So, for context, I’m neither Muslim nor Somali. I had initially created this account solely to ask a question about anthropology as it relates to ancient East African/Horn populations. So I do apologise if my being here does not sit right with anyone.
I just had a question about Islam though. I was wondering if there are any of you here who have had a period where you strayed from the religion before returning. And what made you return to it?
I come from a Christian background, but I stopped believing somewhere between 10 and 12. Since then, I’d probably be called ‘agnostic’ by most. Although I don’t identify with the label or any other.
I’ve gravitated toward Islam in recent years, however, I don’t know how much of it is to the actual religion itself, versus the ‘culture’ around it, per se. I’m a girl, and I’ve always been a big fan of the modesty of it, as it pertains to women. At least of what I’ve perceived. I don’t know much about how men are expected to uphold modesty in Islam so I can’t speak to that. But yeah, a lot of it resonates with me greatly and I just find it very honourable and respectable. And the values instilled and standards you’re expected to live by as a Muslim, from my outside perspective looking in.
And as far as my lack of belief in anything at the moment, I’ll explain it as best as I can. It certainly doesn’t come from a place of anger or wanting to rebel or anything like that. Perhaps part of me deep down may still believe in a God, but certainly not anything I have any firm reach of at this point. I just feel like I haven’t really seen or experienced anything that has convinced me of the existence of a God. And I know that probably sounds like the most insane, blasphemous thing you could ever hear, but it’s just my personal experience and where I currently am. There are times where I’ve been like “I’ll pray to God, whoever he may be and ask that if he is real, he lead my heart to him”. For the most part I’m ‘comfortable’ with my lack of belief in anything at the moment. In that it doesn’t present significantly in my every day life. I simply just take the position of ‘I don’t know’, and don’t think much about it. But sometimes I am envious of religious people. Being able to navigate the world with the belief that there is something, someone, some being greater than you that will guide you if you let them. The certainty they feel and sense of comfort that comes with that belief.
It’s a weird dichotomy. So many people around me are religious and I envy their sense of peace and wholeness at times. But at the same time sometimes I feel like I just wasn’t *meant* to believe in God. But then again, at the same time I feel like deep down I haven’t quite completely severed my belief and somewhere in me is this innate sense that there is something greater that has created everything we are and everything we know. If that makes sense? I’m just wondering about you guys’ experiences and what has anchored your firmness in Islam. Thanks so much for any and all answers or advice.
I just had a question about Islam though. I was wondering if there are any of you here who have had a period where you strayed from the religion before returning. And what made you return to it?
I come from a Christian background, but I stopped believing somewhere between 10 and 12. Since then, I’d probably be called ‘agnostic’ by most. Although I don’t identify with the label or any other.
I’ve gravitated toward Islam in recent years, however, I don’t know how much of it is to the actual religion itself, versus the ‘culture’ around it, per se. I’m a girl, and I’ve always been a big fan of the modesty of it, as it pertains to women. At least of what I’ve perceived. I don’t know much about how men are expected to uphold modesty in Islam so I can’t speak to that. But yeah, a lot of it resonates with me greatly and I just find it very honourable and respectable. And the values instilled and standards you’re expected to live by as a Muslim, from my outside perspective looking in.
And as far as my lack of belief in anything at the moment, I’ll explain it as best as I can. It certainly doesn’t come from a place of anger or wanting to rebel or anything like that. Perhaps part of me deep down may still believe in a God, but certainly not anything I have any firm reach of at this point. I just feel like I haven’t really seen or experienced anything that has convinced me of the existence of a God. And I know that probably sounds like the most insane, blasphemous thing you could ever hear, but it’s just my personal experience and where I currently am. There are times where I’ve been like “I’ll pray to God, whoever he may be and ask that if he is real, he lead my heart to him”. For the most part I’m ‘comfortable’ with my lack of belief in anything at the moment. In that it doesn’t present significantly in my every day life. I simply just take the position of ‘I don’t know’, and don’t think much about it. But sometimes I am envious of religious people. Being able to navigate the world with the belief that there is something, someone, some being greater than you that will guide you if you let them. The certainty they feel and sense of comfort that comes with that belief.
It’s a weird dichotomy. So many people around me are religious and I envy their sense of peace and wholeness at times. But at the same time sometimes I feel like I just wasn’t *meant* to believe in God. But then again, at the same time I feel like deep down I haven’t quite completely severed my belief and somewhere in me is this innate sense that there is something greater that has created everything we are and everything we know. If that makes sense? I’m just wondering about you guys’ experiences and what has anchored your firmness in Islam. Thanks so much for any and all answers or advice.
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