Hi everyone, i'm Shannon from California  I joined a week or two ago but I haven't really had time to write anything here.

Not sure if i'm writing in the right spot, but I didn't know where else to ask. After reading the Quran, i've been interested in converting. The only problem is, is that my family isn't to fond of Muslims. I'm 17..so I obviously still live at home and i'm still in High School. I know my mom and dad won't respect my choice. I'm really close to my parents, and i'm worried that if I tell them they'll treat me differently. And i'm worried that i'll lose the relationship I have with both parents.

I'm just really confused about what to do, and how to tell them. I know i'd eventually have to tell them, it's not something I can hide from them. Thanks to anyone who's willing to help.

Hi xShannonx,

Welcome to the forum.

Hope you would like this place. You have posted at the right place seeing that it is your first post and you wanted to introduce yourself.

Islam for non-Muslims section is the place where you would hopefully receive satisfactory responses to your concerns, and therefore, I would move your post there.

Peace

Hey Shanon! Salam Alaikom (peace be upon you).

Well, Ive spoken to many people who embraced Islam and they too are afraid to tell their parents too and they are even afraid to pray, you can find them here http://www.turntoislam.com - www.turntoislam.com on the fan forums most of the members are Muslim reverts (if you become a Muslim you wouldnt be considered a convert you would be considered a revert because the word Muslim means one who surrenders his will to God so technically you were born a Muslim. So if you become a Muslim you would be considered a revert because you have came back to the path you were born into =D )

My advice to you is become a Muslim and dont tell your parents if u think they would take a hard position against you. But u can also try to throw in some facts about Islam as if you're just making conversation. For example you can say "did you know that Muslims believe in Christ" (which of course we do). Or something like that. Then from their go to the islamic ethics and how manners are very important. You can also tell her any story of the prophet Mohammed peace be upon him such as when the pagan leaders of the Quraish went to him and told him:

�...If you want money, we will collect enough money for you so that you will be the richest one of us. If you want leadership, we will take you as our leader and never decide on any matter without your approval. If you want a kingdom, we will crown you king over us...�

In return? In return he would have to give up calling people to Islam. What did he say?

{I swear by the name of Allah, O Uncle!, that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist until either Allah makes it triumph or I perish defending it.}(Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 265-266.)

"So this is very weird mom" or something like that lol that "why would he refuse if he was a fake prophet".

Hope my suggestions were an good insha Allah.

And the link I gave u i very good I hope u would visit it too :) and welcome to the forums, may Allah bless u.

Here r some nice Quranic recitations hope u like em =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FURNQf3BtFE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FURNQf3BtFE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0z_X26qxcU - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0z_X26qxcU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgyXIj_xTF4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgyXIj_xTF4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46MgimudbGQ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46MgimudbGQ

Peace be unto you.

This is also an Islamic chat: http://www.chatislam.com - www.chatislam.com

it has Muslim American scholars. This chat is strictly dedicated to new Muslims and people who are interested in Islam and want to learn so it is you would like it insha Allah (Allah willing)

u can also try mentioning 2 ur parents some of the many scientific miracles in the Quran.

http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_index.html - http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_index.html

K, i'll check those websites out.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

Salam Alaykum Shannon-

I understand your situation as my mom and her side of the family is not Muslim. My mom's family does not think fondly of Islam and doesn't like that all their grandchildren have embraced Islam. My advice to you would be that converting to Islam is a gradual thing and you must introduce Islam gradually to your parents. It is very important in Islam to treat non-muslim relatives with the upmost respect. If you remain steadfast in your pursuit to embrace Islam then hopefully with Allah (swt) help, they will respect your decision. Understand that their (your parents) acceptance of your choice might not be over night as I was born to a Muslim father and was raised Muslim for the most part but only have been practicing devoutly for about 6 years (I am 24 now) and my mom's family still has deep-rooted resentment towards our (my brother and I's) lifestyle. But remember that anything is achievable or doable with Allah (swt) on your side.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Hello Shanon,

I know that it is not easy to practice Islam even in a modern Islamic family since I have difficulties in that aspect in the family life and in my social environment. I'm trying to preserve that balance between my lifestyle and my family's expectations for about 15 years. So you are not the only one.

Age seventeen is excellent actually. You are strong enough to carry the life on your shoulders and your discoveries about life are -not fantaises as if when you were 14-but realities glittering in a clear and healthy mind. However parents are certainly perplexed about their youngster since young people are known to be prone to be affected by marginal trends. Especially if it is a religion and custom with a bad reputation about terrorism and inappropriate practices in social life -as shown regularly in media. Probably they are prejudiced about Islam-which brings poor children with bare feet on hot sand, and long bearded armed men, and frightened passivized women to mind. This is the picture drawn by media.

So what to do know?

Be patient,and accept that converting is not the end of a journey but the beginning of a new walk, trying to keep on the right way, and trying to keep the balance and control -walking just midway-

Knowing that you are not affected by any marginal group or trend will partially relax them.

Ensure your family and friends that, Islam only brings a few restrictions to your life and doesn't put you in a cage. Moral values do not differ much from Islam to other religions. Nobody supports someone who steals, gossips, lies or who is dirty...Regular prayers will be added to your daily life and I hope this change will be respected by your family.

when someone feels that he discovered the truth, he will be enthusiastic about sharing this with the others, but there is a certain time for every event to happen. It may be too early to try convincing your family and friends to believe in Islam or to read Kuran. I hope this  happens sometime, but at this early start it will be a fault to try this. They will feel as if they are blamed by you and may react against this if you mean " you will go to hell if you do this and that". So calm down, go your way and never leave your respect to your parents.

These are my advices. Hope you succeed, and find peace in your life. I will pray for you and for all who force their brains to find hidayah. Thinking is an order from Allah you know.

Salam.. 

Thanks for the reply yasmina2007.

Whenever I revert, I won't plan on telling them for a few months. That way if they are shocked or want to know why i'll have a lot more information to tell them and hopefully i'll know more in the coming months than what I know now.

I def. won't rush into anything, I plan on taking each step one by one. I'm only worried about praying and that it'll take a long time for me to learn. Another thing is what do I do about praying during school. Like I said i'll take my time in learning how to pray, but i'm a Junior in High School and this time next year hopefully i'll know how. But having school and praying would be kind of difficult.

Anyways..thanks everyone.

Assalaamualaikum xShannonx

Masha Allah you are young and Allah has blessed you with understanding. Our prayers are with you. May Allah keep you steadfast on the true path and help you. And guide your family too.

No matter what, be nice to your parents. And keep reading the quran, it will increase your knowledge and keep you strong. May Allah make it easy for you.

Wassalaam.

Wa Alaikum Salam,

Am very happy to hear from you.But my brother in Islam,you know what? I will like you to meet me at yahoo with this adress ( mailto:[email protected] - [email protected] ) cous that is the site I realy visit always.Try your hard best to contact me there,couse me too I will do my best to help you.

Hope to hear from you very soon.

My greetings to you.

WASSALAMU ALAIKUM.

Asslaam alikum, I reconvert last year when i was 17 years old also. I reconvert 5 days before ramadan. Since i was new and i didnt want my family to hate me, i wanted to wait a fews months or a yer before telling them. But my mother found Prayer#Ramadan paper schecules just after Ramadan finish. So was very angry that i reconvert to Islam but mostly that i didnt tell her myshelf, she didnt know that i wanted to tell her but not right away. Now it better alhumdulilah, my family didnt hate me.

As for praying, you can read in the internet or isalmic books (on prayer) how to do it or go to Masjid to learn how to pray or ask a muslim tha u know how to pray. Since I go to highschool also, the only prayer that is during school is Dhurh, if i can i pray during lunch time with other sisters. If not i do it right away when i get home.

wa alikum assalam  

Asalam-o-alaikum xShannonx

May Allah(SWT)bless u n He Himself make u out of every difficulty n hardship.Ask for help to Him n He'll definitely help u n "verily He has power over all things".He can solve each problem of ur n inshAllah He'll help u n he'll make ur belief firm.

                                                                          Salam(peace)