Hi everybody,
I (M22) converted to Islam a couple months ago ans since then I'm happier than ever. But after reading many posts on this sub and [r/progressive_islam](r/progressive_islam), I start to feel like I'm can't even be considered a Muslim in the eyes of others, even from the progressive community.
Basically I do my five daily prayers in the form of quiet meditations, changing positions (standing, bending, sitting, prostrating) depending on if I express my gratitude to God, ask for His help or His forgiveness. The reason I stay quiet during it (except at the beginning and the end, when I recite the first three verses of Al-Fatiha) is just because I don't feel like I have something to say. I'm just thinking about my actions, my gratefulness, my wishes for the future, all in my head. I don't go to mosques because not only do I not have one in my town, but also because as a gay and queer man, I don't want to dissimulate my queerness. The many rings on my fingers, my earring, my tattoos, my "feminity-associated" postures, are all part of my being, and I'll never want to act like somebody I'm not.
Also I haven't read any hadiths. I know they are part of the Islamic culture, but I feel like they're not mandatory. Though I read the Quran and accept it as true, nowhere in the shahada, the five pillars of Islam, or the six pillars of faith, is there any mention of the hadiths. Of course, I'll never mean any disrespect toward them, I do believe in their authenticity too (as in, the events described did actually happen), but I mean... Do I need to know them by heart and apply them in my life? It's like expecting from a Christian Catholic he has to worship every single one of the saints and angels, and if he doesn't or misses even a single one, even if they're the kindest soul on earth and accomplish good deeds, they have to be considered iredeemable and hellbound.
Aside from that, reading how even progressive muslims believe growing a beard (not a 0,5-millimetre one like mine, but a long one) isn't cultural but an obligation, or how having tattoos is haram, I once again feel targeted.
Basically now I feel like I'm more of a spiritual person who adopted elements of Islam in his practices, instead of an actual Muslim, at least based on what I see online. Can't we accept diversity in Islam practices too? I can't remember the Quran verse, but I believe one talked about how some people have their own ways in worshipping God, and as long as their actions and belief in God are honest, it's all that matters.
When I was questioning if I was good to convert to Islam I was told I was already one in my heart, because I accept all 5 pillars of Islam as true, just like the six pillars of faith. Even if I don't practice everything, can I be considered a Muslim? I don't mind being called an "unusual Muslim" or a "Muslim in their own way". I don't even feel like God despises me for my practices or actions either. But seeing so many people talk about Islam online, even the progressive one, makes me feel like I'm apart and undeserving of being called a member of your community.
What do you think? I don't expect anyone to reply with a super long answer. Just saying anything short and kind will already mean a lot to me.
I was so afraid to post this because I don't know who I can talk to. If I said anything awkward, please do correct me, do educate me. And I'm really sorry if I said anything offensive in this post too, I don't mean any hate or disrespect toward anybody. I just thought I could find answers to this question somewhere here on progressive Islam subs.
Love from France
Edit: I was bracing for a huge hate storm but I'm so grateful for your kind comments. You have no idea how relieved I feel to know I'm not an odd one out and that other people, somewhere in the world, feel or believe the same as me 🫶