Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar! (Allah is Great) The best news that I have heard in quite some time. May Allah continue to guide you and make your transition to becoming a Muslim easy for both of you.

I believe the chosen words may have simply been a bit blunt but do not let that discourage you, it was well intentioned.

You are working your way down the right path and in the right direction. Do not worry about your first meeting at the mosque and your dress, it is to be expected with someone new. Stop worrying about what everyone will think and let your heart do the work.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to give us some illustrative examples.

I would encourage these 2 new Muslims to take it slow as it is quite a shock to one's inner most being to convert to another religion, particularly to one that is so different from what one is used to and much more ritualistic. From my perspective, some born-Muslims tend to confuse their culture with religion and think they are one and the same.

In Islam we strive to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (saaws) and we abhore any innovations in religion. With that said there is also a range in how strictly one adheres to the Sunnah. For example, I have a full beard and a closely trimmed mustache (Sunnah), but most Middle Eastern and Indo-Pak Muslims I know have no beard at all.

Truly God Great! My heart demands that I worship Him.

Thank you Mc. You've been such a great source of encouragement for me.

As for corrupting Islam, well -- if I were content with the corrupt ways of the culture around me I wouldn't have been searching for a better one and consequently would not have found Islam.

Why would I wash myself and then put on dirty clothes? The corruption of the world around me is what I am rejecting. It's the purity of Islam that I love -- why would I want to sully it?

Respectfully.

Caroline, have you become Muslim? ALLAHU AKBAR! Subhan Allaah (Glory be to Allaah), I'm almost in tears. Allaah has truly guided you, and may he continue to guide you inshaa Allaah ta'ala.

Akhi that is too true, people tend intermingle the deen with their culture! Islaam is a DEEN, NOT A RELIGION, AND IT IS A WAY OF LIFE! Yes, it's good to know your culture and be proud of it, but at the end of the day, we're one Ummah.

Basically, when I was referring to corrupting values, I was referring to how, for instance, in the United States, there are some Muslims who embracing things which are totally un-Islamic. That is what I mean by corrupt. Of course, people who come from Arabic and South Asian cultures bring with them baggage which has nothing to do with Islam, but so do many Americans who convert to Islam.

There is a lovely thread here (Stories of Muslim Reverts! - Post yours here!) where people can post their reversion stories.