For all non-muslims in this site

[MustafaMc]

I have absolutely no faith in the way of life of the Muslims today. This makes me a non-Muslim.

I am not sure what you mean by "no faith in the way of life of Muslims today", but I take it to mean that you do not agree with the application of the Qur'an and sunnah to every day life as understood by Muslims today.

But I do believe in one God and in Prophet Muhammad sws. This makes me a Muslim.

Islam is more than just a set of beliefs as it is also a way of life that includes ritual prayer, fasting, prescribed charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca. In addition to these acts of worship are other directives including what we can eat, how we dress, legal means to satisfy sexual urge, etc.

So what am I? A Muslim or non-Muslim? ^o)

That is a question between you and Allah (swt), but again Islam is more than mere belief. If you believe that Prophet Muhammad (saaws) is the Messenger of Allah, then by default you accept Islam as your way of life and you should strive to learn and apply his sunnah to your life.

 

[ardianto]

There's a problem with this for Muslims themselves fight over which this right path is. In India there are all these divisions each claiming that their way is the right way. And all of them say they are Muslims and follow Islam. Yet each group has different way of doing things. You just have to go to a matrimonial site and see the various categories of Muslims there are.

So if someone cares to enlighten me a bit, which of all these groups is the only right path?

Khilafiyah (difference of opinion) is normal among Muslims. And if someone learn Islam through "methodology of understanding" he must be know the background of these differences and how he should behave toward it.

Unfortunately, not every Muslim have enough understanding on khilafiyah. And the worse is, they are easy to be attacked by 'disease' that called "Hizbiyah" or "extreme spirit of the corp". It make them establish or join in an exclusive group which they regard their group as the only right Muslim group while the other are wrong.

My advice is, do not easily influenced by "the hizbiyun" who try to convince you that their group is the only right Muslim group and if you do not follow them you will go to hell.

Which group that on the right path?.

Not every Muslim understand that what Rasulullah (saw) meant with "the saved firqah" is based on characteristic of Muslim, not based on group like tandzim, jamaah, or hizb.

So, do not thinking "I should join in this group". Just try to become a better Muslim.

 

[Hamza Asadullah]

I don't say people are bad Muslims but I do say I have a problem with their behaviour. I find most of them arrogant. +o( They act as though they are the ones going to heaven and everybody else who doesn't follow their way is going to hell. If this is what Islam has taught them to be like then I don't know if I have made the right choice of religion. ^o)

Firstly sister you say we should not judge but then you are making a judgement on the way "Most Muslims" think and behave when you have not even met most Muslims in order to make such a judgement. If certain people have acted in a way that you do not like then this has nothing to do with how "most Muslims behave". We should never paint everyone with the same brush because everyone is different. There is good and bad everywhere. We should concentrate on being the best we can be so that we can be the best example on other people.

We should not have such negative attitude and start labelling people. Our aim must be to be the best people we can possibly be and the standard of how we should be has been set for us by our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who was sent as a mercy and to perfect the character of mankind. Other people will always show bad behaviour whether they are Muslims or not but it is also a test for us to see how we will react. If we react similarly to them then what is the difference between them and us? One should always take the higher moral ground. One should also always aim to be as humble as possible. A Muslim never thinks they are better than the other. Also other people will be accountable for their own actions.

So let us have a positive attitude and concentrate on bettering ourselves in terms of our characters rather than merely looking at others characters and behaviours. We will be accountable for our own actions and not the actions of others. We will also be accountable for the way we reacted to other peoples behaviours. So our focus must be our actions and behaviours and not the actions and behaviours of others.

May Allah enable us to have the characteristics like his beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) Ameen.

 

[Icy Maiden]

I am not sure what you mean by "no faith in the way of life of Muslims today", but I take it to mean that you do not agree with the application of the Qur'an and sunnah to every day life as understood by Muslims today.

Correct. I don't think it is necessary to pray 5 times a day, wear hijab, fast in Ramadan or even go to Mecca for Hajj.

 

[Icy Maiden]

Khilafiyah (difference of opinion) is normal among Muslims. And if someone learn Islam through "methodology of understanding" he must be know the background of these differences and how he should behave toward it.

Unfortunately, not every Muslim have enough understanding on khilafiyah. And the worse is, they are easy to be attacked by 'disease' that called "Hizbiyah" or "extreme spirit of the corp". It make them establish or join in an exclusive group which they regard their group as the only right Muslim group while the other are wrong.

My advice is, do not easily influenced by "the hizbiyun" who try to convince you that their group is the only right Muslim group and if you do not follow them you will go to hell.

Which group that on the right path?.

Not every Muslim understand that what Rasulullah (saw) meant with "the saved firqah" is based on characteristic of Muslim, not based on group like tandzim, jamaah, or hizb.

So, do not thinking "I should join in this group". Just try to become a better Muslim.

How about if I don't want to join any group at all? So far I haven't liked any.

 

[chuckla]

Honestly, this is the first time I have ever read or heard of an 'atheist Christian'. I have spoken with a Reform Rabbi and she confirmed the possibility of an atheist Jew, but an atheist Christian blows my mind as an oxymoron. My understanding of what defines a Christian is one who believes in Jesus as the Son of God and simultaneously as one Person of the Godhead.

From what I have seen, non-Muslims come here for various reasons that are known only to them. Some may want to learn about Islam for their own personal edification or even to learn so they better can communicate with Muslims for whatever reason they intend. Some may even come to 'moderate' or 'liberalize' Muslims so they are not strict adherents to the Qur'an and the sunnah. Some may sense some commonality with Muslims and would like to see more interfaith dialog for the sake of mutual respect and understanding. Some may come to evangelize Muslims to become Christians or to show the 'the error of their ways' in beliving in God as the Creator of all that exists.

In regards to your last phrase:" 'the error of their ways' in believing in God as the Creator of all that exists." Any Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, or Atheist who would try to do that, is a FOOL, and disagrees with you, me, Thomas Jefferson, and ANY true believer! Peace, chuck

 

[ardianto]

How about if I don't want to join any group at all? So far I haven't liked any.

Did I say you should join in a group?

 

[Ahmad H]

There's a problem with this for Muslims themselves fight over which this right path is. In India there are all these divisions each claiming that their way is the right way. And all of them say they are Muslims and follow Islam. Yet each group has different way of doing things. You just have to go to a matrimonial site and see the various categories of Muslims there are.

So if someone cares to enlighten me a bit, which of all these groups is the only right path?

If I may jump in here, there is a Hadith which says that Islam would have 73 sects, where 72 would be in Hell and one would be in Paradise. Do du'a sincerely for yourself to find that right group. Not everyone is Heaven-bound, unfortunately.

It is easy to see why this is the case, look at all the scholars who pronounce others as Kafir. It is disgraceful that this occupies them most of the time. Verdicts of death and punishment are what they do best. There are many branches in Islam today, but only one will suffice. There is a Hadith which says that there is always righteous Muslims in every age who are rightly guided, they are a class of their own who no one else can harm until the command of Allah comes on the Day of Judgment. So such people exist. This is a definite fact.

You should look for the one major and most important sign if you are to think of joining a group which you find to be rightly guided in Islam, and that is one which has an Imam under which the people are unified. If you do not find a group of Muslims with an Imam, then you should stay away from all of those groups. In Sunan Abu Dawud the Holy Prophet (saw) has said that Allah sends a Reformer in every century. This does not mean only one. In every age Islam needs to be redefined properly in order to be properly followed. How can you follow the religion well when there is no Imam who is guiding you to Him who is well connected with Allah?

Many righteous Imams in the past came and went, but there are Imams even now as well. Do not think that you should just follow Islam based on how you define it. Anyone who tells you to become a better Muslim without telling you how is misleading you. Seek and do your best to find that one Imam under which Muslims are unified and who you find that Allah has guided you to. Allah does this in many ways, the one best way to know is by dreams. Ask Allah earnestly for a sign as to who to be guided to. Any other method besides this is false. Every righteous scholar and Imam who passed away spoke of finding a Shaykh who can guide you to Allah. If you are yourself not an Imam, you cannot guide yourself then because your connection with Allah is not fostered properly yet.

This is the method I advise. Pray and seek the group with an Imam. Stay away from all groups that do not have an Imam. This is the advice the Holy Prophet (saw) gave us Muslims, so follow it. Anything besides that is false. There is always an Imam. Allah provides for His creation for both this life and the Hereafter. So have faith and seek Him as He deserves to be sought.

 

[MustafaMc]

Correct. I don't think it is necessary to pray 5 times a day, wear hijab, fast in Ramadan or even go to Mecca for Hajj.

And yet you consider yourself a Muslim. What does believing that Muhammad (saaws) was the last Messenger of Allah mean to you? Also, what does, "Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." Qur'an 3:31 mean to you?

 

[Muslim Woman]

Correct. I don't think it is necessary to pray 5 times a day, wear hijab, fast in Ramadan or even go to Mecca for Hajj.

if any Muslim openly says s/he does not believe in commands of Allah , then s/he won't be considered as Muslim any longer . U should offer ur sincere repentance to Allah . May Allah increases u and us in faith , Ameen.

 

[Jedi_Mindset]

You are on the very verge of being an apostate

Please dont become like that, if you have serious troubles we want to help you.

 

[Icy Maiden]

And yet you consider yourself a Muslim. What does believing that Muhammad (saaws) was the last Messenger of Allah mean to you? Also, what does, "Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." Qur'an 3:31 mean to you?

By people's definition I am not Muslim.

Following the Prophet sws to me means to follow his example.

 

[Icy Maiden]

if any Muslim openly says s/he does not believe in commands of Allah , then s/he won't be considered as Muslim any longer .

Who won't consider me a Muslim any longer? You?

 

[sister herb]

Salam alaykum

Dear sister Icy; I have seen that your stance here is very rebel. As you described yourself as muslim (I don't think it is necessary to pray 5 times a day, wear hijab, fast in Ramadan or even go to Mecca for Hajj), it is not only sister Muslim Woman who would wonder are you muslim at all - Allah of course knows the best but if you refuse to follow commands of Allah... what you think by yourself that you are?

 

[Hamza Asadullah]

By people's definition I am not Muslim.

Following the Prophet sws to me means to follow his example.

Sister you constantly complain about the actions of other people yet i think you must look at your own actions first and foremost because you are only doing yourself injustice by behaving in such a manner. Whatever issues you have then this is not the way to behave. I think you should stop getting on a defensive, take a step back and think before to say anything as you are clearly very emotional. If there are issues then you will find us as Muslims will go out of our way to help you as much as we possibly can but please dont show such a bad rebellious attitude as it will only do you harm.

 

[Icy Maiden]

I would like the administrators of this forum to change my religion from Islam to Other. Thanks.