True Repentance

[Anyabwile]

Anyabwile, your post made perfect sense.  Thanks for clearing that up.  Couldn't tell that you were sleepy at all. 
And to answer one of your questions, yes, non-Muslims can and do feel close to God - such as myself.  <i>Plus I don't drink or smoke or pray only right before bed.</i>





Take care of yourself!

When im at work, the type of job i do is on the phones, trying to help people with technical faults. And sometimes the calls can take up to half an hour, and when my prayer time comes and i'm on a call and i miss it, or take it late. I feel really swamped under, and the world around me starts to take over. It's hard to think of God when there's some idiot moaning in your ear as to why his telephone don't work. But prayer refeshes the soul so much, moreso than putting your feet up and lying back. Because you're taken from the external material world, and get closer to God for that time.


The first few days i was Muslim i used to wonder why the need to pray so much. I done it of course but it seemed too much. But a week into it, i started to enjoy the closeness and it became so clear the need. If i went through the day and only prayed in the morning and at night say. That huge Gap in the middle where work or people or family, stress, money worries, health worries, relationship worries etc etc would invade my being daily and over time i could see how the connection with God that is so essential for living would diminish slightly over time. Sure i would pray now and then in the day but i wouldnt be as close to God as i do when i take the time out to worship and speak with him throughout the day.


It's the same in a reverse sence, if things were going good and i only prayed once in the morning, and at night or even only on Sundays etc. And in between those times i'm enjoying say vast amounts of cash, or being with family 24/7, eatng good etc etc. Those things would have a tighter grip on me, and then the world around us would rise in importance to the afterlife. And that's a bad move, because then you forget God. Yeh regular prayer to me is essential, even if on the odd day Fajr wakes me in a mood...Wudu sorts that!


When you say you are as close to God as a non Muslim, it's not for me to judge you. I never meant to imply i'm right you're wrong....as i'm sure we both agree, God knows best. One question i would like to ask, this is going to be hard to word without coming across rude so please don't take it that way. For someone who is as passionate about their faith as you, what brings you to a Muslim board daily? I am curious of other faiths and occasionally have a look around Christian boards etc but not daily. I find that was when i was Muslim for the first few days. As i become more confident, closer to God and utterly and 100% solidly convinced of my faith, the need to visit boards of other religions diminishes. Like i said curiosity sure now and then just to see how those on the wrong path (in my opinion) are trying to justify their actions. But really now, i start to care less as to whether someone tells me The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) was only a fraud etc etc or the Qur'an was written and invented by The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him). Because I know what i practice and belive is the truth. This is through my own research and conclusions. I'm sure you feel the same about your religion, so why the daily visits?


That doesnt mean <b>GO AWAY AND DONT COME BACK</b>...just a genuine question