How many here actively continue to learn about Islam and passionate about studying it?

I’m actively trying to make this a bigger part of my life and eventually focus everything I do around this. I recently gained clarity (probably the only clarity I have in my life) about this and now can’t imagine a life where I’m not always learning something about our deen. Going to Jordan to study Classical Arabic in a month

Taking a 6 month sabbatical - I consider myself extremely lucky

It is very difficult to learn true/pure Islam and its teachings that are not influenced by the culture. Many of the things I learned or did while growing up are not part of Islam.. We, majority of followers of Islam in Pakistan/India are following what I call “Gumrah” Islam. What are your thoughts?

P1 that's awesome to hear. May Allah bless your trip!

Thanks man, would appreciate all of your duas. I am obviously going to study, but also hoping to get some clarity in life lol

Islam always had a cultural aspect associated to it. I am not sure of your background and what part of the desi world you are in, but alot of the fatawa there were circumstantial and maybe even valid. The problem is we tried to import them here, with total disregard to our culture.

Jordan is nice. You will love it.

With the proper time to id love to refocus on that

Islam cannot have a cultural aspect associated to it. Islam itself is complete, that is why it is the way of life. Majority of world cultures are influenced by what Islam teaches us. Fatawa issued in those countries are not Fatawas. Give $10 an Aalim and he will issue a Fatawa for whatever problem you have...

D1 I can quote you many sunan that were rooted in jahiliyyah aka customs of the arabs. Whether you say so or not doesn't change that fact. Either way this is why ppl need to continue learning. To assume everyone is a scholar for the dollar is a ridiculous generalization. Maybe you are misunderstanding when I say culture so I'll leave it.

Wasnt that pre-Islam?

I agree with you that we need to continue to practice and learn, but how do you learn when you do not know the source is authentic/credible. This is what I said in my first post that Islam that was taught to me in school, madrasas and even at home is a “Gumrah” Islam..

D1 when your start studying an easy way to reconcile what is correct is to see where different schools agreed on something. You will notice a trend of certain scholars agreeing to the same thing. Now with that said this type of investigation is done for the fundamentals of faith. As for issues related to jurisprudence then Islam has allowed for different opinions and hence one can't just call the other "gumrah" Islam.

P1- are you taking a leave from work to do so?

MashaAllah that's great.