Born in to religion

[sarmad]

I think it's fair to say most of us Pakistanis who are Muslims are so because we are fortunate enough to be born in to it. I am sure there are a number of converts too, but I think a fair assumption to make is that most of us were born in to it.

Further to this, a lot of PPers go to great lengths to defend Muslims and Islam (sometime at the expense of logic) and that at times is admirable (though at times the lack of responsibility is, umm, irresponsible)

But my question to Pakistanis today is - if you are a Muslim (or of any faith for that matter) do you think that if you were not born in to Islam (or that faith) that would have converted to Islam (or your faith)? Or would you have stayed whatever you are born as? Of course there is no right or wrong answer to this and nobody knows for sure what they would do - but it's a question of what do you think you would do?

For me, I am not so sure. I think a lot of my faith in Islam is to do with the way I been bought up - I have not looked for it myself. As such, my feeling is that had I been born in to a non-Muslim family, I dont think I would be a Muslim now.

Your comments please?

 

[sarbakaf]

Once Aristotle asked a question to his students
What will you do if you are in middle of ocean and there is huge storm
one student said ...i will hold the ship and will try to bring it to shore
second one said i will throw all valuables and sacrifice it for gods of ocean so that they are merciful to us

Alexander said ........how can i answer that when i am not in the situation , I do not know my strengths at that time , i do not know my weaknesses, i do not know the extent of storm ....i can not answer i t

my answer to you question is ..........we can not answer it what would we have done because Allah has chosen best for us ....how can we think beyond actions of Allah.

hope you know what i mean

 

[biomat]

Salam
Brother sarmad, you have touched v sensitive issue. I tried to raise it before but no one is ready to accept that we (most of us) act like sheeps i-e eating, working, sleeping & repeat the cycle daily.
We donot question our elders on religion & accept it without testing our selves. Even we dont get religion basic education least not ARABIC. So this result in behaving like SLAVES who doesnot question nor accept good from others.
About myself, i also belong to such family who has strong religious practice in daily lives, even they didnot forced me to go to prayers, have a beard etc.. But i do pray 5 times & have sunnah beard alhumdulillah. Brother you are right that if that environment would have been different i would not be same as of today. I am v weak person on AMAAL (sorry to accept), but after afghanistan invasion, i totally changed my habits & started reading & getting religious knowledge according to current situation of Pakistan & world.
In last i thank to ALLAH that he send me into Muslim practicing family, without HIS help i might be aethiest, hindu or ,.,.,><><><><></?????

 

[Night_Hawk]

Once Aristotle asked a question to his students
What will you do if you are in middle of ocean and there is huge storm
one student said ...i will hold the ship and will try to bring it to shore
second one said i will throw all valuables and sacrifice it for gods of ocean so that they are merciful to us

Alexander said ........how can i answer that when i am not in the situation , I do not know my strengths at that time , i do not know my weaknesses, i do not know the extent of storm ....i can not answer i t

my answer to you question is ..........we can not answer it what would we have done because Allah has chosen best for us ....how can we think beyond actions of Allah.

hope you know what i mean

Yes sir I like the answer.

 

[pali1981]

great question sarmad but most of us lack the honesty to answer that question because deep down every one of us knows that our religion, which a lot of us are willing to lay down our life for, is dictated by nothing but "accident of our birth". Had some of us been born few hundred kilometers to the west or east, we would likely be swearing our life to a different faith and probably just as willing to lay our life down in defence of it. The great Mark Twain once said "The easy confidence with which I know another man's religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also". It is also said that With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.

 

[Nawazish]

You obviously can't answer this with certainty BUT chances are you would have remained however you was born

I was born a Muslim and raised a Muslim BUT now I am very much a Muslim by choice and I am convinced it is the truth

 

[rolnrol]

the question is actually out in the space has no legs arms or anything to hold on to it. Starts with an assumption and end with one. Allah guides whom he wills it does not really matter where you were born But one thing i must say this is why it is fard to learn the deen cause this kind of question coming from a born muslim shows our parents or the people around us did a very poor job . Cause islam speaks louder then anything else on planet earth.
Makes sense now, before colonisation the first delegation that went to continent of india suggested that the first thing they need to do is to change the education system And here we are. We spent 16 18 years for academic education and then the boss of a corporation says Now you are ready to be my servant and we get the title well behaved corporate slave. The whole education system is corrupt it is cyclic, rich kids get so called better education "degrees" and get better jobs result their kids follow the loop and same goes for the poor. I know my answer is out of sync but thought better touch the root. question came to a mind of a born muslim brother or better put raised muslim brother as all kids are born muslims.
Brother try this link inshaAllah and share it as well gives a little site into why we are muslims :)
http://www.nooralanoor.com/mpeg/Bilal_Philips/Bilal%20Philips%20-%20The%20True%20Religion%20of%20God%20%5b300k%5d.mpg

 

[babadeena]

The surroundings and home atmosphere have tremendous affects on one's life, but there always comes a moment in everyone's life
when he/starts pondering at. That is the make or break up moment. Once the human being decides then Destiny turns him/her towards
that. So it is the unquestionable right of "discretion" given by Allah to human being to "make choice". This started from our forefathers
(Adam & EVE) and will remain so for ever.

 

[patriot]

4:136 O You who believe (and call yourselves Muslims!) Believe in God and His Messenger, and the Book He has revealed to His Messenger, and in (the existing truth in) the previous scripture. One who denies God, and His Angels, and His Books, and His Messengers, and the Last Day, has gone far astray.

[Note the believers being called to belief! 2:8, 49:15. The wishful thinking of being Muslims or believers ‘by birth’ carries no weight in the Sight of God 2:62. See 2:101 and 3:78 for ‘the previous scripture’. Belief to the point of Conviction can only be attained through reason and not as a birth right. 3:78, 5:48, 12:108. Angels = God’s forces in nature. 2:30]

 

[babadeena]

4:136 O You who believe (and call yourselves Muslims!) Believe in God and His Messenger, and the Book He has revealed to His Messenger, and in (the existing truth in) the previous scripture. One who denies God, and His Angels, and His Books, and His Messengers, and the Last Day, has gone far astray.

[Note the believers being called to belief! 2:8, 49:15. The wishful thinking of being Muslims or believers ‘by birth’ carries no weight in the Sight of God 2:62. See 2:101 and 3:78 for ‘the previous scripture’. Belief to the point of Conviction can only be attained through reason and not as a birth right. 3:78, 5:48, 12:108. Angels = God’s forces in nature. 2:30]

Perfect, coincise and to the point reply.