IslamiCity.org Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Religion - Islam > Interfaith Dialogue
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - My Spiritual Crisis  What is Islam What is Islam  Donate Donate
  FAQ FAQ  Quran Search Quran Search  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

My Spiritual Crisis

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1234>
Author
Message
DavidC View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior  Member
Avatar
Male Christian
Joined: 20 September 2001
Location: Florida USA
Status: Offline
Points: 2474
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DavidC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 3:59am
Originally posted by Aquinian Aquinian wrote:

Haha, we're just simple people having a religious discussion.  This isn't a seminary or anything, DavidC!



Touche, my friend 
Christian; Wesleyan M.Div.
Back to Top
BMZ View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 03 April 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1852
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BMZ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 6:27am

Annie,

Thanks for your words of wisdom and your moral suppot extended to brother Israfil.

I have only a few comments:

From you: "Welcome to the club.  The Baptists would probably condemn me too. Muslims condemn me.  Jews condemn me.   Look to the New Testament.  What does Jesus say?"

Jesus said, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus also said, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

Thus according to Jesus, people shall have to achieve a high level of righteousness. That is the key word here. No righteousness, no entry to heaven. The second part is self-explanatory.

From you to Israfil: "Keep your faith in God and let Him take care of the rest."

That was really beautiful.

God Almighty knows our weaknesses but yet is ready to forgive and still gives people a chance to turn to Him and repent sincerely, which is a prelude to a peaceful world one day.

 

Back to Top
BMZ View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 03 April 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1852
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BMZ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 6:28am

ABS67,

Assalaam Alaikum,

Thanks for the compliments and I am glad to see a fellow Singaporean here.

Best Regards

BMZ

Back to Top
herjihad View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior  Member
Avatar
Joined: 26 January 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2473
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote herjihad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 9:52am
Originally posted by Israfil Israfil wrote:

It is more evident to me that I perhaps suffer from a crisis of faith, which has lead me to question my own religion. I have been Muslim for about 6 years now and through the years of my study of Islam it appears that in the year 2006 religious confidence has diminished. It seems that I see Islam (as opposed to how I saw it the first time I converted) the same as I see Judaism and Christianity or like the many tens of thousands of other religions. Like so many of you here believe I am perhaps a hypocrite. In some way the comment made by the moderator Mishmish was perhaps true. How can any true observant person be a Muslim if he/she questions the Word of God.

Perhaps subconsciously I do question it. Not because of clarity but because of how its socially interpreted. There is no universal interpretation of the Qur'an that is consistent enough for me to feel confident in. Of course there is, in unison the agreement of the simplistic beliefs however in other areas of interest there are some difference. Among some of my inquiries I feel that Islam is too much intertwined in a culture that is not like my own. For instance the Arabization of Islam. Many Linguist who have mastered Arabic and who are also theologians further extend their claims in the supremacy of the Arabic language by referring from the Hadith as mentioning that "Arabic is the Language of the Angels."

I too also have heard that in the Empyrean, Arabic is the language spoken. The Funny thing about this is that this is similar to what the Jewish Sages have spoken about the Torah. Similar toJudaism about the creation of Angels the Angels were created from the Shekinah or Glory from God. In Islam Angels were created from light--or Nur. I feel that if there is some great distinction within this monotheistic faith there must exist a large gap that exist between itself and from the entire religions on the face of this planet. However as reality notes there isn't.

I feel greatly the sense of isolation between myself and a large group of Muslims because my experience shave lead me to feel this way. First off, the large majority of influential Muslims support their cultures of choice. Not once did I ever see Muslims from any reputable organization come into the African-American community or involve themselves publicly, with any troubled youth nor any inmates in the prison system. I have found much discrimination, not once, not twice, not three times, but multiple times. It is true people have more of an influence on people that scripture has. If you don't believe me then we can find evidence in the actions of several men who drove planes in buildings on 9/11. Of course the Jews did it though right?

I have tried numerous times forcefully tried to reconcile myself with the community and even to the greater extent tried to reconcile the Muslim community with itself. Largely none of you wish to involve yourselves in none of my topics. If one goes back I have posted numerous positive subjects which many of us can be involved in. Of course I get the occasional response of: "Sometimes people don't know what to say" or "Sometimes people show their agreement with what you say by their lack of a response." However in the same instance would automatically input their feelings when we discuss issues with the United States or the War in Iraq or the cartoons.

Goodness here and in the world abroad is not cherished nor "out of the box" thinking is. As I was told not by just the moderators Rami and Peacemaker, but by others that, my ideas and thoughts seen as divisive towards others who are genuinely seeking Islam. So in other words, my logical ideas are basically dangerous which could lead others way basically. However blind as they are do not see that ther comments made against my country and made against so-called Western Muslim would drive away other Muslims.

I extend an apology to all those who see me as a hypocrite. Perhpas I am and perhaps I serve more than anyone else to serve in eternal damnation. You know I have done nothing but try to be the best human being as I can. The one thing I totally dislike about the Muslim community are the fake, conditional gestures. I do not call a Muslim my brother but all human beings because we live in a brotherhood and sisterhood within each other as a species. Unfortunately we have come to the point that we begin to be exclusive to each other because of religious/social influence. I love the peaceful gesture of "As'Salaamu Alaikum" but am tired of the conditional; behavior of Muslims who say to me "I say this as your sister because Allah in the Qur'an has told me so."

So basically if you were to give advice to your brother or sister of blood you will say "I am telling you this because my momma told me" rather saying "I'm telling you this because I sincerely care about your well being." I find the former rather parroting, and insincere. We should be welcoming to all people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation. That is why I firmly believe that we humans will continuously suffer in ignorance of each other the more we divide ourselves and exclude ourselves.

In regards to Heaven and Hell I firmly believe in their existence however I believe in the opposite of what it is socially thought as. God being so great I cannot first comprehend suffering nor bliss since we humans cannot truthfully imagine the physical sensation of Heaven and Hell. What is the need of boiling hot water poured in the mouth of a liar when the soul is farther away from his Maker? I make a similar argument in my case. I suffer my great loss because my mother is not here and I suffer everyday she is not here with me. So can you imagine the soul that is condemned by his maker? The absence of God's love is the greatest torment so there is no need for fire and boiling water for if God tuns away from you there is no greater pain. If God loves you this is the ultimate bliss because then, you come into the boosom of God's infinity and are one with him.

I can say the only reason why I am still Muslim is the fear that I am wrong.......If I didn't have this fear I would traverse to my original belief, which was a journeyman for God. I cannot in my heart of hearts feel the same way an orthodox Muslim does in viewing people of other faiths. I cannot belief that God would literally hate something in compared to him a microscopic organism, just because they have a religion something in the world so small. I tend to think God made us in many shapes, forms and colors and with many religions for the purpose of involvement with each other as a species knowing that with our growing intelligence it too, can be used to be divisivse, hateful, and spiteful.

I understand that my beliefs ar eperhaps shocking or what not and I expect not much of a response here but this is the honest truth. Everyday I ask God to forgive me if I am wrong but I sincerely feel this way. I have been judged here anyway and never once feel any spiritual connection with any Muslims here. Many of you love to compare my age but at least I show limited intelligence enough to respect people of other faiths, something I find extraordinarily hard for other Muslims to practice. Regardless what I said previously here my faith in God has not been shaken but reminaed firm but I'm should some ignorant fool would reply with an ignorant comment base don what I say here.

I hope what I say here will sink in to the other Muslims in how the are towards so-called "Western Muslims." It is important to know that we as people do in fact make a differenc ein each others lives and its important to have a welcoming attitude to people of all backgrounds. If I'm a hypocrite because I love my fellow brother and sister in my human species then I'm guilty as charged. I would also like to thank Abeer23 for this spiritual ressurection, without her ignorant comments in the other section this would not have been possible. I would like to thank the Moderators and other members for for their comments because it showed me how true the nature of the Muslim community is, today. But perhaps through  the hurtful gestures of others we can learn something.... Since respect here is rare, I'm sure the moderators will evetually close this......Regardless I'm glad I said it here.

 

Bismillah,

We are glad you said it here also.  Many of us will appreciate your poignant, heartfelt words.

Peace

 



Edited by herjihad
Al-Hamdulillah (From a Married Muslimah) La Howla Wa La Quwata Illa BiLLah - There is no Effort or Power except with Allah's Will.
Back to Top
Israfil View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior  Member
Avatar
Joined: 08 September 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 3984
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Israfil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 1:53pm

Originally posted by DavidC DavidC wrote:

I would say God would most likely condemn the Wiccan, as that is a religion based on making God serve the will of man.  Definitely bassackwards.

Second would be the Buddhist, who is full of good works but without any relationship to God.

Since Hinduism is not an single religion it really does not fit the premise very well.

Well this is the problem I have with that mindset because who are we to judge others based on our own religious criterion?  Exactly my point. Recently I was in a discussion with another Muslim about the reliability of translation. He told me that the translations that we have in other various languages are interpretations because in the original content of Arabic it is unchanged therefore when trying to translate, requires an interpretation to fit the proper meraning of translated term.

Although in some ways agreeable I feel that it takes away the motivation of reading any Holy doctrine because of the translated terms is considered not up to par with the language which was revealed to the prophet. Of course its good to understand the original context but the spirituality of the message resides within the meanings not the words themselves. However no matter how a Western Muslim such as myself (if I can call myself one) looks at it, there is always a counter argument from another Muslim in defense of this...Religion more and more becomes unappealing to me whenever I hear this.

 

Back to Top
Muslima View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Avatar
Joined: 10 June 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 562
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Muslima Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 2:39pm

Brother Israfil, Arabic is the heart of Islam.

The Bible and the Thora have been changed and so the Koran cannot be changed. Anyone can learn Arabic brother. This is the language that God chose and the Message is for all.

Maybe you need a break brother. Too many ideas and too much thinking can be too much for you. Islam also comes from the heart, this is about faith. You need to feel the Iman.

All the best brother,

Muslima

Allah Ou Akbar!
Back to Top
ak_m_f View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior  Member
Avatar

Joined: 15 October 2005
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 3272
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ak_m_f Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 3:20pm

I am not gonna learn some new language to understand quran, I have it in english & I can understand it.
Back to Top
Aquinian View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group

Joined: 09 June 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 61
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aquinian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2006 at 4:07pm
Originally posted by Muslima Muslima wrote:

Brother Israfil, Arabic is the heart of Islam.

The Bible and the Thora have been changed and so the Koran cannot be changed. Anyone can learn Arabic brother. This is the language that God chose and the Message is for all.

Maybe you need a break brother. Too many ideas and too much thinking can be too much for you. Islam also comes from the heart, this is about faith. You need to feel the Iman.

All the best brother,

Muslima

Language is a human invention.

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1234>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd.