How do you deal with the emotions that come with being a Quran alone worshipper?

[GodGuides4:175]

The topic is excellent and we can all identify with it.

At the beginning of the process I had an extreme cognitive dissonance and it was a period when the brain was fighting with the heart or better to say intellect with emotion. My heart wanted to go with what we found our elders on - tradition, traditional practices and beliefs but it was not possible.

At that time I was naive and believed that I could change the people around me as it is so simple, but I quickly realized that things are not simple as that and that people cannot separate religion from tradition because they think that they will lose their identity.

This means that it is not an easy path that we choose, it is easier to be part of the majority. If we take the Prophet Muhammad as an example, we understand that he also went through the similar stages.

In surah 18:6, Allah says to him: “Should you grieve yourself to death if they are not willing to believe in this Message?”

Now, after this first phase I understand things differently, I analyze people and approach them in a wiser way.

I will quote Hassan Farhan al Maliki here who says:

“As for the subject of reviving hearts that are diseased,
you need to understand something first;

Presenting real evidence isn't enough to make people accept the truth.

Most people simply don't follow evidence and proofs.

Most people just follow the commonly held beliefs, ie. mainstream public opinions, or the most influential external forces of authority.

These "authorities of influence" could be a sect, country, region, group, faction, religious movement, or group of friends. Or a mixture of some or all of them.

Those are the things that truly influence most people, not the evidence.

If evidence and signs were enough, then the Israelites wouldn't have worshiped the calf after they had seen the Nine Signs, the splitting of the sea, Moses's staff, and his hand blazing white, etc.

They saw all of that, but it wasn't enough because the hearts must be alive first. There must be a working conscience for signs to act on.

If a person's heart and conscience have been corrupted in some way, then no amount of evidence will help him.”

I think this sums up a lot of questions.
Also need to say that I think ‘jihad’ as presented in the Quran is our constant struggle between intellect and emotion. It doesn’t have to be, but that's my conclusion for now.


peace

I second my sisters comment. Thank you for sharing!

You grant me opportunity to consider over several much needed things and your take on jihad is interesting. I will try to keep in mind as I read the Quran in these areas.

I have went back and forth on if there is a dichotomy of intellect and emotions...on experiential/practical working out level I find often that is the foundation issue amiss spiritually for me...one or the other is leading too much and not in harmony balance together.

I was recently exposed to Islamic mystic perspective of nafs...and the head/intellect needs to rule over heart and the intellect and heart rule over appetites...of which I deeply appreciate that none are viewed as inherently bad or something we should seek to destroy...ie our desires and pleasures are gifts from Allah.

For another perspective: I have also read of Islamic perspective that they thought Quran supported idea that "feeling generates thought"

Don't remember the verses and points but interesting perspective too...

 

[Ishaq]

Peace Ishaq,
most of the time people are not recognized as Quran-alone before they claim certain things which contradict the mainstream Islam. In my opinion we have to be moderate with our warning (although the warning itself is only for the benefit of the listener). By warning I mean the discussion we have with our reletives and strangers. Everything we say is to warn them about the judgment day.

As for a woman who wears hijab and decides not to wear it anymore, it brings definitely questions for the family members and mostly their reaction is emotional rather than rational.
You didn't ask for this aspect of my opinion but I would like to tell you my quranic and worldy worldview about the subject of women's Hijab.
I think as a believing man it is very good to let your wife decide about her life specially her appearance in the public But you have aslo the responsibility to guide her to a safe and modest path. Because you are a man and you know the male portion of our society and you are aware of their desires and how they see the females.
Your wife is not capable of doing that because she has not that desire which men have toward a woman.
So who is a best consultant for her about the subject of hijab? A trustworthy believing man among her family, who is aware of the current situation in our society.
It doesn't matter where you live. Whether in a so-called liberal atheist country like Canada or in a so-called islamic middle eastern country. All men are the same.
You know that men are not only attracted to the sexual parts of a woman but they are attracted to the other parts as well.
And some men (whose population is not low) are also attracted to the body of child girls.
Lots of so-called muslim parents make their daughters present in public in revealing clothes, like shorts or short skirts or sleevless shirts, ... . They are so naive that they think that the way they see and feel their children is the same way a male stranger sees and feels their children.
As for a woman:
Her ankle
Her hair
Her arm
Her shape of legs
Her shape of body
Are attractive and provocative if revealed.
I see everyday mothers and fathers who dress their daughters with revealing piece of cloth and are blind to the fact how they affect the feeling of male mature men who have diseases in their hearts or who are young and have not found the means to get married.
I know that covering the hair is not mentioned in the Quran but as God says:
31:27 And had all that is in the earth of trees been but pens, and the sea replenished thereafter with seven seas, the words of God would not be exhausted; God is exalted in might and wise.
We don't need everything written in Quran to know how to dress or how to behave or to get the Jab or not... Quran gives a worldview upon which we build our lives. Men are consultants and protectors of their families. As a man you know exactly how men think and what their desires are.
Consult your wife with the best you can do based on the worldview Quran gives you and the sinful and corrupt situation we have nowadays in our world. Some of our deeds may not harm ourselves directy in this world like the way we dress but it may have a negative effect on other people. We are responsible for those effects and we have to answer on the day of judgment. So a mother who affect a man in the society with the dress of her daughter or a woman affecting a young mature man negatively with her beautiful hair and ears or legs will be questioned for what she did.
It is one of our duties as men to give our female love ones the right dresscode guidance.
I hope I could convey my message to you.
May God protect you and your family and every chaste and modest believing woman in the world.
Peace

I think you’re overall trying to say something positive but you’ve ended it with something that isn’t from the Quran.

‘So a mother who affect a man in the society with the dress of her daughter or a woman affecting a young mature man negatively with her beautiful hair and ears or legs will be questioned for what she did.’

This doesn’t make sense. A woman’s ear? This is down to the man. No soul bares the burden of another and will not be punished for the sins of another.

If a woman goes out with a head covering and a young perverted male cannot help but find her ear attractive then there is a problem with the male and the way he was raised by his parents.

Now, in a healthy society men and women of age will always find something sexually attractive. That is human nature. Where it goes wrong is when people aren’t taught how to act in a healthy manner with these thoughts and feelings, and how to process them.

Especially young men in eastern countries.

 

[Dr sajad]

I am alone from last 6 to 7 years in an environment where everyone is enjoying traditional religious rituals.
On those occasions early morning I leave the home and go to a far place till people complete their formalities.
For me it becomes difficult to be amongst the crowd….
24/7 I deal with people who more than 99% belong to either Shia or sunni and to my torture I even don’t dare to utter a word.
And initially I tried to persuade people to read the Quran but all in vain….
Can anyone help me how to proceed and motivate people to read quran??

 

[Uncovered Faith]

I am alone from last 6 to 7 years in an environment where everyone is enjoying traditional religious rituals.
On those occasions early morning I leave the home and go to a far place till people complete their formalities.
For me it becomes difficult to be amongst the crowd….
24/7 I deal with people who more than 99% belong to either Shia or sunni and to my torture I even don’t dare to utter a word.
And initially I tried to persuade people to read the Quran but all in vain….
Can anyone help me how to proceed and motivate people to read quran??

There is a saying that is often said came from Mother Theresa but I am not so sure. It says, ‘At all times preach the gospel but when necessary use words’
I love this because I think that our actions speak louder than words. How we live, how we treat others. People will ask their own questions when they feel comfortable with you. If they only see you as a recluse who doesn’t fit in with them how are they ever going to open up? I am not judging you, I can only imagine the difficulties you face feeling so isolated. Is there some charitable work you could do for the community? Something that will connect you to the needs of others? That would be a good way to break down barriers.
I wish you well.

 

[applyfaith]

Patience and prayer. Remember the hereafter. If God wants her to be guided, she will be. The only issue is that you're in a relationship. You have an attachment to her. It must be hard. Sorry. I have decided not to interact on a "deeper" level with anyone who isn't a believer anymore. They have what they have earned. If God wanted, he would.

He has shown me miracles almost daily. He is the best teacher.

Not to deride your marriage, pray, have faith, and be patient. God is the ever-merciful, all-powerful. Remember that you will return to him and this is all temporary. Everything submits to him and him alone. Nothing except your soul will be there on judgment day facing God.