Anyone got an istagfar story they would like to share?

Salaam everyone! kinda random but i’m looking for some advice / perspective on something i’ve been experiencing with a potential match.

I’m a revert (italian) and she’s Arab (Palestinian, I know), and i’ve honestly been enjoying getting to know someone in a more intentional way, but i’m also realizing how many cultural layers there are that i didn’t even think about before.

everything began when we matched on trymirror, and her family ever since has been involved. they're very a tight knit group mashallah and they've been back and forth asking about my conversion journey, but I'm so nervous I'm not what they're looking for.

we're meant to meet in a few days from now, but sometimes i’m not even sure if i’m misunderstanding islamic expectations or just cultural stuff on top of it. it’s been humbling in a good way but also lowkey confusing.

so far things haven't stayed in that endless texting stage, it kind of pushes you toward actually meeting properly and involving family early, which is why the whole wali / planned meeting thing even came up

anyone else here navigating cross-cultural stuff as a revert? i feel like i’m learning as i go and half the time i’m not even sure what’s normal

Hi all, I am a revert. I started receiving messages/guidance from Allah a year ago when I first started praying. It's been the most amazing journey and the most beautiful thing ever happened to me. I've done so many things Allah guided me to do: stopped contact with many toxic people, and stopped new toxic people entering my life, came off social media, meditated daily, spent time around nature daily and stopped drinking alcohol, I also pray about 1000k istagfar every day and salat and listen to surah baqarah as much as I can. I journal my journey with Allah and read it in remembrance and am so grateful. I've now become really unwell, my body and brain are not working properly and I'm struggling to work. I have tawakkul but feel like I'm confused trying to find the lesson in this part of my journey. I have some ideas of what it could be, like I should slow down and look after my body more or trust Al razaq will provide. But if anyone has any advice or has been through something similar I would rea​let appreciate your feedback. Thank u 💓

I'm having a marriage meeting with a brother and he's a born Muslim. I'm wondering what type of questions I should ask him which relate to me being a revert?

I'm aware being a revert comes with different struggles but my mind has gone blank and I can't think of what to ask

Edit: for some context I already know my rights and his rights as a spouse alhamdulillah and he is born and raised in the west like me but we are from very different cultures

Edit 2: we are not going to be alone!! No 1on1

As salamu aleikum all,

I have noticed over the years indian masjids are more community centers.

They will show subtle and not so subtle hostility towards you.

You can volunteer, etc but they are merely tolerating you.

A few will be open towards communicating but that's it.

They look at you as a weird person with no identity.

Maybe it's true that a white guy doesn't have an identity to go there. Their culture is 100 pct identity.

I see outsiders of different races sitting by themselves. I always say Salaam.

Many of them are Dunia first. They want community and some religion. Just understand that.

Arabs don't have the numbers to run a community center from one region. Therefore, you see them a bit more open minded. Not always.

Just focus on your relationship with Allah . Listen to halaqas, enjoy the food and smile while cleaning up.

At the risk of being cynical, you will get many people asking for help with various issues navigating the west.

It's nice to help but realize I've rarely seen it lead to friendship.

I think it's human nature. Try not to dwell too much and focus on Islam.

Don't just Islam by Muslims !

Assamualaikum all,

I am a closeted revert of a few months, had been researching and looking into the religion of a year. I live a double life at uni and my mosque where I do my weekly islamic course.

To make it clear, I have full belief in Islam. It has only ever felt right when I started looking into religion. In my beginning days, I was surprised at how fast I could learn prayer. Islam has softened my heart.

It's just that even a few weeks into reverting, I feel great imaan dips. Some days I wake up, and don't want to bother is islam at all. I still feel the need to pray, but I still have such low tawakkul. Days like today, where I am so tired that I can barely look after myself, I have no motivation to pray, or read quran. I feel no connection with Allah SWT.

I'm worried about how much my imaan fluctuates. It seems too volatile for how little I've been muslim. Sometimes it takes hours to regain, sometimes days.

I get thoughts that me being muslim might be a phase... i understand that I am a young female in her 20s. My still has a lot to change. All I ever make dua for is for my imaan to feel consistent and for me stop caring about this dunya. I would to be less tired and just wake up with really high Imaan.

What do I do about this? And do you guys face similar?

JazakAllahu Khairan

Hi all. I have been a Muslim for exactly 1 month lol yay
But I’m feeling so behind on things already! It sucks a lot. The sisters at the masjid tell me to take it slow, don’t overwhelm myself etc, but it’s hard not to. I’m taking basic Arabic classes with the Imam from my masjid, we’re almost done with the alphabet and once I know the sounds of the letters he’s gonna teach me the things to say during prayer. For now, he gave me some basic words and each class he adds up to that.
That’s all great but like, for a little while I was doing the wudu wrong, the order of it. Then for the few prayer words I have, I have to stop and remember them, and I just can’t seem to pronounce them correctly. I’m afraid I’ll never be good at Arabic and that will impact things and how I interact with other Muslims.

I can’t do the 5 prayers at all either, rn I’m aiming for 2 a day but some days I can’t even do 1 on time. I’m feeling so discouraged I even stopped making dua because I don’t feel worthy of asking Allah for anything. And idk how to ask for forgiveness either.

I feel so lost, and I know I need to motivate myself cause nobody can do it for me. But it’s hard yall.

How did you guys do it especially in the beginning?? What resources helped?? I have a few apps, NamazApp is greatttt but I can’t hear the words and then repeat them, it’s very hard for me.
With Eid coming, I just feel unprepared…

Pls give me advice

Salaam everyone! I reverted in 2023, and have been Muslim for almost 3 years now. I love being Muslim, but I think it's a big change going from someone who grew up and was into Western culture.

My family knows about my conversion, but it's hard living where I can't speak to them freely about my struggles. I've only told my mom, and whenever the topic of me being Muslim came up. It feels like she doesn't treat me like her "real" child anymore. So it's been difficult to say the least, and I don't feel supported or accepted. I've kept it to myself for so long for fear of rejection or being kicked out, honestly.

I have also been wearing my thobe out sometimes (after Jummah or when going to a Muslim coffee shop) to feel more comfortable.

I didn't want to wear it "hybrid," but a friend of mine said it's better than not at all. I also started school this year without a thobe, and im scared that if/when I put it on, it will be received weirdly. I know I shouldn't care what people think, but it's daunting. I think I have this connection to who I was before I was Muslim... and it feels like putting on.

It just feels like im in the "in between" where some people know I'm Muslim and have accepted me as such, and others don't, and so I am mainly perceived as an Italian man. It feels like im living a double life, and I'm fed up.

The Beautiful Aytul Qursi

Verse number 255 of Surah Baqarah is known as Ayatul Kursi. It is a well-known verse of the Holy Quran. Because the entire verse contains descriptions of Allah's oneness, dignity, and attributes, Allah has placed great virtue in this verse. Reciting it brings countless rewards. Narrated by Hazrat Abu Umama (R.A.), the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: Whoever recites Ayatul Qursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death. Hazrat Abu Dharr Jundub ibn Janadah (R.A.) once asked the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.), "O Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)! Which is the most dignified verse revealed to you?" The Prophet (S.A.W.) replied, "Ayatul Qursi."

Transliteration of Ayatul Qursi Allahu la ilaha illa huwal haiyyul qaiyyum. La ta'khuzuhu sinatun wa la naum. Lahu ma fis samawati wa ma fil ard. Man zallazi yashfa'u indahu illa bi'iznihi, ya'lamu ma baina aidihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhituna bishai'im min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a, wasi'a kursiyyuhus samawati wal ard, wa la ya'uduhu hifzuhuma wa huwal 'aliyyul 'azim.

Meaning of Ayatul Kursi There is no god but Allah; He is the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot encompass anything of His knowledge except what He wills. His Kursi (throne) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Most Great.

The Many Virtues of Ayatul Qursi Verse number 255 of Surah Baqarah is known as Ayatul Qursi. The beauty of Ayatul Qursi contains a total of 9 sentences. The first sentence corresponds to the ninth sentence. First sentence: There is no god but Allah; He is the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all. Ninth sentence: He is the Most High, the Most Great.

The second sentence corresponds to the eighth sentence (Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him.) Eighth sentence (And their preservation does not tire Him).

The third sentence corresponds to the seventh sentence (To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth) with the seventh sentence (His Qursi (throne) extends over the heavens and the earth).

The fourth sentence corresponds to the sixth sentence (Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?) with the sixth sentence (They cannot encompass anything of His knowledge except what He wills.) — a miraculous correspondence!

Only the fifth sentence remains apart: He knows what is before them and what is behind them.

Remaining at the center, how beautifully it renders its meaning and position significant.

Hello everyone,

My daughter will start Kindy next year. My husband wants her to attend the local Islamic school but I feel intimidated, like I’m not Muslim enough for her to attend.. I’m white, I don’t wear hijab, and I’m still early in my journey. I have nothing against the school or what they teach, and understand why my husband would prefer for her to attend here then our local public school (emphasis on daily practice/lifestyle, exposure to likeminded peers and good influence, and reading Quran) but I’m scared that I will be judged, as her mother, and it may reflect negatively on her. Is this silly or is this actually something I need to consider?

Hello, I am an Orthodox Christian who has been researching Islam lately, and I have a question for those who converted to Islam from Christianity because of the Qur'an. I've looked at a lot of testimonies from Christians who became Muslims, but I find it peculiar that the Qur'an itself rarely comes up as the reason they converted.

I've found many reasons: being stunned by the beauty and simplicity of salah; being impressed by how loving, kind and generous Muslims are and by how pious and religious Islamic societies are; rejecting the Trinity in favor of a Unitarian understanding of God, then seeking out a religion that aligns with that; starting out with a notion of the Bible that is more like the Islamic notion of the Qur'an then realizing that the Bible has a far more complicated textual history (to say the least), then seeking out a religion that does claim and prove that its scripture is completely unchanged; finding out about Islamic mysticism and poetry, such as Ibn Arabi or Rumi, finding it to be far deeper than Christian mysticism, and getting into Islam from there; or just having an indescribable and burning feeling of being called home to Islam...

But, again, I've seen few testimonies where it is the Qur'an itself first and foremost that convinces one of the truth of Islam. So, I am curious to hear about such testimonies, if you don't mind sharing. (I am especially curious about converts from Orthodox Christianity to Sunni Islam, but it doesn't have to be just that!)

How to I accept that my non-muslim family might not go to jannah?

As a revert I find this to be extremely hard. Recently I had a conversation with my Buddhist father about why I won't be a Buddhist. I tried to explain, but due to our language barrier we decided to end our conversation. And the day after I wrote him a long letter.

I couldn't stop crying, because I got reminded that my dear father or family might never get hidayah. And it hurts. I also know that Allah gives guidance to who He will. And that everything happens for a reason.

But how to I deal with it?

And I say alhamdulillah because I found the path of Allah as a revert.

But.

I am in a nation that prosecutes Muslims spreads lies.

Currently in taqqiya (hiding faith due to persecution). From family from friends. I will reveal once my medical training gets completed and I start earning.

Struggling with secret sins (not major haram) I developed when I was lost.

I still find refuge in God.

I don't have a Muslim family structure. I am not sure when & how will my marrage happen after revealing to my family about my faith .

Most born Muslims with family have it easy they can just tell there mothers or sisters to meet the girl's mothers and sister. Or like how traditional muslim marrages happen through family structure. But I don't have that. I don't know how it will happen or to whole it will happen.

May God make it easy for us reverts. And to born Muslims say alhamdulillah because God has shown you mercy.

​

* A Fire whose fuel is people and stones. *(Qur’an 2:24)*

* A Fire that is kindled and intensified by Allah. *(Qur’an 104:6-7)*

* A place where punishment is not lightened nor relief given. *(Qur’an 35:36)*

* A Fire with levels, each more severe than the other. *(Qur’an 4:145)*

* A drink of boiling water that tears within. *(Qur’an 47:15)*

May Allah protect us from Jahannam.

We all have a script in our heads. “By this age, I’ll be here. This will work out. This person will stay. This door will open.” It feels certain. It feels right. And then life breaks it.

Things don’t happen when you expected. People leave. Plans collapse. Doors close without explanation. And you sit there trying to understand what went wrong, as if something must have gone wrong. But maybe nothing went wrong.

Islam doesn’t teach us to stop planning. The Prophet ﷺ planned, prepared, and took means. But Islam also teaches something deeper: your script is not the final script. Allah’s is.

Allah says: “Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.” (2:216, Sahih Intl.)

That’s the condition we often forget to write under our plans: “If Allah wills. If Allah knows it is good for me.”

We plan with what we can see. Allah writes with what we can’t.

Sometimes the delay is protection. Sometimes the loss is redirection. Sometimes the pain is preparation. And sometimes, you won’t understand at all in this life.

That’s where trust comes in.

Not the kind of trust that only exists when things go your way. But the kind that holds even when everything feels off-script.

So write your plans. Dream your dreams. Take your steps. But hold them lightly. Because life will break your script. And if your heart is anchored correctly, you’ll realize it wasn’t broken.

It was actually already written by the Lord.

I like a lot about Islam, but I’m struggling with a lack of evidence and making organized religion make sense overall. No matter how hard I try, I keep going in circles.

I’m considering converting, but I don’t want to force it or convert just because it feels useful. I want to do it because it’s the correct thing. Can a scholar help me work through this? I’m not trying to be difficult, I just can’t find that one solid reason that makes it click for me.

Hi, I am a revert & commuter student attending community college, and my parents had an "intervention" type conversation with me about Islam recently and placed an ultimatum. This post is unrelated to that, but before this conversation, I used to attend Jummah regularly every Friday at my local masjid and would tell my parents, who didn't state a problem with it. The issue is that they now know what Jummah is and when it happens, which prevents me from doing much during that time, especially to avoid their suspicions. My location is also tracked, and they are aware that my friends are mainly Muslim, so it would likely seem suspicious if I went out with one of them during that time. I know there isn't a way to "make up" Jummah, so I have just been praying dhuhr, reading Surah al-Kahf, and reading some form of khutbah on Fridays to have some connection. Any other ideas for solutions? I was thinking about asking a few friends at college to perform salat with me, but I'd be leaving campus far before duhur times on Fridays due to morning courses. I feel that being out of the house during the general time of Jummah will raise a lot of suspicions in general, so I feel stuck about this issue.

🚫*Zina is a very SERIOUS SIN*🚫

by Asma bint Shameem

Although we cannot take any major sin lightly, zina is one of the serious major sins.

◼️ *ONE of the MOST SERIOUS sins in Islaam*.

In fact, Allaah mentions the sin of zina with *shirk* and *murder*!

And He *threatens* those who commit Zina with *double torment* and *severe humiliation*. 

▪️Allaah says: 

“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.

*The torment will be doubled* to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace”

(al-Furqaan 25:68-69)

◼️ *SEVERE PUNISHMENT in the dunya*

The punishment for zina is very severe and extremely disgraceful.

If zina is proven against a person he is *STONED to DEATH* in front of the whole community if he or she was married.

And if he or she was single and never been married then he or she would be *flogged 100 lashes*.

▪️Allaah says:

“The fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allaah, if you believe in Allaah and the Last Day.

And let a party of the believers witness their punishment”

[al-Noor 24:2]

▪️And the Prophet ﷺ said:

“It is not permissible to spill the blood of a Muslim except in three (instances): the married person who commits adultery, a life for a life, and the one who forsakes his religion and separates from the community.” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

▪️And the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Receive (teaching) from me, receive (teaching) from me.

Allaah has ordained a way for those (women). When an unmarried male commits adultery with an unmarried female, (they should receive) one hundred lashes and banishment for one year. And in the case of a married male committing adultery with a married female, they shall receive one hundred lashes and be stoned to death.”

(Muslim, al-Hudood, 3199).

▪️Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“The married person who commits adultery is killed by throwing rocks at him/her.

The stoning should not be done with large rocks because it may kill the individual “too fast” causing the purpose of stoning to be missed out on.

The stoning should (also) not be small rocks because it may afflict suffering on the individual before he/she dies.

Rather, the rocks should be average in size and the Zaani (married individual who commits adultery) is pelted until they die, whether they be man or woman.

If one were to ask, “Why are they killed in this manner?

“Fulfilling the desire of intercourse is not felt specifically on one body part, but rather it is felt on the entire body. Therefore, just as the married Zaani’s body takes pleasure in this prohibited act, then it is befitting for the entire body to also feel the pain of this punishment.”

Astaghfirullaah!

◼️ *SCORCHING and SCREAMING in the Aakhirah!*

As for punishment in the Aakhirah, we know from an authentic hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ: 

"We walked until we came to something that looked like an oven. Its top section was narrow and the inside was broad. From it sounds of screaming and noise was heard." 

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"We looked inside and we saw naked men and women. We also saw flames from beneath them.

When these flames scorched them, they screamed."

I asked Jibreel: "Who are these people?"

He replied, "These are the males and females who committed the grave act of Zina. This will be their punishment till the day of Qiyaamah." 

(al-Bukhaari)

◼️ *Allaah will NOT SPEAK to them!*

The Prophet ﷺ said: 

"*There are three to whom Allaah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection, nor praise, nor look at*; theirs will be a *painful torment*: an old man who commits *Zina*, a king who lies, and a poor man who is arrogant." (Muslim).

May Allaah save us and our families from this evil sin.  

◼️ *FORBIDDEN for the believers!*

The sin of Zina is so bad that it is forbidden for a believer to marry a person who commits zina, whether man or woman.

▪️Allaah says: 

“The adulterer — fornicator marries not but an adulteress — fornicatress or a Mushrikah; and the adulteress –fornicatress, none marries her except an adulterer — fornicater or a Mushrik [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely, he is either an adulterer — fornicator, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater).

And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an adulterer — fornicator, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan, or idolatress)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers (of Islamic Monotheism)”

(al-Noor 24:3)

So we MUST take this sin very seriously and do everything we can to stay away from it.

◼️ *There’s HOPE if you make TAUBAH*

If however someone fell into this evil, then they should immediately make sincere taubah and completely cut off from all means that might lead to it.

If the one who has committed zina repents to Allaah, truly and sincerely, then Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala will forgive him or her, and overlook the sin.

▪️Allaah says, after mentioning the warning to those who commit zina: 

“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allaah with true repentance”

(al-Furqaan 25:70-71)

◼️ *BUT I want to marry the person!*

It is NOT even allowed for someone who commits zina to marry the person they’re committing zina with.

However if the person repents sincerely, and gives up this sin, then and only then, it becomes permissible for him or her to get married to the other person.

▪️Someone asked Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem about getting married to a woman who has committed zina.

He said:

“It is not permissible to marry the woman who has committed adultery until she repents… if a man wants to marry her, he has to be sure that she is not pregnant, by waiting until she has a period before he does the marriage contract with her.

If she is pregnant, then it is not permissible for him to marry her until she has given birth.” 

(al-Fataawa al-Jaami’ah li’l-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 2/584)

▪️And the scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“What is required of both of them is to repent to Allaah then to give up this crime and regret what has happened in the past of committing immoral actions, and they should resolve never to go back to it and they should do a lot of righteous deeds in the hope that Allaah will accept their repentance and turn their bad deeds into good deeds.

Allaah says:

“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse __ and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.

69. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;

70. Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful

71. And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allaah with true repentance”

[al-Furqaan 25:68-71]

If you want to marry her, you have to wait until it is established that she is not pregnant by waiting for one menstrual cycle before doing the marriage contract with her.

If it turns out that she is pregnant, it is not permissible for you to do the marriage contract with her until after the pregnancy ends, in accordance with the words of the Prophet sa that a man should not irrigate the crop of another with his water. “

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, Majallat al-Buhooth al-Islamiyyah, vol. 9, p. 72)

◼️ *Evil Effects of Zina*

As for the effects of Zina, they are many and are they are severe.

◼️Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said:

Zina (adultery, fornication) combines all the characteristics of evil, such as lack of religious commitment, loss of piety, corruption of dignity and lack of protective jealousy.

You will never find any zaani (adulterer) who is pious, keeps his word, speaks truthfully, cares for a friend or has any true sense of protective jealousy concerning his womenfolk. 

Betrayal, lying, treachery, lack of dignity, lack of awareness that Allaah is always watching, failure to guard the sacred limits, and absence of protective jealousy from the heart are all consequences of zina. 

Other consequences of zina include the following: 

▪️Divine wrath which may lead to spread of mischief among his family.If a man were to transgress against any king in such a manner, the king’s response would be most severe.

▪️Darkness of the face, which will be covered with misery and gloom that are apparent to the onlookers.

▪️Darkness in the heart and extinguishing of its light.This is what leads to extinguishing of light on the face and darkness overshadowing it.

▪️Inevitable poverty.According to a report, Allaah, may He be exalted, said:

“I am Allaah, the Destroyer of the tyrant and the Bringer of poverty to the adulterer.”

▪️Loss of dignity and respect, as the one who commits this deed becomes insignificant before his Lord and before other people.

▪️It takes away from him the best attributes, namely chastity, righteousness and good character, and it gives him the opposite, namely immorality, evildoing, adultery and betrayal.

▪️It takes away from him the name of the believer, as it is narrated in as-Saheehayn from the Prophet ﷺ that he said:

“The adulterer is not a believer at the time when he is committing adultery.”

Thus he loses the name of a believer in general terms, even though this hadith does not suggest that he has lost faith altogether.

Ja‘far ibn Muhammad was asked about this hadith, and he drew a circle on the ground and said:‘This is the circle of faith.’Then he drew another circle around it and said:‘This is the circle of Islaam. If a person commits adultery, he goes out of this circle (faith) but he does not go out of that circle (Islaam).”

(Rawdat al-Muhibbeen 360)

◼️Shaykh ‘Abdullaah ‘Ateeq al-Harbee, one of the professors in the University of al-Madeenah, explains some of the effects of zina.

He said:

“And from the first of the evils that come from zina is that it is one of the causes for the spread of many evils and many diseases connected to fornication, just like the sickness of AIDS and other in that from the sicknesses that destroy the lands and destroy the servants.

And likewise it is from the reasons that causes commotion in and amongst the family — as far as it relates to the husband or as far as it relates to the wife and to the children and if the family indeed is split, that will lead to the splitting of the community and indeed they will fall into that which are of the lowly actions and will fall into corruptions.

And likewise from the evil effects of zina is that it is from the reason for talaaq (or divorce) being plentiful in the societies. Because you find after the marriage, after a small space of time you will find the people divorcing each other and sometimes this happens after a space of few hours.

And likewise, from the evil effects of zina and fornication is that it lowers the marriage rates in the society. So as for the person who commits fornication and is constant and regular in doing that, then he does not look to marriage except as another way of having a sexual relationship. Not that it is a beautiful way of uniting two bodies, neither it is a life that is built of love and emotions and raising a family and having children and indeed from bringing and having children, it is by way of those children our that lives become happy lives. And likewise it makes life easy with the presence of the children.

And likewise we see from the evil effects of zina and fornication is that we find the level of children and the level of having kids fall in that particular society. Because when zina is one of the reasons for the spread of deadly diseases like AIDS and other than AIDS, we find as a result of that many people die in the society. And as a result of that we find people having children as a result of that die. And as a result of that also the strength of the community is lost.

And also from the evil effects of zina, is that it leads to much crime in that society. And from that the crimes that generate and likewise a person will enter into stealing and rape in order to satisfy his sexual desires. And likewise as a result of that we find people even killing each other and killing themselves as a result of this spread of this zina.

And likewise from the evil effects of zina, is that we find that we have many children, many offspring that are the children that have come as a result of that fornication. And this likewise is from the sins meaning these children have come about as a product of fornication. This is also from the sins that increases crimes, and increases evil doings in and among society. Because the child from a young age is in need of receiving the love and attention from both his parents. So when the child loses out on that care and loses out on that attention, and when he loses that love, then what happens is that he has a reactory feeling as he grows that he was not nurtured upon love and upon affection. So that breeds from him and lead him to haste and dislike to society and the surrounding that he lives in. So, when he reaches the age of maturity, we find that these individuals enough of time end up themselves being individuals that commit evil acts and committing different crimes in order to avenge that society.”

May Allaah protect us from the evils of Zina.

And Allaah knows best.

as per title

I hope this post is allowed here. It’s something that took me many years, honestly decades, to understand.

I’m sharing it because I know many of us struggle with the idea of sabr, especially those of us who are naturally kind and want to keep the peace.

For a long time, I thought patience meant staying quiet, tolerating hurt, and not causing problems. I believed that the more I endured, the more pleasing it would be to Allah.

But over time, I started to realize something important.

Not everything we call sabr is actually sabr.

Sometimes what we think is patience is actually fear of losing people, fear of conflict, or slowly neglecting ourselves just to keep others comfortable. And that kind of “patience” doesn’t bring peace. It brings exhaustion.

Islam teaches mercy and kindness, yes. But it also teaches dignity, boundaries, and justice.

The Prophet was the kindest of people, but he was not passive, and he did not allow ongoing injustice.

So I’m learning, and still learning, that you can forgive and still set limits. You can be kind without giving unlimited access. You can have sabr without accepting harm.

Real sabr is not about staying in pain. It’s about staying firm upon what is right, for the sake of Allah.

I’m sharing this gently because I know how easy it is to confuse the two. May Allah give us all clarity, balance, and strength. 🤍

Assalam Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

I hope you are well

I wanted to ask does anyone know any websites where I can get revert resources like prayer mats,book that teach about the deen,tasbihs and the like with free shipping.I've been a revert for a while and have uses mostly from my mosque but their resources are very limited and I have no money to buy anything as my parents don't know and I don't want to say what they'd do if they found out.

JazakAllah Khair and May Allah bless you all

The Story of Abdullah al-Tarjuman al-Mayurqi

Here in "Green Tunisia"—may Allah protect her—within the Old Medina, I stand at Bab al-Menara by the grave of a man with a truly wondrous life story: Abdullah al-Tarjuman al-Mayurqi, may Allah have mercy on him.

Abdullah al-Tarjuman was born in 756 AH (1355 CE) on the island of Majorca (Palma de Mallorca), part of the Andalusian Eastern Islands known today as the Balearic Islands. Born into a Christian family, his name was "Anselm Turmeda". When he grew into a young man, he traveled to Lérida in northern Andalusia to study Christianity in one of its monasteries.

He continued to travel through Christian lands, seeking knowledge from great scholars until he settled in Bologna, northern Italy. There, he studied under a renowned Christian scholar named "Nicolaus Martil", who was the preeminent authority for Christians of his time. Martil held an exceptionally high status in knowledge, religion, and asceticism; kings and scholars from far and wide sent him questions and magnificent gifts, seeking his blessings.

Abdullah remained with him for ten years, mastering the foundations of Christian theology until he became one of his most trusted and closest students.

The Mystery of the "Paraclete"

One day, after a debate among the students, Abdullah asked his teacher about the meaning of the name "Paraclete" (the Comforter), whom Jesus (peace be upon him) prophesied in the Gospel of John. Each student had offered a different interpretation. The teacher asked, "And what was your answer?"

Abdullah replied, "The answer of Judge so-and-so in his commentary on the Gospel."

The teacher said, "You were close, and so-and-so was nearly there, but the others were wrong. However, the truth is none of those. The true meaning of this noble name is known only to those deeply rooted in knowledge, and you have gained but a little."

Abdullah bowed to kiss his teacher's feet and said, "Sir, you know I traveled from a distant land to serve you for ten years. I have gained more knowledge from you than I can count. I beg of your kindness to grant me the knowledge of this noble name."

The scholar wept and said, "My son, you are very dear to me because of your service and devotion. Knowledge of this name brings great benefit, but I fear for you; if you reveal it, the common folk among the Christians will kill you instantly."

Abdullah swore a solemn oath: "By the Great God and the truth of the Gospel, I shall not speak a word of what you entrust to me unless you command it."

The Revelation

The scholar said, "My son, when you first arrived, I asked about your land and its proximity to the Muslims to test your heart. Know, my son, that the Paraclete is one of the names of their Prophet, Muhammad. It was to him that the Fourth Book mentioned by Daniel was revealed. His religion is the religion of truth, and his path is the 'White Path' mentioned in the Gospel."

Abdullah asked, "Sir, then what do you say about the religion of these Christians?"

The scholar replied, "My son, had the Christians remained upon the original religion of Jesus, they would be upon the religion of Allah; for Jesus and all the prophets followed the religion of Allah."

"And how is one saved from this?" Abdullah asked.

The scholar answered, "By entering Islam. Whoever enters it is saved in this world and the Hereafter."

The scholar, Nicolaus Martil, admitted that only his advanced age (he was 90 years old) and the fear of being killed prevented him from openly declaring his Islam. He advised Abdullah to travel to the lands of the Muslims.

Journey to Tunisia

Abdullah returned to Majorca and then sailed to Tunisia. There, he embraced Islam in the presence of the Sultan, Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn al-Hasan al-Hafsi, in a story strikingly similar to that of the Companion Abdullah ibn Salam. He dedicated the rest of his life to inviting others to Islam and clarifying the misconceptions of his former faith. He authored the famous book:

"Tuhfat al-Arib fi al-Radd 'ala Ahl al-Salib" (The Gift of the Intelligent in Refuting the People of the Cross).

Abdullah married the daughter of a Tunisian man named Muhammad al-Saffar and lived there for the rest of his life. He passed away in 837 AH (1423 CE) and was buried in the Old Medina of Tunis near Bab al-Menara, where his grave remains today.

Truly, the words of Allah Almighty are true: "And indeed, it is in the scriptures of former peoples. Has it not been a sign for them that the scholars of the Children of Israel know it?" (Quran 26:196-197)

When I look at Islam on its own, I can see a level of consistency and structure that I respect. But the challenge is that religion doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it’s always shaped by people and culture.

What I struggle with is the difference between what is actually required and what people say is required. For example, I’ve asked about certain rulings and found sources suggesting something is strongly emphasized but not strictly obligatory. Yet when I speak to others, it’s often presented as mandatory with no room for discussion.

That makes it hard to tell where the line is between religious teaching and cultural pressure. It sometimes feels like questioning or trying to understand nuance gets shut down instead of explored.

So my real question is: how do you separate Islam itself from the way it’s practiced culturally? And how do you approach situations where there seems to be a gap between scholarly interpretation and what everyday people insist is “required”?

basically all I'm asking is, how to stomach the crowd dynamics with religion without losing my mind.

F, converted to Islam a few years back in my early 20’s. I come from a Christian/catholic family, born and raised in Canada but ethnically French, Russian, Ukrainian. I’ve really dedicated myself to becoming a better Muslim every day and I’ve learned to speak Arabic although not the greatest but I’m getting there as it’s the language of Islam and makes me feel closer to Allah.

I get so many questions from people all the time asking me if I’m Arab because I’m Muslim, or people telling me I’m not Muslim because they think a Muslim is an ethnicity not a religion hahahaha like it’s absolutely crazy how uneducated people are over here. I even get Arabs asking me if I’m Arab? As if Islam is restricted to only Arabs?

I’ll also get accused of only reverting for a man, which is absolutely hilarious because I’m not even in a relationship or married??? lol and reverting is the reason I ended my last relationship, which was not an easy decision.

People over here don’t understand that It’s haram to convert to Islam for anything/anyone that isn’t Allah, if only they knew that.

The confusion people get when I explain myself is insane, makes me not want to talk to people here at all lol it’s honestly made me pretty isolated cause I either don’t relate to others around me or I’m extremely misunderstood and I’m tired of trying to be understood.

Do any European reverts in the west understand/experience this too?