I am not good adviser nor wise man. But here what I think:
You do not need to practice Islam (ritually: shalat, fasting, etc) if have not muslim yet. But you still can  pray to God by meditation or whatever, that part of searching God, ask him to give you a sign that he is exist. This was the way that done by prophet Abraham and Muhammad. Prophet Abraham searched God by watching the sun, the moon and the stars and came conclusion none of them is a God, because all of them were set all of them disappear, eventually he found the real God.  So by the similar way with full intention insha Allah (god will) you will find him someday.

Auzubillahi minash shaitan ir rajeem,

Bismillah ir rehman ir rahim,

Hello Dear Seeker, 

I am afraid that if I begin to practice Islam, it will be for a woman and not for myself and certainly not for God. I am afraid that if I do not practice Islam, she and I can never be together. What shall I do?

It could be that this girl is your means to draw close to your Creator. You may begin with the desire to know this girl and her religion, and end up worshiping her Lord (who is technically your Lord as well) in the manner He is worthy of worship.

He is the one who turns the hearts, so be hopeful and seek the guidance in a proper manner.  For now this would be best for you.

or whether or not I need to be Muslim first before I can pray to Him,

You can Pray to God as anyone, Muslim or not. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all. Prayers are turned to Him, and answered from Him alone.

Investigate islam, ask questions, ask about resources, etc. Seek to understand why muslims pray the way they do, before you want to pray like them.

I have asked God for guidance, and have decided to submit to whatever He chooses for me.

This is submission to God. A muslim takes the means to deal with the issues in his life, and at the same time, relies not on the means but the will and power of God, to deliver him to success.

Glory be to Allah, you have the right attitude. You will be guided, if He so wills.

Maa salaama,

Nausheen

Listen, remember this; God is one God and He is the father of Jesus Christ our Savior. You are concern bout getting or not getting married to a women that obviously is the opposite to your believe and must certain to my believe to. You are to young, nonetheless, you are a good man and a good Christian. Now, I can tell you this, do not married a women that you will have to follow her to your believes and that is not possible. God the Almighty is given me the opportunity to tell you to run from that relationship due to that you will be not be happy. Now if you do that, you will have to comply with a religion that do things in a very opposite way to our believes. You must think twice and not disregard this my advice. I truly believe you must make a stop and re-think bout what are you about to do; that will cost your future forever, and nothing can change it once you are in that religion. Please forgive if I sound like racist, but I am not, I am just telling you what is in my heart. Please pray to God the Almighty not to some god where you must follow regardless you want or doesn�t.
Thank you my friend, and ask you to forgive me for my bad spelling and writing.
God bless you and be-careful.

Dany, I must resound Angel's question. Namesdontmatter actually said that until now he had no real need for religion. Which would mean that he is not a Christian. So how could you tell him that he is a good Christian. And if he were a Christian it certainly wouldn't be good behavior to be contemplating reversion for the sake of a woman. Also, you know very little about the situation as little was disclosed. It is very narrow of you to tell this man to run from this woman. He is obviously trying to do what is right for both himself and the woman he loves. I for one applaud his honesty and zeal for seeking after the truth. If it weren't for this woman he may have stayed away from God altogether. This woman will surely be blessed for bringing his young man closer to his Creator.

Namesdontmatter, keep reading the Qur'an. This woman was good to give you a copy. If you are interested in obtaing more literature about Islam, you can request it from Islamicity's home page. I have gotten quite a bit a literature from this web site during my religious search.

Mach 18, 2005

TO:

Angel.

Dear who ever you are, It is very interesting how I could and any body can see from miles away when some one is just trying to deceive you while one is trying to survive in a world full with unnecessary racist or hatred.

Angel, I thank you for the time you took in writing few words to me as to including how I perceive the Brother in question is or not a Christian.

I am a Christian and if it offends you, I truly sorry, but God the Almighty only wants me to tell the truth nonetheless otherwise.

I know you might have trouble understanding my concern, but that is how I feel in my heart, and to tell you the truth, I love to tell you God the Almighty love you, but He doesn�t love the sin or worse He doesn�t love any one who follow anything else but God the truth God the Creator, the Father of Jesus Christ.

I am hoping these words find you in a position so you can assimilate them and comprehend them for a fine reply.

Danny.

Mach 18, 2005

TO:

sarahrosecurry.

Dear who ever you are, It is very interesting how I could and any body can see from miles away when some one is just trying to deceive you while one is trying to survive in a world full with unnecessary racist or hatred.

Sarahrosecurry, I thank you for the valuable time you took in writing few words to me as to including how I perceive the Brother in question is or not a Christian.

I am a Christian and if it offends you, I truly sorry, but God the Almighty only wants me to tell the truth nonetheless otherwise.

I know you might have trouble understanding my concern, but that is how I feel in my heart, and to tell you the truth, I love to tell you God the Almighty love you, but He doesn�t love the sin or worse He doesn�t love any one who follow anything else but God the truth God the Creator, the Father of Jesus Christ.

I am hoping these words find you in a position so you can assimilate them and comprehend them for a fine reply.

dany_steward wrote: ...but He doesn�t love the sin or worse He doesn�t love any one who follow anything else but God the truth God the Creator, the Father of Jesus Christ. ... Danny.

Well, I guess that leaves me out: I don't believe in the divinity of jesus.

F

Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.

Good day to all.

Namesdontmatter-as has already been suggested to you, do pray to God. Ask Him and Him alone for guidance in this matter, and in all matters always.

Who knows, perhaps this has been ordained for you, to meet this woman and desire her as your life partner, only to give you the chance and opportunity to come to Islam and closer to God???

For sure, research it first, study and learn about Islam, and then make your decision later.

I admire you for your own apprehension against yourself and the possible desire to come to Islam merely for a woman. I mean, no one should change religion or claim a faith to a religion merely because of marriage or any other worldly reason.

It is a very personal and important aspect of life, and so one should make their decision about religion according to their own true inner desires and inclinations.

I hope to see more of your posts and updates here.

Please do feel free to come with questions about Islam. We would like to help you along your way.

balqees.

Dany - ok, you never answered my question about the original poster thou, where you think the original poster is Christian ? Reprase; where in the post did you pick up on that they are christian?

Peace

Angel.

Monday, March 21, 2005

Mr. Angel.

Dear Sir.

�At times we all sometime wonder if the real question as to what we mean is, or is it the fact that the question we all at times sometime wonder?. The post to the question you are concern of, isn�t really what your thoughts are, but what you really mean is �am I who am I? Very obvious even in your spelling and the meaning of your thoughts, it is clear to comprehend you aren�t in search for answers, but rather to dissolve one in knowledge that isn�t human knowledge, but divine knowledge.

Furthermore, the word Christian actually doesn�t apply only to those who believe in Jesus Christ the Savior the Son of God the Almighty. Every human being is a Christian regardless who we all are. A Christian, (masculine or feminine grammar noun substantive and adjective) is every human being.

In addition, even as we all suppose to believe one God (masculine)the Supreme Master, the Creator, is for all, nevertheless the fact is that,  we all divide in-to to many different denominations, and some of those denominations are worshippers of satan himself.

I understand you do not agree with my believes, but as I stated above, I doesn�t expect it to happens. Nonetheless one day we all will know for sure, as I know for sure God isn�t one that gets happy if I kill in his name, nor if I hate those that aren�t of my own believe.

Yeah, Mr. Angel, the post is clear right in my mind, right in your mind even thou you might not see it or rather comprehended. And by the way I am not in the position to tell you what to believe but to tell you what is to believe, and also that God the Almighty doesn�t forget but forgive.

In advance, I thank you and although I am a Follower of Jesus Christ, I am hoping this post find you well and in a position for a fine reply.

Sincerely,

Mr. Danny Steward

Monday, March 21, 2005

Dear friend.

This is my reply, before hand I�ll like to have you in peace, do not be disturb or disappointed, rather be happy, for because you aren�t alone on your way to a passage that isn�t well known  for you.

I�ll like to tell you a little bout me. I grow up in a ranch, where we were bout 200 people I mean a very small town. Once upon a time a man came to our home door and asks us to give him a gulp of water for he was thirsty. We comply, and there on that man continues to say: I am Mr. Peter and I�ll like to give you all a word of Salvation. He then continues, and says: Jesus Christ isn�t only a man but the son of God the Almighty the Creator. I remember asking him why Jesus Christ dies in the cross, and he the man reply to me, because we never understood the message he has for all us humans.  So he continue saying, salvation is for all, but it takes every one of us to accept Jesus Christ as the Savior the Son of God in our hearts.

As I grow up, I also remember one day, having so many problems, troubles and you can imagine any sort of problem a child might have at the age of 3. My mom and my dad separated, we were 5 the youngest was 6 months and the oldest was 9 year old. Life was just like that just trouble and more trouble of any sort. My dad was an animal with me and my two sisters. He rapes them and as I recall, he was bout to rape me to, but thank God it didn�t happen. At age of 14 my dad ask me to go away from home, and my life wasn�t going to be the same but better, at least I didn�t have to suffer in his hands with all sort of punishments. But the time when by and I had to live all by myself, having no one to tell me how or otherwise how to live.

Oh well, sorry but I don�t know why but my mind was sort of flying in a windstorm milestone, hahahaha, I can�t believe, but tears are flowing down my cheek. I wonder if after accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior my life change. Yes it did change for the better; I stop smoking, drinking, and drugs.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention I was a sailor, and yes my life took a 180 degree turn not for the better, I got even worse. But yes it comes Jesus Christ in-to my life and everything change, yes for the better.

I been listening to the TV Stations, the Radio Broadcasting, and even in the Internet all bout the killing of so many innocent people in hands of Islam (I enhance the definition). But before I say that, let us ask us all the following. Let�s say for the sake of peace that Islam has nothing to do with the killing by beheading, car bombs, etc. Let�s say that Islam has to nothing to do with it. So, I myself ask a question in return, �why Islam don�t do nothing to stop those that call themselves Islamic Muslims, which kill in the name of their god Allah, that do horrible things against humanity. Yes why Islam don�t do anything bout that?

Instead, Islam in return point fingers at the United States of America and other Nations as if they are the guilty ones. And I remember on the tidal wave, how USA sends aid to those many Muslims in tragedy.

Ok, my friend, I wonder if I enhance to make myself comprehended or if I just have you waste your time, by saying that Jesus Christ do save, if we acknowledge him accepting him in our hearts. You say, that if you are wrong, no my friend, you aren�t, because salvation hasn�t comes to your heart, even as you think you weren�t who you think you are right now, but deep in your heart you have a space that do concern you, because God the Almighty wants to fill it with love through Jesus Christ his son.

I think, I ask you before, to consider what you are about to do in becoming Muslim. Remember this; once you become a Muslim you will never be able to turn back. Also, I wonder how is that you haven�t seeing what�s going on in Iraq, in Chechnya, in Afghanistan, and so many other parts of the world, I wonder how you live with it by just ignoring the fact that those doing the beheading, car bombs and so on, are muslins, and also how is it that you don�t acknowledge that those doing all those atrocities to human life are doing it in the name of Allah the god of the religion you are considering to become a  full time member.

�My friend do I make myself understood?

I hope this, my post find you on a day where you can add a fine reply to one who only believe sincerity and honesty goes together and never apart, may God Bless you.

Truthfully,

Mr. Danny Steward

Ps�.. Forgive my calligraphy or spelling.

Dear Dany,

I just give you a comment on the technical part.
Please paste to the note pad first after you copy from the original source before you paste it here. So the following text will not show up here:

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

So your post will be cleaner. Thanks.

Peace
Adji

Good question! Athla, and shall try to take this direction to a further step with namesdontmatter. In fact the girl may be a motivation for you, namesdontmattter, to get to know about Islam, but religion is not like a pick and drop kind of a thing. It needs deep understanding of it with its full belief through rationale learning. Secondly, during the ups and downs of life with this girl (hopefully you get together in future life time), it would be Islam that would guide you to adopt the right path and may not be the girl herself (assuming you learned more than her due to your curosity). So, it is always prudent not to adopt Islam just for her, but to know about Islam through her and adopt it only if you are mentally convinced about its truthfullness. Remember, in Islam, one's love for Allah must be the ultimate supreme objective, superior than any other materialisic object. I have full respect for your emotions as you must be overwhelmingly sincere for her, but please remember that all emotions are time based and do get change in life, even if you decide to live together for the rest of your life. However, if you come to a stage where you decide not to adopt Islam (whatever the reason may be), then, though your fear of losing your "dream" girl may be a big factor. But, I tell you, you will be better off without her than bearing a burdon of being a hypocrate through out the rest of your life. My best wishes and sincere prayers are with you. Cheers!

namesdontmatter, I have followed your posts from the biginning and want to congratulate you on two great choices you have made, one: the girl and the other{: the creator of the girl.

I saw great potential from the beginning, and I considered you already a muslim even though you didn't say that you were a muslim.

The prophet said "the best among you before ISLAM will be the best among you in ISLAM". The fact that you have been good (don't drink,smoke,fornicate,etc..,) helping others is a sign from God that He has been looking after you and rewarding you all along, even though you may not have been aware of it (just attributing it to "being lucky"). I like your honesty, saying had it not been for the girl you would not have considered ISLAM, but I want you to look at it from a different perspetive. Had it not been for God you would never had met the girl and never have known ISLAM. So whenever you want to thank someone, don't forget to thank God also. We owe everything to Him, what you like in the girl, is due to what her Creator has bestowed on her (beauty,character).

I which you good luck and may God bestow more of his blessings, the road ahead of you may be difficult but be patient and He will help you.

Abdnur

Hi dany

 wow, and all before getting to know me  You don't even know where I stand, my thoughts, you don't even know what I believe in  

I've read many other similar stories before, there is no need for more, thanks for the offer but will decline.

Angel wrote: I've read many other similar stories before, there is no need for more, thanks for the offer but will decline.

Angel, most such stories are forgeries, written by Christians or other non-Muslims. There are numerous inaccuracies in these "Muslims'" descriptions of Islamic practices and texts, so I assume that they are likewise forgeries. It is truly amazing how far some people will go to in order to defame another's faith.

Alright Mr. Dany, you got all these stories, true or untrue is not my concern, however, what have you got out of all this is rather important to me. Lets us talk. Speak up what Islamic principles you think you found objectionable and what are the references that let you conclude that. Only then we can continue our discussions. You may like to open up new threads for each of the issue that you like to raise, but please, don't be mislead by the ignorances of the others. Do your own research and we are (or atleast I am)  here to guide you out of our own limited knowledge about Islam with full references. All your "friends" in the stories seemed to be ignorant and they never tried to ask those who know it better than themselves. Hopefully you would not reject my offer if you are sincere in finding the truth with evidences and not on mysteric beliefs. Cheers!

Yusuf. wrote: angel, i only referred you to deist in case you don't believe me when I say those posts of dany's are forgeries. since I know they are, I have no need of asking him.

oops, too late, already paged/emailed him.

Sorry for misunderstanding you  I thought you wanted/asked me to notify Deist for him to come here and post his opinion.

Yusuf, are ALL apostates stories forgeries ?  ok I'll grant you that some could be forgeries from christians and non muslims to defame Islam. But what about stories that are not forgeries ?

Assalamualiakum wa rahmatullah wa barkatuhu,

In addition to the cleanup on copy and paste material, responses to those have also been removed, as they no longer bore any relevance to the thread.

Members are requested not to take this as an offense.The amount of posts from Danny were not only a spam, as pointed out by brother Rami, the discussions were derailing the original thread as well.

If there is nothing to be said to namesdonotmatter, please refrain from posting or this thread will be officially closed.

Thank you for reporting the spam.

Jazak allah khair,

Nausheen

rami wrote: Bi ismillahir rahmanir raheem assalamu alaikum after further discussion with another moderator i have decided to remove the posts. a note to those who reported the posts one report is sufficient to draw our atention to the posts in question. A 24 hr period to reply is an unreasnoble amount of time to expect from part time moderator's and simply becouse there has not been a course of action taken does not Imply your report has been ignored. It may simply mean we have not seen it yet as was my case, i saw the posts after page 6 began and i was emailed the report. Sabr is required by all!

Assalamu alaikum,

akhi rami, if you have limited access to a computer, this is understandable. I know this is the case with akhi Moskva. However, I have seen an administrator logged in numerous times in the past 36 hours and no action was taken against these posts. It takes no consultation whatsoever to determine that dany's posts are violations of the rules, so I fail to see what the problem was. Again, this is not directed at you, since I have not seen you logged in during this entire period. As you state, you are a part time moderator, and although I do not know you I know that Moskva would have dealt with this issue if he had the time. It appears this is the case with you as well.

Indeed I am lacking in Sabr, but at the same time I realize that lies about of Faith and Beloved Prophet, salallahu alaihi wassalam, may very well be read by someone actually considering reversion and may turn that person away from Islam, Allah forbid. It is only for this reason I am being so adamant and impatient.

Angel wrote: Yusuf, are ALL apostates stories forgeries ?  ok I'll grant you that some could be forgeries from christians and non muslims to defame Islam. But what about stories that are not forgeries ?

Absolutely not. For example, in the old forum deist posted his story: compare that to the garbage dany posted and you can clearly see the difference between a sincere person and a liar. However, when someone claims they were at one time a devout Muslim but makes statements about Islamic practices and theology that are completely false, as was the case in dany's posts, the conclusion is obvious. Additionally, the site dany took these stories from is a fraud in and of itself. The owner of the site claims to be an Iranian Islamic apostate with knowledge of Arabic, but the "Arabic" pages he has set up clearly demonstrate that in fact he does not know Arabic; they are disconnected cut and pastes from other sites. Additionally, nowhere on his site is there anything in Farsi, and when I challenged him to demonstrate his knowledge of Farsi to prove that he is in fact Iranian, he refused to respond. He is a westerner whose purpose is to slander Islam in the English speaking world by posing as a middle easterner.

rami wrote: Bi ismillahir rahmanir raheem assalamu alaikum yusuf I dont have limited access, i have limited time. it is irelavent that you saw a moderator logged on since the report goes to the persons email adress and not the inbox at this site, also sometimes moderators like to wait and confirm or consult (regardless of there personel opinion) on an appropriate course of action before one is taken. I think you should wait for an official responce from a moderator beffore forming judgment. Even if we had decided to leave the posts there one of the moderator's would have stated the reason why the decision was made, but no action for or against the post's was taken during the 36 hour period you stated. I was being leniant in my actions akhi some moderators sugested a sterner action. Impatience is a veil on the heart, Something we all sufur. Khair insha allah.

walaikum assalam,

fair enough, akhi. let's put this behind us Insha'Allah.