Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Past Lives [what if someone brings up my past?] |
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| Anonymous |
| 08/17/01 at 19:17:03 |
| Assalamu alaikum. If you are a revert to Islam, and people ask you about the things you may have done when you were a non-Muslim, what should you say? If these things are particularly bad (like drinking, drug use, affairs), and have the potential to harm your reputation in the community, should you lie, withhold the information, or admit to it? Even though taking the shahada wipes the slate clean between the revert and God, the past cannot be re-written (or can it?)...so how does one handle this kind of situation without committing a new sin (like making a lie to cover the past)? Especially if it is non-Mulsims who are bringing up one's past in order to ruin his/her reputation in the Islamic community??? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Jazakumallah kayran. |
| Re: Past Lives [what if someone brings up my past?] |
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| Anik |
| 08/17/01 at 20:36:23 |
| A.A. personally, sometimes I do tell people some small bits of information, not to let them know "who I am" or how "bad I could've been", but more to tell them what Islam can do for a person... of course, a lot of ppl are worried about reputation, and i can understand how it may be important... my solution is either to say, I don't wanna talk about it... or say, somethign general like, I've come a long way since then, but if you are uncomfortable, do something like that. If someone swings a direct yes/no question at you, then try to swing around it, even equivocate it (better than straight up lying)or just say "whatever, my past is my past." asalaamu alaikum. abdullah,. |
| Re: Past Lives [what if someone brings up my past?] |
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| meraj |
| 08/17/01 at 21:09:22 |
| slm, yeah its defenitely true what br. abdullah said.. you dont have to disclose everything or anything at all. of course there is benefit in tellign what islam did for you and it could encourage those who are interested in islam or support those who have also reverted. but i personally think its not appropriate for others to ask what you have done in the past. true, you are forgiven of it all when you say shahadah, so there may not be much harm in discussing it, for the purpose of explaining how islam changed you because you are free form it now. however, others should keep in mind the hadith that says that part of our faith is leaving that which does not concern us.. so that may not answer your question of what do do when asked, but it should tell others that they should be mindful of other's privacy when asking questions :) of course, Allah knows best :) |
| Re: Past Lives [what if someone brings up my past?] |
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| se7en |
| 08/18/01 at 01:03:44 |
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahmatAllah, [quote]others should keep in mind the hadith that says that part of our faith is leaving that which does not concern us..[/quote] That's so true meraj.. I know of a convert who was asked in front of a room full of people about her virginity! That's *completely* inappropriate, I don't know what that person was thinking asking a question like that. Anonymous I don't think you should feel bad *at all* about 'withholding' information about your past.. what you did before Islam is between you, Allah, and those you choose to share your story with. Your deeds of that time are wiped clean, as you've said, and they are of *no one* else's concern.. and you should in no way feel bad for saying so. [quote]Especially if it is non-Muslims who are bringing up one's past in order to ruin his/her reputation in the Islamic community???[/quote] This made me think of something I read recently: [i]"...when a person embraces Islam, it's like they have become a newborn baby. All of their previous sins are 'wiped from the book,' so to speak. Born Muslims do not get that kind of preferential treatment, unless after having drifted from their faith they then sincerely repent and revert back to it. This is a beautiful gift from God's store of infinite mercy. [...] When a person embraces Islam, all their previous sins are forgiven by God and they can start again fresh with a clean slate. Starting a new life with this clean slate involves two important things: (i) upon conversion, a person must wholeheartedly believe beyond any shadow of a doubt whatsoever that all his/her past transgressions and sins have been forgiven by God in His mercy, and (ii) he/she should not let any thoughts or memories of past sins haunt him/her in their new life. In fact, one should make the utmost effort to forget them altogether and instead thank God for His guidance to the Truth..." [/i] so I think firstly, you have to come to realize that despite the number or nature of the sins you've committed in the past, even if they are 'particularly bad', you *are* forgiven for them. Once you've contemplated this, sincerely accepted it as truth, I think it's much easier to face people who try to bring up things from the past.. When you're armed with the certainty that God, may He be glorified and exalted, has forgiven you these deeds, the next time this happens you'll be able to say.. Look, Allah has overlooked that time of my life.. why can't you? but, of course, this is much easier said than done. May Allah grant you strength and guide you in your efforts. wAllahu 'alam.. wasalaamu alaykum. |
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