Some days, I miss Islam

[Deidre]

Some here know that I explored Islam last year, and more than mere study. I had begun to adopt the prayer life on a daily basis (even the early morning prayer, which was hard to awaken so early at first!), and my Muslim friends were teaching me how to view certain aspects of the Qur'an, etc. But, there came a point, when I just couldn't accept or reconcile certain areas of the Qur'an with my own perceptions about life, and worldview. And since returning to Christianity, I feel very whole, if that makes sense. Very at peace with my belief that Jesus is the way, the Truth and the Life. (at least for me, this is 'my' truth)

But, since returning to faith, I've decided to start reading the Bible again with a bit more fervor, and perhaps that caused me to remember the time last year when I started diving deeper into Islam. The prayer life, in particular, is really beautiful and edifying, and I miss it, some days. But, my views on Jesus are what they are, and that is diametrically opposed to Islam. So I just toss this out there to you all, as this site has been a safe haven of non-judgement (for the most part lol) where I can share that I miss Islam and maybe you can tell me it's okay to have these feelings.

Thanks for listening!

 

[Corthos]

Some here know that I explored Islam last year, and more than mere study. I had begun to adopt the prayer life on a daily basis (even the early morning prayer, which was hard to awaken so early at first!), and my Muslim friends were teaching me how to view certain aspects of the Qur'an, etc. But, there came a point, when I just couldn't accept or reconcile certain areas of the Qur'an with my own perceptions about life, and worldview. And since returning to Christianity, I feel very whole, if that makes sense. Very at peace with my belief that Jesus is the way, the Truth and the Life. (at least for me, this is 'my' truth)

But, since returning to faith, I've decided to start reading the Bible again with a bit more fervor, and perhaps that caused me to remember the time last year when I started diving deeper into Islam. The prayer life, in particular, is really beautiful and edifying, and I miss it, some days. But, my views on Jesus are what they are, and that is diametrically opposed to Islam. So I just toss this out there to you all, as this site has been a safe haven of non-judgement (for the most part lol) where I can share that I miss Islam and maybe you can tell me it's okay to have these feelings.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks for sharing. =)

I have a question, though... If you miss the prayer, why cut it out completely? Prayer isn't just about communication with god, but is also about meditation and introspection. The way Muslims pray seems meditative, and that would have spiritual value, I would think... and it would seem like you find value in it as well. =)

I think you could adapt (and alter it, if need be) it to your Christian faith without compromising a thing.

 

[Deidre]

Thanks for sharing. =)

I have a question, though... If you miss the prayer, why cut it out completely? Prayer isn't just about communication with god, but is also about meditation and introspection. The way Muslims pray seems meditative, and that would have spiritual value, I would think... and it would seem like you find value in it as well. =)

I think you could adapt (and alter it, if need be) it to your Christian faith without compromising a thing.

Okay, thank you for this. I've been thinking about it, tbh. When I pray now, it's mainly meditative to begin with, unlike the more regimented prayer life I had before deconverting from Christianity the first time. Your idea is appreciated!

 

[Godobeyer]

Some here know that I explored Islam last year, and more than mere study. I had begun to adopt the prayer life on a daily basis (even the early morning prayer, which was hard to awaken so early at first!), and my Muslim friends were teaching me how to view certain aspects of the Qur'an, etc. But, there came a point, when I just couldn't accept or reconcile certain areas of the Qur'an with my own perceptions about life, and worldview. And since returning to Christianity, I feel very whole, if that makes sense. Very at peace with my belief that Jesus is the way, the Truth and the Life. (at least for me, this is 'my' truth)

But, since returning to faith, I've decided to start reading the Bible again with a bit more fervor, and perhaps that caused me to remember the time last year when I started diving deeper into Islam. The prayer life, in particular, is really beautiful and edifying, and I miss it, some days. But, my views on Jesus are what they are, and that is diametrically opposed to Islam. So I just toss this out there to you all, as this site has been a safe haven of non-judgement (for the most part lol) where I can share that I miss Islam and maybe you can tell me it's okay to have these feelings.

Thanks for listening!

Hello my friend
What you miss exactly .

you said Jesus (pbuh) gave you peace , we have Jesus (pbuh) too , but God which give us peace inside , how don't you find any peace in God (in Islam) ?

Did you find Islam hard to practice ( wake up early morning prayer , fasting Ramadan ...etc), so you left Islam ?

 

[Deidre]

What you miss exactly .

you said Jesus (pbuh) gave you peace , we have Jesus (pbuh) too , but God which give us peace inside , how don't you find any peace in God (in Islam) ?

Did you find Islam hard to practice ( wake up early morning prayer , fasting Ramadan ...etc), so you left Islam ?

Hi Godobeyer, haven't see you in a while.

Well, in Islam, your beliefs about who Jesus was/is, is very different than mine. In Islam, Jesus's death is not described as it is described in Christianity, and what He represents, is different. I know that Islam honors Jesus, but not in the way I currently do. In some ways, Christians feel that Jesus is the mediator between Yahweh and mankind...and in Islam, Allah is seen with no mediators necessary, yes? So, that view of Jesus is very different from mine now. I didn't find Islam hard to practice...the morning prayer was hard at first because I love to sleep in lol but after that, it became a beautiful start to my day. Fasting is something Christians do too...so no, the practices of Islam is what I miss, they weren't the reasons I didn't convert. I still read the Qur'an, there is a lot of beauty in it.

 

[FearGod]

Some here know that I explored Islam last year, and more than mere study. I had begun to adopt the prayer life on a daily basis (even the early morning prayer, which was hard to awaken so early at first!), and my Muslim friends were teaching me how to view certain aspects of the Qur'an, etc. But, there came a point, when I just couldn't accept or reconcile certain areas of the Qur'an with my own perceptions about life, and worldview. And since returning to Christianity, I feel very whole, if that makes sense. Very at peace with my belief that Jesus is the way, the Truth and the Life. (at least for me, this is 'my' truth)

But, since returning to faith, I've decided to start reading the Bible again with a bit more fervor, and perhaps that caused me to remember the time last year when I started diving deeper into Islam. The prayer life, in particular, is really beautiful and edifying, and I miss it, some days. But, my views on Jesus are what they are, and that is diametrically opposed to Islam. So I just toss this out there to you all, as this site has been a safe haven of non-judgement (for the most part lol) where I can share that I miss Islam and maybe you can tell me it's okay to have these feelings.

Thanks for listening!

Good luck and hope that you'll have peace in mind and heart with the way of life that you chose.

 

[Deidre]

Good luck and hope that you'll have peace in mind and heart with the way of life that you chose.

Thank you. I do have peace in returning to Christianity, very much so. But, there are definitely practices that Islam has that I miss.

 

[Godobeyer]

Thank you. I do have peace in returning to Christianity, very much so. But, there are definitely practices that Islam has that I miss.

Can you practice them with your friends (for exemple) , or Christianity don't premit that ?

 

[Deidre]

Can you practice them with your friends (for exemple) , or Christianity don't premit that ?

Well, I can do what I like...I'm not tied to religion, per se. My beliefs are solid in Christianity now, but the prayer style of Islam, I could do. There are prayers and passages in the Qur'an that don't clash with Christianity, so...there's that.

 

[Kirran]

Deidre - it is okay to have these feelings

I am entirely echoing what the others have said: if a regular prayer discipline in the Islamic style feels right to you, helps you connect with God, I think you should keep doing it

 

[Deidre]

Deidre - it is okay to have these feelings

I am entirely echoing what the others have said: if a regular prayer discipline in the Islamic style feels right to you, helps you connect with God, I think you should keep doing it

lol Okay, then. It helps to get some objective opinions from you all, so thank you.

 

[arthra]

In Islam, Jesus's death is not described as it is described in Christianity, and what He represents, is different. I know that Islam honors Jesus, but not in the way I currently do. In some ways, Christians feel that Jesus is the mediator between Yahweh and mankind...and in Islam, Allah is seen with no mediators necessary, yes?

You may be referring to Surih 4:157 "...And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him.." this a very crucial verse in the Qur'an. There is an excellent book in print entitled "The Crucifixion and the Quran" by Todd Lawson that you may find of value... I commend it to you. As to no "mediators" I would suggest that a Prophet in a sense can serve as a kind of "mediator" between Allah and man.

 

[LuisDantas]

Feelings are what they are. I suppose it is marvelous but unavoidably rare when other people understand them.

 

[Pastek]

I've seen once that some catholics pray as much as muslims.
Maybe they don't wake up early but they said in a documentary) they pray even 7 prayers/day.
I see that you really wanted a connection with God, many muslims don't wake up for the Fajr prayer.

 

[Deidre]

You may be referring to Surih 4:157 "...And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him.." this a very crucial verse in the Qur'an. There is an excellent book in print entitled "The Crucifixion and the Quran" by Todd Lawson that you may find of value... I commend it to you. As to no "mediators" I would suggest that a Prophet in a sense can serve as a kind of "mediator" between Allah and man.

I will check that book out, thank you. I desperately need to get back to reading, have so much going on, but I need to find the time to read again, just for pleasure, even. In regards to a mediator...more along the lines of a Divine mediator. Jesus was considered to be both human and divine, Muhammad was human, and a messenger for God, as Islam states.

I think what caused me to not convert in terms of the Jesus factor, is that why would Islam need to address Jesus' crucifixion in the Qur'an, at all? Why would Islam feel the need to bring that story into the fold, except to denounce it as to take away from the fact that Jesus had attracted many followers? There's no reason to 'change' the NT story in order for Muhammad to promote Islam, or is there? Makes one wonder why he felt the need to change the NT story or tell his followers that Jesus was never crucified.

Feelings are what they are. I suppose it is marvelous but unavoidably rare when other people understand them.

True.

I've seen once that some catholics pray as much as muslims.
Maybe they don't wake up early but they said in a documentary) they pray even 7 prayers/day.
I see that you really wanted a connection with God, many muslims don't wake up for the Fajr prayer.

Yes, and one can pray throughout the day, there are no guidelines per se, but the structure of the prayer life in Islam is nice.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

There is not a single prayer style for Christians.
closed orders have very regular times for prayer including late at night and the early hours, and can be in almost any style including the contemplative. Any one can follow this pattern.
The formal prayers of the Anglican church are in the great majority directed to God. Some other denominations seem to chose to pray to and through Jesus. While the Catholics use intermediaries such as Mary far more often.

Contemplative, and regular rituals of formal prayer, are not in competition, nor is the use or not of intermediaries, all are aspects of communicating with God. All give comfort, sustinance and strength and can lead to guidance of the Holy Spirit through your very thoughts.

 

[arthra]

why would Islam need to address Jesus' crucifixion in the Qur'an, at all? Why would Islam feel the need to bring that story into the fold, except to denounce it as to take away from the fact that Jesus had attracted many followers? There's no reason to 'change' the NT story in order for Muhammad to promote Islam, or is there? Makes one wonder why he felt the need to change the NT story or tell his followers that Jesus was never crucified.

Deidra,

Thanks for your post!

I don't think there really is a "'change' in the New Testament story" as you suggest.... The particular verse in the Qur'an is part of a larger issue which is being explained... The issue concerns "hypocrits" and the martyrdom of Jesus is only incidental part of a major theme..

(1) But they broke their covenant; and they rejected the signs of God; and put the prophets to death without justification, and said, "Our hearts are sealed."

(2) They denied the truth and uttered a monstrous slander against Mary. (156)

(3) They declared, "We have put to death the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the Messenger of God." They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it only seemed to them [as if it had been so].

Also... I would offer that there is a verse in the Qur'an that explains the issue raised about Jesus crucifixion. It is found in Surih 2:154


And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: "They are dead." Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not.

Now compare the words in Surih 4:157..."They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it only seemed to them [as if it had been so]."

It appeared to them they had "killed" the Messiah ... Ruhullah The Spirit of God was not crucified.

Peace to you and your loved ones!

 

[DawudTalut]

......But, there came a point, when I just couldn't accept or reconcile certain areas of the Qur'an with my own perceptions about life, and worldview. ...................
But, ......................to remember the time last year when I started diving deeper into Islam. The prayer life, in particular, is really beautiful and edifying, and I miss it, some days.

Peace be on you.
If I may, can you try to read about your points in Ahmadiyya Muslim resources at www.alislam.org especially
=Friday sermons,
=Five volume Quran commentary link https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/guide.htm?region=E1
=Books
=and http://media.alislam.org/

Good wishes.

 

[Smart_Guy]

So I just toss this out there to you all, as this site has been a safe haven of non-judgement (for the most part lol) where I can share that I miss Islam and maybe you can tell me it's okay to have these feelings.

Well of course it is okay. You're the D we care for and love. Anything you wanna talk about is something I'm willing to listen to

 

[DawudTalut]

Peace be on you.
If I may, can you try to read about your points in Ahmadiyya Muslim resources at www.alislam.org especially
=Friday sermons,
=Five volume Quran commentary link https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/guide.htm?region=E1
=Books
=and http://media.alislam.org/


Good wishes.