I would like to give you simple answers as possible, if you wouldn't mind.
1. Even as a baptised Catholic, can I become Muslim? Is there anythign I should be aware of because of my Catholic background that would be a problem?
There is no problem with anyone o any background. Everyone can and are encouraged to join Islam. Even if you are on the deathbed and you are dying from a sickness, even then there is great encouragement to join Islam. Joining it means that your previous sins are forgiven by Allah and you start off with a clean slate. The condition is that you should continue to keep a clean slate according to your knowledge and capacity as a new convert. It is much better to first study Islam while you are healthy and to join it once you fully understand what it is you must do as a Muslim. For example, pray five times a day, fast during Ramadan, go for Hajj when possible, etc.
2. -This is very important to me- I am a twin, sadly my sister passed away while my mother was 8 months pregnant. She's always been incredibly important to me however, I've had people tell me (both inside and outside of Catholic/CHristian faith) that because she died before baptism, she will be sent to Hell or Purgatory. It tears me apart to think that that would happen to her, would she go to Heaven? What happened to her? What about people who are of different faiths? Will a Christian meet a Muslim in Heaven if they have both led very good, honest lives?
In answer, every newborn baby is sinless. I believe in Christianity you are told that everyone is born in sin. However, we do not accept that in Islam. A newborn baby is not made to suffer. Every newborn baby, a person who was never exposed to Islam and an insane person are not accountable when they die for being Muslim. You have to have heard and received the message of Islam and rejected it totally in order to be held accountable for rejecting the message.
3. The Hijab. As a modest person, I'd love to wear one anyway, but I fear I would be disrespectful to wear the Hijab and not practice Islam. How would you respond to someone who is not Muslim wearing a Hijab? Also, with the rest of the clothing, I like to wear skirts that go to the knee length, but I wear leggings and very long socks underneath (so no skin is exposed) but I am aware that skirts should not be that short and that wearing tight clothing like leggings and tights/socks is immodest. Would it be wrong to wear a Hijab and a
KNEE LENGTH SKIRT
even with leggings? Also the arms, are the entire arms supposed to be covered to the wrist or are 3/4 length sleeves/t-shirt sleeves okay?
You are Catholic, correct? If I remember correctly, I think Catholics have pictures of Hazrat Bibi Maryam (ra) wearing a head scarf. This injunction of modesty was given to pretty much every religion. I know for a fact that Christians are also supposed to be wearing modest clothing as well. This is something from Judaic law as well. My belief is that Christianity is just an extension of Judaism. Jesus (as) himself was a Rabbi, and so he did not go against the teachings of the faith he was part of. Based on this logic, I find it safe to assume that you are required even by your own religion to wear a head scarf. If you wanted to do things as Muslim women do, then I don't see why you stop yourself. It doesn't seem to go against even the teachings of your faith. In fact, you would be following the Sunnah (example) of the blessed Mary. Normally, I make the argument to Christians that they shouldn't speak against the Hijab which Muslim women wear, since they depict Mary wearing a Hijab as well. This is overlooked more often than it should be.
4. Are Muslims allowed to play musical instruments? I play guitar and bass and I LOVE it, playing bass helped me through painful physical therapy because it gave me a goal to strive towards while I was recovering and physio was tough. I'd dread to give it up, I'm also a big fan of a rock band and I'd miss listening to their songs. I know Buddhism has certain rules about
MUSIC
, in Catholic church however there are choirs and hymns etc, but I don't know about music in Islam so I'd appreciate it if someone could explain the stance on music in Islam.
Music is for the most part forbidden in Islam. I will say that it is not completely forbidden, since the Holy Prophet (saw) allowed the duff to be played during Eid celebrations. This means that Music itself is not forbidden. As for the context, I do not know if Eid is the only occasion it is allowed, but celebrations can have the duff. As for which instruments are allowed or not, this I won't answer here.
5. What do Muslims think of cats? I look after shelter cats and generally help look after strays and so on, is there any rules in Islam I should be aware of that concern pets or animals?
Every animal should be taken care of when they need it. Islam has the best teachings on animal rights, it is far ahead of our current era. Harmful animals that kill or harm humans, are the only exception, where in some cases it is directed to kill them when you see them. For example, harmful snakes, rats, scorpions, black dogs (a harmful type of canine species in the Arab regions, I suppose), etc. Also, dogs are not allowed to be kept in people's houses as pets, but they can be used for guarding, tending flocks, hunting, etc. Cats are considered cleaner than dogs in Islam. There are probably more specifics to this than I know.
As for hunting animals, current society, by Islamic standards, is very cruel. Hunting animals for the fun of it is allowed, but Islam does not allow this. Only harmful animals can be killed, and hunting animals can only be for the purposes of food. Thus, you only hunt a bird if you're going to eat it, not simply as game to hang on a wall. Hunting animals as game to hang on walls or for recreational purposes is strictly forbidden in Islam. It is cruel. Even for killing an animal for food, Islam requires that we even consider the feelings of animals. For example, we are to sharpen knives as best as possible, cut the neck so the blood flows out quickly and before cutting, we do not show the animal the knife. Animals are considered intelligent beings who are aware of their surroundings, that they weep, they communicate with one another, and that they have their own communities just like we humans do. Thus, animals should be treated with respect even when we kill them for food.
It is funny that only now, scientists are considering experiments to see if animals have emotions or not. Islam taught that animals are like humans, but we just don't understand their speech. Thus, they should be treated with respect. They may be lesser than us in some forms of intelligence, but they are not to be treated badly. A person can go to Hell for killing an animal with cruelty. So the penalty for disobeying the rules with regards to animals in Islam is severe. Especially since they cannot communicate with us in our languages.
6. Are there any professions/hobbies/activities that a Muslim person should avoid? Or activities (aside from
PRAYERS
, fasting during Ramadan etc) that should be encouraged?
Islam is a way of life. There are many rules allowing and disallowing things. Then, there are some things which are not forbidden, but disliked, or other things which are concessions to the rules. This requires a deeper study of Fiqh, and so you would have to be more specific as to what it is you would like to know. The simple truth lies in the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (saw).
One thing I will mention, is to avoid clubs, bars, dances, animal fights, lying, etc. These are things which people normally do in Western society, but they are not allowed in Islam at all. Any place with an environment of people who commit evil acts, such as lewdness, drugs, etc., are to be avoided completely. Islam advocates keeping company with people of good influence, and keeping far away from people of bad influence. If people of bad influence get to you in this life, then in the Hereafter you may regret it, to the point where you would wish that they would be on the extreme east and you on the extreme west (as far from each other as possible, complete disassociation from one another) on the Day of Judgment.
7. What is the Muslim stance on homosexuality and transgender/sexualism?
Homosexuality is considered something one can change in Islam, or at least suppress if one truly thinks they are born with it. This is an act that is unnatural. A man should not imitate a woman, and a woman should not imitate a man. Whatever gender a person is born with, is most certainly their gender, whether they are convinced of it or not.
Islam stresses on the importance of marriage, which is only to be done with a man and a woman together. This marriage leads to the procreation of children. Homosexuality is completely opposed to this, since children cannot be produced out of such a wedlock. Thus, it is forbidden in the legal sense, and in the moral sense as well.
Let it be clear that Islam does not advocate hatred towards homosexuals. However, it advocates extreme displeasure with the actions of people who practice homosexuality. This practice itself is to be hated, not the people themselves. Islam advocates preaching to them to refrain from their ways. This is in order to help them from the punishment of Allah. Whether or not Allah forgives them in the end, that is up to Him. Everyone's situations are different. Some may not know the truth, others may reject the truth. Allah knows best.
I hope I answered your questions. If I missed anything or if you have any other questions, then I hope you can respond and let us know. Everyone here at the forum will be glad to respond back to you and give you information. I tried to simplify things and stick to the facts as much as possible.