I just wanted to say hello and say that I look forward to learning from everyone.
Some background.. I was raised in the deep south, had pentacostal holiness values beaten into me from as early as I can remember. Something about it didnt seem quite right, so when I got old enough to get away from it, thats what I did.
I have always made money as a musician and a voice over actor, so from age 18 until age 24 or so, I did just that, indulging in the pleasures of the world until I was so burdened with addiction and lust that I scarcely had time for anything else. How I managed to secure a college degree in that time remains a mystery. I was also burdened down with college loans so when the opportunity came to join the military I did that as well, thinking it would be an easy way to pay off loans and whatnot. I joined as an infantryman because they offered me a 25,000 dollar bonus. This was in July 01. We all know what happened in September, but in March of 03 I found myself in Iraq and Afghanistan, wondering why I was there.
It was during that time that I became acquainted , or should I say very good friends with my room-mate, Rafik, who was from Pakistan, and who was obviously a devout muslim. I learned as much as I could from him, putting a lot of stupid notions that we americans have been conditioned to think by Dubya and the terror brigade aside. Rafik stayed in Iraq, but I got my discharge papers. He made an impact on me that was profound, and this is what brings me here.
I am white, country, and southern. I dont fit the stereotype of a "redneck" I dont think, as I am educated and not racially motivated, I dont listen to country music and I dont drive a pickup truck. I do have a large farm , but thats not anything too bad I dont guess.
I do have a copy of the Qur'an , but I would like to maybe be pointed to some books that accompany it, or maybe something that explains Islam in ways that someone that has been living outside of the faith can understand? I am seeking knowledge and an open mind.
Also.. and this is a stupid question, I know.. but is Islam for non-whites only?
I also hope to make friends here and to get to know yall better.
Islam is against discrimination of any kind. Islam is for every human being whether he is Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Pink, Blue or Green.
Allah(God) hates people who discriminate in any shape or form.
Concept of Islam is simple...
There is only one God. He is eternal. He has no partners. He created everything but he is not part of the creation himself.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was his messenger as was Jesus (peace be upon him) and all the prophets before him.
Thanks, Hamayun. I will continue to read the Quran, and to learn all I can from you folks.
format_quote Originally Posted by Hamayun
Welcome to LI
Islam is against discrimination of any kind. Islam is for every human being whether he is Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Pink, Blue or Green.
Allah(God) hates people who discriminate in any shape or form.
Concept of Islam is simple...
There is only one God. He is eternal. He has no partners. He created everything but he is not part of the creation himself.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was his messenger as was Jesus (peace be upon him) and all the prophets before him.
Also.. and this is a stupid question, I know.. but is Islam for non-whites only?
It's not for non-whites only. Just as it's not an Arab religion. You'll find many muslims who are white and yet have a firm belief in Islam. They're respected and loved just like any other muslim on planet earth. Allah (swt) sent Islam to Mankind; not Mankind minus whites. That's the type of ideas that erupt when monsters come together.
NOWHERE in the Quran says :" oh arabs or oh arab people orsomething ",
Allah says "OH MANKIND", that says enough dont you think ?
anyway Welcome to the forum !
I hope you have a very enjoyable and beneficial stay in here
And as for the onewho fears standing in front of His Lord and restrainsthe soul from impure evil desires and lusts, verily, Paradise will be his abode [79:40-41]
1) If you do not go after what you want, you will never have it
2) If you don't ask, the answer will always be no.
3) If you do not step forward, you'll always be in the same place
I am learning about Islam still and I have to admit the Quran can be hard to understand sometimes.
I think you need a quick intro on what Islam is and why it makes perfect sense to even some world famous scientists who have reverted to Islam.
Here is a Video by Sheikh Yusuf Estes an White American Ex-Christian Priest explaining Islam. I have great respect for him. You will enjoy it I am sure
Welcome to the forum! I like to joke that I'm a white trash muslim, although now that I've moved to the big city, I'm a white ghetto muslim
I have a list of net and real life resources I usually recommend to converts, although I think they'd be helpful to an interested non muslim as well - http://rahma.hadithuna.com/converts/
Dear Allah. I pray that whoever reads this message shall have your comfort, joy, peace, love, & guidance. I may not know their troubles, but you do. Please keep protecting us. Ameen.
I am very glad to have stumbled on this forum. Ive been reading the referenced sites all day and have been enjoying you tube links as well, so much to learn, but the experience is very exciting after a life of stale Christianity.
You are completely correct, I appreciate the words. Ive always felt as if there were something up there, something outside of what I learned in Pentacostal/Baptist/Holiness/Methodist/LDS/Presbyterian/Lutheran/
churches, but I never could put a finger on it.. My buddy from Pakistan really flipped my conceptions of Islam upside down and really inspired me to learn more. He is the most "at peace" person ive ever met.
Growing up where I did(and believe me, I love the South, there is nowhere like it, the culture, the books, the people.) it was really hard to venture outside of the established norms (Basically Baptist, Pentacostal and Methodist) but I always wanted to..
format_quote Originally Posted by glo
Ncdrawl, I think unless one truly internalises a faith it will always seem lifeless and stale.
You are probably better off being a believing, God-seeking, God-serving Muslim than a non-believing, non-committed and non-practising Christian.
Either way, you don't sound like an atheist to me at all ... more like a seeking theist.
May God guide you.
I just wanted to say hello and say that I look forward to learning from everyone.
Greetings, May the One God (Allah) guide you to and along the Straight Way that leads to Paradise.
I am white, country, and southern. I dont fit the stereotype of a "redneck" I dont think, as I am educated and not racially motivated, I dont listen to country music and I dont drive a pickup truck. I do have a large farm , but thats not anything too bad I dont guess.
You sound a lot like me except that I drive a truck, but don't own a large farm - just a 3 acre lot in the country.
I do have a copy of the Qur'an , but I would like to maybe be pointed to some books that accompany it, or maybe something that explains Islam in ways that someone that has been living outside of the faith can understand? I am seeking knowledge and an open mind.
Which translation do you have? I assume that it is Yusuf Ali. I have 5 translations, but I like the Majestic Quran by the Nawawi Foundation best. I recommend Islam: Beliefs and Teachings by Ghulam Sarwar and Islam in Focus by Hammudah 'Abd al 'Ati.
Also.. and this is a stupid question, I know.. but is Islam for non-whites only?
Absolutely not. That is one of the beauties of Islam to me that all races and nationalities are welcome. I (a white, country, and southern American) pray alongside without distinction Americans of African descent and others from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Libya, Uzbekistan, and Malaysia. However, in my 26 years as a Muslim I have encountered in person only 3 additional white American males, but there are others here on LI. God willing (insha'Allah) one day you may be the fourth white American Muslim male that I will meet.
I also hope to make friends here and to get to know yall better.
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