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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Help! |
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| Mike86 |
| 04/13/02 at 18:06:27 |
| I've been studying about Islam since January of 2001 and right now I feel ready to convert, but I'm confused and have been getting conflicting advice. I have a Quran, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to touch it or not. Its an English only translation, but according to one Muslim I talked to I cannot touch it without making wudu first. The problem is I don't know how to make wudu, so the Quran just sits unread. Also is a male allowed to have non-sexual friendships with females in Islam? This same man told me no contact between the two sexes was allowed, but that is impossible for me to do since I attend a co-ed high school. And if I became a Muslim it would be impossible to attend Friday prayers at a mosque since I'd be at school and would have no way to get there. The school is a Catholic one so they would not let me leave anyway. But would it be considered a sin not to attend? And as a Muslim I would still be forced to attend mass and receive communion, would that also be considered a sin? All of these problems are leading me to believe that I should maybe just wait to convert until university, but I'm not sure that such a step would be wise. Anyways thank you in advance for your responces. |
| Re: Help! |
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| Julie |
| 04/13/02 at 20:45:09 |
| Hi Mike, I'm also non-Muslim, but I'll try to give you some answers until somebody else gets to this thread. [quote]I have a Quran, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to touch it or not. Its an English only translation, but according to one Muslim I talked to I cannot touch it without making wudu first. [/quote] As far as I know, you don't need to make wudu to touch a translation of the Quran. I remember a thread about this somewhere. [quote]Also is a male allowed to have non-sexual friendships with females in Islam? This same man told me no contact between the two sexes was allowed, but that is impossible for me to do since I attend a co-ed high school. [/quote] I don't think there's anything wrong with talking to someone of the other sex as long as the conversation is appropriate. The majority of Muslims where I live go to co-ed public schools. [quote]And if I became a Muslim it would be impossible to attend Friday prayers at a mosque since I'd be at school and would have no way to get there. The school is a Catholic one so they would not let me leave anyway. But would it be considered a sin not to attend? [/quote] ??? ??? ??? No clue. [quote]And as a Muslim I would still be forced to attend mass and receive communion, would that also be considered a sin? [/quote] From my experience at a summer Catholic school, I know that you can't get out of attending mass because they literally block all the doors out of the building. However, I don't see why you would be forced to receive communion. You can only receive communion if you're free of sin by Catholic standard, right? I would think that becoming Muslim would go against the Catholic version of having no sins and that they wouldn't want to give you communion anyway. You could also consider switching to the public system if that option is available to you. [quote]All of these problems are leading me to believe that I should maybe just wait to convert until university, but I'm not sure that such a step would be wise. [/quote] If you believe in Islam, go for it! I don't see any reason to wait. Please keep in mind that I'm also non-Muslim, so my answers may not all be correct. I'll let the many knowlegeable Muslims on the board correct anything I said wrong, and take it from here. Best of luck! Julie:) |
| Re: Help! |
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| jannah |
| 04/14/02 at 05:19:36 |
| [quote author=Mike86 link=board=lighthouse;num=1018735588;start=0#0 date=04/13/02 at 18:06:27]I've been studying about Islam since January of 2001 and right now I feel ready to convert, but I'm confused and have been getting conflicting advice.[/quote] salam mike!! i hope you do take your shahada ;) i think that is the same problem a lot of converts go through... even if you're not a convert, there's always alot of issues where you hear conflicting things.. i mean just look at this board!! the best thing to do is find a few knowledgable people in your community.. like your imam.. maybe someone else and ask them the questions you have. you'll know who is knowledgable when they can give you proof for their claims from the Quran and the traditions of prophet Muhammad [saw] and reputable scholars and don't just make up stuff ;) [quote] I have a Quran, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to touch it or not. Its an English only translation, but according to one Muslim I talked to I cannot touch it without making wudu first. [/quote] An english only quran has no ruling, it isn't considered to be the Quran. The Quran is considered to be what is in Arabic because that is the original language of revelation. Your friend might have thought you were talking about an Arabic only Quran or one with both. Some scholars say you should make wudu to read even the one with translation. The majority opinion says if there is more of the other language (english) than the Arabic, then you don't have to make wudu... phew sorry.. did u get all that.. [quote] The problem is I don't know how to make wudu, so the Quran just sits unread.[/quote] btw this is a cool site that can show you how to make wudu: http://www.malcolm-x.org/got_wudu/. [quote] Also is a male allowed to have non-sexual friendships with females in Islam? [/quote] Well there are proper ways of interacting with the opposite sex in Islam. We shouldn't date, flirt, touch, talk extraneously (in other words mack) with others. You can of course speak for reasons of organization, business, religion, or marriage. [quote] This same man told me no contact between the two sexes was allowed, but that is impossible for me to do since I attend a co-ed high school. [/quote] maybe he meant physical contact? [quote] And if I became a Muslim it would be impossible to attend Friday prayers at a mosque since I'd be at school and would have no way to get there. The school is a Catholic one so they would not let me leave anyway. But would it be considered a sin not to attend? [/quote] attending Friday prayers is mandatory for men so it would be a sin not to attend. but if there are very serious circumstances where it is really IMPOSSIBLE it could be different. you'd have to ask a scholar on that... [quote] And as a Muslim I would still be forced to attend mass and receive communion, would that also be considered a sin? [/quote] I'm not sure what that entails? drinking wine and stuff? [quote]All of these problems are leading me to believe that I should maybe just wait to convert until university, but I'm not sure that such a step would be wise. Anyways thank you in advance for your responces.[/quote] I realize you have a lot of problems right now and might not be able to fulfill everything required, but I don't think you should let that make you wait... because honestly no one is perfect and even the best Muslims have things they could work on. You never know what might happen to you in the future and stating that belief in your heart is really what is most important, all else really takes the struggle of a lifetime... |
| Re: Help! |
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| Marcie |
| 04/14/02 at 11:21:07 |
| [color=Teal]Hi Mike, As a former Catholic I understand your predicament. Since you know that you WANT to be a Muslim you should convert without delay. Of course in the beginning it is hard to do everything. Just take one step at a time and don't get overwhelmed by it all. Thirteen years later I'm still growing and evolving as a Muslim. That never stops. As Jannah said find a few or even one knowledgeable person and rely on them/him for your information otherwise it will get too confusing. Trust me I've been there ! :P Personally I prefer reading books. If possible don't take communion, because Catholics actually believe that it really is the body and blood of Christ and is not just something symbolic like Protestants believe. If possible a public school might be a better place for you. When necessary during the day you would be allowed to pray as opposed to the Catholic school. God willing your path will be an easy one. Marcie :-)[/color] |
| Re: Help! |
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| eleanor |
| 04/14/02 at 13:55:23 |
| [slm] Hi Mike :) I used to be Catholic too. And went to a Catholic school. However that was a long time before I reverted to Islam. I'm kind of lucky because I live in a different country than my family so I don't have anyone asking why I'm not going to Mass. That said, like you, I had a period of doubt and hestitation. During this time, I was in fact home and attended Christmas Day Mass with my mother. When Communion time came I just stayed seated. It's not really a big deal where I come from. Generally people who don't attend Mass regularly don't take Communion. An important question is if you have told any of your family of your intention to convert, or even a teacher at your school? It's very very difficult to be a "secret" Muslim. Someone is always going to ask you why don't you eat pork anymore, or why you don't go up for Communion.... It's best in the long run to get it all out in the open. I know it may seem intimidating at first, but it will get better, and you will be on the straight path to Allah. After all, this life is just temporary and getting ready for the next life is what is important. Another question I have is if your school only allows Catholics to attend? I know in my home country the schools are run by Catholic orders, but accept students of any religion. Are you afraid you will get expelled if they find out you want to become Muslim? I don't envy you your situation Brother. The best advice I can give you is to let your family know as soon as you are able, and to take Shahada as soon as you can, because you surely want to die a Muslim, and none of us know when we will die. Oh and don't worry about becoming the "perfect Muslim" overnight. Many of us take years to even get to the stage of completing all the obligitory acts, nevermind the voluntary ones. Believe me, this is something I am still going through. Best of luck, may Allah give you strength now that he has guided you towards him :) If you have any more questions, about anything.. don't hesitate to either post them here or if they are of a personal nature you can email me or a Brother from the Madina team :) wasalaam eleanor :-* |
| Re: Help! |
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| Sis_Malak |
| 04/15/02 at 01:42:31 |
| [slm] :-), Salaam Mike- I am a convert myself, so I will give you the best advice I can, inshallah. As far as the Qur'an, it won't hurt you to make wudu before you touch it, but if there is no Arabic in it, it is not required. As far as the contact between men and women, I go to a coed university, and I am in the co-ed MSA (Muslim Students Association). As long as you keep the contact appropriate, its ok. Just try to have as little contact as possible to make it easier for yourself. For Communion- I have been to Catholic church before, and many people sat through the communion. So you don't have to take it. Antoher way to get around it is to go to your headmaster or principal or whatever your school has, and simply tell him that you are not Catholic, that you are Muslim, and that you cannot go to Mass anymore. It is illegal for them to force you, as far as I know, to go to Mass because of your 1st amendment rights. But if you don't want to go through all that, just go to Mass. BUT while you are there, don't participate in the prayers and just think of Allah instead, and don't take Communion. Question for you-is the communion drink real wine? Because if it is, you really can't take it. But if not, and you absolutely can't get out of it, take communion, but before you do, make dua to Allah to forgive you for doing so, and that you believe only in Allah and His prophet. Finally, in regards to waiting until you are in the University, what if you die tomorrow??????? Salaam. Tara |
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