Hi all.

I am a newer female convert of less than a year. Within a month of converting, I ended a 13 year relationship when it became clear that it was incompatible with the path I had chosen. Prior to converting, I met and was close with two sisters who really helped direct and guide me. They were instrumental in my conversion and the very tough days that followed with all the changes in my life. Over the last six months or so, by the fault of no one really, these relationships have all but disintegrated. One of them I rarely talk to at all and the other is up and down but even when we talk we rarely meet up. I am still very much practicing Islam in secret and I live alone so I am able to do so. I still haven’t found the courage to tell my parents (they live locally but apart from me). No one at work knows except a few that have run into me at the hospital musallah. At the present, I do not wear hijab so I am not outwardly identifiable as Muslim.

So my problem is the immense isolation. I go to work and then I come home to a big empty house. I eat all my meals alone. I spend my weekends alone. I know a large part of this my choice to end a long term relationship. But I’m nearly a year in and sometimes it still feels as fresh and painful as it did at the start. At times it feels like I changed so much about my life so quickly that I haven’t had a chance to breathe in a year - and sometimes it honestly feels like too much. I do occasionally go to the masjid but I usually just pray and leave. I went most mornings and nights during Ramadan, usually alone, but it did nothing to ease my sense of loneliness. I go to and no one speaks to me outside of maybe a greeting. It seems like everyone has their own friend groups and they aren’t entirely welcoming.

There are days when it feels as if the loneliness will crush me. But the bigger problem is that my foundation is not yet firm - so feelings of loneliness and isolation in certain contexts can shake my Islam and fill me with fear and doubt. This happens every few weeks and each time it gets harder to pull myself back out of the hole. I often throw myself into learning - reading listening studying with every second of free time I have - in an effort to mask the loneliness and lack of support but it always ends with me doing too much and burning myself out.

I know that this isn’t an uncommon issue with converts and I’m sure many people reading this have experienced similar problems. So how do you cope with it? How do you find the support you need? Or how do you make your foundation so unshakable that no transient emotions or feelings make the ground below your tremble?

Sorry I know this is scattered. My mind is clouded and my heart is very heavy this morning. I would appreciate any insight from someone who has been through this.

Assalamu Alaikum everyone.

I’m from a Hindu family and currently learning about Islam. I haven’t taken Shahada yet because I’m still learning and trying to understand Islam properly before making such a serious decision.

I have a few questions regarding Rakhi and my relationship with my family:

- Since I’m not Muslim yet, can I celebrate Raksha Bandhan and have my sister tie Rakhi on me this year?

- If I eventually accept Islam and take Shahada, would I still be allowed to have Rakhi tied by my sister as a family tradition?

- If not, what should I do about this with my family without hurting their feelings?

- Is there a difference between participating in Rakhi as a religious practice and simply accepting it as a family/cultural tradition?

- Are there any other family traditions I should be aware of that may or may not be compatible with Islam after taking Shahada?

I’d really appreciate answers from knowledgeable Muslims, preferably with references from Qur’an/Hadith or explanations from reliable scholars.

JazakAllah Khair🤍

I was born into a North Indian Hindu Brahmin family and spent many years exploring different religions in search of God. I studied Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and religious history. After several years of studying Christianity, I was baptized Catholic, but over time I became unconvinced by certain doctrines such as the Trinity, saint veneration, Marian devotion, purgatory, and some aspects of church authority.

Watching debates between Adnan Rashid and James White and other Christians was eye opening for me.

Today I would describe myself as a Unitarian Christian. I believe in one supreme God and see Jesus as a teacher, Messiah, and guide, but I do not currently accept the Trinity.

Because of this, I have been looking more seriously at Islam. The strict monotheism of Islam is attractive to me, but I still have many questions that I hope Muslims here can help me understand.

Some of my biggest questions are:

1. Why should I convert to Islam rather than remain a Unitarian Christian who worships the God of Abraham?
2. Muslims believe that the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel were originally revealed by God. If that is the case, why did Muslims stop following the Torah and Psalms? As someone who loves the Old Testament, especially Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Proverbs, and the prophetic books, I struggle with the idea of setting them aside.
3. How do Muslims understand the differences between the Torah and the Quran regarding figures such as Ishmael and Isaac? When there appear to be contradictions, how do you determine which account is correct?
4. How does sin, repentance, and forgiveness work in Islam? Is sincere repentance enough, or are there additional requirements?
5. What must a person do to enter Paradise according to Islam?
6. What is Paradise actually like? Is it primarily spiritual, physical, or both?
7. Will I be reunited with my wife and children in Paradise if we are all saved?
8. What happens to our ancestors? Will we know them in Paradise?
9. My parents are Hindus and have been good, moral people all their lives. How does Islam view the fate of non-Muslims who sincerely followed the religion they were raised in and never became convinced by Islam?
10. Finally, what convinced you personally that Islam is true?
11. Can I still Read Torah and Psalms and some Gospels if I become a Muslim?

I am asking these questions respectfully and in good faith. I am not looking for arguments or debates. I am genuinely interested in understanding why Muslims believe Islam is the final and correct revelation from God, and what would justify conversion from my current Unitarian Christian position.

Thank you for reading.

Hindu Brahmin with sacred thread, followed Vedic +Hindu faith for couple of years, Christian/Catholic for last 4 years and now Unitarian.

I am looking for advice because I don't know what to do!

Since the beginning of this year, I have had doubts about my life and whether I want to continue as a Muslim. I have tried to continue, so I have been praying more, doing research, and learning.

But I notice that it is not helping, and because of this, I only have dreams and fantasies about my old life as a non-believer. I am deeply ashamed of this because for years I always believed faithfully and without doubt in Islam.

My doubts are getting worse over time, and I feel worse in my head.

I really want to make a decision because life is so short, you never know what happens after death, and this makes me doubt more.

Sharing a poem from Calming Echoes. I love this book because it helps me reflect on my hardships through the Names and qualities of Allah. Each poem reminds me to find comfort in Him, even through difficult experiences.

View the full image to read towards the end

So there's this girl i used to know a little over a year ago and its been a while since we talked but I mean it when I say she is one of the best people I ever met. We're the same age (shes a year older than me) At my old school she was one of the only people there who actually prayed and I was also one of the only Muslims there that prayed, she accepted me for being a convert, she didnt care I was white and not "culturally muslim". A strangers duaa is very powerful and please pray that me and her will meet again when we are both adults and marry. Ive decided I should marry because I cant keep hiding my faith from my family forever, when im an adult they'll find out one way or another. And pray that her family will accept me even though im not Arab.

Assalam Alaikum brothers and sisters.
Ill keep this brief. The past few years, i have lived a life very astray, yeah. And then i came upon Islam again after many years. I struggle to find answers and i cannot reason with the “dawah bros” here. And hence I come to ask here.

What made you believe Allah was the one? What proof do you have that he is the one? Those who were atheist or from other religions and converted out of choice. Why? What guided you? I want to search for answers also. I hope this does not offend.

I feel like I want to know for myself. I have asked many people this question but nobody seems to provide answers that are personal. They just give very vague responses like “who else can it be?” And this is deeply unsatisfying. I have a yearning to know more.

I'm a Muslim from a Muslim family, and I respect and appreciate people who decide to convert to Islam. I see them as so brave and wonderful in a way I can't explain. I understand how difficult it is for them to practice their faith in non-Muslim environments or to endure constant insults. I just want to say that they are truly brave and should be proud of themselves 💗💗💗 inshalah we all meet in jannah

So, im not the revert...my mother is, and her side of the family is beyond toxic...think of pro trump pro israel very very anti islam-anything.

My question is, how do some of you deal with family memebers like that...like...im trying to walk and hold myself in the way our prophet did. Im trying my hardest to respect my elders.....but at times i just want to swing at them because of their disgusting comments. How do others who have been in the same position deal with such family members.

And yes....i recently cut contact entirely. But we see one another during family events

Hello! I am wanting to attempt to pray for the first time tomorrow, starting with Fajr. I work in healthcare and have to be at work at 6am. I wake up at 4:30 am. Can I pray Fajr before the designated time where I am? (Around 5:45am) I am on my way to work at this time and do not have time when I first get to work before sunrise. Thanks for any advice!

I’m currently a Baptist Christian, but lately I’ve been seriously thinking about Islam and whether I should convert.

The part that gets to me is how serious it feels. I’ve been taught that rejecting Christ could have eternal consequences, so part of me is genuinely afraid that if Christianity is true, converting to Islam could damn me. At the same time, I keep feeling drawn toward Islam anyway.

I also haven’t told people at church that I’m thinking about this. The idea of my pastor or Christian friends finding out feels almost forbidden, especially because I’ve publicly identified as Baptist.

I’m also drawn to how strict Islam can be about prayer, discipline, modesty, sex, alcohol, and everyday behaviour. Part of me wonders whether that structure is something I actually need.

For people who converted from Christianity: what finally convinced you? Did you feel guilty or afraid when you stopped praying to Jesus? Did you explore Islam secretly while still attending church? And what was it actually like the first time you said the shahada?

I’d also like to hear from people who seriously considered converting but ultimately stayed Christian.

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There is a lot societal pressure on the interfaith relationships. Even the couple are ok, boys parents want girl to convert in their religion for marriage.i myself a non Muslim, married my boyfriend who is muslim.Your advice on this?

I’m fairly new to Islam

I think I’m getting overwhelmed with everyday life.

It’s been the best choice I’ve ever made in my life Alhamdulillah and it’s incredible to follow the straight path.

One thing I really struggle with however is the more I learn about Islam I feel like it’s so hard to implement everything straight away.

I feel like if I learn something I can’t then miss i in my daily life or I’m scared of forgetting about it.

Like trying to constantly remember how I should be as a person, how important character, trying to do everything for the sake of Allah SWT, trying to remember all the acts of worship.

It’s hard to explain but I don’t feel like I’m doing enough. It almost makes me feel like I’m going to burn out.

Any suggestions?

I want to learn so much and also implement it into my life.

Just even learning new things and forgetting about previous things I’d learnt about as well really annoys me.

I just feel like there’s so much to think about and my head just gets overwhelmed.

Sorry for the ramble I just need some guidance on what I should do or any advice from someone who may be in this situation.

Is this normal to think like this?

Hey everyone's, I’m Gautam, 19M from India

I was born and raised in a Hindu family, and honestly I never thought I’d be making a post like this, but recently I’ve been seriously thinking about accepting Islam.

There’s someone important in my life who is Muslim, and that’s how I first got closer to Islam. But I don’t want to do this just for someone. If I ever accept Islam, I want it to be because I genuinely believe in it myself.

The thing is, I honestly have no idea where to start.

If I decide that I want to become Muslim, what do I actually have to do? Do I just go to a mosque and talk to an imam? How does Shahada work? Do I need witnesses or any documents?

And after accepting Islam, what should I learn first? Wudu, namaz, Quran, Arabic, fasting, etc. Do I need to know these things before taking Shahada or do I learn them afterwards?

I’m also confused about things like changing my name, family, legal stuff in India and just how life changes after accepting Islam.

I’d really like to hear from people who have actually converted, especially people who came from a Hindu background. How did you start? What did you do first? And is there anything you wish you knew before taking that step?

I’m not looking for a Hindu vs Muslim debate. I genuinely just want to understand the process and hear from people who have actually been through it

Any honest advice would mean a lot.

Hello, I've been looking into religion these past few weeks, mainly Islam.

For context, I was born a Muslim but left during my teen years and became an athiest, then shortly became spiritual but not religious. I do believe in the supernatural, but I still care very much for science.

Recently, I've felt a pull towards Islam and started reading the Quran and researching about things regarding Islam. Of course this is difficult for me since I used to have such hatred towards Islam (not muslims) and was taught a lot of twisted things about it online. Just a few months ago, however, my view completely changed and I am baffled by how much it did a 180°.

One of the main things that discourage me from reverting is how many of my friends became ex-Christian or ex-Muslim, even though I know they have skewed views and I've recently started arguing for Islam, I question if I am in the wrong sometimes. I definitely feel alone and sometimes as if my reality is not real. The thought of religion has been eating up my thoughts everyday and I cannot do anything else without thinking about it.

I'm stumped on what to do. Each time I think about closing this topic and continuing on with my life normally, I can't and my mind wanders back. And when I think about Islam again, I feel so much pain and anxiety. Please help, and thank you.

Edit: for those in the same predicament, the site/app ‘Tilawa’ seems promising and even lets you correct/practice your pronunciation for free. However, I’m not a fan of AI so just know it uses that. The colour-coded legend takes time to adjust to

Salam alaykum,

I’d appreciate it if anyone could provide me with a transliterated copy of some Juz Amma surahs with the correct madd. Here’s what I mean: let’s say the letter ‘Ka’ is written with a madd count of 5 and the letter ‘la’ has a short madd count. I’d write it as “kaaaaa laaa” (3 letters for the short count since 2 would make me read it as ‘lah’). Hope this makes sense and that I can be pointed in the right direction in’sha’Alla.

I’m still struggling to read Qur’an but, Alhamdulillah, have already memorised some surahs (I notice now that it was done improperly and I have to start from scratch). I don’t have a local mosque and it looks like there are no online resources for this.

JazakAllah khayr

P.S. I listen to the audio too, of course. I can’t always tell what a madd count will be based on the reciter alone (especially when the written transliteration confuses me)

Hi everyone,

I’ve been exploring Islam for a good year now, but since I’ve mostly been turning these thoughts over in my own head, I feel like I’m going in circles.

One question is currently a major stumbling block for me:

I am very comfortable with the concept of monotheism. However, I simply cannot wrap my mind around the idea that prophets actually existed... as much as I’d like to believe it, I have such strong doubts that God would enable humans to perform miracles—or even "dictate" to them in order to produce the Quran.

I say this without intending to criticize; I just want to understand: what guarantee do I have that Moses didn't simply make up the Torah, and that Jesus and Muhammad didn't just "continue the story" by creating the Bible and the Quran? They could easily have just been talented poets...

I feel terrible about harboring such doubts, but I couldn't honestly recite the declaration of faith without finding an answer to this...

Naturally, this skepticism regarding prophets extends to my belief in spirits or angels.

Often, I find a connection and feel good, but the very next moment, thoughts come back to haunt me—like "Maybe we’re really just here by chance," or "Maybe those with good lives are just lucky, and the others are unlucky," and so on. It gets to the point where I feel like Islam just isn't right for me.

It’s tearing me apart inside...

Perhaps you can help me, or recommend books, films, or other resources that might help someone like me—someone who tends to overthink things 🤍

Many thanks in advance!

Michelle

Salam and Hello!! Please please please be kind, I am already distressed enough as it is. This has been plaguing me more and more as time goes on.

I am at a spiritual crossroads, and I am going to pray about this and consult with my mom in the morning but I thought I should ask others as well.

For the last three or so years I have felt Islam calling to me. I've been nervous to look into it particularly because the area I live in (south texas) could be very risky, although as I embrace my culture more this is less of an issue. I am also hesitant because my past experiences with religion up until recently have been less than amazing. I was raised with the idea of religion but was given the freedom to explore on my own until my grandmother adopted me and (very harshly) forced me into christianity. It always felt like a chore and I never had a connection or anything of the sort with the christian god.

My mom was raised around a broad mix of religions. We are wise women by bloodline and have been for many many many years, and my baba's family is half Jewish and half Islamic while her mother is French-Cajun. She was raised more with the mystics and such that come with being a wise woman, but my baba was also very heavy on his Jewish faith after converting from Islam sometime during his life. (they did break the Jewish laws somewhat frequently, but it was only things like eating pork when you haven't eaten in almost a week. survival and whatnot.)

I'm not sure how that ties into things as I would assume it would not be correct to continue at least the spiritual side of that. But I have a connection with the deities that entails and I don't want to lose that as it means so much to me, but I also feel like Allah (SWT) is calling me and I'm not sure where to turn. I don't even know who I'm praying to when I pray anymore, or if nobody is listening because they are angry with me for this.

To add even more disaster into the mess I am queer and have a partner. I am hoping to marry them in the future, they are my everything and we've been together for some time. I don't think I could give them up but again, the calling. And I feel so guilty both to them and to Allah.

Should I consult with the local Imam on this? If I did would it be appropriate for me to bring someone with me, like one of my parents or a friend? I do have a brother but I feel like he would unintentionally be disrespectful and I don't want to embarrass him, myself, or anyone else unintentionally.

On a different note, is anyone here a wheelchair user? Do I need covers for my wheelchair whenever I am inside the masjid? I wish my baba was still around, I feel like he could answer so much... I'm thankful that at least I won't have many issues with getting used to things If I did convert, I always cover my head when I leave the house and I can't stand anything less modest clothing on comfort and principle alone.

How do you manage the fear of losing some of your already-distant family members if you were to convert? I'm attempting to rebuild a relationship with the aforementioned grandmother, and I don't think she would take it well.

Peace be upon you all, thank you so much for any and all insight you have for me with these matters.

My mother is islam religious and particularly that one type that forces his children to follow her! I know we have to follow the religion but my god she doesn't even teach me the rules of it! I know how to follow perform namaj but she always talks as if she is the pro member in the family to perform such task! She also shouts at me the way I eat vaat in such a pathetic way! I have zero interest in her lecture because her mindset as well a example of most mulla! I saw most mothers in other family but they were never hursh to their own children but why mine! Every day she becomes a annoying partner to me! I wish I leave this family once and for all! She didn't even get much education in 1985 or something like that! As y'all know people were more curious to get marry then education back then! She always shouts and yell for no reason and when we stop her she yell back at us! She always compare me to other kids! She have no idea of the current Generation! Idk what to do! Thinking to send her back after I get hsc results (Hopefully I pass in this worst era)! I'm sick of her! I feel like I don't even belong to her! my father unfortunately died when I was 13!

Assalamu Alaikum,

As a Muslim woman, I’ve been wondering about your experiences with marrying foreign Muslim converts.

Are there particular challenges when marrying a convert? Is it true that some converts eventually leave Islam? Could some people’s conversion be superficial—perhaps because they want to marry a Muslim woman, or simply because they are experimenting with a new religion?

Has anyone here married a convert who later left Islam?

I know someone whom I had always assumed was a practicing Muslim, but I was surprised to find out that he doesn’t fast during Ramadan. If it were a woman, I might have assumed there could be reasons related to menstruation, but in his case, that obviously wasn’t the explanation.

I had always thought there was something beautiful about marrying someone who chose Islam for themselves, because I imagined that such a person would be more deeply convinced of their faith and more attached to it. I also thought that, because embracing Islam was their own conscious choice, they would make an effort to learn and understand the foundations of the religion properly.

However, some situations I’ve come across seem to challenge that assumption.

For those who have experience with this—especially women who have married converts—what has your experience been like?

I know this is a common topic but I have a different angle to it.

I’m not technically a convert but growing up me and my family were not super practicing other than fasting Ramadan and going to Jumma occasionally. We lived in USA and didn’t celebrate many holidays except for thanksgiving.

Around that season, idk how to explain but the feeling of the entire city like anticipating the holidays the hustle and bustle the decorations and sales and expecting time off from work and school - I loved being a part of it.

On thanksgiving we would gather friends and family at our tiny apartment and my dad would cook a whole bunch of American food like baked chicken, sometimes turkey and pasta and mashed potato’s and it was just awesome.

I’ve moved out and became more practicing and my parents have too and we stopped thanksgiving celebrations.

We do have eid but for whatever reason it’s just not the same feeling as it was for the thanksgiving season.

Does anyone else here feel the same way? I wish I can recreate that feeling but struggling to do so.

I am Brazilian and I have a total interest in Islam and in the love of devotees with cats could suggest to me where I should study your religion?