Have I committed shirk?

[Sm412]

In a period of very weak faith immediately following verbal abuse hurled at me on another forum, I explored and entertained the idea of other spiritual avenues. I was upset and angry at the harsh treatment by people who were supposed to be my brothers.

These spiritual avenues included cracking open a bible and doing research on Hinduism. I did research into the principles of the religion and found it interesting. I interpreted their deities as allegorical and not actual existing entities. I, however, considered the idea that these entities were real, and found this idea to be false. My research ended there and my faith in Islam has been increased.

Have I committed shirk?

 

[noraina]

Assalamu alaykum,

I wouldn't think this is shirk. I have read the New and Old testament, and as I'm studying comparative religion I have looked into other religions in detail. Alhamdulillah, from your research you have said you realised that other ideas are false and Islam is the truth, and this strengthened your faith. I believe that is something positive. Allahu alam, someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Sometimes we can be afflicted by weak iman, I would just say that don't feel disheartened by the behaviours or attitudes of some Muslims - they are human beings and imperfect. Islam is perfect, and Allah swt is perfect, but Muslims are people and far from it.

And, just saying generally, as Muslims we should renew our faith regularly. We say the shahadah in our daily prayers, so say it with conviction and understand its implications, and repentance and seeking forgiveness should be something we do all the time.

 

[madihakhan]

Learning about other religions is not shirk at all , we should go through all religion's beliefs but after reading everything " what we do , where our heart turns , this what matters "

 

[mateenah95]

According to Islam, all books and messengers are from Allah and there is only one religion Islam - which was revealed to mankind in stages according to the needs of the time! So if you believe in Islam, studying the so called other religions is not studying other religions at all, in fact it is studying earlier "versions" of Islam. No, I do not think you committed shirk or anything wrong as you did mention that when you logically considered the possibilities of these other deities, you rejected them and it bought you closer to Islam. I believe this happened because like I mentioned earlier, earlier religions are just earlier versions of Islam and thus will logically bring you closer to what Islam brings you closer to - the true God/Allah.

Hope this helped and put your mind at ease!