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I'll start with my little anecdote. In my first week of undergrad, I became interested in a girl in my class. She was polite, modest, well-mannered, and dignified. She was one of the few girls in class who covered her head. At that time, I didn't know she was a shia. After a series of incidents, such as being placed in groups for class projects, we became tentative sort of friends, while keeping a reasonable distance. Overtime, I discovered that she was a momina, the love of Ahle Bayt was very important for her, and she took religion fairly seriously (a rare trait in girls these days.) We discovered that we had a fair bit in common, and we got along well. When universities were closed during the first wave of covid, we kept in touch, inquiring about the well beings of our families, exchanging innocent memes as a simple way to keep in touch etc. I decided I would make my feelings clear one day, and propose to her. I never got the courage to do that... ...until a few days ago. I decided that enough was enough. I had thought long and hard for years; I just wasn't sure whether I should propose to her directly, or wait for things to fall in place themselves. Left with no choice, I did istikhara. The answer was that I should just ask her for marriage directly, and accept the results no matter what they were. As expected, she declined very politely. I am a struggling man after all, and no reasonable woman will want to marry me at this point in life. I basically lost a good friend in the process. She didn't block me like I asked her to, but I'm pretty sure we won't speak again. I kept doing zikr during it all, asking Allah to give me strength and help me cope. I'm 100% certain that is the only reason I have the strength to sit here calmly and type this; otherwise I would have just lied in bed for days doing nothing. My heart didn't break like I expected it too, and with the help of Allah I'm doing reasonably well. What are the lessons in all of this? 1- zikr works. If done sincerely, Allah will give you more strength than you think you have. 2- if you want to marry someone, it's better to just ask directly. If nothing else, it will help you grow as a man. 3- the advantage of istikhara is that you'll learn to accept bitter disappointments in life; you'll know that you made the decision keeping Allah's Will in your mind, and what happened was for the best. Maybe someone much better will come at some point in my life, and I'll thank God that things took course like they did.

Agreed...spot on 100% No evidence for this statement whatsoever This is like me going to Miami University and saying, "OMG!, OMG! all the Cubans in the world are against Castro and they're all pro-capitalism 100%"...the truth is...like post-1978 Iran, Castro expelled US-backed dictator Batista and all his crooked landlords and supporters...Batista and his cronies were profiting from Cuba's commercial interests by financially acquiescing to the dictates of the American mob (mafia ran the drug, gambling, and houses of ill repute in Havana) and with U.S. multinational conglomerates...plus, when Jimmy Carter demanded Castro release Cuban citizens he sent hundreds of boats to Miami...Castro took advantage of the situation by unloading 120,000 people comprised mostly of criminals (hence the film 'Scarface' starring Al Pacino in 1983), the mentally handicapped and homosexual activists...LOL...the incident is known as the 'Mariel boatlift'

I'm glad that you found the strength in your adversity, and decided to move on with dignity. I understand it's kind of rude to comment your personal issues, but I hope you don't mind me make a passing remark. I appreciate that you asked her directly as a gentleman would. However, I think you're possibly attributing a wrong cause to her rejection. Maybe she didn't reject you because of your financial status? What if she liked someone, or her parents were considering other proposals for her? What if she was waiting for different types of guys (such as from a different ethnic, linguistic, cultural or social background). The point I'm trying to make is that anyone can have a million reasons for saying YES or NO to other people. So I do not want you to feel bad about your financial status and think things like ". I am a struggling man after all, and no reasonable woman will want to marry me at this point in life". Maybe, one part of asking people out should be first to inquire casually, if they are ready for marriage, and what kinds of qualities they are looking for in them. It's a part of a broader process of communication, and I'm sure this will give you a lot more clarity in future spouse-hunt. I hope God blesses you and gives you whatever you wish to receive in life.

Salam. Yeh achi baat hai tumhne apnay apko bikarnay nahi diya, Agay jakay bohot takleefay ayegi zindagi mein. One has to remain strong to overcome all challenges. As for rejection, the only thing that matters is trying. I've been rejected by so many women and families by now, at first it stings a bit but after that it doesn't matter. You just have to keep paddling on until you find the right person for you. I thought I found the right person thrice in my lifetime but they all turned out to be horrible choices which I'm glad didn't come to fruition. But know that things happen when we make them happen. So you should be proud of yourself that you had the courage and proposed to her, who knows one day she may or may not return but one thing I'll say is that any woman who only marries a man because he is settled in life is not worth having. A woman who takes the leap of faith and marries a man who is not settled, helps him become settled, shares in his journey of becoming something in life is worth a thousand women but these women are pretty rare. However, they are in abundance in the West for some reason. This is also one of the reasons why divorce rates are so high amongst Muslims these days, they marry a settled guy, XYZ happens, divorced. But if the same XYZ happens between a man and a woman who have seen their struggling days, no matter how much they want to divorce, they won't because they have seen those bad days together and were each other's support in those days so that's why their divorce rate is very low. I view it like this: People who assembled/built a factory together will cry and grieve over it if the factory gets set on fire until their eyes bleed and their hands hurt in lamentation. People who come in and buy the factory from day one without building it just shake their heads, don't think too much of the loss and move on to buy another factory.

I agree with you 100% and I believe that we have entered this era. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal.” Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2260

Wa alaikum as salam Punishing someone for their orientation? No. However, as you mentioned certain acts are clearly forbidden in islam. A country that refers to shariah law for it's legal system will therefore punish such acts.

Now it is true, when couples marry each other and pass through hardships they will love each other more. Despite the woman that marries her husband and he is already settled, has a house a job etc... I think that a smart committed woman would marry someone that still have his future ahead of him cause the person who lives in the west and is unsettled is a temporary problem, since jobs are frequent and even the man who doesnt have a degree can still most of the time come up with working in something, have an experience and securing his future. Whereas in the middle east that's not true at all. Especially in Lebanon, and Lebanon is worth mentioning cause there are hundred of thousands of committed shias here that are facing this problem. The job market mainly favors christians here, despite sparse jobs and low salaries, and mortgage that has been suspended for 3 years now, etc... So basically you cant marry someone that gets paid 400$ (Minimum wage was way more but there is the currency crashing now) and there are no chances of promotion cause for example most companies are closing and local companies are mainly small and don't follow policies you find in multinational companies, or academia isnt finished cause the man left university to provide for his family for many reasons, etc... So trust me you being a student is the least of problems and inshallah when the right time comes god will guide you to the one for you.

No, I'm not offended by anything you've said. I used to be extremely devout maybe like some 10 years back! but then things change! and Yes, Thank you for the prayers! I need them. I'm very happy that you and other people can and are praying for me regardless of the fact that we do not share same religion or views. This is what humanity is all about. May your kindness be rewarded! :)

It is about how the world have been leaded to kufr and it is reaching to every Muslim household, changing people and leaving their religion. There are many faithless Muslim people everywhere you go. Many of them do not even show anything about their apostasy. Sunni or Shia apostasy are not relevant, because both of them are leading to rejection.

That's true. But there framework is the real problem. And there interpretations too have many problems.

These are the bigoted secularist, ultra-nationalist and pro-White Revolution types

I wouldn't agree that actions are the only criterion. Belief is obviously a critical factor, and this should be obvious in the Qur'an where disbelief is frequently and clearly associated with the hellfire. Who will and won't enter heaven is of course the decision of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). He knows best who He guides and how He guides them, and what He will judge them according to.

Bismehe Ta3ala Assalam Alikum In Britain, it's called fish and chips. When was the last time you had a fish meal? Lettuce salad, french fries, 1/2 kilo of deep fried filet fish with tartar sauce and hot sauce. M3 Salamah, FE AMIN ALLAH

First we need to understand what worship is. And I have not Created the Jinn and the Humans except to be worshipping Me [51:56] Let's see the interpretation of this verse by "those who are firmly rooted in knowledge" i.e the Holy infallibles (asws)/the Holy Ahlulbayt (asws). He is the One Who Revealed the Book unto you; from it are Decisive Verses - these are the Mother of the Book; and others are Allegorical. Then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity, so they are following what is allegorical from it, seeking the Fitna and seeking its (personal) interpretation. And none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in the Knowledge. They are saying, ‘We believe in it. It is all from the Presence of our Lord’. And none (would) mention except those with the understanding [3:7] And from him, from Muhammad Bin Musa Bin Al-Mutawakkal, from Ali Bin Al-Husayn Al-Asadabady, from Ahmad Bin Abu Abdullah Al-Barqy, from Al-Hassan Bin Ali Bin Fazal, from Sa’albat Al-Maymoun, from Jameel Bin Daraaj, ‘Abu Abdullah (asws), said, ‘I asked him (asws) about the Words of Allah (عزّ وجلّ) Mighty and Majestic [51:56] And I have not Created the Jinn and the Humans except that they should worship, he (asws) said: ‘Created them for the worship’. I said, ‘In particular, or generally?’ He (asws) said: ‘No, but, generally (for worship)’. علل الشرائع: 14 /12. Let us explore some more hadeeth. Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq (asws) said Verily above every act of worship is an even better act of worship, and love for us, the household of the Prophet, is the best act of worship. al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 247, no. 462; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1014 A number of our companions, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Ibn Mahboub, from Abu Khalid Al Kufy, (It has been narrated) raising it to Abu Ja’far (asws) having said: ‘Rasool-Allah (saws) said: ‘The worship has seventy parts, the most superior of it being seeking the livelihood’. Al Kafi – V 5 – The Book of Subsistence Ch 5 H 6 Prophet Isa (a) asked a man, 'What are you doing?' The man replied, 'I am worshipping.' So he asked, 'Then who is it that supports you [financially]?' He replied, 'My brother', to which Prophet Jesus (عليه السلام) said, 'Your brother is a better worshipper than you.' Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1, p. 65; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1013 Imam Muhammmad Al Taqi (asws) said Feeling Allah in every breath is more advantageous than exhausting your body in worshipping Him. al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.78, p.364. Muhammad Bin Yahya, l from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Isa, from Moammar Bin Khalid who said, ‘I heard Abu Al-Hassan Al-Riza (asws) saying: ‘The worship is not the abundance of the Salāt (prayer) and the Soām (fast). But rather, the worship is the contemplation regarding the Command of Allah (عزّ وجلّ) Mighty and Majestic’. Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 29 H 4 RasoolAllah (saws) said Engage yourself in acts of worship to the extent of your ability, for as you get exhausted, God gets exhausted too.Verily, the most beloved deed in the sight of God is the most durable, though in quantity little. Nahj al Fasahah; Tradition No. 530; Page No. 77&78 Imam Muhammad Al Taqi (asws) said The best form of worship is sincerity. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 109; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1016 The Holy Prophet (saws) said The bane of worship is lassitude. Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 6; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1017 Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq (asws) said Do not make worship loathsome to yourselves [by forcing it upon yourselves]. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 86, no. 2 Meezan ul Hikmah, page No. 1017 The Holy Prophet (saws) said An hour of standing in the line of holy war (jihad) for the cause of God is better than sixty years of worshiping. Nahj al Fasahah; Tradition No. 206; Page No. 35 The Holy Prophet (saws) said Entertaining the best opinion about Allah is a form of worship of Allah, most High. al-Durrah al-Bahirah, p. 18; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1014 Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (asws) said Pondering about the dominion of the heavens and the earth is the worship of the sincere ones. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1792; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1014 Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (asws) said Verily part of worship is to talk to people in a gentle manner and to spread the greeting of peace among them. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3421; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1014 Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq (asws) said Worshippers are of three types: people who worship Allah, Mighty and Exalted, out of fear, and that is the worship of a slave; people who worship Allah, Blessed and most High, seeking to be rewarded thereof, and that is the worship of an employee; and people who worship Allah, Mighty and Exalted, out of love for Him, and that is the worship of free men and is the best type of worship. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 84, no. 5; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1015 The Holy Prophet (saws) said The best form of worship is to gain an understanding [of religion]. al-Khisal, p. 30, no. 104; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1015 The Holy Prophet (saws) said The worship deserving of the greatest reward is that which is most discreetly performed. Qurb al-Isnad, p. 135, no. 475; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1015 Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (asws) said The best form of worship is self-restraint. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 468, no. 8; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1015 Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (asws) said The best form of worship is breaking a habit or an addiction. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2873; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1016 Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (asws) said The best form of worship is abstinence. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2872; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1016 Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq (asws) said The best form of worship is coming to know Allah and humbling oneself before Him. Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 364; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1016 Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq (asws) said By Allah, there is no better way to worship Allah than to fulfil the right of a fellow believer. al-Ikhtisas, p. 28; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1016 Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq (asws) said The best worshipper among people is he who performs the acts obligatory upon him. al-Khisal, p. 16, no. 56; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1016 Imam Ali ibn Husayn (asws) said There is no point to worship unless performed with understanding. Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 280; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1013 The Holy Prophet (saws) said The best of people is he who longs for worship and embraces it, loves it with his heart, throws himself into it with his whole body, and devotes himself exclusively to it, such that he is not concerned in what worldly state he wakes up in the morning: in difficulty or in ease. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 83, no. 3; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1012 Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (asws) said When Allah loves a servant He inspires him to carry out the best forms of worship. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4066; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1012 Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (asws) said Adoration [of Allah] consists of five things: keeping the stomach empty, reading the Qur'an, performing the night prayer, imploring Allah at dawn, and crying much from fear of Allah. Mustadrak al-Wasa`il, v. 11, p. 244, no. 12875; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1012 The Holy Prophet (saws) said There is no use to worship without conviction. Kanz al-Fawa' id li al-Karajiki, v. 1, p. 55; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1012 The Holy Prophet (saws) said Worship consists of ten parts, nine of which are to do with earning a lawful living. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 103, p. 18, no. 81; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1013 The Holy Prophet (saws) said Looking at [the face of] a scholar is worship, looking at [the face of] a just Imam is worship, looking at one's parents with kindness and mercy is worship, and looking at the face of a brother whom you love for the sake of Allah is worship. Amali al-Tusi, p. 454, no. 1015; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 1014 https://hubeali.com/articles/Worship_Ibadah.pdf https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=anywheresoftware.b4a.SIAToolKit (explore the hadith section)

Essence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is beyond description. He (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) provided us with His Names. For example, He is the Beginning and He is the Ending. All these Names for human to address Allah azawajalla. In reality, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is beyond that. Even for me to say Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is beyond that is understatement. The most I could say Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is Ahad. His Names are not Him. Because His Names are created too. Allahbswt is not infinity. Because Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is beyond infinity and He created infinity. Wallahualam...

This reminded me of a funny line by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf when someone said to him that he does not like organised religion, he said that "you should become a Muslim, we are one of the most disorganised religions!" (Until Imam Mahdi (عجّل الله تعالى فرجه الشريف) returns inshAllah) Jokes aside, this reminded me of a verse in the Qur'an: "Allah draws an example: a man jointly owned by several contending masters, and a man belonging entirely to one man: are the two equal in comparison? All praise belongs to Allah! But most of them do not know." (39:29) In other words, we will be a slave to several masters if we don't submit to Pure Existence (our own "hawa" / desires, our priests who lead us astray etc.) Jean Jacques Rousseau said "man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains". How true a statement! Firstly brother, have you not read this verse in the Qur'an? What if one was to view part of hellfire as separation from God? Should one not perform those actions which will bring us nearer to God? Also brother, inshaAllah I pray that Allah relieves you of all your worries. Forgive me if I have said anything wrong to you or offended you

We have failed, and its time to admit we failed. Only then will we wake up and realize that we need to change in order to be a viable community going forward into the future. Solutions are out there. We, as a collective we, not as individuals, need to have the courage to stand up and face these issues and have an ongoing and open dialogue about it and not pretend it doesn't exists. Pretending it doesn't exist hasn't got us anywhere. This post is another clear example of our failure.

Luckily the truth was never determined by numbers. As we know muslims have always been outnumbered by non muslims, but alhamdulillah this is irrelevant to us.

No. It is not true. These are all political propagandas to attack shiism. Primarily in order to defame Iran. There were some maniacs in Iran in the time of Shah who enjoyed a luxury life. They went out when shah was out. They are all people of money, power and influence. So, they always cover the surface and people see them as Shias and Iranians. Media runs behind them and things like that. Seeing this people start yelling "Look Shias are apostating". What about the entire KSA being sold out. Should we disclose the secrets of Al Saud and all such Salafis and sunnis over here and say that,"Look sunnis have apostated"? All these blame games will go on and on and on. They have no end. Truth is that Shias are on faith. Yes, some are behind and some are ahead. But such a thing about faith is not only among shias but every religion. We should not loose hope with that. We all know that finally in the end times, people will become weaker and weaker in faith. Which is happening. So, if this is 'apostating', may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) hasten the reappearance of Imam (عجّل الله تعالى فرجه الشريف). "Innahum Yarawnahu Ba'eedan wa naraho qareeban" Surely, they think it to be far-off and we see it nigh

Bismehe Ta3ala Assalam Alikum Sister, why are you looking for an exception? The women struggling in wearing hijab in this day and age, are most likely not the same reasons during Rasoul Allah's time and the Imams. I haven't read about any wife who didn't observe hijab, but there were wives who killed the Imams! By challenges, I'm referring to the hypersexualization of women on magazines, the selfies on social media, the modeling industry, the pressure of being seen and having attention starting from junior high to high school, the influencers on InstaHaram, TikTok, etc. In your case, you live in France and we know how that country is racists towards Muslims. I can understand why you would be hesitant in wearing it, because it will bring attention to you from these French xenophobes. If you can't find yourself practicing your religion because the society you are living in will be discriminating you and treat you like a second class citizen, it's time to consider living in a different country that is more accepting of your faith. Remember, this dunya is temporary and we will be tested for our faith, the people we love, fear, hunger, money, and other trials. We will always be faced with adversity one way or another. You will need to ask yourself how important it is for you to obey Allah, or what is convenient for you, and you will face other problems. وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوفْ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمَوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ 2:155 And most certainly shall We try you by means [125] of danger, and hunger, and loss of worldly goods, of lives and of [labour's] fruits. But give glad tidings unto those who are patient in adversity M3 Salamah, FE AMIN ALLAH

There's some truth to the whole Iranian thing. There's a Pew Research Poll that says that a good chunk of apostates are immigrants from Iran, about 22%. In any case, it doesn't matter. A lot of these people have a pretty poor understanding of religion and spirituality in the first place, and are often very materialistic. The more these kinds of folks leave our mosques the better.

I don’t agree that muslims are obsessed with sex in fact I would argue the opposite , most of us grew up in western countries , I’d easy to see who is obsessed with sex , not us ,it’s the westerners that’s all they talk about pursue and focus on , in high school in university in work places in movies on social media all u see and hear is sex sex sex and it’s disgusting

So i'm confused. Is it about islam or muslims You first talked about how muslims practise their religion Then about islam how it lacks the capability of doing self revision to fit into this modern world; Despite how the west with their modern thinking and ways hurt their society and the earth on a daily basis. Then in the end you say that its not about islam but about muslims. It's still better to live among shias who represent the perfect individuals that ever stepped foot on this planet and practising their teachings, than living amongst the non muslim or non committed environment, Because simply wherever you go you will get attacked and criticized over whatever you do even if it's the right thing you're doing. So it's not really about islam, but lets say its about muslims, humans are prone to error and if they do not know how to practise something that is a perfect system then who it is to blame the people or the perfect system? There is a case i know where a man deceived two women after he made one of them convert from christianity to islam shia, and one who was already shia and convinced her to commit. So when the two discovered this man's utter hypocrisy, the revert simply was shocked and moved on but didn't blame it on religion and remained a practising shia, and this other shia woman left religion eventually and married a christian after a year. So who succeeded in this test here, who won their akhira? There is a hadith that i have in arabic and i will translate it to english the best i can: Aba Abdillah (عليه السلام) said: He who enters religion through people will leave religion through the people. And those who entered religion through the quran and sunnah, the mountains will perish and their religion won't. روي عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام: أنه قال: من دخل في هذا الدين بالرجال أخرجه منه الرجال كما أدخلوه فيه، ومن دخل فيه بالكتاب والسنة زالت الجبال قبل أن يزول بحار الأنوار للعلامة المجلسي، ج ٢، ص ١٠٥ كتاب الغيبة للنعماني، ص ٢٢ أمالي الصدوق، ص ١٠٥ So if you wanna leave religion you have to have a better excuse than that please.

On the individual level, it is completely futile to think and talk about who goes to hell or heaven, since we cannot know of the individuals' intentions behind their actions or the state of their hearts. On the group level, we know very well, according to numerous verses and narrations, that one's religion and faith definitely matter in one's position in the hereafter. So, first and foremost, when we talk about the hereafter, we must make a distinction between the individual level and the group level. Second, faith and actions are inseparable, the latter prepares the heart for the former. Doing good, sincerely and with the right intention (of getting closer to God/Truth) will incline one's heart to seek God/Truth, and they will be placed on the Straight Path. Third, when we pray, "Guide us to the Straight Path", we're asking for God to place us on a path/Sirat, not a specific place or position. We still need to walk the path. All sincere believers in God are on the path, some at the very beginning, some closer to God; some Mu'min, some Muslim, and some non-muslim but sincerely seeking. I would say that perhaps even non-believers, those who do not believe in God, but sincerely seek the Truth, may be somewhere on this path; perhaps at the very beginning. Only God knows, because only God knows what's in their hearts.

Try and use it as an opportunity for things which you perhaps weren't able to do earlier. Praying the nawaafil, frequent recitation of the Qur'an, learning a new skill, exercising, reading etc.

I'd go for option A- the one who smells bad! Would you rather help an extremely needy non-Muslim or a not-so-needy but still a destitute Muslim person?

Yesterday for breakfast I had fried egg with pizza ingredients (no pizza sauce), for lunch I ordered from one of my fav restaurants called NY fries and burger, I had fake bacon burger with fries and diet cola. Sounds yummy. Would like to try it one Day. Tho I eat only salmon or Pampus argenteus (Zubaidi fish). XD Yesterday my father brought fresh fish from his friend, I wanted to eat it for lunch but they made it for dinner, I don’t know the name of that fish.

It is a matter of what you believe in, as we can see in Sura 2:62 the criteria is to believe in the absolute oneness of God (I.e Unitarianism/monotheism), fulfil religious obligations and do good and believe in the day of judgement; we see the Quran explain these “complex” issues and the forth is obvious, a person has to recognise whatever he/she is subscribes to, to be the truth. We can see many times the Quran calling the trinitarians disbelievers and the adoptionists and the dualists. the Quran answers ur question on that.

That's a complete falsehood...you're being duped by US, Israeli and Saudi propaganda All these verses back the Shi'a narrative and not the Sunni line of thinking...not exactly sure why you're quoting these verses...you're not helping your cause there Ace True

Salam sister, there are definitely plenty of chaste men around. If you feel like a man who has been unchaste in the past is someone you wouldn’t like to be with that is completely understandable. It is important to be upfront, although Allah forgives the greatest of sins, it is nonetheless your choice to have such a preference.

What has it got to do with religion? Which religion ever said such a thing?

No. It is out of ignorance. Recite astaghfaar and move on. Or do some compensatory act which should be done after the sin.

And Aisha being the reason that thousands were killed is also a 'misunderstanding' right? Its clear that she hated Imam Ali (عليه السلام).

I can't say who have more apostates but salafi are better at converting so in the balance they are in a better position.

One other thing I wanted to add to this topic is that rewriting history and suppressing history is a serious crime when it comes to honesty and ethics. Most Shi'a who live in Sunni dominated countries often times grow up with Sunni history and they do not know the real history of the events that really happened. The course books studied in their schools on the topic of Islam are written in a way which are not offensive to either schools of thought with an over veneration of the first three caliphs in particular for some reason whether you're in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. These shi'as, myself included come to know of the real history behind everything when someone breaks the news to us when we're in our teens to early 20's or through self study. This history is denied by Sunnis and suppressed under "Shia fallacies". That's why if someone asked me to describe Shi'a Islam in one word. I'd say "Freedom". It's freedom to decide for yourself after knowing the truth that what you want to do, whether you want to live like you were before in ignorance or you want to walk amongst the sunni crowds as a stranger yet be of the highest order to the Heavens. It's freedom to discover the truth for ourselves and make our own judgements on what's right or wrong. If Shi'as start suppressing history or rewriting it for some agenda no matter how noble it is, It'd destroy the foundation of Shi'aism itself which is freedom from deception and lies to begin with. And in turn, we'd no longer be Shi'as. It''d start another sect in Islam where we learn the truth about everything which both the Sunnis and Shi'as are trying to hide.

The best way to overcome this is increasing one's faith and seeking the truth. You can increase your faith by devoting yourself to serving Allah (i.e. committing yourself to never sin, committing yourself to sincerely worshipping Allah, etc.). You can also increase faith by finding proofs of the existence of Allah. Read https://yaqeeninstitute.org/justin-parrott/the-case-for-allahs-existence-in-the-quran-and-sunnah I also read these a while back: Origin of life The fact that living things consist mostly of water was discovered only after the invention of the microscope. In the deserts of Arabia, the last thing someone would have guessed is that all life came from water. “We made every living thing from water? will they not believe?”[Quran, 21:30] Embryology “We created man from an extract of clay. Then We made him as a drop in a place of settlement, firmly fixed. Then We made the drop into an alaqah (leech, suspended thing, and blood clot), then We made the alaqah into a mudghah (chewed substance) …” (Quran 23:12-14). Professor Emeritus Keith L. Moore (one of the world’s most prominent scientists in the fields of anatomy and embryology) : " It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later Sky’s protection The sky protects the earth from the lethal rays of the sun. If the sky did not exist then the sun’s radiation would have killed off all life on earth. It also acts like a blanket wrapped around the earth, to protect it from the freezing cold of space. The temperature just above the sky is approximately -270oC. If this temperature was to reach earth then the planet would freeze over instantly. The sky also protects life on earth by warming the surface through heat retention. “We made the sky a protective ceiling. And yet they are turning away from Our signs!” (Quran 21:32) Iron Iron is not natural to the earth. It did not form on the earth but came down to earth from outer space. This may sound strange but it’s true. Scientists have found that billions of years ago the earth was struck by meteorites. These meteorites were carrying Iron from distant stars which had exploded (M. E. Walrath, History of the Earth’s Formation) “We sent down Iron with its great inherent strength and its many benefits for humankind.” (Quran 57:25) Seas and Oceans: Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea has its own temperature, salinity, and density (1) [Principles of Oceanography, Davis, pp. 92-93] He has set free the two seas meeting together. There is a barrier between them. They do not transgress. (Quran, 55:19-20). Sun’s orbit The belief that the Sun is stationary was widespread amongst astronomers until the 20th century. It is now a well-established scientific fact that the Sun is not stationary but is moving in an orbit around the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. “It is He who created night and day, the sun and the moon, each floating in its orbit.” [Quran, 21:33] Mountains: A book titled ‘Earth’ by Geophysicist Frank Press (Earth (ISBN 0716717433) by Press, Frank, Siever, Raymond. W.H. Freeman, c1986.) explains that mountains are like stakes, and are buried deep under the surface of the earth. Mount Everest, the height of which is approximately 9 km above ground, has a root deeper than 125 km. “Did we not make the earth a resting place? and the mountains as stakes?” [Quran, 78:6-7] Universe expanding The fact that the universe is expanding was discovered in the last century. The physicist Stephen Hawking in his book ‘A Brief History of Time’ writes, “The discovery that the universe is expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the 20th century.” “And it is We who have built the universe with [Our creative] power and keep expanding it.” [Quran, 51:47] Skin pain receptors For a long time, it was thought that the sense of feeling and pain was dependent on the brain. However, it has been discovered that there are pain receptors present in the skin. Without these pain receptors, a person would not be able to feel pain. "We shall send those who reject our revelations to the (hell) fire. When their skins have been burned away, We shall replace them with new ones so that they may continue to feel the pain: God is almighty, all-wise.” [Quran 4:56] [51:49] "And of everything We created a pair, perhaps you will take heed." This verse does not refer to just “living” things. It refers to everything. It’s understandable why people use the male/female interpretation, but not every living thing reproduces sexually, and this verse refers to everything. It was later discovered that each particle has its own antiparticle, which has the same mass but opposite electrical charge. They’re called antimatter. It’s agreed that at the initial moment of “creation” (the Big Bang), there were only equal amounts of matter and antimatter in existence (these are the ‘everything’ that the Quran is talking about) meaning at that instance each matter particle had its antimatter partner. Then from that “everything” atoms were born, light was made, stars were born and everything else evolved to what we have now. [39:6] "He creates you in your mothers' wombs, creation after creation, in three realms of darkness." The “three realms of darkness” refer to the anterior abdominal wall, the uterine wall, and the amniotic membrane. [23:14] "Then We created from the tiny drop an 'alaqah' (leech-like structure)." The tiny drop could either be the sperm, zygote, or blastocyst. That is apparent. But what’s striking is that the embryo is being called an ‘alaqah’ or ‘leech’. The word today is the translation of “leech”. We find that in the first few weeks, the embryo looks like a leech. And just like a leech clings onto the skin, the embryo is clinging onto the endometrium of the uterus. And just like how a leech sucks blood, the embryo is getting its blood from the endometrium, and therefore the mother’s (host’s) nutrients. Until around week five or so will it make its own blood. During this stage, it’s not very visible to the unaided eye because it’s still smaller than a wheat kernel. [23:14] "Then We created from the alaqah a 'mudghah' (chewed-shaped lump)." This is from the same verse, and what it’s saying is that the “leech” is turned into a chewed-shaped lump. Towards the fifth week, it starts looking chewed. The chewed appearance is a result of the somite (beginning of the backbone). It looks like teeth marks on a 28-day old embryo. [23:14] "Then We created from the mudghah bones, then We covered the bones with flesh." Again, from the same verse (23:14), we see that out of the chewed lump, bones are made. After that, the bones start getting covered by the muscles. Note that unlike what some people are saying, this verse isn’t saying that the bones are made first and the muscles are made second. The verse doesn’t say when the muscles are made. Both are made around the same time actually. The only thing this verse is saying is that after the bones are made, they’re covered with muscles. [23:14] "Then We produce him as another creation." This refers to when the embryo starts forming distinctive human qualities. At first, embryos of species look alike—after a time, they develop distinct qualities. · [75:37-39] "Was he not a tiny drop of ejected 'maneye' (semen), then he became an 'alaqah' (something that clings) which He created and fashioned, then He ordained from it the two sexes, the male and the female?" In verse 39, pay attention to the word “it”. In Arabic, the word “it” is either masculine or feminine, and the gender of this pronoun shows whether the pronoun refers to a masculine or feminine noun (in the Arabic language). The word used is ‘minhu’ which is the masculine “it”. This can’t refer to the ‘alaqah’ because that word is feminine. And ‘maneye (semen)’ is masculine. What this means is that out of the semen, the two sexes are made. And this is scientifically true. Either the semen can have an X-chromosome to pair with the female’s X-chromosome (therefore a female baby) or it can have a Y-chromosome to pair with the female’s X-chromosome (therefore a male baby). This was not known prior to the time of its revelation. Long ago, people used to think that it was the females who determined the sex of the embryo and not the male. Men would blame their wives if they didn’t get the sex they preferred. But very recently it was discovered that the males’ sperm decided the sex of the embryo (as it was shown above). Further evidence that the semen decides the sex can be found in verses 53:45-46, which says “and that He created the pair, the male and the female, from a drop of semen when it is ejected”. [34:3] "Not even an atom's weight escapes Him, be it in the heavens or the earth, nor what is smaller than that or larger; all are in a clear Record." Many people certainly didn’t know at the time that there could be anything smaller than an atom. But it’s common knowledge today that the subatomic particles (proton, neutron, and electron, as well as the units that each of them are composed of) exist and are smaller than the atom. [27:88] "And you see the mountains thinking that they are standing still when they are moving just like the movement of the clouds. Such is the making of God who perfected everything. He is All-Aware of what you do." Since the Earth is rotating and orbiting in space, everything on it is also moving. Including the mountains and the clouds. The earth is in fact rotating in the same direction as the clouds move. Another interpretation is that this verse confirms the theory of continental drift, both of which are accurate and not known during revelation time. [6:125] "Whomever God wishes to guide, He renders his chest receptive to Islam, and whomever He wishes to send astray, He renders his chest tight and constricted as if he is ascending into the sky." Very high altitudes in air flight can cause constriction and tightness in the chest. No one at the time would have known that flying into the sky will cause this. This was to become common knowledge to mankind during the age of air flight (ascending into the sky). [21:30] "Have the disbelievers not seen that the skies (universes) and the earth were joined together then We separated them?" Note: The word “samawat” (Arabic plural word for skies) does not refer to the sky, but to universes. It’s because verses like verse 41:12 and 67:5 stated that there are seven “samawat” and that the lowest of the seven are made with lamps. We know that lamps refer to stars because there are verses that call the sun a lamp, and the sun is a star. We are in the lowest of the seven “samawat”, which is a universe, so it’s safe to say that the remaining six are universes as well. The seven universes and the earth at one point was all in a dense singularity “joined together” as one unit, according to 21:30. The Big Bang separated them. This verse can serve as confirmation of the Big Bang. [21:30] "And from water We made every living thing. Will they not believe?" This verse has two possible meaning: All life is originated from water, and that all living things are composed of water (cytoplasm is mainly water). Both meanings are scientifically accurate. [21:33] "And the sun and the moon, each swimming in its orbit." This verse says that the Sun and Moon are both swimming in its orbit. The moon is in orbit around the Earth, and the Sun is in orbit around the supermassive Black Hole in the Milky Way galaxy. [18:11] "So We sealed their ears in the cave for a number of years." This verse is talking about the “Companions of the Cave” (as the Quran calls them). They were seeking refuge in a cave, and they were asleep for 300 years. This verse hints at scientific content because the ears are the only sensory organs active during sleep. Since their ears were made inactive like the other sensory organs, this enabled them to stay asleep for this long. This is how the verse hints at the activeness of the ears during sleep. [30:2-4] "The Romans have been defeated in the lowest of the lands. But they, after their defeat, will be victorious within a few years. To God belongs the command before and after. And that day the believers shall rejoice." Around 613 CE, the Romans and Persians went to war with each other, and the Romans were gravely defeated at the Dead Sea, which the Quran calls “the lowest of the lands”. It has been discovered that the land around the Dead Sea has the lowest altitude of all the lands in Earth. This verse also gives a prophecy that became fulfilled, because almost a decade later the Romans resurged with a victory and, after that, won the war. [57:25] "…And We sent down the iron, wherein is great strength and benefits for the people…" This verse was saying that iron was “sent down”. In other words, it is extraterrestrial and was introduced to earth at a later time. Many of the heavier elements, including iron, have a strong nuclear force that’s many times greater than the free energy that was available at the solar system during the time, which supports the idea that they came from outside the solar system. And even earth’s iron-nickel core came to be when small planetesimals that contained iron, among other things, crashed into earth and sank to the bottom. [41:11] "And He took hold of the sky while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, 'Come together, willingly or unwillingly.' They said, 'We come willingly.'" In this verse, the atmosphere (our sky) is described as initially being smoke. The Arabic word is “dukhan” which means smoke. When the earth was young, it was molten and lacking an atmosphere. As it cooled, the atmosphere came mostly from the smoke that spewed from volcanoes. This verse accurately describes what the early atmosphere mainly was, which is smoke. There also have been many other things recently discovered but are already mentioned in the Quran which was revealed 1400 years ago like the rainbow mountains found in Peru (Quran [35:27]), the top of the Pyramids of Giza being constructed from clay blocks (Quran [28:38]), etc..

My post was actually ironic. But you did not miss the opportunity to display your weak analytical skills.. Understand brother, you cannot counter an argument about apostasy with figures about conversion rises. Like if 100 people convert to Islam but 50 apostasize, and the topic is about apostasy, you cannot just come around and conclude that the balance is of +50 and that is great. Got it ?

We don’t know why the OP wants to have sex with a prostitute via mutah. But the OP is asking if it’s Haram, halal, or makrooh, anyway. We are supposed to answer based on what the Marjas conclude, not demeaning his decision based on our own feelings. (which personally I’m against his desire to have Mutah with a prostitute. But it doesn’t matter.) It’s better than committing zina at the end of the day. People are complex and do things that don’t always make sense to us.

I don't really want this to turn into some argument based around sexism and battle of the genders so let's just leave that part out. You're free to believe what you want to believe though it does take two to tango. So remember that. As for the act being "degrading". Once again that's your opinion. It has nothing to do with religion and you shouldn't defame something makrooh or halal as something "degrading". That's wrong. Once again, that's your opinion and judgement. You can't decide his fate like you're the one penning it. But if you try to prevent people from doing something halal or try to judge them for doing something halal, then that's the Sunnah of Umar ibn Al Khattab. Not a Shi'a. This is the stance of a very respected Marja on this issue: Grand Ayatollah Sayyad Mohammad Saeed Al- Hakeem Q: Amongst the young generation it is almost IMPOSSIBLE now to find a girl for mut'aa to gratify sexual needs in the West and also in the East. Can't we be allowed to do mut'aa with prostitutes for sexual pleasure? A: It is permissible to marry a prostitute temporarily provided that she understands that it is a religious contract for marriage and not a fee for adultery. Q: Is it permissible to have mutaa - temperary marriage - with a woman who commits adultery with men? Is it permissible to have mutaa with a woman who probably commits prostitution and adultery as a job? A: Yes, it is allowed in both cases. I don't think a very learned man like the aforementioned personality would permit something which would be degrading and subhuman level to members of a pure religion. You guys could however go study for 60-70 years like Him and then we can go with your judgement. I'll see you in 60 years sister starlight and brother MuhammadAli. I think that concludes my opinion on this discussion and topic. Wasalam.

OP: we all have been there (post teens, college, freedom, wandering minds, and uncontrollable desires). First know that you are not the only one in this, and neither the first, nor the last. Am sure every person you look around in the library, classroom, or the cafeteria is more or less on the same wavelength as you are. Hopefully this would take half of the air out of the victimhood that most Muslim observing young men and women have. Yes you are suffering because you are opting for halal, and trust me, others are suffering too, even if they have opted for haram, but it’s different sort of sufferings and challenges that come with living in the circle of haram, that thankfully you and I won’t want to deal with (have seen it up close so I’m saying it with surety). The most important gift that you could give yourself NOW, in these few years of college, is to learn and practice patience, restrain, sabr, self control, and calmness in the face of these real and present onslaughts of desires (with the seriousness and grit like there is no tomorrow). I can guarantee you (again from experience) this would prepare you and mitigate you from a million setbacks throughout your life. If you give in now, then let me tell you, those who become the self pleasure or porn addicts, won’t quit even if they get the most wonderful women as their wives. In other word marriage is an outlet, but won’t solve the bad-sexual-habits problems ever, and would likely affect your intimacy with your future wife(s). So if marriage is not in the sight now, know that Allah is giving you this time to prove to Him your manly worth (of resolve and steadfastness) which will mean you trust Him... and in due time, He will open the doors of wonders for you too fulfill your desires in halal ways aplenty. Just don’t go close to any filth or filthy people. Just don’t. I’m telling you this now, it’s a ring of fire, once it catches on you, it’s hard to let go. Just hang on for a few more years and it would be better than ever.

I doubt there are any serious statistics on this and I don't think it's relevant either. If people who lived in the presence of the prophet ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)) were still capable of rejecting islam or leaving it then I don't think any society or community can claim to be immune for this. Ultimately it's the responsibility of the individual to believe or disbelieve so I wouldn't paint such things as sect or nationality related.

I can't speak on their behalf but I notice often that their issues were social or cultural rather than theological. I don't usually hear them bringing arguments against the Qur'an for example, rather they often point at social issues in muslim communities or negative encounters with family or local preachers.

I don't know why anybody is taking this Randle character seriously, he is undermining the severe sin of same-sex relations and the fact that it can lead to capital punishment under an Islamic system of governance. I recall a post of his on another lgbt related thread where he states: 'As such, for me homosexuality isn't really that big of a sin anymore. The more dogmatic religious people here, who believe in following the religion in it's original medieval form will disagree with me.' There is no use to even exchange remarks with this individual, homosexuality will always be a grave sin, for it is a means to destroy an entire community and cause the strongest foundation of a society to erode - you need to look no further then the United States and the disastrous onslaught of this deviant lgbt movement and the way it is corrupting the people and doing what no other deviant has done before, targeting innocent children, spoiling their hearts and perverting their minds. @Randle McMurphy You claim to be a Muslim, but know that stating 'there is nothing wrong with being gay' and 'it is completely fine to engage in same sex relations as a Muslim' is a statement of clear Kufr and it can nullify you as a Muslim. You cannot and will not change the religion of Allah, you realize that the greatest thinkers to this day, those who you are knowingly and unknowingly reaping the benefits of their contributions are the same you call 'dogmatic' and 'medieval'. We are entering a new-era and it is imperative that we remain steadfast on defending our religion and its values from these deviants who accept such acts of kufr and indecency, it is of the utmost importance that we do not compromise our beliefs and remain unapologetic lest those who infiltrate us from within leave us like they have left certain sects within Christianity, going as far as to marry these people. I advise that you desist from your empathetic defense which stems from an ocean of ignorance in the Islamic sense and in correlation to the nature of the human being, if you will continue to do so you will face much contradiction and a rebuke from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) which I don't think any of us are able to withstand. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) guide us all to the straight path, we are indeed sinners and have neglected much of our duties towards the creator, let us seek forgiveness and guidance for ourselves from our creator, instead of taking other avenues in which we change the immaculate law of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) which has been established through His prophets and vicegerents. Let us be very weary of changing the law of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) to fit our own egotistical aims, ulterior motives, and personal gains of social acceptance. As brother @guest 2025 stated, very much can be said, but I will suffice with this minimal response to a gargantuan of a claim this individual and his likes are wrongfully, unjustly, and immorally spewing.

Salam everyone, I would like to talk to you all about a dream I have had. So about 3 weeks ago I returned from my zairat in Iraq. Which was the most beautiful experience of my life, and I pray you all go their one day. A few days after my return, I had a very vague dream about Imam Mahdi (as). In the dream imam was calling me with his hand, telling me to come towards him, he was dressed in black and white, was wearing a black turban and had a very light skin tone with a slim face. However I was unable to see his face as it was covered my light. I am unable to interpret this dream, please my Shia brothers and sisters are you able to help me. This was my first time doing zairat, I have recently turned 19 and I'm at university. Islam is my life, and after doing zairat, I have become even more spiritually attached to Allah and rasoolallah and the ahlulbayt. Thank you for reading.

Brother, Allah is the exalted, one and only. And Allah can do whatever he wills. So if Allah wants to show someone something in a dream, thought, so on, then Allah will do this. I have known people that will dream the angel Azra'il (angel of death). Two days later someone they know has passed away.