
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
