09-29-2005, 05:51 PM
Bismillah
As Salam alaikum
[img]style_emoticons/default/sad.gif[/img] Trust me, Anyabwile, if I had thought that you would have been back, I probably would not have written that post yet. It seemed as if you has said your good-byes forever. I do stand by what I wrote but felt that I was addressing a problem bigger than just your "confusion." I did not and do not want to belittle the efforts that you have gone through nor the decision you have made. I know that you didn't just flip a coin. I feel that I have gotten to know you better than that. Yet, your decision and trials brought up what I feel is an important issue that concerns many muslims, especially converts.
The Prophet told us that a time would come when knowledge would be gone and that the only thing left of Islam would be the Prayer. Scholars, what's left of them, have agreed that all the Minor Signs have passed. We are kind of just waiting for Messihah Dajjal. Upon asking reliable muslims for myself where I could go for a good Islamic education, I was told that there is no good schools in the Western nations. After looking about, I find this to be true in the US. For the level of intellect that you have shown, I find it very hard to believe that a night school in England would satiate your thirst for Truth, either. There are shaykhs out there, true shaykhs, who I have heard speak that make me feel like a retarded three year old. Hearing them speak helps me understand that there is much that I do not understand.
Once again, I believe that you believe that you have made the right decision for yourself. I am not questioning that. I am not sure where I called you personally confused. Like I said, I was addressing an issue that has popped up many times in my life as a convert. If you do think that, I apologize.
"Some people think "its easier and safer to remain in Islam even though 80% of it doesnt make sence" and survive on FAITH alone, this is fine, i would never tell no one to leave Islam, there is no need if you havent lost anything for it, why not. Islam has cleaned up the acts of Many people i knew who were criminals, bad people and turned their lives around, if you exist within Islam as it is presented on the surface, why leave it? theres no need, its beautiful. However its if you wish to learn deeper about the religion and its origins, THATS where the choices appear, the important ones..leave or ignore."
I do take issue with you saying that 80% of Islam does not make sense. Once again, you have had one year as a muslim, studying. It takes people four years of structured education to even get a basic level of understanding of Islam at the universities. True students of knowledge spend years going from one shaykh to the next. There have been men in Islam whose writings and understanding far surpass anything that will ever be produced by anyone on this board, yet you say that you have uncovered what millions have not seen? There are muslims on this board who know more than both of us. Insha'Allah you will raise your doubts with them if you are truly seeking Truth. As you did not stop questioning once you came to Islam, are you going to stop questioning now that you have had this apiphany?
I also have an issue with you saying that either people do not understand Islam as well as you or if they do then they are just ignoring reality if they remain muslims. You claim that you do not want to say anything against Islam but this statement calls muslims either ignorant or that they knowing live their lives based upon a lie.
I am not calling you confused. I am sure that you know what you believe right now. But I have a really hard time believing that every avenue of research and knowledge has been exhausted for you in just one year without ever leaving a nonmuslim country. I have no ill will against you and do not wish you to go away. I just wish that maybe you would try to see if some of those who have offered help will be able to do just that.