I accepted Islam @ the age of 18. 5 years later, I have left. I guess I was looking for a mainstream concept of God. Hell, I'd even say I was looking for something to devote my life to and die for. I was raised buddhist, I think I rebelled aginast that form of thought because it turned me into a pussy. What religion is more macho than islam? To tell the truth, I always had my doubts. Even after jum'aah (friday) prayers I would have them in the back of my head. So to get rid of those doubts I started going to a salafi masjid, started growing a beard, and stopped paying attention to women. I tried my hardest to memorize the Qu'ran, staying up till the morning prayer memorizing and reciting. But it felt like the more I tried, the more I felt like I wasn't trying hard enough. Surely al Rahman saw my condition and would fill me with undeniable faith. Then it happened, the FIRST straw on the camels back. I was listening to a seerah (Story of the Prophet) when the subject of the satanic verses came up. Muhammad had mentioned 3 pagan idols in a prayer along with Allah while amongst the pagans. The pagans in turned and bowed to the ka'ba @ the end of the prayer, a sign that they had accepted Islam. However, the pagans later said 'we only bowed because you mentioned our gods'. Muhammad later went on to say that he was mistaken, and the revelation from God (the prayer he said on that day) was actually from satan. WHOOOPS! That is in a hadith. The shaykh explaining the seerah even said that the hadith was so wide spread among the earlier muslims that there is no way it could be a fabrication. But don't worry, a modern shaykh (Al Abanee') said its fake. Anyway, I'll leave it @ that and continue if anyones interested or if any muslim doubts what I say. BTW, I don't regret my time as a muslim or hate muslims now (I'm still violently against the existence of israel) but I wanted to express myself.
I'm a muslim here, but I really disagree with what u did (if I understood u right). Islam is not a religion of extremes,actually anything that goes extreme could be really harmful. I mustn't grow a beard or wear a white "Glabeya" to be a good muslim. U must really look into the heart of the religion itself. it's about really believing in god and to have a good message on earth. The way u entered Islam isn't a good way it's very extremist i believe. Ofcourse it's really necessary to do your prayers and help the poor. But taking an extreme may actually get u one day to be related with violent acts and that isn't only in Islam but any other religions. The most important thing anyone needs these days is TOLERANCE..be able to accept other people whatever is their religions or believes. That make I surely say can make me a good muslim...a good man. please if there anything unclear in my post...tell me
