When friends lose faith ...

[glo]

I would like to know what you do, when a friend loses faith and walks away from your religion?
I know different religions (and different individuals) will have different views on this, so I would like to explore this.

When a friend walks away from the Christian faith, my heart is so heavy, and I feel like crying!
I guess for me it is a sign that this/her faith was weak in the first place - because it in incomprehensible to me that they would walk away, if they had really known Jesus and if they fully understood the nature of God!

If appropriate I will talk to my friend, but I don't pressurise them into returning ... because people have God-given free will.
Instead I pray, pray, pray ...!

What would you do?

Peace

 

[lyesh]

I'd try to convince her back......
And I'll ask Allah to guide her! Insha Allah.... but if she goes beyond a certain limit, i'd leave her! just like i did to my own sis!

 

[glo]

I agree that there is a point, when you have to let people go ... and ask for God's guidance on them ...

What happened to your sister?
Has her falling away from Islam affected your relationship with each other?

Peace

 

[north_malaysian]

I'll do nothing. That's what I did when a friend of mine became an Atheist. And I avoid talking about religion with him.

 

[lolwatever]

Heya glo,

If someone leaves Islam due to some sort of understanding he formed or doubts, then i'd debate him till he comes back or decides to just decides to avoid discussion.

In the case where people leave religion for material gains or things of that sort, i'd simply dissociate myself from them becasue they're anything but good influence (shows their state of mind to give up somethign eternal for something worthless and finite).

and ofcourse... in an Islamic country, it's more than just letting them jump in and out the way they please

oh ya also i remember the verse 'you don't guide whom you want, but Allah guides whom he wills', that verse was directed to the prophet who was soooo upset n sad that his uncle wouldn't listen to him on his deathbed.

Personally i'm real wrapped when i see people leaving other ideologies and accepting islam, whether its christianity or hinduism or whatever

take care all teh best

 

[lyesh]

I agree that there is a point, when you have to let people go ... and ask for God's guidance on them ...

What happened to your sister?
Has her falling away from Islam affected your relationship with each other?

Peace

hi glo:thankyou:

yea my sis.... she didnt leave islam. But she is totally changed. I will never call a muslim a disbeliever until she admits it. But she was a really good practicing muslim. Now she has changed a lot! she's acting like gothic ppl. she doesnt wear the hijab and she yells at mom and mocks at those who r trying to follow islam. anyway, me and my husband have tried a lot to bring her normal self back... but she wudnt listen. Now we have left her. I dnt talk to her much and she doesnt talk to me as well!


ps: btw, if she still comes back.... im always there 4 her!

 

[Keltoi]

Many times people leave a religious faith because some event has occurred that shattered it. Whether it be death, sorrow, etc, these things can test one's faith. My approach would be different with someone who left faith because of some tragic life event. Often people who go through a tragedy or face emotional trials turn to God for guidance, but sometimes they blame God and turn from Him. You just have to reinforce for them that God is there to help one through times of hardship, and that the trials and tribulations of life are a test of faith.

 

[glo]

Many times people leave a religious faith because some event has occurred that shattered it. Whether it be death, sorrow, etc, these things can test one's faith. My approach would be different with someone who left faith because of some tragic life event. Often people who go through a tragedy or face emotional trials turn to God for guidance, but sometimes they blame God and turn from Him. You just have to reinforce for them that God is there to help one through times of hardship, and that the trials and tribulations of life are a test of faith.

I like your reply, Keltoi.

Sometimes judging people for leaving their faith can be really patronising and hurtful ... because we have not walked in their shoes!

I believe that we all have our potential personal traumatic situations, which would test our faith severly - possibly to the point of breaking it!
People need to know tht God loves us and cares for us, and knows our trials and hurts - even when we have turned away from him. They may not see it in their time of pain and anger, but the time may come, when they will remember.

Peace.

 

[Umar001]

I would like to know what you do, when a friend loses faith and walks away from your religion?
I know different religions (and different individuals) will have different views on this, so I would like to explore this.

When a friend walks away from the Christian faith, my heart is so heavy, and I feel like crying!
I guess for me it is a sign that this/her faith was weak in the first place - because it in incomprehensible to me that they would walk away, if they had really known Jesus and if they fully understood the nature of God!

If appropriate I will talk to my friend, but I don't pressurise them into returning ... because people have God-given free will.
Instead I pray, pray, pray ...!

What would you do?

Peace

THis is a hard one man, I alway worry and I always end up in grief when I hear a someone's become a Muslim, it's something I lose sleep over, I wonder what if this and will anyone help them, is there anyone who they can turn to, what if this and that, I guess thats why I personally am reluctant to give da'wah, or take shahadas, because I dont like having such things on my concience, to the point that in honesty, just the worry and pain of the possability of having kids and then they leaving Islaam, has kinda ended up with me not wanting kids in that sense.

An example, when my cousin came back from Africa, where he had his wedding, he pointed out a girl who used to be 'Muslim' (I say it like this cos Muslims back home dont practice much, they do the basics but thats about it) and she left Islaam, I couldn't sleep that night, it worrried me so much, then it annoyed me so much, if I knew someone who left Islaam I'd love to talk to them, just to see why they left, I tried to speak to some 'apostates' from differnt websites, they didn;t provide any information, and it was this kinda zeal I have for wanting to speak to apostates that I think Gary thought I actually wanted to kill some guy lol, nah.

Anyhow, if someone loses faith, I end up wanting to talk to them about it and see if theres anything I can learn from it.

 

[Malaikah]

Sometimes judging people for leaving their faith can be really patronising and hurtful ... because we have not walked in their shoes!

I believe that we all have our potential personal traumatic situations, which would test our faith severly - possibly to the point of breaking it!
People need to know tht God loves us and cares for us, and knows our trials and hurts - even when we have turned away from him. They may not see it in their time of pain and anger, but the time may come, when they will remember.

Yes, but the reason God puts us through such trials in the first place is so that He can test us, and to give us the chance to turn to Him, not away from Him. If we turn away, we are failing the test.

God did tell us, that He will never burden a soul with more than it can handle...

 

[lyesh]

exactly sis cheese!

 

[Woodrow]

On the surface this appears to be a difficult situation.



In regards to those who change religious beliefs:

If you search for the reason why people walk away from their faith there is usually a very good reason. Some times they did not go against their old teachings, they feel that they have simply come to the fulfilment of their old beliefs and have grown into a new level. That person, is a true lover of God(swt) and will continue to grow until they reach the plateau where they feel they can truly worship in accordance to the will of God(swt). they are either on the right path or soon will be, they need to be just left alone with their choices and any talk of God(swt) should be in regards to God's(swt) love of us.


In Regards to those who loose faith and no longer believe in God(swt):

Any attempt to tell them they are in error will simply cause them to come to the conclusion, that they have "escaped" from the "brainwashing" of people that do not have the strength to design their own destiny. These people seem to come to the concept that the universe is either uncontrolled chaos or they can rationilise and learn to live within the physical limitations of it.

It is best to avoid any attempts to tell them they are in error, although they may be quick to tell you that your beliefs are nonsense.

I believe the best steps to take are:

Learn more about your own beliefs. Verify the validity of them.

Avoid pointless circular arguements.

Pray often for both yourself and for your friend.

Seek the guidance of Believers you trust and use them as a crutch and guidance to keep your own faith intact.

Allow your friend the freedom to make his/her own choices. If Allah(swt) does not compel us to believe, we have no right to compel others to believe.

 

[lolwatever]

If you search for the reason why people walk away from their faith there is usually a very good reason. Some times they did not go against their old teachings, they feel that they have simply come to the fulfilment of their old beliefs and have grown into a new level. That person, is a true lover of God(swt) and will continue to grow until they reach the plateau where they feel they can truly worship in accordance to the will of God(swt). they are either on the right path or soon will be, they need to be just left alone with their choices and any talk of God(swt) should be in regards to God's(swt) love of us.

Depends on what they're leaving and what they're moving into.

Someone who's moving from judaism into christianity is considered as improving his religion especially if he's improving upon his old religion by believing in prophethood of jesus...

whereas someone moving from christianity into judaism in teh sesne that he'll disbeleive in the prophethood of jesus is seen as degrading his religion, inhereafter terms, more punishment.

Similarly someone who's leaving Islam into any other ideology is literally moving out of possibility of entering paradise and convicting himself to eternity in hell.

it's nothign to do with what the person feels... it's to do with whether he's obeying Allah or not, many Muslims feel they are worshipping god 'better' by doing thigns differently, as far as Allah is concerned, that's them worshipping their desiers and not him SWT.

take care all teh best

salamz

 

[Malaikah]

Someone who's moving from judaism into christianity is considered as improving his religion especially if he's improving upon his old religion by believing in jesus...

Actually shouldnt it be worse? Since the Jews believe in one God, but in christianity the person will be worshipping a man? :uuh::?

 

[lolwatever]

^ salams oops! sorry i should hav said 'prophethood' of jesus...
should hav been clearer, jazaks

salams

 

[lolwatever]

ps: keep in mind some (maybe all? i dunno) jews believe that ezra is son of god... so it could be better if they move in2 watever 4m of christainity

BUT ALLAHU ALAM dont quote me on that... all ic an say, DEFINATELY they're encouraged to convert from judaism to christianity if they gonan improve by believing in jesus prophethood....

salams

 

[Malaikah]

But isnt it worse to believe he is a God then to disbelieve that he is a prophet? :uuh:

 

[lolwatever]

lol man as i sed... i can only assure a jew that he's better off converting to christianity if he's giong to be like those jahova (or however u spell it) fellas who believe that he's a prophet.. not god.

as for other situations, i dont know but whatever the case, my point was... encouragng jews/christians to improve their religion is recommended.....

even for example someone who doesnt pray... even tho he's a non Muslim... we don't discourage them from fasting or paying zakat etc... coz someone who doesnt pray but does most of what Islam says gets less (eternal) punishment than someone who does nothing at all

just like jannah is levels, hell is also 'darakaat' (degrees of torment)

lol i wonder if i make sense :?

salamz

 

[Keltoi]

Actually shouldnt it be worse? Since the Jews believe in one God, but in christianity the person will be worshipping a man? :uuh::?

That is false. Christians do not worship a "man", they worship God, who manifested himself on Earth. They are one and the same. It's okay if you don't understand that or don't believe that, but stating that Christians worship a "man" is completely false.

 

[lolwatever]

Heya Keltoi

Cheese point was that they're worshipping someone who use to eat and excrete (which aren't attributes of a God in any shape or form)... as far as Islam is concerned, christians are worshipping a human being, and as far as Jesus is concerned, he'll deny that he asked to be worshipped when he comes back to earth and on DOJ as well.

take care all the best