Is it allowed to question our religious belief?

You really can't interpret Islam based on people's actions. There is a huge difference between culture and religion and I don't think your questions have to do with Islam rather human behaviour. We don't only find this clash amongst Muslims but all kinds of people who differ amongst each other. We as Muslims have to abide by the rules in a non Islamic country as long as it doesn't violate our beliefs. If they really felt the need to change the country Islamic, then the better option would be simple moving to an Islamic country as it is easier and all the rules are already established there. It's alright to question but you must realize that Islam can't be solely judged on what Muslims do expecially in his day and age. Of course it's alright to question, just make sure your intentions are pure and that you are hoping to inform yourself and clear doubts

https://youtu.be/LFMzfW3w1d0

format_quote Originally Posted by Abz2000

If you never questioned yourself you'd still be upon the religion of your forefathers, whether that be paganism, satanism, atheism (secularism), human sacrificism, racist nationalism, prophet torturism+sarificism+cannibalism+vampirism, falsehoodism......
....you need to question those who you trust and believe to be able to answer truthfully from the time you are able to speak about your way of life, these are usually parents, teachers, older siblings etc about how best to live your life whilst on this earth. When you reach puberty you need to start taking more responsibility for your actions since you can't usually cast it on anybody else under normal circumstances and therefore need to continue learning whilst questioning yourself more critically as time passes - and this is how a person reaches "yaqeen" I.e certainty.
If you are sincere and truthful with yourself and have a decent amount of apathy, empathy and good judgement- you should come to the conclusions which Ibraheem came to.

Uhh, I cannot really ask the people I know here. I am afraid of their reactions. What if they misunderstand my intention, they will see me in bad light. I feel more comfortable to ask questions here because of the anonymity.

Is secularism that bad? What I know is that secularism separates civil affairs from religious considerations.
I thought in multi-faith-society it is not a bad option since it is the most neutral option. Well, in my opinion humans can try to implement whatever system they think is just. But in the end it is up to the humans whether it works or not. If they abuse it of course it is meant to fail and cause chaos.

Anyhow, thank you for the response!

format_quote Originally Posted by -arisa-

Yeah, I know culture and religion are different. I am just wondering if religion can adapt to the culture to make it better accepted in a society?
Right. Perhaps it is just because the news focus more on Muslims hence the thought. I live in a Muslim-majority country, so when Muslims do something controversial it is more apparent.
I know! That is what I thought too! Why would they change something that is already established here?
Yes, that is my intention. If I can understand better it will better for my faith right?

Thanks for the answer!

To understand Islam, you have to LISTEN to what Allah says in the Qur'an. At the mosque i sit next to brothers that read the Qur'an for the sake of reading and often i am wondering..what is their purpose of reading it? Is it so they can finish the Qur'an during Ramadan? What is the purpose of it? While Islam just like any other book, it is knowledge so you might benefit from it. With us Muslims these days, Qur'an is the ONLY book that we read for the sake of reading. I see us not reading a book from school for the sake of reading..but we MUST read it so we can benefit from the knowledge given..why don't we do that with the Qur'an?

I am not sure how often you yourself have finished the whole Qur'an ..and when you have finished reading the Qur'an how often you have stood still for a second to ponder about certain aya you just read?

The answer of this question (I am just wondering if religion can adapt to the culture to make it better accepted in a society?) lies in this aya.

"Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah , and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." Qur'an 5:3

Allah says "I have perfected for you your religion and completed MY FAVOR upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion".

What does Allah means by "perfected for you your religion"?

What does Allah mean by "my favor"?

These are valid questions and if we for one minute stop talking and start thinking, we will understand this in'sha'Allah, but we talk too much and don't listen..we hear but do not listen.

Culture is man-made for some part. What i mean by this is, it gets mixed by practices of sheytan. For example, music..and habits of mixing men and women. Environment we live in gets affected by our behavior and actions. Why do you think prophets were send? They were not send so people could be destroyed, but rather to prevent people go further and thus bring destruction upon themselves. In other words prophets rather are a mercy by Allah so people could change their behavior and stop themselves from destroying themselves. The world through storms, earthquakes, animals have become so hostile because of the evil deeds of mankind.

If you change religion so it could "adapt" to culture, you are going towards the destruction Allah gave you the favor so you could follow the path that prevents you from bringing the destruction upon yourself.

Society these days has become so corrupt that the one staying home is better than the one walking in the city...

Ponder more about these things sister and Allah in'sha'Allah will give you the understand of things Himself. Stop wasting your time with rubbish and nonsense (facebook, twitter, instagram..if you have such things..or tv, radio, music etc.) Right now it sounds very extreme perspective, but when you have done exactly that, you suddenly hear your own thoughts. It will see as if you are awake, while everybody else is asleep.

^
Hmm, if I should answer why I read it... because it feels peaceful? Maybe it is a psychological thing?
And since I have Quran with translation I read the translation too. Sometimes I ponder about it but when I cannot comprehend it I just leave it at that (I know it is a bad habit) because I do not know who to ask.

So is preserving culture wrong? What if it does not conflict with the teaching of Islam? Is that allowed?
People have difficulties to separate themselves from culture since it shapes their identity.

Lol it is not extreme at all. I am not really fond of social media, it is a waste of time when I can be productive and study something

Thanks for the response brother!

Sister ignore those brothers who want to change this country politically as thats not the islamic way; change comes from bottom up and not top down; this is where the shariah law advocates go wrong

format_quote Originally Posted by -arisa-

^
Hmm, if I should answer why I read it... because it feels peaceful? Maybe it is a psychological thing?
And since I have Quran with translation I read the translation too. Sometimes I ponder about it but when I cannot comprehend it I just leave it at that (I know it is a bad habit) because I do not know who to ask.

So is preserving culture wrong? What if it does not conflict with the teaching of Islam? Is that allowed?
People have difficulties to separate themselves from culture since it shapes their identity.

Lol it is not extreme at all. I am not really fond of social media, it is a waste of time when I can be productive and study something

Thanks for the response brother!

Qur'an has MANY benefits even just reading it without pondering it, however with us Muslims it has ONLY become just that. I also read the translation right now, but i ponder about what Allah is trying to tell me. Also when you are stuck at something, ask Allah for guidance and wisdom behind it. What you then have to do is keeping your ears and eyes open, because the answer to THOSE questions will come and often it will come from corners you never imagined. The questions i always had, they until now have always being answered.

There is culture and there is man-made(sheytan) aspect of culture.

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." Qur'an 49:13

Culture is part of the signs of Allah. The difference between the cultures so we could know one another and interact. The things within the culture that we can say is from Allah are those things that are in line with Islam. To give you some examples. Clothing in some cultures that cover the awrah of the male and female, we can say is from Allah. Good habits of people (respect for the parents, elderly, neighbors) from Allah..different types of clothing (but still according to Islamic principles are things we could be drawn to it and see the enrichment of that culture. Language, all part of the signs of Allah. However when we talk about musical instruments, tight clothes, eating certain haram things. You do not have to be religious to not want to eat pig meat as the animal itself is already disgusting. Or even alcohol to see the evil in it without even being religious yourself.

So cultural habits has two aspects..ones that are according to Islamic principles and ones that are according to the principles of sheytan.

The difficulty is rather the test of every individual. The question is how willing are you to give up evil practices for the sake of Allah? Allah is the one that elevates your status in this life as well in the next, not the people.

======Hadith===========

"Islam began as a something strange and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers."

Source used: http://dailyhadith.abuaminaelias.com...-to-strangers/

=====================

Islam is something strange when you practice it in your culture. Because in cultures we must gossip, we must hate one another, we must not talk to one another for years because of a pity fight, we must talk about money all day and about pride and act all arrogant. We must show when we give money to the needed so people can say look at that person. We must waste food so people can be like oooh he is soo rich, we must not sit with the poor and rather dismiss them being in our presence. We must treat our wife as our slave and shout and laugh loudly. We must belittle others in gatherings, we must buy unnecessary stuff so people could be envious of us..and much more

That is culture, while Islam compared to that is a stranger in town and it is because culture is the norm and widespread. Islam says exactly the opposite of what culture mostly says these days.

For me it is rather a blessing if i can call myself a stranger. Culture will not help you in your grave so find the way out or it will be too late and you will end up in your grave.

format_quote Originally Posted by -arisa-

^
Hmm, if I should answer why I read it... because it feels peaceful? Maybe it is a psychological thing?
And since I have Quran with translation I read the translation too. Sometimes I ponder about it but when I cannot comprehend it I just leave it at that (I know it is a bad habit) because I do not know who to ask.

So is preserving culture wrong? What if it does not conflict with the teaching of Islam? Is that allowed?
People have difficulties to separate themselves from culture since it shapes their identity.

Lol it is not extreme at all. I am not really fond of social media, it is a waste of time when I can be productive and study something

Thanks for the response brother!

Sister were definitely on the same page here, I use read Quran too sometimes and even though I sometimes can't understand things, I either try to the best of my ability or watch Islamic videos. (I recommend nouman Ali khans lectures). I am not a really a cultural person, so I felt like I had an identity crisis since I couldn't feel a belonging with a certain cultural. All were very exclusive. So I tried to identify with the black community but there were things that would not fit well with my Islamic beliefs, it's like a puzzle trying to find where you fit, western culture wasn't exactly an option as it would contradict my beliefs in some areas (ie. widespread zina, alcohol , accepting homosexuals) There's nothing wrong with preserving culture, you just have to make sure that it's within the guidelines of Islam (ie. cultural clothes, halal food, free mixing, music etc.) Culture can sometimes make people racist, misogamist, and arrogant. There are some good things about culture but we should never let the pride get to your heads. Islam should always come first before culture and there is nothing wrong with doing that. Your foods, colours, clothing and language that are part of your culture are all beautiful things, it's diversity and keeping it as a part of your identity and is important, but first and Foremost we identify as Muslims first. Identifying as Muslim doesn't mean that you automatically adopt middle eastern culture as some believe, rather make your religion compatible with Islam (not vice versa). This is another reason why I identify first as a Muslim. Islam is inclusive unlike cultures. You can find Muslims in almost all parts of the world each still preserving there own culture in beautiful ways under Islamic guidelines. People of all nationalities come together to humbly worship god, creating unity and peace. I recommend that you watch this video.

https://youtu.be/OQA-QCBk5u0

format_quote Originally Posted by AbdullahAziz

Sister ignore those brothers who want to change this country politically as thats not the islamic way; change comes from bottom up and not top down; this is where the shariah law advocates go wrong

I will try. But sometimes it is hard to look the other way when it causes conflicts between people

format_quote Originally Posted by AbdullahAziz

Sister ignore those brothers who want to change this country politically as thats not the islamic way; change comes from bottom up and not top down; this is where the shariah law advocates go wrong

Thanks for the response!

format_quote Originally Posted by Simple_Person

Qur'an has MANY benefits even just reading it without pondering it, however with us Muslims it has ONLY become just that. I also read the translation right now, but i ponder about what Allah is trying to tell me. Also when you are stuck at something, ask Allah for guidance and wisdom behind it. What you then have to do is keeping your ears and eyes open, because the answer to THOSE questions will come and often it will come from corners you never imagined. The questions i always had, they until now have always being answered.

There is culture and there is man-made(sheytan) aspect of culture.

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." Qur'an 49:13

Culture is part of the signs of Allah. The difference between the cultures so we could know one another and interact. The things within the culture that we can say is from Allah are those things that are in line with Islam. To give you some examples. Clothing in some cultures that cover the awrah of the male and female, we can say is from Allah. Good habits of people (respect for the parents, elderly, neighbors) from Allah..different types of clothing (but still according to Islamic principles are things we could be drawn to it and see the enrichment of that culture. Language, all part of the signs of Allah. However when we talk about musical instruments, tight clothes, eating certain haram things. You do not have to be religious to not want to eat pig meat as the animal itself is already disgusting. Or even alcohol to see the evil in it without even being religious yourself.

So cultural habits has two aspects..ones that are according to Islamic principles and ones that are according to the principles of sheytan.

The difficulty is rather the test of every individual. The question is how willing are you to give up evil practices for the sake of Allah? Allah is the one that elevates your status in this life as well in the next, not the people.

This is a really nice explanation, thanks!
However, I have to disagree with the negative aspects of culture. This is the first time I heard in cultures you must gossip, hate one another, and so on. It is so ridiculous! Well I never found it in my culture anyway. But yeah, there are negative aspects (if you view it in Islamic way) like musics, traditional clothes, etc and I still cannot understand why they are forbidden. I certainly need more knowledge to become a complete Muslim

format_quote Originally Posted by happymuslim

Sister were definitely on the same page here, I use read Quran too sometimes and even though I sometimes can't understand things, I either try to the best of my ability or watch Islamic videos. (I recommend nouman Ali khans lectures). I am not a really a cultural person, so I felt like I had an identity crisis since I couldn't feel a belonging with a certain cultural. All were very exclusive. So I tried to identify with the black community but there were things that would not fit well with my Islamic beliefs, it's like a puzzle trying to find where you fit, western culture wasn't exactly an option as it would contradict my beliefs in some areas (ie. widespread zina, alcohol , accepting homosexuals) There's nothing wrong with preserving culture, you just have to make sure that it's within the guidelines of Islam (ie. cultural clothes, halal food, free mixing, music etc.) Culture can sometimes make people racist, misogamist, and arrogant. There are some good things about culture but we should never let the pride get to your heads. Islam should always come first before culture and there is nothing wrong with doing that. Your foods, colours, clothing and language that are part of your culture are all beautiful things, it's diversity and keeping it as a part of your identity and is important, but first and Foremost we identify as Muslims first. Identifying as Muslim doesn't mean that you automatically adopt middle eastern culture as some believe, rather make your religion compatible with Islam (not vice versa). This is another reason why I identify first as a Muslim. Islam is inclusive unlike cultures. You can find Muslims in almost all parts of the world each still preserving there own culture in beautiful ways under Islamic guidelines. People of all nationalities come together to humbly worship god, creating unity and peace. I recommend that you watch this video.

https://youtu.be/OQA-QCBk5u0

Great explanation, thanks!
Ah yeah I agree with some parts of Western culture. Eastern and Western cultures are so different, for instance when it comes to respecting those older than you. Here we have to address them in certain way to be polite. But in Western culture you can just call their name casually. I find this difference interesting.
Zina, alcohol, and accepting homosexuals are not allowed too in my culture. However, exposure to Western culture from media changes it little by little. Some people are affected by this, especially the young generations. It is worrying.
I think I have my priorities wrong then regarding my identity. I identify myself as human first, then a mix of Muslim and Indonesian.

format_quote Originally Posted by Zafran

what country are you from if you dont mind me asking?

Islam is ultimately about God - Tawheed (Theism and specifically the God of Abraham who made everything - that we share with the Jews and Christians) - If you believe in a maker and that one day we will have to answer for what we did on earth after we die to the creator (belief in afterlife), Then your a Muslim If not you might want to explore what you actually believe life is all about?

Its good to start with core beliefs and then move forward - Try to not to let the culture/religion or philosophy your born with hinder your thought process even though that can be hard.

I am from Indonesia
Hmm, I do believe there should be a maker who is responsible for everything that exists in this life. And there would be consequences for what we have done in life later. I believe because I think there must be causes and consequences for everything happening.
Does that make me a Muslim?

Thanks for the response by the way, it makes me think a lot!
Since I am born a Muslim, I used to just accept whatever my parents and teachers told me concerning religion. If I asked something they might get angry, and even now I am still afraid to ask questions like this to people. Because of my lack of comprehensions or perhaps awareness, I did not pray and read Quran until high school. I only prayed and read Quran when my parents got angry with me for neglecting my duties as Muslim. Later when I realized it myself I started to slowly follow Islamic teachings. There are aspects that I am still confused about though, like what I mentioned in the previous posts.

format_quote Originally Posted by Eric H

Allah understands our weaknesses and our temptations through life, religion is given as a help to get through life. I know you have been struggling through life with university, your home and car, but if you can find ways to continuously thank Allah for what you have, this will help you to become stronger.

Thanks for the advice!
I do try to always be grateful to Allah. I am really fond of surah Ar-Raḥmān, especially the verse "Which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?", it serves as a reminder to be thankful. But yeah, when things are hard and I get panic it is so easy to forget it.