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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| naturallyme |
| 10/20/04 at 23:40:07 |
| For years I have admired the beauty and discipline of the Women in Islam. Although raised in the church, when I became hungry for spiritual knowledge, the truth that has been mines is the request that true holy women are modestly dressed. For 30 days I wore hijab; to church and to school. An evangelist of the Christian faith, I received several stares and questions about whether I was confused. I will say that I felt the presence of God always and I was more aware of my conduct because I believed I looked holy and chaste. I felt respected by men who encountered me eventhough my own husband frowned upon the attire. I just was wondering does Muslim begin in your heart? |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| Caraj |
| 10/21/04 at 01:51:39 |
| I'm smiling since I read your post and can relate to what you are expressing. I believe truly that deep in our hearts we know things. Like our heart 'know' but our minds and /or outside influences won't allow us to see clearly until it is 'time' His timing. Starting about 7 years back I remember whenever I saw a sister I felt this feeling (always thought I was weird) the kind of feeling you get when you have not seen a good friend or family member for a long time. I felt drawn to go up and say hello. For some reason there seemed to be familarity in my heart. The modesty thing has always been in my heart. I have a habit of praying outside as I am in awe of nature and will thank God for all the beautiful things he has created, give thanks and praise. And right out in the middle of a pasture. One day it was windy and I covered my head with a large piece of fabric. I got this strange (yet peaceful and comforting)feeling inside, God was watching me and pleased. I feel very different about myself and the world around me when I wear a scarf of some sort. Hopefully no one does the ::) thing when they read this :) |
| 10/21/04 at 12:33:10 |
| Caraj |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| Kathy |
| 10/21/04 at 10:04:05 |
| [slm] No rolly eyes here. It is true. Perhaps only reverts know this. Many Muslims never wore clothes that flaunted it. Sometimes wearing flaunting clothes made you feel like a hottie... but the feeling was usually short lived, like the moment you stepped out of the door and a ogre man leered after you. I used to dress provacatively, and I shudder when I look back on it. If I had used a critical eye back then, I am sure I would have shuddered then too! Until you dress modestly, you have no idea of the benefits and how it truly changes your self. Sometimes I chuckle when women say men aren't taking them seriously. Well, not many can, when you are wearing low riders and midriffs. You are right, how can a woman feel spiritual, when it is all hanging out? Because of painters images, many women attribute the holy women of the past with veils, like in pictures of Jesus's (peace be upon him) mother, Mary (may God be pleased with her.) But it isn't because of the painter's image. Inside us, in our heart/ soul, there is a sense of right and wrong, of doing what is proper. It does begin in your heart. I read in another post that you are Christian and going to a Mosque for the first time. In the Corrinthians, women are told to cover. I think you may feel very comfortable covering when you go. If you get a chance watch how we pray. You will never forget it, especially the prostrations to God.(Glory Be to Him) |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| timbuktu |
| 10/21/04 at 11:39:10 |
| [slm] I noticed: Britain in the permissive promiscuous sixties and seventies, sometimes girls would let their inner desire be exposed: to be with just one man, properly married, and to hide themselves from the others, to have children and to stay at home caring for their children and their husbands returning from work. and I saw British girls blush at the mention of marriage/husband, some guarding thier virginity and that is coming back in the US. Islam is the deen-e-fitrah, the way of nature :) |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| se7en |
| 10/21/04 at 13:34:36 |
| as salaamu alaykum / peace the heart -- this is such an interesting and beautiful topic in Islam :) We believe that the [i]qalb[/i], the spiritual heart, is the sovereign of the human body. it's the means by which we connect with God; the seat of faith or disbelief, and it is only by the state of our hearts (it's purity and deep connection with faith in God or the opposite) that we will be judged on the day of Judgement, not by our skin color, our nationality, our age, gender, economic status, etc. as Muslims we believe that faith resides in the heart, but that our entire beings must also be in a state of connection to and worship of God. So while the heart's job is to believe in God, have hope and reliance and trust in Him, and be in constant remembrance of Him, it's the body and limbs' job to abide by the rules of the religion. So the eyes should not look at anything harmful; should avoid looking down on people, trying to scrutinize their weaknesses, should not look at someone who is not our spouse in a lustful way, etc; our ears should not listen to anything harmful or hurtful and listen to good sounds and messages; our tongues should speak the truth, speak good of people, and avoid lying, deceiving, etc; our limbs should work in doing good, establishing justice on the earth, being gentle with children, hugging our loved ones, etc. so it is a holistic approach -- both the internal and external of the human being are connected with God in this type of devotion and worship. something I learned recently that I found sooooo profound is that there is actually a two way relationship between the heart and the limbs! actions stem from your heart; but at the same time, the opposite is also true -- your actions and words trace back to your heart and affect it, hardening it or softening it to the faith and affecting your connection with God. just some food for thought :) peace, 7 |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| eleanor |
| 10/21/04 at 16:28:52 |
| [slm] heh heh.. another revert chiming in here. You reminded me of one of my earliest realisations of Islam. Actually I didn't realise it but a sister I was visiting did. Her husband was a friend of my husband's. So we were visiting them and I was sitting with her in the kitchen. She asked me if I was Muslim, I said no. Then she smiled and said "but you are Muslim in your heart". I was like :o - how did she know what was going on in my head... That I was trying on headscarves at home on my own... That I was avidly fascinated by any sister on the street, TV etc etc. But somehow she knew and that was another prod in the right direction for me, Alhamdulillah. I think it took another couple of years and the brief intervention of this board ( :) ) before I realised I was ready to admit and accept I was Muslim, inside and out. Mind you I am still working on the public bit... takes time for some, insha Allah, but Alhamdulillah I am feeling contented within and my heart is happy I decided to follow it. If you have any questions on Islam, or any other general enquiries, please feel free to post here and ask them. There's enough former Christians here who are only too pleased to share their experiences and feelings with you :) take care, peace eleanor |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| Ember |
| 10/27/04 at 13:06:09 |
| [slm] I am not a revert but I feel like one since a couple of years ago I started to change myself to become a muslim from the inside and outside. I have always loved and prayed to Allah. In many instances I've had only HIM to turn to in my life but a couple of years ago I remembered thinking of my relationship with HIM. He had become my best friend but unless I do as many things to please HIM it was a one way relationship. I agree with Kathy that wearing provocative clothes makes you feel hot momentarily and the first thing I noticed when I wore hijab was that I was not 'hot' anymore. Yet, I felt sooo soo soo vey peaceful. I can't put it into words. It felt like for the first time I have done something significant because Allah says I should. I wish you and evry other woman this kind of peace for the rest of your days. |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| humble_muslim |
| 11/02/04 at 10:12:32 |
| Naturallyme, Very glad to hear about your experience. Yes, Islam is the natural way, and it does begin in your heart. But over and above dress codes is the concept of the nature of God. According to the Quran, every human being has a fitrah - which can be translated as inherent feeling - in their hearts of the knowledge that there is only one God. And we find with many Christians who embrace Islam, this is the first thing that attracts them to Islam. They are confused by puzzling concepts such as the trinity, and find the simple Islamic concept of one God much easier to accept. What do we mean by one God? This can be summarized as: God, and God alone, created the universe and everything in it. God is the sustainer and maintainer of the universe. God is the absolute controller of the universe and all actions occurring within it. God has complete power over all things. God is not dependent on anyone or anything, whereas everyone and everything is dependent on Him. God does not have a “family” : no wife, no children, no parents. There is nothing like God. God is transcendent above His creation. God cannot be manifested in any of his creation. God does not become incarnate in any of his creation. God is the only being who can hear our prayers. God is the only being who has the power to answer our prayers, since He is the only one who can control the actions of the universe and of everything within it. God is the only entity who deserves to be worshipped. Humans do not need any intercessor or intervener between themselves and God when worshipping or praying to him, but should turn directly to God. Hope this helps. |
| NS |
| Re: Are you a Muslim in your heart? |
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| naturallyme |
| 11/03/04 at 07:13:58 |
| Thank you to all who have responded to me. May God richly bless you! :-) |
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