Muslims: What to expect at the masjid?

Question

Assalamu alaikum! Ok so I am a recent revert to Islam and I feel lost and I don't know what to do. I am learning how to do my daily prayers on my own, preparing myself to wear hijab, and basically trying to learn as much as can about Islam. The mosque here is being rebuilt so they only offer Friday prayers. I have not been to the mosque yet, so I don't know what to expect or what to do. I'm scared and excited and I don't know where to start with everything. Any ideas and thoughts? Tell me everything!! lol

If you are a revert: How did you make the transition?
If you were raised Muslim: How can I make this process easier?

Revert: The belief that everyone is born Muslim (servants of God) and has been given the ability to chose whether to continue serving Allah (God) or to stray based on how they are raised or the resources available to them. I was raised Christian and I am now Muslim so I have gone back (reverted) to serving Allah, and Allah alone.

Basically revert=convert

Emma: Maybe you are trying to say wa alaikum assalam.

Answer 1

Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rehmat Ullah,

Congratulations Sister for accepting natural religion.
You will not face any trouble Insha Allah.
Try to be associated with good practicing Muslimah (Since you are lady, I would prefer to advise you to be with Lady Muslimah).

For Muslimah it is not obligated to go to Masjid all the time.
A muslimah can pray salah at home and do all ibadah.
But you are allowed to attend Masjid ( Preferably with some one, like Father, Husband, Brother, Son, this advice is for your protection , you will know in details when you will get more knowledge about religion Insha Allah.)

Try to find any Islamic center ( Mostly Masjid also attached with) near your area, that would be more help full in your case for broader services.


Being a convert in a family of non-Muslims (help available here) http://www.convertstoislam.com/Coping/coping.html

http://islamforreverts.com/

http://www.islam-usa.com/pray1.html
http://www.islamicfinder.org/
http://muslim-canada.org/salaat.html
http://islam.about.com/od/prayer/Prayer_Salat.htm
http://www.convertstoislam.com/


My best Dua's ( Wishes and requests to God Almighty Allah in your favor) for you and your family

Fi Aman Allah

Answer 2

Prior to my making my profession of faith (shahada), when I went to the masjid for the first time I was very concerned to the point of being worried that I would do something that might be found offensive to the brothers and sisters there. I was not certain how to dress. I did not know if I should wear some head covering as all of the other men there (or most of them) had on a kufi or a hat while inside the masjid. I wasn't certain what to do when I saw the shoes neatly (more or less) outside the door. Thankfully, I found the brothers and sisters to be some of the most welcoming persons I had ever met and was made to feel as though I was a long lost friend, cousin or brother who had returned. Alhumdulillah! Rule 1: Don't worry. If Allah, Subhanna wa Ta'ala did not want you there you would not be there! Rule 2: You are not likely to learn Arabic over night, so don' worry about that. Rule 3: You will not instantly know everything there is to know about Islam over night either. Constant learning, even if it seems slow is better than not learning. Rule 4: Muslims are very generous and they are truly trying to help. Don'be offended. Rule 5: Eat what the sisters have prepared ( it will be delicious and halal!) Rule 6: If you have a question about anything, ASK! It is the only way to learn. Rule 7: Don't be afraid to use the rest room in the masjid. It is perfectly natural and everybody, sooner or later does it and that is why it is there. All of this is based on my personal experience. Ma'a salaam

Answer 3

Salam alaikum. I am happy to hear that you found Islam. May your journey be blessed.

The masjd will probably have a separate entrance for women. You might prefer to go with a friend who has been before, or call first, to make sure there are women in attendance, since women are not obligated to go to masjd for prayer.

People are usually welcoming, but somewhat reserved/distant. You may feel like an outsider, especially if most of the people who attend speak the same language, and you don't speak that language. Try to ignore these feelings.

I found that the Muslim children were allowed to run wild, and formed packs, which beat any children who didn't join them. I quit going to the local masjd, because the children were so cruel to my autistic son, and the parents allowed it. Most of the people were really nice, though, and I miss the community that I never really was part of.

Since I've moved to Christianfundamentalistsburg, I'm the only Muslim I know. I went to a masjd in Toronto, for a conference, and it was like a feast spread out before a starving person. It was the most blessed experience I've had in a long time. Afterwards, for a while I felt really strong in faith, and satisfied, then I started feeling hungry again, for not just learning, but also cameraderie with fellow Muslimas.

If you are outgoing, you will be fine inshallah. Just persist even if you feel like an outsider. If everyone is speaking Arabic or Urdu, and you can't understand what they are saying, find a friendly face, and ask her to translate for you.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 4

For EMMA (the answerer who asked about "reverts"), Muslims often refer to themselves as "reverts," not "converts," for we are all born with the inclination to submit to God, but those inclinations get changed with our life experiences sometimes.

To the questioner: Alhamdulillah! Wa-alaikum salaam, Sister! You can contact your local masjid and just let them know you are a recent revert and they should let you know if they offer any classes, or whatever.

Jummah prayer on Friday replaces dhurh prayer--where I am right now (Alabama) and during daylight savings time, Jummah is around 1:15 p.m. When you go to the masjid, there is usually a separate entrance for women. Just ask someone. Remove your shoes. Until you learn your way around, personally, I would make wudu at home before I leave for the masjid. Pray two rakahs before the khutbah (Muslim equivalent to a sermon). If you don't know all the prayers yet, that's okay. Just follow the motions along with everyone else. It will all come in time.

Insha'Allah, you will find Sisters who will take you under their wing immediately! I did!

Please feel free to add me to your contacts and email me! I understand exactly how you feel!

May Allah make your transition into Islam peaceful and easy!

Answer 5

Wa alaikum salam.

Lavender is correct. You should be able to ask someone at the mosque and they would be happy to help you. I'm not sure where the mosque is that you plan to attend so I don't know anything about it, but you should make sure your hair is covered before you go inside and also arms covered to wrist and down to ankles. When you go inside, there should be a place to put your shoes and a place to clean yourself (wu'du). Some mosques have separate rooms for men and women, but some don't so if they don't have separate rooms, stay in the back (so that men do not become distracted from their prayers). If you know another Muslimah in your area that goes to this mosque, she may be able to help you or you can go to the mosque early and I'm sure there will be a woman there that will have no problem guiding you through your first time there if you tell her your situation. You may also be able to call the mosque (look the number in the telephone listings) and ask if you can have someone walk you through it earlier in the week or early on friday.

Answer 6

Walaikumusalam warahmatullah..
Masya Allah, Allah is the Exalted and Glorious...
Alhamdulillah you have chosen Islam..

It's normal for a new Muslim to be excited..
Well, the best place is and I agree is the masjid..

Don't worry, people are glad to assist you in becoming a Muslim. As you have said, the time is only Friday prayers. In some countries, women go to the masjid for Friday prayers. So, I assume you do. Well, you can go to the Imam of the masjid and ask him for help. The first thing to come out of his mouth would be a praise to Allah for showing the light to you. He will, Insya Allah teach you everything about Islam from the start from prayers to du'aa (supplication).
I myself saw a man converted to Islam at my local masjid. And Masya Allah, do you know what the men at the masjid did?
They got up and hugged him, kissed him, shake hands with him and embraced him like a brother.
And the following days, I hear the Imam and the people who volunteered to help him teaching him.
And the following weeks, he followed the daily prayers at the masjid.

One more thing I would suggest is to go to a nearby Islamic Center, if there is. It is close to a masjid and as good as it.
There you would probably find (Insya Allah) many more books, CDS for lectures and etc..
If there are any questions, please email to me: [e-mail].

May Allah guide us all..

Answer 7

Walaykum asalaam! I highly recommend you meet up with a sister from the mosque. Perhaps they have a 'welcoming committee' type of thing for new converts...I've heard some have that.

For me, I was in college and I emailed the MSA or the Mosque...I don't remember...they forwarded my email to a sister there that everyone loves and is very helpful. She took me to a wedding party of a new convert and I met other sisters there...then she took me to the mosque on a Friday and I met more and I felt good because I already knew some from the party.

Besides that, I am not a lot of help...I was injured after I converted and I moved a few times in a few months so I was all over the place!

But I suggest your start with something like I said...find a nice, friendly sister in your community that can help you out!

Congratulations!!!

EDIT: By the way...sometimes Mosques/Islamic Centers are listed under the section for Churches in the yellow pages.

Answer 8

Masjid would be the best place to start. You may, depending on where you live, have an Islamic Center, and most Mosques offer some kind of guidance/education.

Remember to take off your shoes before going inside the Mosque.

The below article is a great women in Islam piece worth the read.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/146/story_14617_1.html

Answer 9

WalaikumSalaam,
Alhumdulillah, so nice to hear about ur reverting to Islam.
InshaAllah the people of ur local mosque will welcome u with open arms, u have nothing to worry about! They will be able to help u and answer any questions u may have.
Take it easy, u can't learn everything overnight. I have been Muslim all my life and I still have a lot to learn. I am ashamed to say, I didn't always pray regularly, in fact, I only became more 'religious' after the death of a relative. Now I pray the 5 daily prayers regularly and I have learned alot about Islam from books and the Internet and I am also reading the Quran with English translation.
I wish u lots of luck. Allah will guide u and help u InshaAllah.

Answer 10

Wa aleikum salam sister,

First of all welcome! I feel so happy when i hear such great news from sisters and brothers. You can go to a local mosque and ask anything you want to learn to the people out there. They will try to help you, don't worry. Start everything with baby steps, you don't need to hurry. Inshallah everything goes well and Allah helps you to get through all hardships in your life. If you want to ask anything, you can e-mail me anytime.

May Allah bless, have a great day!