Brothers and sisters who convert to Islam usually face circumstances or hardships that are difficult to understand, especially if the converts are westerners. We not only deal with issues outside of the Muslim community, but inside it as well. Here are just a few things Ive experienced... 1. This is very common, but we are asked questions daily that are meant to provoke us into a debate or to prove we are wrong for choosing Islam. Unfortunately, our friends and family can be the most relentless. We are expected to defend our beliefs over and over again, including defending the actions of other Muslims (whether they are right or wrong). We must respond with love and patience. We need to represent the beauty of Islam with our words and actions. And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah , lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do. Al-Anaam 108 2. Ive personally been assaulted a few times. This comes in various forms. From being called a traitor and other derogatory names, to being physically threatened. Ive had a man put his hands on me, jokingly patting me down for a suicide vest. In his ignorance, he didnt realize how very inappropriate it is to touch a Muslimah. Ive also had a man try to run my vehicle off the highway while I was driving. It was absolutely unprovoked and I can only assume it was because I was wearing hijab. How we respond to these situations is a strong indication of where we are in our faith. Remember Allah in these moments. Who spend [in the cause of Allah ] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good; Al-Imran 134 3. Differentiating between culture practices and religious beliefs. Being an American, there are countless cultural practices and habits that conflict with Islam. Its often a struggle to set these things down. They have been a part of us since birth and is all around us. Converts need to make changes slowly and decisively. Brothers and sisters need to encourage and support them during their transformation. However, converts need to understand we do it for Allah, so making up excuses about why we wont follow sunnah is surly a way to destroy your deen. Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah , the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous. Al-Baqara 177 ~Anese
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 03:45:07 +0000
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