The process of conversion or reversion isn’t a simple journey, and sometimes a person feels rather alone, understandably so.
While all information regarding Islam is devoured, it is without doubt, sometimes confusing what with the volume and variety of sources available, so many opinions, and so many Quranic verses and hadiths to back up all these opinions!
For the new convert who is just learning and isn’t quite yet sure what is opinion and what is the fact, may be awe-inspiring.
Eager to absorb absolutely anything relating to Islam, new converts, who are like sponges, read anything and everything which may sadly dampen their spirits and be overwhelming if they find themselves unable to, as they say ‘step up to the plate’.
Remember, however, that God is all Merciful and looks upon us with compassion. God says:
{This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.} (Al-Ma’idah 5: 3)
It is vital that new Muslims research everything, take from multiple sources information regarding the Quran and the Hadith and never blindly accept what others tell them; neither taking the easiest nor the hardest path. If an opinion seems like a controversial or weak, one looks deeper before deciding.
Notions to Consider As a Revert
Don’t take the opinion that makes the religion too difficult to accept. After all, even the Quran itself warns us against this. This will also help you have a real grounding in the Islamic tradition. You will eventually have spent more time learning Islam than most people from Muslim families.
Maintain a sense of humbleness if you do gain a lot of knowledge, as there will always be someone who will be more knowledgeable than you.
Learn everything you can in small chunks, remember no one is asking you to be a scholar, just a good Muslim. Becoming Muslim does not nullify your ethnicity and cultural background. You do not have to become something or somebody else. You are not renouncing your people or your culture and you should never feel any shame about your non-Muslim family. Do not turn away from them if you’ve previously had a relationship with them. In fact, you should improve your bonds simply because Islam orders us to strengthen it. God says:
{O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.} (Al-Hujurat 49: 13)
Give your family and friends time to accept the changes you’re making in your life. Your journey toward Islam may have been a long time in the making from your perspective, but it may be completely surprising to your loved ones. Sometimes family and friends may use hostility and intimidation to get you to stray away from the straight path of Islam, the nature of truth is that it is always opposed by falsehood. Do not be discouraged; it is simply their way to absorb the news, in time these hurtful and dispiriting words will become insignificant to you. Prophet Muhammad told us that Paradise is surrounded with obstacles, meaning that to reach it we have to overcome these obstacles and put up with difficulties in this life.
The reward of overcoming obstacles and being patient during those difficult times is so great and its blessings are immense, the life in Paradise is never-ending. Family and friends will eventually accept that Islam is not going to turn you into a terrorist so long as you stay calm during any of these potential tense moments, now is your time to shine. Gradually, they will gain some respect and understanding of Islam and may even start to become genuinely interested.
Try posting Quranic verses which offer you serenity and peace of mind around your house, where they may offer you strength to continue through this admittedly difficult but rewarding phase:
{So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for the Muttaqoon (the pious)} (Hud 11: 49)
God also says:
{And endure you patiently (O Muhammad), your patience is not but from Allah.} (An-Nahl 16: 127)
Furthermore, do not discard your non-Muslim friends (although it’s fine to evaluate a friendship if, say, your primary connection is the fact that you were going from night club to night club every other weekend). Becoming Muslim does not mean you must entirely reinvent yourself and do away with anything that came before, however few adjustments which you will later appreciate may of course need to be made.
Although a new Muslim may find him/herself encountering some awkward situations but in reality converting to Islam will be a wondrous and eye-opening journey, and you will be amazed at the improvements in your outlook, frame of mind, and habits.
Keeping a journal is one means of recording how you feel. Looking back on these recordings, you may see some pattern of how you feel including your highs and lows.
While being a new convert/revert, you may get excited arguing over a particular point in Islam getting carried away in heated debates. It is important to remember still that words carry a lot of weight in this world from how we say them to what we say with them, but it is through our actions that we bring things into being.
In many cases, what we say does not necessarily line up with what we do, and it becomes clear that it’s easier to talk about doing something than it is to actually do it. At the same time, it is easy to keep doing something that we don’t necessarily acknowledge ourselves doing verbally.
As Muslims, it is good for us to take a look every once and a while to make sure there is alignment between what we say and what we do and through this demonstrating the beauty of our religion through actions rather than words. Remember you now represent Islam and you may influence those who wish to follow your example.
Away from the duties of praying, fasting, reading the Quran, there are many small things that may help strengthen the foundations of this wonderful faith and maybe, in turn, encourage others to follow your example and join you in your newly found faith.
While you may feel you’re given a certain list of do’s and don’ts, remember that Islam is much simpler than a written catalog for you to learn. For support, find forums, advice and chat with groups who share this life experience. These sites and discussion boards will definitely help you adjust to your new life, deal with day to day issues and help you to reach your full Muslim potential and in turn becoming the best Muslim you can be.
Bear in mind that Islam is a way of life, completely submitting yourself to God and in turn reaping the rewards of this simple and wholesome recipe. The Prophet said:
“So know that victory is with patience, and relief is with distress and that with hardship comes ease.” (Ahmad)
Source: OnIslam
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