Islam Converts: what made you do it?

As salaamu alaikum and Ramadan kareem. First, many of us who embraced Islam after being raised in another religion or no religion at all do not consider ourselves or care for the term "converts". Some of us use the term "revert" because all souls are Muslim. And then, some of us, like myself, do not care for either of the term, but rather just say "I took my shahadah on [date]" or "I embraced Islam in [year]."

Many years ago, after examining Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and other belief systems, I understood that Prophet Muhammad was the seal of the Prophets and his message was the final word from Allah. That was before the internet, ease of travel and even cable television. I read every book I had access to and studied with reputable teachers. I wanted to have a clear understanding of my duties as a Muslim since I saw many conflicting messages with regard to women.

I did not have any really big changes in my life because I was a young woman when I took my shahadah (19) and had started thinking about Islam when I was 17, so any clothing issues, social issues, etc. had been resolved. I was never into drugs, alcohol or partying so that was also not an issue in terms of friends giving me a hard time or ending bad habits.

Of course, my physical appearance in terms of hijab was something I was concerned with, but not necessarily a struggle. It took my a few years to find the type of hijab I liked to wear and felt comfortable wearing. And over the years I eventually stopped being conflicted about wearing "traditional" clothing as opposed to "designer" or "western" clothing. That may seem unimportant to some, but most women are concerned about their appearance and it is very important to me. Because I can sew very well, for a while I made most of my clothes or had them made. Now there are many stores a woman can pick and choose from.

My family was pretty much supportive, although I am convinced that a few older family members at that time thought I was going through "a phase". When I took my shahadah, my mother even gave me a little birthday party. When she asked me about me becoming Muslim, I asked her what she did when she learned she was pregnant with me. She replied she prayed that my life would be better than hers, something almost all mothers want for their children. My response to her was that Allah had answered her prayers and made me Muslim.

I have a strong personality and tend to be independent. I was confident in my decision about Islam, so very few family members or friends ever gave me a hard time about me being Muslim. Some even expected it. A few associates at school and work did laugh at me or make snide comments out of ignorance, only years later understanding that what I was doing was right (being chaste, modest, avoiding drugs and alcohol, praying, etc.).

I would say my biggest challenge as a new Muslim with no Muslim relatives was finding a suitable mate because Muslim women do not marry non-Muslims. Alhamdolillah, Allah answers prayers because a friend of a friend is now my husband.

Masha Allah, I have had occasional struggles within the Muslim community as a woman in recent years, but on the same note received tremendous support from some religious leaders who have encouraged me along the way in terms of professional and spiritual development. My husband of over 25 years, in particular, has championed my endeavors, ideas and supported me considerably.

Feel free to e-mail me if you want to ask my any questions in particular. The Prophet said we should not be shy in matters of religion and I have always tried to make myself available to anyone who has questions about Islam, being Muslim in a non-Muslim society and transitioning from another faith to Islam.

Whatever journey you travel in Islam, always call on Allah, depend on Allah and know that it's His world and we are all just in it. Do not waiver in the face of adversity. You may be lonely, rejected or just troubled. Keep the faith.

salam alaikom..

first of all i wanted to thank u for your care and showing how religion is important to you.. then i wanted to encourage you to follow the right path u've chosen and never be fooled by any other sayings which say otherwise...

i am not a converter but i am a muslim.. i can't tell now what u know and what u still need to know because islam has many fields to be mentioned and learned... unfortunately i don't know any islamic english sites eighther...

my suggestion is if u feel like u need someone to talk to and ask about some matters it is ok if u ADD me and chat whenever is appropriate...

also there must be in each country specific societies u can join and they teach u all the important things u need...

hope that was useful and i'll be pleased if u have any questions... though i am a muslim from the beginning but i have interesting stories during my life time u may get benefit from..

ma assalama

Salaam,

I was 18, finishing high school and not religion shopping. I was a non-practicing Catholic who didn't feel Christianity was worth following.

One teacher I had-who was an evangelical born again Christian(in a public school)-brought Islam up (pre 9/11) and took it upon himself to tell us what "them moslems believed."

He scoffed at their unbelief in the "Lamb of God" and said they "deny Christ's divinity." That only piqued my interest.

I got my hands on a Time-Life book(yes BEFORE the net lol) on world religions to read first hand what "them moslems believed." It contained some english translations of the Quran.

Completely enthralled, I borrowed a copy of the Quran from the local library and read it cover to cover.

By the time I'd finished it, I had dumped both my girlfriends, quit gambling, drinking, drugs, pork etc. and embraced Islam.

My parents were pretty cool with it because I was such a bad kid, and at 18, they probably figured it was just a phase.

That teacher, pulled me aside a couple times after he heard the news. I told him that his discussion made me look into what "them moslems believe."

Alhamdulillah, Allah Guided me, but that poor teacher thinks it was all his fault :)

He always looked like he was going to be sick when he saw me after that.

Loved reading the other stories, you're all on my contact list now, salam.

May Allah Guide us all.

Salam Alaikum sis =)

:::::::: caution: long story ahead :::::::::

i come from a Catholic family, went to Church, went for classes and i guess i was a pretty good student .. i was very enthusiastic as kid to learn more and be a better Christian. for a while, i just followed like what my parents did but then i wanted to do more, learn more.

when the month of Ramadan would come, i would see my bff ( who is a muslimah ) fast committedly and so did the other muslims... me and my bff were like twins in school, we would spend almost the entire day together, so each Ramadan, while i was with her, i would not eat or drink anything as a sign of respect towards her belief. so inspired by that, i thought i would fast for Lent too .. and i did .. i was so curious as to what why and how .. but my parents didn't have the answers .. so i asked relatives and searched on the internet but no body's answer was the same, i went on a mission to read the Bible to find the answers. but i had doubts there too .. my parents are 'blind believers' so they didnt have much answers to my questions.

then came another Ramadan .. and so my bff had told about me not eating and drinking in the day with her .. to her family as i would sometimes join them during Iftar. one day her dad was watching a documentary about Judgement day ... and even me and bff joined him and in between i would ask "what does this mean?" and he would explain it to me and her ... and there was this particular thing he said to me that Islam has all the answers you want. and i knew i was looking for answers and i didnt find them in my faith.

i knew that the Qur'an and the Bible had similarities .. and so slowly found myself asking my bff questions like "did this really happen?" .. or "what does Islam say about this thing? is it good?" and things like that .... i was slowly slowly drawn to Islam.

by the next Ramadan i was totally convinced that Islam is the truth .. but wasn't ready to let go of Christianity either .. i was 16 at that time .. i looked at Islam as the "un-tampered" version of Christianity.

that Ramadan .. i ate in the mornings and didnt eat or drink anything ill the time of Iftar for most of the days of Ramadan and i kept asking "can i do this during the fast?" and followed it .. then one day i lightly told her " i should become a Muslim ".

then i learned just little bit .. about the basics of Islam and the all.

by the time i was 17 i had stopped praying the Christian way .. i would just stand in the Church and pray to God.

i was waiting till i became 18 to do anything .. it was a big decision afterall .. after school i started learning more and more about Islam.

again Ramadan was here .. and i fasted properly this time .. didnt eat after sunrise, didn't listen to music ... fasted the entire month of Ramadan, trying to keep it secret from my parents as much as possible.

i made Dua to Allah Ta'ala to give me sign .. to make me feel a connection.

then finally on the 3rd of Decemeber 2008, i took my Shahada. Alhamdulilah.

almost 9 months now .. and this is my first Ramadan as a Muslimah.

=)

my parents don't know yet .. they might not take it well .. O_O

i mostly learned/learning from the internet as i can't keep any books at home as my parents might see them.

i struggled for a while with learning the Salah .. i prayed with a paper in my hand for a reallllly long time .. lol .. and memorising stuff is kinda hard for me .. i haven't really been good in the "memory department" .. lol .. so that is a struggle.

almost everything else so far is good. Alhamdulilah.

biggest change for sure has been my personality .. the way i look at things .. Islam is the most beautiful and natural thing that has happened to me.

sorry for making it too long .. i could write lots and lots on this .. lol

Ramadan Kareem =)

Salam.

Well i really dont blame whoever hate Islam

Islam is really a great religion but the problem is in muslims

most Muslims are very abusive

which led to many ex Muslims leave Islam Or hate it and made non Muslims hate it

and this is the sad truth

@Yanks Wow great job ur answer does make sense

i loved it most Muslims here on this section answered stupid answers but Your answer really is great finally i see some logic from muslims here

Aslamu Alikom, Jazakillah khair for this post, I have listened to many stories they were all interesting. I hope to find out also about the people here.

waslamu alikom

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@Roses

I have to comment on your story, Mashallah may Allah bliss you and your husband,

Oh Allah, bless her marriage and let it be a means for them to become closer to You in love and devotion. Let it be a source of untold blessings, happiness and joy.

Oh Allah, let her marriage be a way for them and their families to enter Jannah.

Ya Allah, protect her marriage from the whisperings of Shaytan. Give them the strength to live together in justice, equity, love and, mercy.

My Lord, let this marriage bring untold blessings to them individually, to their families, and their children Insha Allah.

My Creator, bless them with children who will be a source of great joy and happiness.

Oh Allah, give them the love which you had blessed the Prophet Muhammad, Allah's Peace and blessings be upon him, and Khadija with, May Allah be pleased with her.

Allah! Grant unto them offspring who will be the comfort of their eyes, and give them (the grace) to lead the righteous."

"Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses." (5:83)

"Allah is sufficient for me. None has the right to be worshipped but He, in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne." (9:129)

How can you convert to this hateful religion?

Do you even know what they say about the jews in their quran ?

What the punishment of apostasy is ?

You'll get stoned to death if you commit adultery.

Read the quran with an open mind...

They encourage beating your wife (yeah muslims will tell you no allah means something else.)

They say, a man is equal to 2 women.

A man can marry 3 women besides you. Whether you agree or not.

Maybe you should think twice.

And don't believe these people saying the problem is not in islam, it's in the muslims.

What you see above is there in the quran, not just what muslims do.

Edit:

I didn't just read it, I memorized it.

You're the one who needs to do a little reading.

I'm here to put this religion away from people.

All the good muslims I know lack enough knowledge about this religion. And you're one of those.

Can you prove that what I told you above is not in the quran ?

Or do you listen to what they say "Nooooo this means something else." typical excuses and lies.

Also, allah says that he created everyone with their fates decided. But he also says that he's loving and peaceful.

And blames us for what he does.

Check this wonderful channel :

http://www.youtube.com/user/MuslimLiesExposed

Must watch :

-Allah's inscriptions in the vagina of muslim women

-Description of Islamic paradise

-Egg shaped Earth

Edit: I'm guessing you're to scared of the truth.

fine, stay with your ignorance.

Once, a Muslim told me "If it's ignorance, stupidity or whatever it is, I'm happy this way I don't wanna change."

Sad people.

Yanks:

Thanks for showing how your allah can't make up his mind.

How about your quran saying to not befriend the infidels ?

Yeah, yeah. The quran means something else.

Did you forget how your quran says that the infidels are the vilest of animals ? And many others ?

Did you forget how the quran says the earth is flat ?

Oh no, the quran means something else.

Oh, mister. What happened to your brain, you can't see what you're supposed to see anymore.

Hadith is your second most holiest source.

And it must be followed.

It doesn't matter what there is in your quran, the verse that says "beat your wives" is there. No question about that.

Your allah just can't make up his mind.

Whether marrying 4 is mandatory or not is not the problem.

To making it allowed, is completely filthy, animal, and treating women as slaves.

You're just too blind and stupid to think logically why the idea of your allah and god is completely stupid.

But if you wanna be there and live in darkness, stay there.

Idiots like you treat logical and critical thinking as stupid.

So no discussion with you idiots.

Stay in darkness.

science!! mohammed is a temporal lob epilepsy patient. also islam will be buried under the foot of science. deny evolution deny deny.. till when ? ?

I reverted after hearing about it from my dad. I was Catholic but I became Muslim because it made more sense than Catholicism. :D My mom doesn't care much (that she shows me) and the rest of my mom's side, I've'nt told them because I sadly care they'll get mad or something.

So why did you convert into a religion that yopu know little about?