I agree with you. I haven't converted yet, but I plan to very soon. Even though I haven't converted yet, it is still very hard. I'm having a hard time telling my mom, because my whole family is Christian. She knows that I'm thinking deeply about converted but I haven't told her myself. Sometimes she gets angry because I don't believe Jesus is God. Its hard to learn about Islam from Muslims sometimes, because they may have their own opinions about things. Most of the Muslims I know are Somali and they mix a lot of their culture with Islam saying its all Islamic. I wish you the best! I hope things get better with time!

may Allah make it easy for u and may Allah increase u in knowledge, ameen.

As Salaam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

However, I could not stop wondering at the amazing nature of the universe, the trees, the birds, the people and life. I finally came to the conclusion that there was a God. But my confusion remained in that I did not know what religion to follow. Which was the right religion? I was very lost.

Then I drifted into looking into Christianity for a bit. I rejoined university and I remember I would check out the flyers for ANY religious talks from any religion. In my search, I also dipped into Sikhism and Buddhism & "techno-spiritualism" in my desperation to find inner peace - but it wasn’t to be found.

After nearly 8 years of unhappiness during which time my whole life had turned upside down, I thought I would have a look about Islam. I thought I began searching for Islamic talks and circles in Scotland. On one occasion, a revert brother called Yusuf gave me a portion of the English translation of the Quran (Sura Al-Naba) which read on the bus on way back home. I also met some sisters who for the first time in my life had answers to my tricky questions about Islam. I read up on Islam and prayed off and on. In the end, I said in my heart "ashhadu allah ila ha illal lahu muhammedar rasul ullah" - I bear witness that there is no god except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammed is his slave and messenger. But my imaan was very improved much. Then I decided to act upon some advice I received which, with Allahs help and Mercy, literally has changed my life:

The secret my brothers and sisters lies in regular prayer and good company and in reading the Quran. The rest comes slowly inshallah, but you have to make a proper effort to change and Allah helps for He says in the Quraan, that He does not change the situation of a people until they try changing it themselves first.

After only two weeks of doing the above, I noticed a big difference - and Allah alone is our sole helper and bestower of Mercy. And the journey continues Insha'Allah.

As Allah says, "so remember me and I will remember you." . I seek his forgiveness and pray he keeps me and my brothers and sisters of this ummah on the straight path which my Prophet Mohammed was upon, peace and blessings be upon him.

My non-Muslim family are very supported and happy about that I have found the faith. Now, I am Hadifh of the Noble Quran, Alhamdulillah! Being reverted into Islam is very struggle because we have stay away from something that are haraam stuff! I have find it is not easy! But Alhamdulillah, I have found bit easy to stayed away from haraam stuff.

Alhamdulilliah, such a great thread topic Brothers and Sisters.

Like many born Muslims, I am very fascinated in hearing conversion stories of people from all walks of life. Sometimes I bring up the question of, "What If I wasn't born Muslim, would I eventually be able to find the truth out on my own?" In the materialistic society that is America, doing so seems more and more difficult to do, thats why I greatly admire those that do.

I cannot imagine how hard it would be for a revert to be in a household that not only is not knowledgeable of Islam but also due to the perception of Islam in the media and whatnot LOATH the religion and anyone associated with it. Not having a shoulder to lean on, or any support in a lot of cases. But like someone previously said, stories of the Sahaba and the Prophet (SAW) himself should inspire those that find it hard to make the adjustment because they suffered worse than any Muslim can possibly suffer and were able to persevere.

Another reason that I love to read about stories of reverts is that it helps me to become a better Muslim and not take it for granted. To realize that I was blessed being born a Muslim and basically to not screw it up for myself. There are times in the past that I've messed up badly and not appreciated Islam the way one should. I truly look up to reverts as an inspiration and as a example to reflect upon myself and to improve daily and be the best Muslim I can possibly be.

There's a yahoo group i manage, it's mostly for new converts/reverts and non-Muslims interested in Islam. I think you lots should check it out...and maybe take it over down the road

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islaam4all

Shoud also try www.stickam.com and go to the Islam-talk channel. It's a chat room site but I just go on the Islam talk channel. Loads of reverts there. And if you're lucky, you may catch me there ;) (search for phalanx08 on the member search list)

I converted young too. I was 15. My parents were very liberal and never really brought me up in any one religion. My mom was brought up as a Protestant and is now agnostic, and my dad calls himself a "recovering Catholic". So, I had a lot of room to explore. I was always fascinated by religion and philosophy, and began reading the Qur'an at 15. I read it cover to cover, did some research, talked to some people, and decided that this was the way to go, and I couldn't be happier.

It is difficult sticking out of the crowd so much. I'm white, and everyone I pray with is Middle Eastern. Sometimes I feel very self-conscious. Someone even once said to me "You're Muslim? You don't look Muslim." I wanted to smack them in the head so badly, but I restrained myself .

But I definitely know where you're coming from.

Brother,

I enjoyed reading your post. I have to say, yes, you are part of a large family now and I am glad you fel that way too. You have the right attitude, but keep in mind that the challenges never end. May Allah be with you.

Given the history of Croatia and the fact that it is predominantly Catholic, I am impressed that your parents are so open about your conversion to Islam.

I get the impression that you are not living in Croatia now ... can I ask you where you live?

I would just tell you that stick to the right path at any cost. Many difficulties are but most obvious its because we are going against the flow. dont get disheartened also because for the one whom you are doing is the only one worth of it.

May allah guide all of you brothers and sisters to the right way in sha allah. stick in the right path and ignore everything else if you are doing the right thing.
When you are worship one god, you are caring about him only so throw everything to your backs and allah will easy everything on you in sha allah

I have major respect for the reverts and mashallah i luv them for the sake of Allah and ask Allah to make all of us like the practicing muslims they become..I am a born muslim but it was just like a tradition..just like a part of life...yes i shuld pray but no one taught me what to say or learn in the prayer..to me it was jst a rule of prayin or god wuld punish me..I finished Qur'an but i never knew the meaning of it..never thought it was important and after couple months of me turning 13 i strted learning more about Islam..mashallah my brothers started exploring first and then when my mom left I started learning and then alhamdullah in the end of grade 8..around spring break i started wearing hijab and going to the masjid...I met sisters that were practicing and revert sisters as well and mashallah i luved them and the funny thing is the revert sister who i met first named herself Aisha as well...After that i started learning and discovering more and then i started wearing niqab and abaya around 2004 August..which was 2 months after i completed graduated from grade 8...The argumenst and disputes in our households were consistent and still have been..my mother understands now but since we didnt see other family members for a long time ..we now have to explain ourselves to them as to why we're so "extreme" I now follow the Sunnah i keep studying although i have had my imaan drop as i have moved alot and become alone as well at times but mashallah when I ask Allah to help me out ..He finds me someone...and i'm proud to say that i've been practicing for almost 5 years and been wearing the niqab for 4 years alhamdullah ....I am soo grateful to Allah (S.W.T) for everything

I live in the US. I still get some heat from Croatian relatives and Croats I've met over the years, but although Muslims are the minority in Croatia it is a very fast-growing religion, so it's not nearly as hard as it used to be.

LOL