Many things I don't understand

First you should know, in Islam theres 2 kinda questions. First question thats can be asked, like why freesex is haram, why we have to obey our parents etc. And second is question that shouldnt be asked, such as how is Allah -azza wajalla looklike? How is the hand of Allah looklike? Why Praying subh 2 rahaah, and some other topic that only Allah who know the meaning.
I wil try to explain as I can to your question, insha Allah.

I had mentioned in my introduction that I find many aspects of Islam constrictive and restrictive, like I couldn't do anything at all that I like. So, I'm going to list out some of my issues.

I cannot do anything I like, everything I do has to be Islam.
I love to read, but some of the books I enjoy reading do involve unIslamic topics.

Yes, in Islam we have rules that we gladly obey, cause we realize all the rules is for our benefits insha Allah. About books, if the books contain porn or romance then it can lead our mind to do sins and dirty things. I know not ALL people will do this cause for some people their mind is good. But Islam close all doors taht lead to it. Cause not all people can protect them self from big sins, such as have sex before married thats called zina. I have seen some men who raped little girl just because of seeing books or magazine.

I also enjoy listening to music, and sometimes singing along to it, but only when I'm driving. It helps me relax. Yes, I could listen to Qur'an on CD in the car, but that would be boring over time.

Once you understand the meaning of Quran and you have faith in it, then you will love tohear it and you wont get bored, insha Allah. Even you will not like to hear other than the Quran. Buy Quran and read, and surf the verses and you will find the truth in it if you can think objectifely, wallahu yahdeek.

There are a few sports I like, which I probably couldn't do as a Muslim. I have two horses I ride, and concealing my legs would be difficult, and possibly dangerous. I also like archery, badminton and kayaking.

Who said Islam forbid sports? Even Islam like a man who is strong. But yes theres some sports thats forbidden, those are sports which can harm your self, like boxing, and everykinda sports thats dangerous. Cause Islam very respected our blood, and we may not kill our self since its a big sin to kill our self.

I'm very close to my family, but Islam says to not take unbelievers as close friends, which is very difficult, even impossible, since there are no Muslims near where I live.

Yes you may have friends with unbelievers. When you come to convert BECAUSE you admit the truth in Islam, then you certainly will feel sorry to see your family in deviate. So you can be close to them and advice them and make them see what is Islam really is. If you study Islam then you will make them see that Islam is the best religion and its the truth

I also feel that Islam views women as less than men. Women's witnessing doesn't count as much, they aren't as smart, can't marry a man of another faith, and its a lot more difficult for a women to divorce her husband. It also does not make any sense to me that a woman cannot leave her house during 'iddah, cannot lead prayer and need a mahram, as if a sane, mature adult women is somehow incapable of thinking for herself. Also, that it is somehow 'better' for a woman to not pray in congregation, which seems very isolating to me. I also do not understand why it is that a woman can lead a company, but not a country, since it does not seem to be that big a difference to me.

Basically these rules will save the womens right, their honor. And in Islam men is a leader of women. I cant explain about these, it will be too long. You can go to www.salafipublications. com for more explanations

I also have a problem with wearing hijab. Especially in the West, it calls more attention to a woman, which is the opposite of what it is supposed to do. I also do not believe I would be able to wear hijab, at least for part of the year, because I have a medical condition that is worsened by over heating, to the point where I am unable to function.

Yes, maybe it will attract more attention but with honor, and most of women feels men honor women with hijab. Even by non muslims men. I have friends in USA, and they wearing niqab (something cover their mouth), and the people there respect them and dont dare to temp them. It will be different if you wear sexy clothes then it will attract the men intention but with unrespect sight. They will be like wolf, wild and they will trick you till you give what they want. Have you try to wear hijab before? With faith? Maybe when you convert to Islam and you wearing hijab, such a disease wont show up insha Allah. And IF its still show up, then Islam is easy and it never mean to make you hard. i always have solution to our problems insha Allah. Ask the scholar about this matter, they will find the solution for you. But I think wearing the hijab infact it protect your skin from radiation, its proven scientifically. And it can protect you from heat. Dont you use an umbrella when the weather is too hot, so wearing hijab just like the same with umbrella, it protect you from heat.

I also feel that some of Islam is very difficult, if not impossible to do in the US. Interest and music are unavoidable, and getting halal meat is impossible for me.

Our prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- said "Islam is easy, will be destroyed someone who make it difficult", and he also said "make things easy and dont make it hard, give good news and dont make people run away". But the problems is most of you think with your emotion. And you make somethings thats easy eing difficult. Yes maybe music is unavoidable but it doesnt mean you have to hide your self in a cupboard. Perhaps when you go to the mall you willl hear music, then its unavoidable and Quran said we obey Allah with our ability, which is everythings out of our ability then its understood as long as they have tried real hard. I know its impossible to go to the mall which have no music right, so its unavoidable, what you may not do being the worshipper of it, as if if theres no music then you cant life. And its best to stay away form music cause it can make your heart weak. If you can think objectifely then you can realize. Lets say you have boyfriend now, and then you ae betrayed by him while you like one song. Then when you hear the song in the future it can bring back the sadness, till it can make someone kill them self. And the evil love music, wherever theres music then criminalism is near, such as murder, rape, fighting, etc.
But for youm lets forget about music first, you wont be kafeer if you listen music, lets understand Islam better first.
Yes Islam is easy, but it doesnt mean we can play with it as we wish. Cause sometimes we feel Islam is hard cause it against our desire. Lets say you like to eat dog meat and you love it. And then you hear Islam forbid to eat such a meat, and you feel Islam is hard. then its not right. Still you have to follow what Islam order you, but Islam allow us to eat dog or pigs when its in emergency situation. Maybe we are trapped in jungle that have no food except these animals then its allowed for you to eat them. Only in emergency situation. Thats what make Islam is easy.

I also feel like I would be less of a Muslim, because of a medical condition which makes fasting impossible, because my blood pressure drops and I feel like passing out, and I am not able to go through the movements of salat. This condition is chronic, and there is no cure.

Like I told you, Islam is eaasy and have solutions in every problem you have. If its dangerous if you fasting, and it threaten your life then youre allowed to not fast, bu you have to give a food to the poor. One plate of food for one person and for more is better. And not all muslim must do fasting, some women who is pregnant and breastfeeding their children then they may not fasting, cause it will be dangerous for the children. But they have to give food to the poor, it called fidyah. And someone who is travelling may not fast, cause its too hard for them to fast while in traveling, but they have to fast after the month when they feel easier to fast. And about the salah, then its taught by the prophet if you cant salah standing then you can sit, if you cant salat sitting then you can lay down, if you cant move your body then salat with the movement of your eyes. Islam is easy, but I understand cause you havent study about it yet.

I'm also very overwhelmed by the amount of Arabic there is to learn.

I do not understand why a Muslim cannot attend the funeral of a nonMuslim or inherit from a nonMuslim, especially if they are a family member.

I also do not understand the prohibitions of alcohol, homosexuality and transexualism. There are clear benefits for moderate alcohol consumption. I do not drink very much or very frequently, but I do like a little every now and then, at home or a restaurant with my family, just for the taste. Both homosexuality and transexualism have a biological, unchangeable basis, and denying one or the other is too much to people to bear, and can cause severe psychological problems, and possibly suicide.

One more thing I do not undestand is why the castration of animals is prohibited, especially if that animal has some form of heritable defect.

I will continue tomorrow since I have to go home now,insha Allah. I am at work. I hope there will be more muslims who wanna explain more insha Allah

I've read bits of your post and i would just like to say that there are many things that we don't understand but trust Allah s.w.a because there is loads of wisdom (obviously) behind it! For example, us women covering ourselves is one excellent example. In todays society women are really exploited for their body but, islam gives the girls respect, honour & dignity. No other religion could offer this because Islam is unique & the only way forward. Read more good, authentic & reliable articles on this board & insha Allah you'll understand more.

Another point i would like to make is that in the past, the believers would just say 'we hear & obey'. They never use to question Allah s.w.a command but just simply obey it. Insha Allah you'll get there & don't let this dunya or the shaytaan deceive you.

format_quote Originally Posted by Ulysses

If I interprete what you are saying, correctly, you mean that there are two types of questions from an Islamic perspective: (1) those that are permissible to ask; and (2) those which are not permissible to ask.

Am I incorrect in reaching this conlusion?

Right, question that shouldnt or may not be asked such as "in Quran its been said Allah have hands, so is it the same the hand of God and the hand of human?". And the scholar have explained that God also have hands but its not the same between Gods hand and our hands. And we may not ask "how is Gods hands looklike?" Cause we wont never know. This is a test for human, to have faith about unseen (ghaib). Yes, we cant see Allah, but we are blessed with brain, and from there we can think more that Allah is exist, and He is really paying attention on whatever we do. And the existence of Allah also can be known from the Quran, and no hollybook like Quran if you have time and willing to understand. Wallahu yahdeek

Assalamu Alaikam Waramatuallah Wabarakatu

Muhammad (peace be upon him) said never to follow blindly, so I doubt any questions are not permissionable to ask.

Walakam Salam

format_quote Originally Posted by Henry

Assalamu Alaikam Waramatuallah Wabarakatu

Muhammad (peace be upon him) said never to follow blindly, so I doubt any questions are not permissionable to ask.

Walakam Salam

Its not kinda like a question that not permissible to ask yaa akhee, but if you even ask about some questions, you will never know the answer. Example: Why subh in two rakaah? Please give me your answer then? And how Allahs face looklike?