Re: Your religious state of mind
Ironically this song has nothing to do with religion, ‘’ losing my religion ‘’ is the same as being at the end of your rope, or reaching the final straw and snapping.
But back in early 90s - those were some days 
Re: Your religious state of mind
^ I was a huge REM fan back in the day 
Re: Your religious state of mind
All this religious talk is above my head. But from what I have seen of OP and other half posts, and what others who know them repeatedly state, they are decent folks.
So here is to their success - so they can follow their deen to the fullest extent they want to.
Re: Your religious state of mind
I know we all strive towards a life balanced between deen and duniya. And everyone has their priorities so you'll see some folks who are very content with a simple lifestyle, a job that provides what may seem like basic to someone but enough to them, but most of their day goes in religious activities. And then there are people who are ambitious in their careers, fulfill their fundamental religious requirements but may not spend a great deal of time in deeni activities.
Where do you think the balance is? Is it what makes you happy or are there standards?
I'd like to say that I wouldn't differentiate between deen and duniya. Earning my rizq in a halal manner is a part of deen. Supporting my family etc. is also a part of deen. Likewise, fulfilling all my duties to whom I have them with is part of deen too. On the other hand, praying 5 times, fasting, zakat etc. are also part of deen and can't be compromized either. The way I would try to do my best in the aspects of social and personal dealings, I also am not going to be satisfied by just doing a bare minimum in the ibadaat aspect either. Instead of just making salat at home, I would try to make whatever I can at the masjid. I will not give up my salat just because I'm at work or in school and make qaza later.
can you define "deeni activities"?
How would one know if someone who is ambitious in their career and fulfill their religious requirements aren't doing any other deeni activities? The best charity is given from the right hand so discreetly that the left hand has no idea. Who knows, maybe this person could be supporting their poor relatives back home, for example.
I've seen people, that although don't pray 5x a day, complain about fasting, but when it comes to charitable deeds and helping others, they do it without any hesitation. It may not be to build and sustain a masjid, but to help a family/friend in need. How would you define their religious state of mind?
Well they're definitely liable for any salats missed and can't automatically assume it will be made up by charitable deeds. Of course, the other aspect is that charitable deeds are rewarded according to the intentions behind them.
Re: Your religious state of mind
very interesting subject indeed Niksik......
had a similar conversation this past weekend.
went to a restaurant who's owners are friends of family.
apparently they are well enough off financially that the wife need not work and according to some would be better to spend time at home with her four children.
she chooses to run the restaurant instead.
many commented that they would not work if they were in her shoes......each had an unique idea on what activities they would rather spend time on........one of those ideas was to work for the local masjid in some capacity, one was to simply stay at home and be there for the kids who are all under the age of 13.....another was to just enjoy life.
I watched the hustle and bustle that was all around.......waitresses rushing from table to table to provide quality service......waiters refilling the buffet as quickly as they could......some were desi some were not.....all were engrossed in what they were doing.
I was glad that the woman chose to work......granted she didn't need to.....but I'm sure that several people she employed and their families were grateful that she made that choice.
I'm certain that this will count in her deeni duties when the time comes for accounting.
Re: Your religious state of mind
And then there are people who are ambitious in their careers, fulfill their fundamental religious requirements but may not spend a great deal of time in deeni activities.
If you tell me what you consider deeni activities then I will tell you how you can balance both. As I have said earlier any activity halal activity can be converted to deni activity even if on the face it will look like 100 percent worldly activity. Say for example you are going for grocery shopping for preparation of a big party. Now if you are walking or driving to the grocery store and saying tasbeeh in your mind then during shopping you are saying tasbeeh , it becomes a deeni activity. You are playing basketball , you are saying tasbeeh in your mind it becomes a deeni activity.
Deeni activity is not equivalent to standing or sitting on musallah and praying nawafil over nawafil.
You are cleaning your house and saying tasbeeh it becomes a deeni activity.
The misconception in Muslims is that ebadat means taking a physical tasbeeh , sit in a corner and count how many times you said ya allah or subhan allah , or how many nawafil you prayed , how long your beard or your shalwar ka paincha is. Taking care of family , indulging into community building activities , earning rizq a halal are all deeni activities. Allah knows the best.
Re: Your religious state of mind
^ agree.
from the hadith: Actions are according to Intentions.
plain and simple.
Re: Your religious state of mind
Once Hazrat Ali (r.a) asked a jew, how many hours in a day do you (the Jews) worship ? The Jew mentioned a certain amount of time. Then the Jew asked the same question from Hazrat Ali (r.a).
Hazrat Ali (karamallau wajho) replied, "All the time"
"How is it possible ?" the Jew asked.
Hazrat Ali (r.a) said that whatever we (Muslims) do in life (eating, sleeping, dressing, marriage....etc.), we do it in accordance to the ways and teachings (sunnah) of the Prophet (saw), and it becomes deen for us.
Re: Your religious state of mind
Certain things depend only on intentions and certain things requires good intentions as well as the 'right' actions. I can exercise in different ways while having a good intention (of improving my health), but I can't intentionally violate a certain 'way' emphasized by the Prophet (saw) in an authentic hadith, while consoling my heart that my intentions are not to violate sunnah but only to enjoy a fashion.