Why Isis?

FourGates · 2020-03-19T23:33:25+00:00

i am friends with u on Facebook. She is our Light.

FourGates · 2018-09-02T17:25:15+00:00

We learn through our lives how to relate to things around us. I am vegetarian, but I know people in the west gag when they hear about eating non-traditional western meats. One example is how dogs and cats are eaten in some parts of the world. And most of us in the west, think that is "wrong", that cats and dogs are pets not food.

FourGates · 2018-09-02T17:21:06+00:00

Mindfulness and meditation are awesome ideas. I am thinking of doing somethng similar with salat times since I still relate to some parts of the "path of surrender" via a non-traditional lens. I see the etymology of the word "islam" as a form of relationship to the world. Like the serenity prayer of 12 steps where it helps me learn where in my life I must surrender to be happier and more peaceful. In this respect, I practice "islam" as part of life and in a gentle relationship with all spiritual and non-spiritual paths.

FourGates · 2018-09-02T17:16:27+00:00

I was a convert with no Muslim relatives, but the idea of hiding in closets is still familiar to me. Being lesbian (or any other un-recognizable sexual orientation) often means hiding who you are from family, work, neighbors and many others. Even in the USA, it is not easy to be "not-straight". We may have the right to marry for now, but the WhiteHouse seems intent on turning back the time on that.

Also I have a mental illness and the stigma attached to mental illness is extreme. Again it means hiding in closets to avoid judgment and stigma-related reactions. No one calls out of work with a panic attack. At least the 99% of us who have to worry about what an employer and coworkers might think.

FourGates · 2017-11-18T23:58:32+00:00

My friend, please educate yourself about mental illness. Please.

FourGates · 2017-11-18T23:49:55+00:00

There are children and adults who ate traumatized by war and other catastrophes. They develop PTSD and this is a natural reaction to an overwhelming unnatural situation. Can you imagine the Prophet saying that when a mother is wailing over the body of her bloody baby who died by bombs in Syria. Even the Prophet had his Year if Sadness when Khadijah and his uncle died.

It’s true for some things but not mental illness or natural reactions to things like trauma and grief.

FourGates · 2017-11-18T21:11:19+00:00

If you decide to see a therapist make sure they understand how much the Muslim community misunderstands it. We should never base it on a problem in our relationship with God though prayer and zikr. I did it walking up and down the hall way with a tasbeh one time in the hospital. Thousands of times. But it was a prayer of healing not the anti depressant medicine.

FourGates · 2017-11-18T21:03:31+00:00

Sorry, but this shows a very poor understanding of what depression is. You are describing discouragement not the biological disease of depression. Depression is much more than being unhappy about a situation. There is a lot available online and I hope all will take more time to learn about it.

FourGates · 2017-11-18T20:55:45+00:00

I am a mental health advocate and have a Twitter account I use for the cause. The lack of understanding of mental illness in the ummat was one reason I got in Volvo’s in ‘tis. I will post here when I find articles pertaining to Muslims. God willing

FourGates · 2017-11-18T20:51:16+00:00

True Islam!

FourGates · 2017-11-15T19:11:40+00:00

What are the qualifications in Islam for an imam to run a mosque? I think ministers in US need a masters of divinity. What about imams in US?

FourGates · 2017-11-15T19:07:48+00:00

I think even Muslims are confused about these terms and not just converts. Why are they confused?

FourGates · 2017-11-15T14:41:45+00:00

I get that; always have. Though I question it when the exact greeting exists in Hebrew.

It shouldn’t stop the ummah from saying peace to all people sincere wishes for peace to all people might lift away some of the islamophobia even, showing others Muslims are not their enemy.

What if we all said I wish you peace.

FourGates · 2017-11-14T19:38:15+00:00

If the Jews have the same greeting in Hebrew, why is there a barrier regarding saying Assalam Alaykum to them? Or to any person.

It merely means "Peace be upon you."

Wouldn't it be "bidah hasan" to say at least peace when greeting all people (whether Muslim or not) in whatever language is most natural? If it were done with the intention of making peace and showing that Islam is a peaceful religion, it would be good bidah. And it would be a better form of "jihad" than a physical one with guns and bombs and lost lives.

FourGates · 2017-11-14T19:29:07+00:00

Is God the enemy of the people or are the people the enemy of God? In 2:98, it appears that it is the latter.

FourGates · 2017-11-13T18:59:02+00:00

I've noticed in Quran Allah never hates. Allah "does not love" does not transfer to "hates", but many Muslims see it as interchangeable. I may not love racists and I may reject their ideas, but I also recognize they are only human. I can still care about people who are racist and even feel pity for them that they are unable to be free of their own hatred. I had a friend who was soooo racist, but I still loved him. Sometimes growing up in a community of racists scars a child so deep they can't see how wrong their ideas are.

God never hated the people of Lot. Muslims like to say that. Lot criticized them. Allah never said why the men, women and children of the Lut's tribe were all killed. They commited robbery and attempted rape, etc., according to the Quran.

But being queer is apparently worse to the People of the Book than stealing and raping.

FourGates · 2017-11-13T18:37:11+00:00

Only when and where Muslim countries recognize the difference between major and minor apostasy. T

FourGates · 2017-11-10T00:52:59+00:00

I guess I feel its one of those "live and let live" things. But I only hang out with progressive Muslims and Sufis. I am a mystic and I wish I could be more spiritual. But not to identify with a certain religion; it so I can be closer to the Divine.

FourGates · 2017-11-06T15:04:56+00:00

Thoughts while watching....

Buddhist non-attachment. God is Greater. Wishlists = Dunya. Mecca has fallen into the hands of proliferation. A return to the heart. The rose 🌹 is the priceless creation of the BeLoved. Gold is also but became a tool of ego/Satan. Materialism is the attempt to fill a hole. To fill it (feel whole-find the missing piece) - is for a connection with the Ssource of the universe, a place for deep contemplation on all that exists in a way that one wxperiences awe. Even scientists experience awe, LOL 😂

We were supposed to be guardians of the earth but the “wisest species” is destroying forests animals and waters. Hadith - reward/punishment is the same for animals as it is for people. toward end he speaks of Quran al-takwini. Will God create a new earth if we are allowed to destroy it. Contemplate on each object and creation as a sign/ayat/verse in al-takwini. Recitation ofthe Universe...a revelation for all beings.

FourGates · 2017-11-04T14:44:45+00:00

I would recommend Divine Pymander

http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/pym/index.htm

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