An american Muslim struggling through Sin

[Kamran717]

Salaam,

It's hard living has a muslim in the u.s. I've been here all my life and was born in Ny. I didnt care much about religion until a year ago. Throughout my life, their's nights I couldn't get any sleep because I feared Allah and the painful torment he was goin to give me. I have a good heart inside but I don't do enough to succeed Paradise. I need to move out of here. I've always longed and dreamed about moving to Saudia Arabia..Living in peace and harmony. Hearing the athan 5 times a day is the beauty of living in a Islamic world, but how will I know? Has anyone ever been there? I feel like I'm becoming more religious than ever, and sometimes I feel like I'm losing my religion by living in a Non-muslim state. I don't pray very much has I used to before. I feel like I'm living in the middle of the american lifestyle and the Islamic lifestyle. It's hard to live like a true muslim, since I came up from drinking alcohol, go to the clubs, mingling with women. So now I try to stay home and lock myself in my house because of all the sinning I'll committ once I get outside the door. I think the Shaitan is got a good hold of me. Finding out new stuff in Islam, for example..When I read that eating at restaurants when ordering Beef or chicken is a sin. It is prohibited because the animal was not killed in the name of Allah. What am I supposed to do? I mean, everytime I eat Taco bell or Mc'ds...I feel so bad that I'm sinning, and then that makes me not want to pray..Because I think, I know I just committed a sin and then I prayed after, Will that be right? Its hard for me, understand I've just gotten into religion a year ago and I feel like it's been killling me. Everything I do, is a sin. Well I just felt like writting and wanted to know if anyone else felt like me out there....

[Ali]

Assalaamoalaikum

It's hard living has a muslim in the u.s.[/quote:734452f74c]Yes it is, but the reward in the hereafter is greater.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="309" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I need to move out of here.[/quote:734452f74c]Yes, strength is within the Muslim community. Many of the things I do now were not taught to me by my parents, or teachers but the community and the society I lived in. I started praying because I saw men going to the masjid, and I was 8 so I said awright I'll go to the masjid too. Then after salah I saw a man who was reading some ahadith, and was saying something about Salaam. So I listened to him. After that day that's what I did, and that's how I learned.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="309" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Hearing the athan 5 times a day is the beauty of living in a Islamic world[/quote:734452f74c]My ears long for Adhaan. When I was in the other country we had a masjid nearby, and I was used to hear Adhan five times a day. Its a great experience.

I would suggest for you to move to a country with more muslims, if possible go to an Islamic school, or a mission. Even if you, for some reason do not get the chance to migrate, can atleast find a good muslim community in the US.

You leave something for Allah, and Allah will give you things better than that

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="309" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>What am I supposed to do? I mean, everytime I eat Taco bell or Mc'ds[/quote:734452f74c]I have been living in the U.S since 2000, and I have never had non slaughtered meat. Its not that hard brother. I look at some of the hindus here, and they have never eaten any kind of meat in their whole entire life. And they are on falsehood, but their belief is strong, so our belief should be stronger because we are on the truth

And I would say that until you do cannot leave it completely atleast eat it in moderation. Everything is gradual.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="309" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The believer who is keen to save himself will strive to save himself from everything that may lead to his doom, and he is kind to himself. Part of that kindness is taking care of one’s relationship with Allaah so that he will be saved from the punishment of the Hereafter, and striving to make himself do that which is enjoined upon him and to avoid that which is forbidden to him, seeking thereby the pleasure of Allaah. So he starts by repenting from all sins, and urging himself to compete in doing righteous deeds, and striving to reach high levels of faith, by applying the appropriate means, such as learning about the rewards for good deeds, the effects and causes of sin, keeping away from those who discourage him and are lacking in ambition, listening to stories of those who strive in worship. Then if he weakens in doing righteous deeds or commits sin, or finds that he is inclined towards it, this is the time for punishment. [/quote:734452f74c]

[b:734452f74c]

"And whosoever is conscious of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed Allah has sent a measure for all things." [65:2-3][/b:734452f74c]

INshaAllah Brother Pray to Allah. and also do read some good islamic books, and find good muslim friends if you can.

Walaikumusalam

-- Ali

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[Aight786]

Assalmaulkum,

Kamran i am very happy u are putting more empasis on religion now. Brother, i sympitize with you when you say that u are living in the middle of the american lifestyle and the Islamic lifestyle. Brother Kamran, i have long debated the differences in those two in my head. :wink: . But i think that the best thing is to strive towards good, as u have recently been doing, that is great to hear, mashallah.

As for the meat problem, i think that u sould get halah meat, but i think u already know that. If u have trouble finding a halal meat store in Virginia then do a Google search. According to a verse in the Holy Quran i read a few days ago, it mentions that it is ok to eat meat from the people of the Book, namely, Jews and Christians, BUT, u can't eat meat by Christians in America since most of them slaughter meat without proclaim it to God. But Kosher is ok, BUT, u need to make sure that the guy ur getting Kosher from isn't slaughtering the meat without proclaiming it to God. Also, i think u know that pork or any think like that is wrong. But seafood, is ok, and doesn't have to be slaughtered the way that land animals do. Some muslims prefer not to eat catfish or lobster, but i'll look on the internet to see if it is ok. As for eatting at Mcds it is ok to eat fish, but not hamberger, beef, or pork products. I understand that this may be an overbearing wieght at first but the benefits really pay off, think of the afterlife brother, Allah (SWT) will reward you if u continue doing good and abstaining from bad.

[Muslimah]

Mash a Allah Kamran you already had insightful replies. Don't think I can add much. But any way, let me tell u this, living in Muslim countries is not Utopia. I understand that there is a certain degree of fintah that u are certainly not exposed to in Muslim countries plus of course the advantage of eating Halal food (Alhamdulelah may Allah maintain this bounty on us). But brother, the shaytan is everywhere. Matter of fact he stands more on the doors of mosques rather than discos. See I once heard someone saying a very nice example. A crippled one has no merit in not going into a disco. But it is the one who can and restrain himself. Believe me Kamran, Allah is there for all of us. And Alhamdulelah since u want Him He shall certainly take your hand in. Just start. It has to be us who initiate. At the beginning, may be things will feel hard. But then again He will make it easy. Very easy that u can not imagine how u didn't do it earlier. See I started wearing Hijab 19 years ago. It was the month of May. Very hot here in Egypt. Basically I can not take the heat and I get skin rashed. But only Him made it no problem. Prohet Mohamed (SAW) said in a hadeeth Qudsi that one who comes close to Allah a hand length Allah Shall come to him a half arm length, who comes to me a half arm length I Shall come close to him a full arm length and who comes to me walking I shall come to him running. You must start Kamran but the output is always GREAT. I assure u.

[Muslimah]

When ever u feel weak read Ayatu lkorsi, give out a small amount for Sadaqa like even puting a quarter in the Masjid fund. If u feel heavy put your hand on your chest and read surat Ashrah. And ponder over stories of Companions. Not only the Prophet. Salman Alfarsy left his home and wealth looking for the truth. He even became a slave. Hold on brother. Hold on.

Waiting for you news. Let us be informed of how it is going Insh a Allah may Allah grant us and u the strenghth u need

[Muslimah]

Oh Kamran where is my manners

forgot to tell u WELOCME TO OUR FORUMS. WE WANT TO SEE YOUR POSTS MORE OFTEN

[Muslimah]

You know what Kamran I keep remembering other points, look at Prophet Adam. He right there in Jannah taking instructions directly from Allah. Yet could not stand the test. But Alhamdulelah that Allah allowed him repentence. See repentence is a blessing Kamran. Matter of fact Allah loves those who repent. In a hadeeth the Messenger of Allah (PAPBUH) said what means all children of Adam are sinners and the best among the sinners are those who repent. Or else how do u think that the Name of Allah ATtawab should function. There must be people who sin and repent so that He accepts our repentence brother. Got this point. Insha Allah

Let me know if this helped.

[Suhail]

my advice is if u find it hard join tabligh find out who is active in this work of dawah and join them , go for 40 days or more then it will be easy 4 u

[Ali]

Assalaamoalaikum

My friend, who was not very religious, started going to do da'wah with jamaat, and now MashaAllah he's more inclined towards Islam, and getting better each day.

I myself feel an increase of imaan, when I go with some good muslim brothers for da'wah

-- Ali