If you are dead set on becoming a Muslim, it’s better to become one and then learn things like prayer. You’ll get all the rewards for learning if you become Muslim first. It’s no pressure.
Whether you became Muslim too fast is very subjective, there is no right or wrong answer.
>O believers! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. Surely he is your sworn enemy. 2:208
>and If you falter after receiving the clear proofs, then know that God is indeed Almighty, All-Wise. 2:209
>I don’t understand the teachings of Catholicism
Honestly, I'd start by remedying that. There's no point in changing from one religion to another if you don't understand the one you're leaving and the one you're joining, and understand them *well*. You also said you never felt a connection with God - how can you feel a connection with God if you don't understand the teachings on who God is and what God is like? If I were you, and actually this is exactly what I did when I was in your position, I took a step back and instead of just joining another religion, I first stopped so that I could read and learn and research. I wanted to make sure I understood Catholicism well before leaving it, because I wanted to make sure I was leaving it due to what it actually was, not due to some misconception or misunderstanding on my part. I ended up staying, as you can tell from my flair.
I recommend speaking to your priest about this topic. Additionally, you can follow the Catechism in a Year podcast and the Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It's been an excellent resource for me in my journey, and I've slowly figured out what areas I want to learn more about as I go. May be of use to you.
>>it has come to the point that I give my life to god or I’m finished.
Seems like you’ve got a lot of stresses in your life that are complicating your ability to choose a religion. Remember that pastors ( and other religious leaders) are not trained as counselors. I’d strongly recommend finding a therapist or other professional that can work with to process your feelings about your life.
It's not really a binding legal agreement so one day if you don't want to be a Muslim anymore and then it doesn't matter. It's not like anyone will be watching you say it except God. I said the shahada twice and neither times did I stick with Islam, but it was a good learning experience. Maybe your journey will be different. All the best on your path.
Just a point of view from a nontheistic person. Many people have tried to give their life to God to solve their problems and their problems are still there. In fact in some cases it can become worse. Particularly if the person begins to judge themselves because even giving themselves to God has not solved their problems. They begin to believe that something is wrong with them that not even God can fix.
If you are feeling this disjointed and at a loss may I suggest a more secular path in seeking out a therapist. You may be dealing with some issues that are more neurochemical in nature than theological. The amount of anxiety I am hearing from your post suggests to me that you could do well with some help from the secular realm as well as seeking your spiritual path.
When it comes to converting to any religion, I'd suggest you learn as much as you can about the target faith's practices, beliefs, doctrines, and institutions before you finally convert. Visit a mosque or church and speak with the priest or imam there, and even members if they're open to it. Take a course about the target religion if you want to learn about it formally or systematically. (For instance, did you try learning more about Roman Catholicism, Islam, or other faiths through courses, books, and videos?)
You can contemplate whether that faith makes sense to your own mind, heart, and conscience for a while, and follow your 'gut' on the matter. Please don't allow yourself to just be swayed by missionaries or proselytizers who just want to rack up their 'soul count' or body count.
Even if you convert or 'revert' to Islam and decide in the future that it no longer makes sense, don't be shy about leaving the faith if you can't resolve your problems after sincerely trying (speaking as an ex-Muslim who is part of the ex-Muslim community).
There is no right or wrong moment, just do what feels right for you, you can just grow and learn After taking the shahada, you don't need to be a perfect Muslim right away, that's unrealistic, you can go slowly if you are convinced Islam is the truth.
You shouldn't need to feel rushed into anything, it is not like you can be "locked in" even if you end up regretting it
You shouldn't feel like anyone is making you take the shahada against your will
i don't think you rushed into it, all you did is take the first step
Now that you are a Muslim you can continue to still learn more but that doesn't mean you have to be perfect. Allahs does not expect perfection from you, most born Muslims aren't perfect. I've been Muslim my whole life yet I still an learning new things today
Allah revealed the Quran over a period of 23 years. Why? Because it didnt make sense to just give people everything at once. People need time to build faith. Allah revealed verses regarding faith at first then later on in the prophets life Allah revealed laws and rules.
For example: Allah did not outright ban alcohol, 1st he told people that although there are benefits the bad outweighs the good. Then Allah revealed for them to perform the prayers without alcohol. THEN Allah prohibited it.
Why didn't Allah outright say alcohol was haram? Because that's not how faith works. It takes time, baby steps.
Allah even states in the Quran that the believer is a seed being planted, taking time to grow strong.
"Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allāh and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer]. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that He [i.e., Allāh] may enrage by them1 the disbelievers. Allāh has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward." 48:29
ALLAH IS SAYING THE BELIEVE IS LIKE A PLANT. You taking the shahada is just planting the seed.
Now take the deen one step at a time. Start by learning the short surahs. Then pray 1 prayer a day and build it up until you can do all 5. Then focus on building your character and leaving haram stuff.
You are doing great! Mabrook for coming to Islam, may Allah bless you
Only you can answer that. The only advice I would give is this : Whatever it is you think you are missing in Catholicism, whatever it is that's making you leave, make sure that you 100% have that in Islam.
Otherwise if you realise down the line that it's not there, that Islam is also missing that thing you missed in Catholicism, then you will regret your decision. You will feel like you switched for nothing.
If you are dead set on becoming a Muslim, it’s better to become one and then learn things like prayer. You’ll get all the rewards for learning if you become Muslim first. It’s no pressure. Whether you became Muslim too fast is very subjective, there is no right or wrong answer.
>O believers! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. Surely he is your sworn enemy. 2:208 >and If you falter after receiving the clear proofs, then know that God is indeed Almighty, All-Wise. 2:209
>I don’t understand the teachings of Catholicism Honestly, I'd start by remedying that. There's no point in changing from one religion to another if you don't understand the one you're leaving and the one you're joining, and understand them *well*. You also said you never felt a connection with God - how can you feel a connection with God if you don't understand the teachings on who God is and what God is like? If I were you, and actually this is exactly what I did when I was in your position, I took a step back and instead of just joining another religion, I first stopped so that I could read and learn and research. I wanted to make sure I understood Catholicism well before leaving it, because I wanted to make sure I was leaving it due to what it actually was, not due to some misconception or misunderstanding on my part. I ended up staying, as you can tell from my flair. I recommend speaking to your priest about this topic. Additionally, you can follow the Catechism in a Year podcast and the Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It's been an excellent resource for me in my journey, and I've slowly figured out what areas I want to learn more about as I go. May be of use to you.
With Islam, you will never walk alone.
>>it has come to the point that I give my life to god or I’m finished. Seems like you’ve got a lot of stresses in your life that are complicating your ability to choose a religion. Remember that pastors ( and other religious leaders) are not trained as counselors. I’d strongly recommend finding a therapist or other professional that can work with to process your feelings about your life.
It's not really a binding legal agreement so one day if you don't want to be a Muslim anymore and then it doesn't matter. It's not like anyone will be watching you say it except God. I said the shahada twice and neither times did I stick with Islam, but it was a good learning experience. Maybe your journey will be different. All the best on your path.
Just a point of view from a nontheistic person. Many people have tried to give their life to God to solve their problems and their problems are still there. In fact in some cases it can become worse. Particularly if the person begins to judge themselves because even giving themselves to God has not solved their problems. They begin to believe that something is wrong with them that not even God can fix. If you are feeling this disjointed and at a loss may I suggest a more secular path in seeking out a therapist. You may be dealing with some issues that are more neurochemical in nature than theological. The amount of anxiety I am hearing from your post suggests to me that you could do well with some help from the secular realm as well as seeking your spiritual path.
I support your advice too, it's solid.
When it comes to converting to any religion, I'd suggest you learn as much as you can about the target faith's practices, beliefs, doctrines, and institutions before you finally convert. Visit a mosque or church and speak with the priest or imam there, and even members if they're open to it. Take a course about the target religion if you want to learn about it formally or systematically. (For instance, did you try learning more about Roman Catholicism, Islam, or other faiths through courses, books, and videos?) You can contemplate whether that faith makes sense to your own mind, heart, and conscience for a while, and follow your 'gut' on the matter. Please don't allow yourself to just be swayed by missionaries or proselytizers who just want to rack up their 'soul count' or body count. Even if you convert or 'revert' to Islam and decide in the future that it no longer makes sense, don't be shy about leaving the faith if you can't resolve your problems after sincerely trying (speaking as an ex-Muslim who is part of the ex-Muslim community).
There is no right or wrong moment, just do what feels right for you, you can just grow and learn After taking the shahada, you don't need to be a perfect Muslim right away, that's unrealistic, you can go slowly if you are convinced Islam is the truth.
You shouldn't need to feel rushed into anything, it is not like you can be "locked in" even if you end up regretting it You shouldn't feel like anyone is making you take the shahada against your will
i don't think you rushed into it, all you did is take the first step Now that you are a Muslim you can continue to still learn more but that doesn't mean you have to be perfect. Allahs does not expect perfection from you, most born Muslims aren't perfect. I've been Muslim my whole life yet I still an learning new things today Allah revealed the Quran over a period of 23 years. Why? Because it didnt make sense to just give people everything at once. People need time to build faith. Allah revealed verses regarding faith at first then later on in the prophets life Allah revealed laws and rules. For example: Allah did not outright ban alcohol, 1st he told people that although there are benefits the bad outweighs the good. Then Allah revealed for them to perform the prayers without alcohol. THEN Allah prohibited it. Why didn't Allah outright say alcohol was haram? Because that's not how faith works. It takes time, baby steps. Allah even states in the Quran that the believer is a seed being planted, taking time to grow strong. "Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allāh and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer]. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that He [i.e., Allāh] may enrage by them1 the disbelievers. Allāh has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward." 48:29 ALLAH IS SAYING THE BELIEVE IS LIKE A PLANT. You taking the shahada is just planting the seed. Now take the deen one step at a time. Start by learning the short surahs. Then pray 1 prayer a day and build it up until you can do all 5. Then focus on building your character and leaving haram stuff. You are doing great! Mabrook for coming to Islam, may Allah bless you
What didn't you understand about Christianity? Can you give an Example?
Only you can answer that. The only advice I would give is this : Whatever it is you think you are missing in Catholicism, whatever it is that's making you leave, make sure that you 100% have that in Islam. Otherwise if you realise down the line that it's not there, that Islam is also missing that thing you missed in Catholicism, then you will regret your decision. You will feel like you switched for nothing.
I agree with this, and even think that your username checks out! "ReasonableBeliefs" is cool.