Category: Faith & Spirituality, Featured Topics: Islam Views: 11439
11439
Islam reinforces to keep yourself on the right path
I am a new Muslim and I just recently finished reading the book The Sun is Rising in the West. The following is my response from the questionnaire at the end of this book:
1. When and how did you come to Islam?
I came to Islam two years ago when I married my husband. We met online which I know sounds crazy. I am usually not one of those people who meets people online, but by the grace of Allah I happened to talk to him online that night. Over the weeks we became good friends. I was living in Vegas at the time with my aunt and she thought it would be nice if we met him somewhere. He lived just four hours away so we made arrangements to meet him. We became good friends but we started wanting to be more than friends. He was Muslim so he told me that we should get married to make things right. We talked about marriage and about Islam. I decided that he was right so we got married a week later and that same day I converted.
2. What were the factors that brought you to Islam?
At first I was just doing it because I knew that it was what my husband wanted and I wanted to make him happy. I know that is a bad start but it was a start that ended up leading me down the right path.
3. What difficulties did you have on the way?
At first it was very tough because I grew up the average American wearing shorts and eating pork. Hijab was some kind of crazy thing to me that I rationalized in my own mind as a way for men to control women. I had a hard time understanding things and I felt alone at times. Things scared me because its always hard to leave something that you grew up with, especially when everyone you looked up to told you it was right. Since I made that first step though, Allah just kept working with me and pulling me by the hand and little by little things started to take shape.
4. What is the response of your family and friends?
Most of my friends were the wrong type of people to hang out with so of course when I stopped drinking and going to parties I just stopped talking to them altogether. My family, alhumdalillah, has been accepting they don't really like it because they are all Christians but they accept that it is the path I have chose and they love me just the same. In fact they adore my husband because of the values he has and the way he respects older people. They are very happy that I married him because they know that because of his faith he knows how to take care of me and keep me safe.
5. How can Islam change and improve one's life?
Well if you take me for example it improved my life in many ways. It reinforced those things in me I already knew but as a Christian I didn't think I needed to follow. I stopped drinking, I don't eat pork, I dress properly so as not to degrade myself in front of men. All these things are improvements in my life. They keep me safer, healthier and in a better frame of mind. Islam gave me boundaries and rules to follow for the good of myself and those around me.
6. How can Islam change and improve America?
Islam can improve America in many ways. If everyone in America lived by Islam then their wouldn't be any killings, rapes, theft; sexual diseases would disappear; babies would know who their fathers were; women wouldn't have abortions; children wouldn't be giving birth to children; women would have more respect for themselves; men would have more respect for women. You could go on forever probably talking about the bad things that you see in America because people have lost their sense of morals. Islam reinforces those lost morals and gives you easy ways to keep yourself on the right path. With Islam I have found a new happier more fulfilling way of life that also, insha'Allah, will lead me to an even better hereafter.
7. Do you have any advice for the Muslims of America?
Well I am one of them but my advice would have to be, stay strong and make sure you surround yourself with a big group of Muslims so that you can keep each other on the right path. It is always easier to stay strong when their are more of you. It is easy to take people out one at a time when they are divided but when you put them all together and they strive for the same cause and keep each other strong there is nothing that can break it especially if they are striving in Allah's cause.
Related Suggestions
Older Comments:
DU'A FROM PAKISTAN said:
i just want to say that JazakAllah
beautiful and Informative Islamic Articles thanks for sharing ...Quran And Ahadees is the only best way to knowing about Islam and Muslims ...Regards !
beautiful and Informative Islamic Articles thanks for sharing ...Quran And Ahadees is the only best way to knowing about Islam and Muslims ...Regards !
2011-12-06
TUAN FROM SEATTLE said:
Islam doesn't reinforce it just FORCES one to on what it considers the right path! It is a religion of fear. I am glad that I had the courage to overcome the fear and read about Buddhism (Theravada) I earnestly request my muslim brothers and sisters to do so. Just give it a try, if u don't like it then leave it. But just give it a try. Here's a wonderful www.accesstoinsight.com
2002-06-12
SAMINA FROM USA said:
salam
i am impressed by your story.i also want to do the same.may god help you all your life.keep on beliving in the right and take care.God bless you.
i am impressed by your story.i also want to do the same.may god help you all your life.keep on beliving in the right and take care.God bless you.
2002-06-06
LEILA AHMED- ABDULLAHI FROM CANADA said:
This statment that yu have made is most beautyful. Allah has indeed saved you and insha'allah will use you to save others. Your story really touched me. Masha'allah sister
jazakum lahu Kair for you article
leila Ahmed
jazakum lahu Kair for you article
leila Ahmed
2002-06-04
NASIR FROM ITALY said:
I think that this story is a good example for the
freedom Islam gives for the women.in fact .a woman could never feel free unless coming to Islam
where she could obey "Allah"acheiving the liberty
of the Soul,working and raising childeren..etc.
acheiving the liberty of her Body.every human has
two elements"The Soul,and The Body" to live normally and healthy we should gather them up inside ourselves.Islam is the only system of life
that enables these two elements of meeting together in one,s character..and that is why Islam
is the Purpose of life.
freedom Islam gives for the women.in fact .a woman could never feel free unless coming to Islam
where she could obey "Allah"acheiving the liberty
of the Soul,working and raising childeren..etc.
acheiving the liberty of her Body.every human has
two elements"The Soul,and The Body" to live normally and healthy we should gather them up inside ourselves.Islam is the only system of life
that enables these two elements of meeting together in one,s character..and that is why Islam
is the Purpose of life.
2002-06-03
MUSLIM1118 FROM USA said:
may Allah bless you and reward you......i hope someday, inshallah my wife will revert.......Islam is the best way to live
2002-06-02
MAJIDA AMAL (GLORI) FROM USA said:
Salaam Crystal:
A beautiful story and I agree 100% with you on your views. Islam does promote better behavior and men treat woman with more respect not less. Unfortunately the media never shows the peace and happiness of these Islamic marriages. They show Taliban or wife beatings etc. We must keep our patience and try to spread the word of the truth. I was like you, shorts, dancing, the beach, rock music, then I found something was missing in this land of "total freedom". Alhamdulilah I found Islam or rather Allah found me. I am at peace inside like you. Thank you for the story. Majida
A beautiful story and I agree 100% with you on your views. Islam does promote better behavior and men treat woman with more respect not less. Unfortunately the media never shows the peace and happiness of these Islamic marriages. They show Taliban or wife beatings etc. We must keep our patience and try to spread the word of the truth. I was like you, shorts, dancing, the beach, rock music, then I found something was missing in this land of "total freedom". Alhamdulilah I found Islam or rather Allah found me. I am at peace inside like you. Thank you for the story. Majida
2002-05-31
KHADIJAH BILAL FROM USA said:
I am so grateful to Allah for causing me to return to the religion of Islam. I was introduced to Islam by my 6th grade teacher as an African -American youth that grew up in Europe. Through a Socilesson about the Kaaba, I begin to read and study. I was 12 years old and replaced the beliefs I had as a christian with those of the Muslim believer. Of course, my parents did not think that my youthful reversion would last, but Alhamdullilah, I am an active practicing Muslim.
The struggles I faced when we moved to the States were phenomenal. I could not get jobs wearing Hijab, I was told by one employer, that if I wanted to make the American dollar, I had to dress like an American. It was a struggle , it continues to be a struggle. Iam thankful to Allah (swt) for what I have become. Islam has liberated me and caused me to become a uniquely refined women that loves being a Muslimah. I am often asked by Muslims that are Arab, when did I convert, where are you from , how did you learn Islam. Frankly, in a kind of way, being an African -American Muslim is intriguing to some Arabic speaking Muslims. My family , husband, sons and daughter are Muslims. My children have been raised Muslims. From birth they have heard Shahada whispered in their ears. All praise to Allah, the Merciful Redeemer for my German Jewish teacher Mr. Dietrich, Our Lord used him as a vessel for me to receive the Message of Islam. May Allah forgive him his sins and reward him for his good deeds. Ameen. Islam reinforces me to keep myself on the right path. Living in America, it has been a struggle, one that I am thankful for experiencing. Insha'Allah, I have been able to influence many Americans to examine Islam.
The Christians in my family are regardful of of our beliefs and respond favorably to accepting the practices we observe. I love being a Muslimah, I thank Allah for my life. Insha'Allah, I am writing a book about my call to Islam. Insha'Allah it will please Allah!
The struggles I faced when we moved to the States were phenomenal. I could not get jobs wearing Hijab, I was told by one employer, that if I wanted to make the American dollar, I had to dress like an American. It was a struggle , it continues to be a struggle. Iam thankful to Allah (swt) for what I have become. Islam has liberated me and caused me to become a uniquely refined women that loves being a Muslimah. I am often asked by Muslims that are Arab, when did I convert, where are you from , how did you learn Islam. Frankly, in a kind of way, being an African -American Muslim is intriguing to some Arabic speaking Muslims. My family , husband, sons and daughter are Muslims. My children have been raised Muslims. From birth they have heard Shahada whispered in their ears. All praise to Allah, the Merciful Redeemer for my German Jewish teacher Mr. Dietrich, Our Lord used him as a vessel for me to receive the Message of Islam. May Allah forgive him his sins and reward him for his good deeds. Ameen. Islam reinforces me to keep myself on the right path. Living in America, it has been a struggle, one that I am thankful for experiencing. Insha'Allah, I have been able to influence many Americans to examine Islam.
The Christians in my family are regardful of of our beliefs and respond favorably to accepting the practices we observe. I love being a Muslimah, I thank Allah for my life. Insha'Allah, I am writing a book about my call to Islam. Insha'Allah it will please Allah!
2002-05-31
NAZ FROM UNITED KINGDOM said:
This was a very good thing to see when others convert to islam and also sets a good example for everone to stay steadfast on the path of Allah.
2002-05-29
AJIBIYA SHARIFF FROM U.S.A. said:
In the Name of Allah,the Most Gracious, The Beneficent the Most Merciful. I have 12 years old girl we read it together, it increase her knowlede. thank you.Assalamualaikum
2002-05-29
NAJIB FROM USA said:
Dear Sister in Islam, may Allah bless you and reward you with Jennah (Paradise)
2002-05-28
BASHARAT SULEMAN FROM CYPRUS said:
Asslamualikum wa rahmat
Dear sister in islam
hope you may be fine and in the best of helth and faith .i just read your story and automaticaly my fingurs running on the key board to be praised to the Allah subhan wa tala ,and the effort of our brother in islam(your husband )who gave you toufeeque to accept islam .just do think in this way you are the special one whom Allah subhan wa Tala chose for his deen so i well come you and i`ll say you mubrook and will ask you to make duaa for all muslims coz you are quite away to sin and Allah promise you if you leave the way you was keeping he will erase your saeyat (sin) and will turm them in husnat (rewards) in shaallha .May allah subhan wa tala give you more tofeeque aameen wassalam your brother in islam
Basharat Suleman
Dear sister in islam
hope you may be fine and in the best of helth and faith .i just read your story and automaticaly my fingurs running on the key board to be praised to the Allah subhan wa tala ,and the effort of our brother in islam(your husband )who gave you toufeeque to accept islam .just do think in this way you are the special one whom Allah subhan wa Tala chose for his deen so i well come you and i`ll say you mubrook and will ask you to make duaa for all muslims coz you are quite away to sin and Allah promise you if you leave the way you was keeping he will erase your saeyat (sin) and will turm them in husnat (rewards) in shaallha .May allah subhan wa tala give you more tofeeque aameen wassalam your brother in islam
Basharat Suleman
2002-05-26
RAFATH FROM USA said:
sister I am so very happy for you. Mubarak on accepting Islam the religion of truth and of course a way of life. InshaAllah you will always be happy and at peace if you live by the commandments of Allah and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
wa alaikum Assalaam
sister Rafath
wa alaikum Assalaam
sister Rafath
2002-05-24
AWATEA MITA FROM USA/NZ said:
You do a great service to Islam in sharing your
story. What an inspiration. I feel as though you
really see Islam in all it's beauty and that is a
wonderful message to advocate. Yours is an
act of sincerest devotion. May Allah truly
reward you. Praise be to Allah.
39:11
Say: Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah
with sincere devotion by obeying Him and
doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake
only.
39.12
And I am commanded in order that I may be
the first of those who submit themselves to
Allah as Muslims.
story. What an inspiration. I feel as though you
really see Islam in all it's beauty and that is a
wonderful message to advocate. Yours is an
act of sincerest devotion. May Allah truly
reward you. Praise be to Allah.
39:11
Say: Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah
with sincere devotion by obeying Him and
doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake
only.
39.12
And I am commanded in order that I may be
the first of those who submit themselves to
Allah as Muslims.
2002-05-24
MUHAMMAD FROM CANADA said:
Praise be to Allah who guided our sister to his Deen of Islam, may Allah bless you sister.
Amiin.
Amiin.
2002-05-22
AMIR RASHID FROM U.S.A. said:
THANKS TO ALMIGHTY ALLAH TO MAKE ALL THIS POSSIBLE FOR US. WE DID HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE BEGINING BUT WE STAYED STRONG AND RIGHTEOUS. TODAY IS OUR 2ND ANNIVERSARY & WE'RE ONE HAPPY COUPLE. PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND STAY IN TOUCH. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.
AMIR RASHID.
AMIR RASHID.
2002-05-22
HODAN FROM AUSTRALIYA said:
ASALAAMU-ALEYKUM SISTER it gives me a great happienes whenever i see new sister or new brother converted islam from dark to light from dead to life. in sha allah
i hope you will enjoy your new religion of islam
god pless to you and all brothers and sisters of islam
i hope you will enjoy your new religion of islam
god pless to you and all brothers and sisters of islam
2002-05-21
MOHAMMAD FROM NEW ZEALAND said:
Assalamu-alaikum,
I really really liked the last bit ( answer to question seven).
May Allah guide us all. May Allah help us all.
I really really liked the last bit ( answer to question seven).
May Allah guide us all. May Allah help us all.
2002-05-21
ABDUL GHAFOOR FROM INDIA said:
ALHAMDULILLAH AT LAST SOME ONE IS USA COMES TO THE PATH OF GOD ALMIGHTY ALLAH. SOME TIMES I JUST WONDER, HOW CAN NON MUSLIMS(HINDUS, JEWS, CHRISTIANS, ATHIESTS AND SO ON) CAN THINK ABOUT ALLAH THE LORD OF ALL, HIS RELIGION-ISLAM, HIS FINAL PROPHET MOHAMMAD -PEACE BE UPON HIM, THINK IN SUCH DEROGATORY TERMS AS THEY ARE DOING. I HAVE COME ACROSS LOT OF SUCH WEBSITES WHICH DO NOT HESITATE TO SAY MOST OBNOXIOUS AND UTTER FALSE THINGS ABOUT ISLAM, GOD ALMIGHTY ALLAH, PROPHET MOHAMMAD (PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND MUSLIMS (MOSLEMS).
BUT ACTUALLY I HAVE AN EASY ANSWER FOR THEM TO CURE THEIR DISEASE:
FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU ARE HOLDING YOUR CUP OF TEA OR COFFEE AND SUDDENLY LOOSEN YOUR GRIP AND DROP IT, AND YOU WILL SEE THE BAD RESULT. SO IF GOD LEAVES US TO OUR OWN CONDITION, STOPS PROTECTING US, THEN IN A FRACTION OF A SECOND, OUR EXISTANCE WILL BE IN DANGER. BECAUSE OF HIS PROTECTION, WE ARE ALL LIVING WITH HIS GRACE AND BLESSINGS. HE HAS APPOINTED TWO ANGELS -ONE ON THE RIGHT AND OTHER ON THE LEFT TO TAKE CARE OF US AND PROTECT US FROM DISASTERS, ETC. BUT ONCE GOD WISHES US TO FACE ANY DISASTER OR ACCIDENT, THEN THEY WILL NOT PROTECT US AND THE DAMAGE IS CAUSED TO US. MAY ALLAH SAVE US ALL FROM SUCH A SITUATION AND MAY HE KEEP US ALWAYS UNDER HIS PROTECTION.
THIS EXAMPLE SHOWS ALL MUSLIMS (MOSLEMS) AND NON MUSLIMS, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO KNOW THE TRUTH OF ISLAM, TO GAIN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOLY QUR'AN THE FINAL GUIDANCE OR BOOK OF ALLAH FOR ALL MANKIND UNTIL THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT. IF ANY ONE THINKS IT NOT IMPORTANT, THEN LET HE OR SHE EARNESTLY PRAY OR WISH THAT ALLAH LEAVE THEM TO THEIR OWN CONDITION, WITHDRAW HIS PROTECTION FOR THEM, THEN LET THEM SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM AFTERWARDS?
I HOPE ALL PEOPLE READING THIS EXAMPLE WILL UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY TO KEEP THEMSELVES UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF PROTECTION OF ALLAH THE ONLY CREATOR, GOD AND LORD OF ALL AND TELL THIS EXAMPLE TO OTHERS. LET ALL PEOPLE READ THE HOLY QUR'AN IN ARABIC AND IT'S MEANING AND COMMENTARY IN THEIR OWN
BUT ACTUALLY I HAVE AN EASY ANSWER FOR THEM TO CURE THEIR DISEASE:
FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU ARE HOLDING YOUR CUP OF TEA OR COFFEE AND SUDDENLY LOOSEN YOUR GRIP AND DROP IT, AND YOU WILL SEE THE BAD RESULT. SO IF GOD LEAVES US TO OUR OWN CONDITION, STOPS PROTECTING US, THEN IN A FRACTION OF A SECOND, OUR EXISTANCE WILL BE IN DANGER. BECAUSE OF HIS PROTECTION, WE ARE ALL LIVING WITH HIS GRACE AND BLESSINGS. HE HAS APPOINTED TWO ANGELS -ONE ON THE RIGHT AND OTHER ON THE LEFT TO TAKE CARE OF US AND PROTECT US FROM DISASTERS, ETC. BUT ONCE GOD WISHES US TO FACE ANY DISASTER OR ACCIDENT, THEN THEY WILL NOT PROTECT US AND THE DAMAGE IS CAUSED TO US. MAY ALLAH SAVE US ALL FROM SUCH A SITUATION AND MAY HE KEEP US ALWAYS UNDER HIS PROTECTION.
THIS EXAMPLE SHOWS ALL MUSLIMS (MOSLEMS) AND NON MUSLIMS, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO KNOW THE TRUTH OF ISLAM, TO GAIN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOLY QUR'AN THE FINAL GUIDANCE OR BOOK OF ALLAH FOR ALL MANKIND UNTIL THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT. IF ANY ONE THINKS IT NOT IMPORTANT, THEN LET HE OR SHE EARNESTLY PRAY OR WISH THAT ALLAH LEAVE THEM TO THEIR OWN CONDITION, WITHDRAW HIS PROTECTION FOR THEM, THEN LET THEM SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM AFTERWARDS?
I HOPE ALL PEOPLE READING THIS EXAMPLE WILL UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY TO KEEP THEMSELVES UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF PROTECTION OF ALLAH THE ONLY CREATOR, GOD AND LORD OF ALL AND TELL THIS EXAMPLE TO OTHERS. LET ALL PEOPLE READ THE HOLY QUR'AN IN ARABIC AND IT'S MEANING AND COMMENTARY IN THEIR OWN
2002-05-21
