Where Do You Stand?

Assalamu Alaikum

Sister Ummziba, of course you are forgiven.  Sometimes, other issues come up in threads that simply need to be addressed.  Alhamdulillah you were able to do that.

PAZ, Khadija

ANGEL SAID:

>>>>>I cannot give 'a' specific example, at least not right this moment.

But to become muslim means giving up on who I am, the person that I am, that in itself is unsettling. Ok, I guess that was a specific example ;-) <<<<<<

I disagree....Of course to be Muslim one has to give up practices in order to follow the correct guidelines. But this is just like any other religion. If you were buddhist you'd have to give up any vanities that would resemble materialism (which dancing or watching television would be included). If you were Christian you'd have to give up extra-martital affairs (if that is your thing) you'd also have to give up pre-marital sex, hatred for other humans etc. If you were an Orthodox Jew, you'd have over 100 laws to follow also including laws regarding cooking.

The point of most religions is to reject the vanities which cloud our rational mind about the world. With some religions there are extremities but I disagree that these vanities chip away at who we are. As a Muslim I'm still the same person. The only thing that changed was my outlook on spirituality. But I believe as we grow older we always change. Change is good. Especially if the change is for the better. what's so bad about Islam? I like not eating pork. Pork is very fattening and its fattening oils can clog your arteries which can be very fatal if not treated. I like not drinking because intoxication can cloud your rational mind. I like not having pre-marital sex because this rule forces me to know my partner and know their likes and dislikes.

I like giving money to the poor because it forces me to recognize hardhsips and forces me to give to those who are needy. When I mention force I'm not talking about being forced to follow the rules but it makes me recognize the vanities in life which does not spiritually benmefit me. So no Angel it doesn't entirely change who you are, just the vanities that many of us hold so dear. But if you wish to keep those vanities then of course that would change who you are. 

Angel Said: "If islam is suppose to bring peace then why doesn't it bring peace and happiness to life to all people but only to some ? while those other people are quite happy at peace and with the world that other religions and faiths bring them, again how can islam be the only true religion and path ? "

Peace & happiness (or contentment) comes only to those people who appreciate and praise God for all that He has provided for them. This means when one has the ability to perceive everything as His bounty instead of simply taking them for granted. For example we all breathe fresh air - most of us without any difficulty, but there are people who suffer from severe respiratory impairments. When we think of them we should consider ourselves lucky and express our gratitude to God. That was just a small example, but every moment of our lives we see, feel and experience innumerable of God's bounties, and people who praise God and thank Him are the people who have peace & happiness. Not all Muslims would feel this, because every individual's response to God is different. Those who practise Islam by obeying God's commandments properly are more likely to achieve a level of peace & happiness & again the more closer you get to God the higher your level of contentment.

Besides how does one know how happy or peaceful one is? We don't know what is going on inside the mind of another person, although he/she may appear peaceful or contented outwardly, but appearances can be deceiving. However, for a true believer ie one who truly believes in the Oneness of God, accepts Him as the sole Creator and is most willing to obey Him and Please Him and knows in his heart that to Him is his return then I think peace and happiness can surely come.