To Convert Or Not?
submitted 3 months 29 days 22 hours ago by: PostMan : 23 commentsEver evaluated yourself how biased you are when it comes to your faith religion wise? Would you let go of your religious faith if somehow you are shown that what precious little you are holding on to.. means nothing? Would you move on to an other faith if you found the other faith better spiritually?
How do you know the faith you are following is 'the one'? We are born in a particular religion. I was born in a muslim family so I am a muslim. A child born in a christian family will be called christian. But unlike a christian in west or Europe, I as a muslim will hardly think of converting! Perhaps, the reason for not converting is the belief in the supremacy of our faith. But then here we run in to a problem.. are we biased or we have some 'evidence' that our belief is the best? Or perhaps I don't convert because its not that I find my religion 'oh the best!' but rather I can not imagine taking a stand against a society that is extremely pugnacious when it comes to conversion?
Why would one convert? Perhaps a bad experience with the current lot of practitioners. Perhaps they found the 'light' they were seeking for their spiritual solutions. What is it that they are seeking? How does one know 'Yes! this is what I was looking for!'? On the other hand there are types that just will not let go of their faith. I saw a comment on one of discussion boards and the person was talking about religious scholars of 'other' sect.. and he said "Do not argue with them! If you did then they will make you wet your pants!" I mean.. this guy knows that his arguments will be trashed and still he is holding on to them! On top of that he is telling others not to indulge in discussion because their faith will be in danger too! Is such faith really worth holding on to?
Are not Apostates the bravest of all instead of cowards and hypocrites we all imagine them to be?! I mean how else can you explain it. Religious faith is such a core component of a human being and one is trying to amend/ change it! You are altering the fundamental of your personality! (or perhaps its not that fundamental and I am only assuming it to be?) Frankly majority of the people don't concern themselves with religion or seeking light. What for anyways?
Now you would ask me.. 'will you convert?'. I really do not know. I am all at ease with the current status. I have been 'reading' my religion a lot though and I have 'adapted' lets say being in my current boundary of religion. Whether I am biased or am afraid of the society? I will not contest your arguments there.
05:48 - ...and if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will let you know that in which you differed;
Source: http://think-islam.blogspot.com/2008/05/to-convert-or-not.html
Comments
Nice blog.
I lament my knowledge of different scriptures and religions. Might take months to explore to tell you that. Only one good thing though I keep an open mind to all possibilities and the society doesn't initimidate me at all. :-)
IOLA:
You can listen Dr Zaker naik's lectures on Religon similarities and religon comparison. He has a grip on all religons..
If some one reads and thinks he /she should convert then he/she should go ahead. It is the matter of that person and Allah...I once tried to understand bible but its translation was making no sense.May be its original script can give better understanding...
I already have but that's not sufficient. Need to know more. Exhaust it! Only then I shall KNOW! :-)
Yes, the first Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc had the actual freedom to choose their religion since they did so as adults; all since follow indoctrination. It's amazing how society condones the rampant brain washing of children since early childhood.
The jist of Locke's argument against monarchy is relevant. Why should my father have the right to choose his king but I lose that right since I am to accept that kings progeny as my king
Khalifa.. are you aware of the opinion that Quran states the 'age' whereby a person should decide on his own what religion to choose and to which he would be accountable for? :)
46:15 - We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear
him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a
period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains
forty years, he says, "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favour
which Thou has bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work
righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I
turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) in Islam."
I read this a litlle differently.
40 is the age of 'settlement'; men are settled enough in life to offord pondering on higher issues. The choice of religion could have been made much earlier but the freedom, accompanied by the capacity for understanding, comes much later.
Now don't get me wrong there is a difference, albiet a small one, between religious education and indoctrination. I am all for the former as that provides the child with all the necessary tools to make a sound judgment. The religious education, however, must not stifle skepticism and curiosity, but nourish it.
You just chose a different word, 'settlement' - in essence it is the same thing. 40 years is there!
Let me put it this way.. opinion is that you are only accountable for your faith on and after 40 years...
No that would be a very narrow reading of that verse. You become accountable the day you begin to realize the difference between wrong and right; this could be at age 10 or 100.
Everyone, however, is born with the criterion to judge between right and wrong so even if you spent your whole life in isolation, you really could not use the argument that you are guiltless because you never came across 'revealed' word
Of course there is difference of opinion :) but the verse is very interesting reagrding the specific usage of 40 years...
Regarding the 40 year age ..it is adressed to PBUH as he was given NABWAT in the age of 40 and the AYAT contains context of a DUA which we normally say starting from "Rab-e-Ozaini ........." That dua was told to Suhaba by PBUH.
Khalifah is absolutly right that a person becomes accountable when he gets enough sense of right and wrong.
Ok mianjee.. tell me the context.. how does it mention Prophet Muhamamd? :) cuz I cant see Prophet Muhammad being discussed there.
Totally agree with you and Khalifa regarding knowledge of right and wrong.
I have mentioned aboev that it is about prophet mohammed becasue he was bestowed with Nabwat in age of 40..and he used to say the same prayer which is mentioned there...
If it is nto about Holy prophet then do you think one should do everything bad till the age of 40 becasue it is mentioned in Quran? It makes no sense then.
haha!
I am not in anyway suggesting that you should keep doing bad till 40 :) Yes its very intriguing that 40 years is mentioned... but its not specifically about Prophet Muhammad! anyone fits here! it seems like a general reference!
How will you impliment it in general refrence? What is your TAUJEEH(understanding)?
I honestly do not know. Quran is a very surprising book for me.. it comes up with things that totally contradict my understanding of islam being a sunni. I told the opinion about this verse.. it too has its discussion points.. it certainly is not about a specific person..
It does not contradict your understanding but the false dogmas that have been rigourously ingrained in you. It's because most of us have never followed Islam, just tradition. We can only say " we practiced only what we found our fathers practicing before us"
Khalifah I agree...It is the major problem.
Postman: I am searching Explaination of this Aayat by all major progressive Ulama(I have sent a message to Senator Prof Khursheed Ahmed who is a progressive scholar. As you have nio other understanding then you shoudl go ahead with conventional understanding.
Moreover, Postman, I thought you a progressive muslim but you came out with SUNNI tag..At least this new generation should not consider this kind of sectarianism. Either someone is Muslim or Non-Muslim...Nothing like Sunni wahabi exists there
thanx mianjee.. do ask about 2:62 and 5:69.. the two most loved verses I keep sharing :p
Yes I did come up with the sunni tag.. I have to. Otherwise the other person usually brands me a qadiayni! hehe! As I said.. I am getting more guidance from Quran.. sunni is just a tag now :)
"Either someone is Muslim or Non-Muslim...Nothing like Sunni wahabi exists there"
I am glad more people are starting to think this way and shunning the yoke of Islamic padris
Bravo! Mianjee
To state yourself a non-qadyani it was just enough if you would have stated MUSLIM.
POSTMAN:
Itna kuch poochnay k liay mujhy ISB jana paray ga...Prof is not in lahore nowadays. I will try to get him on fone if he is not so busy with judges matter.
KHALIFAH:
This sectariansim problem is just prevailing in backward areas, i have not seen many people beleiving in it...This is a JAHALAT and JAHALAT is supposed to come to an end. Molvies earned enough through this issue..
mianjee: "As you have nio other understanding then you shoudl go ahead with conventional understanding."
Sorry bro! Cant go with conventional understanding if it does not makes sense to me! I am better of having 'no conclusion yet'
mianjee: "Itna kuch poochnay k liay mujhy ISB jana paray ga"
takleef maaf :)