/* */

PDA

View Full Version : Dealing With Doubt



abdul-quddus
04-13-2007, 08:40 PM
As-salaamu ‘alaykum. :beard:

My name is Abdul Quddus and, primarily but not necessarily, I am requesting responses from Muslims. I’m writing in all sincerity and honesty. Any personal views and experiences would be appreciated. Like most reverts to Islaam, I was raised in a Judeo-Christian milieu wherein anthropomorphism and polytheism were abound in mainstream belief. As a youth, I rebelled against these innovations and preferred the standpoint of atheism. However, after discovering the Qur’aan, I became instantly captivated by the message of tawheed. Not just by the Oneness of Allaah (swt), but also the Uniqueness of Allaah (swt). I became a devout Muslim and fundamentalist. There was nothing wrong with strictly adhering to the “fundamentals” of my religion, I would boastfully remark. Eventually, a fundamental aspect of Islaam became problematic for me.

Here are my questions: How have you, as a practicing Muslim, dealt with the distinguishing characteristics of Allaah (swt) in light of Soorah al-Ikhlaas? Specifically, I’m referring to His Shin, His Eye, His Face, His Right and Left Hand, His Finger, His Foot, His Throne, etc. By far, these characteristics have been difficult to accept. Secondly, how do you approach the apparently pernicious nature of Hellfire proclaimed in the Qur’aan? If this struggle pertains to your experience, how have you coped when you confronted the questionable subject matter in your religion?

Surprisingly, the greatest obstacle to becoming a better Muslim was something within my Qur’aan. Perhaps, in all fairness, the problem is within my mind only. I still remember the day I read of The Shin in one particular ayaah. The apparent cruelty to be meted out upon disbelievers in Hellfire is quite disturbing to me. I couldn’t believe in jinn or the story of Nuh. It’s strange how just the disbelief in jinn makes one a kaafir. Devastatingly, this hasn’t only affected my ‘ibaadah but my very status as a Muslim. In 2004, I became an apostate of Islaam. Have any practicing Muslims gone through this? How did you survive? To get a more detailed account of my conversion and experience, you’re welcome to read my testimony at http://khalas.wordpress.com titled Journey Through Islam.

One would think, as a former Muslim, that I’d casually assimilate well with ex-Muslims. However, my views do not homogenize with most apostates. Basically, perhaps eighty percent of those who have left the deen fall into either atheism or Christianity. One group of ex-Muslims that I most disagree with are the Christians, probably because they have an axe to grind with Islaam. Many of them are resentful of their experiences and become hatemongering polemics. They attack Islaam as if the deen has not an atom of wholesomeness or usefulness. Even I myself cannot fathom how a proper Muslim can suddenly abandon tawheed for man-worship. Speaking as an ethical atheist, I find atheism lacking a moral compass. The atheist ex-Muslim community is far from communal. It’s lonely. Like cats, they’re far too intelligent and independent to come together and would rather choose to roam.

Many of my friends – most of whom are Muslim – claim that my understanding and knowledge needs to be corrected. If I re-revert back to Islaam, I’d most likely become an extremist pushing my fellow brothers into the masjid and campaigning for the implementation of sharee’ah in my society. It’s so cliche, I know. But if you truly believe in something, why settle for mediocrity? I’d appreciate any advice, opinion, correction, or even admonishment. I’m expressing myself to you all in hopes that someone cares to offer constructive criticism.
Reply

Login/Register to hide ads. Scroll down for more posts
abdul-quddus
04-16-2007, 11:24 PM
Additionally, here are some questions I'd appreciate responses to.

1. Why do you believe in God?
2. What can an atheist/agnostic do to develop a belief in God?
3. What can an atheist/agnostic do to maintain a belief in God?
4. How is the Qur'aan not a man-made composition?
5. What should one do if he or she is simply not convinced with or impressed by the Qur'aan?
6. There are many religions offering wholesome teachings and truths. When should one stop trying to convince himself or herself that Islaam could be exactly what it claims to be?
Reply

AabiruSabeel
04-21-2007, 02:34 AM
:sl:
Brother, I would like to answer all the questions but I am not a Scholar, so I don't have deep knowledge. And there are not many people here who have any deep knowledge of Islam, so its difficult to get a clear answer from forums like this...

How have you, as a practicing Muslim, dealt with the distinguishing characteristics of Allaah (swt) in light of Soorah al-Ikhlaas? Specifically, I’m referring to His Shin, His Eye, His Face, His Right and Left Hand, His Finger, His Foot, His Throne, etc. By far, these characteristics have been difficult to accept.
I had heard from scholars say that with reference to Surah Ikhlas, we Believe that Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala is not comparable with any of the creations. So, all the characteristics of Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala mentioned in Ahadeeth and other places in Qur'an are only for our understanding. Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala, even if He has Shin, Face, Hand, Toe etc, these are not similar to our hands, face, and other body parts. Allah's Attributes can not be compared with any of His creations' attributes. Allah is High above any comparision...

how do you approach the apparently pernicious nature of Hellfire proclaimed in the Qur’aan? If this struggle pertains to your experience, how have you coped when you confronted the questionable subject matter in your religion?
I can't understand your question properly. If you are asking how do we believe in Hell, then I say that Allah is our Master, and we are His Creations and slaves, and Master has full control over his slaves. Allah can punish us in anyway He likes. "Maaliki yaumid Deen" Allah is the Master of the Day of Judgment. He can put us in fire even if we are full of Iman and A'maal and no one can question Him why. But Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala is Just and He does not oppress anyone (He has told this at several places in the Qur'an).
Allah is our Creator. He created everything for our benefit. This whole universe is created to serve us. If we read the Qur'an, we understand the bounties of Allah on us. If we were to count the bounties of Allah on us, we wouldn't be able to number them. He has nourished us, made us grow, taught us how to speak, how to walk, gave us sense... We can use our sense to understand the bounties of Allah on us. Without Allah's help, we can not do anything. Allah has kept angels around us to protect us "For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah." (Surah Ar-Ra'd 013.011) So inspite of all this, if we were to disobey Allah, then whatever punishment Allah is giving us is befitting for us.

I couldn’t believe in jinn or the story of Nuh.
I don't find any difficulty in believing in the existence of Jinn and the story of Nooh 'Alaihis Salam. What do I need to explain here?

InshaAllah I will try answer your questions but I don't say for sure since I am not a scholar. I am simply a normal Muslim like others except that I have some interest in Qur'an Alhamdulillah and I like sitting with scholars and elders...
If I have said anything good, then its only with the Blessing of Allah, but if I have wronged, then its from my nafs and Shaitan, I ask Allah for forgiveness.

I hope other knowledgable members will also be answering you.
:w:
Reply

Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.

When you create an account, you can participate in the discussions and share your thoughts. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and make new friends.
Sign Up

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-12-2014, 09:55 AM
  2. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-28-2013, 08:12 PM
  3. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-12-2009, 05:47 PM
  4. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-03-2008, 02:11 PM
  5. Replies: 20
    Last Post: 03-17-2007, 11:21 AM
British Wholesales - Certified Wholesale Linen & Towels | Holiday in the Maldives

IslamicBoard

Experience a richer experience on our mobile app!