Religion- what does it mean to you?
submitted 2 months 23 hours ago by: Iola : 31 comments
It is v hard to write anything on religion and for me to start this blog is foolhardy coz I am of a faith that constantly challenges Allah and yet believes in His Supremacy without any doubt. I believe in my right to question Him and His Graciousness to help me learn and thus grow stronger in my faith.
I have read numerous books about religion- little mundane things and big things. We are often sharing with each other our views on different matters. We interpret ahadith, ayah and incidents differently.
A month or so back, I protested to PostMan about the use of religious references on buzzes and how I find it excessive. He was of the opinion that in religious discussions it was justified. I agreed.
My arguments were that religion varies for each person and so does it interpretation. Nobody wants to give way to the other when we come to religious beliefs and schools of thought. Religion cannot unite us. It has however, successfully divided us.
Don't you ppl feel that it is time we heard each other's beliefs in general about why do we need a religion and how do we define it? Maybe we also need to stop strengthening our arguments on references from Hadith and Quran because reason should itself justify why Allah said a certain thing and not the other way round.
What do you say? Worth some talk?
If yes, tell me what do you take Islam as and how does it help you?
Where in your life do you apply it? Where in your life do you walk around it?
What does the Oneness of Allah mean to you?
What does the belief in The Holy Prophet being the last messenger mean to you?
Can Islam unite us- if yes, how do you see it happening?
Just what does the word Islam mean to you?
Let's talk freely. Question and enlighten each other.
Comments
very good topic , i hope we will get lot of input from buzzers community to enhance our knowledge
Aaj lagta nahi hai. :)
Ok, here goes...
Islam for me is a way of life - it's a system of checks and balances...it advises of what I should do and why (eg. fasting, charity, prayer, etc = appeals to the logic) and warns of transgression...it lays down the infrastructure for interactions with all - human beings young and old, the wayfarer, animals and so forth - it's message is of peace and brotherhood, love and tolerance, goodness - thus, universal...(this definition probably doesn't do much justice to it - it's a broad topic so will elaborate as the need arises)...
What does it do for me? Well, it keeps me at 'bay' in my interactions with others...in many ways it has moulded my character - made more concerned about the poor, empathize with, more patient, forbearing...more conscious...more hopeful...view challenges as stepping stones because of it = seerah, etc...and we learn dat we are duly rewarded for hardships, thay are not endured in vain...builds character too...
Where do I apply it...? 5 pillars - yeah, do them, working on being regular with salaah tho...try to be God-conscious in my interactions with the opposite gender - not concede to temptation...be modest...exercise moderation in everything...dat is my jihaad (struggle)...
Walk arnd it - um, dressing - not in conformance yet...trying to get there via baby steps...dress modestly but not as it 'should' be...my weakness...some interactions...ohhh I cannot deplore enough...I am human, weak but trying and hopeful in the mercy of the Almighty...
The Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) - means that I do not associate anyone with Allah, He has no partners, He is unique - no one need be worshipped/idolized or unduly put on a pedestal except Him and no one can Help except Him or without His will...He is the One I turn to first...He is my creator, worthy of all praise, He was always there and knows more about me than I know about myself...He loves us and has put us here for a purpose then surely, He will guide us to the path...I put my complete trust in Him...
The belief in Muhammad (SAW) being the last messenger means that I believe what my Lord has said and what His noble vicegerent has said - and thus, will be equipped in not being mislead...This is also a sign that the religion has been completed...demonstrations of how every situation should be handled exists...a perfect example has been provided...the truth is clear...but is my head? ;) workin on it...
Islam can unite us - if we put aside our petty differences and hold firmly to what we collectively deem to be undisputable authentic sources of guidance - the Quran and the authentic Hadith...the interpretation should be open to mashwera (consultation or discussion btwn LEARNED Ulama) and then, and only then, should fatwa (appealing to the logic - i.e. interpreted as it was meant) be passed...um...basically, common ground should be found and preserved...
Well, in madrassa we were always told that something to the effect that Islam means peace and submission to the Almighty...therefore, it means love too because u cannot willingly submit without loving the Creator...being grateful...synchronizing goddness in all that u do...frm a smile to one (a charity!) to removing a boulder frm the road...it's about giving...sharing....development...
Got to dc - being summoned - will elaborate soon...?
Duas :)
Wow. Love the believer in you! Honest and forthright account. One question from my end now:
Does religion oppress you anywhere?
No - it doesn't...it's rather the misinterpretation of it...it liberates women...views them highly and therefore, safeguards their assets...etc...but i'd be glad to debate it :)
Ok..you talked about the dress code and how you feel that you are failing there.
Would you feel equally bad about it if you were not a Muslim?
Well, I do not cover up everything...where short sleeves...love 'glamourous' clothes which has and could very well continue to attract the wrong sort of attention...
No, I suppose if I were not Muslim it would not bother as much - yes, when guys bug me sure or maybe I would be 'liberalized' and view them as freaks and my dressing as normal...not to say they are not freaks, lol...
I guess it wouldn't bug me as much as I would not be aware of the commandments of the Almighty, the rewards for adhering to them...the awareness that being an object for men dsnt get me everywhere but faith and perseverance do...in fact, perhaps I would compromise more, i.e. if I lacked knowledge regarding the existence of the Almighty - I would be in the 'in' crowd with the fast-becoming norms...
Indeed, I am grateful for being Muslim...
Hmmm..
Leaving religion totally out how do you think a woman should dress up and why?
The thing is - and I regret havin to be so candid - but we are bombarded with sex education from v.young...atleast in schools outside the islamic world...told that such attractions r nomal...sure, they r normal but they dnt talk too much on self-control, restraint, priorities before such relationships...they let all 'hang' so to speak and place heavy emphasis on enjoyment, living for the moment...shunning responsibilities temporarily...so the dress code under these conditions would be conducive to the environment = would entice or allure ones they target to be attracted, etc...'perfectly normal' as it is termed...
The above was an elaboration to my earlier answer...just saw ur Q now...Well, I think a woman should dress modestly - she shouldn't wear anything totally repulsive like a potato bag or the sort thereof but not something too revealing, enticing or alluring that makes it difficult for a man ot keep his gaze down or resist temptation...I am not imposing...sure, there is no compulsion in religion and there is freedom of expression...the ideal tho is what we talk of and what I have yet to attain...it would be graceful, feminine, simple yet beautiful but modest, non-revealing...
Exactly my version of it. :)
Women should always be mysterious! ;)
I lyk dat - there's anothe positive angle to look at frm :)
Arrrrrrrghhhh - my connection! :( was correcting an error - then my browser timed out so refreshed...
Not trying to emulate Taimur in anyway ;)
Hey...
Why do you guys have to drag that poor fella into everything....let him live for God's sake !
Earlier Khalifah picked on him in an entire post dedicated to him...You guys will sure make him disappear. OR join again with another ID :)
I'll keep my eyes open for a new name using CAPITALS and posting unnecessarily ..... !!
Oh ok, I retract that statement - im so sowee Taimur - i'll take the rope back ;) don't disappear (by any means!) Amer will be in serious mourning :)
Iola,
Thanks for opening a very courageous debate. I have two contributions to make here.
1- Faith, to a follower - Islam or any other, becomes especially important in most desperate of situations. When nothing else is making sense and life seems like a total waste, faith get these people indulged in some sort of inner conversation and help them build some hope out of most inhuman situations.
2- Islam by many neutral historians has been credited for making at least 2 major contributions towards modern society.
a. Rights for women
b. Abolishment of slavery and equal rights for all human.
To fully appreciate this you will have to compare the times when these ideas were originally introduced by the prophet with facts that women to date are treated unequal in many societies and that the slavery still existed up till last century in the non-Islamic societies.
Karen Armstrong (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Armstrong) is a very well respected religious historian (now an atheist but was previously a Catholic nun). She has explained prophet of Islam as feminist in her book "Muhammad: The prophet of Islam". She has explained that Muhammad introduced rights and respect for women in times when women were treated no better then a domestic animal (although one can argue that the situation of woman in Islamic societies today are no better). She said that he was so much pro-woman that his male followers became repulsive of the idea and he had to step back a little.
Karen Armstrong has explained the Arab society of that period in detail and has explained Islamic ideas as completely revolutionary for that period. It is very difficult to fully appreciate the extent of change that was brought to the society some 1450 years ago, as today the entire globe has adopted them and take these values for granted.
Plant a tree
What would you say about atheists? They neva git hit or need a religion to feed the hope?
There has to be a difference between one's individual association with God and choosing a religion as a way of living. These are two totally different things. In many religions the existence of God is accepted as a veritable fact. It is the other things that make religions different.
What is your take on that?
I may not have answers for all your questions.
I wish I did...!!!
I find it very difficult to stereotype a faith with 1.5 billion followers. Muslims have fascinating icons like Princess Rania of Jordan at one side and psychopaths like Mullah Umar and Bin Laden on the other.
The size and various colors of Islam has always fascinated me.
Plant a tree
Not knowing leads to knowing!
Bismillahir rahmanir rahim
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
The Creator of the universe…
The Most High Yet so Near
If yes, tell me what do you take Islam as and how does it help you?
i take islam way of life, and islam paved the way for me to be a good caring human
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Where in your life do you apply it? Where in your life do you walk around it?
try to apply , everyday of the life
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What does the Oneness of Allah mean to you?
i see Allah S.W.T.the Lord of the Worlds
The Wise Originator
And
Maintainer of the heavens and the earth
The Ever-Living Sustainer of All,
The All-Capable,
Nothing moves a speck without His Authority
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What does the belief in The Holy Prophet being the last messenger mean to you?
We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.
(Translation of the Qur'an, 021.107)
Jubayr bin Mut`im, may Allah be pleased with him, said that he heard the Messenger of Allah say:
(I have several names. I am Muhammad and Ahmad. I am Al-Mahi through whom Allah will eliminate disbelief. I am Al-Hashir who will be the first to be resurrected, with the people being resurrected Hereafter. I am also Al-`Aqib (i.e., there will be no Prophet after me).'') Also Muslim collected this Hadith from Az-Zuhri from Jubayr. Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded that Khalid bin Ma`dan said that some Companions of Allah's Messenger said, "O Allah's Messenger! Tell us about yourself.'' He said,
I am the (result of the) invocation made to Allah from my father Ibrahim and the good news `Isa delivered.
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Can Islam unite us- if yes, how do you see it happening?
Insha Allah
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Just what does the word Islam mean to you?
submission, surrender, and obedience
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Allah, the Exalted, says:
O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.''
(Translations of the Qur'an,(61:2,3)
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Just one question:
If you were not a Muslim, would you not be a good caring person? :)
i take Islam as moderator of my life n it helps in keeping me in limits(well mostly :)......i apply it in my relationships, with God,with parents, with strangers n so on........i circumvent it when i m with my cousins,,i mean i m supposed to be in veil n all that but they r my universe, they r my most intimate friends, i can't do without them,,so when my mother yells at me that u r grown-up n u shouldn't mix that freely with ur male cousins,,i jus cant figure out how to go abt it...........Oneness of Allah means He n He alone listens to me, answers my prayer, n takes care of me n the ppl who matter to me.He loves me more than i love myself....no one can cause me any harm/good unless He assents.......So far as the belief in finalty of prophethood is concerned, i have my Allah's word for it..That verse(#40) in Surah Al-Ahzab says it all...i believe it adds a lot more responsibility on me as a Muslim..since no more prophets r going to preach Islam so the obligation of disseminating this message of peace lies with us(through actions, by bcoming model muslims)......Islam CAN unite us..i would just narrate a personal experience briefly..i met a girl in Bosnia, she was scarcely dressed, dint knew a word of English but she was a muslim n on seeing me she proudly said "Assalam-o-Alaikum"...n we embraced like sisters...we had nothing in common..language, culture, dress code. everything was dissimilar yet we found a common ground....but i guess for this unification to happen, we will have to suffer, some large scale conspiracy against Muslims or sth..i dont know, i really hoped that the iraq war would serve the purpose..lets see....
Mashallah! :)
Sound to be one-on-one with Allah! I find that enough for being a Muslim.
For the rest, justification should be sought in reason, history and then verified through The Holy Book instead of going the other way round. What do you say to that?
Or if your faith in the Holy Book and its correct interpretation is beyond a vestige of doubt to you, you should seek to verify it further through examples in the world around you, no?
yup i agree, reasoning n support of examples is a must...it helps,,especially when u r caught in a discussion with a non-muslim...they just dont let u off the hook that easily...u need to convince them first..n for that both logic n real-life examples r required...
Each one of these questions is too momentous to be answered satisfactorily in a single buzz; but I shall try
If yes, tell me what do you take Islam as and how does it help you?
Islam to me is a constant awareness of the presence of God; a habit so intense that each action is accompanied by the thought "Would God approve"
Where in your life do you apply it? Where in your life do you walk around it?
Faith gives me a sense of security not unlike the feeling of a child holding his fathers strong, assuring hand
A man at peace with God is at peace with himself and the world at large
What does the Oneness of Allah mean to you?
The notion of oneness of God, empowers the one God. The concept of one God signifies a God whose authority cannot be challenged
What does the belief in The Holy Prophet being the last messenger mean to you?
In challenging situations I often ponder, "How would the prophet have dealt with this issue"? That to me is the true meaning of 'emulating' the prophet; that is emulation in deed and not in appearance. The finality of the prophet is an assurance that I need not 'seek after truth' anymore and that which I possess is all I need to succeed
Can Islam unite us- if yes, how do you see it happening?
Islam can unite us if we tear down the artificial barriers of political, social, ethnic and racial boundries. It happens once a year during the Haj; we just need to dam that river of faith to create a lasting reservoir of mutual hope and mutual trust
Just what does the word Islam mean to you?
Abundance of hope and an absence of fear
How content you seem! At peace! What should I say?
Am glad for you. :)
My fear of Allah's disapproval sometimes makes me hate Islam and yet His Mercy is so all-pervading and encompassing that I persevere. I think I have a problem with accepting authority :)
the investigation of religious behavior have led social scientists to distinguish between two distinct orientations: "intrinsic" and "extrinsic”. The two orientations lead to two very different sets of psychological effects. For instance, "intrinsics" have a greater sense of responsibility and greater internal control and are more self-motivated. By contrast, "extrinsics" are more likely to be dogmatic, authoritarian, and less responsible, to have less internal control and to be less self-directed….Would u guys agree with me that in our part of the world, the extrinsics are more common?????…just consider a common enough example, if a relative dies in a hospital owing to incompetence of doctor ,,in most of the cases ppl will put the blame on fate n that’s it…. I mean they ought to report the incident to the authorities, or sue the hospital or sth…but NO….
If I agree with that I would be guilty of stereotyping. :)
so indirectly u r accusing me of stereotyping :0
Nope..not yet. :)
I agree with you Pinky.
I hope education can make things better for us. Religion is a private business. I wonder why people try imposing their faith on others. & this also leads to my argument for secular state. It should not be the business of state to intervene or impose religious beliefs on citizens. State should always remain neutral.
Plant a tree