Will look into all of it. Much appreciated!

There is no better place to begin than the Five Pillars.

1. Syahadah, the testification of the Faith. The belief there is no God but Allah (the One True God) and that Muhammad is his Messenger.

2. The Five Obligatory Prayers. Subuh, Zuhur, Asr, Maghrib and Isya'. Observe them and the recitations. The surah, Al-Fatihah, alone is, I would say, the very essence of what Muslims are upon reading the translation.

3. Zakat. The giving of alms. A mandatory wealth tax upon all Muslims. This is wealth that is given to help the community, the destitute and poor, amongst other things.

4. Fasting. Ramadhan, The Holy Month where Muslims are commanded to fast from sunrise to sundown for every day up until the month is finished, which is about 28 to 29 days in the Islamic calender.

5. Haji, or pilgramage to Mecca, obligatory for those who are able; at least once in their lifetimes.

These are the basic and the ones expected of a Muslim to perform in their lifetimes. From there it branches out and you have the Sunnah (Complimentaries) that can be done to increase one's favour with Allah. I suggest you focus on studying these first as they cover a lot of what we do and their meaning.

I commend and praise you for your interest, and ask that you further seek reliable sources. Be careful in these times when disinformation is rampant and humans are more and more continuously driven by impulse and desire.

Above all, it is important to acknowledge the meaning behind the word Islam, which is utmost Submission to God, the Creator of All. We perform actions with permission, and also by asking for Guidance from Allah. We live our lives with patience and faith, and live knowing that the Day of Judgement is where all truths will come out.

both start from assumptions, which kinda levels them in that sense

P.S. also, they don't have to always contradict each other

Can you explain how Islam is more logical and straightforward than secular epistemologies such as rationalism, since you value truth?

1. I tend to be more of a pragmatic person when it comes down to the way I think. The very least I can say for now (with certainty, that is) is that Islam caught my attention with it's stragihtforwardness and, in a certain way, simplicity and logic construct (obviously not the right reason to become a muslim, but neither the wrong reason for some ''tip toein''' and studyin').
2. The second option.

P.S. also I appreciate how sincere and obedient are muslims regarding to their beliefs and practices

1. why Islam specifically?

2. Do you value more feeling good, or being more aligned with the truth state of the world so that you can accomplish your goals more effectively?

I think it's also quite likely that he's simply just laying low. It seems that the previous leader was martyred through critical intelligence gained from traitors on the inside. So the new leader keeping his whereabouts secret seems quite logical.

They're actions and that of the those around them would speak for them.

Ask yourself, the Epstein Files reveal the extent of corruption that can infiltrate a leadership. Do you feel comfortable knowing such despicable men and women hold power? Do pacifists feel comfortable with such people in power?

The reality is 'no' and if such a pacifist is comfortable or committed to non-violence, they should be made aware that other people are not going to play by their rules.

There's a reason theres the Western saying, that revolution that couldn't be done peacefully should be done so by force inevitably. Even then, Allah commands us to not be excessive and he iterates time and time again, that no one, not even a Prophet of Allah, has control over the hearts of men except for Him alone.

I'd like to take this opportunity to shill Yaqeen institute's "The Salahuddin Generation" youtube video series. They did a great job with trying to make it relevant to our situation today.

Thanks a lot for taking out the time to leave a comment here. I totally agree with you. It all makes sense when seen in its full context.

Since the post wasn't getting any engagement, I was also planning to write something but wasn't able to take out time for it. Btw, on a related note, how would you answer someone saying that voilence of any kind is unnecessary, even when you're wronged?

First off, the 'conquest of Mekkah' began when one of the members of the Quraysh Confederacy breached the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah by attacking a tribe allied with the Medinans and Muslims. Initially, the Prophet requested blood money to recompensate for the attack, termination of alliance with the tribe that had transgressed and, of course, the nullification of the treaty entirely given that the Confederacy was likely not going to comply with any promise moving forward.

Second off, there is the matter of progressive revelation and you are dismissing the first half of the Prophet's history where he stayed in Mecca and was harassed day in, day out. He preached Islam for 13 years before God commanded him to make pilgramage to Medina because the disbelievers had opted to surround his house and try to kill him.

Third, Islam is a religion that first and foremost is a reminder to humans and Jinn of their duties to their Creator. God placed us on this Earth as a test, and having a sapience is apart of that test.

Righteousness, justice and truth do not come to fruition on their own, they must be enforced. It should be reminded that God is Self-Sustaining and that anything we do on Earth does not deprive him the least. We seek to do good and cleanse corruption to please him, and apart of that is through action, words and then moving one's own heart.

As for God Himself taking action, he has already done so by Mercy when he sends Prophets from amongst the people to lead them back into the Path of Good. However, when people still refuse and are set in their stubborn ways, then God removes them so that they do not spread their corruption further.

We do not see such things happening before our eyes anymore because Allah willed it so that Prophet Muhammad is the Messenger for all of the tribes and nations in his time and moving forward. There are no Messengers after Muhammad (PBUH), it has been decided by Him and we have no say on the matter.

And to close this, it is important to read into the rules of warfare set by God. Surah Al-Baqarah, Sentence 190-194, Sentence 216 of Al-Baqarah, along with Surah Al-Ma'idah Sentence 33-34 should prove relevant to you.

Thank you for the well meaning comment friend

I am neither Muslim, nor Christian: but only someone identifying a key resource on a topic for you to consider.

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/answering-jihad

That is written by a former Muslim, specifically on how he found some things problematic.

If you want well-considered points to dig into, his book would probably be much more significant than most internet fluff.

Whether you, or any other, find it helpful, that was the only intent: to give deeper, sharp focus, so your lives could gain from meaning in whatever way you want.

🙏

I'm hoping to have blocked all religious nut jobs. Don't think I'll manage with you guys creating new accounts constantly.

It's an old post, but still thought I'd comment and ask if you're planning on Sacrificing this year or not?

If this is a test, I see your post. If you are asking for permission... "i don't know".

It is not permissible to forbid anything that is not forbidden by God and His Messenger.

In fact, this is one of the greatest sins, and there are powerful texts that warn of this.

Hello! New joiner here.

I'm just glad there is an islamic presence here rather than not.

I wouldn't call it desolate though, so much as it's cery small when compared to other communities.

Anyhow, better have than haven't

It's an emergent issue that hasn't had time for religion to really process it, and the thoughts you're having now are part of that process. Share this perspective with your fellow worshippers and see what happens. It does align with my own morality, for what that's worth. Engaging with those companies hurts us all, so I refuse to do so. Spin up a muslim-centric instance if you think that'd be useful, share the tools you use with your community, have those discussions. We'll get there :)

Qurbani is actually meant to be a sacrifice in the first place. We're sacrificing something close to us for Allah. But Feeling compassion and kindness for animals is completely normal and okay. In your case, it's a bit too much for you so you're free to appoint someone else (a butcher or trusted individual) to perform the slaughter on your behalf.

In case of veganism, Veganism is generally considered halal in Islam, provided the individual does not hold the belief that consuming animal products is inherently forbidden (haram) or that abstaining from them is a religious act of worship.

And Allah knows best. I would suggest to ask advice from a good Sheikh or a very knowledgeable and religious Muslim

Exactly

Seems like most people are pretty chill about it from what I've seen.

I just came to visit this community too but seems like it's pretty much dead

There's no pressure on you to initiate a Salam. You can do it if wished, No problem if you don't do it. It's really your choice, do as you want.