Teknevra

By: u/CobustulusA

What would he think of us who don’t fall in the category of traditional muslims?

Such as those who don’t wear the hijab, who shave, who listen/make music, etc.

Would he look favourably on this community, or not?

By: u/ImaginaryGur2086

...everything bad that is talked about Islam is not in the Qur'an but in the Hadith.

I have never seen anyone trying to disprove or find something against Islam in the Qur'an.

By: u/Brown_Leviathan

Ibn Battuta, the famous medieval Muslim traveller, narrated how he accidentally drank alcoholic beer with fellow Muslims during his travels, when he was in Turkey. This happened because the local people followed the Hanafi school of thought, which allowed grain-based alcohol, while Ibn Battuta's Maliki school forbade all alcoholic beverages. In his own words, "When I went out I made enquiry about it and they said 'It is nabidh [a fermented drink] which they make from dugi grain.' These people are Hanafis and nabidh is permissible according to their doctrine."

The Qur'an uses the word "Khamr" for prohibited alcoholic beverages. According to some early scholars like Abu Hanifa, "Khamr" literally means wine made of grapes or dates, and does not include not all other drinks. According to Abu Hanifa, alcoholic beverages made from honey, figs, wheat, maize or barley are permissible if consumed below the point of intoxication. Later Hanafi scholars eventually abrogated Abu Hanifa's ruling and adopted a general prohibition of all alcoholic beverages, most likely due to pressure from other schools of jurisprudence.

The early Kufan Hanafi jurist Ibrâhîm al-Nakha'î (d. 96/715-6) asserts that the public has misinterpreted the Prophet's statement that drinks "that intoxicate in large quantities are forbidden in small quantities" (i.e., the 'large/small' tradition)." Ibrahim explains that the Prophet meant to forbid intoxication rather than intoxicants.

The prominent Maliki jurist Ibn Rushd al-Jadd (d. 520/1126) states that "Khamr is that which intoxicates and overwhelms the intellect". There is a controversial and disputed narration, wherein the Prophet instructs Abu Musa to "drink but do not become Intoxicated". (Ibn Rushd al-Hafid, Bidaya, 2:914)

It is also well known that the famous Muslim philosopher and physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna) would often drink wine. He acknowledged the health benefits of drinking wine in moderation.

It is often claimed that Ottoman sultan-caliph Abdülhamid II would occasionally and privately savor a glass of cognac at his doctors’ orders.

A few years ago, a prominent Qatar-based Muslim scholar, Yousuf Al Qaradawi declared:

“An alcohol volume of up to 5/1000 or 0.5% in a drink has no significance in making it haram [prohibited]. It is a very small quantity, especially if it results from natural fermentation and is not manufactured."

Considering the totality of facts and arguments, I would say that the strict level of taboo and prohibition that today Islamic scholars have imposed upon the Muslims was not always the case historically.

Let me know what you guys think.

Please refer to:

1. 'Angels Tapping at the Wine-shop's Door: A History of Alcohol in the Islamic World' by Rudi Matthee.
2. Haider, N. (2013). Contesting intoxication: Early juristic debates over the lawfulness of alcoholic beverages. Islamic L. & Soc'y, 20, 48.
3. 'The Odyssey of Ibn Battuta: Uncommon Tales of a Medieval Adventurer', by David Waines

By: u/No-Action3492

Recently I converted to Islam and started practicing. I have always been fascinated by different cultures and religions (especially Islam).

I converted because I found that Islam made far more sense than Christianity and also I did not like the way Islam was being portrayed and Muslims were being treated in the west.

Another reason I converted was to find a sense of community as I never had many friends growing up.

However as I started becoming more religious, I started becoming extremely depressed and anxious about the hellfire.

I’ve noticed that the vast majority of Muslims seem to take the Qu’ran and Hadith literally and very often harbour disgusting views (such as towards gay people, women, other sects of Islam and towards non Muslims), views which certainly aren’t compatible in a modern society and quite frankly it doesn’t make any sense to take holy texts literally such as miracles mentioned in them which couldn’t have happened scientifically and also nobody actually knows what happens when we die.

Something that really bothers me though is how many Muslims (not all) see non Muslims as evil people destined for hell even if they were good people and that people who don’t pray will go to hell which gives me a lot of anxiety even if that sounds irrational.

Also virtually everything fun and enjoyable in life (I.e: music, birthday celebrations, owning a pet dog) is viewed as haram by these Salafists (who unfortunately seem to be the mainstream from my experience).

So for now I’ve decided not to practice any religion although I don’t agree with ex Muslims either because they seem to be very bitter individuals and spread hate against Islam as a whole which is not my intention as I know Islam was originally meant to be a force for good even if it’s been warped by Salafists today.

I also think it’s better and more logical to view the Qu’ran as the inspired word of Allah rather than Allah’s literal word.

I might look into Sufism in the future as it seems to be much more calmer and peaceful than mainstream Islam.

By: u/TryingNoToBeOpressed

They are mentioned in the Quran, but are we supposed to believe that they literally exist?

Personally, I'm not sure...I find it difficult to accept that such a supernatural being can exist.

I'm not sure what I believe.

By: u/Lone-Wolf-6314

Some argue that video games are a fictional outlet—an immersive experience where we can play as morally complex characters, even criminals, or in "bad guy vs. bad guy" scenarios.

After going through a long period of inner conflict, I decided that I would only play video games where the protagonist aligns with Christian values. If a game asks me to do something I wouldn’t agree with in real life, then I choose not to play it. However, this feels extremely limiting and cuts out so much content for me.

So, if I’m playing as a cowboy or a samurai seeking revenge against other wrongdoers—something I wouldn’t do in real life—then I feel I shouldn’t be engaging with a game like that, especially if it doesn’t emphasize forgiveness or reflect what we, as Christians, are called to do.

This personal standard has really limited the kinds of stories I feel comfortable engaging with in games.

I do want to play the video games and stories for the arc, storytelling, climax, plot, but the guilt and anxiety I feel from virtually playing as a gray or evil character upsets me even if it's for the storyline and game.

There's also another thing to consider: Everything is permissible, but not all things are spiritually beneficial. I feel like by playing as a worldly character, it can alter or change me. The other side of me however argues that I want to explore fiction and imaginative scenarios told through video games and art.

By: u/That_Chikkabu

So I’ve been kind of deconstructing the concept of hell, I’ve been talking to a fellow about it and they said that Matthew 25:41-46 depicts an actual eternal hell punishment.

They’ve mentioned depending how we use the Greek word, if we use eternal as a different way that most scholars do than the eternal also used for eternal life would be the same thing as well. Meaning, eternal life isn’t actually eternal but it is sort of temporary.

What do you guys think? Do you think hell is actually ever depicted eternally and concious? Is this more of a God issue than a Bible issue?

By: u/Bignosedog

There are certain aspects of our faiths that differ, but I truly believe some divides need to be understood as what the spirit of the action or belief is with the desire to find similarities rather than differences.

We are all attempting to be part of Jesus's flock which is what he desires. Please keep that in mind when you think about our differences. Though Jesus's sheep dog (pig?) may need to work harder on some of us than others, we are still looking and wanting that guidance.

The animosity I see between Christians is heartbreaking. We disagree on many things even within denominations, but we are all trying to follow the same God. I have strong feelings towards some and believe their actions hurt the cause, but on some levels we are all still trying. Viewing it through that lens will soften the heart and allow for a discourse that might, probably not, but might actually lead to the change we wish to see.

By: u/Emotional_Click_9970

I have had a hard time figuring out how biblical modesty about wealth should be applied today.

If we follow the scripture literally, then braided hair and gold are banned, which seems excessive.

On the other end it's obvious that someone with excessive wealth should distribute what they don't need.

The thing I'm specifically wondering is where is that line.

Like someone could survive just on food, water, and shelter, but saying that having any joy in life from possessions is a sin feels unreasonable.

At what point is using wealth for yourself a sin?

By: u/MistrRobott

Hey everyone!

So as the title says, I am currently looking for some progressive Christian who are accepting. Unfortunately, all the channels I have come across were conservative-leaning, and were not accepting. I would appreciate some good recommendations!

By: u/redheaded_olive12349

In my specific faith, I believe that the bible was mistranslated or misinterpreted over time.

Such things as homosexuality and stuff (you know all kinds of stuff) were never condemned in the original bible.

We believe that early Christians never believed these things and that was the original bible.