The dilemma in the Muslim world

[53fd]

I feel there is a dilemma in the Muslim world in relation to practicing Islam. I feel there are two camps, who have completely polar opposite views. The first camp believes Islam is not a difficult religion to practice & follow. The first camp I'm referring to does not comprise of people that abstain from praying, fasting, giving charity; but firm followers of the 5 pillars of Islam, & the fundamentals of Islam.

The second camp believes Islam is a 'difficult' religion to follow, that one must practice it harder & harder to achieve piety. Whether that is growing a long beard, covering your face in the Niqaab in un-Islamic societies, this camp believes the harder you practice it, the more pious you are. They think abstaining from music makes one more pious, refraining from making close friendships with the opposite sex makes you more pious. Stuff along those lines. Practicing religion hard. If it doesn't seem like you're practicing it hard enough, then you aren't a pious Muslim in the eyes of these people.

 

[53fd]

What do you guys think? Do you think Islam is an 'easy' or 'difficult' religion to follow? Do you think 'practicing it hard' is needed to be pious in the eyes of God?

 

[BATMAN]

No... its not two camps and the divide is not limited to as you defined and is not as worst as other divides.

Stop discussing Islam based on your assumptions.

 

[53fd]

No... its not two camps and the divide is not limited to as you defined and is not as worst as other divides.

Stop discussing Islam based on your assumptions.

This thread isn't about Islam, but Muslims in general & their perceptions. I'm not discussing Islam here, & I'm not making assumptions. If you don't like this thread & don't have anything constructive to say, don't comment on it. In Pakistan & even in the Middle East, the person who has a long beard is automatically considered more pious than the other in the eyes of people, as well as the woman who wears a Niqaab.

 

[BATMAN]

This thread isn't about Islam, but Muslims in general & their mentality. I'm not discussing Islam here, & I'm not making assumptions. If you don't like this thread & don't have anything constructive to say, don't comment on it. In Pakistan & even in the Middle East, the person who has a long beard is automatically considered more pious than the other in the eyes of people, as well as the woman who wears a Niqaab.

This is your assumption and non issue which lead to divide and you will be the first one to get fired up.

On a side note any person starting thread with title 'Hindu' 'Piss' etc. will be banned but i wonder why those Islamophobists are not banned who start thread with title 'Muslim' 'Islam'

 

[53fd]

This is your assumption and non issue which lead to divide and you will be the first one to get fired up.

On a side note any person starting thread with title 'Hindu' 'Piss' etc. will be banned but i wonder why those Islamophobists are not banned who start thread with title 'Muslim' 'Islam'

Again, this is not a thread about Islam, but Muslims. I am perfectly entitled to make such a thread. Starting this thread does not make me an Islamophobe. In fact, I agree that Islam is the best religion out there in my opinion, but some Muslims have disgraced it so much, given it such a bad name in the world because of their actions. They've done a huge disservice to Islam. It is unfortunate that these people say they are representing Islam with their actions, when they don't let women go to work in male-female environments, or when they don't let girls go to co-ed schools. I think it is a disgrace. I don't know about you, but I feel ashamed that a beautiful religion like Islam could be represented by people like these.

 

[BATMAN]

^^ you need to learn about history of Islam and mankind and you'll get your answers.

 

[53fd]

^^ you need to learn about history of Islam and mankind and you'll get your answers.

I've read the history of Islam in great detail, & it is a great shame that the Muslim world today, which was once the center of innovation & excellence in the world during the Holy Prophet(S)'s time, has turned into an ultimate ghetto.

 

[somebozo]

You are attending too many lectures of paid mullahs all I can say. Have you carved from jamati friends recently? Just curious and asking?

 

[53fd]

You are attending too many lectures of paid mullahs all I can say. Have you carved from jamati friends recently? Just curious and asking?

I have lived in Nigeria for 4 years; & my driver, who was from Kano, North Nigeria; used to attend a Madrassah there, & used to tell me that playing or watching football/soccer was haram, that Allah had made it haram. The Muslims in Nigeria are 52% of the total population, the rest are Christian; & unfortunately, most of the Muslims are backward, & the Christians are doing well. This is the case in many African countries unfortunately, I've seen it on my travels. Just look at the rise of Al-Shabaab & AQIM in Somalia & other parts of North Africa, look at the rise of the AQIM in Yemen & Saudi Arabia. Are they representative of Islam in any way? No. Do extremists who kill other innocent Muslims & people doing a good job representing Islam? No. So how do these people manage to brainwash others so easily?

If you read my other posts, you would know that I am one of the fiercest critics of US Foreign Policy, especially when they use radical extremist Muslims to achieve their geopolitical, strategic objectives in the region. But I do blame easily influenced people as well: why do you fall in the trap of the Western imperialists, & the brainwashed Mullahs that are just their stooges?

 

[President Camacho]

What do you guys think? Do you think Islam is an 'easy' or 'difficult' religion to follow? Do you think 'practicing it hard' is needed to be pious in the eyes of God?

I think you need to consider the fact that people are interpreting "their own Islam" to feed their personal needs. Everyone is born different, grows up in different environment, so has a different outlook on the world. When taken collectively, the attitude and outlook that permeate a certain community, may differ from communities far away - geographically, economically, and ideologically. So in the end, even different communities have their different takes on Islam with relation to their different needs.

Thus, what may be considered difficult to follow in one region/community, may not necessarily be so difficult in some other region/community.

For example, it may be easier for a man in Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia to do Namaz 5 times a day without having to compromise with his output/working hours. However, in a country like the US, or even India, where one has to give a lot to stay in competition, it may be very difficult read Namaz in the most proper way, 5 times a day.

Some may indeed feel it is not easy to properly follow Islam (by not reading the Namaz in the traditional ways) in these modern, taxing times, but many at the same time may also understand that God/Allah can see through you and your dedication and will forgive you for your inabilities.

So basically it is all about one's perception.

Just try not to give in to the preachings of those who do not contribute to your life directly.

 

[Raja.Pakistani]

The definition of a Muslim is to bow down to the will of Allah, to submit to Him and to Him alone. That is the building block on which the character of a true Muslim is based. Some Muslims want to change Islam according to their personal needs instead of changing themselves according to Islam. I don't think there is "easy" or "hard" Islam although there are strict or moderate Muslims. You see different version of Islam because Muslims have different perception and interpretation of teaching of Islam and also their commitment to Islam vary Muslim to Muslim

 

[53fd]

The definition of a Muslim is to bow down to the will of Allah, to submit to Him and to Him alone. That is the building block on which the character of a true Muslim is based. Some Muslims want to change Islam according to their needs instead of changing themselves according to Islam. I don't think there is "easy" or "hard" Islam although there are strict or moderate Muslims. You see different version of Islam because Muslims have different perception and interpretation of teaching of Islam and also their commitment to Islam vary Muslim to Muslim

The question is, are the 'strict' Muslims considered more pious than the 'moderate' Muslims in the eyes of Allah? And are the 'strict' Muslims considered more pious than the 'moderate' Muslims in the eyes of the people? These are very important questions in my opinion.

 

[Subramanian]

This is your assumption and non issue which lead to divide and you will be the first one to get fired up.

On a side note any person starting thread with title 'Hindu' 'Piss' etc. will be banned but i wonder why those Islamophobists are not banned who start thread with title 'Muslim' 'Islam'

is it one and the same?And secondly i dont feel people should be banned for starting threads about hindus.

 

[Raja.Pakistani]

The question is, are the 'strict' Muslims considered more pious than the 'moderate' Muslims in the eyes of Allah? And are the 'strict' Muslims considered more pious than the 'moderate' Muslims in the eyes of the people? These are very important questions in my opinion.

We cannot tell/judge who is more dear or pious in front of Allah. Allah judge the actions of peoples based on their intentions and also depend on consequences of their actions on fellow human beings. Peoples can assume whatever they wish. Some can claim that they are more pious and righteous than others but only Allah know reality and to be honest pious Muslim never claim to be most pious and never show any pride