Thank you for the reply, but I’m afraid I still don’t know. It is a tough subject I think, because it seems so accidental. I wonder if a person born to muslim parents is muslim only because his parents, or someone born to catholic parents ect.
People are born muslims, and once they are born muslim and learn from Muslim parents - they infact have a greater responsibility since they carry the message, therefore they have to convey it in order to explain to others the truth. It's not a 'family' or 'blood-line' religion like some religions claim, rather it is a responsibility when we recieve the message.
However, we also know that there are some muslims who actually go astray because they are not sincere, whereas there are sincere non muslims who are guided to the straight path due to their sincerety. Again - this doesn't depend on blood, but depends on ones sincerety in wanting the truth and searching for what's the correct path to Allaah - And He will guide us without a doubt if we are sincere to Him.
This is mentioned many, many times in the Qur'an when people actually don't submit to Allaah because they're afraid from turning away from their forefathers way, even if their forefathers were void of wisdom because they also followed the way of their forefathers instead of searching for the truth. This is their argument:
When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah hath revealed:" They say: "Nay! we shall follow the ways of our fathers." What! even though their fathers Were void of wisdom and guidance?
[Qur'an 2: 170]
Their messengers said: "Is there a doubt about Allah, The Creator of the heavens and the earth? It is He Who invites you, in order that He may forgive you your sins and give you respite for a term appointed!" They said: "Ah! ye are no more than human, like ourselves! Ye wish to turn us away from the (gods) our fathers used to worship: then bring us some clear authority."
Their Messengers said to them: "We are no more than human beings like you, but Allah bestows His Grace to whom He wills of His slaves. It is not ours to bring you an authority (proof) except by the Permission of Allah. And in Allah (Alone) let the believers put their trust.
"And why should we not put our trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways. And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust."
And those who disbelieved, said to their Messengers: "Surely, we shall drive you out of our land, or you shall return to our religion." So their Lord inspired them: "Truly, We shall destroy the Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers and wrong-doers.).
"And indeed, We shall make you dwell in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the Day of Resurrection or fears My Punishment) and also fears My Threat."
But they (the Messengers) sought victory and help [from their Lord (Allah)], and every obstinate, arrogant dictator (who refuses to believe in the Oneness of Allah) was brought to a complete loss and destruction.
[Qur'an 14: 10-15]
My problem is that I have really tried hard to find god, but I guess I have trouble finding religion. Everyone says they are the right one and if I choose wrong they say I go to hell (I‘m having a similar dialog with some Christians). It seems kind of unfair. I don’t think anyone believes or disbelieves in a particular religion out of any malice, just trying to follow the right path but maybe being wrong by accident , do you think god takes that into account, and what does the Koran or Haditha say on the issue?
(I hope this does not get off subject…)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have both religions in my family, and I travel a lot, so I’ve been exposed to Islam, Christianity, hinduism...you name it.
[2:62] anyone who believes in god, and believes in the Last Day, and leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
I bring that up, because I said I am a non-allied monotheist ( ya, I came up with that word to make my girlfriend’s parents feel better...I could have told them I was muslim, but I figured being an honest "na-monotheist" was better than to be a hyprocritical muslim ), but it seemed to fit my thinking.
anyway, any other guidance would be great, thx
If we look at many religions in the world, all of them claim to worship God but the majority associate partners with Him in that worship. For example christians say they worship God, yet they claim that God is in 3 parts and they worship Jesus. Other religions claim they worship God but they worship other stone idols which are carved out from their own hands.
Islaam (which means submission) is the same message of all the Prophets of God, they all called their people to worship God Alone, and not to worship idols, or humans, or man-made philosophies etc. Prophet Noah, Prophet Abraham, Moses, Jesus son of Mary, Muhammad (peace be upon them all) - all the Prophets called the people to worship God Alone. Theres been over 124,000 Prophets who have come to mankind, for this basic call.
And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allâh misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Qur'an 14:4]
Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account. [Qur'an 3: 19]
All the Prophets came to call their people to good morals, they called them to worship God Alone, to establish the prayer to God, to pay in charity, to help the needy, to enjoin the family ties, to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. Since all these acts make society better and it unites mankind, especially on matters where they differed. And Allaah guides those who are sincere. This is Islaam.
Some people who the Prophets were sent to rejected the Prophets call, even though the Prophet simply called them towards good and Allaah's reward, and some accepted the call of the Messenger sent by God.
In the end, both groups of people would die. The believers aswell as the disbelievers. We know that without a doubt the One who created us when we were nothing can easily bring us back to life again, and this will without a doubt occur since He will question us on what we did in this temporary life. That day every soul will be judged about anything and everything it did in this world. Since this life was a temporary test.
Those who obeyed the Messengers would be rewarded by God in the real, everlasting life of Paradise which Allaah has promised for His obedient servants. Whereas those who rejected the clear message of Allaah and His Messengers' did so out of arrogance, and due to that - they will be punished in a blazing hellfire for being rebellious and opposing God, they rejected Him and His message, they took it in jest and felt that they would never return to Him. And if given a life of eternity - they would remain in a state of ungratefulness to God, so God will punish them due to that.
Allaah is never unjust to any of His servants, and those who obey Him will have a great reward in this life and the one to come.
That is the true purpose of why God created us. His final Messenger is Muhammad (peace be upon him) and he brought this exact same message.
And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe." [Qur'an 14:7]
And Allaah Almighty knows best.
If you have anymore questions - please don't hesitate to ask.
Regards.
.
