To my fellow converts Part I:

AsSalaamu Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu.

*Disclaimer* In no way am I an expert on the human condition, nor am I even close to having the knowlege to judge or analyze it. What I am about to write are simply observations relevant to my experiences.*

As converts to Islam (Insha'Allah), there are so many factors to consider while increasing our knowledge of the deen. In my opinion, it is almost impossible to acheive a strong foundation of Islam if a convert does not have a proper support group. This means having muslims around them that fear Allah (SWT). Fearing Allah (SWT) means that their every action, word, and breath is filled with Ihsan, making them the best of examples after our beloved prophet (PBUH).

From An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith:
Hadith 2
On the authority of Omar, who said: "While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah upon him, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of travel were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, rested his knees against his knees and placed his palms on his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him said, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah (alms), fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly." We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about Iman (faith)." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadr), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly." Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man went off. I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Omar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion." [Muslim]

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Converts to Islam face culture clashes, judgement, fitna, loneliness, bewilderment, etc etc. Although this may seem like a depressing subject, I only wish to address them to benefit our ummah Insha'Allah wa Ta'ala. Our big Muslim family.


Being and becoming a Muslim in the west is a huge responsibility. How does a convert find a balance between their entire life's conditioning and their new muslim life when listening to advice? Indeed, becoming a muslim is easy Alhamdulillah. It's what happens after this new life has begun.

Until Next time,

Peace.
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