Choosing Islam as a way of life!!?

Question

I have decided to devote my life to God and become muslim. I have little to no support from my family, and some of them are actually against it. Some of them are with the idea muslims don't belive in God, which goes against the meaning of muslim itself(one who submits to God). Anyway there are not any muslims for miles from where I live and its very hard to learn the right ways. What can I do?

In response to some of your answers.Yes, umm, I believe there is only one God, and i have chosen to submit myself completely to God, and i accept and respect all of Gods messengers

Arabic is the language of the Quran, just because someone speaks a different languge doesn't make them evil. Allah is God(the one true God).Different language different terms?!

In response to a question, its very hard to keep my faith when there are a thousand remixes to the bible. The quran doesn't have any remixes. Its something i have chosen and i believe to be right. And yes i am trying to learn, that is the purpose of this question!!

Answer 1

Maybe you can move to near the Muslim community,
you can buy Islamic books and read them,
you can search for Islam in internet and read them.
You should go to near other muslims, as that can make you more quickly to reach average Muslim quality (do the 5 pillar of Islam)

Answer 2

There are a lot of resources online you can use. If you need help finding on-line resources, let me know. However I have two pieces of advice for you if you will permit me:

1) Try to get to the nearest mosque, and let the community there know you've become a Muslim. Just so that you have a basic line of support. They can give you books and perhaps you'll get the number of a person there to call in case you have questions or just need to be with Muslims.

2) Try to stay in touch with Muslims. Find out if the nearest community has a mailing list/newsletter you can subscribe to. Also, try and find a Muslim friend to touch base with every now and then.

Islam is a religion much better practiced communally.

I pray God gives you strength on your new journey. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need aid.

Salam.

Answer 3

assalamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah
mabruk (congratulations)
I was able to get closer to an Islamic community by attending university in a city where there were plenty of Muslims. I find that it also helps to have a dedicated prayer corner where you keep the Qur'an and other holy texts, your prayer rug, some scented oils, and anything else that puts you in a good worship spirit. Joining an online discussion list that focuses on a supportive atmosphere is also a fine way to get support from other Muslims.

Some helpful internet resources:
http://www.al-islam.org
http://www.shiachat (when used in moderation and with careful consideration)
http://groups.yahoo.com for Islamic groups - join, then pick and choose
http://www.iec-houston.org
http://www.al-khoei.org
http://www.ymaonline.org

The last three are mosques in the US. Detroit has a fine enough mosque and some rather good clergy, but there are more than a few Muslims and "Muslims" who are nothing more than secularists having a good time. Caviat emptor. Houston's Muslim community is very well-behaved, relatively. Toronto's Muslim community is good, the clergy are fine, but the laypeople do tend towards racism. New York's Muslim community is rather fine, just a touch of classism. There is a fine clergy in Seattle, Washington or thereabouts. There is also a fine Muslim community in Austin, TX. We are human, so we are not perfect. This kind of information might help to find a compatible community, tho.

Answer 4

May God shower you with the blessings of this life and the next. Salam and welcome to Islam!

I love to see new Muslims because it indicates that they are true independent thinkers and analysts, because they can look past lies and sift the truth from the lies.

In Islam intent is crucial; so as long as it is pure, you will never be at fault. The biggest bit of advice I can give you is...
to not take info. from other Muslims as truth (not even me). You must learn *how* to learn before you even learn. That means
a.) Quran should be your main source. NOT the hadiths or word of mouth.
b.) Common sense and God's word should not clash. If they do, you should re-examine the context of what's at hand
c.) Don't try to overburden yourself with too much at once; when you do find a wise person, cherish it!

Islam shouldn't change your WHOLE life, just the direction of your soul.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 5

Email me Dachia, I have seen and dealt with this before.
[e-mail]
I think understanding and communication is key. I would say the better understanding you get the better you transmit it. try to relay what you feel in think about it and what attracted you to Quran studies to your parents. Remember most people only know what they here on the news from 9-11. When people quote the Quran or related holy Muslim texts out on context or try to apply it to a terror theology, which is fully wrong.

If you would like to talk more in depth do email me.

You can usually find a teacher not to far away. As far as a mosque, that may be more difficult depending where you live. Also consider they are not in the phone book often. the one here in town is not in any yellow pages under "place of worship" or local directories,etc.

Answer 6

My heartiest congratulations to you for your search for Truth.
If there are not many muslims where you live, brother, you can visit some good authetic sites in islam like www.islam-qa.com(lots of info on islam) and www.irf.net (lots of material on misconcepions in islam). However, its really important to be with the community, so it would be preferable if you join some islamic gorups, attend lectures, visit the mosque, etc.
Even if people around you dont agree with you, or your family does not support you, brother, remeber that you are on the right track, and dont let Satan deceive you. Here are some exmples of what our Prophet and his companions went through:
The companions were put on burning hot sand of Arabia and were severely beaten, until they gave up their religion. But they would never give it up. Infact, Bilal kept saying "one one(meaning Allah is one) and the idol;ators kept beating him.

One man threw the intestine of a camel when the prophet was praying

When the Prophet went to Taif to invite them to islam, the boys threw stones at him and drew him away.An angel cam to him at this time, and asked him if he should destroy these people, but the prophet said "no"., perhaps from these people would arise those that worship Allah.
(taken from raheeq ul makhtum)

The trivial things we go through are nothing at all compared to the blessed Prophet's trials!

Some good books to read are
Translation of Quran , ofcourse!One By "muhammad muhsin khan" is good.
Raheeq ul Makhtum -the split moon/the sealed nectar
Taqwiyat ul Iman
Books of hadeeth like sahih al bukhari and sahih al muslim

These are classics and you would really increases your knowledge if you read them.

Also, watch videos of well known islamic scholars like Zakir Naik, Ahmed deedat, Biilal Philips, etc. You should be able to get them online.
I'd like to narrate some sayings of the Prophet:
1. Man is tested according to the level of his faith. The more his faith, the greater his test. The most severely tested are the Prophets then the righteous men, and so on among various categories of those with faith.
2. Every misery, sorrow, pain that a believr goes through erases his sins, even a thorn that pricks him.

If you need any help with your religion or have any questions, feel free to contact an islamic scholar. Im giving you his email id: [e-mail]

I wish you all the best in life, may Allah keep your heart firm on your religion, and guide your family members to it as well. Ameen.

Answer 7

i just want to congratulate you and tell you that you are an inspiration..there are no words to describe the admiration i have for you.
The first step you should make is to visit your local mosque. they will hold your hand and teach you all you need to know step by step. You will also be able to make muslim friends there and that is the most important thing for you at this time when you dont have much support.
Just stay strong and Allah will make things easier for you.
you are in my prayers!

Answer 8

You write that you want to devote your life to God. Be very careful that you do not get tricked into serving the wrong idea of God. Muslims use a word that was interpreted as God for a long time, and they use the word God when they talk to people in English. The god of Islam is Allah. You will be told that Allah and God are one and the same. The truth is that the Bible and Quran describe two very different ideas of who God is. The submission to Allah that Muslims speak of is total and they consider it not to be undone. The only way out of Islam is death, not spiritual death, but physical death. Be very certain you know what you are doing.

http://www.islam-watch.org/Amber/Islam-Trial-Prosecution-Case.htm

Devoting your life to God is a very simple matter. All you have to do is believe that He sent His Son to save you from your sins. Talk to Him and confess to Him that you have strayed from Him and ask Him to forgive you. Pledge to Him to live for Him with His help and guidance.
If you really and truly believe that Allah and God are the same, there is no need to leave your family and friends or not listen to their advice. God asks you to stay with Him and serve. Allah asks you to leave and serve, and this alone shows that the two are not one. My prayer for you is that the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to truth and leads you to the one and only God who loves you.

Answer 9

May I ask why you have chosen Islam in particular? You not only have to believe in god, but also that mohammed was his final messenger - therefore accept the koran as truth.
Why not get yourself a translation off the net and find out what you're really getting into?

Answer 10

First try to read Quran thoroughly and few sites are below
and then try to contact some one at ur place. i think u r in united states so its not so difficulty o find any Muslim community there.