[Gozmand]

Seriously... my head hurts trying to navigate all these posts (and differences) under the heading "Sunni Forum". Has Sunni Islam become this complicated? Necessitating the guidance of others, deeming Islamic knowledge almost untouchable, segregating women. The Islam I came to know and love is accessible and just for everyone (regardless of background, prior knowledge or sex).

Show of hands - are you as dumbfounded by the state of our community as I am? A sister posted a wonderful poem very recently... I shall hunt it down here, in the SF jungle and thank her.

I came here to feel a sense of community, unity, ummah; presently, I feel dis-unity and confusion. For now, I'll stick to reading the Qur'an, learning as much as I can about seerah and making decisions within those limits. I'll also continue to post whenever possible since I can't enter the "sister's only" section until I've met a certain obligation (this is a little exclusionary and I wonder why it is part of the rules here?).

JazakAllah for listening.

[excholza]

It is not complicated at all. Just read The Creed of Imam Tahawi and believe it. If you don't understand a point, then ask a scholar of Aqeedah.

Read Nur al Idah for the 5 pillars. If you don't understand something, then ask a scholar of Fiqh.

Read about the fiqh of any other activity that you engage in, and try your best to obey it.

Read about the inward qualities that you shouldn't have and get rid of them. If you can't, then ask a scholar of Tasawwuf how to do it.

If you want to be a scholar in the sciences of Islam, then welcome to the world of complexity

[HonestSean]

I know where your coming from sis. I feel the same. I came here to learn but sometimes I find it difficult.

Your half way with regards getting access to the sis section insha'allah. Shouldnt be long now. I hear its totally different once in the sis section. Lets see insha'allah. I hope theres lot of knowledgable sisters insha allah

[HonestSean]

Humble bro - where are the scholars? Who do we ask? I joined this forum because in the past when I used to visit as a guest I noticed there were scholars but they have all disappeared?

[vRmy0Fzg]

Salam 'Aleykum,

So far most threads aren't THAT interesting, I think the best way to make use of this forum is to come in, open a thread, ask a question, get a variety of good answers.

People really need to start opening "stronger" topics (although last time I did that I never got many replies so it's not encouraging).

[yasmin]

It is not complicated at all. Just read The Creed of Imam Tahawi and believe it. If you don't understand a point, then ask a scholar of Aqeedah.

Read Nur al Idah for the 5 pillars. If you don't understand something, then ask a scholar of Fiqh.

Read about the fiqh of any other activity that you engage in, and try your best to obey it.

Read about the inward qualities that you shouldn't have and get rid of them. If you can't, then ask a scholar of Tasawwuf how to do it.

If you want to be a scholar in the sciences of Islam, then welcome to the world of complexity

Assalamu alaikum,

Brother, Nur al-Idah and Aqida Tahawiyyah are complicated books in my opinion which will confuse people without reading under the guidance of a well versed scholar. One should stick to basic books like Taleemul Haq or even Ascent to Felicity.

I can give many examples. I know scholars who don't even understand Aqida Tahawiyya and Nur al-Idah properly.

[Gozmand]

It is not complicated at all. Just read The Creed of Imam Tahawi and believe it. If you don't understand a point, then ask a scholar of Aqeedah.

Read Nur al Idah for the 5 pillars. If you don't understand something, then ask a scholar of Fiqh.

Read about the fiqh of any other activity that you engage in, and try your best to obey it.

Read about the inward qualities that you shouldn't have and get rid of them. If you can't, then ask a scholar of Tasawwuf how to do it.

If you want to be a scholar in the sciences of Islam, then welcome to the world of complexity

Waalaikumussalam and JazakAllah brother... you've brought me back to the basics and I needed that (though the confusion came from 'which' scholars to ask).

[Gozmand]

... One should stick to basic books like Taleemul Haq or even Ascent to Felicity.

Waalaikumussalam and jazakAllah brother, I will keep this in mind.

[Gozmand]

I know where your coming from sis. I feel the same. I came here to learn but sometimes I find it difficult.

Your half way with regards getting access to the sis section insha'allah. Shouldnt be long now. I hear its totally different once in the sis section. Lets see insha'allah. I hope theres lot of knowledgable sisters insha allah

Insha'Allah sister. And... JazakAllah for the show of hand

[Gozmand]

Salam 'Aleykum,

So far most threads aren't THAT interesting, I think the best way to make use of this forum is to come in, open a thread, ask a question, get a variety of good answers.

People really need to start opening "stronger" topics (although last time I did that I never got many replies so it's not encouraging).

JazakAllah brother though I must admit, I was even a little 'scared' to post this thread. (I've typed and deleted about the bit on 'variety' of answers a few times so I'll just leave it at this - confusion).

[Gozmand]

Humble bro - where are the scholars? Who do we ask? I joined this forum because in the past when I used to visit as a guest I noticed there were scholars but they have all disappeared?

I noticed a private space reserved for 'ulema so I assume they are around at least watching our activity here even if they aren't posting/commenting.

[Pippoles]

You need to accept that a variety of opinions exist even in sunni islam

[Gozmand]

You need to accept that a variety of opinions exist even in sunni islam

JazakAllah brother, I accept variety for sure. Trying to figure out where I fit in it all - that's when I become confused. (there's also frustration but I won't say more on that, for now).

Alhamdulillah - at least we're united in the basics.

[Pippoles]

Alot of people/muslims in the west are in your position. The best to "fit yourself in" is to find out what madhab your parents or elder family members into and go from there. I can see you state your hanafi, that's a good start.

[baskentt]

SF Jungle smels good..

[Gozmand]

SF Jungle smels good..

For sure, but finding the source of the fragrance is difficult from all the trees - each beautiful and perfect in their own way.

[Gozmand]

Alot of people/muslims in the west are in your position. The best to "fit yourself in" is to find out what madhab your parents or elder family members into and go from there. I can see you state your hanafi, that's a good start.

JazakAllah and yes, my madhab is Hanafi and I don't plan to create more confusion for myself by switching that up unnecessarily so it is my starting point.

[Gozmand]

and everyone:

Here is my personal list of resources that I either have, have access to or am looking to acquire:

1. Qur’an: translated (I have Pickthall and Yusuf Ali translations)
2. Seerah: Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings
3. Fiqh: Nur al Idah (see: http://islamicvillage.me/2011/11/11/...-introduction/) - AND/OR - Ascent to Felicity
4. Aqidah: Creed of Imam Tahawi - AND/OR - Taleemul Haq (see: http://www.islamicbulletin.com/servi...ils.aspx?id=67)
5. Tafseer: Ma'ariful Qur'an
6. Hadith: (see: http://spl.qibla.com/hadith/S0001.aspx and http://quranexplorer.com/Hadith/English/Index.html)
7. Tajweed: (see: http://allahsquran.com/learn/#s111d14q1t0p1 and http://www.abouttajweed.com/ and http://www.tajweedinenglish.com/)

In addition to this list, I've been listening to various lectures online at http://www.hoor-al-ayn.com/lectures/hesham-al-awadi/ and other places.

In order to make sure I have the basics covered, I would welcome and appreciate constructive feedback on this list.

[juptVatoSoito]

In order to make sure I have the basics covered, I would welcome and appreciate constructive feedback on this list.

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...l=1#post701984

[Gozmand]

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...l=1#post701984

I had no idea about this. excellent work everyone! May Allah reward you all!