My Journey with Faith
I am a proud religious person, unafraid to speak out about what needs to be said in our Muslim community. Like many, I want to see Muslims succeed in both this life and the hereafter.
If you are a Muslim yourself, and have ever stumbled across an individual who left Islam, you might have asked yourself as a Muslim, “How can they leave when Islam is so perfect?“. Now, in this article we will discuss why some ex-Muslims leave Islam.
Seeing genuine Muslim individuals thrive in dunya (life on earth) brings me immense joy, as we share a bond through Islam and the teachings of Allah and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Exploring Stories of Ex-Muslims on Reddit
Recently, I’ve been fascinated by the stories of ex-Muslims in the West, consuming content from various social media platforms. This exploration led me to test my own faith in Allah and our religion.
Although I don’t conform to the stereotypical image of a Muslim girl by not covering up, it doesn’t affect my faith or my commitment to practicing Islam to the best of my ability.
Common denominator Among Ex-Muslims’ Narratives
One striking commonality in ex-Muslim content is the reasoning behind leaving Islam. While I respect their articulate explanations, I find it interesting that many who were born into Islam choose to leave. After reading yet another post from an ex-Muslim on reddit, I felt compelled to share my perspective.
I noticed that many ex-Muslims leave because they’ve mentally limited themselves into believing that Islam restricts them. Stay with me now! They haven’t allowed themselves to enjoy life while still being Muslim. Muslims often have an ingrained fear of being miserable while practicing. This is wrong. Allah asks us to travel and explore the earth He (swt) created for us.
When we pray our daily obligatory prayers, Allah places peace within us that helps us enjoy each one. Allah is the one who gives us the gift and joy of wearing and embracing the hijab. Every joy we have in this life comes from the will of Allah. So, ask yourself if you find peace and joy in your prayers or if you just feel obligated to pray because it’s mandatory.
That joy isn’t cheap because it requires a change of heart. Only Allah can assist you with this difficult task. Think of when our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a child, and the angel Jibreel removed impurity from his heart. The angel opened his (pbuh) chest, took his heart out, and removed all impurity. This happened when the Prophet (pbuh) was very young.
Allah can purify you too, though not literally as He (swt) commanded Jibreel to do with the Prophet (pbuh). We’re not prophets in this generation, so we must strive for purity from our Lord (swt). Ask Allah, and He (swt) will provide for you.
Islamic Teachings on Moderation and Humility
Islam teaches us not to take the religion to extreme lengths, as extremism in any form can lead to negative outcomes. In my late teens, I fell into the trap slight extremism (this is debatable, please read to understand more), becoming overly strict and judgmental, even towards non-Muslims. I was projecting.
This led to a huge decline in my faith, distancing me from the core values of Islam.
I would stop myself from having fun, enjoy life and would subconsciously view other non-Muslims as irresponsible. It got to me, and admitting this is quite freeing. I didn’t express these thoughts to other people, just had these wired thoughts.
The truth is, no one is better than the other, no matter what religion you have faith in. Islam teaches us to be humble, and to respect others cultures and religion leading to (hopefully) more peace for us all to live among each other.
Rediscovering Faith: A Balanced Approach
It felt as though Allah was teaching me a lesson, as my faith waned during this period of arrogance. I came to realize that maintaining a balance in life, aligned with Islamic principles, is crucial.
By addressing the arrogance in my heart and striving for humility, my Imaan (faith) grew stronger, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Embracing Spirituality and Knowledge
In my mid-20s, I found a more balanced approach to living, focusing on spirituality and continuous learning about Islam. Engaging in debates with non-Muslim friends and followers, and consuming various types of content, including philosophy, helped me grow. It’s important for Muslims to critically engage with their faith, asking questions and seeking knowledge from the Quran and Islamic scholars.
In the Hadees Qudsi it is narrated: Allah the Almighty said: “I am as My servant thinks I am” (1). I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it.
And if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a cubit, and if he draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.
I am as My servant thinks I am
We must not forget that Allah (SWT) is the creator of everything from all the heavens and earth. Everything is controlled by God, and we are all His servants – Muslims or not, we be belong to Him.
Even if you aren´t a Muslim, you´re still a human, just like I am. I am not above you and you´re not above me.
At the end of the day, we are equal. Non-Muslims can be good and bad people, and Muslim people can be good and bad. You will find both in every religious community and human. I grew up around non-Muslims in the West, so this is fact based on personal experiences.
The Importance of Critical Thinking in Islam
Being critical, even within one’s own religion, is vital. Asking about Islamic teachings, the Quran, and who Allah is encourages deeper understanding and growth. Blind faith without understanding can be dangerous, and Islam promotes a continuous journey of learning and discovery.
Explore philosophy to embrace critical thinking, read more, explore (halal matters), and become more curious. This will help you remove this restrictions you were raised to believe upon yourself. You have a free will, use it well by taking the right choices!
At the time I considered myself a little extreme with my practices, I learned one important rule that I live by now. I assume you are smart with morals so take what you´re about to read now with a grain of salt; I felt like Allah was punishing me for being too extreme with my practices in Islam through what I would think. As if He (swt) wanted me to chill for a moment. I limited myself so much, and had all these extreme thoughts which were not good for my mental health.
I realized Allah took part of my faith away because I got so lost in the religion. He (swt) did not want me to be extreme with my practices. He (swt) wanted to give me the joy of praying, dressing more modestly and so fort. And mind you, although I wore modest clothing, I did not wear hijab around this time.
Being a Muslim is a gift from Allah that not everyone gets to experience. This is also one of the reasons I believe ex-Muslims are being led out of Islam. It is your heart that needs serious work including the mind, and nothing wrong with Islam.
Why Some Ex-Muslims Struggle with Faith
Many ex-Muslims struggle with maintaining balance and understanding that it’s okay to falter in their faith. Islam emphasizes that Allah is merciful, and we must rely on Him, especially during challenging times. I encourage ex-Muslims to open a conversation with Allah and seek understanding.
I believe when you take yourself out of Islam, and announce it to the world, that you are in fact being punished my Allah, or Allah is letting you live the life of this world without the chance of getting to know Him. Knowing Allah is one of the highest privileges on this earth.
Respect for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Islamic Teachings
It’s troubling to see some ex-Muslims making disrespectful statements about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who is revered even by many non-Muslims as the greatest person to have ever lived.
Criticism often stems from a lack of understanding, and I urge respect for our Prophet (PBUH) and Islamic teachings, even if one chooses to leave the faith.
Do not disrespect Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), ever. Leave in peace if you must, and keep your mouth shut when it comes to him (pbuh).
Conclusion: Practicing Respect and Compassion
Islam is not about perfection but striving to do good and prepare for the afterlife. We should respect those who leave Islam and refrain from mockery or disrespect.
Let people be, and instead of arguing, pray for them. This attitude will reflect positively in your life, attracting better experiences and increasing overall happiness.
Jazakallah Khair
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