Thursday, May 08, 2008

To Convert or Not?

Ever evaluated yourself how biased you are when it comes to your faith religion wise? Would you let go of your religious faith if somehow you are shown that what precious little you are holding on to.. means nothing? Would you move on to an other faith if you found the other faith better spiritually?

How do you know the faith you are following is 'the one'? We are born in a particular religion. I was born in a muslim family so I am a muslim. A child born in a christian family will be called christian. But unlike a christian in west or Europe, I as a muslim will hardly think of converting! Perhaps, the reason for not converting is the belief in the supremacy of our faith. But then here we run in to a problem.. are we biased or we have some 'evidence' that our belief is the best? Or perhaps I don't convert because its not that I find my religion 'oh the best!' but rather I can not imagine taking a stand against a society that is extremely pugnacious when it comes to conversion?

Why would one convert? Perhaps a bad experience with the current lot of practitioners. Perhaps they found the 'light' they were seeking for their spiritual solutions. What is it that they are seeking? How does one know 'Yes! this is what I was looking for!'? On the other hand there are types that just will not let go of their faith. I saw a comment on one of discussion boards and the person was talking about religious scholars of 'other' sect.. and he said "Do not argue with them! If you did then they will make you wet your pants!" I mean.. this guy knows that his arguments will be trashed and still he is holding on to them! On top of that he is telling others not to indulge in discussion because their faith will be in danger too! Is such faith really worth holding on to?

Are not Apostates the bravest of all instead of cowards and hypocrites we all imagine them to be?! How else can you explain it. Religious faith is such a core component of a human being and one is trying to amend/ change it! You are altering the fundamental of your personality! (or perhaps its not that fundamental and I am only assuming it to be?) Frankly majority of the people don't concern themselves with religion or seeking light. What for anyways?

Now you would ask me.. 'will you convert?'. I really do not know. I am all at ease with the current status. I have been 'reading' my religion a lot though and I have 'adapted' lets say being in my current boundary of religion. Whether I am biased or am afraid of the society? I will not contest your arguments there.


05:48 - ...and if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will let you know that in which you differed;

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

i've had arguments with apostates and athiests before, I might not be the perfect practicing Muslim but it's extremely important to me and I hate how suddenly people feel it's their right to try rip it to shreds.
Best way when they provoke you or you're confronted by them is to say, I believe in Allah, get over it, or something as breif and to the point as that.
or another good one.. God doesnt believe in athiests, therefore they dont exist'! haha!

PostMan said...

Oh yeah.. its like a person always wants to show that he/she has the best sword and he/she can make the perfect killing! So what dude.. we are already dead :p

But no.. apart from forcing your beliefs on others... one should know the 'authenticty' of his/ her belief na.. its not just being dheet all the times!

BaigSaab said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BaigSaab said...

Actually, i agree with you on this one... a muslim who's practicing Islam with knowledge and conviction is certainly better than one who's mindlessly following the parents' religion...

That's precisely what Ulema say the Hadith "Seeking knowledge is compulsory on every muslim" means... You must seek why a certain thing is the way it is... if something's declared "Fard" and the other "Wajib", what's the difference between the two, instead of counting on the words of "Moulvi Saab"...

Islam doesn't have room for the so-called clergy-men. You don't need a moulvi saab to teach your kids the Quran, anyone can recite the Khutba of Nikah, same goes for the Adhan in the ears of a new-born and of course, Prayers in congregation...

However, as no one can become an engineer by just reading the textbooks of engineering, and a doctor by reading Medical books (I'd rather go to a Hakeem in that case!)... there's need for a teacher that guides you in your religious learning, tells you what's right, what's too early for you to read and what's not good to discuss... he'll also give you a direction in which to move... spending your energies aimlessly without any goal in mind is certainly not very righteous...

Where to find that teacher? Well, we browse at least a dozen websites, ask a dozen more friends, seek advice from our elders when we're looking for the best business school for us... This search is even more important, you've got to find your own teacher, judge him from his sayings and deeds, take a look at his disciples and proteges, and then become a student of his... i'm not recommending anyone...