hmcq, im OK with everyone chiming in. thanks! i appreciate it.

as far as those who are ignorant to islam, i do believe that yes they are not judged in the same way. but also they were not chosen to be part of this faith as Allah didnt select them. what does this mean? i dont know. will their actions be judged at a lesser level? will they be doomed to hellfire (if they sin) because they werent chosen? i have no idea.

first of all, it does irk me to no end when i hear that others are 'judging' another persons islam. like when i questioned my friend for why she did what she did, i really was trying to give her some relief in a weird way. she is going through a HECKA lot. but i realise i was wrong to suggest she commit apostacy.

i think it is important to note our similarities and that we are all muslim should that be what we are born into, grew to become, or refer to ourselves as. so in any faith, there are differing levels of perceived practise.

brb

inspire, bostonians can be muslims too. and im sure there are some of us who are interested in talkng about something other than the 'activity' du jour. ;)

Very good question. In the Qur'an, you do read about Believers vs Nonbelievers but is it fair to condemn someone because they were born in a "nonbelieving" faith? Kids tend to follow what their parents teach them and if they are merely following what they were taught, can that really be held against them?
Keeping that in mind, I think its more important to see a person's actions and their intentions are vs what they believe or claim to believe.

In the long term, only Allah knows whats best and how a person will truly be judged.

Taugi, I do agree with you. We are humans and we do make mistakes. Some people get off the track but then realize what they are doing and repent and try to make themselves better people. Would they be considered the same as those who continue to sin and hurt others?

The Qur'an often mentions forgiveness so I believe if a person truly realizes what they have done and is genuinely sorry and tries their best to be a better person, Allah should be forgiving. But then again, only Allah can be the judge of that person and their actions/intentions.

no, i do seek both, in fact all input on this.

i know i have made the mistake myself in saying to someone 'why do you call yourself a muslim if you continue to sleep around? why do you call yourself a muslim if you continue to hurt others?' when it seemed obvious that all that person needed do was say 'heck, no im not a muslim' so remove any remorse she would feel after 'sinning'. for if she were not a muslim and not even inclined to organised religion, those acts may not be sins.

i asked this once and only once. and i realised how i was wrong.

its not as 'obvious' as it appeared. to believe in islam is to take a huge leap and a step in the right direction. to actually commit oneselfs to good deeds, charity, practise, is a HUGE undertaking imho. we are human after all. and we make mistakes. and we are sometimes weak in our faith. so we sin. doesnt negate our beliefs. doesnt negate our 'intentions'.

we just need try harder.

some of my own thoughts.

yes, i agreed with you, inspire.. hence i went searching! not only believe but act in accordance with beliefs.

qur'an surah as-sajda:

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YUSUFALI: Now no person knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden (in reserve) for them - as a reward for their (good) deeds.

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YUSUFALI: Is then the man who believes no better than the man who is rebellious and wicked? Not equal are they.

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YUSUFALI: For those who believe and do righteous deeds (this is a conjunctive and means both are required, belief and good deeds) are Gardens as hospitable homes, for their (good) deeds.

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YUSUFALI: As to those who are rebellious and wicked, their abode will be the Fire: every time they wish to get away therefrom, they will be forced thereinto, and it will be said to them: "Taste ye the Penalty of the Fire, the which ye were wont to reject as false."

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YUSUFALI: And indeed We will make them taste of the Penalty of this (life) prior to the supreme Penalty, in order that they may (repent and) return. (so it is possible to self-correct ones wrong ways)

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YUSUFALI: And who does more wrong than one to whom are recited the Signs of his Lord (al qur'an, al hikmah), and who then turns away therefrom? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (due in this world or the hereafter? methinks the hereafter) Retribution.

ill be able to discern to my best abilities..

i want everything i can get, hmcq. thanks!