Inspiration and Spirituality

A Convert’s Story

Published

December 6, 2013

Guests

By: Hina Khan

The conversion ceremony was a very frigid one. I was looking for acceptance; they were looking for submission. In a room full of suspicious women, I was alone with a fear that numbed my senses. The Imam stepped into the foyer where I was seated as though it was a demonstration for public viewing. At least that was how I felt. I was asked to repeat after the Imam. Taking the shahadah was heavy, but when I recited La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah that evening, a strange peace covered my heart and none of the whisperings were audible to me anymore. I don’t know if it was the silence of a chapter closing, or the tranquility of a blessed decision, but I had made a connection with a superior being and I was now under His care.

I did not understand the true essence of Islam way back then. I could not decipher the passion Muslims exhibited for their religion and towards their Prophets. I could not relate to the claims that I was entering a “perfect” religion. I was converting because I was told that I needed to become a Muslim in order to have a valid marriage with my husband to-be.

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

But that day when I took the shahadah, a new me was born, and I made the decision to understand my new life. It all starts with the cleansing of the heart: a fairly simple process that requires shedding of the ego and letting go of the years of ignorance so you’re like a clean canvas that can absorb the colors of Islam and capture its beauty. It takes some courage and time, but it is doable.

I wasn’t like the curious person who was in search for the truth, or a prisoner who was looking for redemption and finds himself in the comfort of Islam. I was put in that situation, not against my will, but bereft of enthusiasm. But having taken the shahadah where I bore witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger instilled an immediate sense of responsibility in me. I had no doubt about the presence of Allah and so not softening my heart to learn more about His Prophet would be inappropriate and disrespectful of me. How could I be a Muslim and not know how to earn the blessings of Allah in my life? That would be very unfortunate. What would I tell my children if I didn’t know where to start?

Despite being raised in a Hindu family, I was never involved in rituals. There were no idols in my home and we hardly ever went to temples. My parents would always tell us that God is everywhere. I was raised with tolerance for every religion and most importantly, respect. However, I was always attracted to Muslims and their united way of worshiping. The concept of prayer in congregation was not only beautiful but also so organized that one cannot help but be drawn to the peace around it. The recitation of the Qur’an by a little child can conquer any restless mind and arouse an emotion so intense that the miracle that we know it to be is not just evident, but inspiring.

And so I decided I was going to learn and understand what being a Muslim was all about. It is in the process of attaining knowledge that one develops love and compassion. And it is this love and compassion that leads to steadfastness and accountability in our practice. It is a continuous process that can never end.

Seventeen years later, I have a small message for new converts. Islam is a very simple religion. If we have a bowl with big rocks in it, we can pour sand around it that fills the spaces around the rocks. The rocks are the foundational principles in Islam, and the sand is our lives. Also, we must resist in condemning our non-Muslim families and calling them kuffar. If we educate ourselves we will find that our non-Muslim parents have the same rights as Muslim parents do. We are to only disobey them in matters of religious conflicts. We do not assume religious superiority upon our conversions, but humble ourselves so we can attract them by our love and actions.

My daughters often ask me what I gave up when I converted. I don’t have to think much because I didn’t give up anything. I just re-routed my journey in this world using a more advanced operating system that doesn’t get bothered by small conflicts and doesn’t crash. It is designed to give me the desired results if I choose to use the recommended programming language, and in that process override any attempts made by malware to corrupt my networks as long as I am consistent and persistent.

Tweet2

2 Shares

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

Related Topics:Convert Islam Muslim new Muslim programming revert shahaadah

Up Next

Love you, Love You Not, Love You….For Him

Don't Miss

Some Knowledge is Not Taken Except Like This

Guests

22 Comments

Said Hasan

December 6, 2013 at 11:58 AM

Masha Allah. Alhamdulillah for Islam.

Reply
- Aple
  
  July 28, 2015 at 7:34 PM
  
  Pls help me on what I have to do I want to convert into Muslim then I will married is it possible
  
  Reply
  - Mohamed Ameen
    
    May 30, 2016 at 12:28 PM
    
    Well visit a masjid(mosque) near to your place they Ll help you in Shaa Allah…….may allah guide to straight path
    
    Reply
sonea

December 6, 2013 at 7:41 PM

Mashallah. Your story is amazing. I am also a revert to islam. From the sikh religion. Reading this brought back memories and made me smile. May allah swt guide us all… ameen

Reply
- qmaasim@ymail.com
  
  March 21, 2014 at 2:58 AM
  
  salam sonea, am a filmmaker based in delhi working on a script to capture stories and emotion of the convert muslim, will love to have you opinion. kindly get in touch thru email or phone
  qmaasim@ymail.com
  9560858204
  
  Reply
Hira Amin

December 7, 2013 at 4:23 AM

Beautiful story masha Allah. Very happy you shared it :)

Reply
suraj isah

December 7, 2013 at 7:04 PM

Masha Allah is amazing story and experience. Thanks for sharing. May Allah swt see us thru. Ameen!

Reply
najma ansari

December 8, 2013 at 12:45 AM

love the end ‘re-routing the journey on an advanced operating system’. great parable.

Reply
Abubakr Jr.

December 8, 2013 at 3:46 AM

Salaam!

Thank you for sharing your story.

Reply
RCHOUDH

December 9, 2013 at 11:12 AM

Assalamu alaikum,

Beautiful story Mash’Allah and may Allah keep us all steadfast upon His Right Path Ameen!

Reply
Comrade umar abdullahi

December 9, 2013 at 4:02 PM

A good lesson for my muslim brothers/sisters. Show love to non-muslims so that they will see the light of islam in us instead of being aggressive. May allah swt help us. Ameeen!

Reply
mushtaq

December 10, 2013 at 11:04 PM

This article made my day. I come from India & from a family where if you marry a non Muslim they will abandon you.,even though the non Muslim has taken the shahda. Saying he/she took shahda merely for marriage. I use to wonder a lot about this issue. Isn’t the prophet told us not to judge people faith especially those who took shahda &questioned us that have you opened his/her heart to look into it.

I think Allah guides people in many ways, & the sister example above is an perfect lesson for us.

Congratulations sister you are a blessed & your family is blessed. May Allah shower his mercy on your kids. Thank you very for writing this article as this will inspiration to many who are in your shoes.

Reply
Danish Khalil

December 20, 2013 at 1:26 AM

Perseverance is the key in ISLAM..

ALHAMDULLILAH proud to be a MUSLIM

Reply
Halima

December 28, 2013 at 6:02 PM

Mashallah. Beautiful piece sis. It was very well written and enjoyable to read.

Reply
Samira

January 3, 2014 at 1:52 PM

SubhanAllah, I enjoyed reading your piece. May the almighty Allah guide us all.

Reply
Gilles

January 6, 2014 at 10:12 PM

Hi I’m a Catholic and I was curious to read ur article !!! Very enlightening ! Even though I don’t intend on redirecting myself to another faith, I think this message that u shared here can be applied to any of those who are afraid to take/choose another path !!!

Long live love and respect :D

Reply
- dasdfe
  
  March 20, 2014 at 8:09 PM
  
  People like you make the world a happy place
  
  Reply
jas

February 8, 2014 at 7:49 AM

it’s a sin.. why accepting others in their religion, shame on those hindus who are converting. dnt know how these short minded people will pay for it. the best religion is HINDU we have faith in our god.

Reply
Pingback: A Convert’s Story | Everybody's Guide To Islam
sam

June 5, 2014 at 7:50 PM

Aslkm! Sis mubarak for ur converting islam..may allah giv u blessed life

Reply
Isabella

August 10, 2014 at 4:36 AM

Beautifully written and a great story, In sha allah Allah will rewards you for your efforts.

Reply
Umm Jehan

May 20, 2016 at 2:57 AM

MashaAllah very well written. Read a truly soul lifting story Sarah in this link.

Reply