I'm not sure if people still come here, or even remember me. But, I thought it would make sense to have a proper "Goodbye" thread, since I never did it.

Anyways, I have been pretty much clean of music and playing guitar since about November 2005.

Why?
1. Playing guitar and listening to music all the time was not in-line with my purpose and goals in life. My purpose in life is to worship God, and everything currently in my life is an extension of that (work, family life, etc.). Music just doesn't fit in.
2. Although many muslims themselves don't know, Musical instruments are banned in mainstream sunni Islam according to most authorities. Due to the love of my Creator, I don't wish to persist in flagrant disobedience.
3. I had hit a plateau in my guitar playing. You can only shred so fast...you can only come up with riffs so heavy. It wasn't making me happy anymore.
That's just the way entertainment in this life is; it deceives you into thinking you're getting the whole pie, yet in reality you get the crust.
For the most part, whatever highs you try to pursue in this world, whether it's from drugs, sex, or music, you'll constantly be chasing for more. It won't ever stop. You can have all the rack gear and 7-string guitars from Guitar Center in your room, but after some temporary pleasure, you'll be left wanting more.
It's a deception.
"And what is the life of this world, except enjoyment of deception?" (Qur'an 3:185)
I had found there was only thing that gave me true satisfaction.
"Truly, in the remembrance of God do hearts find satisfaction." (Qur'an 13:28)
The substitute I found for music is the sung word of God: http://quranexplorer.com/Quran/Default.aspx
I transferred my skills of transcribing music and imitating guitarists to reciting the Holy Qur'an with my own voice, and imitating famous reciters. I haven't found anything in life that is better.

No, I haven't become some terrorist or extremist weirdo. It's quite common that muslims don't listen to music. We still live healthy enjoyable lives. In fact I've never been happier.
I was swimming in the oceans of death-metal and pornography, yet I always felt empty inside and would be depressed for no reason. Now I feel complete and I'm content with whatever life throws at me.

If you're interested in (seriously) discussing religion with me, then you can drop me an email. If you're interested in flaming me, then I kindly ask you direct your flames to someone else . In fact, I've read some of the posts some of the people have written on this forum, and they are just as ignorant as the people they criticize (in regards to religion, not black metal).

And finally, you have to admit, this forum is a waste of your time, and it will get in the way of your higher goals. This is why you may find I deleted some of my posts from before, because I had really felt ashamed of myself. Therefore, I implore you to spend your time more wisely.

Sincerely,
Atif (man)

__________________

Good to finally hear back from our old and once only non-white mod! Also good to hear you've found what makes you happy.

__________________

praise allah

http://hatshepsut.mu.nu/archives/Mohammad.jpg

__________________

It's nice to hear from you, man. I hope all goes well with your higher goals in life, and if music and postwhoring were an insurmountable deterrent, then your choice is undoubtedly the right one for you.

Good luck with everything, brother.

__________________

Thank you for your frank assessment of how I spend my time. It might have occurred to you that this forum is a place to shoot shit, goof around and is best used as the occasional foil for the rest of your life where all those higher goals take place.

Your post pisses me off in about four thousand ways, none of which I am elaborating.

Bye.

__________________

Nice to meet you and you'll probably never read my post but Metal Tabs isn't the place to convert people. -gives grimacing look-

Yeah I agree, this shit is totally flawed.

I knew you for a short time back in the day and that was it, so bye.

the fact that you leave because you prefer your religion is comprehensible, but saying that we are all wasting our time here is a big mistakes, I have a job, friends, a band, school and metaltabs wont stop my goals in life for nothing. True that some people here do nothing else in their life, but they are not wasting their time because they think that its good for them to post here, they just do what you do, they follow their heart....its like that

so good luck in your high goals!

__________________

Thanks for telling us a second time, you boring muslim cunt.

Edit: So who really re-posted this thread?

Eh, Goddamn.

Bye Atif, it's been quite a while. Good luck to you in the future.

We'll best of luck on your endeavor to become a better more productive person.

__________________

hah when i first saw it i was thinking, wtf who dragged this up

__________________

no kidding! good luck atif, i cant imagine ever being so spiritually content i didnt need music at all times. in fact, music essentially is my religion

cool that youre happy with that life, so take care

__________________

Wish all the best to you.

The wasting time comment wasn't really necessary either, kinda nullifies having a "higher purpose" to degrade the enjoyment of others (even if it is a waste of time).

Either way, have a good life.

__________________

...that is fucking pathetic. you have my eternal pity.

because thats not what music is about . fortunately, many people know this.

oh yeah, you're gone. i wont continue. but you have fun praying to a myth, now

Don't be such a dick, you agnostic pussy.


On that note, that was a really bad post, and pissed me off to no end. I have no problem with his religion seeing as I'm a Christian, but if being religious means reinventing yourself into a mindless drone void of free will, then I'd rather just pretend that I don't believe in anything.

Then again, if all that crap has brought you happiness, then goodjob, you're better off than most people ever will be.

This forum is a waste of time, but if it gets in the way of your higher goals, then just about anything would.

Good luck.

Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

__________________

Wow... interesting post. Well have fun and good luck with your future endeavors. I agree with Transient... I don't think I could ever live without music being a major part of my life even if I was asshole deep in religion. I'd be shreddin gospel tunes

__________________

Hmmm, when you find religion and change yourself completely; you become a giant vagina?

Why isn't anyone funding a study on such a discovery?!?

__________________

If you people really got pissed off over something someone posted on a forum, you're taking it way too seriously. I don't agree about the last thing he said, but I don't get butthurt over something that in some cases is, sadly, very true.

__________________

this isnt a logical perspective. just because the info was conveyed through a forum, doesnt mean it is less relevant. we were informed of Problematic's death, through a forum, and many were depressed over it. its true that many posts arnt worth the pain of caring (im not one to inforce that statement), but never-the-less, you cant say its wrong to be emotionally impacted by something, due only to the way in which it was transcribed. and his isnt just a random post, its more like a portion of a boring and unfortunate autobiography.

estringrev, dont pretend like his religion is (or the specifics of his religion are)acceptable. (edit: only in direct regards to calling me... anything.) and especially you, being someone so dedicated to that which he is forbidden. and for what? WHY isnt music allowed? WHY!!! and i can ask why, because im not constrained by such a burden.

I'm with you on this one

__________________

Have fun being Muslim. Way more fun than smoking pot, fucking, and listening to Suffocation all day. And thanks for instructing us how to live our lives, I needed that.

__________________

Suffocation for a full day? I'd rather listen to Britney Spears with my girlfriend.

__________________

PoT, aren't you suppost to be gone?

__________________

The atifman! I never expected to be reading this thread. Be happy in what you do. I might email you.

__________________

Now that's what I'm talking about.
Infecting The Clits and Piercing Her From Within? Yes please.
(now listening to Suffocation - Bowls To Deny)

__________________

well take care.

i have to agree with several posts here.. probably should've left it at "goodbye"

maybe if you felt empty while partaking in metal and porn..you were relying on them too much to "complete" you. also..every hobby out there will leave you wanting more. that's because you are supposedly interested in it, so you should desire to accomplish more, experience more, learn more, and even share more. there is nothing wrong with that.

same goes for MT being a "waste of time." i'm not here posting on MT when i have things i need to do or want to do. i'm here when i'm bored and have time on my hands.

he just lost my vote for "where are they now?"

also..it's funny moe blunts was given a temp vacation..but his posted image remains.

I wouldn't consider devoting your life to a religion as productive by any means.

__________________

HAHAHAHA...
Cheers to another ignorant fuck ruining the world with religion

Word

__________________

Surely you should have expected this reaction, Atif. Why did you feel the need to come here to explain yourself? I mean.. each to their own, bro. But don't come here and try dump that shit on us.

I think the specifics of his religion are shit, but it's his choice, and I really don't give a damn what he does with his life. The only thing that offended me about his post, was him piously downing what most people on this board enjoy. I didn't even mind him trying to recruit potential followers; as lame as that was, it was funny.

The guitar playing thing did bug me alot though. If the only reason you're going to pick up a guitar is to shred fast and write nothing but heavy riffs, you probably shouldn't pick one up in the first place(he should have took up drumming instead ).

Yeah, I did expect this reaction. But I did a quick forum search of "atif", and I saw some strange responses, so that's why I felt the need to explain myself. I merely wanted to explain my motivations (albeit religious) for leaving the forum; and my main goal was to let people know I'm not hiding in the Tora Bora mountains.

And also I wanted a sense of closure.
I do have good memories of this place, but they are few and far between (out of approximately 3000 posts!). What I do remember is that when I used to come, I would go through 30-40 threads looking for a single insightful/funny post and I would leave empty-handed. That's what I meant by waste of time. And I thought people would agree with me there (but perhaps things are different now, activity-wise); I didn't think people would take my "time-wasting" comment as offensive and judgemental.
Finally, by "higher goals" I meant "worthier pursuits". College, career, relationships, talking to people in person, or even on IM, etc. Surely, if you can balance all of these spheres of your life with MT, fine; but I say that you would excel further in these spheres (which give you more of a return on your time investment than an internet forum) if you would concentrate on them more fully. Just some advice...perhaps I've gotten used to giving advice to people who are humble enough to not assume you're being "holier-than-thou".

__________________

Most of us can get along fine in our progressive lives without having to totally wipe out the recreational use of an online forum. Granted, there are plenty of people on here who are of little use and who don't have much at all to offer besides grief but there are also plenty of quality people here who will nine times out of ten have a good answer to any query one may have.

__________________

I get what you said perfectly. Your personality comes across strong and secure now. People see that as critical and judgmental sometimes and there are a lot of mixed up people in the world, including yourself, me, and everyone else.

I'm happy to see you care enough to say goodbye. I never thought I would see another post from you actually. Last thing I remember reading about you was that you had discovered a devotion in religion that far ellipsed your like of metal music and this forum. I can respect that even if I don't understand it and I see this thread as a good thing. You just wanted to officially say goodbye.

__________________

What I still don't get is why Atif felt the need to repost the exact same goodbye thread he created over a year ago. Didn't get enough closure the last time?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/enforce

__________________

what goodbye thread?? I don't see any in my posts.

__________________

We don't want everyone to turn into a giant vagina, duh.

yeah, that was important

MT would be a waste of time if you came here constantly searching for something comical, or interesting; especially if you spent large amounts of time doing it.

Randomly posting when there is something interesting seems the best way to go.

*fart*

__________________

Oh shi

peace bud, its a shame when an old school metal tabber leaves.

__________________

He's been gone.

__________________

Father Chris!

__________________

!

*sniffs*

__________________

Exactly. Just as long as the means to achieve more are within reason.


just... food for thought.

__________________

Never thought of it that way. But they are two completely different things. Even if someone's death is informed over internet, it mostly affects on people in real life. It's real life. This is just what someone said on some forum. Sure, it can annoy the fuck out of people, but it's nothing to get butthurt over. Though I do understand why people got pissed off, but I just don't take something like this so seriously. But it's really individual, depending on what was said. Yeah, whatever, this post is getting too long.

__________________

Weren't goodbye-threads prohibited?

__________________

nah man, i get you. it does vary, from person to person. its just that for once i found a way to explain why i feel the way i do. it really does depend on your personal fealings towards things like this though.

Probably because you went and deleted it already

__________________

Thank fucking God or Allah, or whoever that you reminded me of that.