Coverts?

[chris4336 3]

I know this is a little off topic, but I'm wondering if there are any Muslim converts (reverts) here that would be willing to speak with me? I am very interested in Islam (my fiancee has sparked this interest) but am having a really really tough time since my return to the states explaning this to anyone, friends or family, and even finding any kind of support system. Also, they are not supportive at all of my engagement (which I understand as they have never met my fiancee being that it is IMPOSSIBLE to bring him into the states).

Just feeling like its me and him against the world, and its difficult when we are so far away, with no end in sight.

Any support would be apprecaited.

Thank you

Christina

[rodney22 0]

Is someone pressuring you to convert? Don't convert because it is you and him against the world. Don't convert

because he wants you to. If you are a Jew or Christian you are good. Here is an applicable verse:

“Made lawful to you this day are At‑Tayyibaat [all kinds of Halaal (lawful) foods, which Allaah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)]. The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time when you have given their due Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girlfriends”

[al-Maa'idah 5:4]

[Together4ever 1]

Hi Christina,

I am a "convert" to Islam. I did this when I was in Egypt with my fiance and it is what I had planned to do since before I travelled there. (And NO I didn't choose Islam because of Mohammed... I had already made up my own mind.) I understand your feeling of isolation. I have it too, but I have made my peace with it. My religion isn't something I care to display to the world. It's a quiet thing that sits in my heart and its between me and Allah. I don't particularly discuss it with anyone, but I don't hide it either. I have gotten the shocked expressions when I turn down pork at gatherings or pick the pepperoni off of my pizza. There is a lot of ignorance and adverse judgement in this country regarding the religion of Islam and it's a real shame. It's also a fact of life unfortunately. I am content in my choice, I am happy with my fiance, I am thankful (alhamdulellah), and I follow the wisdom my fiance suggested to me. He suggested that I don't try to be a ME/NA muslim. I am American and that culture is obviously not who I am. He said that I have to be who I am and muslim too. That's why most people don't even realize that I am muslim. I don't cover my hair, but I do wear discreet clothing, etc.

[Meriem_DZ 37]

Hello Cristina, My name is Meriem. I am glad you are thinking about Islam. I started reading about Islam about 6 months before I met my fiance. I attested the Shahada around the time we fell in love. I would suggest to read and study about Islam. Make sure all your questions that you have about whether to embrace Islam or not, are answered and once your heart and mind are at peace with the truth of Islam, then you can embrace Islam. I live in a very rural area, I do not cover my hair either. Hachemi said it is my choice. I do wear modest clothes. I do not discuss my religion with anyone either. I am estranged from my parents, because of family issues, not my religion, so they do not even know. Even if they did, it not a problem to me. When I am at gatherings were food is served I am always saying, What do you put in this? Or does this have pork? And they would say, are you allergic to pork? There is a lot of girls here that are converts that know so much more than me. I am sure they will be here to help you too.

Good luck to you and your fiance.

Meriem

[Veiled Princess 1]

Alhamdulilah you are learning about Islam

I would be happy to talk to you in private anytime you like. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Take care!

Layla

[Veiled Princess 1]

Oh I wanted to add some websites but it was too late to edit...

Understanding Islam

To Listen to Lectures by scholars

Great site for beginners and non-muslims

Troid.org

Fatwa-Online.com

I like all these websites.

[MrsAmera 41]

Here's a booklist that I've read - not all directly on "Learning Islam" but different aspects of being Muslim, culture life etc.

1) Islam: Beliefs and Observances. 7th ed. Caesar E.Farah. Published by Barrons.

Gives a great overview of the faith, non-biased. Very factual, academic oriented. Easy to read and understand.

2) Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in Modern Muslim Society. Revised Edition. Fatima Mernissi. ISBN # 0-253-31162-4.

Mernissi is a Moroccan feminist and professor in Casablanca. This book really delves into the Koranic interpretations of things vs. the cultural/societal interpretations.

3) Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood. Fatima Mernissi. ISBN #0-201-48937-6

Another good read, but more like a novel. It’s about her life growing up in Fes.

4) Travels with a Tangerine. Tim McIntosh- Smith. ISBN 0-8129-7164-7

This is a travel related book. Smith follows the path of Ibn Bhatutah one of the greatest known travelers of the world. He tries to imitate Bhatutah’s journey and finds himself all over the middle east.

5) Esposito, John L and DeLong-Bas, Natana J. “Women in Muslim Family Law.” Syracuse University Press. 2001.

This is a pretty academic book, focusing a lot on laws (but it’s not overly technical). It does a sound job giving what is prescribed in the Koran and what is upheld as law in countries that claim they are laws based on the Koran.

6) Mir-Hosseini, Ziba. “Marriage on Trial: A Study of Islamic Family Law, Iran and Morocco Compared.” St. Martin’s Press. 1993.

This book focuses on aspects of marriage (including divorce) and is generally just 2 case studies of Morocco and Iran. It helps to compare and see the differences in the two countries very different interpretations.

7) Smith, Jane I. “Islam in America.” Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series. Columbia University Press. 1999. ISBN # 0-231-10967-9

8) Geaves, Ron. “Aspects of Islam”. Georgetown University Press. Washington DC. 2005.

9) Fernea, Elizabeth Warnock. “In Search of Islamic Feminism: One Woman’s Global Journey.” Doubleday. New York, NY 1998.

10) Stowasser, Barbara Freyer. Women in the Qu’ran, Traditions and Interpretations. Oxford University Press. New York, NY. 1994.

[lostinlove228 0]

Hi, welcome. I'm not a convert, but I was born Muslim. I actually started learning and did put on the Hijab 4 years ago. Do worry about the flack that people will give you, God Guides who he wills. God is opening your heart, follow it.

One thing becareful of is distinguishing between culture and Islam. There are a lot of things that are just culture that people think is religions. Another thing is that if you want to learn about Islam, Don't start with Koran. It isn't going to make sense to you. That will come after learning about what is Islam and what it stands for.

Aslo, Becareful where you get your info. There are a lot of sights that claim to be muslim sights and they just destort fact and are actually working against Islam.

If you have any question this is a wonderful community. feel free to ask in public or private

[tnh9479 1]

I totally understand. It is something that I have been contemplating as well. I have actually read the Quran with my husband last year during Ramadan. We would then discuss what we read and he would have me share what I was feeling. It was a VERY good introduction for me. I have also recently read...

The Heart of Islam : Enduring Values for Humanity by Seyyed Hossein Nasr

It was written for Westerners to learn more about Islam (I heard about it on Meet the Press of all places on Easter weekend).

The real issue I have is finding a muslim woman in this area to help me understand more. Most of the muslims in this area are Pakistani. I know some of them. They come from a totally different place (mentally and culturally) and I would not feel comfortable at all. I am still working on this one.

Twila

[lostinlove228 0]

I think culutral differences are the biggest problem. You can't relate. My thing is that I am of a differenct Sect ( I am Shia). You won't find many on here considering where everyone is from.

[~*Dorothy*~ 2]

chris4336 thanks for opening up this topic...I have been doing some reading lately in Islam and contemplating a lot of the ideas as well as possible reversion at some point...I want this to be a sincere and educated decision and I am just so happy that you have opened up this door for discussion...veiledprincesslayla and AmeraMouttaki thank you so much for you impute...I am so excited that you are sharing your knowledge and looking forward to read the suggested material...I have visited a site called "Why Islam" and they have send me an introductory package including the prayer rug -which I have given to Jamal - he was very happy and a hajib...so i am reading and studying on my own...Jamal is sharing his knowledge with me but I am looking for a female prospective and an glad that Chris has started this topic...Thank you

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I'm also one of the resident muslim converts *waves* If anyone wants to chat, email me and we can pick a time for some msn or yahoo chats.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Ok, here are rahma's links o plenty for those interested in Islam

iprofess by blogger extrodinare Umm Zaid. This should be the first stop for any basic information from a general point of view. She collects articles from all over the web, as well as writes her own material. Two big

About the Prophet Muhammad (saws) - read about the life of this man. His life is the example all believers strive to follow.

Surah Maryam - an excellent flash presentation with a magnificent recitation of Surah Maryam paired with an excellent translation of the meaning in English (did I mention it was excellent *grin*) Asside from studying books and articles, the most important thing a seeker can do is listen to the Qur'an. It's God speaking to you. Listening to it softened the hardest of hearts of the enemies of the Prophet (saws) and brought those who hated him the most to embrace islam.

Zaytuna Institute - Institute in California founded by Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, perhaps the most popular muslim scholar and convert in America. Excellent articles and audios. If I could afford it, I would move out to California in an instant and sit at the feet of the great scholars he has collected there.

Path to Peace - An interesting website I happened upon a few months ago.

Videos to watch

Turning Muslim in Texas - an obscure british documentary that has exploded on the internet in recent months. It interviews several texas converts to Islam

Islam: Empire of Faith I - First part of a great PBS documentary

Islam: Empire of Faith II

Islam: Empire of Faith III

Muhammad: Legacy of the Prophet - excellent PBS documentary on the Prophet Muhammad (saws).

Cat Stevens behind the music - VH1 special that chronicles the life of Yusuf Islam, nka Cat Stevens.

[lostinlove228 0]

Here is website that has a large collection of material

http://www.al-islam.org/index.php

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Found another interesting video

National Geographic's Inside Mecca - Hajj, or the pilgramige to Mecca is a religious obligation for all who can afford it. This documentary offers an insight into the hajj that is rarely seen by those who have not gone.

Here is website that has a large collection of material

http://www.al-islam.org/index.php

We're gettin all the perspectives here shia, traditional sunni, salafi. I like to read the variety

Edited June 22, 2006 by rahma