NextElement

Salaam! Well the forums have been kind of slow lately and I've been fairly busy myself finishing schooling, but I figured I'd get some discussion started: I've noticed in many Muslim countries, there are laws regarding personal freedoms (speech, religion, etc) in order to prevent blasphemy and things like that. What is the Muslim view on say, the US Bill of Rights, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion for everyone? On one hand, I can see how it is dangerous because anyone is allowed to be blasphemous towards Allah, but on the other hand, I might not have become Muslim had it not been for my freedom to look into other religions. Also, I've heard that there is no true Sharia practicing country today..... What would make a country have true Sharia law?

Welcome! Try asking your actual question in the Islamic Discussion section.

I think you'd be classified as a Deist, QED!

I came from Catholicism, where one could go to a priest, confess sins, and have them magically wiped away. I view the Shahada as similar to a Baptism in Chirstianity, where you are "reborn" in a sense for having accepted the oneness of Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) as his prophet.

Thank you brother Hoopoe! So happy right now!

Ash hadu Allah ilaaha Allah, wa ash hadu an na Muhammadan rasool Allah. There we go.

Yes I did. I think my dream definitely falls into the category of a truthful warning dream.

Yes I knew it was an unusual dream, which is why it caught my attention! I'm not on any medication, I'm perfectly healthy and had not necessarily been contemplating that before the dream that I can recall. I usually have vivid dreams, but never to the point that this one was..... This was something I'd never experienced before, I'd never felt the amount of fear I felt in the dream ever before (dreams and reality).

Thanks guys. I've been reading the Quran all weekend and I just feel this closeness to it now that I didn't have before. Great things to come!

So yesterday I was at Barnes and Noble. I was in the religion section, just browsing. I was flipping through a Quran, and several books about Islam. I then came upon a book about Kabbalah (mystical Judaism type thing?) and started reading it. It talked about tarot cards, had alot of symbols I didn't understand, etc; but I thought it looked rather cool. Later on at the same store, I was reading a book about the Freemasons and thought that I may be interested in possibly joining or finding out more. I always felt attracted to the Islamic section all night, though. I returned home and went to bed. When I fell asleep, I had a dream that the Kabblah symbol and Freemason symbols were on fire, and two of these huge white beings surrounded them. The beings weren't human and didnt talk, but somehow I knew exactly what they were telling me. They said, "is this really what you want? (pointing at the symbols), are you really ready to accept the consequences of these?" I was scared to my soul, like more scared than I had ever been. I woke up and immediately thought I was going to throw up, then fell asleep and it was the same exact dream over and over, all night. In the morning my dad came in and said "Are you okay? I could hear you walking around your room all night last night making noise. Did you get any sleep?" although I dont remember ever getting out of bed. Of course, I'm kind of freaked out by all of this. Could it be a call to Islam, considering the Quran gave me comfort? Any thoughts?

Update: It went well! Spent more time filling out paperwork than actually donating blood, but didnt pass out or even feel like headed, alhamdulillah.

Thanks, dot. There's no way to guarantee that the blood I give won't go those those fighting Islam, but I guess the benefit outweighs the risk.

My school is having a blood drive at our school tomorrow to benefit a children's hospital. I signed up to give blood, and I'm looking forward to being able to help others if they are in need of blood. However, what does Islam say about donating blood? Is it allowed? Thanks!

It's hard, but you gotta do what you gotta do to make money in this world. Inshaallah you'll find a job that pays well AND is good on your mind!

Sorry for reviving this thread, I just need a place to vent. My spiritual problem is mainly between Catholicism (Christianity) and Islam. So I thought I'd make a pros and cons list of each: Islam: PROS- Monotheism (I don't understand the trinity), simplicity and directness, political beliefs (Conservative), and I honestly love the history, culture, and brotherhood surrounding Islam. CONS- I just don't know if Muhammad was a true prophet. Catholicism: PROS- It's what I've grown up with my whole life, and I'm already a member of the church. To me, it just seems like Jesus was a great guy and easy to follow. I also like the central theme of the Vatican/Pope. CONS- Like I said before, I don't understand the trinity at all. It also seems odd that Jesus, a human, is worshipped as God. I also don't know if I can trust the Bible, because it seems so corrupted. Thanks for your help brothers and sisters....