Well, for me the challenge of indigenous muslims (and this also applies to muslims in the west and middle east too); is that many of us tend to focus on the wrong issues in the wrong order of precedents.

After kalimat-usshahaadah (i.e. testifying that no deity is worthy of worship except Allah), the other pillars upon which Islam and muslims stand are: Prayer, Zakaat, Fasting and Hajj (for those who can afford it).

If we focus on these five pillars, muslims would stand strong because these are the basic pillars without which Islam/Muslims are invalid.

Unfortunately, when people with (according to sister deols) "sweet mouth and zero knowledge" are allowed to propagate Islam, all that you hear them talk about are things like: banishing alcohol, wearing hijab and fighting prostitution (not that these things are not issues of Islam)...but this is the way many non-muslims perceive Islam, especially in the post-Sharia crisis of the early 2000s, particularly in Nigeria.

For a woman, as an example, she can be a valid muslimah if she practices these five pillars even without wearing hijab. She may not be the ideal muslimah, but no one has the right to deny her of her beliefs. Afterall, even paradise get levels. Some people may make it there but dwell in a BQ or Face-me-I-Face you, while others will reside in Mansions within the neighbourhood of Firdaus. Some may enter hell fire for a while before they are released on Parole. Allahu Aalam. Now, conversely, any woman who thinks that merely wearing a hijab/nikab (without practicing the five pillars) makes her a muslim, is simply a fool...and a non-muslim for that matter.

Therefore, to be a fundamentalist is to start/focus on these five pillars and practice them very well. If we practice them, we would turn out as model parents, neighbours, citizens and human beings because it means we would eventually be trustworthy, decent, honest, kind, respectful and helpful people. Just like the Prophet (pbuh).

So our primary goal in carrying out dawaah (Mali militants take note) is not to just start chopping off people's hands or (as in the case of the Taliban) to start shooting girls who attend schools. Some so-called muslims of today think practicing Islam or demonstrating their strong faith is tantamount to fighting Jews or hating Christians. It is not. Fighting is not a pillar of Islam. Allah hates transgressors and oppressors. Fighting is not one of our articles of faith too. We should only fight as a last resort.

Let us revert to the true fundamentals of Islam by standing on these five pillars and we would stand tall and strong. We would attract people to Islam, just like the prophet's enemies were forced to love him due to the truthfulness of his ways.

How many of us muslims of nowadays live such beautiful lives that our non-muslim neighbors actually envy us and secretly wish they were like us?

Ask yourself this question everyday.

Frostyzone: Don't take this the wrong way, my Muslims brethrens, but the only way Islam can take root in Brazil(the land with the highest population of Roman Catholics and least number of Muslims) is if and only if pigs will suddenly sprout wings and started flying.

What a silly topic.

the problem is u have refused to understand what the topic is all about. is all about the presence of muslims who are Brazilians and not immigrant among a very high number roman catholics. the number of Brazilians muslim is very very small but nevertheless they are muslims in brazil something i would not have thought of. there are countries i do feel there are no muslims, the likes brazil, mexico, colombia, etc the south america in general, but its good to know there is islam in those countries no matter how small they are.

maclatunji: I have always been fascinated by Brazil and I am not surprised that Islam is growing there at all.

Why are you not surprised?!

Brazil is importing trouble!

tunapawizzy: ....ANYWAY I NO GO TALK WEYTIN DEY MY MIND...MAKE DEM NO BAN ME....

Freedom is what makes Nigeria. The Man Died. . .

To avoid being banned, please ensure that your post is not offensive to Islam. just reminding u oooo

tunapawizzy: ....ANYWAY I NO GO TALK WEYTIN DEY MY MIND...MAKE DEM NO BAN ME....

Why are you a member of this forum when you are scared to share meaningful and sensible contributions with members? Nairaland continues to grow on daily basis because people learn about new things and get exposed to variuos opinion.
My fear for Brazil is that fundamentalist groups will soon spring up and terrorism will be ushered in. The once peaceful country might lose her tranquility. No offense to anybody, this is just my opinion. Afterall we can see it everywhere.

ffo: can a christian practice his religion openly like this in Islamic countries.

I'm awaiting a response to this question.

Alhamudulhai. This is very inspiring.

basisop: Brazil is importing trouble!

Importing trouble like how ... Are you daf.t?

tunapawizzy: ....ANYWAY I NO GO TALK WEYTIN DEY MY MIND...MAKE DEM NO BAN ME....

they have just succeeded in opressing you. That is their way.

Table Leg :

Importing trouble like how ... Are you daf.t?

As if you don't know what he's talking about.

It's not just Brazil - most black youths in the UK are also converting to Islam... I was thinking about converting to Islam as well because my grandparents were muslims, however pops converted to Christianity before he met my mum... But I just can't leave one form of servitude to the European race for another form of servitude to Arab ragheads - I'm a black man, and servitude isn't in our DNA, we're the natural rulers of mother earth... And black women birthed all the race of people on this planet before the rest mingled with neanderthals...

The afro-asiatic black man created both Islam and Christianity in their pure forms but they have both been Arabicised and Europeanised respectively... So a true black man needs to give ceaser what belongs to ceaser(leave their religion for them) - and create a new true religion based on what's African...

When both Islam and Christianity stop lying to us and give us back our religions, I'll probably think about converting.... Till then, tell Europeans and Arab ragheads to keep scamming people with their stolen religions... Vatican, Israel, and Mecca are not the holy lands - the holy land is in East Africa!!!

shymexx: It's not just Brazil - most black youths in the UK are also converting to Islam... I was thinking about converting to Islam as well because my grandparents were muslims, however pops converted to Christianity before he met my mum... But I just can't leave one form of servitude to the European race for another form of servitude to Arab ragheads - I'm a black man, and servitude isn't in our DNA, we're the natural rulers of mother earth... And black women birthed all the race of people on this planet before the rest mingled with neanderthals...

The afro-asiatic black man created both Islam and Christianity in their pure forms but they have both been Arabicised and Europeanised respectively... So a true black man needs to give ceaser what belongs to ceaser(leave their religion for them) - and create a new true religion based on what's African...

So in your opinion religion isn't about worshipping God but about promoting racial interests?

deols:

I totally agree with you on this. massive da'wah and re orientation is trully needed. It is amazing how Muslims in Nigeria are generally classified.I had a.discussion with a friend and we had a problem deciding whom an average Nigerian Muslim was. it ended up being so so below par. I just pray that everyone realising the need for this puts in some action.

Another problem is da'wah trainings. how about people who go out to give d da'wah ending up not being representative of Islam enough or lacking the ideals of a da'ee.

well I remember learning a thing or two about giving da'wah, one of which was not getting angry in d course of it, being patient whenever tantrums are thrown towards you in d cause of giving it. But many of us fail at these things.

many people with the knowledge dont have d skills and many blessed with it are only sweet mouthed. I wish we can have a front-da'wah movement. with strong and passionate people at it, using all forms of media.

so wat will d dawah movement entail....hope no "bombs"....lol well, i have islamic frnds dat r moderate n we discuss religion wit respect 4 our differences. But many oda muslims(esp northerners) r ready to slit a throat @ d slightest question u raise about islamic theology....i jus dun knw y...

ffo: Are Christians permitted to worship and practice their religion without being persecuted the way these people are allowed here in the middle east or other Islamic countries?

can a christian practice his religion openly like this in Islamic countries.

Very good question!

.....indeed Allah guides whom He wish...
Please, if u dnt have sensible comment to post,move to next thread..

Would love to hear about christainity proliferating in places like Iran and Saudi Arabia without the constant persecution and draconic sentences.

That will reduce the prices of the bikini pants at the Brazilian market. Nice

fellis:

So in your opinion religion isn't about worshipping God but about promoting racial interests?

It isn't about racial interests, it's about doing things the way they ought to be done... Africans are spiritual beings and our consciousness is different from other races of people on this planet... The new image of the two religions also subconsciously promote servitude and I won't be a party to the black man's servitude to other races of people in this century...

Every race of people on this planet worship a God that looks like them, how come we're the only race of people who worship God(s) that look(s) like other people Krishna looks Indian... Buddha looks chinese/Japanese/Korean etc.. Jesus looks European... Muhammed looks Arab...

I dont understand this ban of a thing. Muslims are free to practice their religion wherever they find themselves, but they don't tolerate other people's religion and practices. Please change starts from the individuals and it should be to muslims from cradle, the art of tolerance should be inculcated. And BTW why are must muslim posts always on frontpage, there are interesting topics that are of great relevance and not telling us Islam is spreading.

shymexx: When both Islam and Christianity stop lying to us and give us back our religions, I'll probably think about converting.... Till then, tell Europeans and Arab ragheads to keep scamming people with their stolen religions... Vatican, Israel, and Mecca are not the holy lands - the holy land is in East Africa!!!

..and which land is holier than the house(makkah) of Allah??
If u dnt knw, u ask!

livebullet:

so wat will d dawah movement entail....hope no "bombs"....lol well, i have islamic frnds dat r moderate n we discuss religion wit respect 4 our differences. But many oda muslims(esp northerners) r ready to slit a throat @ d slightest question u raise about islamic theology....i jus dun knw y...

Sorry o.
But next time, if you dont have something sensible to write, u can just leave the thread. I believe its not compulsory to comment

booqee: Ok dis film will be interesting. When's the part two coming out??7

Islam rooted in roman catholic brazil my yansh!

Islam is viable anywhere.

Walexz02:
..and which land is holier than the house(makkah) of Allah??
If u dnt knw, u ask!

What make Mecca holy?? Is it the Kabba??

And where is the Kabba from originally, if I may ask

Maybe, you need to read the history of Mecca before you start making yourself look ignorant...

Ethiopia still has some of the holiest and sacred places on this planet!!

Frostyzone: Don't take this the wrong way, my Muslims brethrens, but the only way Islam can take root in Brazil(the land with the highest population of Roman Catholics and least number of Muslims) is if and only if pigs will suddenly sprout wings and started flying.

What a silly topic.

ROTFLMFAO!