[cingularring]

There was a slight lull at SF for a few months till a few weeks ago. The usual, , vigorous discussion is again back. With this another worry has started popping up in yours truly's thoughts. The questions is whether we have hit analysis paralysis? If yes what should we do. If not then what precautions we might take? Ummah is big and armchair intellectuality can not be haraam but it can take you only this far. So what are the possibilities beyond the confines of SF? This one can be discussed in another thread. There is another aspect that can be discussed in a separate thread - what have we achieved at SF? There is yet another aspect that yours truly is curious about. We have several private discussion groups of people churned out by our institution and at least at one of them I have seen comments that their discussion has found place in academic publications. Has SF too made a similar impact? I have seen a thread at another forum about their impact and I can say that they will be better off without the type of impact they are making.

[Zdfjpbth]

This is what I observed.
Sf lately is more about dunya rather than Deen. Too many lame threads which waste time.

[lLianneForbess]

This is what I observed.
Sf lately is more about dunya rather than Deen. Too many lame threads which waste time.

I agree brother

[cingularring]

Dear Ikhwaan,
That is a separate problem, if it is a problem at all.

[drgshmcm]

We are all gonna die and answer for our deeds, lets not talk about the haram and or halal in the dunya and just talk about self rectification and everything else will sort itself out? maybe...but amar bil maruf and nahi anil munkar is not dunya.

This is what I observed.
Sf lately is more about dunya rather than Deen. Too many lame threads which waste time.

[Lypepuddyu]

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...l=1#post274345

[PhotoSHOPadob]

There was a slight lull at SF for a few months till a few weeks ago.

That is because I came back after being gone for many months.


No, it isn't.

Maripat, please tell me you are not near death. Every post I read of yours over the past few weeks all have the exact same message: Stop talking, GO and DO.

I don't think people have hit analysis paralysis. From what I am understanding you to be asking or saying, you are asking what impact Sunni Forum has had (on a large or small scale), and why are people not doing more. Are people taking the messages and things learned here and going out and doing something about it-- living it, teaching it, etc. Or are people content to simply talk and discuss. You want people to move beyond the idea of a discussion forum, and live it out somehow in their lives and in the world. Education, translating, politics, mental health care, etc.

I often think there is a fine line that people sometimes walk between knowing what is bragging and what is not. I can see where a member of the forum might not feel comfortable in posting something such as, "A thread on sunni forum inspired me to go out and do this in my community and this was the result of it........" No one wants to be seen as a braggart, but on the other hand, if people shared more then it might encourage others to go out and do likewise, or provide ideas for others.

But I think that just because we do not see an impact, does not mean that an impact is not being made. A lack of evidence is not indicative of a lack of results.

I was going to say, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." But then I wondered if elephants are halal.

[Stoottnoiciek]

That is because I came back after being gone for many months.


No, it isn't.

Maripat, please tell me you are not near death. Every post I read of yours over the past few weeks all have the exact same message: Stop talking, GO and DO.

I don't think people have hit analysis paralysis. From what I am understanding you to be asking or saying, you are asking what impact Sunni Forum has had (on a large or small scale), and why are people not doing more. Are people taking the messages and things learned here and going out and doing something about it-- living it, teaching it, etc. Or are people content to simply talk and discuss. You want people to move beyond the idea of a discussion forum, and live it out somehow in their lives and in the world. Education, translating, politics, mental health care, etc.

I often think there is a fine line that people sometimes walk between knowing what is bragging and what is not. I can see where a member of the forum might not feel comfortable in posting something such as, "A thread on sunni forum inspired me to go out and do this in my community and this was the result of it........" No one wants to be seen as a braggart, but on the other hand, if people shared more then it might encourage others to go out and do likewise, or provide ideas for others.

But I think that just because we do not see an impact, does not mean that an impact is not being made. A lack of evidence is not indicative of a lack of results.

I was going to say, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." But then I wondered if elephants are halal.

I totally agree. I, personally, have learned so much from sunniforum about Islam. Since my friends aren't really that religious, its really nice to talk to practicing Muslims on this forum, about deen and dunya. Its really helped me improve my character and the way I practice my deen. This forum is very beneficial, as there are many knowledgeable people here. Sure there are a few useless threads, and ongoing debates, but thats normal and expected (especially in an online forum). Most important thing is, this forum keeps me in check in terms of deen.


Anyway, thats just me. I'd like to hear how others have benefited from this forum.

@PouringRain: Has this forum brought you any closer to Islam than you were before?

[cingularring]

That is because I came back after being gone for many months.

In that case I'll urge our female moderators to sanction no more leave to you.



Maripat, please tell me you are not near death. I wont know that - time of death has been kept secret from us!
Every post I read of yours over the past few weeks all have the exact same message: Stop talking, GO and DO. Good that at least you have noticed that. What are others doing?
I don't think people have hit analysis paralysis. By and large they have not.
But there are examples where we have hit analysis paralysis. I shall ignore them for the time being.

From what I am understanding you to be asking or saying, you are asking what impact Sunni Forum has had (on a large or small scale), and why are people not doing more. Are people taking the messages and things learned here and going out and doing something about it-- living it, teaching it, etc. Or are people content to simply talk and discuss. You want people to move beyond the idea of a discussion forum, and live it out somehow in their lives and in the world. Education, translating, politics, mental health care, etc. You got it right. I am again glad that I have managed to communicate a little.
I often think there is a fine line that people sometimes walk between knowing what is bragging and what is not. I can see where a member of the forum might not feel comfortable in posting something such as, "A thread on sunni forum inspired me to go out and do this in my community and this was the result of it........" No one wants to be seen as a braggart, but on the other hand, if people shared more then it might encourage others to go out and do likewise, or provide ideas for others. Of course bragging is un-Islamic so that it out.

Now that you have responded I can add one more point - one should be wary of pure armchair activism. It has the potential of cutting you off reality.

But I think that just because we do not see an impact, does not mean that an impact is not being made. A lack of evidence is not indicative of a lack of results. With you again sister.
I was going to say, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." But then I wondered if elephants are halal. I'll convert the humour into dry business.
The question is that there is so much to implement so how can we go about doing that.
Answer : Step by step, little by little.

Even I personally did not imagine that I shall be able to cover so much of ground as I have been able to in about one and half a year. It is mind boggling. Verily is a a Fadl (grace) from Allah (SWT) and I am thankful to all the brothers and sisters who have made this wonderful journey possible. May Allah (SWT) reward you all according to His Glory and not according to your efforts.

But the backbone question remains unanswered and now I'll make an attempt to do that according to the best of my ability.

Every one of us, at one time or another, gets the question in his or her mind : what is the purpose of life.
I'll cut the long story short again - purpose of life is to be and 'Abd - slave of Allah.

Next step is how to be a slave of Allah (SWT). This is the question we are trying to learn the answer of, here at SF.
Once you know the answer to any extent, large or small, then you shall get an urge, incredible strong urge to implement it. There are statements in psychology that say that the urge to personal development is the strongest urge in us human beings (please forget Freud - he was primitive).

Just two more points to go. Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammed Shafi' Sahab (RA) said, and I quote via Pir Zulfiqar Sahab (DB), that Beneficial Knowledge ('Ilm-e-Nafe'a) is that after which you do not get solace till you act upon it.

And now the final point. On the Judgement Day we shall be asked a question, and we can not move till we answer all such questions, how much did you act upon the knowledge that you had?

And there lie my worries sister. I hope I have answered you curiosity.

And I thank you for asking the question.

And All Praise is due to our Lord Most Merciful.

[Leczyslaw]

Last year had been very terrible for Me and I was going to quit 'SF' but All praise is due to Allah who brings good from bad and bad from good.
(But lets not talk about bad(ignore it) but good since both co-exist in the same entity-universe).At that time 'SF' turned its tables and arguments and debates,doubts and questioning from immature adolescents where brought to the bottom of scale and more religiously islamically diversified it became, extremely helpful islamic resources was brought in- a jouney from being juvenile to a veteran.
'SF' in this big bad world of Internet is like an oasis in desert.For a person who would search for food for religious thoughts on the internet, 'SF' comes as extremely handful.We are lucky to be in 'SF' under the vigilance of pious moderators, reliable authentic scholars and pietist,at least when compared to other islamic websites where things are haywire.
Although it is a gem now, we perhaps can look for more improvements in future.Like mentioned before a practical implementation would have effective results.

[slimfifa]

Salam `Aleykum,

I think PouringRain is right, the moment she left the forum seemed empty.

But for real now, I want to complain because people don't participate in good threads, they participate in nonsense threads and I can give examples of this... and although good thread are being opened like Julaybib's thread, yet most topics opened are lame, un-academic and boring such as "Who is the Mureed of so and so" or "Salafis did this or that"...

I mean let me show you bros and sises somthing, here are some threads I opened and I don't open much threads:
Two qualities of a Muslim ruler

who commented on this? no one.

Looking up information on narrators of Hadith

who commented on this? no one.

al-Imamah wal-Siyasah written by ibn Qutaybah al-Baghdadi ?

who commented on this? no one.

Teachers of Al-Bukhari vs Teachers of Al-Kulayni.

who commented on this? one guy.

Writing of prophetic narrations and knowledge.

who commented on this? one guy.


Anywho, I guess it's time for me to open another thread..

[slimfifa]

Are people taking the messages and things learned here and going out and doing something about it-- living it, teaching it, etc.

To be honest, I know a couple of the regular members on this forum from outside the forum, and I can assure you they are SO GOOD Mashallah and they're giving a perfect image of Islam outside the forum, including Da`wah. This makes me happy to know that the forum has such people in it.

[PhotoSHOPadob]

@PouringRain: Has this forum brought you any closer to Islam than you were before?

I have gained knowledge from sunni forum-- directly and indirectly (by reading something that triggers other things, and then seeking out information outside of the forum, that I otherwise would not have known to seek out). I have encountered some truly beautiful people on sunni forum, and have been blessed to meet them. I have received some of the most beautiful invitations to Islam on sunni forum, more beautiful than anywhere ever, and one even made me want to cry it was soooooo beautiful.


In light of what Maripat is asking on the forum, I wondered if anyone has considered an internet "fast"? I think that with Ramadan approaching, it would be a good time to "give up the internet" and to spend time both on self reflection and on implementation.

[drexigordiche]

I have gained knowledge from sunni forum-- directly and indirectly (by reading something that triggers other things, and then seeking out information outside of the forum, that I otherwise would not have known to seek out). I have encountered some truly beautiful people on sunni forum, and have been blessed to meet them. I have received some of the most beautiful invitations to Islam on sunni forum, more beautiful than anywhere ever, and one even made me want to cry it was soooooo beautiful.


In light of what Maripat is asking on the forum, I wondered if anyone has considered an internet "fast"? I think that with Ramadan approaching, it would be a good time to "give up the internet" and to spend time both on self reflection and on implementation.

Pouring rain, so much wisdom pours from you. but your non entrace into Islaam is just proof that guidance is in the hands of Allah & not the guided or the messanger.

[cingularring]

Salam `Aleykum,

I think PouringRain is right, the moment she left the forum seemed empty.

But for real now, I want to complain because people don't participate in good threads, they participate in nonsense threads and I can give examples of this... and although good thread are being opened like Julaybib's thread, yet most topics opened are lame, un-academic and boring such as "Who is the Mureed of so and so" or "Salafis did this or that"...

I mean let me show you bros and sises somthing, here are some threads I opened and I don't open much threads:
Two qualities of a Muslim ruler

who commented on this? no one.

Looking up information on narrators of Hadith

who commented on this? no one.

al-Imamah wal-Siyasah written by ibn Qutaybah al-Baghdadi ?

who commented on this? no one.

Teachers of Al-Bukhari vs Teachers of Al-Kulayni.

who commented on this? one guy.

Writing of prophetic narrations and knowledge.

who commented on this? one guy.


Anywho, I guess it's time for me to open another thread..

Akhi, , you amongst those who are doing real work. 'Ilm takes effort and like some other brothers your work also is apparent here at SF. To participate in the threads you have linked takes what? Work again. So these will be brothers like Al-Zayn, Godilali, Ansari or Muzammil Husayn and others. I know each and every one of them are completely occupied their real life assignments. I can tell you for myself - I can not comment on any one of those threads. In fact, it seems, that each of these will be a legitimate research topic. And my personal experience has been that if we get some idea then we are the only one who can tackle it. Not because of the abilities, there are many able people around, but because of the realization of importance.

And if it helps then I might be having the largest number of no response threads.
This is the proof that Allah (SWT) does not need us at all - if a proof was required.