believe in what?

Dear 1hope, I hope you are still somewhere near here and you are wondering about the replies since this is the basic instinct lying behind the act of questioning.

I wonder if you are suffering a bit of misunderstanding about the religion. The scope of religion is beyond this world so neither the culture nor the ideology are enough to define the term of religion.

I can understand that you are to pass through a difficult way from the modern culture based mainly on a positivist perspective to the green garden of Islam, but every convert and even every Muslim born in a Muslim family are to walk this painful way. so you are not the only one. No one person chooses Islam in one night. The heart of a person passes through different stages so that it becomes open to reality and I think what happens to you is this.

As the other members, I have difficulty in seeing your situation clearly since you are not to give the details about the thing that bothers you. But if it helps; I want to give an example from a book written by a scientist who deals with  religion related psychology: he compares the first days of Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) when he was trying to dress as Arabs of old days and today where he has no doubt in wearing a shirt and trousers as every men in western culture does. The explanation is that : this giant transition from one religion to another is an important stress for the person and he is to stick to some cultural symbols at the beginning to gain some strenght in his decision, but as the convert gets experienced about the perspective of Islam, Islamic phenomena and as the soul matures he is no more to look for the cultural symbols.

I hope you solve the problems or at least open a door for the people in this forum who want to understand you. If you believe in Islam then believe that misgivings come from the devil. Allah will not leave you.

As salaam.

 

1hope wrote: Warm greetings  Peace  to you brother or sister? When I reverted to Islam I was full of hope & enthusiasm, but all that has crumbled away along with the basic practice I was able to partake in (circumstance allowing). I know why this has happened, but am unable to do anything about it, so I guess my query is what all this means?

God is with the patient,
& who ever hold firmly to Allah, will be shown A Way that is straight---------------- (3:101)
Lose not heart, nor fall into despair, for you must gain mastery if you are true in Faith.(3:139)

1hope wrote: The reason is thus��.   I am been asked to support a nationalist/cultural ideology (so-called moderates), as a pose to an Islamic ideology (so-called Islamists).

Where do you live, who are asking you to make  choices? It  sounds like a puzzle without a grid & guide to solve
You have not revealed your own nationality, age, profession, it is inappropriate to suggest what is Allah's  command in your case over this forum.

1hope wrote: I am neither of the same nationality, nor of the same culture as you, so if this stance is continued then not only do we have nothing in common, but you also set yourselves up as rivals and enemies to me.

It is still quite cryptic - and then your ass-u-me approach is no help. What nationality or culture you are alluding to? This is internet you have nothing to gain or lose by this approach.

1hope wrote: Please tell me how you expect people to embrace a religion that stresses on the importance of leaving behind the wrongs of our forefathers, when you yourselves are upon the very thing you found your forefathers upon?

You need to be explicit instead of generalizing the subject!
Allah revealed His instruction unequivocally:
We have enjoined on man kindness to parents; but if they strive thee to join with me any thing of thou hast no knowledge, obey them not ----------(29:8)

1hope wrote:   I don�t why I am even asking this question, because I haven�t found a single person who is willing to accept (and more importantly face) the issue that is the division of the Muslim community.   If Muhammad {SAW} had - talked the talk, without walking the walk - then no one would have believed him, so how is it that you expect anyone to believe in this that you are brining to the west?

Hold fast, all together, by the Rope of Allah and not be divided among yourselves, and remember with gratitude Allah's favors on you.========3:103
Be not like those who are divided among themselves and fall into disputations after receiving clear signs; for them is a dreadful PENALTY =3:105

When you have Quraan as quality assurance manual with a GO/NOGO gage, it is up to you use it or not use it without fear or favor.
When you forgo the standard the result is what described. Now the awakening is coming about to find what was lost in last couple of centuries, that is huge subject by itself which I am not going to indulge into. But if you study the Muslim Spanish history, it will  reveal that it helped to kick start the banishment of  dark age of in Europe.

1hope wrote:   It is unfair that you ask reverts to simply choose a strain of Islam that feels right to them, after all how is someone new to Islam supposed to make an informed decision?

Who is "you"? I have never asked such a meaningless question. There are no "strains" of Islam. There is only "Islam".

 

And even after a decision has been made, what sort of effect do you think it has on people when you practice something that has no place in Islam, and when questioned you sweep it under the carpet?

 

What decision is it? What practice is it? What question are you asking?

 

I am no longer able to take you seriously, and this scares me a little because I truly believe Islam is the right way, but I am confronted with a boy who has cried wolf so many times, his cry no longer means anything to me!

What boy? Why has he cried? Why is his tears meaningless to you?

Is it the tears, or is it you?

Kindest Regards  

 

for me the game is over, i cannot remain amongst you