Losing my faith.

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I didn't know which section to put this thread in, but I decided that it would be best placed here. I've grown up as a Muslim for 18 years of my life. I've never fully committed to Allah but I've always believed in him (up until now). I'll sometimes carry out religious duties such as fasting and praying on Fridays - but beyond that, I haven't done much. As my teen years went by my faith in Islam has wavered. Now it has reached its lowest point ever.

I believe that there is a God/higher power of some sort orchestrating things, but my belief in the Islamic religion is near zero. I'm having a hard time believing some of the supernatural elements of Islam such as the prophet ascending to heaven on a winged horse and some of its rules - which to me - seem backwards.

So as an agnostic (Muslim?), where would be the best place to learn about Islam and its teachings? I want to rediscover Islam and see, once and for all, if Islam is for me. I have read the Qur'an in Arabic twice, and am now making progress on an English translation. What other sources could I use to learn about Islam?
 
LostMember said:
I didn't know which section to put this thread in, but I decided that it would be best placed here. I've grown up as a Muslim for 18 years of my life. I've never fully committed to Allah but I've always believed in him (up until now). I'll sometimes carry out religious duties such as fasting and praying on Fridays - but beyond that, I haven't done much. As my teen years went by my faith in Islam has wavered. Now it has reached its lowest point ever.

I believe that there is a God/higher power of some sort orchestrating things, but my belief in the Islamic religion is near zero. I'm having a hard time believing some of the supernatural elements of Islam such as the prophet ascending to heaven on a winged horse and some of its rules - which to me - seem backwards.

So as an agnostic (Muslim?), where would be the best place to learn about Islam and its teachings? I want to rediscover Islam and see, once and for all, if Islam is for me. I have read the Qur'an in Arabic twice, and am now making progress on an English translation. What other sources could I use to learn about Islam?
Click to expand...

:sl:

don't read, listen:

here's an Arabic English audio:

http://www.kalamullah.com/noble-quran.html

and this is a BEAUTIFUL recitation of the last 2 Juz by Haroon Baqai:

http://www.kalamullah.com/haroon-baqai.html

READ Surat Al Khaf on Jummuah and listen to thses lectures about it.

stories from Surah al Kahf. please listen to the Man of the 2 gardens:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me..._Surah_Al-Kahf

Bashar also has a near complete Seerah here [missing some pre-Islamic info]. you NEED to listen to the Seerah:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...+Prophet+(pbuh)

and a series on the Khulafa Rashida:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...ulafah+Rashida

and on the 4 Imams and Islamic Jurisprudence:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...The+Four+Imams

on the Sahabah:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...ba+Rasul-Allah

and the Taba'een:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...y/Tabi'een

there is a Reflections on the Stories of the Qur'an, of which the Surat Al Kahf is a part, that goes over the Prophets, AS, in the Quran:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...ories+of+Quran

of which my wife really likes the series on Surah Yusuf:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me..._Prophet+Yusuf

there's even a small section on the Abbassids:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...y/Bani+Abbas

and the Ummayyids:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...2FBani+Umayyah

he is also redoing the Seerah, it follows the Reflections on the Stories of the Qur'an section. it also contains the missing stuff from the other Seerah:

http://www.pleasantviewschool.com/me...an_Nabawi+(saw)

Brother Bashar is a Cardiologist as well as student of Islamic Studies. he is a humble man who has asked to remind others that he is "not a scholar, just an ordinary Muslim!" we would blessed to have more such Muslims among us!

i've listen to his Seerah a a good deal of the part on the Khulifa, they are very heart moving! i hope that you give them a listen and that, In Sha'a Allah, you benefit from them.


there's also this great course on al Fatihah, Jamal Zarabozo:

http://www.kalamullah.com/al-fatihah.html

and a set on the Fundamentals of Islamic Studies by Bilal Philips:

http://www.hoor-al-ayn.com/lectures/bilal-philips/

and a great series on Imam Nawawi's 40 Hadith:

http://www.alghurabaa.org/lectures/abu-abdis-salam/

here's a few internet helps:

learn to pronounce Qur'an and some duas:

http://transliteration.org/quran/home.htm

searchable Qur'an:

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/koran/

compare translation of the Qur'an here:

http://quran.islamicnetwork.com/

and some great lectures by Mufti Menk that i forgot:

http://www.muftimenk.co.za/Downloads.html

May Allah make it easy on you and may He clean and soften your heart. AMEEN!

:w:
 
Welcome to the Forum.

I can understand how you feel about the supernatural elements of Islam but you have to remember... the fact that this universe actually exists seems more far fetched than a winged horse.

As for the winged horse... read my signature. There are many things that are allegorical and also things in the heavens are made to resemble things we are used to on earth so we can recognise them. Why can it not be a winged horse? Muhammad pbuh was a guest of honour...
 
you must have beleif as you came here for help and to find some meaning to what you have been raised beleiving. It is so hard sometimes I know, I too have times when I find doubts creeping in about certain issues. What I do know is that if you still try then Allah will make it easy, make dua, and when it is answered there is your proof. The thing about Muhammad pbuh ascending to heaven is not known for definite to be a real event, it may have been a vision from Allah. Do not trouble yourself with entertaining the things you cannot fathom, but deal in those things you know to be true. You know there is God, unguided evolution is comical, all the prophets shared the same religion and when you sleep at the end of the day the only one that will allow you to wake safely is Allah almighty, in our hearts we know this, anyone who claims otherwise have lost their way. I suggest speaking with an Imam, if this is not comfortable for you, then read Qur'an and pray for guidance to become clear. Also I think there is a lot to be said for Islam channel, they have a knack of hitting the nail on the head at times. Please do not turn from Allah, I pray that He renews your beleif and makes you a strong Muslim, let us know how you progress and remember it is better to be scared and still make slow progress than to be standing still and lost. Peace and blessings be upon you and may Allah make your way clearimsad
 
I believe in things like Evolution but the notion that life "just happened" and evolved into the complex lifeforms of today without some sort of higher power seems unbelievable to me. I look around and see so much order around me that there is no doubt in my mind that there is a God. I don't need help believing in a God. I need to see if Islam is the way for me. Why Islam? Also what is Islam's stance on how we were created?

I'm watching the meaning of life video that was posted. Hopefully I'll have watched the video by the end of the month. The MoL is something I've been wondering about for a long time.

Sorry it took me so long to reply as I've been busy with my studies.
Hamayun said:
Welcome to the Forum.

I can understand how you feel about the supernatural elements of Islam but you have to remember... the fact that this universe actually exists seems more far fetched than a winged horse.
Click to expand...
The thing is, I can see evidence that the universe and everything around me is real. All this supernatural stuff, I can't.
 
LostMember, lets look at it this way. You understand that the universe is real, you know that there is a Originator of all things, and you know that if He did all this - He prepared the world for a purpose. Now by accepting that there is a Creator, you accept that He doesn't show Himself for a greater purpose (i.e. this world and all that it contains is a test and trial of good vs evil.)

But what is good and evil? We believe Allah/God sends Messengers' to call mankind to good, and to forbid them from evil. So mankind has a set of guidelines, so they can unite and connect with Allah, to be successful in this world, and the one to come. Think about it, if Allah has set the universe and formed it in a way to support life, and provided us with all sorts of favours which make us rulers of the world, then wouldn't He also send guidelines for us to understand that greater truth?



If you understand that concept, the belief in the unseen issues can be accepted naturally. Us humans accept something which seems most convincing to us, even if we don't understand all of its concepts. We weigh out the positives and negatives, and if the positives outweigh the negatives - we accept that reality.

The same is in Islam, just because we can't comprehend something, we don't necessarily need to reject it. Yet the evidences to suggest it really could have occurred enforce our belief that it probably did.


Take the Israa' wal Mi'raaj [the Night of the Journey to Palestine, and the Heavens to Allah] for example. We know that the disbelievers laughed when Prophet Muhammad said he had gone to the heavens. Then they asked him how he could do so within one night, when it takes a week or more to travel there by caravan. So he started to describe the city of Jerusalem in specific details, and the people who had previously been there - who knew Prophet Muhammad had never been there in his life - said that his description was so accurate, that it was like he had really been there.

Now these narrations are authentic, since the people who narrated them were trustworthy and not known for lying. So we have to ask ourselves, does the truth outweigh any falsehood? Yes it does. Because how else would Prophet Muhammad know such details? If someone said the devil taught him, then doesn't the devil descent to evil people only? Muhammad (peace be upon him) never had a reputation of being close to evil doers in friendship. It could be from none other than the One who revealed him with the truth.


So always, outweigh what is truth with what is falsehood. Do this based on knowledge. Read the Messenger of Allah's biography to understand the reality, how he brought the most backwards of people to be rulers of the world for centuries, and how he achieved success in this life, and the one to come for himself, and those who followed his way.

Who could achieve this almost impossible task, except a Messenger of God?
 
Another thing that confuses me is why would Allah create us? Yeah, the obvious answer people would give is to worship him, but why would an omnipotent being need or care about being worshipped?

The more I think about Islam and religion in general, the more I'm confused by it.
 
I hope you find the truth, whatever it is. A lot of info has been poured onto you, now, you must learn from it.
 
LostMember said:
Another thing that confuses me is why would Allah create us? Yeah, the obvious answer people would give is to worship him, but why would an omnipotent being need or care about being worshipped?

The more I think about Islam and religion in general, the more I'm confused by it.
Click to expand...

Actually people have given you a reason as to why we are here, we don't know why Allah swt created us (as in his reasons) and we may not be his most important creation, although we are indeed favored over other creations.. do read the beginning of suret Al Insan followed by Suret Al-anbya..as Allah swt tells us right there, our creation isn't for amusement..

amongst other things he created us out of love, truth, justice and to give us a chance at immortality ...

I don't think anyone can give you faith if you have lost it.. since faith is a step up from islam and two steps down from ikhlas and ihsan.. faith is an allegiance after the first logical step you have taken to arrive to the knowledge that there exists divinity to concede your surrender to it.

49:14---
[FONT=VERDANA,ARIAL, HELVETICA] قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَكِن قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَإِن تُطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لَا يَلِتْكُم مِّنْ أَعْمَالِكُمْ شَيْئًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ {14}[/FONT]​
"We believe." Say, "Ye, have no Faith, but ye (only) say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah, 'for not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."


clearely in the Quran there is a difference between faith and Islam.. but I don't know if you are even at the gates at this stage?

you need time to reflect on all that has been written for you here..


peace
 
LostMember said:
Another thing that confuses me is why would Allah create us? Yeah, the obvious answer people would give is to worship him, but why would an omnipotent being need or care about being worshipped?

The more I think about Islam and religion in general, the more I'm confused by it.
Click to expand...

Because one of Allah SWT names is the creator, And as a creator, by its description would create. What is a painter without Paintings? What is a creator without creation!
 
coddles76 said:
Because one of Allah SWT names is the creator, And as a creator, by its description would create. What is a painter without Paintings? What is a creator without creation!
Click to expand...
Okay continuing the analagoy, before the painter painted, what was the painter doing? What existed before this universe.

God, I'm crap at analogies!


I'm still not sold on the "we don't know why we were created". Also I hate the fact that translations of the Qur'an is done in using words like "ye" and "thou" - these translations (I'm assuming) are fairly new, why the hell aren't they using modern and easy-to-understand terms so that the message is dlivered in a more clear and concise way.
 
LostMember said:
Okay continuing the analagoy, before the painter painted, what was the painter doing? What existed before this universe
Click to expand...
We only know what Allah SWT decides to reveal to us, We are very insignificant in relation to his vast creation of the heavens above. When you compare, we are very tiny part of the creation equation. Our minds are limited but we also have the ability to seek to find, increase our knowledge of creation to understand Allah SWT almighty nature, We are limited, but we are also capable of being content. I myself have seeked, and I have found, and I am very content on what I have learnt. Pray to Allah SWT to help you find that contentment.


I'm still not sold on the "we don't know why we were created". Also I hate the fact that translations of the Qur'an is done in using words like "ye" and "thou" - these translations (I'm assuming) are fairly new, why the hell aren't they using modern and easy-to-understand terms so that the message is dlivered in a more clear and concise way.
Click to expand...

Allah SWT created us to Worship him, worship him as to be thankful for atleast creating us and giving us a chance at infinite happiness in paradise, Wouldn't you rather have a chance at infinite happiness? Maybe we have no reason for life? Maybe there is no reason for creation? But wouldn't you atleast want to have a chance? We can go through life seeking Allah SWT Love and then atleast have a chance.
 
:sl:

to believe in anything you have to first have a starting point. In understanding Quantum physic you need first to find verification that all of the math you learned is true.

With religion, it is similar but a bit different. Each of us who reverted to islam followed a different path than you followed. We spent most of our life as unbelievers and for some reason each of us had a unique moment when we came to a starting point and learned how to look for the evidence of Allaah(swt)

to see anything you need to know how to use the basic tools. For myself the Qur'an is the best tool and the most essential to learn how to use. For others and you it may be something different.

use your Islamic past and learn how to fully use the tools you found to be the most accurate and use them to look for evidence of AllaaH9swt)
 
LostMember said:
I'm still not sold on the "we don't know why we were created".
Click to expand...
that is something you ought to resolve on your own time, there is nothing we can do about what you decide to buy?
Also I hate the fact that translations of the Qur'an is done in using words like "ye" and "thou" - these translations (I'm assuming) are fairly new, why the hell aren't they using modern and easy-to-understand terms so that the message is dlivered in a more clear and concise way.
Click to expand...

you can purchase the Muhammad Asad version from amazon, one of the easiest and highest rated translations:

http://www.amazon.com/Message-Quran...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243392254&sr=8-1

you may look at the abridged version here:

Translation of Holy Quran, Translated and Explained by M Asad​
​
We are moving to www.wikimir.com/masad​
Please Update your Bookmarks​

1 – Al Fatihah (The Opening) (Updated)
2 – Al Baqrah (The Cow) (Updated)
Ayah 1-100
Ayah 101-199
Ayah 200-286
3 – Al Imran (The House of Imran)
4 – An Nisa (Women)
5 – Al Maidah (The Repast)
6 – Al Anam (Cattle)
7 – Al Araf (The Faculty of Discernment)
8 – Al Anfal (Spoils of War)
9 – At Tawbah (Repentance)
10 – Yunus (Jonah)
11 – Hud
12 – Yosuf (Joseph)
13 – Ar Ra’d (Thunder)
14 – Ibrahim (Abraham)
15 – Al Hijr
16 – An Nahl (The Bee)
17 – Al Isra (The Night Journey)
18 – Al Kahf (The Cave)
19 – Maryam (Mary)
20 – Ta Ha (O Man)
60 – Al Mumtahana (The Examined One)
61 – As-Saff (The Ranks)
63 – Al-Munafiqin (The Hypocrites)
64 – At-Taghabum (Loss and Gain)
65 – At-Talaq (Divorce)
66 – At-Tahrim (Prohibition)
67 Al-Mulk (Dominion)
68 – Al-Qalam (The Pen)
69 – Al-Haqqah ( The laying-Bare of the Truth)
70 – Al-Ma'arij (The ways of Ascent)
71 – Nuh (Noah)
72 – Al-Jinn (The Unseen Beings)
73 – Al-Muzzammil (The Enwrapped One)
74 – Al-Muddaththir (The Enfolded One)
75 – Al-Qiyamah (Resurrection)
76 – Al-Insan (Man)
77 – Al-Mursalat (Those Sent Forth)
78 – An-Naba (The Tiding)
79 – An Nazilat (Those That Rise)


80 – 'Abasa (He Frowned)
81 – At-Takwir (Shrouding in Darkness)
82 – Al-Infitar (The Cleaving Asunder)
83 – Al-Mutaffifin (Those Who Give Short Measure)
84 – Al-Inshiqaq (The Splitting Asunder)
85 – Al-Buruj (The Great Constellations)
86 – At-Tariq (That Which Comes in the Night)
87 – Al-A'la (The All-Highest)
88 – Al-Ghashiyah (The Overshadowing Event)
89 – Al-Fajr (The Daybreak)
90 – Al-Balad (The Land)
91 – Ash-Shams (The Sun)
92 – Al-Layl (The Night)
93 – Ad-Duha (The Bright Morning Hours)
94 – Ash-Sharh (The Opening-Up of Heart)
95 – At-Tin (The Fig)
96 – Al-'Alaq (The Germ-Cell)
97 – Al-Qadr (Destiny)
98 – Al-Bayyinah (The Evidence of the Truth)
99 – Az-Zalzalah (The Earthquake)
100 – Al-'Adiyat (The Chargers)
101 – Al-Qaria'ah (The Sudden Calamity)
102 – Al-Takathur (Greed for More and More)
103 – Al-'Asr (The Flight of Time)
104 – Al-Humazah (The Slanderer)
105 – Al-Fil (The Elephant)
106 – Quraysh
107 – Al-Ma'un (Assistance)
108 – Al-Kawthar (Good in Abundance)
109 – Al-Kafirun (Those Who Deny the Truth)
110 – An-Nasr (Soccour)
111 – Al-Masad (The Twisted Strands)
112 – Al-Ikhlas (The Declaration of [God's] Perfection)
113 – Al-Falaq (The Rising Dawn)
114 – An-Nas (Men)



Appendix 1: Symbolism and Allegory in the Quran
Appendix 2: Al-Muqatta'at
Appendix 3: On the term and concept of Jinn
Appendix 4: The Night Journey


Links to other Translations on Internet


http://www.geocities.com/masad02/

or you could do what billions of Muslims do and make a slight effort of learning Arabic?

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all the best
 
^^^
Thanks for that, I'' be sure to read it during the summer.

Woodrow said:
:sl:

to believe in anything you have to first have a starting point. In understanding Quantum physic you need first to find verification that all of the math you learned is true.

With religion, it is similar but a bit different. Each of us who reverted to islam followed a different path than you followed. We spent most of our life as unbelievers and for some reason each of us had a unique moment when we came to a starting point and learned how to look for the evidence of Allaah(swt)

to see anything you need to know how to use the basic tools. For myself the Qur'an is the best tool and the most essential to learn how to use. For others and you it may be something different.

use your Islamic past and learn how to fully use the tools you found to be the most accurate and use them to look for evidence of AllaaH9swt)
Click to expand...
Yeah and I'm going to read the qur'an in Arabic and
English during the summer when I have more free time.
 
that is indeed a good start.. suret ad-duha number 93 is only a few verses and it has gotten me through some very difficult times.. you might want it as a starting point?

[MEDIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVTT3rBeIrs[/MEDIA]


AD-DUHA (THE BRIGHT MORNING HOURS) ​
THE NINETY-THIRD SURAH
Total Verses: 11
MECCA PERIOD​

Introduction​

IT IS SAID that after surah 89 (Al-Fajr) was revealed, some time elapsed during which the Prophet did not receive any revelation, and that his opponents in Mecca taunted him on this score, saying, "Thy God has forsaken and scorned thee!" - whereupon the present surah was revealed. Whether or not we accept this somewhat doubtful story, there is every reason to assume that the surah as such, although in the first instance addressed to the Prophet, has a far wider purport: it concerns - and is meant to console - every faithful man and woman suffering from the sorrows and bitter hardships which so often afflict the good and the innocent, and which sometimes cause even the righteous to question God's transcendental justice.​

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE DISPENSER OF GRACE:​

1) CONSIDER the bright morning hours,

(2) and the night when it grows still and dark.*

* The expression "bright morning hours" apparently symbolizes the few and widely-spaced periods of happiness in human life, as contrasted with the much greater length of "the night when it grows still and dark", i.e., the extended periods of sorrow or suffering that, as a rule, overshadow man's existence in this world (cf. 90 : 4). The further implication is that, as sure as morning follows night, God's mercy is bound to lighten every suffering, either in this world or in the life to come - for God has "willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy" (6:12 and 54).

(3) Thy Sustainer has not forsaken thee, nor does He scorn thee:*

*Sc., ''as the thoughtless might conclude in view of the suffering that He has willed thee to bear".

(4) for, indeed, the life to come will be better for thee than this earlier part [of thy life]!

(5) And, indeed, in time will thy Sustainer grant thee [what thy heart desires], and thou shalt be well-pleased.

(6) Has He not found thee an orphan, and given thee shelter?*

*Possibly an allusion to the fact that Muhammad was born a few months after his father's death, and that his mother died when he was only six years old. Apart from this, however, every human being is an "orphan" in one sense or another, inasmuch as everyone is "created in a lonely state" (cf. 6:94), and "will appear before Him on Resurrection Day in a lonely state" (19:95).

(7) And found thee lost on thy way, and guided thee?

(8) And found thee in want, and given thee sufficiency?

(9) Therefore, the orphan shalt thou never wrong,

(10) and him that seeks [thy] help shalt thou never chide,*

*The term sa'il denotes" literally, "one who asks", which signifies not only a "beggar" but anyone who asks for help in a difficult situation, whether physical or moral, or even for enlightenment.

(11) and of thy Sustainer's blessings shalt thou [ever] speak.*

*Sc., "rather than of thy suffering".




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