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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Want to convert but can can I be a "real" Muslim? |
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| Anonymous |
| 04/09/04 at 03:40:39 |
| I am a 25 year old white woman and have married a black Muslim from Gambia, Africa. Here's the story....I was never truely brought up in any religion, so therefore I have researched them on my own. We married when I had 2 small children and have been married for 3 years now and have had a son of our own. Through the years my husband has stopped praying, upon my many pleads for him to pray and the importance of it, it's like talking to a wall. I want to convert to Islam, but he will show me no way. I have taught myself how to pray, and have read and believe in the Quran. When I speek of converting he tells me I could never be a "real" Muslim. I have Islam so strong in my heart that it hurts to here such a thing. What should I do? Will I betray my husband if I convert? HELP!!!! |
| Re: Want to convert but can can I be a "real" Musl |
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| Mossy |
| 04/09/04 at 05:37:17 |
| Salam, Religion is something between you and your God - your husband cannot get in the way. Even if he were practising, he could not command you to do haram - in the end everyone answers to one person alone, Allah (swt). "Conversion" is pretty straightforward, I'd say you had already got most of the way there if you believe - there is the small formality of reciting the shahada before two muslim witnesses so the community knows, that's all you need to make sure :) Plus, when converting, you get the added bonus of having all your past sins wiped away (as it would be somewhat strange if you were held accountable for them). So in some ways you are luckier than those "born" into the religion. In the end however, what defines a "real" muslim is how they act and their inner belief - it transcends all backgrounds, colours and creeds. Do try to liaise with your local mosque and find fellow converts who have gone through the same experience, as some sections often seem odd -[url=http://www.islamfortoday.com/converts.htm]this section[/url] from IslamForToday might help, as may the articles on this site and others such as www.themodernreligion.com. It can be confusing as there are a number of different ways people interpret the faith, but hey. Variety is good :) Good luck, ws Mossy |
| Re: Want to convert but can can I be a "real" Musl |
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| se7en |
| 04/09/04 at 11:12:52 |
| as salaamu alaykum, peace, Hmm.. why do you think you wouldn't be a "real" Muslim? Because you're white? You know in the time of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, he had a companion known as Suhayb ar-Rumi, which means Suhayb the European, who had blond hair and light skin! As bro Mossy said, what makes you Muslim is not your complexion or your ethnicity, but your faith. the Prophet taught us, "God does not look at your faces or bodies, but truly He looks at your hearts." It seems that you and your husband are on divergent paths these days, but I think it's important for you to work on your relationship with your Creator, independent of your husband... and hopefully, in your energy and passion for Islam, his faith will be rekindled. salaam :) |
| 04/09/04 at 11:53:53 |
| se7en |
| Re: Want to convert but can can I be a "real" Musl |
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| sal |
| 04/09/04 at 15:31:07 |
| [code]I have Islam so strong in my heart that it hurts to here such a thing. What should I do? [/code] Yes you can be a real muslem and you are one of the best muslems as soon as you are converted because there will be no any previous sins counted .you will be clear and like a new born Another good news that makes you very good Muslem is any peice of islamic work you do will have a high mark.Errors like on praying reading the QURAN are not so seriously taken against you I Think what you are concerned is may be because you have no good knowledge in some islamic obligations and regulations and thus you feel you might not be able to do it right THE VERY LITTLE JOB YOU DO WILL BE A VERY BIG FOR YOU AS A CONVERTED do you have idea we( the muslem born) do envy the converted muslems for their being better than us ? [code]Will I betray my husband if I convert? HELP!!!! [/code] NO you will not betray at all ,PLEASE go ahead and ALLAH is with you ;-) |
| Re: Want to convert but can can I be a "real" Musl |
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| AbdulJalil |
| 04/09/04 at 22:00:21 |
| assalamu alaikum the shahada can be said without witnesses. Just in case you want later on to go to Hajj, you will have to have paper like proving that you ar Muslim, so it is good idea to take it with witnesses. But it is NOT required. |
| Re: Want to convert but can can I be a "real" Musl |
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| Nadeem |
| 04/10/04 at 13:54:35 |
| Peace be upon you, Sister, your determination in seeking Allah is admirable and I commend you for it. The fact that you researched about Islam by yourself, despite close ones telling you that you can "never be a real Muslim", just says it all. :) Your husband sounds like somewhere along the way he lost his his way or became disinterested in Islam. Perhaps he had some sort of bad experience or perhaps it is something altogether different. His comment about you not being able to be a real "muslim" sounds like he is just trying to dissuade you, and as all the other posts have said, this statement he has made is incorrect. Perhaps he means you dont come from a country which has a traditionally Muslim culture. Perhaps your husband is worried that if you become Muslim he will have to start practicing more otherwise he will be shown up. And from your description of events, it sounds as if his heart is not in it. Maybe you could find out, why he stopped practicing, and try to encourage him from a different angle. But in any case it doesnt matter. This shouldnt affect your decision. Islam is for all mankind, being Muslim doesnt mean youre from Arab, or Pakistani, or African, or wherever else so called "real" muslims are supposed to come from. In conclusion sister, it sounds as if your heart is already telling you that you *are* Muslim, i.e. submitting to Allah. Wish you well in taking the next steps, God willing. Peace be upon you. :) |
| Re: Want to convert but can can I be a "real" Musl |
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| sal |
| 04/10/04 at 16:50:21 |
| Look at this story Some time ago a phllipino guy living in saudi arabia, in camp close to madinah converted to MUSLEM . He died after few MINUTS since he became muslem . His papers were still saying nonmuslem .He didnt do any thing as a MUSLEM but died as a MUSLEM . it was not his fault not even pray but that was the end of his life to only have the time left to pronounce the SHAHADA and he was a muslem for few minuts only :) |
| 04/10/04 at 16:51:46 |
| sal |
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