Ramadan: How many phases did you go through before finding the truth?

Question

I was born and raised a Muslim but have had many doubts growing up. I even went through a phase in which I questioned the existence of God. I studied many religions and very thoroughly before choosing Islam and being comfortable with it. It had nothing to do with me doubting Islam exactly, but wondering about the other faiths and whether they could be right. I started off with Sunni and Shia along with a few other sects, then Islam and Christianity, and then Judaism. I'm still studying Judaism more since I believe it's far from the corruption that the Bible(s) contains. I don't really plan on studying Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism since I have a good idea of what it is and it doesn't appeal to me as a religion sent down by God. I feel comfortable with Islam, haven't had a question unanswered and haven't come across a contradiction in the Quran. I do put my trust in it 100% but continue to study other faiths, as well as my own. How about you guys, what was your "search" like?

Answer 1

I was born a Muslim and I have never doubted Islam. There is always a moderate and reasonable answer to everything but many people today think its an extremist thing. I think the Bible is corrupt too, since there are so many versions and it was written by humans. The thing about Judaism is, from what I hear, is that they are "chosen" so few people can convert to their religion and receive "salvation" but I'm not a scholar or anything. May Allah keep you on the right path.

Answer 2

My search was in Islam only. Christianity repelled me from the start. I have spent the last 16 years in Christian schools, and I know a lot about Christianity. I am currently reading the Bible, and I don't agree with several major concepts.

I have studied hinduism through television, and the rituals that religion employ make me ery curious, however, I don't agree with its fundamentals regarding God. Re-incarnation also, is not my 'thing'

I know enough about the Talmud (Judaism) to not agree with Judaism

I am interested in Buddhism, and believe I can apply some of the things to myself.

I started researching Islam (I'm a born Muslim too) last year. My parents are not religious (well, my mother has only just started praying regularly anyway, and my father preaches but does not practise). I have found out so many wonderful things, and it is the way.

There are 2 things which I really like about Islam

Allah says in the Qur'an that he is closer to me than my jugular vein

Allah says in the Qur'an that no soul will have a burden greater than it can bear.

But yup, I continue to study other religions. I feel it is better to be firm in your own religion before you study others though.I am reading the Bible, I'm gonna buy all the religious books of other religions as and when I have money and will continue my religious studies.

I go through phases all the time. I'll find many things I agree with, and some things I don't but when I find out the reasoning, I realise Islam was made for humanity. There is no other way this religion could be so perfect.

@ Above, No, I didn't read it from that website...why?

@ Adnan. See, it's not just the Talmud, I don't agree with the 'chosen people' idea. Islam appeals to me more (and trust me, I was not religious a year ago)

@ Adnan, by the way, thanks for the link. I read the Talmud a while ago, and couldn't find a decent link for it later on, when I wanted to continue my comparative religion studies

@ Adnan. They were chosen to receive the scriptures. Not chosen to be better than everyone.

Answer 3

Quran (Divine Book)

The Revelations of the Quran

Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

According to Allah’s statements in His Book, there were two distinct revelations of the Quran which took place. It is important that these two revelations be understood in order to clear up the apparent contradictions in the various terms used in the Quran and Sunnah to describe the Quran’s revelation. On one hand, the Quran is referred to as having been revealed in its totality in Ramadan or on Laylatul-Qadr, the Night of Decree; while on the other hand, it is referred to as having been continuously revealed in segments up until just before the death of the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

The First Revelation

Allah caused the Quran to descend from the Protected Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfooth) on which it was written to the lowest heaven. In this revelation all of the Quran was sent down at one time to a station in the lowest heaven referred to as “Bayt al-‘Izzah” (The House of Honor or Power). The blessed night on which this descent took place is called “Laylatul-Qadr” (The Night of Decree), one of the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. Allah referred to this initial revelation as follows:

“Haa Meem. By the Clear Book, verily, I revealed it in a blessed night.”[Noble Quran 44:1-3]

“Verily, I revealed it on the Night of Decree.”[Noble Quran 97:1]

“The month of Ramadan in which I revealed the Quran as guidance to mankind ...”[Noble Quran 2:185]

These verses have to refer to the initial revelation because it is a known fact that the whole Quran was not revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) on a single night in Ramadan. Ibn ‘Abbas stated that the Quran was first separated from its station in the upper heavens and placed in Bayt al-‘Izzah in the lowest heaven. One version states that this took place on the Night of Decree in Ramadan. Had it been Allah’s wish, the Quran could then have been revealed as a whole to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in a single revelation.

This was the method by which all of the earlier books of revelation were sent down. But, Allah chose to divide the revelation into two parts. The first revelation within the heavens represented an announcement to the inhabitants of the heavens that the final book of revelation was being sent down upon the last of the prophets.

From the lowest heaven sections of the Quran were then taken down by the angel Jibril to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). This process of revelation continued over the twenty-three years of his prophethood. This revelation began with the first five verses of Surah al-‘Alaq. These verses were revealed to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) while he was on a spiritual retreat in the cave of Hira’ near Makkah. However, the first complete Surah to be revealed was Surah al-Fatihah. The revelation of this portion of Quran marked the beginning of the final phase of prophethood. The last Surah to be revealed was Surah an-Nasr. This Surah was brought down in Mina during the Farewell Hajj of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), which took place at the end of the tenth year after the Hijrah. According to Ibn ‘Abbas, the last verse to be revealed was verse 281 in Surah al-Baqarah, the last of a series of verses dealing with interest. Allah has referred to the second revelation in the following way:

“And (it is) a Quran which I have divided into parts in order that you (Muhammad) may recite it to the people gradually, and I have revealed it by successive revelation.”

[Noble Quran 17:106]



Quran: Definition of the Term

The word “Quran,” a verbal noun, is equivalent in meaning to “qira’ah,” as both come from the verb “qara’a” which means “to read.”

That is, Quran literally means “a reading or reciting.” However, the term “Quran” has been historically used specifically to refer to the book which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The term “Quran” is mentioned in a number of places throughout the book in reference to itself. For example:

“Verily, this Quran guides (humanity) to that which is most just.”[Noble Quran 17:9]

The name Quran is used to refer to both the Quran as a whole, as in the previously quoted verse; as well as to each verse or group of verses, as in the following verse:

“And if the Quran is recited, you should listen to it and be silent, that you may receive mercy.”[Noble Quran 7:204]

The Book has also been referred to by other names; for example, the Furqan (The Distinction):

“Blessed is He who revealed the Furqan to His slave in order that he may be a warner to all the worlds.”[Noble Quran 25:1]

Answer 4

I took shahadah when I was 18. I am 27. mashallah. I was raised in a Christian, Catholic, Pentecostal family.

When I read the authentic Islamic books I was pleased to find God`s religion.

I loved to read children's bible stories when I was a child, so when I learned Islam I immediately knew it was the true religion of Adam, Abraham, Moises, and Jesus.

Alhamdulilah for the guidance Allah has granted me.

Assalamu Alaykum

Answer 5

none yet...but this is catching my attention ...i am a catholic christian...i do not practice, but was raised in this religion...i would actually like to practice, and WANT to.

kelly b

afterthought....i will never pronounce or get all the names straight lol...help me allah

Answer 6

was born in muslim family,but was reluctant to practice until 18/19.influenced by matterialism/atheism.then turned to christianity.in 20's started as a practising believing muslim.

intrested in reading religious books articles other's faith.hinduism a multi faith religion. some are same as sufism or sufism is islamised hinduism.

Answer 7

i was born muslim .. my parents gave alot of emphasis on religion (Alhumdulillah).. but before i was 13.. i used to take religion as "not that important".. didnt use to pray regularly n stuff.. but alhumdulillah during my 8th grade exams i felt like im gonna fail for sure n i just started prayin to Allah to help me n stuff.. it ocurred to me that only n only Allah can do that n that only n only Allah is the one to whom we turn when all hope is lost...... n since that day im prayin regularly n my faith in Allah has increased with every passing day:D..  

Answer 8

I see a lot of people passing judgements on others faith by mearly reading their scriptures. To be able to say christianity is not right path, you have to be a christian to say that.

In islam it says you need to take a bath and clean yourself before opening the Quran, did you follow the same rule when you opened the Bible.

You considered Quran as a holy book even before opening it, did you consider Bible as holy before you opened it.

I bet you read the Bible with your own prejudices and skepticism in mind and even if the truth was written in it, you wouldn't have seen them.

EDIT

."In order to say a faith is wrong, you do not have to belong to it. What about all the previous christians who embraced Islam"

So what do you think of those muslims who quit Islam ( quietly, and live in fear)

EDIT

Maybe my ideas about Islam is wrong.

But i stick to what i said, To be able to say a religion is wrong, you need to believe it is true in the first place.

The disbelief may happen later.

I have no problem with anyone who says their faith is true.

However, the moment you point a finger at the other religion and say its false. To me that is wrong.

The only person who can say with authority that the Bible is corrupted, is its original author. A third person cannot pass that verdict.

Pls don't get angry, i feel like laughing.

Answer 9

A was raised and educated a Catholic, although I grew up not religious.  We were taken to church every Sunday and sometimes I went on my own on Saturday nights.  As years went by, I would just show up in church pray a bit to God and leave.  When I finished college, I got a job in Saudi Arabia, met a not religious Saudi at work and we became friends.  Every Ramadan, he would invite me to Islam, but I always resisted, and told him that I was a better person than the Muslims I see around.  After five years of him pestering me every Ramadan to be a Muslim, I felt somehow that I would be a Muslim one day. So, I prayed to God to show me the straight path because He was the only One who know which one is it.  One Ramadan, I tried fasting by not eating during the daytime for two weeks.  One religious Muslim at work must have noticed me, and asked if I was fasting. I told him "yes" and he asked me why.  I told him I was trying it out because, if ever I become a Muslim, fasting would be one of the hardest thing to do.  He told me to embrace Islam at once because I didn't know when I'll die.  The following year a day before Ramadan started, I became a Muslim, not really knowing much about it.  My friend accompanied me to an Islamic Centre to say my shahada.  And when he was teaching me how to pray that night, he broke into tears because he was really surprised; he never expected that I would actually do it.  Afterwards, I started attending Islamic classes.  I read all the Islamic books I could get my hands on and watched videos, mostly of Ahmad Deedat, comparing Islam to Christianity.  Acquiring knowledge and practicing little by little, made my faith and conviction to Islam stronger.  I've been a Muslim for 15 years now!  Alhamdulillah!

Answer 10

Uhm...i dun doubt my religion one bit n dun wanna waste my energy researching about other religions cause i know Islam has the most converts n it makes more sense..