I'm a practising Muslim, ask me anything...

[tt9]

For context, I am late 30s female practising Muslim medical professional and have been practising for most of my adult life (to varying degrees).

Feel like a lot of people have questions that they don't ask as they fear causing offence. also there are some commonly held beliefs regarding muslims/Islam that are urban myths... so ask away. no question too offensive

sorry didn't see the last part of the question. I have friends from a wide range of backgrounds and religions/atheists etc. don't really care as long as they are nice kind people and preferably like cats

I don't think so... it probably depends on the person? I have a lot of non Muslim friends and I have never had any issues. if anything, my non Muslim friends have always supported my religious practice.

I don't have children... I would not cut anyone out of my life based on their personal choices if it didn't affect or harm me unless they were doing something downright criminal. if I was close to them, I may counsel them as to the religious position gently but only if I felt they wanted counsel.

incidentally any amount of alcohol is forbidden unless in medication. even the alcohol added to food.

What's the significance of the term "same sex attracted people" and not gay or bisexual people? Is it an islamic thing? I've heard a similar phrase from Christians who think gay people should still marry the opposite sex.

tbh I really don't care what other people wear. muslim/non Muslim... how much covered or not. not my business.

Why do some Muslims ( not all of course) think it is OK to use the names of the Christian God as an expletive. I am not talking about the irrelgious but why is acceptable to say oh my God but not substitute Allah in the same expression of use Jesus Christ but if anybody did the same with the name Mohammed it would be very bad

not at all.. i thought same sex attracted was generally the most politically correct term? It's just what I have always used..

I must say I have never come across this viewpoint. maybe it's to do with the culture she is from?
islamic belief wise it's true that husbands have the responsibility to provide for the wives in all aspects. she can refuse to do the housework or even look after or nurse children. but that is the minimum benchmark... I guess that provision is there for extreme circumstances. Generally islamic teachings encourage husbands and wives to be kind and loving to each other. that would surely involve equitable division of responsibilities?

Do you ever go swimming? My Muslim friend doesn't (well that I know of in the 8 or so years I've known her, and we live by the sea). She has said before that she never takes her kids to the swimming pool because she'd get funny looks in a burkini in our very white area of the country. Seems a shame to me. I know not everyone likes swimming but it's such a big part of my kids' summer. Her 13 year old still can't swim.

Also interested to know at what age girls usually start covering up or does it just depend on the family? Her daughter is 11 and doesn't cover her hair, and wears "normal" swimwear at the beach. But I've seen another year 6 girl who wears hijab at school. Does it depend if they started puberty?

Thank you for the thread OP. I'm always interested in other faiths and love learning more.

Why do some muslims make their young daughters (3,4,5yrs) where a hijab if they are to protect the female from a mans gaze/sexual attention?

Can you explain more about halal meat vs fish? I thought it was due to sheep/beef/chicken having blood, being killed a certain way and an Imam saying a prayer, but apparently fish doesn't need to be 'halal' but they too have blood?

Interesting question... I would say these Muslims have grown up in western societies and these are common expletives in English in these societies?
I think also Muslims come from all corners of the world (including britain) so each will have their own expletives of choice?
also we don't have a concept of "taking God's name in vain". so if something bad happens we might say "Ya Allah!" or "Astagfirullah" arabic for "Oh God!" and "God forgive me", but these are not seen as expletives.

BTW Allah is the arabic for God. arabic speaking Christians also use the word Allah. I don't feel like there is a Christian God or Islamic God... there is just God, we just might call Him by different names and in different ways.

sadly I can't swim and feel no great desire tk... but would just wear a burkini/go to female only pools if I wanted to swim. incidentally Muslim women also have to cover from neck to ankle infront of other women. so would still wear a Burkini in a womens only pool. my practising female friends all wear burkinis when going swimming/taking their kids on holiday. doesn't hold any of them back... I mean being a Muslim generally means one has to put up with funny looks/occasional abuse .... that's the unfortunate reality. I just have a keep calm and carry on policy as well as being generally friendly (most people once they get to know you and realise you are not a member of isis/some sort of fanatic they are fine)

in terms of starting to wear hijab it's puberty (first period) or the age of 12-14 (there is variation of opinion. at this age praying 5 times, fasting and other religious duties also become compulsory. some girls start younger, usually because they are copying mummy... no one I have ever met forces child to wear a hijab

Glad you are enjoying the thread :-) I am enjoying answering the questions!

no one I know forces girls that age to wear hijab. usually the little ones want to wear it because they want to copy mummy. if someone is forcing their child or even adult children, that is unacceptable and in direct contradiction to islamic teachings.

all seafood is pretty much halal with a few exceptions. I don't think halal slaughter is to do with the animal having blood. frankly I am not an expert. in terms of slaughter of animals, there are also other conditions eg. animal well looked after, not killed in front of other animals, quick death without suffering etc. but yes fish are halal without ritual slaughter.

Do you think of history through a Muslim lens? Do Muslims grow up knowing more about the Ottomans, Persians etc? I always think Western culture sees them as bad 'others' and Romans and Greeks as our kindred. Do Muslims see it differently?

Love the question. maybe some Muslims do feel that, other muslims actually put western culture on a pedestal and have no knowledge of their own history. I try to read both sides as much as possible when it comes to history, but i am sure there is subconscious bias. humans are humans, they always find a way to do bad things and good things whatever their religion.

This is a strange question but I been thinking about this lately for all poc. How do you feel when you are surrounded by white people do you notice or feel uncomfortable? I know you're young but has Britain become less racist / more accepting over the last 20 years or so?

not a strange question at all. it all depends on the environment. I live in a diverse city, my profession is very diverse... so the only time I am "surrounded by white people" is usually on holiday to europe/rural areas in the UK. sometimes, there might be hostility, but I just ignore and carry on being friendly and polite. very rarely open racism, once in the Rick stein restaurant in Cornwall a couple sat next to us loudly declared "they do not wish to be seated next to people like us" (I was with a fellow Muslim doctor who also wore hijab). have had some racist "attacks/abuse" in the past. often from young kids who are from deprived backgrounds. sometimes from patients who either refuse treatment or don't believe I am the doctor lol. generally things do seem to be getting worse post brexit. the fake news machine put out a lot of misinformation about Islam and Muslims so a lot of people have misconceptions. even ten/fifteen years ago people were curious about Muslims, even though they would be seen as 'other', any hostility was more ethnicity based. now, even though Muslims are more integrated, they are also more feared/disliked in some places.

Wow that's terrible! I thought we would be moving forward as a country 😩 sorry to hear you have to put up with that behaviour. Thank you for replying.

I don't mind really, I just feel sad for them as they are only acting like this because they have been lied. and its not just Muslims or asians, many of my Eastern European friends have also reported a rise of overt racism. it is almost as if the brexit vote gave people permission to be more open with their racist views. very sad

I read that you've been on one of the pilgrimages to Mecca. What actually happens on these? I saw a video on Tik Toc during Ramadan of lots of people gathered around a black type box in Mecca? What is that?

Hello! I am a practising Roman Catholic; I really enjoying discussing religion with anybody who describes themselves as religious! So a few questions from me, I hope you don't mind!

What made you decide that Islam is true?

What does it mean to you to be a Muslim?

What difference does prayer make in your life?

Do you know God's forgiveness?

Have you read any of the New Testament?

How can I pray for you today?

If your children wanted to marry an atheist would you give them your blessing? Are cross cultural marriages ok in Islam? Would you accept your children choosing their own religion?

What do you think of non practising Muslims that drink alcohol or take drugs, or don't fast? Do you judge them more harshly than non Muslims doing the same?

Did you have an arranged/ "introduced" marriage?

Obviously you can’t speak for all Muslim women, but what would make sports feel more accessible?

We see a lot of wonderful progress in women’s football and rugby, in particular, in terms of coverage and respect for their game, but not all that much diversity.

hi peeps, sorry for being awol. pulled an allnight mind hunter binge (i will regret this tomorrow). please bear with me as I reply to each question. loving this btw, giving me a chance to really think about my faith. xx