Peace to all here.
Though I have not been here long I have noticed that many Reverts were Catholics and many seekers such as myself are Catholics. Like others here I first saw Islam as the enemy. I studied the Crusades and it was here that I realised that Muslims and Christians share not only bravery and devotion but sectarian bickering and betrayal. This preconcieved notion being neutralised I was better able to see Islam without prejudging the faith. I'd like to share why I think Catholics are drawn to Islam.
Unlike Protestants Catholics believe that faith alone is not the way to God. Catholics believe they are required to also act. This is very similar to Islam. Traditional Catholics also see the world in black and white. God's way or Satan's way. This is manifested in the Dogma "Extra Ecclesium Nulla Salus". This means outside the Church(Catholic) there is no salvation. Islam also believes that is the best of all religions and the one straight path. I'm sure others could add some more. I also have my own call.
In the movie "Lawerance of Arabia" there is a scene where he is told by an Arab that "no arab loves the desert". I however feel a connection with the desert. I readily admit this may be a romantic notion on my part. After all I live in Wisconsin and snow and water are what dot my landscape. I have however lived in Texas and Oklahoma. Where 100 degree F. is common and I loved it. Aside from my attraction to the desert is the feelings of joy I experience when I hear the Muslim call to prayer. I don't know what it says for sure but I like hearing it.
In closing I am very grateful that I found this site. I continue here a Catholic who feels a real pull towards the Islamic faith.
In your study of Islam, start with the Qur'an and study the basic aspects of Islamic beliefs.
In truth, Islam is the only Monotheistic Way of Life. And since you are a Catholic, I would like to bring your attention to this verse of the Noble Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning):
"O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs." [Qur'an 4:171]
I hope that your stay will increase that pull to Islam even more. Please please don't hesitate to ask questions. We will help you as best we can inshaAllah. We are happy to have you here. See you around the forum!
Peace
*Without Allah, without Islam, life would be meaningless. If I've ever learned patience, it's because of this. Alhamdulillah...*
Unlike Protestants Catholics believe that faith alone is not the way to God. Catholics believe they are required to also act. This is very similar to Islam.
I wouldn't generalize protestants like this and say that they believe in faith alone. James 2 tells us that "faith without works is dead" and countless times it is seen in the NT that one must act also, not simply believe. Love is an act of the will displayed through physical expressions.
The differences that you are seeing, imo, are the motivation behind the acts. Does one act out of a forced need to in order to win favor, or does one act out of a pure expression of love and desire to express it to others? Are the acts motivated by a fear/rewards system, or are they motivated out of a reverence/love? When Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is like unto it to love thy neighbor, all of the laws and commandments are held within those two things. The difference is a shift from a strict, legalistic adherence to a following of them out of love. Some people obey the speed limit, because they fear they will be caught. Some people obey the speed limit, because they believe it is the right thing (benefit to all/others). The motivation behind the act is different. Some people pray because they must to avoid hell and gain rewards, other pray out of a deep love and devotion to God. Back to the first statement I made: the difference that you are seeing is in the motivation behind the act.... in Catholicism there is a duty to act, a legalism, a "do or die" phenomenon. This is not to imply that Catholics only act out of fear and not love, no, there are many Catholics who have a right motivation. Unfortunately, I have seen many who also have a wrong motivation. "Fire insurance." The love and joy behind the acts is not there, but it has become an act out of necessity. The difference in being a slave to the act and a willful submission to it. Protestants, in general (but not to over generalize), also teach that works is important, but these are done through love and not as legalism (although there are very legalistic protestant denominations as well). What is taught is the submission to God and the desire to act as an artifact of ones love. If you love God, then you keep his commands. It is an expression of that love. Even still, people are people, and there are those who do act out of the wrong motivation within protestant denominations as well.
Anyhow, welcome to the forum. I mentioned something in another post regarding Catholics and Islam. I suggested that it is man's questioning nature that leads him away from Catholicism and to Islam-- the same questioning nature that spurred Luther to nail his 95 thesis to the door and caused the protestant reformation.
The part about whether doing things out of love or fear, in Islam its both. We love God and we also fear His Wrath and or judgement. So we obey him due to both not just one. In our case, they're both synonymous.
*Without Allah, without Islam, life would be meaningless. If I've ever learned patience, it's because of this. Alhamdulillah...*
In your study of Islam, start with the Qur'an and study the basic aspects of Islamic beliefs.
In truth, Islam is the only Monotheistic Way of Life. And since you are a Catholic, I would like to bring your attention to this verse of the Noble Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning):
"O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs." [Qur'an 4:171]
Thank you for sharing this with me. I have purchased the Qu'ran it is English/Arabic By Yusef Ali including explanations. I am currently also reading a biography of Muhamad(Pbuh).
Peace to you
I hope that your stay will increase that pull to Islam even more. Please please don't hesitate to ask questions. We will help you as best we can inshaAllah. We are happy to have you here. See you around the forum!
I wouldn't generalize protestants like this and say that they believe in faith alone. James 2 tells us that "faith without works is dead" and countless times it is seen in the NT that one must act also, not simply believe. Love is an act of the will displayed through physical expressions.
The differences that you are seeing, imo, are the motivation behind the acts. Does one act out of a forced need to in order to win favor, or does one act out of a pure expression of love and desire to express it to others? Are the acts motivated by a fear/rewards system, or are they motivated out of a reverence/love? When Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is like unto it to love thy neighbor, all of the laws and commandments are held within those two things. The difference is a shift from a strict, legalistic adherence to a following of them out of love. Some people obey the speed limit, because they fear they will be caught. Some people obey the speed limit, because they believe it is the right thing (benefit to all/others). The motivation behind the act is different. Some people pray because they must to avoid hell and gain rewards, other pray out of a deep love and devotion to God. Back to the first statement I made: the difference that you are seeing is in the motivation behind the act.... in Catholicism there is a duty to act, a legalism, a "do or die" phenomenon. This is not to imply that Catholics only act out of fear and not love, no, there are many Catholics who have a right motivation. Unfortunately, I have seen many who also have a wrong motivation. "Fire insurance." The love and joy behind the acts is not there, but it has become an act out of necessity. The difference in being a slave to the act and a willful submission to it. Protestants, in general (but not to over generalize), also teach that works is important, but these are done through love and not as legalism (although there are very legalistic protestant denominations as well). What is taught is the submission to God and the desire to act as an artifact of ones love. If you love God, then you keep his commands. It is an expression of that love. Even still, people are people, and there are those who do act out of the wrong motivation within protestant denominations as well.
Anyhow, welcome to the forum. I mentioned something in another post regarding Catholics and Islam. I suggested that it is man's questioning nature that leads him away from Catholicism and to Islam-- the same questioning nature that spurred Luther to nail his 95 thesis to the door and caused the protestant reformation.
I agree very much with Questioning leading me to this forum.
Peace to you.
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