format_quote Originally Posted by
Perplexed
I am sorry if this is too abstract, or if it doesn't belong here. I also apologise in advance if I offend anybody, it's not my intention.
I'm feeling very confused and lost and don't know where to turn.
I was raised pagan and became Christian while I was in University. Then around 3 years ago or so I started to seriously research Islam, and I converted last year - but I think I did it too soon and wasn't ready and I didn't even practice properly nor did I fully believe because I still wasn't sure of the role/nature/personality of Muhammad or how Jesus fit in.
I have been studying different things lately and it's got me so confused.
The main thing that most things use to say "Islam is more accurate than Christianity" is that the bible is corrupt and the Quran isn't. However recent research has shown both to be equally accurate, (within 2% for both with the only difference being grammar) with the dead sea scrolls confirming the old testament and several verses from the new testament. the New testament was also written within 80 years of the life/death of Jesus and with several witnesses to the conversations that occurred still alive. This means that if it was a misunderstanding it would have been quickly shut down. Surely that means we must either accept his claims or reject them (as well as denounce him as a heratic/madman) Although the bible has been translated it is never a translation from a translation and is always a translation from the original.
I have read both the Quran and the Bible but I'm at an impass. I know only one of them can be telling the truth, but I can't figure out my stance. Using logic and psychology alone I'd say Christianity was the correct path (and that perhaps the prophesies given to Muhammad were from another entity altogether and that's how both fully believed they had the truth and both were known for truthfulness and faith) but my heart is still reaching out to the mosque and prayers and hijab.... I feel stuck between the two and unable to fully move in either direction and its making me feel very spiritually stuck.
I'm not sure if anybody would have input on this or know where I should check for answers, or if anybody encountered similar.
again I'm sorry if any of this is improper....
I know how you feel. I was raised in an Atheist/Christian household. I literally knew NOTHING about Islam. I knew essentially nothing about Islam before "converting". It was only a few years after I really started to understand. I don't consider the first time I "converted" as true conversion. In fact, the word conversion by definition implies an ongoing process. It doesn't happen in the blink of an eye!
My advice to you - SLOW DOWN - DO NOT make every little mistake into a big deal. Just chill out. Live like you did before (only don't eat pork, no sex out of marriage). The only difference is instead of Christianity, you side with Islam now.
ONE GOD CREATES ALL RELIGIONS. So really it just comes down to which "team" you want to be on.
Do you get what I am saying?
If you think Islam is right, join this team. If you think Christianity is right, join that one instead. Same goes for Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.
But don't forget - SLOW DOWN.
DO NOT LISTEN TO NON-CONVERTS (UNLESS THEY ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT US).
They tell you to immediately start praying 5 times per day, and after a month you quit because it is extremely difficult since you were not raised like this and you don't understand how to structure your life around it or why it is important.
Prayer is essentially like meditation - a 10 minute break from the stresses of life. It is a beautiful thing. However, it is not easy for someone like you or I who has been raised in a non-Muslim family to just start praying 5+ times a day during work, etc. When you grow up as a Muslim watching your mother, father siblings and friends doing it and your life revolves around it already, it is easier.
Personally, I decided to pray once per day. This way I am consistently worshipping, but not pushing myself too hard. I am not saying this is what you should do - you must decide for yourself. Next year I will start 2 per day, inshallah.
DO NOT READ THE END OF THE BOOK (end times prophecy) BEFORE THE BEGINNING!
Converting to Islam has been a psychological nightmare at times for me. People give you so much information left-and-right, and you are scared to even do 1 thing wrong otherwise it feels like your life is a complete failure. With that said, I have had tons of amazing experiences as well (especially recently).
I strongly recommend you slow down and do what is easy for you. It is better to start slow and gradually increase than start too fast and gradually decrease.
Don't forget ONE GOD creates ALL religions. The question is - which team are you on?
I SUGGEST YOU PRAY ISTIKHARA: https://islamqa.info/en/2217