Congratulations.

christine123 wrote: Can I move into the changes required gradually? Like going from no hijab to a scarf then to a proper hijab? And doing the same with clothes as well, i.e. gradually getting more modest attire over a few weeks or months rather than all at once.

Yes sure. Take your time, to adjust. Nothing need to be hurry. Just do it little by little.

christine123 wrote: What if I forget to pray while I'm starting on this path? I don't usually pray 5x a day, but that is honestly one of the most attractive things about Islam to me--the emphasis on prayer.

Even "old" muslim, some time forget. Forget is OK, just do it asap when you remember. However to reduce the forget this days, many prayer reminder tools and devices that can remind you.

 

christine123 wrote: How do I find the right masjid?

Go to any masjid that you comfortable with, if you don't comfortable with it try another one. The good masjids, usually will not give you a lot of "DO NOT DO LIST" at once.

christine123 wrote: What about family? I think my very elderly and very Christian grandmother would literally die of a heart attack if I told her. Any advice? Thank you!

We love our family, so we don't want to heart them. If your announcement will heart her, do it later. Let her see your change gradually too. Let she captures with her own eyes that you becoming a better and better person slowly. It might be good idea if she hear your conversion from somebody else first, not from you directly.

 

Congragulations ! Also, i welcome you to Islamicity. Do stay active. If you have any question or feel like to share your knowledge, kindly feel free to post them here.

 

Semar's post has answered all your questions. InshaAllah, you shall gradually, wear hijab. Anyways, we do have sisters here from US as well. They are trustworthy. You can contact then {Hayfa, shasta's aunt}. They shall help you find a masjid or any kind of help, inshaAllah.

 

Once again i congragulate you for being blessed and realising the truth.

 

May Allah swt guide us all.

 

Welcome to the Forum.. there aregood people of different faiths  here.

 

I became a Muslim about 4 years ago.. alhumdillah.. an can whole heartedly recommend you do things slow.. at a pace that works for YOU. You connection to Allah- your Creator, is your own. And really only Allah knows what is in your heart and mind.

 

As far as finding a masjid, you can do it through Islamicty Masjid locator. You can even do your Shahada through Islamicity. Once you do make sure you get your certificate. Where it does seem minor when dealing with Islamic law it can only benefit.  They SHOULD ask you to testament to all the basic beleifs of Islam. They SHOULD want to make sure you understand. Which is good.

 

As far as adopting different aspects... do them at your pace. Prayers are the most important thing.. do the best you can.. I started with a piece of paper and actually learned through the video at Islamicity Website.  I'd have to say it with the paper..and focused first on Surah Fatiah.. and build on. Some was attempted in Arabic.. or lines and the rest in English.. I firmly believe,this is my own belief, that one should do it in English first so you UNDERSTAND what you are saying. So you can feel it in your heart.

Others may agree or disagree.. so be it.

 

If you miss a prayer.. you repent, make it up and keep going to the best of youer ability. We must all strive for balance.. having a balanced outlook. Yes strive for you best.. and now that Allah has infinite mercy. It is about your intentions. Prayers were hardfor me actually to adopt, if you obtain regular prayer may Allah reward you.

 

Attire.. go at your pace.. everything I did was gradual.. first long pants, long sleeves etc. Some jump right away to hijab. Do what you can.

 

Islam is vast and has layers of depth. Yes we tend to focus on the 'outer' because that is what we see of others.. but we also need to focus on the inner. Learn what you can, adopt what you can, when you are able. Sometimes we can be overwhelmed.. take your time and realise that once you profess your faith then everything else is 'bonus.'

 

Telling your grandmother...  again there is no set answer... I idnot tell family and friends for 2 years.. others even longer.. you know.. do what is okay with you.  For me after 2 years Icould say to them 'see I am stil lthe same person, inshallah a better person. But still the same decent person they knew.' No one alhumdillah had a problem. Others fear immense hurt etc. I think if you risk that sometimes it is  too much, or disownment etc. We all can handle different struggles. Some people feel compelled to tell..

 

I'd be more then happy to help. PM me, I am in Washington DC.

 

If you have any questions specifically let me know.

 

Hayfa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will find services haphazard at best.. one aspect of 'culture' is that we are organzed planners and thinkers.. and other cultures are not.

 

If you find great classes go for it. Some places have few or no services for reverts. I bet most reverts learn on their own. And now with the interent you can do so.

 

Oh, if you are not married, and people 'push' you to marry.. really do be careful. People think you MUST be married which is not the case. Yes recommeded but as long as you are not foolig around. .it is not a big deal.

 

Plus when you first revert people either want to 'help' you or take advantage of you. Assuming you do your Shahada in the next few years you will go through many changes.. you need to go through this and also spend time really learning Islam as to know what to look for in a spouse.. a man should have religion AND character. That is about inner and outer. And when you are just learning, how does one really know what to look for. Either she is not get ready or the man is really not religious, and as you change, conflicts happen because he WON'T change. Many 'born' Muslims think they 'got it' where religion are concerned. Often mixing up religion and culture.  And then there is the  marry for a green card, or for a 2nd wife.. lots of stuff.. so just smile and be noncommital.. it can 'soun'  good. But know your deen first.. Then you can tell the quality of Muslim. Many people from other cultures ARE cordial and respectful as is necessary when meeting people. But this is different then family and who they marry.

 

 

Welcome to the embrace of Allah Most Compassionate and Most Merciful.

 

All of us were born not knowing how to walk.  First we learnt how to crawl, then sit, then stand and slowly walk. So are you,  being new to Islam.

 

One of the obstacles for a new Muslim is the family. Some are lucky that ther family are supportive while some are not.

 

As to your grandmother, perhaps you can advise her gently of why you are embracing Islam. Tell her that you are worshipping the God who is most worthy of worship. The God that created the whole universe, the God that created Adam, Abraham, Moses Jesus and Muhammad. The God that created the brightest of the stars, the furthest of the planets, the deepest of the oceans and the tiniest of an atom.

 

The God who is Most Merciful, Most Forgiving, Most Just, All-Hearing and All Seeing. It would be wise if you can quote the 99 names of Allah like Allah the Preserver, Allah The Shaper, Allah the Nourisher and many others that you can find it here   http://www.sufism.org/society/asma/ - http://www.sufism.org/society/asma/ .

 

And Muhammad was just a messenger, a guide to the straight path, the best example of a human being.

 

May Allah shower His blessings - Rahmah and Hidayah to you and your family.