Messages

1

General Issues / Questions / Re: Its been a while...

« on: April 20, 2011, 06:05:25 PM »

Thank you everyone.  I really appreciate the responses.  I think I'll do as you suggested, Savage Carrot.  Though I'm not always sure where I'm going to find more knowledge without learning from someone, it's probably best if I try to keep to myself for the time being until I feel more solid in my knowledge on the faith I hold dear to.

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General Issues / Questions / Re: Its been a while...

« on: April 20, 2011, 09:32:05 AM »

Maybe I was a bit confusing in my plea.  I'll just put it in simple terms as best I can.

If you believe in only having the Qur'an as your guide to Islam (which I do), how do you go about relating to other Muslims who hold onto the hadiths as well?  What do you do if you stand out?  Should you try to stand out?  Should you even try to connect with them?  What's the best manners to use should a difference of belief come up?

A part of me is very confused over my faith at the moment.  I have faith and I know it feels right to me, but I still think I'm doing something wrong at the same time.  Like I'm struggling against a flow of a river and wondering why am I trying to accomplish going against it at all.

I hope someone can help.

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General Issues / Questions / Its been a while...

« on: April 16, 2011, 05:34:31 PM »

Its been a while since I came here... over 5 years in fact.  I re-read some of my old posts and I realized I was kind of just desperate to talk to someone who understood how I felt... even if I had nothing real to say.  Life changes and people grow.

I'm now having a serious problem relating to Muslims in my area.  My husband was brough up Muslim though he doesn't practice and he keeps warning me that I'm going to get myself in trouble.  He is proud that I can pray in Arabic and have read the Qur'an but he has no faith in 'religion'.  He's afraid to go and meet with others, not only because he might not know what he's doing, but because he's worried I'm going to draw a lot of undesired attention with my specific beliefs.

But I'm seriously confused.  How in God's name are you supposed to hold up the Sunnah next to the Qur'an?  How are you supposed to keep following the same rushing river everyone else rides?  The Sunnah isn't even sold in bookstores.  But then again, why stand out like this to be crushed?  I fear ran through me the other day that I might be the one trying to lead 'others' astray.  They are the majority... people who believe in mainstream Islam and perform all the same daily routines.

What's right?  I'd love to hear from someone who has had similar problems.

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General Issues / Questions / Re: When is it considering "Struggling"?

« on: November 06, 2006, 10:38:40 AM »

To answer the comment by phoenix - of course I am doing it for myself.  I follow God for the sake of my soul and because it is just the right thing to do.

To answer another comment - beef is not slaughtered properly (halal fashion) in America.  Most beef still has a lot of the blood in it because it isn't allowed to drain right.  The animals aren't killed in a humane way either. 

Since I haven't heard of an islamic slaughtering method for poultry or fish (other than not slaughtering it in the name of another god) I do eat these items.

As I see it, God doesn't quite explain why certain things are not to be eaten.  We can come up with lots of ideas, but it's hard to face down science - something encouraged by Islam, that says pork and beef slaughtered in America is perfectly edible and nutrious.

With all this in mind I am usually forced to eat salads on a regular bases and I'm just starting to feel the strain of always being outside my own world even if it is all being done for the best reason.

I like to think of this forum as my place for answers and support.

Thank you for your replies.

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General Issues / Questions / Re: When is it considering "Struggling"?

« on: November 04, 2006, 01:03:42 PM »

Thanks everyone,

I really appreciate getting others' opinions.

I guess it can get a little difficult sometimes when no one around you is following the same path.  They turn to me an ask... no pork or beef?  And I have to say... yup... no hamburgers, no pepperoni, no bacon, no lard, no gelatin, no sausage, no hotdogs, no to all the things they are going out to eat.  What's worse is that I wasn't always Muslim, so I know just how good all of those things taste.

People then try to have me think that not eating pork and beef was made law long ago because they were unsanitary for a long time, but not now in this modern day.

I have nothing to say in my defense other than - "That's what God tells me to do." And you can imagine how well that goes over with an intelligent secular crowd... that I'm this blind believer and what not - without one intelligent aware thought.

What's even worse is that this is all friends and family who love me, support me, but worry that I am hurting myself.

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General Issues / Questions / When is it considering "Struggling"?

« on: November 02, 2006, 07:18:43 PM »

Peace Everyone,

I'd like to know other people's point of view on "struggling".

Although I believe in Allah and the Qur'an with all my heart, I find myself going with the flow of my environment - which doesn't always flow parallel with the right path.

For instance, I could eat only halal food, but then I would probably never have dinner with any other member of my family, and most likely drive my husband insane.  In America, Beef and Pork are everywhere... if it doesn't have bacon bits on it then it's blended with pork or soaked in blood.  I try as often as I can to stick to seafood or veggies or poultry (because I haven't heard of non-halal poultry).  However, there are days when I want a warm breakfast... I need one to keep on moving, and I stop for a typical breakfast sandwich.

Am I struggling?  Supposedly, I can eat anything just so long as I am struggling and not doing it because I really like it, want to eat it, or don't care about Allah's law.  I am hungry... and I have a duty to my home, my work... etc.  I can't be running around too much just to find the right food.

Same for clothing... in America... they don't sell conservative women's clothing... just check out those "butt wraps" - you can't even call them skirts anymore because they don't go half way down the thigh.  Of course I never wear those things... I pick the most conservative that I can, but I certainly can't dress like I'm from Jeddah or Damascus.

Am I struggling?  Am I struggling by trying to be a muslim in a non-muslim world?

I don't want to say to God that His path wasn't convienant, but I know He doesn't want it to be a hardship where I loose focus on the purpose.

I'm a bit torn here... how do you all feel about these questions? - especially those of you living in America.

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Marriage & Divorce / Re: How Can A Muslim Marry A Christian?

« on: September 27, 2006, 10:19:00 AM »

Thats the same for Methodists churchs - no paintings or statues, but they do believe in the "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

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Marriage & Divorce / Re: How Can A Muslim Marry A Christian?

« on: September 19, 2006, 12:42:00 PM »

Arnold is right - every methodist, presbytrian, and baptist church I have ever been in all preach the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

All Christians believe in the Trinity unless they are an obscure sect.

I'm not sure about the amish and the quakers, though.

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Islamic Calendar & Ramadhan. / Re: Overhead Habits

« on: September 17, 2006, 08:37:08 AM »

They wash their feet inside the toilet bowl.

Yes, there are sinks but I guess the ladies think it's hard to bring their feet up and into the sink when they are always wearing those skirts.  I don't know...

But because of the toilet washing, the factory doesn't allow any feet washing of any kind... sink or toilet.

Personally, I believe in thick socks after a early morning shower, which makes my feet safely clean through-out the day.

Secondly, I don't believe in topping the fast or any religious duties because of my monthly cycle - Unless something is wrong and I could hurt myself healthwise.

I was just curious if these are normal habits elsewhere in the muslim world.

Thanks for reading.

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General Issues / Questions / Re: What's inside the Qube?

« on: September 15, 2006, 10:48:12 AM »

"Inside the Kaaba, there is a marble floor. The interior walls are clad with marble half-way to the roof; tablets with Qur'anic inscriptions are inset in the marble. The top part of the walls is covered with a green cloth decorated with gold embroidered Qur'anic verses. The building is believed to be otherwise empty. Caretakers perfume the marble cladding with scented oil, the same oil used to anoint the Black Stone outside."

This is from wikipedia.

Best Wishes.