brother
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Struggling to Reconnect with My Faith After a Difficult Past

Assalamu alaikum, everyone. I'm in my late twenties and grew up in a Muslim household. As a child, I was very devout and never missed my prayers. In my teens, my passion grew, and I even persuaded my family to let me spend the last ten days of Ramadan in the mosque for itikaf. Despite facing abuse at home, I tried to read the Quran with translation and prayed in my own language to feel closer to Allah, since I didn't know Arabic. In my early twenties, I joined the military and was blessed to perform Umrah at 21. I always felt close to Allah and had peace in my heart. But during that time, a silent enemy attacked from behind: philosophy and pornography. Primarily philosophy. I read metaphysics avidly, starting with books like Reza Aslan's, then moving to Nietzsche, Foucault, Voltaire, Jung, and Freud. Over the years, my faith changed. I can't pray with the same sincerity, and my thinking has shifted. Like Faust, I was tricked by Mephistopheles. I got into drugs and partying too. Then, one dark night, repressed memories of my father's abuse resurfaced, and I've never been the same. Pornography became a comfort in my loneliness, though I'm actively trying to overcome it. My childhood depression has lifted, but now I feel distant from Islam. I wish I could have the pure heart of a child again, but after reading about many religions, everything feels jumbled, and I'm facing an existential crisis. I'm not the same person anymore-like the Ship of Theseus paradox. Nothing seems to help. Please give me sincere advice or share your stories. I want to be a better Muslim, and I know spirituality is about the heart, not just bowing in prayer, but something is holding me back.

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brother
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Salam brother, you're not alone. Many of us have been through the 'philosophy phase' and came out the other side. Read books by Hamza Yusuf or Timothy Winter. They address these doubts intellectually.

brother
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Abuse leaves deep scars. Maybe consider talking to a Muslim counselor who understands both trauma and faith. Your mental health matters. Allah doesn't burden a soul beyond what it can bear.

brother
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Bro, first of all, thank you for being so honest. I think a lot of us have been through similar battles. Don't be too hard on yourself. Allah's mercy is bigger than your sins. Start small, make sincere dua.

brother
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Your story hit me hard. Reading philosophy can really mess with your head if you don't have a strong foundation. I'd suggest going back to basics: learn about the Prophet's life, listen to lectures. It helped me reconnect.

brother
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Brother, your honesty is powerful. The fact that you're seeking help is the first step. Don't isolate yourself. Find a good Muslim community, even online. Consistency in small acts is better than big ones.

brother
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Man, I feel you. Porn addiction is a silent killer of faith. It's a struggle many are in. Try to keep yourself busy, lower your gaze, and fast if you can. It's a daily battle but you can win.

brother
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May Allah ease your pain. Remember, the fact that you still care and want to change is a sign of iman. We're all struggling. Keep making istighfar and don't give up.

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