<p>Salam</p>
<p>How is your college life going?</p>
<p>sweet! :) how's yours? </p>
<p>you know what's weird? Stargazerlilies have always been my fave flowers because they're so pretty, but my boyfriend gave me a bouquet for valentine's day and they smell TERRIBLE, really stunk up my room. sorry this is random I just thought of it since that's my username here.</p>
<p>Salaam</p>
<p>College is great, can't complain. Except for...</p>
<p>I'm not in college, but senior year is good.</p>
<p>Salam,</p>
<p>I was wondering how strict- or lenient- you guys are or feel people should be in observing halal and haraam as college students, like not drinking, gambling, etc., praying 5 times a day, attending Jumah, stuff like that.</p>
<p>Salam,</p>
<p>wraider2006, personally, I think Islam is a relationship with the individual and Allah. Although I think it is good to observe things like halal vs haraam, drinking, gambling, praying 5 times a day etc, I think ultimately it is better to be a geniunely good person verse a person who does those things on the surface to just "appear" to be a good Muslim.</p>
<p>For example, I met a few girls who wore a head covering when they left their house, but right when they enter the bus, they take it out and change out of their fully-covered clothing to things more skimpy. Their more revealed outfit isn't so bad, but for me, I think it be better to be more honest with yourself and your parents and just don't wear a head covering if you plan to take it off right when you're out of your parent's sight. With that, I do think observing things like not drinking, gambling etc are important and I personally adhere to them, but I don't judge a Muslim or any person's ethical and moral character just based of those type of things.</p>
<p>^ I couldn't agree more.</p>
<p>To add to that, the religion has a lot to do with understanding. For example, if you couldn't find a halal place on campus, or it would require you to go far, I don't think it would be wrong then to decide to eat at a non halal place. You tried. Trying doesn't mean you have to go to the greatest extent.</p>
<p>I stay away from drinking, gambling and the like. But I do not feel any different from any other college student on campus.</p>
<p>Great post, rockerguy. I hate the judgmental muslims who are so self-righteous and judge their peers for how they dress, act, etc. These people really have a twisted worldview in that some of them seriously think that everyone but them will be doomed to eternal damnation for eating an effing porkchop, for swearing, for drinking, etc. If there is a god, it is a logical one who wouldn’t condemn anyone for stupid things. You can’t help what religion you’re born into any more than you can help what your skin color is, so how can a logical person seriously believe anyone not born into their religion will be punished? it’s like Hitler saying jews deserve to be gassed for being jews. </p>
<p>sorry for the rant, it’s just I’ve met SO many people like this, including ones i’m related to. anyway, it is kinda hard being muslim in college, but not that hard.</p>
<p>Food - Many dining halls serve halal/kosher food. Don’t forget kosher = halal in that the animal is killed to cause the least amount of pain, just that kosher food can’t be mixed with certain other foods.</p>
<p>Drinking - no one will “force” you to drink, although obviously most college kids do. abstaining is easy, just don’t be the self-righteous prick who judges others for drinking. </p>
<p>sex - really your own business, obviously we all feel pressure to, no one’s making you though. </p>
<p>ramadan - SOOO hard to fast in college…if you’re weak like me lol 
also, many colleges have an islamic organization that you might wanna get involved in.</p>
<p>Exactly, I feel the most important thing is that each person has their own path. No one should try enforcing anything on him/her.</p>
<p>I totally agree about Ramadan, you can’t do anything while your hungry, it is hard.</p>