I recently converted to Islam from atheism, and was wondering what I should know about the faith? Even if it's just how to pray, how to practice in the United States where there's only a few mosques, or just what passages of the Qur'an you find comforting, all advice is welcomed and appreciated. :)
Do read similar posts here in the archives.. there is rather a lot to learn (as it is often quipped to be a lifetime of learning), but do take baby steps and do not become overwhelmed. Even as a born muslim, I still can find it overwhelming...
As a convert, this is what I would have loved for others to tell me ahead of time.
1) Don't expect other muslims to be a perfect representation of Islam. Everyone, including those born into the faith, have to come to an understanding of their faith. You'll see born muslims who don't do what they are supposed to be doing all the time and that doesn't make them any better or worse than anyone else. That's strictly between them and Allah.
2) Don't try to do it all at once. If you have a total about face overnight, you may go into a depression of sorts and end up resenting Islam. Keep your hobbies as long as they don't directly harm you or others, with time, you will learn what is appropriate and what is not.
3) Start to think about your circle of friends and begin to distance yourself from those who you know are a bad influence (drugs, fornication, partying) and try to become closer to those who may be a better influence, perhaps join a study circle at your local masjid.
4) Focus on your 5 daily prayers and just get the basics down. Don't worry about extra prayers until you have made your mandatory prayers consistent. I tell you this from experience. This was my biggest struggle by far.
5) Stay away from love relationships with muslim men. IT IS BAD NEWS all around. A good Muslim man will ask for your hand before he attempts any sort of relationship with you. Internalize this.
if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Welcome, sister! (smile) My heart lifts in happiness for you!
Oh my! There are so many things I could say... Mmm... (smile) I think I'll leave others to speak about how to pray, etc...
(pensively) I think the thing that people who have newly discovered the joys of Islam need to remember is that though you are feeling radiant and inspired... other people, including other Muslims, are still very human. Right now, you are very vulnerable. You are open and excited and looking for guidance. (gently) And there are people who may take advantage of this.
(smile) Would you be wary of a used car salesman? Well, continue to be so... even if he says he is a Muslim. (mildly) This is not to say that you should never buy a used car... just that you should continue to be cautious. And this is true across the board... whether it may be a man who expresses an interest in you, or a community leader who is selling umrah packages, or whomever... exercise the same caution as you would normally do. (smile) No more... and no less. (mildly) Because there are wolves in sheep's clothing... and unless you screen people as cautiously as you usually do... some of these wolves could use your lowered defences to harm you.
(smile) But still remember that there are lovely and beautiful people, too. So filter out the less beautiful, yes... but do it so that you can enjoy the company of the truly wonderful Muslims that are out there.
May God, the Magnificent, Protect and Guide you, my dear.
Welcome to Islam and welcome to the forum. I have no doubt you will find many people on here helping you along your journey. I'm also in the US, feel free to reach out to me for anything, and inshaAllah I'll do my best to help you out.
I recently converted to Islam from atheism, and was wondering what I should know about the faith? Even if it's just how to pray, how to practice in the United States where there's only a few mosques, or just what passages of the Qur'an you find comforting, all advice is welcomed and appreciated.
- Peace
Welcome to the family of Islam, Sister , who will be here with you & also in the Eternal life hereafter for trillions & trills of years BUT PROVIDED WE DIE WITH EEMAN AS A MUSLIM . Allahu akbar, Allah is the Greatest.
You Should thank 2 much to Allah for selecting you from millions of people because when Allah loves someone he gives them knowledge of Islam first is known from the hadith or sayings of last Prophet of Allah Muhammad . Just born among muslims with muslim name ONLY does not make you Muslim, Its the faith & practice(submission our will to Allah) & good manners that makes a muslim. The First thing in Islam is salat or prayer 5 times a day as mentioned in the above post by broo aaj.After that be good to your parents even if they are not muslims yet. call them up at least twice in a month or visit them if possible & serve them islamically ( Means if they so go & buy wine, pork etc do not obey them)
post # 6 with links in the below thread may have some info you need to know
First & foremost is you must bath the islamic way called Ghusl. you must make intention or niyat saying ' i take bath to cleanse for the sake of Pleasing Allah'' gargle thrice, rinse your nose untill soft bone (dont pull hard it might hurt you) and take
a full body bath such that a single hair is not dry. this bath is obligatory on theose
1) who enters Islam
2) after sexual contact between spouses
3) after emissions in wet dream
4) after pregnancy after about 40 days (doubtful on the days)
then before going to pray you do wudu or ablution. just do the two first 3 acts like in ghusl mentioned above , Intention of wudu, brushing & gargling your mouth, rinse nose and follow with this four and this is the must than the first three
1) wash your face ear lobe to ear lobe , forehead to the throat bone.( all actions thrice)
2)wash.your hands little above your elbow
3) wet your hands and wipe your head and hair fully
4) wash your feet upto ankles AND NOW you are ready to pray but you must avoid going to urine,stools,or pass wind (fart) or you have to do the ablution again. There are many things like fard, sunnat about wudu will explain latter but fard the above 4 things are a must
1)Let me explain you how the prayers are calculated. The fajr or subuh , the early Morning prayer must be prayed before Sun rise at least 2 minutes before the sun rise time check online sun rise sun set times. The Fajr Praying time starts approximately 1 hour 20-30 minutes before exact sun rise time
2) the zuhr or the Mid afternoon prayer starts when the sun starts its slide or the shade starts to fall a little untill the Sun shade is twice the length of the object.
3) the asar prayer starts when the length of sunshade is twice the shade untill a minute before sun set time- chect sunset time online. In some masjid it may start little early than that because they follow shafi method of prayer and I am explaining the hanafi method, both are ok and equal you can follow any of them
according to the Masjid or mosque you live nearest.
4) the magrib or after sun set prayer has the shortest time it stars 2-3 minutes after sunset time and continues untill you see the redness on the horizon that also can last as long as nearly an hour after sunset time.
5) the Isha or the last obligatory prayer starts after Magrib prayer and can be prayed a little while before the Fajr prayer starts. its best to full fill prayers soon and not delay them if not necessary .
the Friday prayer is the same time as Zuhur or mid afternnoon prayer but its invalid if not prayed with jammat or congregation at the masjid but for women pray it is not compulsory and even other 5 times prayer can be done at home for only women though going to a masjid is not barred .
Adhan refers to the call of the Prayer and Iqamah refers to the exact time they are going to line up standing for the prayer.
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What should a new convert to Islam know?
if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
I recently converted to Islam from atheism, and was wondering what I should know about the faith? Even if it's just how to pray, how to practice in the United States where there's only a few mosques, or just what passages of the Qur'an you find comforting, all advice is welcomed and appreciated.- Peace
. Just born among muslims with muslim name ONLY does not make you Muslim, Its the faith & practice(submission our will to Allah) & good manners that makes a muslim. The First thing in Islam is salat or prayer 5 times a day as mentioned in the above post by broo aaj.After that be good to your parents even if they are not muslims yet. call them up at least twice in a month or visit them if possible & serve them islamically ( Means if they so go & buy wine, pork etc do not obey them)
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