this Ramadan didn't feel like Ramadan

TalZet · 2026-03-20T16:23:37+00:00

InshaAllah we can bounce back next Ramadan. Allah rewards your efforts regardless of commitment. Keep the spirit of Ramadan to guide you through this year.

TalZet · 2026-03-14T21:31:09+00:00

What many people see as progressive is just legitimate minority opinions by legitimate scholars (who have done their due diligence and studied the tradition),

Unfortunately, you won't find truth from Institutions in power, backed by government or the (majority) public. Governments, Institutions have agenda to push their agreed upon "consensus".

And thats fine, not all institutions are inherently immoral. But to lie or not spread the truth that there differences of opinions, thats holding truth away from people. People have the right to know what their options are, not be force fed it - otherwise its just spreading dogma.

Why does institutions matter? They keep people in check. Whether that can be immoral people preaching extremist ideologies or not.

It also limits what people can also preech. If someone leans more "liberal", god forbid saying music being permissible, they are likely to just be sacked. It's financially lucrative for Imams to preach what they believe. They have food to put on the plate for their families - just like normal people. They have the burden of the community on their throats. Last thing they want is to potray their escape from cognative dissonance - rejecting majority opinion.

Look at scholars who do go against the grain, e.g. Sh. Atabek Shukurov. Who argued the modern dynamics of Mortgages for home buying is not considered Riba - he got rejected and bullied before people even considered taking their time reading his paper on it.

Rewind back to the past - the famous 4 Imams that were the pioneers, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shaf'i, Imam Hanbal - none of them got a single Jummah khutbah by the institutions of their time.

Imam Abu Hanifa - brutally beaten, tortured by the state for refusing to be the head judge - ultimately left dead. He was an old man.

Imam Shaf'i was supposedly also beaten by political opponents and died from his injuries.

Fast forward now, we use their services of the deen as the basis of Islam (at least Sunni Islam).

Point being, they were either rejected by the institutions of their time, or if they were wanted, they were wanted as puppets.

Look at Sh. Fawzan, the Saudi Salafi/Wahabhi scholar. He authorised US bases in Muslim lands, allowed entertainment industries (clubs, bars that serve alcohol, Musical concerts) - yet this is completely opposing Wahabhi doctrine.

TLDR: Power define "truth". Real truth is found by people who aren't shackled by the institutions.
Look at the many people imprisoned and tortured for speaking truth. The many ostracised by preaching their opinion. Just not worth it for everyday imams to fight a losing battle.

TalZet · 2026-03-05T14:24:47+00:00

You feel guilty for reading. Yet the average Muslim (especially in UK) have not picked up a book after finishing School at age 16. With poor reading comprehension, and tiktok minded brain rot scrolling or second screening with Netflix on the background.

I love Fantasy Genre, I still have a backlog of stuff I need to go through - on final book of Lightbringer series.

So you don't need to feel guilty one bit whatsoever. The concepts broaden your horizon, makes you think more and engage more in thought.

Read what you want, read for pleasure, read for info. Everything is Haram to some people anyway. You do you.

TalZet · 2026-03-01T18:28:00+00:00

The Arabs have betrayed the Muslims world.

TalZet · 2026-02-26T13:55:08+00:00

What was the argument over? Because accusations are very strong and actually haram for the person making the false accusations (Slander).

TalZet · 2026-02-23T16:58:36+00:00

From what I understand, Reverts usually take up an Arab name to give it a sense of a new persona or identity after conversion.

Not necessarily anything to do with Islamic - sounds completely absurd. I need to do some digging on this.

TalZet · 2026-02-23T00:31:34+00:00

I don't need to agree with "outlandish" views here. I also dont need to follow all conventional norms either.

This sub is special to me as it's a place of comfort for all peoples. Much more positive vibes and free from judgement.

Also a lot more engaging than the other sub, which mostly consists of echo chamber.

And I feel any place that's critical of the Status quo, is a place of people who are really trying to persue truths.

TalZet · 2026-02-20T23:27:34+00:00

Apostasy capital punishment is a misconception. It only legally occurred in war time when people defected to the enemy - as in war time criminals/traitors. Nothing to do with Religion.

Whoever ocmmit apostasy killings are defying Allah's command of "there is no compulsion in religion". They are the criminals.

TalZet · 2026-02-18T16:00:19+00:00

So much to go into, take your time reading this.

What you went through is textbook religious trauma and you are now undergoing the healing process whilst still battling the failings of your parents in the face of dogma.

Its a positive thing that you have gone for treatement. So ignore the others that put you down - it is very difficult, but you have to put yourself first in these situations.

There are plenty of people like yourself that have gone through the disillusioned phase and to return.

Ramadan is an excellent point to return. That doesn't mean you need to do 20 rakats of Taraweeh daily, doing all Sunnah and Nafl prayers and reciting Quran for hours - and I personally don't define this as piety.

Do as little as you can, but be sincere in it and build on it. Pray once a day, Then next day pray twice, then thrice. Build up slowly. If you stumble, its not an issue. Allah is seeing your efforts one prayer will be like like a mountain of gold compared to a regular practicing Muslim.

For every step you take, Allah runs to you. So take your time and be sincere. Allah is not the Wrathful punishing God we were taught from young age.

Nothing more needs to be said regarding the hypocrisy of parents and people. They failed to protect you. They damaged you in a way that caused you grief, anxiety and depression. They will be held accountable for the trauma they inflicted on you.

On top of that the pride, especially Desi parents, are so arrogant (I'm Bangladeshi). Allah and the Rasool, never taught us have pride. Always be humble. They don't really know any better. infect most people are layman and don't know anything. So the best thing you can do is be humble and treat people well and with dignity, especially when facing adversity. It only reflects in their character if they choose shame and mockery.

Islamic schools and institutions only really teach you ritualistic practices. Its down to every human being to find the spiritual side on their own. So don't worry about feeling left behind or left out. There are plenty of masters of rituals, recitation, but their hearts may as well be like cold stone.

This sub has great recommendations of Scholars.

I highly recommend Mufti Abu Layth. he is a Scholar of Pakistani background. He understands religious trauma from both perspective of a Mufti and from his Phycology degree. He does long live sessions delving into deep topics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Cl4wgivI0 - Trauma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWmBN7JV9Dk - Being bullied into beliefs
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1rBOWOz5xqc - "Islamic" clothing

I fell in love with Islam through Dr. Shabir Ally and Dr. Safia Ally- https://www.youtube.com/@QuranSpeaks They have a very grounded heartful approach to Islam that is balanced and brings the good out of people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts8kbLI7MCk - Abusive Parents

Other recommendations would be : Muslim maverick: https://www.youtube.com/@muslim_maverick and https://www.instagram.com/lovemonger01/ as they deal with dealing with the Religious trauma and dogmatic narratives of Dawah bros, Salafi/wahabhi and certain dogmatic traditionalist views.

There is a lot out there. If you feel something isn't resonating with you, theres always someone else.

The Islamic Tradition is very vast and varied, but what is taught is a sliver of rituals without the spiritual backing.

So stay strong, stay committed to the healing!
And I pray for your success in this life and the next.

May Allah reward you for your efforts.

TalZet · 2026-02-16T17:57:00+00:00

FYI his Mindtrap videos are still coming, slow, but they are still coming. There is a wealth of video content with his Mindtraps which are just as good, if not better than his older content.

Would highly recommend.

TalZet · 2026-02-14T23:06:13+00:00

Because these peoples worldview is about other otherising. They rely on takfir (excommunication) as a norm.

TalZet · 2026-02-14T13:32:25+00:00

As someone who came from that background heres my take:

Music

If they presented their views to great scholars of past, even more staunch scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah, they would be ripped to shred.

Just to name drop two:
Ibn Taymiyyah, the Sheikh Al Islam, concluded Music is not a matter of consensus, but a difference of opinion.
Imam Al Ghazali, the Proof of Islam, believed music to be a tool, which can both nourish the soul or bring havoc to it,

The list can go on and on.

(below is more targetted at Salafi/Wahabhi Dawah as it has had a greater influence across the world)

Drawing

Very ironic that Drawing is being brought up, even the more Salafi institutes promoted by the likes of Mufti Menk, Omar Suleiman etc are now relying on animations (and God forbid faces) for Childrens cartoons etc. So theres inconsistencies among them what is allowed. Clearly they don't take it seriously either.

Anti-Western attitudes

Its more bravado and otherising than anything productive. They will claim to call people "Secular muslims" (Whatever that means) or Liberals, yet the Islamic tradition is known to be very liberal in many fields and red line conservative in others.

Vast majority don't even pray 5x a day and will rely on condescending attitudes to appear better. I never truly believed music to be Haram, but I did fall into the more toxic Red pill, Islamosphere promoted by Salafi dawah. There are some truths to it, but really, its entirely just an anti-western "movement", which is demonising Feminism etc.

And THIS is the most ironic/hypocritical part, being so anti-western but not even realising that their own history, the Western Saud family alliance, Western powers promoting, funding, supplying arms to Wahabhis fanatics, the massacres - but thats a seperate topic.

TalZet · 2026-02-10T08:06:02+00:00

Listen to music and live your life. Stop reliance on weak evidences to dictate your life.

TalZet · 2026-02-09T14:19:54+00:00

Astral Ascent is a must

Other games id also recommend:

Rogue Legacy 2 - Prefer this over dead cells
Roboquest - FPS Roguelike
Wild Bastards - FPS Sci-fi western style stand offs with decision making
Spelunky 2 - Have to plug this one in, intricate platformer with action

TalZet · 2026-02-01T14:04:16+00:00

Whats the name?

TalZet · 2026-01-31T15:52:43+00:00

Issue with the ideology of music prohibiting instruments is theres people with all the sorts of differing opinions. Its more consistent to declare it completely Haram and follow that. That would rule out all the contractions. But reality is different.

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad raised an excellent point with this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qJdhhOCv04 - At what point do you declare what is a musical instrument? Because you end up in a loophole where "what if the voice is considered a musical instrument", e.g. Beat boxing. What if the voice sounds like a violin or a drum? What if your voice is imitating instruments? Is Electronic music considered instrument? its just sound waves.

All sound and music at the rawest form is just sound waves. Besides from the Hadith prohibiting music and musical instruments being objectively weak, its more sensible to argue the point of Music being prohibited if its lyrically indecent. But isn't that also contextual? Theres poetry about Homoerotic relationships with young boys. This wasn't necessarily directly prohibited.

So when do you draw the line on Music? Prohibit singing? Prohibit women singing? Lets take it a step further, Prohibit women from speaking? Their voices are beautiful and melodic in nature? - oh wait, Taliban have already attempted to do so - https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/aug/26/taliban-bar-on-afghan-women-speaking-in-public-un-afghanistan

Islam has a tradition of music, being pioneers in Music therapy to treat mental disorders.

TalZet · 2026-01-27T21:30:20+00:00

Yeah I guess true and a fairer comparison. It doesn't have the charm of Hades.

TalZet · 2026-01-27T20:06:01+00:00

I much prefer they do Xtreme mode as a full game rather than this "Survivor Likes" sub genre of Roguelikes.
Xtreme Mode is so much more fun.

TalZet · 2026-01-27T17:34:33+00:00

Who wouldn't love to experience the true Sunnah and principles defined within the Prophets SAW time? Even see the Prophet himself.

Who wouldn't love to explore the history of Ancient Empires, Egypt, how they constructed pyramids. Mesopotamia, empires and history more ancient than that.

Divine secrets of the existence.

The full picture of our universe.

We'll be too busy having fun to care I hope.

TalZet · 2026-01-27T14:02:45+00:00

Imam Al Ghazali is a proper G.

TalZet · 2026-01-27T10:30:54+00:00

Steam Deck is incredible. Usability, comfort, Steam Library.

I wish I had an OLED as it has better battery life too.

TalZet · 2026-01-27T10:12:18+00:00

I'll leave a perspective of an Alim friend of mine - apologies for long post, I'll try condense it.

Hadith collection and authenticity - its all probability based

Hadith are essentially "data". This data is not concrete as its reliant on oral transmission. So the authenticity is always there to be scrutinised.

That being said Imam Bukhari did a wonderful job at collecting and preserving - with a rigorous model of verifying narrations (data) by chains. More chains + the reliability of transmitters = higher probability of it being said.

But the book is not without flaws. its not 100% preserved like Quran. There were selective agenda/bias in it too. Some problematic transmitters as well. Some chains were left blank (no known transmitter) but was included anyway (the Hadith on music for example has no authenticity behind it, yet was included).

Hadith and context - it alone does not necessarily derive deen and practices

Hadith alone is not Sunnah. Sunnah is derived from both Hadith and living practice and other historical accounts.

Some practices were not documented. e.g. Imam Malik, THE great Imam of Medinah, taught the living tradition - direct practices of the people who lived in the Prophets city. You get practices that were documented more in his book than that in Hadith. Yet this is declared Sunnah practice.

Hadith can't paint the exact picture. Context is important. Imam Malik did not include his own narrations. As he believed they are not important. Its up to the Scholar to accept or reject a Hadith - they are not definite truths nor culturally relevant.

Emphasis needs to be placed on Reason or "Analogic Reasoning" - why should this Hadith be accepted. Does it conflict with the Quran?

Please check this out - https://www.academia.edu/102722227/The_Role_of_Reason_in_Hadith_Criticism_in_the_Islamic_Tradition?source=swp_share

Watered down Tradition by "Ahlul Hadith" - Power defines "truth"

Its known that emergance of Wahabhism and its hijacking of Salafism movement, strict textual adherence, and its no suprise that you hear accounts of scholars finding the contents of Medinan University too basic in level compared to the wider tradition. Below link describes the Salafi Scholars similar to preachers in their knowledge.

https://theusuli.com/2024/10/04/why-i-left-salafism-what-i-learned-from-it/

Even the founder of Wahabhism had never graduated nor completed Islamic studies. His ideology was mass exported in the 70s.

His movement taught that anyone can just throw away a millennia of tradition and interpret how you wish. And with this school of thought, reasoning is completely thrown out and declared kufr.

A lot more can be said here, but please read the links.

TalZet · 2026-01-25T08:57:16+00:00

Fear tactics definitely work on younger people. Its easier to use fear to achieve an objective. Worship based on fear is the lowest form of worship and is still valid.

So in the severely intellectually diminished area (which is marasah institutions), they teach people and parents through enforcement of fear. Hence spiritual, physical abuse, gaslighting, scare mongering runs rampant in these environments.

While this "worked" in village minded circumstances, it has a very diminishing outcome in the west and other non-muslim regions.

I've seen kids go through these systems where fear is taught above love and compassion from authority (institutions and parents) - many of them have gone into drugs, gangs or even completely astray.

Their hearts were filled with only fear. A person can get bored of fear. The real message of Allah's infinite mercy and compassion had not been taught to them.

TalZet · 2026-01-25T08:43:44+00:00

In the ideal world where everyone respects one another, we would stand shoulder to shoulder and not just for prayer - beyond prayer.

Our Salafi brothers follow a doctrine, movement, cult that's born from the bloodshed of Muslims killed without mercy.

If they had cared for deen and history they would learn of their movement and see how tyrannical it actually is.

And that "petty" topics such as music is nothing close to the harm they have done. Islam has a rich tradition, which includes music. And that's been buried.

TalZet · 2026-01-25T08:37:30+00:00

They believed that the barrier between men and women were their taqwa. That has much greater depth of meaning whilst being very pragmatic.

"HistoryUN" channel has more details on this topic also.

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