Advice To Someone On The Brink Of Losing Faith

[saherfatima]

Salams. I am acquainted with a person who is struggling with religion (he comes from a shia background).

He tries to intellectualise everything, and he seems to be becoming more and more sceptical angry and abrasive in his comments on religion, which resulted in a feud between us, which he later confided that he has tried to submit to Allah swt and wants to believe, but he finds it hard to reconcile his scientific sceptical head with his inner need for spirituality, there is no use debating him, he's well versed in islam, quran and history/ has a know it all attitude which makes it hard to converse with him, he also has a counter argument for everything, however he still admits he cannot be sure that his views are correct and in his heart hed rather be a believer. what would you suggest for someone who says they want to believe, but need a sign or help in sparking faith, any particular acts of worship ? Prayers? Dhikr ? I know its his choice and his life but I feel I should offer some last advice, would appreciate some suggestions.

[Al-Hussayni]

It's important he brushes up his usool ud deen, i.e. aqeedah, thoroughly before delving into anything else. There are some good books, especially this one for example:

http://www.sicm.org.uk/index.php?page=suduk/main - The Beliefs of the Shia Imamiya by Sheikh Saduq (ra)

[:Ruffles]

What are some of his arguments?

[saherfatima]

It's important he brushes up his usool ud deen, i.e. aqeedah, thoroughly before delving into anything else. There are some good books, especially this one for example:

http://www.sicm.org.uk/index.php?page=suduk/main - The Beliefs of the Shia Imamiya by Sheikh Saduq (ra)

Thanks

What are some of his arguments?

Well he makes suggestions on the divinity of the Quran, miracles, the need for a God, possibility of a hereafter, story of creation and existence ... To name a few

[Ethics]

Thanks

Well he makes suggestions on the divinity of the Quran, miracles, the need for a God, possibility of a hereafter, story of creation and existence ... To name a few

tell him to create an account on here and challenge his thoughts. We would love to help me.

[Systematic]

tell him to create an account on here and challenge his thoughts. We would love to help me.

Help you? Are you the person the original poster is referring to???

[saherfatima]

tell him to create an account on here and challenge his thoughts. We would love to help me.

It's a good idea I'll ask

[Gypsy]

I think you should leave him alone. If you keep on insisting that he should believe in God and be a religious person for his own good, then you will push him even farther from Islam.

Rather, for the purpose of interaction, you should find something common between the two of you that doesn't involve religious belief or activities.

Edited March 23, 2013 by Gypsy

[The Green Knight]

Pray for guidance.

[pepsi]

if he wants to be guided, he will be guided with or without your help.

[iDevonian]

Salams. I am acquainted with a person who is struggling with religion (he comes from a shia background).

He tries to intellectualise everything, and he seems to be becoming more and more sceptical angry and abrasive in his comments on religion, which resulted in a feud between us, which he later confided that he has tried to submit to Allah swt and wants to believe, but he finds it hard to reconcile his scientific sceptical head with his inner need for spirituality, there is no use debating him, he's well versed in islam, quran and history/ has a know it all attitude which makes it hard to converse with him, he also has a counter argument for everything, however he still admits he cannot be sure that his views are correct and in his heart hed rather be a believer. what would you suggest for someone who says they want to believe, but need a sign or help in sparking faith, any particular acts of worship ? Prayers? Dhikr ? I know its his choice and his life but I feel I should offer some last advice, would appreciate some suggestions.

Well, questioning details of God, is not the same as questioning belief itself in God.

I agree with Gypsy

[Ali-Reza]

I have found Irfan and self purification to be the most helpful of all in order to repserve faith.

Intellect is good but a healthy intellect in a pure soul and body. People tend to think a lot while they have impure souls\Nafs and that causes a lot of problems

[saherfatima]

Well, questioning details of God, is not the same as questioning belief itself in God.

I agree with Gypsy

Yes yes agreed.. it is not the same. He is questioning a God existing, even though deep down he admitted to not feeling certain about it, he's swaying two ways you see which is why he is frustrated and 'losing sleep', which is what prompted me to post the question. By next year he will probably have decided, subscribed and be sleeping again ... I hope with a pocket Quran under his pillow ..ha..

I think you should leave him alone. If you keep on insisting that he should believe in God and be a religious person for his own good, then you will push him even farther from Islam.

Rather, for the purpose of interaction, you should find something common between the two of you that doesn't involve religious belief or activities.

We have known each over for long enough that he can tell me to shut up anytime lol besides he does not have to, since Im aware of the etiquette of conversing with someone who follows something different to myself, without being whiny, finger wagging and 'insistent', my post is to get some practical advice that could help someone who openly admitted to needing help, since he is the one constantly opening up the discussion I feel obliged to retort with something constructive and at least one more time before 'I' tell him to keep his thoughts to himself and 'leave me alone' on the topic and confide in someone else. From my point of view there are plenty of 'believers' in the world and frankly it's not my idea of a fun time arguing or convincing someone just to increase that statistic by one, like I say hes intelligent and mature, but since we have mutual respect for one another beyond religion I do feel obliged to persuade him to some degree just for the fact that I am one of a few Muslims in his life who he is open with and so have that chance to make some sort of impact or influence, only because its the right thing to do in my opinion.