I know Jesus isn't a Myth...How could he be???????? But the information put forth in his link was interesting. I am on a constant search....needing to feel that undeniable connection that unfortunately I lack. I don't so much want FAITH as I want the TRUTH...but everyone has their own truths don't they? Muslims have their truths and even some differ from others...Christians have theirs....and all can make pretty convincing arguments and present their side very well. I think I just need God to come down and clock me in the head for proof and to say to me "this way my child!" LOL!!! (I am being a bit sarcastic on that but you get what I mean.)
I just don't think one way only, I am over consumed by all the information and ideas in the world.
Salaam Diane,
I wanted to respond to you because I appreciate your honesty, sincerity and integrity in being true to yourself in your search. This is very important. I can also relate to many of the "objections" you have stated toward Islam or the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, because many of the things you have spoken of are things that kept me from fulling embracing Islam for a number of years. My own path took a number of twists and turns, so I am sensitive to those who follow a similar route in life.
However, I am fortunate that I finally came to a point where I was finally able to fully understand that EVERYTHING in Islam is a benefit to humanity and a protection for our souls. I realized clearly that the objections I thought I had were unfounded and misguided. I pray you will come to such a realization as well. True peace is found through submission and obedience to our Creator, and trusting in him completely.
Diane, I will be direct with you: you have already discovered where the Truth lies, but you have turned around and for some reason you are now trying to find it elsewhere. Stop looking to people's ideas or theories in order to find the truth. The Truth in its entirety is to be found in the Qu'ran, which is a revelation to us from the Most High God, the Creator of all. Why listen to another person's theories, which as you pointed out can vary so greatly and present so many different "truths" depending on who you talk to that can sound so convincing, when you can listen to the ULTIMATE TRUTH and direction from the Lord Almighty through studying the Qu'ran? It is God alone who can set your soul at ease and put your path aright. In the Qu'ran God tells us
everything we need to know in order to navigate life in this world successfully, and not be fooled by the deceptiveness to be found therein (often caused by the mischief of men, jinns and Shaitan who is an open enemy to man), and find true comfort and success now and in the hereafter.
Reading Quran brings solace to the hearts of the believers. I hope you will find that to be true. Because I care about you and wish the best for you. Not because I want to force you to believe something you do not believe, or want to try to "retain a member of the religion" LOL. There is no compulsion in religion. As a Muslim I have a duty to repeat the message that Muhammad brought, but do not have any duty to ensure that others embrace or retain the religion. The choice belongs to those on the receiving end of the message whether to embrace or reject it. Afterall, Muhammad was only a Messenger, a warner and bringer of glad tidings to the believers. He did not have any power to make others convert, it is God alone who guides.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I get the sense when you declared your shahada that you were still holding onto some doubts about the religion of Islam. And so instead of experiencing peace of mind and heart, you experienced an uneasiness in your soul which eventually led to your rejection of the religion (for yourself). I think people feel pressured into declaring shahada when they are not ready or still have doubts about something, and that is a mistake. I do not like to see someone forced in such a way, because we are taught in Islam that if a person is doubting something it is important for that individual to examine their doubts completely until the doubts have evaporated. Making the declaration of faith without true conviction that there is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God does not do anyone any good.
It is amazing how powerful and transforming that simple statement is: I testify that there is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenter of God. As sister Caramel_Queen stated, "If you believe in Allah and His Messenger what else do you need?" The religion of Islam is the perfected religion of God. Although there are other religions that may have some merit as well, no matter how much you may search and search and search, you will not find something better for the development of your relationship with God than Islam.
Maybe you did experience Peace when you declared shahada, but you allowed doubts to creep in thereafter. If this is the case, I pray you may return to that state you experienced when you declared shahada and find ways to protect and build the strength in your iman.
I hope you do not feel that I have judged you. No matter what path you take I absolutely respect your choice. I just felt obligated to respond and hope there may be some benefit in it. Call out to God in sincerity night and day for right guidance, and also be prepared to follow the guidance that is provided when God answers. InshaAllah you will take sister Palestine up on her offer to provide some helpful duas
Take care of yourself!
taught us to be at the side of Sharai and righteousness regardless of we are in the side of the ruler or not.
