an , the way it is .

If you don't understand Arabic , start with your own language and try to understand and follow what Almighty GOD says in the Qur'an . Try to improve your knowledge in Arabic and try , slowly, to understand Qur'an in its original language . You will see all your frustration will go away .

Qur'an is easy , simple , modern and enlightened . It will take away the burden of your rituals , and will guide you to the happiest spirituality .

In other hand Fiq and Hadith will tie you down and down to that end where you shiver always that you will be cooked in hell for doing this and for not doing that .

Thanks bro .

 

[Bismillah]

Wa alaikum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

I experienced this same problem, delving into the fiqh and worrying over what is permitted and what is not. I lost the essence of faith and the purpose of Islam, instead parroting without meaning and understanding the Qur'an. I reccomend you read this brief but illuminating book "Islam Religion of Life" by Abdul Wadud Shalabi. It takes you back to Islam's core and makes apparent how and why outwards worship in Islam is related to spiritual purity.

This is the best version I could find online for you, but I encourage you heavily to read it (it took me 2 hours to finish).

Also I recommend that you read Syyed Hossein Nasr's works (I recommend you start with Ideals and Realities of Islam), it sounds like the type of work that is relevant to you. He is one of my favorite authors.

If you find little comfort in Salah is it perhaps becaues you do not know the full meaning and significance of your supplication? The Prophet Muahammad, sallallhu alayhi wa salam, said "Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast save hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness." I know there are many videos, articles, and books on the meaning and significage of salah and the different portions of it. Perhaps Sweetness of Salah | Developing Khushoo in Your Prayers would be beneficial?

Dhikr is one of the rituals of my daily worship that has solidified my yaqeen and love for Allah. I highly recommend that you read Al-Ghazali's 99 Beautiful Names of God

[youtube]DcJT2z6zgVY[/youtube]
Do you want to.. SOFTEN your heart? Feeling your Imaan down? Need an Iman Booster ? - YouTube

This lecture really articulates why I think it is so vital to learn about Allah and praise him from what he has told us in the Qur'an and why it is so beneficial to read Ghazali's book.

And of course read the Qur'an. Find a translation you like and read it and listen to its recitation. This is the word of God to humanity, to you! Hamza Yusuf said that you will find yourself in the Qur'an and I really do believe it. Reading the Qur'an it speaks to our individual problems and guides us. Try and make it a part of your life.

I encourage you to take part in the discussion threads for the Qur'an and the life of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa salaam, so that all of us can read and reflect and learn together.

It is up to you to take that fist step

Allah says, 'I am as my servant expects Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he thinks of Me, I think of him. If he mentions Me in company, I mention him in an even better company. When he comes closer to Me by a handspan, I come closer to him an arm's length. If he draws closer to Me by an arm's length, I draw closer by a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him. If my servant comes to Me walking, I go to him running.

 

[Taahir]

I find surrounding myself with Nature helps linking me up to God..
I don't know, but there must be some significance in the fact that Prophet Muhammad found God/Enlightenment in a dingy cave..

Perhaps there's a lesson to learn in that? God is not just confined around the four walls of a mosque? I don't know. That's my personal take.


God knows best.

Just a question though, when you make dua's/supplications, do you do it in Arabic or your native tongue..?

I find it easier to connect with God when I actually understand the words that I speak.. Again, just personal experience.

Have a blessed Ramadhan!

Here's a verse that might be apt in your situation:

"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe!" and will not be tested?

"And We indeed tested those who were before them. And God will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars". ( The Holy Koran, Chapter 29, Verses 2-3)


Edit: Forgot to return your salam!

Waalaikassalam warahmatullahi barakatu.

And may peace, God's Blessings and Mercy be upon you too!

I always feel the same way about nature. It immediately makes me think of God.

When I am making my personal duas I do them in English as I don't know Arabic anywhere near enough to formulate my own dua in it.

You have a blessed Ramadhan also.

Yeah that verse always makes me think whenever I see it. Thanks for bringing it up again to give me another reminder.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Don't give much importance to the Fiq's books and that kind of staffs . The writers are themselves are confused what then you can expect from them .

In fact don't bother much by human written books like hadith , tafsirs , sirahs etc. rather concentrate in learning and understanding Qur'an , the way it is .

If you don't understand Arabic , start with your own language and try to understand and follow what Almighty GOD says in the Qur'an . Try to improve your knowledge in Arabic and try , slowly, to understand Qur'an in its original language . You will see all your frustration will go away .

Qur'an is easy , simple , modern and enlightened . It will take away the burden of your rituals , and will guide you to the happiest spirituality .

In other hand Fiq and Hadith will tie you down and down to that end where you shiver always that you will be cooked in hell for doing this and for not doing that .

Thanks bro .

This is something that worries me. Some people find so much fulfilment and spirituality and happiness in the Qur'an, which is exactly what you're supposed to do. But I'm having major trouble getting the same thing out of it. There must be something I'm doing to make my heart so hard.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Wa alaikum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

I experienced this same problem, delving into the fiqh and worrying over what is permitted and what is not. I lost the essence of faith and the purpose of Islam, instead parroting without meaning and understanding the Qur'an. I reccomend you read this brief but illuminating book "Islam Religion of Life" by Abdul Wadud Shalabi. It takes you back to Islam's core and makes apparent how and why outwards worship in Islam is related to spiritual purity.

This is the best version I could find online for you, but I encourage you heavily to read it (it took me 2 hours to finish).

Also I recommend that you read Syyed Hossein Nasr's works (I recommend you start with Ideals and Realities of Islam), it sounds like the type of work that is relevant to you. He is one of my favorite authors.

If you find little comfort in Salah is it perhaps becaues you do not know the full meaning and significance of your supplication? The Prophet Muahammad, sallallhu alayhi wa salam, said "Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast save hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness." I know there are many videos, articles, and books on the meaning and significage of salah and the different portions of it. Perhaps Sweetness of Salah | Developing Khushoo in Your Prayers would be beneficial?

Dhikr is one of the rituals of my daily worship that has solidified my yaqeen and love for Allah. I highly recommend that you read Al-Ghazali's 99 Beautiful Names of God

[youtube]DcJT2z6zgVY[/youtube]
Do you want to.. SOFTEN your heart? Feeling your Imaan down? Need an Iman Booster ? - YouTube

This lecture really articulates why I think it is so vital to learn about Allah and praise him from what he has told us in the Qur'an and why it is so beneficial to read Ghazali's book.

And of course read the Qur'an. Find a translation you like and read it and listen to its recitation. This is the word of God to humanity, to you! Hamza Yusuf said that you will find yourself in the Qur'an and I really do believe it. Reading the Qur'an it speaks to our individual problems and guides us. Try and make it a part of your life.

I encourage you to take part in the discussion threads for the Qur'an and the life of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa salaam, so that all of us can read and reflect and learn together.

It is up to you to take that fist step [/B][/FONT]

Thanks a lot for all the resources and taking the time to reply. I'm currently reading the first book that you provided me with.

 

[Union]

Salam Taahir . One small question . When you read the Qur'an , do you take the help of hadith and Tafsir to understand it or do you try to understand it straight from the Qur'an ?

 

[Taahir]

Salam Taahir . One small question . When you read the Qur'an , do you take the help of hadith and Tafsir to understand it or do you try to understand it straight from the Qur'an ?

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullahi wa baraaktuh Union.

It depends on the Qur'an I'm reading. If it is the one I have at home, then there is not really any Tafsir, only reference to Tafsir. It does sometimes though have footnotes at the bottom of the page to explain some things, only a bit though.

If I'm reading a Qur'an from my local masjid, the one I read often has explanations for the majority of the lines at the bottom of the pages. I have used this Qur'an a very small amount of times.

I don't think I've ever really used hadith in help to understand the Qur'an.

 

[Bismillah]

It depends on the Qur'an I'm reading. If it is the one I have at home, then there is not really any Tafsir, only reference to Tafsir. It does sometimes though have footnotes at the bottom of the page to explain some things, only a bit though.

Taahir have you tried perhaps reading Muhammad Assad's translation? I learned a lot from his footnotes. Also do you generally just read the quran's translation or also listen to a recitation?

 

[Taahir]

Taahir have you tried perhaps reading Muhammad Assad's translation? I learned a lot from his footnotes. Also do you generally just read the quran's translation or also listen to a recitation?

His I have not, thank you for the recommendation.

I generally just read the translation. Perhaps I should listen to recitations more.

 

[Bismillah]

Let me know what you think, try something like Surah Fajr. Also if that is too wordy or old timey try the MAS Abdel Haleem version it is my other favorite. I have the link in the quran discussion thread

I generally just read the translation. Perhaps I should listen to recitations more.

Yes definitely brother. The Qur'an is not a text int he normal sense of the word, but a oral book. It was recited to the people from the Prophet Muhammad and this recitation contains a sense of emotion and power that cannot be felt through text alone. The pagan Meccans would screw beeswax into their ears and warned others to do the same because they said the power and eloquence was overwhelming and labeled the Qur'an as magic and the Prophet as a magician.

edit: Also if I may ask do you find the first book relevant?

 

[Taahir]

Let me know what you think, try something like Surah Fajr. Also if that is too wordy or old timey try the MAS Abdel Haleem version it is my other favorite. I have the link in the quran discussion threadYes definitely brother. The Qur'an is not a text int he normal sense of the word, but a oral book. It was recited to the people from the Prophet Muhammad and this recitation contains a sense of emotion and power that cannot be felt through text alone. The pagan Meccans would screw beeswax into their ears and warned others to do the same because they said the power and eloquence was overwhelming and labeled the Qur'an as magic and the Prophet as a magician.

edit: Also if I may ask do you find the first book relevant?

It just kind of worries me, because sometimes in congregation I'll be praying beside someone, and while the imam is reciting they will be crying and feeling so much emotion and I'll be thinking why in the world do I not feel like this, what is wrong with me? So I'm worried of hearing recitation and not being moved by it.

I find it extremely relevant. Thank you so much for providing me with it. Another problem with me is, when I read something like this, it will completely rejuvenate me for a short while and I'll feel as if it will have transformed things for the better, then after a couple days it's back to this state.

 

[Bismillah]

It just kind of worries me, because sometimes in congregation I'll be praying beside someone, and while the imam is reciting they will be crying and feeling so much emotion and I'll be thinking why in the world do I not feel like this, what is wrong with me? So I'm worried of hearing recitation and not being moved by it.

First of all realize that this worrying you have is in itself a powerful emotion and indication of your spiritual being. You are longing for Allah and fear that connection isn't made. Know that you have this drive and know that as long as you have this drive Allah will speak to you. If you make the effort it will come god willing.

As for what you said brother no I am not surprised, nor am I worried, nor do I think that this makes you a bad person or a weak believer. The simple truth is that the Qur'an when recited to you while it may sound very beautiful holds no deeper meaning. It is a very shallow beauty because you do not understand what is being recited and if you do it is a very crude understanding (Syed Nasr said that within the Qur'an is an answer for every person like a fruit tree there is fruit always hanging lower and it fulfills the appetite of the hungry traveler but for the more discerning person he reaches higher and picks the sweeter truth just like the person who delves deeper and learns the greater meaning). Pick a couple of shorter surahs read them and listen to their recitatoins. Read some of the footnotes from Assad for example to learn the greater meaning behind the word choice, order, period of revelation, and what the Prophet and the Muslims themselves were going through to see how it applied to them. It makes the Qur'an much much more immediate.

If you are looking for this inshallah I recommend these lectures, they are very good and you will marvel at some of the depth you missed out on before.

it will completely rejuvenate me for a short while and I'll feel as if it will have transformed things for the better, then after a couple days it's back to this state.

Well aside from going back and rereading literature you find moving, I would say that you first look at the video I posted in my first response (just in case you haven't already). The speaker makes an moving and good point about how to cleanse your heart and make it love the Qur'an. Learn some surahs and try to go a little deeper because "you will find yourself in the Qur'an" and when you have done this go and pray and read these surahs as you are praying. Prostate yourself on the ground in sajood (which is the closest a believer gets to Allah) and recite and make dhikr (my first post had a good link for learning the names of Allah you can appeal to Allah in his blessed names and attributes so that he loves your du'a and you love him). I hope this makes sense? Please tell me if it doesn't brother.

 

[Union]

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullahi wa baraaktuh Union.

It depends on the Qur'an I'm reading. If it is the one I have at home, then there is not really any Tafsir, only reference to Tafsir. It does sometimes though have footnotes at the bottom of the page to explain some things, only a bit though.

If I'm reading a Qur'an from my local masjid, the one I read often has explanations for the majority of the lines at the bottom of the pages. I have used this Qur'an a very small amount of times.

I don't think I've ever really used hadith in help to understand the Qur'an.

How about if you don't look at the tafsir at all and try to understand and follow Qur'an from what you are reading . Does it seem to be difficult for you ? Just a question .

 

[Taahir]

First of all realize that this worrying you have is in itself a powerful emotion and indication of your spiritual being. You are longing for Allah and fear that connection isn't made. Know that you have this drive and know that as long as you have this drive Allah will speak to you. If you make the effort it will come god willing.

As for what you said brother no I am not surprised, nor am I worried, nor do I think that this makes you a bad person or a weak believer. The simple truth is that the Qur'an when recited to you while it may sound very beautiful holds no deeper meaning. It is a very shallow beauty because you do not understand what is being recited and if you do it is a very crude understanding (Syed Nasr said that within the Qur'an is an answer for every person like a fruit tree there is fruit always hanging lower and it fulfills the appetite of the hungry traveler but for the more discerning person he reaches higher and picks the sweeter truth just like the person who delves deeper and learns the greater meaning). Pick a couple of shorter surahs read them and listen to their recitatoins. Read some of the footnotes from Assad for example to learn the greater meaning behind the word choice, order, period of revelation, and what the Prophet and the Muslims themselves were going through to see how it applied to them. It makes the Qur'an much much more immediate.

If you are looking for this inshallah I recommend these lectures, they are very good and you will marvel at some of the depth you missed out on before.

Well aside from going back and rereading literature you find moving, I would say that you first look at the video I posted in my first response (just in case you haven't already). The speaker makes an moving and good point about how to cleanse your heart and make it love the Qur'an. Learn some surahs and try to go a little deeper because "you will find yourself in the Qur'an" and when you have done this go and pray and read these surahs as you are praying. Prostate yourself on the ground in sajood (which is the closest a believer gets to Allah) and recite and make dhikr (my first post had a good link for learning the names of Allah you can appeal to Allah in his blessed names and attributes so that he loves your du'a and you love him). I hope this makes sense? Please tell me if it doesn't brother.

It makes sense. And thank you so much for trying to help me so much. It hasn't gone unappreciated. I did see the video. It just also worried me because...he was talking with so much emotion and what he was saying was bringing him to tears and so powerful for him and it just makes me so frustrated and scared I can't feel like that too.

How about if you don't look at the tafsir at all and try to understand and follow Qur'an from what you are reading . Does it seem to be difficult for you ? Just a question .

Honestly no, most of the time to me it seems fairly straightforward, but I could be completely missing any deeper meaning or the actual point it's trying to make.

I feel like a lot of people try to over complicate everything or make things hard, or maybe it's just me wishing things were over simplified and easy.

But I'll be honest, I hear people often say that Islam is the middle path and that it is easy. But right now I do not see much middle in the path (in concept I do, but the way everyone around me is explaining it and talking to me about it I don't) and it definitely is not feeling anything close to easy.

 

[Union]

Honestly no, most of the time to me it seems fairly straightforward, but I could be completely missing any deeper meaning or the actual point it's trying to make.

I feel like a lot of people try to over complicate everything or make things hard, or maybe it's just me wishing things were over simplified and easy.

But I'll be honest, I hear people often say that Islam is the middle path and that it is easy. But right now I do not see much middle in the path (in concept I do, but the way everyone around me is explaining it and talking to me about it I don't) and it definitely is not feeling anything close to easy.

Follow what Qur'an says and don't give any importance to what it doesn't say . Few examples (in a very simplified forms) :

* According to Qur'an music is not haram , hence listen to it .
* According to Qur'an , there is only two Salah in a day , hence discard five Salah traditional practice .
* According to Qur'an keeping beard , wearing topi , wearing big gown are meaningless , hence don't bother about your dress .
* According to Qur'an dog is a wonderful animal , hence enjoy its company .
* According to Qur'an masturbation is not haram , hence don't feel guilty when you have to have it .
* According to Qur'an there is no punishment in grave , hence don't get scared when people are talking about that .
* According to Qur'an there is no punishment of apostates , hence don't hate people when they take their decision in choosing the religion with freedom .
* According to Qur'an women nned not wear head-covering or burqa , then respect the women who doesn't do that .
* According to Qur'an.............[I am tired ]

 

[Taahir]

Follow what Qur'an says and don't give any importance to what it doesn't say . Few examples (in a very simplified forms) :

* According to Qur'an music is not haram , hence listen to it .
* According to Qur'an , there is only two Salah in a day , hence discard five Salah traditional practice .
* According to Qur'an keeping beard , wearing topi , wearing big gown are meaningless , hence don't bother about your dress .
* According to Qur'an dog is a wonderful animal , hence enjoy its company .
* According to Qur'an masturbation is not haram , hence don't feel guilty when you have to have it .
* According to Qur'an there is no punishment in grave , hence don't get scared when people are talking about that .
* According to Qur'an there is no punishment of apostates , hence don't hate people when they take their decision in choosing the religion with freedom .
* According to Qur'an women nned not wear head-covering or burqa , then respect the women who doesn't do that .
* According to Qur'an.............[I am tired ]

Well I can't say you're wrong because I have no proof or proper knowledge to say that you are.

I'm just curious why you personally (I'm assuming based on this post, forgive me if I'm mistaken) believe hadith to be untrue?

 

[Bismillah]

It makes sense. And thank you so much for trying to help me so much. It hasn't gone unappreciated. I did see the video. It just also worried me because...he was talking with so much emotion and what he was saying was bringing him to tears and so powerful for him and it just makes me so frustrated and scared I can't feel like that too.

Salaam alaikum,

Brother this is a man who has devoted his life to the Qur'an and listening to the words of Allah, it is going to be very emotional to him. This is why I think of it as so beautiful and inspirational, this connection that god willing we can try to work to. Don't worry about others and their emotional connection, the Qur'an and Islam is about you and your personal faith and connection with God.

'Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.'

One day I was behind the prophet and he said to me: "Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.".'

Have faith in Allah and trust in Allah and he will protect you and make you closer to him.

Also I would tell you, go ahead and read the translation. But realize this isn't the Qur'an this is merely a translation. No words can captivate the multiple meanings and depth and poetry of the arabic. People might say that you have no need of scholars or that scholars come between you and the Qur'an. I say how is this possible when you could not even know what the Qur'an was saying without scholarly translation and elucidation? Brother click the link I told you and listen to what Nouman Ali Khan has to say about certain verses. Go back to the verse and read them yourself and you tell me if you think he is coming between you and Allah, speaking for Allah, misrepresenting Allah's words, or simply showing you meanings and understanding that before were not available because of your lack of familiarity and education with such a rich and deep text.

 

[Union]

Well I can't say you're wrong because I have no proof or proper knowledge to say that you are.

I'm just curious why you personally (I'm assuming based on this post, forgive me if I'm mistaken) believe hadith to be untrue?

Qur'an is the words of GOD , revealed to Prophet Muhammad and recorded and well preserved by his direct companions who heard and saw from the Prophet . These manuscripts of the whole Qur'an are still well preserved all around the world . For , examples in Topkapi , Samarkhand , Sana , Peters-burgh , Cairo etc.

On the other hand Hadith were created almost +250 years after the demise of the Prophet and none of his companions were alive by that time to verify what was propagated in the name of the Prophet . 'Prophet said that and Prophet did that... ' is not really what Prophet did and said . There is no manuscript of Hadith were preserved from the Prophet and from his companions .

Moreover ALLAH (swt) took the responsibilities to guard and protect the Qur'an from any distoration NOT the Hadith .

Again , if you look into the Qur'an , ALLAH (swt) depicted Qur'an to be only message of Prophet Muhammad and the only source of Islam , nothing else .

Bearing all these logical facts into consideration , an open-mind needs to admit that Hadith are not the source of Islam at all .

 

[Taahir]

Salaam alaikum,

Brother this is a man who has devoted his life to the Qur'an and listening to the words of Allah, it is going to be very emotional to him. This is why I think of it as so beautiful and inspirational, this connection that god willing we can try to work to. Don't worry about others and their emotional connection, the Qur'an and Islam is about you and your personal faith and connection with God.

Have faith in Allah and trust in Allah and he will protect you and make you closer to him.

Also I would tell you, go ahead and read the translation. But realize this isn't the Qur'an this is merely a translation. No words can captivate the multiple meanings and depth and poetry of the arabic. People might say that you have no need of scholars or that scholars come between you and the Qur'an. I say how is this possible when you could not even know what the Qur'an was saying without scholarly translation and elucidation? Brother click the link I told you and listen to what Nouman Ali Khan has to say about certain verses. Go back to the verse and read them yourself and you tell me if you think he is coming between you and Allah, speaking for Allah, misrepresenting Allah's words, or simply showing you meanings and understanding that before were not available because of your lack of familiarity and education with such a rich and deep text.

Thank you brother. Insha'Allah I will do this soon.

Qur'an is the words of GOD , revealed to Prophet Muhammad and recorded and well preserved by his direct companions who heard and saw from the Prophet . These manuscripts of the whole Qur'an are still well preserved all around the world . For , examples in Topkapi , Samarkhand , Sana , Peters-burgh , Cairo etc.

On the other hand Hadith were created almost +250 years after the demise of the Prophet and none of his companions were alive by that time to verify what was propagated in the name of the Prophet . 'Prophet said that and Prophet did that... ' is not really what Prophet did and said . There is no manuscript of Hadith were preserved from the Prophet and from his companions .

Moreover ALLAH (swt) took the responsibilities to guard and protect the Qur'an from any distoration NOT the Hadith .

Again , if you look into the Qur'an , ALLAH (swt) depicted Qur'an to be only message of Prophet Muhammad and the only source of Islam , nothing else .

Bearing all these logical facts into consideration , an open-mind needs to admit that Hadith are not the source of Islam at all .

Allah knows best.

 

[Bismillah]

Thank you brother. Insha'Allah I will do this soon.

You're quite welcome Taahir, it is my pleasure to try and share what meager understanding I have it is my sincere hope you find some worth in my words.

On of my favorite surahs is Ar-Rahman and this is one of my favorite recitations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WvHMNuhH3Y

Another thing, please don't feel overwhelmed. I have provided you with links and books in case certain things appeal more to you than others and you wish to read them first. Don't feel like it is your duty to read it all now. Islam is a religion of moderation it did not demand from the companions to abstain from alcohol immediately but step by step until the evils of alcohol were apparent and the beauty of Islam and its lifestyle was apparent.