I am not guessing this on the basis of the amount of replies and threads in religion forum (which might also be considered for analysis when compared to other forums) but in daily life people usually don’t seem to relate fun with religion. May be I myself am also included among people who take religion a bit seriously but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy discussing it. Religion does allow people to enjoy their lives, smile, share intellectual jokes…etc.
**What do you think is the main cause of such an image created in the minds of people ?
**
In my opinion the “Fear” factor is injected too much in our mind and heart since our childhood, but the “hope and reward” factor is not given as much importance due to which a balance between the two can not be seen in the lives of a lot of practicing people.
A lot of factors and their influence might also vary from person to person depending upon their personality, nature and what they are comfortable (satisfied) with.
Taking seriously? You should take Religion seriously but not become a extremist, see Allah has made Islam a easy Religion for the whole mankind, if people only would know! It gives so many solutions, the best available till the day of judgement, but what will mankind know if it doesn't want to find the path and yet they complain about Allah.
Allah has made it clear in the Holy Qur'an that Allah has given mankind everything, but mankind is unthankful and wants despite that more and more. I love the people who pray 3 days and hope that Allah shows them a miracle.
I wish I realized that before the Itekaaf, aaj meyn kahan naheen poncha hota. A better human being, a better husband, a better son, a better brother, the complete package. The great things is that we should never give up, because Allah won't give you up. He'll give you chance and if you bow down on your knees and cry with a pure heart for forgiveness and guidance, He'll guide you and he'll FORGIVE you.
I believe, a 100,000 man strong army can stand infront of you, but if you follow his Allah's, what is the army against you? I understand why Muhammad Mustafa (saw) wanted to go back to Allah as soon as possible, after fulfilling his duty.
If you'd only know...find it out! You won't believe my words - and I know that - until you have seen it yourself :)
well religion cuts at the fun, makes you evaluate.tells you to put what is in front of your eyes at the back of your mind. prevents you from being the singing grass hopper (for a very good reason mind.) So it is our folly for we like nothing better than to have fun 24/7.
Religion is hard and that for most of us spells boring.
Even if a Muslim scholar is light hearted in his personal life but when he is on the minbar he makes sure that we leave with a heavy heart , we should feel guilty about how pathetic life we lead and we are all doomed for sure. The kind of lives we are leading there is no way Allah out of his mercy and rehmat will grant us a little remote corner of Jannat.
That creates such a hopelessness in peoples minds . I was one of those who used to so hopeless.
Instead of glorifying the Jannat and its charms and create an inkling in our minds for Jannat they make sure that when we go home our hearts should be heavy with how horrible a place Jahanam is and how horrifying the azab of Qabr is.
Their lectures are full of graphic details of Azab a Qabr and Azab of Jannat.
Some scholars paint a picture of Allah(SWT) like Allah is looking for a chance to get us, we make a little mistake and Allah(SWT) puts us in Jahannam.
So you are right it is this fear factor which take the fun and charm out of the religion.
Thanks to Internet I can pick and choose which lecture and which Islamic scholar I listen to.
There are very few Muslim scholars who give hope to humanity and who glorify the mercy of Allah.
The most beautiful religious meeting I attended once was with a group of people from Tableeghi Jammat, they were talking about Jannat and the way they talked about it and they way they mentioned details about it , I wished I could go in there at that very instant.
JazakAllah khair everyone for sharing your valuable views.
I am not saying that religion is boring or difficult. I am only asking the reason of why some people in real life don't seem to relate religion with fun and entertainment.
I agree to some of the opinions above that at times we might face difficulties while following religion, but Allah (swt) blesses us with ease, comfort and satisfaction when we sincerely seek guidance.
Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah (swt) I find religion the most interesting aspect of life (like most of the Guppies here)
Anything can be boring if there is too much of it. Yes Islam is a complete way of life but it does look boring when we keep on hearing the same things in the mosque again and again and we hardly see it in practice.
Our religious class has played a great role in making Islam look boring.