format_quote Originally Posted by
Drewy7
Hello all, I registered to this forum to hopefully gather some insight on Islam.
I have been dealing with many foster homes and hard times over the years. My mother was an alcoholic and my father was never in the picture. I met myself at a crossroad in life when I was 16-17. I wasn't doing the right thing and I finally looked myself in the mirror one day and asked myself if this was the type of life I wanted to have. Thankfully I decided to make a change and sway away from the lifestyle that I was leading. I started reading the bible and developing a relationship with God, but I still didn't commit myself to a religion. I'm 19 years old now and I want a religion in my life. I'm thinking of choosing Islam because of the generally peace, and kindness that Muslim's have for one another. Here are some questions I have.
Hi Drewy :) Welcome to the forums. I'll attempt to answer your questions and then give you some extra information which you may find of benefit, God willing.
1) Do you have to fast from (food&water) for an entire 30 days during Ramadan?
The month of Ramadan is around 29/30 days. We fast each day of that month (unless you are ill or on a journey, then you can break that fast and fast it in a later date for that missed fast.) The fasting is done each day, from sunrise till sunset. After sunset, you can eat and drink and have intercourse with ones wife.
2) What are the views on smoking marijuana?
It is forbidden by God, as He says [meaning];
They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning intoxicants and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit." Thus God makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought. [Quran 2:219]
The reason why it is forbidden is because it makes your mind clouded, so you can't think straight. I.e. you become partially insane. And you might do evils then without knowing. In other words, its a tool of satan.
3) Am I still allowed to read the bible?
If you were to be a Muslim, you will have submitted yourself to the One and only God - the Originator and Designer of everything. You will have accepted that Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) was a servant and Messenger of God, but not a part or 'son' of God.
You will believe in ALL the Messengers' mentioned in the Bible [including Noah, Abraham, Moses etc.], but you will not believe that the Bible is the full word of God. (since we believe the Bible has been corrupted by people since after Jesus. Click
HERE for examples.).
4) What are some things I should know about the faith?
You should know that;
1 - God is One, who created us, gave us life, provides us with all that we have, and due to that - we should submit to Him and live to earn His pleasure.
2 - God sends Messengers' to every nation, His final Messenger is His slave and Prophet - Prophet Muhammad. God gave Him the Qur'an [God's speech] and Wisdom [the Prophetic way], a guidance and a way of life for mankind uptill the final Day of Judgment.
3 - The guidance of God leads man to higher levels of morality and spirituality. God promises them a good reward in this life, and a life to come full of reward and Mercy from Him in Paradise.
And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but God/Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe." [Quran 14:7]
If man disobeys God and shows ungratefulness to him - He will punish that slave. Unless this slave repents and mends his way before death overtakes him. Then, God will show mercy to His obedient slave.
4 -
Their will be One final Judgment Day, when all of mankind will be resurrected after death. Those who believed in God, His Messengers' and this Promised Day, in Paradise and Hell and did good deeds - they will be rewarded in Paradise according to the best of their actions. Those who disbelieved will be punished for their own evils in hell, and none will be dealt with unjustly.
The Messenger of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him) relates that God said;
O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you, O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you.
O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and will not attain benefitting Me so as to benefit Me. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more that a needle decreases the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other that blame no one but himself.
(Recorded in Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
Please see this link to know more;
http://islamreligion.com
Please don't hesitate to ask more questions! :)
Peace.