₦airaland Forum

justlove91:
Though am also an ex Muslim (doesn't mean am a Christian or atheist now), [size=1pt] came across this testimony a couple of years ago and just like to share it with you today, you wouldn't regret the read.
From Belief to Enlightenment:
The treacherous and arduous path

by Ali Sina
I was born into a moderately religious
family. On my mother’s side I have a few
relatives who are Ayatollahs. Although my
grandfather (whom I never met) was
somewhat a skeptic, we were believers.
My parents were not fond of the mullahs.
In fact, we did not have much to do with
our more fundamentalist relatives. We
liked to think of ourselves as believing in
“true Islam,” not the one taught and
practiced by the mullahs.
I recall discussing religion with the
husband of one of my aunts when I was
about 15 years old. He was a fanatical
Muslim who was very concerned about
the fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). It
prescribes the way Muslims should pray,
fast, run their public and private lives, do
business, clean themselves, use the
toilet, and even copulate. I argued this
has nothing to do with true Islam, that it
is a fabrication of the Mullahs, that
excessive attention to fiqh diminishes the
impact and importance of the pure
message of Islam, to unite man with his
creator. This view is mostly inspired by
Sufism. Many Iranians, thanks to Rumi's
poems, are to a great degree Sufis in
their outlook.
In my early youth I noticed
discriminations and cruelties against the
members of religious minorities in Iran.
This was more noticeable in provincial
towns where the level of education was
low and the mullahs had a better grip
over gullible people. Due to my father’s
work we spent a few years in small towns
out of the capital. I recall one of my
teachers who planned to take the class
swimming. We were excited and looked
forward to it. In the class there were a
couple of kids who were Baha'i and
Jewish. The teacher did not let them
accompany us. He said they are not
allowed to swim in the same pool that
Muslims swim in. I cannot forget the kids’
disappointment as they left school with
tears in their eyes, subdued and
heartbroken. At that age, maybe nine or
ten, I could not make sense of and was
saddened by this injustice. I thought it
was the kid’s fault for not being Muslims.
I believe I was lucky for having open-
minded parents who encouraged me to
think critically. They tried to instill in me
the love of God and his messenger, yet
upheld humanistic values like equality of
rights between man and woman, and love
for all humankind. In a sense, this is how
most modern Iranian families were. In
fact, the majority of Muslims who have
some education believe Islam is a
humanistic religion that respects human
rights, that elevates the status of women
and protects their rights. Most Muslims
believe that Islam means peace. Needless
to say, few of them have read the Quran.
I spent my early youth in this sweet
dream, advocating “true Islam” as I
thought it should be, and criticizing the
mullahs and their deviations from the
real teachings of Islam. I idealized an
Islam that conformed to my own
humanistic values. Of course my
imaginary Islam was a beautiful religion.
It was a religion of equality and peace. It
was a religion that encouraged its
followers to go after knowledge and be
inquisitive. It was a religion that was in
harmony with science and reason. In fact,
I thought that science got its inspiration
from this religion. The Islam I believed
was a religion that sparkled with modern
science, which eventually bore its fruit in
the West and made modern discoveries
and inventions possible. Islam, I believed,
was the real cause of modern civilization.
The reason Muslims were living in such a
miserable state of ignorance, I thought,
was all the fault of the self-centered
mullahs and religious leaders who for
their own personal gain had
misinterpreted the real teachings of
Islam.
Muslims honestly believe that the great
Western civilization has its roots in Islam.
They recall great Middle Eastern scientific
minds whose contributions to science
have been crucial in the birth of modern
science.
Omar Khayyam was a great
mathematician who calculated the length
of the year with a precision of .74% of a
second. Zakaria Razi can very well be
regarded as one of the first founders of
empirical science who based his
knowledge on research and
experimentation. Avicenna's (Bu Ali Sina)
monumental encyclopedia of medicine
was taught in European universities for
centuries. There are so many more great
luminaries who have “Islamic names” who
were the pioneers of modern science
when Europe was languishing in the
medieval Dark Ages. Like all Muslims, I
believed all these great men were
Muslims, that they were inspired by the
wealth of hidden knowledge in the Quran;
and that if today's Muslims could regain
the original purity of Islam, the long lost
glorious days of Islam would return and
Muslims would lead the advancement of
World civilization once again.
Iran was a Muslim country but it was also
a corrupt country. The chance of getting
into a university was slim. Only one in ten
applicants could get into the university.
Often they were forced to choose
subjects that they did not want to study
because they could not get enough points
for the subjects of their choice. Students
with the right connections often got the
seats.
The standard of education in Iran was not
ideal. Universities were under-funded, as
the Shah preferred building a powerful
military might to become the gendarme
of the Middle East rather than build the
infrastructure of the country and invest in
people’s education. These were reasons
why my father thought I would be better
off to leave Iran to continue my education
elsewhere.
We considered America and Europe, but
my father, acting upon the counsel of a
few of his religious friends, thought
another Islamic country would be better
for a 16 year old boy. We were told that
the West’s morality is too lax, people are
perverted, the beaches are full of nudes,
and they drink and have licentious
lifestyles, all of which are dangers to a
young man. So I was sent to Pakistan
instead, where people were religious and
thus it was safe and moral. A friend of
the family told us that Pakistan is just like
England, except that it is cheaper.
This, of course, proved to be untrue. I
found Pakistanis to be as immoral and
corrupt as Iranians. Yes they were very
religious. They did not eat pork and I saw
no one consuming alcohol in public, but I
noticed they had dirty minds, lied, were
hypocrites, were cruel to women, and
above all, were filled with hatred of the
Indians. I did not find them better than
Iranians in any way. They were religious
but not moral or ethical.
In college, instead of taking Urdu I took
Pakistani Culture to complete my A level
FSc (Fellow of Science). I learned the
reason for Pakistan's partition from India
and for the first time heard about
Muhammad Ali Jinah, the man Pakistanis
called Qaid-e A’zam, the great leader. He
was presented as an intelligent man, the
Father of the Nation, while Gandhi was
spoken of in a derogatory way. Even then,
I could not but side with Gandhi and
condemn Jinah as an arrogant, ambitious
man who was the culprit for breaking up
a country and causing millions of deaths.
You could say I always had a mind of my
own and was a maverick in my thinking.
No matter what I was taught, I always
came to my own conclusion and did not
believe what I was told.
I did not see differences of religion as
valid reasons for breaking up a country.
The very word Pakistan was an insult to
the Indians. They called themselves pak
(clean) to distinguish themselves from
the Indians who were najis (unclean).
Ironically I never saw a people dirtier
than the Pakistanis both physically and
mentally. It was disappointing to see
another Islamic nation in such intellectual
and moral bankruptcy. In discussions with
my friends I failed to convince anyone of
“true Islam.” I condemned their bigotry
and fanaticism while they disapproved of
me for my un-Islamic views.
I related all this to my father and decided
to go to Italy for my university studies. In
Italy people drink wine and eat pork, but
they were more hospitable, friendlier, and
less hypocritical than Muslims. I noticed
people were willing to help without
expecting something in return. I met a
very hospitable elderly couple, who
invited me to have lunch with them on
Sundays, so I would not have to stay
home alone. They did not want anything
from me. They just wanted someone to
love. I was almost a grandson to them.
Only strangers in a new country, who do
not know anyone and cannot speak the
language, can truly appreciate the value
of the help and hospitality of the locals.
Their house was sparkling clean, with
shiny marble floors. This contradicted my
idea of Westerners. Although my family
was very open towards other people,
Islam taught me that non-Muslims are
najis (Q. 9:28 ) and one should not
befriend them. I still have a copy of the
Farsi translation of the Quran I used to
often read from. One of the underlined
verses is:
“O you who believe! Take not the Jews
and the Christians as awliya’ (friends,
protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but
awliya’ to one another… Q.5: 51
I had difficulty understanding the wisdom
of such a verse. I wondered why I should
not befriend this wonderful elderly couple
who had no ulterior motives in showing
me their hospitality than just making me
feel at home. I thought they were “true
Muslims” and I tried to raise the subject
of religion hoping they would see the
truth of Islam and embrace it. But they
were not interested and politely changed
the subject. I was not stupid enough at
anytime in my life to believe that all non-
believers would go to hell. I read this in
the Quran before but never wanted to
think about it. I simply brushed it off or
ignored it. Of course, I knew that God
would be pleased if someone recognized
his messenger but never thought he
would actually be cruel enough to burn
someone in hell for eternity, even if that
person only does good deeds, just
because he was not a Muslim. I read the
following warning:
If anyone desires a religion other than
Islam (submission to Allah), never will
it be accepted of him; and in the
Hereafter He will be in the ranks of
those who have lost (All spiritual
good). Q 3:85 ,
Yet I paid little heed and tried to
convince myself the meaning is
something other than what it appears to
be. At that moment this was not a
subject that I was ready to handle. So I
did not think about it.
I hung around with my Muslim friends
and noticed that most of them lived a
very immoral life of double standards.
Most of them found girlfriends and slept
with them. That was very un-Islamic, or
so I thought at that time. What bothered
me most was the fact that they did not
value these girls as real human beings
who deserved respect. These girls were
not Muslim girls and therefore were used
just for sex. This attitude was not
general. Those who made less show of
religiosity were more respectful and
sincere towards their western girlfriends
and some even loved them and wanted to
marry them. Paradoxically. those who
were more religious were less faithful
towards their girlfriends. I always thought
that true Islam is what is right. If
something is immoral, unethical,
dishonest or cruel, it cannot be Islam. I
could not see how the behavior of these
immoral and callous Muslims could be the
result of what was taught in Islam.
Years later I realized that the truth is
exactly the opposite. I found many verses
that were disturbing and made me revise
my whole opinion of Islam.
As I saw it, the tragedy was that the very
same people who lived unethically and
immorally were the ones who called
themselves Muslims, said their prayers,
fasted and were the first to defend Islam
angrily if anyone raised a question about
it. They where the ones who would lose
their temper and start a fight if someone
dared to say a word against Islam.
Once I befriended a young Iranian man at
the university restaurant, later
introducing him to two other Muslim
friends of mine. We were all about the
same age. He was an erudite, virtuous,
wise, young man. My other two friends
and I were captivated by his charm and
high moral values We used to wait for
him and sit next to him during lunch
hour, as we always learned something
from him. We used to eat a lot of
spaghetti and risotto and craved a good
Persian ghorme sabzi and chelow . Our
friend said his mother sent him some
dried vegetables and invited us to his
house the next Sunday for lunch. We
found his two-room apartment very
clean, unlike the houses of other guys. He
made us a delicious ghorme sabzi which
we ate with great gusto and then sat back
chatting and sipping our tea. It was then
we noticed his Baha’i books. When we
asked about them, he said he was a
Baha’i.
That did not bother me at all, but on the
way home my two friends said they did
not wish to continue their friendship with
him. I was surprised and asked why. They
said that being a Baha’i makes him najis
and had they known he was a Baha’i, they
would not have befriended him. I was
puzzled and enquired why they thought
he was najis if we all were complementing
him on his cleanliness. We all agreed he
was a morally superior man than all of the
Muslim young men we knew, so why this
sudden change of attitude? Their
response was very disturbing. They said
the name itself had something in it that
made them dislike this religion. They
asked me if I knew why everyone disliked
the Baha’is. I told them I didn’t know,
and that I liked everyone. But since they
disliked the Baha’is, perhaps they should
explain their reasons. They did not know
why! This man was the first Baha’i they
knew this well, and he was an exemplary
man. I wanted to know the reason for
their dislike. There was no particular
reason, they said. It’s just they know that
Baha’is are bad.
I am happy I did not continue my
friendship with these two bigots. From
them I learned how prejudice is formed
and operates.
Later I realized the prejudices and hatred
that Muslims harbor against almost all
non-Muslims is not the result of any
misinterpretation of the teachings of the
Quran, but is because this book teaches
hate and encourages prejudice. Those
Muslims who go to the mosques and
listen to the sermons of the mullahs are
affected. There are many verses in the
Quran that call believers to hate non-
believers, fight them, call them najis,
subdue and humiliate them, chop off
their heads and limbs, crucify them, and
kill them wherever they find them. [/size]

Ifeann:
Thanks for quoting these verses let those that have eyes see the filth truth filledt in ur quran...remember that their are over 100 verses commanding u Muslims to fight people [s]simply because they don't believe in Mohammed and his moon god.[/s] for oppression of Muslims

Ahmadjr:
...
Take a look at Ill conduct.
Now with regards to ur story, is seeking for knowledge (d wife's alledged offence according to d monstrous husband) an ill conduct? I believe u're aware that d Qura'n commands muslims to seek knowledge (which is what d wife was doing), so looking at this u see that d husband cared less about what Islam has to say and only committed that act out of his selfish reasons. So I don't see hw this verse supports his action.
So pls stop trying to pin his action on Religion!
...
And in her commments I don't see where she blamed her husband's act on Islam....all I see is you doing just that.

Empiree:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojcoKnTGf4s

Ifeann:
Islam is all about fighting non muslims and taking slaves. .

Lesser jihad

(1) “Fighting is prescribed for you” (Koran 2:216);

(2) “Slay them wherever you find them” (Koran 4:89);

(3) “Fight the idolators utterly” (Koran 9:36);


Here are teachings that encourage savage behaviour of Muslims.


Qur’an 8:12— Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): “I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.”

Qur’an 9:73—O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination.”

Quran 2:193. "And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors."

Quran 8:39. "And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do."

Qur'an (9:29)-"Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."

Sura 9:5. "When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them."

Bukhari 2:24: Allah's Apostle said: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform a that, then they save their lives and property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah."

Empiree:
Dont run away yet.....mister

Say you have a desire to read the Bible for the first time. So you go to your local bookstore or check online for a free version. But rather than simply find a copy of the Bible, you’re faced with hundreds of choices. You feel overwhelmed. Who knew there were so many versions of the Bible?

You find study Bibles, archaeological Bibles, devotional Bibles, women’s Bibles, patriotic Bibles, teen Bibles, and even skater Bibles. Skater Bibles?! you think. You finally find the “plain” Bibles and prepare to pick one out.

Then you realize that there are dozens and dozens of different translations of the Bible, often known by their abbreviations: King James Version (KJV); New International Version (NIV); English Standard Version (ESV); New Revised Standard Version (NRSV); New Living Translation (NLT)—the list goes on and on.

How do you choose a Bible? What’s the difference between all these translations? Why are there so many? Now, dont tell me the difference is just translations. No, that's incorrect. Let me give you example of what Quran is talking about. It says you have distorted your Bible (in the form of ommision, addition, etc). Now let's take a look at CASE STUDY (see below)

Good News Bible

The Bible is divided into two(2):

*used by Catholics
*used by protestants

Now, Catholic Bible (Good News) has 73 chapters BUT Protestant Bible (Good News) has 66 chapters

So it means there are 7 chapters missing from Protestants' Good News Bible

Catholics say their Book is original and that any omission from their Book is false and they have evidence in their Book of Revelation.

Protestants also said their Book is original and nothing is missing. They have evidence in their own as well. Revelation 22:18-19 against one another. So I ask all Christians, if I have Protestant's Good News Bible, I go to any church and pastor says "open John 3:16". I am sure everyone or almost everyone will be able to do so.

Now, if pastor goes further and he says "open the book of Baruch chapter 1:1". There is going to be problem because Pastor is using Catholic Good News Bible. But you as church goer will never find the book of Baruch chapter 1:1 in Protestant's Good News Bible.

So this is my research. I dont need to do this research to believe what Quran says about that:

So woe to those who write the "scripture" with their own hands, then say, "This is from Allah ," in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn. 2:79

But those who wronged changed [those words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them, so We sent down upon those who wronged a punishment from the sky because they were defiantly disobeying.2:59

But do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare?2:77


And hadith:

Narrated Ubaidullah: Ibn 'Abbas said, "Why do you ask the people of the scripture about anything while your Book (Quran) which has been revealed to Allah's Apostle is newer and the latest? You read it pure, undistorted and unchanged, and Allah has told you that the people of the scripture (Jews and Christians) changed their scripture and distorted it, and wrote the scripture with their own hands and said, 'It is from Allah,' to sell it for a little gain. Does not the knowledge which has come to you prevent you from asking them about anything? No, by Allah, we have never seen any man from them asking you regarding what has been revealed to you!" (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 461)

There are bunch of Bibles. They are way too much. So if you deny this allegation above, then, I urge you to do research instead labeling muslims "taqqiyah", "ignorance". That doesn't help you at all. I have piles of Bibles...some even with ridiculous names.

So with confusion in the case study I gave above, I confidently ask you which Bible Jesus actually preached?. I am coming to King James itself as it contradicts other vis-a-vis. So malvisguy212, you dont need epistle to answer simple question. You dont need copy paste to give simple answer.

Qur'an contains 114 chapters and any Muslim can use it anywhere, anytime, any-day. A Nigerian Muslim can confidently use his/her Quran in America. American can confidently use his/her Bible in China and so on. It's all the same. So by definition of "Change" Quran refers to, let's take a look at dictionary.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/change: Change means to become different


http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/change. Definition
: to become different

: to make (someone or something) different

: to become something else

So is Qur'an right or wrong?. Stop being pig-headed, soften your heart and do away with bigotry

Empiree:
I may have to give up on you but i will give you second chance. Before i return here, kindly answer this question pending my return: Do you think that when God says He "sent down" or "revealed" Holy Books, it means God throws the Books from heaven and his prophets catch them?

OREMUSSANCTUS:
lol, ya will end up being depressed as tartar9, u better take it cool cos u will just waste ya life for muhammed dat is burning in hell. Up till dis moment no muslim ve bin able to say one good tin muhammed did in his life time. Instead ya end up insulting and derailing d thread . Its not our fault, we only exposing d plagues in our society.

udatso:
Can't you for once behave like you are sane. Cos it isn't only in religion your insanity shows. It's also very obvious in politics section. Are you blind? Didn't you see the well written reply by 9jaforlife? Please pretend to be sensible I beg you

Akin1212:
Eager to fight ? Very funny, if I'm eager to fight will I ask you to stop insulting people ? I think you are the one who is eager to fight here. Being constructive means a lot, in this sense I'm saying lay down your points without insulting. How is that an insult or a fight ? I'm wondering

udatso:
This is so unlike Ifeann. I have been waiting for him/her to come twist the well comprehensive reply he/she got from 9jaforlife. Could it be she/he is beginning to see the light? Well may Allah guide him/her to the right path.

@Ifeann........ Am really getting tired of addressing you as he/she. Please choose one

@9jaforlife may Allah reward you and all other brothers for tirelessly clearing the misguidance Ifeann has dedicated her/his life to cause.

Akin1212:
Seems you are motivated by insulting people, show decorum at least

Akin1212:
Why are you not constructive ?

Ifeann:
I think it's fair to let u know that I skip the insults u throw..and resume where u continue normal discussions in ur comments.. I don't have time to waste reading personal insults and I am very busy at the moment.

Therefore if u want me to read ur entire comment u have to be polite and concise.

I have studied a lot of the wars and killing in the old testament. It's all justified. If u have issues with that then go ask Mohammed why he butchered people unjustly. .and fornicated with helpless sex slaves. Etc

I also always encourage u Muslims to bring up this old testament verses that troubles u and we shall address it..it is not comparable to the terror in the quran..

Peace rude boy.

Ifeann:
I forgive u.. it's the Mohammed in you talking. .

Ifeann:
U missed my point like u always do..

don't blame me for what u understand. . blame ur lack of intelligence. .

and apparently [/b] u don't know the difference between the gospel as taught by Christ and spread by the apostles and the old testament. [b] .