"Modesty and faith are twins. One who gives up one has to lose the other too." \n-- The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), narrated by Bukhari
200886
I am modest, though I assume my protestant standard is different than an Islamic standard\n\nI dress so as to look proper, reasonable neck lines, skirts below the knee, no midriff, no suggestive tattoos or piercings\n\nI do not flirt, I am not forward with men, I do not discuss bodies or issues surrounding them if it might cause lust, I guard my tounge\n\nIn a dating situation I will not engage in any PDAs, in fact, I try to limit my kissing to 'bird pecks' (never on the first date!) and I try to stay in public places\n\nI know this sounds ultra conservative, maybe it is, it's a product of my upbringing and my personal convictions\n\nBTW, I don't hold men to any different standards, I would appreciate not seeing any more topless men or Visible boxers, and I am really sick of loud lewd conversations
264810
This is a test from Allah. He said in the Quran "You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allâh, but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V:) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters, [which you must hold on with all your efforts"(3-186). And I believe that extremists are bad whatever their religion.
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This does not mean he sinned, besides non of us can say we are pure.  God told us in the Quran very clearly (I wish I know the verse's no.): never purify yourselves.  It means 'none of you can say I am better than so and so'.  Abraham (pbuh) being a model for all of us, asks for redemption for any mishap he might have committed.  He is showing that even Prophets NEED God's forgiveness.  He is asking this for all followers, it does not mean Ismaiel in particular.  The above answers are mere mockery.\nWe, Muslims, always use this prayer literally, it is so heartwarming.
373338
They will give up self. Self is our biggest enemy. It wars against our spirit. We must be born again. If you don't like your life get born again,seriously. You cry out to God and say "God Who am I? What is going on here? I am in a mess" Your faith reaches out to Him. He sees your faith. He is Holy, so He can't see you. He comes and makes you all over again. This time He puts His spirit in you. He makes you look like Him. When He sees you now He sees Him.You give up your life and He takes over. Would you like to be like God? He leads you now. Your flesh don't lead you anymore. All things are brand new. The creator lives in you now. You have His wisdom. Man, what a life.
234835
Well, you need to think about why you are losing your faith.  You should talk to God and tell Him how you feel.  He already knows, but He rejoices when you open yourself up to Him.  You are His child and He is your parent.  And He is the Great Communicator.  You should also talk to someone in your church if you attend.  And if not, then maybe you should find a church that you feel comfortable in.  Good Luck and God Bless.
432107
Haha, here I am again! Thanks for choosing my answer in your previous question, I hope the email I sent helps. What I can say about your current question is that it says in the Qur'aan(or Hadith, I'll have to check again) that anyone in Islam who proposes a fatwa (his/her own verse or some such that retards the true meaning of the Qur'aan to acheive his/her own ends) is commiting a sin. Many of these clerics and fundamentalists are most probably doing this but I cant be sure because I dont listen to them. One thing that I can say about the hangings and extreme behaviour is that the Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h.) said that in all endevours we must "take the middle course", meaning do not commit anything in the extreme or anything lax. Try acheive the balance in what you do. Hanging Muslim women who show flesh is extreme. Leaving Muslim women to abandon their modesty is lax. People must remember that Muslim women do not wear the veil ALL the time. When they are within the threshold of their homes they can go as naked as the day they were born, but of course only in the company of their husbands and when guests are not present.\nI'm taking up space now!\nHope you find the answers your looking for!\nSalaams
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You must nearly have the faith the size of a mustard seed Jesus once told someone. The mustard seed is, if not one the small seeds, and it grows to be the biggest trees. Anything is possible you must only believe. But along with faith you must do works, without action we only speak words. Your hearts in the right place. God gave us all a free will. And if what you say you feel is true, You are wanting to do Gods will, by helping your brothers and sisters. If you you feel discouraged, don't, because no role goes unnoticed no matter how small it appears our lives are so short we are unable to see the big picture sometimes. Do what you can have heart, faith and a will to persevere and you can do anything. With God anything is possible. Don't mean to get religious but i find God and the bible to be a great inspiration.
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Hello! As a Muslim Woman, the core of Islam is to believe in One God, and that the Prophet Mohammed is His Messanger. That being said, we also believe in the prophets that came before him (ex: Jesus, Abraham, Moses etc...) There are 5 pillars of Islam, ie, five duties one has to accomplish within our lifetime..\n1. Prayer: it is our duty to pray five times a day, each prayer takes several minutes and it is in this way we thank God for our blessings...\n2. Zakat: this means charity, it is our duty to help the poor\n3. Fasting during the month of Ramadhan: abstaning from food from sunrise to sunset. This increases an understanding towards the poor, as well as develops stamina, willpower, etc..\n4. Hajj: Every Muslim must make a pilgramage to Mecca once in a lifetime\n5. Belief in One God and the Prophet Mohammed as His last Messanger...\nHaving said that, Islam also strongly advocates modesty. It is for this reason that many interpret women covering their hair as an example of this. It is believed that if we move away from focus on external looks (which you must admit, take up alot of time!) then we are better prepared to focus on worship etc.. Also, sex before marriage is considered a sin (as it is in Christianity), and it is believed that covering up helps to avoid it. Men are also required to dress modestly.\nI would like to add that only the head should be covered.. This business of covering up the entire face (if you have seen what was shown in Afghanistan) is not required in Islam! there is a confusion between SOCIAL and RELIGIOUS requirements. Additionally, I must add that I myself dont wear a headscarf because I believe that I can be modest in other ways, i dont see it as the most important thing in my religion. Completing the five pillars is the most important, the rest is just an aid to accomplish it. Hope this helps to clear it up.. :)
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The whole quote is: Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts.  It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all.  ~William Temple
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“The ingenuity of self-deception is inexhaustible”\n\n“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.”\n\n\n“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”\n\n“The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them.”\n\nIf you have made mistakes...there is always another chance for\nyou...you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this\nthing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying\ndown.\n\n“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option”\n\n“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”\n\n“We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, 'Why did this happen to me?' unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way.”\n\n“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”\n \n“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.”\n\n“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
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I think "faith" does weaken self-confidence.  And also responsibility.  I feel MUCH better about myself and my abilities now that I'm not a christian anymore.\n\nI was giving all the glory to God when something went right,.... and blaming myself, or attributing it to learning a needed lesson when something didn't go right.\n\nSo anything that was good was never because of me, and anything that was bad was always my fault.  Does that sound healthy to you?
204838
The Bible says you must have both faith and works. \n "But wilt thou know,O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20
661925
.god has a master plan to which only he has the blue prints. it's not so much for us to understand be to have faith and believe in him
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A'udhu bilahi min al-shaytan al-rajeem.\nBismillahi al-rahmani al-raheem.\n\n"When one sees evil deeds commited, one should actively stop the cause of the evil; if shall such be not possible, then one must speak-out against such a deed.  If shall one neither can prevent the evil deed by action nor voice, then do so by admitting it is evil in the heart and turn away from it."\n\nBarakaallahu fik wa salaam.
225625
"Say, ‘He is Allah, The One and Only; Allah, The Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not Nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him.’’’\n[Al-Qur’an 112:1-4]\n\nNOTE that 'Nor is He begotten'... So Allah has no Mother... Anyone have faith on this is not Muslim..
307121
i think you're stressing a little too much. regardless of what religion you're trying to adhere too, none of us are saints. all holy texts teach us that we're flawed. just accept it, and do your best to go through each day making the right decisions. they're not always the easiest ones, but they're usually the ones that pay off.
430955
Yeah.  When you realize that high self-esteem (pride) and low self-esteem are two side of the same coin.  This lind of pride is thinking you are to great and the other think that you are not enough.  At the end of the day it is still all about you.  The best is having no self-esteem.  In which you consider yourself honestly and then move on and refocus on the One who really matter GOD.  So, yes I have had days like that.