Q. Understanding the Religion

Asker's comment:

Hi Fariz,

Thank you for your reply. I've been to a Muslim Bookstore at Joo Chiat area, flip thru a few books, including Quran, but I dont seem to understand. I've almost no idea about this religion. Unlike Christianity, where there are cartoons / shows / references where the public can actually know more about it. I've not been exposed to Islam and have no idea about the origins and the religion itself.

I saw that there are courses available, but the courses name are all in Malay. I'll give them a call / visit to find out more. Thank you very much!

Salaam Melody,

Your point on the lack of English materials on Islam compared to say, Christianity and other worth noting but well,unsurprising. The answer to these issue lies on the influence of Islam historically in the Malay language being much more lasting ( in this region) than in the western languages such as English in Islam. More than a third of Arabic words are found in Malay, and naturally more Islamic discourses and institutions are available our region (in Malay) rather than English, which explains probably your discontent in finding Islamic resources here.

I personally ordered many good reference books (Cyril Glasse's Encyclopedia of Islam, History of Islamic Philosophy ( M M Shariff) and selective Quranic commentary from Amazon and Islamic online bookstores overseas, as their Islamic materials are more academically reviewed and recommended as reference collection. Since your interest in learning Islam is new, I can recommend a few books written by both Muslim and non-Muslim that are considered satisfactory, both as comparative introduction of Islam and general.

1)" Islam A Consice Introduction" by Huston Smith (written by non-Muslim)
2) "The Cross and the Crescent" and "The Abrahamic Faiths" by Jerald F Dirks (comparative introduction to Islam with Christianity by a converted Methodist minister to Islam)
3) "Islam: A Short History" by Karen Armstrong (by far one of the most concise introduction of Islamic history by non-Muslim yet...)
4) Translation of the Quran.Either by M A S Abdul Haleem (Muslim) or Arberry (non-Muslim)

My recommendations may be debated by some readers, but my personal view was for those who would want to know about Islam but prefer from non-Muslim/Muslim impartially non-critical view on Islam (" basic starters') without going to deep theological issues. Hope my recommendation helps. Of course there could be many other books in English online and in print, depending n your choice or areas of understanding Islam :)

Hope my suggestions help you to know Islam better. Take your time, and don't be shy to ask any discomforting or perplexing areas or questions on Islam and Muslim life and culture in Nasibriyanilounge.com.

Salaam

Asker's comment:

Salaam Fariz,

Thank you for your prompt reply once again. I've printed out quite a number of reading materials from Wikipedia this morning. I'm not too sure how relevant, but the info give me at least an idea about Islam and history of the religion. I'm surprise to know that Jesus, Moses and Mother Mary are link with Islam. After I've finish with the initial reading, will pop back to the bookstore to get more books.

I'm actually considering the religion as *shy* I've fallen in love with a muslim. Although I'd already lost him, but I still want to understand and know the religion / culture better just in case I get another chance to be with him. I want to know what I'm in for and what may be the changes that I will face. At the same time, I hope to be able to understand him better by knowing his way of living.

If God (now I'm confuse as to which God I should seek indulgence from) can give me anothe chance, I would like to start my life properly, with blessing and on the correct path. I'm not sure if my motive is acceptable or proper. I just feel that I need to understand the religion truthfully and not merely convert just to get married.

I hope nobody gets offended from my post as none was intended. I sincerely wish to know more, even if I do not end up converting, it doesnt hurt to learn more.

Thank you.

Salaam Melody,

From your post, I guess the word God can be misleading in English, as the definition differs between one faith and the other, which is why I understood when you say "God" :).

If you seek to understand the truth of the reality of God (without being surrounded by the "barrage" of theological and philosophical perspective of different sects and denomination or any faiths), try starting from reading the very source and foundation of the founder of each faith or beliefs. When I try to learn Islam, I learn from it's founder(Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) and his source of revelation (The Quran), just as one touches the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) first when it comes to Christianity before any Pauline epistles or the writings of early Church father and other Christianity creeds. Sadly, most introductory books of religion today available today tackles religion in terms of regional, culture and historical movement. This diminishes the essence and context or belief and spirituality, which sadly saddens me when I visited major bookshops today.

I am surprised and relieved to know that in Singapore, even in times of such a challenge and certain "ignorance" , there are still many a people who are willing to question the existence, reality and purpose in the term we try to call "life" and "living" as we perform and act ourselves each day. It is in fact, the essence of most the sources of all beliefs, whether they are termed as religion or simply a system of ethics and morals. The biggest hindrance in this search for an answer in life and God is naturally through an overly argumentative, polemical or skeptical discussion and writings, which should be avoided if one seek to remains calm and meditative at all time. Most respected founders on religion in fact initially contemplate themselves in seclusion and far from distraction of worldly temptations, and I hope you do well too in finding your own answer.

I pray that you find peace in every way you go, even in the hardest of time. One beliefs does not stop even if you found the right path, and always know that God is always with you and us, in times or cherish or suffering, tribulation and contentment. If you need any ebooks on Islam, do email me at farizeno@yahoo.com or any of Nasibriyanilounge.com members.

Salaam.

Asker's comment:

Salaam Fariz,

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being willing to help me even though we do not know each other.

Before I posted my 1st question, I was still in doubt as to will I be discriminated or will my questions or words (the way I phrase them) appears offensive to anyone. But I'm glad I ask. Now, at least I know that if I face any "roadblocks" along the way of learning, I still have people who are willing to advise me in this forum.

I believe I will continue to trouble you even in years to come as religious study will never stop. If things go well, I may even need your advise on cultural matters.

Thank you very much Fariz, I hope one day I can be able to be helpful to someone in return.

Bro Fariz, great replies! just that, if i may interrupt and point out that Prophet Muhammad SAW is not the founder of Islam, but rather he is the last messenger in Islam (submission - to the will of Allah).

As mentioned in the Quran, the prophets (as known by their English names) Jesus, Moses, Solomon, David, Joseph, Jacob, Ishmael, Isaac, Abraham, Noah, Adam - may the peace of God be upon all of them, are all Muslims. Simply meaning they submit to the will of Allah SWT.

May Allah SWT gives guidance to us all InsyaAllah. have a good day :D