Ups and downs for reverts

Greetings,

I'm sure that as you're 27, your parents will realise you're old enough to make your own decisions. It may come as a shock to them, but I think it's definitely worth discussing. Get it out in the open.

I hope it works out for you.

Peace

Cz and glo - could I ask you both a question? As an atheist and a christian, what made you join and continue to use these forums? I am interested to know. You are both so refreshingly openminded and encouraging about Islam as well

Greetings,

format_quote Originally Posted by bibish

Cz and glo - could I ask you both a question? As an atheist and a christian, what made you join and continue to use these forums? I am interested to know. You are both so refreshingly openminded and encouraging about Islam as well

I disagree with Islam on many matters, but I think that if someone wants to be a Muslim, nobody should try to prevent them.

I'm here because I think Muslims and non-Muslims need to talk more.

Peace

format_quote Originally Posted by glo

Bibish, speaking for myself, I came here to learn more about Islam.

I live in a community with a sizeable Muslim minority of Pakistani background; and I was frustrated because it seemed impossible to get to interact with them. So I felt I had to go elsewhere to learn about Islam ... and I found this forum.
It still is difficult to interact with local Muslims three years later, but with the knowledge I have gained here in this forum I can go out and treat my Muslim neighbours in a manner which they would find appropriate.
(I find that 'Ramadan Mubarak' rolls off my tongue quite easily these days ... and a Muslim family in our street and my family now exchange Eid and Christmas present on a regular basis. )

I am not considering Islam for myself, but I would love to see greater interfaith working between our faiths.
We share so much in common, and if we applied our religious teachings properly, we could - in a combined effort- make our communities better places!

Why I continue to be a member here?
Well, I do take some time out once in a while, but I stay because
a) I continue to learn about Islam,
b) hopefully others can learn from me (and other Christians) about Christianity, and
c) I have simply made some wonderful friends here.

That's great! It is good that you made such an effort to learn about it by going on a forum to be able to get to understand your neighbours more. I can't say that many people would do that! I personally have found this forum very informative so far and a lot of more 'serious' than many other islamic forums I have encountered.

And thank you all for your wonderful advice

format_quote Originally Posted by convert

This is a major sin. You have to disobey your parents if what they say counters Islam.

I believe not fasting Ramadaan makes you a kafir (I will have to find proof though but if sawm is an arkam it only logically follows here).

If you can pray secretly, why can't you fast secretly?

Does not fasting during ramadan make me a kafir? Isn't it just a major sin? Isn't carrying out the pillars a prerequisite to being a practicing Muslim but not to being a Muslim?

Thank you

format_quote Originally Posted by bibish

Does not fasting during ramadan make me a kafir? Isn't it just a major sin? Isn't carrying out the pillars a prerequisite to being a practicing Muslim but not to being a Muslim?

Thank you

Although you should do everything you can to fast, not fasting does not make you a kafir. Scholars debate about what the "minimum" is to still be called a Muslim, some say it is to have faith in the first pillar, and some others also say one must pray as well. But missing Ramadan is regarded as a major sin, not an act of kufr.

format_quote Originally Posted by Tony

I sometimes see muslims who are really not friendly and at present I am going through a patch of seeing born muslims behaving bad and it can pull ur imaan down, then I see ppl who dont do salaat and appearto be non practising then I realise they are praying every meal, teaching thier kids surrahs, not cheating in business etc etc, and I feel far from Islam, this also pulls imaan down. The answer is definatley keepup with salaat, read Qur'an, friday mosque and dont judge anuone. Ramadhan will teach us the meaning and value of imaan and peace. Sister theres always some sort of confusion or hardship for us reverts but Alhamdulullah Allah wanted us to live off the path before bringing us to Islam. Never ever give up asking for His help, we really need it

Tony
Check this out

format_quote Originally Posted by Tony

assalamu aleiykum sister, sorry but check what out. Peace

sorry Tony my link didnt seem to work

www.newmuslimconfluence.org

also on facebook

assalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah,

Ramadhan Mubarak.

I cannot emphasize this enough, but go about learning Islaam gradually. Do not try to become a sponge of knowledge in a day. Pray that Allaah (swt) makes it easy for you, learn, believe, implement, be consistent in the small things, seek support from pious Muslims, and pray more.

As far as fasting, yes, indeed sister, you should fast. This is a very important time and a month of mercy and self improvement.

My advice to you sister is: Pray and make du'aa for strength
1. Be sure you know why you became a Muslim.
2. Learn the 5 pillars and their importance.
3. Pray and make du'aa for strength


I highly advise you to listen to this lecture by Shaykh Zahir Mahmood. Insh'Allaah you will derive benefit.

Preparing for Ramadhan
http://http://kalamullah.com/zahir-mahmood.html