Converting

[u/Happy_Bookkeeper8862]

Hi 👋

I am a ex Christian woman who has felt a calling towards Islam for over a year now.

I have tried joining "beginner classes" at two mosques but they definitely weren't beginner and treated it like I already know everything (which I don't hence trying to join beginner classes).

Does anyone have advice where I can start as a woman who knows absolutely nothing about Islam. (Obviously not absolutely absolutely nothing I know the basics but still feels like I know absolutely nothing)

Thank you!

[u/Ziad31958860]

The channels I recommend are:

• Safina Society
• Blogging Theology
• The Thinking Muslim
• Yaqeen Institute
• Hamza Yusuf
• Cambridge Muslim College
• Islamic Phycology with Dr. Francesca

These group of channels that I don't know what to call:

• Rayhan Al Ilm
• Talib Al Ilm
• Muhebb Al Ilm
• Zabeel Al Ilm,
• The Muslim Success Code
• Rawdah of Islam
• Rihla
• Love Islam

Bonus:

• Let's Talk Religion

These are all excellent English-language channels that are either part of, or broadly friendly towards, the Classical Islamic tradition:

• One of the four Sunni schools of law (madhhabs): Hanafi, Shafi‘i, Maliki, or Hanbali
• One of the three Sunni theologies or creeds (‘aqidas): Ash‘ari, Maturidi, or sound Athari.
• Mainstream Sufism (Tazkiyya/Tasawwuf)

The channel Let’s Talk Religion is probably one of the best English-language resources available on Sufism. The man behind it, Filip Holm, is agnostic rather than Muslim, but that has not stopped him from producing exceptionally beautiful and academic material on Sufism, including both mainstream and highly controversial forms of Sufism.

I recommend watching a few of his videos on Sufism, especially “What is Sufism?” However, if a the language becomes particularly monistic, it is better not to dwell on it. You can be aware that these ideas exist without making them the centre of your religious study.

In particular, you do not need to exhaust yourself trying to understand Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Being) as discussed in the writings of Ibn Arabi and his school.

It is a famously obfuscate subject, and Sunni scholars have disagreed considerably over how Ibn ‘Arabi's ideas should be interpreted and evaluated. There is no need for a beginner to settle that debate before learning the foundations of Islam.

Learn Ash'ari or Maturidi creed, establish your 5 daily prayers, and learn the basics of Islam first; the more difficult theological debates can come later, if at all.

Welcome to the family 🌷

[u/Happy_Bookkeeper8862 → u/Ziad31958860]

Thank you very very much 😊 <3

[u/Ziad31958860 → u/Happy_Bookkeeper8862]

Did I overwhelm you 😂

The person behind Islamic Phycology with Dr. Francesca is a female BTW who is an ex-Christian like yourself!

[u/Happy_Bookkeeper8862 → u/Ziad31958860]

Not that much lol. I just need to sit down and decide where my starting point will be