Issue with certain ritual/cultural specific aspects of Islam

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Issue with certain ritual/cultural specific aspects of Islam عبد الله 09/08/18 (Sat) 02:19:51 e698d1 No.30602

I like certain aspects of Islam, but I have some serious doubts about certain parts that seem to culturally specific

>why do Muslims have to perform wudu and use a miswak instead of taking a shower and using a toothbrush? I don’t see why it makes a difference as the spirit of the law is the same

>why do Muslims reverts take Arab names? Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali, Michael “Charles Bronson” Peterson became Charles Ali Ahmed, Malcolm X became el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, Cat Stevens became Yusuf Islam, etc. why can’t I keep my birth name?

>why do Muslims refer to God and his prophets by Arabic names? Ibrahim, Yusuf, Isa, Allah instead of Abraham, Joseph, Jesus and God?

>why do Muslims pray in Arabic? Can’t God, who knows all, understand any language we pray in? I speak English, why don’t I pray in English?

Like I say, I like certain aspects of Islam, but it seems too much like an Arabian national religion, with even non-Arab converts bring Araboos. I’m not confidant I would convert to Islam for the same reason I wouldn’t convert to Hinduism or Norse Paganism.

I don’t mean for this to be an attack, I just have these small issues as stumbling blocks

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عبد الله 09/08/18 (Sat) 03:32:16 73a33b No.30603

>>30602

>>why do Muslims have to perform wudu and use a miswak instead of taking a shower and using a toothbrush? I don’t see why it makes a difference as the spirit of the law is the same

You can do both, but the ghusl/wudoo and miswak is sunnah.

>>why do Muslims reverts take Arab names? Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali, Michael “Charles Bronson” Peterson became Charles Ali Ahmed, Malcolm X became el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, Cat Stevens became Yusuf Islam, etc. why can’t I keep my birth name?

Because they love Islamic names. But yes you can keep your name as long as it isn't pagan.

>>why do Muslims refer to God and his prophets by Arabic names? Ibrahim, Yusuf, Isa, Allah instead of Abraham, Joseph, Jesus and God?

Because the quran was revealed in arabic.

>>why do Muslims pray in Arabic? Can’t God, who knows all, understand any language we pray in? I speak English, why don’t I pray in English?

Because the quran was revealed in arabic.

That's how the prophet did it and we follow his way.

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عبد الله 09/08/18 (Sat) 17:03:59 c09e81 No.30633

Islam is explicitly stated to be a universal religion. You'll find some Arabisms, but that's just because of where it was revealed.

>Wudu vs showering

Both make you ritually pure. It's just that showering uses more water and takes longer. Imagine having to shower 5 times a day to be able to pray.

>Arab names

As long as your name isn't something blasphemous or offensive, there's nothing forcing you to change your name.

A lot of black Americans saw it as a way of ditching their "slave name". Others did it as a way of moving on from who they were before, to help with self improvement.

>Referring using Arabic names

They're the same names, just pronounced as you would in Arabic. You can use the English names if you want, but the Arab names make it more obvious when you're talking about Islam.

>Arabic prayer

Arabic standardizes prayers for everyone. If everyone speaks the same language in prayer, it's easier to follow.

If you mean prayer as in how Christians do it, where they just ask God for help, you can do that in whatever language you want.

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عبد الله 09/08/18 (Sat) 17:24:18 62250f No.30634

>>30602

Ritual helps when strengthening your religion. It helps you learn discipline and self-improvement. Everything else has pretty much been answered. You don't have to change your name or your style of dress and you can pray in any language you want.

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