Messages

I understand and appreciate your desire and need for being anonymous and hopefully the questions will be general and not dig too deep.

First of all I want to say that I live in a country where religious disinterest or blind following has become prevalent. No one cares or wants to learn. Even my parents who of whom pray , fast, give zakat also have chosen to just follow what the clerics tell them to do and consider the knowing the Arabic more important than knowing the meaning of the verses of the Quran. The few attempts i have made to discuss my different views with them, I have been quickly shut down and told I don't know enough to talk about it and that the Clerics are far more knowledgeable than I ever could be. My Friends are more willing to listen but show the same disinterest I myself had suffered from.

My questions are brother, is there any hope ? Am I even obligated to try to convince people of what I find to be the Truth? Have you been able to convince the people around you? Have you managed to create or find a community of like minded people? Have you managed to convince your family and friends and those around you, and if so, can you give me some advice on how to approach others about it? I just wish to know if change in a community is possible or if I should just mind my own business and just follow what I believe is right.I do really  worry about my people but a part of me also just wants to satisfy my confirmation bias.

[lives]

There is no specific verse on children for this, but  there is a verse where loss of life is said to be a test for others.

2:155
Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,

Countless children all around the world face early deaths. Since God decides our times of death, what is the purpose of taking children away before they even reach the age to understand their faith? Are they only there as a trial for their parents/guardians? Will they be judged in the day of judgement and be placed in heaven/hell like adults ?

Before I start I'd like to thank Brother Joseph for all the work he has put into his articles, you have helped me greatly in getting a better understanding of my faith.

From my understanding of the Quran modesty of both men and women is an important part of our faith. But what about doctors who in order to get a better understanding of the human anatomy or to check up on/treat a certain health problem will need to observe and/or work on their patients with the cloths off and sometimes even their private parts exposed? Would that be right in light of the Quran?

Another thing I find confusing to figure out is art. Drawing people does not seem to be wrong, but in order get good at it, it seems that one needs to have a good idea on how the human body looks like. I am completely against the idea of women/men posing nude for artists, but then, how would one go about it? Having models would really help , but a fully clothed one , especially in case of women who are asked to wear extra layer of clothing around non family members and also told to not show off their beauty, would probably not work. Can an artist get some leeway on this? considering that he/she is not trying to satisfy their desire and just trying to get good at a profession?

My last question is about swimming, we have so many beaches around the world , where men and women go to enjoy themselves and swim. The common trend would be men wearing just short pants when they are there. Would this be considered proper with women around? On the other side you have women wearing bikinis, which i can understand does not fit the need for modestly at all, or other swimming wear which cover up more but still might leave the arms and legs completely exposed. Would this second option be alright for the sake of swimming and if its a norm? If not what would be the "proper" clothing to wear when taking part in these activities, if they are allowed to begin with.

I am sorry if any of this comes off as strange. I am just trying to figure out how to apply my faith to my life and my surroundings and setting up boundaries for myself as its seems that many good things may become wrong if a certain line is crossed.