Kirana, the distinction for non-Jewish believers is not recent. There was a debate in the first-century church over whether non-Jews needed to keep the laws and rituals of the Jewish believes, and the conclusion was, No, they did not: “As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality” (Acts 21:25).

Of course, they were expected to pray, assemble themselves together for worship, love one another, stay away from sin, and so on. But the method of how they were to do that was left open.

perhaps the distinction is the more marked in modern times, because modern christianity has dispensed with many of the rituals, prayers, fasting, other worship that would have been expected of early or even medieval christians. thus the distinction you speak of is a relatively recent one, and due to christianity leaving that which was expected of christians in previous eras.

Lost Muslim – please email me at mfs_azmeh@yahoo.com
I just need to know where you live so I can refer you to the right people/organizations.

AsSalamu Alaykum WaRahamatullah,

Dear Lost Muslim.

I understand what you are going through even though I have not been through it personally, but I know of many people who have. Everyone thinks of suicide once in their life, or feel very depressed at some point. A case like yours happened in our community, and the person actually committed suicide. It sure made a change in the community…but what benefit did the person get for himself by committing suicide? Shaytan won him over, and I don’t want that to be the case for you. From reading your comment, you seem like a very strong, understandable and educated person. It takes a lot of courage for a person to ask for help. I advise you to turn to Allah swt, ask Him for help, because after all… He is the one that is making you go through it. He is the only one that truly understands you. Cry to Him like a baby cries for his/her mother when they are lost. Speak to him in your prayers as if you see him, and that He is there, However if you can’t realize it, remember that He Himself is seeing you. Even though Allah knows everything in your heart and Mind…make Allah Your Diary, Let him know of your pain and struggles, Let Him know you are in need of His help, and let Him know that you are truly thankful for all that you have and been through. And I promise you, you will feel a lot better and you will find ease in your heart. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest (Qruan 13:28)

And also I advise you to talk with the youth director at your masjid. If there isn’t any youth director, then make a change in your community since you would like to do something positive, changing, and productive…Ask to be a youth director. Be the first to make a change in your community. With you putting that first step, others in the same situation as yours will be helped as well, imagine how many youth you would be helping. Make the change while still living not when you’re deceased. There is no one in this dunya that doesn’t go through any time type of hardship or struggle. Don’t let shaytan take advantage over you because of a bump in the road. Always remind yourself that you have it way better than many people in this Dunya and there are people who are going through worse. And when you come to realize that say Alhamdulillah. “For indeed, with hardship will be ease. Indeed, with hardship will be ease”(Quran 94:5-6). Our prophet Muhammad (saw) is a great example, think of how much He went through. He went through the most struggles that anyone can ever imagine and He is the most beloved to Allah swt. One may ask…Why? If he was the most beloved to the Lords of the Heavens, then why did He have so many hardships? Why didn’t Allah make his life easier, if He loved him so much? When Allah puts you through trials and tests know that He loves you. Every time the prophet went through a hardship he would turn to Allah swt for help, and Allah would love him more. That is the Reason why, because Allah loves it when you go to Him. If you are struggling with life, then turn to Allah swt, because that is what Allah wants. Allah loves you, Live 4 Him.

Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned (Quran 21:35)

Aliah – Yes I am interested in some resources please. Thank you!

Lost Muslim,

Dear brother, whatever mimbar you are hearing khutbahs from, I doubt it is one where the wisdom and beauty of Islam is being preached from properly.

I wish you could see that there are wonderful communities in this country, and awesome places in various learning institutions where ideas, thoughts, and intellectual discussion is given space to turn into productive learning experiences, as well as practical work to help and benefit others.

No community is perfect, but I feel your distress about the mimbar messages. I’d be pretty upset too, but its not like that everywhere. Are you in a major city with a major Muslim population?

ws
AS

Lost Muslim, You are absolutely right to say that the larger Muslim community stigmatizes Muslims who are going through psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual problems. Please do not give up hope! I am a Muslim Clinical Social Worker and we have a growing number of Muslm Mental Health professionals who are committed to dealing with the above issues that you described. Please let me know if you are interested to get resources, I will be more than happy to direct you!

Remember the example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): He also faced rejection by his own people and went through many struggles for years before Islam became established. People do not like to hear truth or anything different from their traditions, so you can expect rejection although it’s not easy to accept it. As Maryam said, try to find an organization that is open to your concerns.