Falling off the wagon

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revert88 said:
Hi Guys,

So I have been unable to keep a true fast during ramadan. I work 5-8 hours a day and have classes. I haven't officially converted yet because I am unsure still. Any advice would be appreciated
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If you have not converted yet and you still have doubts there is no reason why you should fast at all during Ramadan. Furthermore, you should fast only when you have the ability to do so.
 
Icy Maiden said:
If you have not converted yet and you still have doubts there is no reason why you should fast at all during Ramadan.
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I agree.
Furthermore, you should fast only when you have the ability to do so.
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What do you mean by 'have the ability to do so'? There are plenty of people who work 8-12 hours a day and yet still they fast.
 
MustafaMc said:
What do you mean by 'have the ability to do so'? There are plenty of people who work 8-12 hours a day and yet still they fast.
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:jz: for pointing that out akhi.

Any Muslim who is not on a journey or does not have an illness that would prevent them from fasting, and has sustainance with which to have suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftaar, has the ability to fast. Work and classes are not valid Islamic excuses for not fasting.
 
revert88 said:
I go to the masjid 3 times a week. This week every maghrib. I have said "la ilah illa allah" many many times but I have never gotten the courage to say the rest of the shahadah
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What do you do at the Masjid? :) If I may ask?
Meet with the brothers? Talk about the deen? Is this benefitting you? Is this bringing you closer?

Brother, it's not about courage.
It's about pride, and I mean this in the MOST respectful way, and this pride is holding you back. I've been there. I spent a long time knowing in my heart of hearts Islam is the truth. Islam is the correct way of life, yet I consciously deprived myself from becoming Muslim...And at the end of the day the reasons were simple and futile.
I told people I was a agnostic and secular in every sense of the word. To admit I needed Allah swt, was like, the ultimate defeat. To admit to the Muslims I know in the lead up to my reversion that they were right, and I was wrong - was another defeat. Though, behind closed doors I was teaching myself to pray and forever reading, for months at that!

It can be a hard and daunting time. But believe me, in years to come you'll look back and won't even be able to comprehend your reluctance insha'Allah.

May Allah swt guide you, and make it easy for you. Ameen.
My inbox is always open (assuming I can use it as a limited member?)
 
I go to the masjid to pray. It is a small islamic center and does not offer many services. The closest one is about 20 miles and I live in a small college town with no car. The brothers are mainly older and the younger ones are off for break (who are my age) so it's hard to discuss the deen. It's not so much about pride, I'm afraid :hmm:
 
Salam alaykum

As you propably know, it is not absolutely needed to say shahada in the mosque, if it is too far or you have some other problems with it. It is ok to Allah if you say it alone (and really mean it when you say it).

When I said it almost 20 years ago, I had quite similar problem: no mosque near of me, not much muslims in my area (or at least i didn´t know any). So I said shahada alone (and just lately managed to visit in mosque).

And Allah knows the best.
 
It's a scary transition. If I don't, I will go to Jahannam. If I do according to christianity, I'll go to hell. It's all so much to wrap my head around
 
I know this will sound insensitive, but whatever.
I follow your heart. Christianity is not what you have under your religious views on your profile here. Christianity is not what's bringing you to the Masjid every night. Or worrying about your fasting. ;)
 
revert88 said:
It's a scary transition. If I don't, I will go to Jahannam. If I do according to christianity, I'll go to hell. It's all so much to wrap my head around
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You better give time to yourself and make progress by little steps. That´s how most of we other reverts have done before.

For example to me it took years before I was ready to say shahada.

So, don´t be hurry. Allah knows already that you are looking for your path to Him. :) He is waiting you and as you know, Allah is the most patient.
 
You are totally right.

I have not been reading the Quran for kicks but for inspiration. I pray and go to masjid... I have not walked in to a church in years...This is just difficult
 
It may be difficult. How often is something worth doing easy? :) I won't lie. There's no decision bigger than the one you are looking to take
Nor is there a decision more important that you do make.

Wallahe, I am not posting here trying to coerce you. But Ahkee, the difficulty is all in your head. Imagine the feeling of the biggest weight being lifted from you Ahkee, imagine the closeness to your creator you will feel. Moreover, what about the akhira?

Just SOME things to consider.

May Allah swt make it easy. Ameen.
 
Assalam alaikum and Ramadan Mubarak!

Try to relax and take one thing at a time. :) The Five Pillars (including Sawm/fasting) are not obligatory on non-Muslims but of course you are permitted to fast if you want to. Since you are considering embracing Islam, my recommendation is to first study the Six Articles of Faith as this is part of the First Pillar of Islam and the foundation of the deen (way of life in Islam).

I am a revert myself and I studied Islam off and on for a time before making my decision. While I had a familiarity with the Five Pillars of Islam I made my decision based on my imaan/faith. You will not be expected to become the perfect Muslim overnight. I am still working on learning my Salat (prayer) and doing it better. Once you have a solid enough understanding of the Six Articles of Faith that you can make an educated decision on embracing Islam, then you should take Shahada without delay. Then you will want to start gradually implementing the other four Pillars and other Islamic practices into your life but not to the point of becoming overwhelmed at first. You do not need to be an Islamic scholar to be able to decide on whether or not you should take Shahada. Worrying about the complexities of Sharia/Fiqh, Hadiths you don't understand, etc. should not be the basis of your decision. It is better to get the basic understanding of Islam down first, then work on the fundamental practices, and then later if you want to get into the advanced stuff you may. This is my humble opinion and any brother or sister here may correct me if they have better advice.

This is my first Ramadan as a new Muslimah. It has brought me great peace and happiness. I have fasted for the first six days but I became weaker and weaker and was ill this morning so I did not fast today and will insha'Allah make that day up after Ramadan. You are not to fast if you are ill. Allah (swt) is fair in what he obligates us to do for Him. :)
 

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