Few days ago, in a late night discussion with my friend he said he was opposed to the Prophet SAW's conquest of Makkah. I'd never heard any such argument before. Basically, he explained, that religion shouldn't be enforced. People will join it by themselves if it holds any truth in it. Obviously he didn't understand the whole history of the wars, and islam wasn't being enforced on them, but I think his gripe wasn't with the conquest itself but rather it was about Islam not being pacifistic. His real question, maybe, was why does Islam allow for war? Shouldn't the religion of justice and truth have the power to convince people without using force?

My sleep deprived self wasn't able to articulate a good enough response at that time, but how would you guys respond to him?

Sometimes I feel like whatever I'd do it won't be enough. What/where I buy or where I donate seem trivial in the larger scheme of things. From extreme power concentration to world hunger. From climate change to AI safety. Too many things that I'd like to change, but I feel powerless sometimes. The feeling comes coupled with a sense of guilt of not doing enough and not being enough. Do you guys get this feeling too? How do you deal with it?

I do believe in the necessity of optimism in order to affect change, but sometimes hope is hard to cultivate. How do you guys keep your optimism up?

Thanks for reading my mini-rant.

Also, the meme is not OC

Asalaamu Aleykum brothers and sisters,

Will you be able to fast that day? I know it's midsummer and it might be difficult for most people... But lemmy users aren't most people I guess