Thanks for your kind offer and asking what has been at the back of my mind for a while..I like the way you phrase it, as in guidelines rather than rules, and the fact you bring up that there is no compulsion in religion..It makes it more appealing put that way.
I suppose i have said in my improvised prayers that i believe in the one God Allah, and that Mohamed is his messenger..But not with the intention of becoming a Muslim, and for me intention is what counts..It is some thing at the back of my mind i can not deny..But i do still have doubts.
InshaAllah I will articulate those doubts so you can address them if you will..
Apologies for being so late, I hadn't realise you had replied.
Even as someone who is born a Muslim, doubts can sometimes creep into our mind. But it is important to understand that as people we have a rather limited perception, we can probably just see a couple of pixels here and there, but it is Allah swt who can see the whole picture and so when sets specific guidelines and commands, it is taking these into account.
Islam is an extremely rational religion, but a major part of any religion is faith. While most parts of Islam are quite easy to understand, it is when we have difficulty rationally explaining something that faith comes into play. When our limited logic as a human fails to understand God's law, we use our faith to inherently *know* that it is the best for us. That's what makes religion different from science - it isn't dependant on 'observable evidence' or our confined cultural perceptions.
If i testify to being a Muslim it makes me part of a large community or brotherhood? I suppose my main doubt is whether i would be accepted in that community due my interpretation of the Quran and understanding of certain issues might mot be inline with the mainstream view and might be at odds with scholars interpretations.
The other discussion i joined on this forum is a prime example..My interpretation and understanding still stands on the subject, but may be the issue i should be really discussing is what does Haram actually mean and how should it be enforced?
Are people permitted to use force and aggression to prohibit something another does to his own body that causes no harm to another?
Can people punish others if they are not a victim? or is it encouraged to punish people for victim less crimes?
If the only victim is the accused and he only harmed him self and potentially God, then surely God the most powerful force in the universe will do the punishing?
There are so many points to address here. But one thing I must say, there is one central understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah - and as a Muslim community, as brothers and sisters to one another, it is our duty to gently remind each other to remain on the firm path.
With the different schools of thought, there is some difference of opinion on minor issues. But there is also a general agreement on most major issues and as Muslims we follow that general agreement. As lay Muslims, we shouldn't really be having our own opinions when it comes to practical matters of law. In a country like the UK, we want qualified judges to preside over the courts and qualified teachers to teach our children - not just anyone. And the same applies to Islamic law, those who have spent years studying are the ones qualified to 'teach' us regarding specific laws and rulings. If every one of us applied our own 'interpretation' of the Qur'an, there would be chaos.
And about enforcing haraam. People have greatly misunderstood Shariah laws as a kind of mob force which lynches sinners left right and centre. Nothing could be more wrong. It is a thorough and rigorous evidence-based system of justice. Yes, Muslims have abused it, but that's their own weakness. When someone does something to their own body, this is between them and Allah if they keep this sin to themselves. However, if this person goes out, telling everyone about their sin and seeking to justify it, that is when intervention is required. For example, someone may drink alcohol, if they don't go round advertising what they've done, they can't be punished by the authorities simply because nobody would know, but if they go around encouraging this harm to others, that's when someone might need to step in.
And I'll say this - when I say intervention it is by the authorities. As Muslims we aren't allowed to punish just anyone we see sinning, this is up to the official justice system, like in any other country.
I felt from that 'other' thread you were trying to read a little too much into the meaning the of Qur'anic verses - just read those verses without and 'lens' or 'filter', in'sha'Allah you'll see what they mean.
I have read the Quran about twice now and have my doubts whether the Muslim community in general is listening to and is guided by Gods word or second hand stories that Gods messenger allegedly said..
As Jesus and Mohamed both said , dont worship or obey us we are just messengers of God, obey God and no one else..Now that is what ressonates with me, so surely whats written in Quran is all that really matters?
If so, and I felt i would be welcomed into the Muslim community and not be judged by what i might consume, rather by my actions and deeds then i would say Shahadah right now..
These 'second hand stories' are something entirely different to the 'hadiths' which as Muslims we abide by. In the Qur'an, we are told by the word of Allah to follow the 'sunnah' of the Prophet Muhammad :saws: So when the word of God tells us to follow the example of the Prophet, which is know only via hadiths, then surely that is a form of obeying Him. And we don't exactly 'follow' hadiths, we use them to further our understanding of the Qur'an.
There are Muslims who may twist the truth, terrorists and despicable organisations like IS are an example, but they take many things way out of context and they have associated a very negative label with 'traditional' Islamic scholarship.
You will certainly be welcomed by the Muslim community, and even before you take your shahadah, you would be more than welcomed to discuss any issues or doubts you may have with any Muslims in your neighbourhood or local mosque. I think you'll feel a lot more certain once you have erased any doubts you have.
I would like to thank you again for your time and patience and giving me the opportunity to raise these points, here is probably a better place than the other thread for now.. may Gods blessings be upon ye..
And upon you.
