To new Muslims.
It is inevitable that you will read a verse of the Quran or a hadith that conflicts or seems to conflict with your prior beliefs or values. This will generate questions.
You're not alone in this.
We read in the Quran 2:30 -
And when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your perfection?" He [Allah] said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."
The angels had a question regarding the creation of Adam based on their prior beliefs.
But then, after creating Adam, Allah made sure to show the angels His new creation:
2:31- And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful."
2:32- They said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise."
2:33- He said, "O Adam, inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, He said, "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed."
In these verses, we take many lessons.
We see that the angels recognize their epistemic station: Allah knows and we do not know.
This is the mindset we all need to internalize because it opens the door for learning.
Secondly, we see that, not only did Allah address the question of the angels, He demonstrated the answer. Allah did not tell them to blindly accept the wisdom of Adam's creation. He demonstrated it for them by showing them that Adam had something that they lacked.
In a similar way, your questions about this verse or that hadith can be answered as well. Sometimes you have to ask the right person. Not every imam will be able to give you a compelling answer. That's fine. Go to someone who can do so.
But remember the attitude of the angels, or even prophet Musa who goes to Khidr as mentioned in Surat al-Kahf. You have to accept that your prior beliefs may not be fully accurate. Or they need to be adjusted. Or you need to see things in a new light.
As long as we acknowledge that Allah knows and we do not know, that is when Allah will open our hearts/minds to the light of true knowledge.
And dont forget the dua: Rabbi zidni 'ilma, which translates to "My Lord, increase me in knowledge." This dua is in Quran 20:114.
