Hello

[Seraphim]

Hi, I'm Seraphim. I'm an American convert to Orthodox Christianity under the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. I grew up in a very hedonistic environment before converting to Protestant Christianity in the early 90s. I was a rabid Zionist during those years and it was only after becoming Orthodox that I, thankfully, shed that condition. I am now trying to replace the stereotypes that I learned about Islam and Arabic culture with facts. I've come to know many wonderful Arabic people from all over the Middle East at my Church and absolutely adore Arabic chanting.

If I post anything inappropriate, please forgive my ignorance and correct me as I'm learning. I'm anticipating a lot of friendly and profitable dialogue here.

Forgive me.

[NewMuslim]

Hello
Welcome to Turn To Islam. You sound like a nice person, willing to accept the truth.

Visit this site: http://freequran.org . You can order a free English Qur'an along with other books about Understanding Islam if you order from the "New Muslims Gift" (that's how I got my Qur'an).

I, myself, converted to Christianity from being a Jehovah's Witness. It caused some pressure among my aunts/cousins (who are Jehovah's Witnesses). I converted to Episcopalian (Anglican) Christianity afterwards.

Of course, as you can guess by my name, I converted (we call it, reverted) to Islam shortly after I became an Episcopalian. My reversion process was very slow. However, I started out much like you: learning the facts about Islam (which I thought was a terrorist religion: something you'd expect from a 3rd grader who just saw the horrors of 9/11 when it happened).

I'm glad that you are searching for the truth. "Allah (SWT) guides whom He wills". So, Allah-Willing, you will revert to Islam after finding out the facts about this beautiful religion.

Meanwhile, I'd suggest that you "compare" the religions back to back. Compare their history, their Holy Books, etc. Compare what the scholars (both early and modern) thought about their religion, and compare rebuttals (I.E. compare rebuttals against Islam and rebuttals against Christianity and the answers to each to see which one you find to be the "winner"). This is much like the way I reverted to Islam.

Above all, read the Qur'an and study it. That is the best book on Islam, seeing as to how it came from Allah (SWT). If the Qur'an doesn't guide you to Islam, chances are that Allah (SWT) doesn't wish to guide you at the moment/at all.

May Allah (SWT) guide you to Islam. Ameen.

[Bluegazer]

Hello Seraphim,


Welcome to this website. I hope you gain more knowledge of Islam here.


Thank you for your kind word about Arabs, but please remember that Islam is a universal religion where we believe that God Almighty judges a person according to his faith and deeds and not his race. The following is an English interpretation of a verse of the Qur'an:

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted."

[49:13]


You should also note that Arabs only make up 20% [one fifth] of the total Muslim population. 80% of Muslims are non Arabs. In fact, the top 4 countries with Muslim populations are the following non Arab countries [the number of Muslims follows each country's name]:

Indonesia 213,469,356
India 174,862,240
Pakistan 162,487,489
Bangladesh 129,681,509

And then appears the first Arab country [Egypt] with a Muslim population of 70,530,237. Then it is Turkey [a non Arab country] with a Muslim population of 68,963,953.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_by_country

[See the table titled "top sixty" at the bottom of the above wikipedia website]


I hope you all the best Seraphim.

Best regards,

Bluegazer

[arabiantxn]

:salam2: & Hello serphum welcome to turntoislam.com

We all consider our self a family and we appreciate you joining us.. This site consists of both Muslims and non Muslims we belief in teaching and helping each other living our daily life’s as Allah has prescribed us

[basheerpkm]

Hi Seraphim,

Welcome to TTI online community

Thank you for your kind word about Arabs, but please remember that Islam is a universal religion where we believe that God Almighty judges a person according to his faith and deeds and not his race. The following is an English interpretation of a verse of the Qur'an:

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted."[49:13]

Dear brother Bluegazer you are right:)

"An Arab is no better than a non-Arab. In return, a non-Arab is no better than an Arab. A red raced man was not better than a black one except in piety. Mankind is all Adam's children and Adam was created out of clay."Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him)

:salam2:

[Muslim-]

welcome seraphim.

hope you enjoy your stay

[Marwa17]

welcome...inshallah, you will be able to benefit as much as the rest of us...SALAM

[Abdul-Raheem]

:salam2:

Welcome to TTI. We are all learning here, that is the reason most of us are here. Inshallah, you'll benefit as well.:)

:wasalam:

[Albint_Almuslima]

:salam2:
Welcome to the site, I am really glad that you want to learn about Islam And Insha Allah you can be able find out the truth on the way.

May Allah guide you to the right path that he bestowed on Muslims.

You can post what ever you want except things that call to another religion besides Islam.

If you have any questions or concerns please dont hesitate to ask we are all here to help one another.

[Seraphim]

Can I post inspiring quotes that don't "call to" Christianity but are still in reference to God? For example, I have a quote by Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow that I love to use in my signature on other forums. He is an Orthodox Christian Metropolitan but the quote doesn't name Christ or delve into any theological issue other than how great God is an how small we are and that we only exist by His word and will.

"All creatures are balanced upon the creative Word of God as if upon a bridge of diamond. Above them is the abyss of Divine Infinitude, below them, that of their own nothingness."

Would that be inappropriate? I understand that proselytizing is not permitted and I would not presume to disrespect your faith in that way. I frequent a Christian forum with a very similar format as TTI and they have rules against other faiths proselytizing so I am familiar with the general rules.

Being Orthodox, I don't practice the in-your-face Christianity that is common in this region. I try to live my faith on a deeply personal level and seek my own salvation and not tell other people what they should do. I have a beam in my own eye that needs work before I can help a brother get the speck out of his. I try to keep that in my heart so don't worry that I will try to tell you what to believe or how to live.

I just hope you don't mind me praying for you, because that's something I do for people I know.

Forgive me.

[Mabsoot]

Can I post inspiring quotes that don't "call to" Christianity but are still in reference to God? For example, I have a quote by Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow that I love to use in my signature on other forums. He is an Orthodox Christian Metropolitan but the quote doesn't name Christ or delve into any theological issue other than how great God is an how small we are and that we only exist by His word and will.

"All creatures are balanced upon the creative Word of God as if upon a bridge of diamond. Above them is the abyss of Divine Infinitude, below them, that of their own nothingness."

Would that be inappropriate?

I will get back to you on that. We do not accept any scripture other than the Quran. Also, this site policy is not to debate using the Bible or Torah, nor do we think that Muslims should use these texts in order to explain Islam. We have the Quran, the Perfect words of God that were revealed to Muhammad :saw: by the Angel Gabriel. This is the best text, that you are encouraged to read.


Being Orthodox, I don't practice the in-your-face Christianity that is common in this region. I try to live my faith on a deeply personal level and seek my own salvation and not tell other people what they should do. I have a beam in my own eye that needs work before I can help a brother get the speck out of his. I try to keep that in my heart so don't worry that I will try to tell you what to believe or how to live.



As Muslims we practise our Religion as Allah intended. A Muslim's life should be seen as an example of good character, kindness and fairness.

We tell people about Islam, because we wish they too can share in the message of Islam. It is from Allah (the most High), he revealed this message to mankind many times through the Messengers he sent to mankind.

Islam's message is to worship Allah alone, without associating any partners to him.

By believing in this message of Islam, people will know their creator, they will know they were created with a great purpose in this life (to worship Allah alone), they will know how their life aught to be and how they will be rewarded. For the ultimate reward for the people who are Muslims is to see the face of Allah. The reward of Jannah (paradise) is not merely one of physical delights, but also more importantly spiritual happiness. Where the people will feel at ease, with no worries, no pressures or fatigue. They will understand and have knowledge of their lives and their accomplishments. They will feel satisfied and will glorify Allah day and night. THey will fall prostrate to Allah and will be drawn near to their Lord.

There is no greater gift for any human being other than Islam. It is a gift from Allah, it is a gift of mercy and love. Islam is complete and perfect and it is something preserved till the day of judgement.

It would be a true shame for anyone to reject this beautiful faith after the evidences have been bought before them. They will be questioned on day of judgement about that.

You are welcome, as long as you are polite, sincere in wishing to learn about Islam and follow the website rules. This site is for the teaching of Islam,

Also please dont try contact members, communication should be done in public view.

If there is any disagreement to these rules, remember there are plenty of other websites which are not so strict and allow anything.

If there are any problems, just PM me.

You can Learn More about Islam by reading these articles:

Fundamental Beliefs in Islam Tawheed and Aqeedah (http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=15)

Introductory Articles About Islam (http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11)



bye.

[Seraphim]

Ah, ok, thank you for clarifying the nature and purpose of this forum for me. I was just looking for a place to learn a little about Islam to be able to better understand my neighbor. I am not seeking in Islam or desiring to learn more so that I can convert. Since I am so restricted in how I can communicate, I think it would be much to repressive for me to "be myself" here without offending someone. My faith is a part of my life as your faith is a part of your life and I can't divorce myself from it for the purpose of being welcome somewhere.

Thank you for your kindness in explaining this to me, it has answered a lot for me and helped clarify some things. I wish you all well and again, thank you for your kindness while I was here. Peace.

Forgive me.