Can you give some advice to a man from a conservative family who considers considering embracing Islam?

Question

Hello all. I am, at this point, a non-Muslim but have been doing some soul searching and considering embracing Islam. I have taken a class and studied about Islam at school and it just makes so much more sense than Christianity. I understand that the first step is to do my shahada, but before I dive into that I would love to have some more input from current muslims. It's just such a hard decision especially considering I come from a very conservative, white family that understands very very little about Islam. Unfortunately all they really know of Islam are people like Osama bin Laden and what he stands for. Can anyone give me any advice? Visit my page to help me~
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Answer 1

My advice, DON"T!!

Answer 2

First, you asked ONLY for advice from "current muslims" which tells me that you have made a decision but still use the word "considering" at this point. Such confusion is very common during a conversion process to any religion.

Secondly, it is easy to see the flaws in something familiar and close than in something more exotic and far away. Part of that is because you really don't have the whole picture. Look at both the pro and anti sites online. Keep in mind that the way a religion is presented to a potential convert has nothing to do with a fully balanced look. And, that presentation gets even more warped when the religious adherents believe they are "saving your soul" by getting you to change.

Thirdly, it wouldn't surprise me if people that you didn't know were using spiritual pressure by praying for your conversion. Take a break from it all and let your head clear. Go exercise, eat properly, turn off the computer/tv and get regular sleep, go out with friends or family, do charity work, but above all pray for clarity of mind. Make sure that you aren't caught up in a religious pressure cooker that your mind is simply trying to get out of by choosing what side it thinks will fix the problem.

Fourthly, a sudden decision to change your belief structure will cost you friends and family because they will feel betrayed. They will feel as if you have been lying to them. And, if you find out later that you didn't have all the facts or it was simply wrong for you to change, you can go back but it won't be the same. And, you will lose almost all if not all of your newer friends at that point. Before committing social hari-kari, talk to your family and friends about what you are going through. Part of any conversion process is to cut the individual off from their old life - their old roots. The way to prevent that is to keep communications open and take the time to patiently give those who love and care about you a chance to talk openly and honestly (even if you don't really want to hear it) about their concerns. It would be better to spend weeks or months now than lose them for a lifetime.

Hope it all works out for the best for you.

Answer 3

I am very happy that you are considering this decision but also sad that you will have to face many obstacles along the way. Islam can basically be molded to fit any lifestyle as long as you don't lose the main essence of it. First off to become Muslim, it is recommended you declare Shahada at a mosque in front of 2 witnesses; but God knows what's in your heart if you find that you are unable to find a mosque. Then you should take a purification bath and announce your intention. God willing, all your sins will be washed away and you'll start with a fresh slate. Congrats!

Often, I find that converts have an extreme thirst for knowledge and a sincere intent to perform all the correct rituals (that's great!) but don't let it overburden you. (Im just gonna give you the inside scoop here). Lots of Arab Muslims think their way is the right way; they live a peaceful life secluded from reality. Whereas, they might be great people I don't find that lifestyle suitable for an aspiring person like me (or most normal people). Really, it varies from person to person. So what I suggest is that you do some research and find out how much you'dlike Islam to affect your life. There are many sects (Sufi, right now is my topic of interest) but you really shouldn't have to label yourself. Just try to follow the Quran and lead a good life. You probably have a good head on your shoulder; so be sure to use it and not let others indoctrinate THEIR beliefs into you until you reseacrh them yourself. Try to tell your family that this will make a positive impact in your life and that you're doing it for yourself and God to enhance your spirituality and belief. It won't change who you are or how much you love your family. You will have to face some criticism and will have to endure tough times. But your faith in God will get you through it and God's infinate mercy and compassion will be our guiding light. I pray that your path to truth be of ease and that we be rewarded (at least) in the next life. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 4

Consider this. And use the mind that God gave you.

Jesus performed many miracles, healing the blind, raising the dead, etc. He taught people to love one another and to live in harmony with each other.

Muhammad, on the other hand, performed no such miracle.
He was a pedophile. He married a 6 yr old girl and had sex with her when she was nine. She wasn't even old enough to conceive. The main purpose for sex. So it was simply for his pleasure.
He ordered non believers killed if they didn't accept Islam. Jesus did no such thing.
Muhammad was a business man. Many travelers came to his tent and told stories about God. Most stories came from the Bible, with some variations.
Muhammad married a rich woman and wanted to be famous. That's how Islam got it's hold on people.
The half moon is still used over the Mosques. A pagan symbol from Allah the moon God.

I could go on and on. But if you do a little research yourself you can come to know the truth.
There is no comparison of Islam and Christianity.

The Bible has been proved correct hundreds of times over.
It even predicted the exact year, day and hour of the death of Jesus. May God open your eyes and God bless you.

Answer 5

i'd suggest go ask the reverts that how do they feel living a whole new life:) the non-Muslims will just give you some half verses of the Holy Quran or make up some filthy stories. like a lot of people say that Muslims are ordered to kill the non-Muslims.i would suggest 'em to read the whole book as half knowledge is dangerous.off the topic ..i know am sorry:) but i'd like to give an answer to those verse that these people are talking abt.Allah only ordered us to kill those who are dangerous for us e.g. if they are killing our people,spreading hatred and false stories abt Islam and insulting our religion THEN we are allowed to fight. take care y'all! n may Allah guide us all (Ameen)

Answer 6

Now that you found the truth, that God is one, that all the prophets are true, all the books are true, Muhammad i true, the Quran is true and you have no more mysteries about God. try to study about it, read the Quran many times so your eyes can open more and more, you will understand why God created us, why God created heaven and hell. why God created satan, why God punished other nation like the people of Noah, Lot.....
But don't wast time, go take a shower and go take the shahada. this shahada was done by every believer to his prophet. all the prophets came for the same reason, so all of them submited to God, then all of them are muslims. this is very simple, the message of God is clear < worship God with no partners and follow the prophets> now it is Muhammad. and the Quran is the last book, in it's original language, no versions, no add/deletions....and you can find it anywhere in Arabic with its translation in China, America, Europe, Asia, Africa, ..... This religion is the religion of Unity. God is one, one prophet was enough this time for all humanity, one book the Quran, Don't worry about the others, don't open the doors for satan to mislead you and make you go back to disbelieve. there is only one straight path to God not many. Even if muslim it is not enough, you need to keep asking God for guidance, for forgivness. God is most merciful, just do your best, follow the commands, pray, fast, pay charit to the poor, do good, live a honnest life, a pure life, a clean life, don't be like an animal who eat drink, have sex and don't worry about God, and I don't think that animals don't worry about God. Everything created by God, have no power, can't do nothing for you, can't save you.
Welcom to Islam, God loves you.Why? because < if you get wealthy it doesn't mean that God loves you =it is a test, if you get healty also. but Guidance is from him, because he is looking at your heart and only him knows what you deserve, God gave you guidance and nobody else, so don't loose it. If you keep doubting and you let satan scare you you will loose everything if God want so because you deseve it.
I advice you to read books, try to find a mosque that all kind of people go to, don't go to a special one like shiaa or sufi or .....
just keep asking God and he will make it easy for you.
If you need some help I am here.

May God guide you
Ameen

Answer 7

Islam may make more sense than Christianity (that isn't hard to do), but it has flaws of its own. From a practical point of view, it is an enormous waste of time. From a theological point of view, the errors in the Qur'an belie the notion that it is the word of god. Muhammad perpetrated the most successful swindle that the world has ever seen; do you really want to join the sucker list?

Answer 8

google Ali Sina challenge

Why did a man born and raised as a muslim leave the religion of islam?

then you will be fair with respect to a balanced point of view

Answer 9

Faith is more important than religion. Prayer is common to all religions, and is how I believe God teaches us the lessons he needs for us to learn. I have trouble learning God's lessons from man, especially ones who insist their interpretation of God is the only one. God is so infinitly vast that we kindergarteners often try to explain what we have no clue of, like five year olds trying to explain astrophysics. Ask God for guidance, peace is the true test of the answer to prayer. If you had peace with this decision, I don't think you would need to ask for advice in this forum.

Answer 10

May Allaah guide you to the truth. There are many sites about Islam and one of my favorites is www.english.islamway.com
There have been many people who have reverted or converted to Islam from this site.
To all of you with the negative things to say, the man didn't ask if he should or not. Nor did he ask for hatred responses. May you all be guided!!!

Answer 11

Try visiting this website :www.islamonline.com
It will give you better and more accurate information than I can, also reading helps alot and then when you're 100% sure you want to be a Muslim, go ahead and make the step.