Like it made you curious to see what Islam was about in the first place? [emoji39]Quote:
Originally Posted by AyserMuhammad
Printable View
Like it made you curious to see what Islam was about in the first place? [emoji39]Quote:
Originally Posted by AyserMuhammad
I have heard that many people have came to Islam also after WTC attack. They have listened about Islam from the news and despite of negative stories, they wanted to find out what this thing is and are those bad stories true or not by themselves. Later they have found the true Islam.
Every negative comment in the news spread Islam wider and wider. Those islamophobics should remember it when they tell their lies. ;)
The more Islam is given the spotlight in Western media and attacked, those who criticize Islam seem to forget there are many intelligent people in this world who will then research such claims themselves and discover the beauty of Islam in the process :) The truth stands out from error. Oh the irony :D
Well you know there is a saying that there is no bad "reclaim". Just like this there is no bad "Dawah". WTC attacks just made people see there is a religion called Islam. After this the ones whom Allah guided accepted Islam. Just make them see Islam. They will find the truth themselves.
:sl:
https://www.islamicboard.com/images/...tsToIsla-1.jpg
Daughter of Italian Politician Reverts To Islam
Italian former parliamentarian has reverted to Islam and donned Islamic hijab, a decision which sparked uproar across Italy.
“The hijab is my way, the way that Allah has chosen for me,” Manuela Franco Barbato, now Aysha, wrote on her Facebook account, Il Giornale daily reported on May 26.
“I am proud of the purity of my soul. This is the divine law, who am I to object?” ❤️ #ForAllah
Aysha is the daughter of a former MP for Italy of Values party Franco Barbato.The young woman decided to revert to Islam while studying in the Università L’orientale of Napoli.
http://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/...reverts-islam/
For a while I was suffering from a spiritual crisis. I had a strong belief in God and was raised as a devout Christian but gradually drifted away as I felt increasingly alienated and hollow with its teachings. I completely fell out of religion but I still wanted God in my life. I began to study many of the world religions seeking to find a solution to the empty void in my heart. I briefly tried Buddhism but just like Christianity I felt a painful emptiness in my heart and I was still depressed.
I got my first exposure to Islam when I first came to university which has a large Muslim community where I met many amazing and generous people that would play a role in me later embracing Islam. At first, I hated Islam and always thought of it as some backward religion because that was my impression of it based on what I read in the media. I also befriended a Muslim classmate who would become one of my best friends.
My curiosity led me to visit the campus Islamic Center and prayer room where I was able to engage in a lot of dialog. I quickly became amazed at the beauty of Islam and felt drawn to its message of pure monotheism and its strong emphasis on brotherhood, it felt so natural and beautiful. My hatred of Islam was gone but I was still reluctant to fully accept it; but that changed when I read the Quran for the first time. I began with so many questions and doubts but as I kept reading it seemed to have a clear answer for each one; I tried really hard to find a flaw or contradiction in it but to no avail. After I finished it I was certain then that Islam was the truth and my heart embraced it.
The next day the same friend and I went to a Mosque and I took my shahadah. After reciting the words I became overwhelmed with emotion and relief – as if I had finally found my way back home after being lost for a very long time. My friend helped me learn how to pray and transition into my new life and now we pray together as Brothers in Islam.
Today I’ve been a Muslim for a few weeks and have completely changed my life. I love praying five times a day while listening to the Adhan (prayer calling) and reading the Quran; and now I'm taking part in my first Ramadan. Alhamdulillah I no longer drink alcohol, eat only halal and I want to start learning some Arabic.
Inshallah we’ll all be successful and overcome our challenges.
I was Christened a Christian by my parents, but all through my life I never really felt spiritually fulfilled; Not long after I turned 53, I converted/reverted to Islam.
I believe that you are amongst of the happiest people of the world: after long searching you saw the light of Islam.Quote:
Originally Posted by manofIslam
:statisfie
Jazaka Allah khair, Sister Herb! Yes, I am very happy and content, now that I am a Muslim! Alhamdulillah!Quote:
Originally Posted by sister herb
I am very, very happy to be a Muslim. I am filled with awe and fear at Allah. I feel awe and I am very thankful to Allah that Allah would see fit to guide me to this beautiful religion.
I am very honored to be among the best of peoples. May Allah bless and guide this ummah. I felt alone. I felt so very alone. And now I am part of a nation which is over a billion-strong.
Where I live, the people are very hostile towards Allah. They hate Allah. The only religious believers who they accept are the hypocrites.
People hate me and reject me because I believe in God. Because I believe in God and because I am not of the unbelievers.
When people insult me, when they hate me without reason- I derive comfort from knowing that I am not alone. In the terms of the highest reality, I have Allah who I can turn to. And since the people who hate God only seem to understand things in worldly terms- in worldy terms I belong to a nation of over a billion. Not just any nation but none other than the noble ummah described in this surah:
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient. -Surah Ali 'Imran [3:110]
What an honor it is to be a part of this ummah. I must remember to be humble. I must remember not to become arrogant out of how much I love this ummah and how happy I am to be a part of it.
I did not become a Muslim, however, out of a desire for belonging. I suppose the desire to validate what I naturally know to be right and to live in accordance with fitrah- certainly that played a role. And certainly the human heart has an innate desire for God.
Islam matches what we know in our hearts to be true. The doctrines of Christianity, the doctrine of original sin, for example- very often they contradict what we naturally know to be right.
Islam is a religion of logic and of reason. Islam is built on logic. The media wants to portray Muslims as irrational- that is completely false. And that illusion could not be sustained once I had read the Quran.
When I took the shahadah, I was homeless. I find it hard to think about those days because the way that I lived- I find it so difficult to imagine how I lived that way. I remember sleeping on the sidewalk. I remember the desperation. I remember very much and it is a hard thing for me to think about.
What brings me joy to remember now and what brought me joy then was the Quran.
I was at a very low point. My life had been such that I actually believed it was a high point. At that time it was. The standards of what I thought life could be were very low.
I was a teenager at the time. I was sleeping in this homeless shelter and I remember sleeping next to my Quran. I remember seeing someone sleeping across from me. He mocked me because I wouldn't go to the strip club with him. He was homeless yet when he got money he went to the strip club. I remember he would get back and he would make fun of me. He would make fun of me because I would not do what he was doing. And then I remember when he would not leave his bed and was screaming that he wanted to kill himself. I hope he is doing better now.
I saw people breaking down like what I saw in that instance. People broke. But my hope was not in myself. Maybe I was not invincible and maybe I was vulnerable. But my hope was not in me. My hope was in my Quran that I would sleep next to. I remember crying warm tears of joy in the homeless shelter while I read my Quran. I was so happy. It was a high point in my life. It didn't matter that I was homeless. I was reading the Quran for the first time and the joy is with me today, thanks to Allah. Insha'Allah I will never forgive. It was like the sun came and brought light into the darkness.
I had vaguely known about Islam and I was fascinated with it and I was drawn to it. Honestly, what first led me to it were two things that I remember. I saw something about jannah and showing Muslims and their desire for jannah. I thought that was very inspiring. I think it showed a Western couple and showed their their love for this world... and then it showed a married Muslim couple and how they wish for jannah and to love each other eternally in jannah. That was inspiring. I think the other thing I saw was something that gave instructions on how to sleep. Back then I slept on my stomache. Now I learned better! I learned to sleep on my side, I tried it and it was very helpful.
Okay. Now I will talk about chess. My post is not moving in chronological order. I will explain. I saw the stuff I described in the paragraph above. I saw that on the internet. I knew almost nothing about Islam. And at this point I met a man in a homeless shelter. I had no Quran yet. I had never read it. He was very dignified and kind and he stood out. He was with a woman and he was protecting her in a noble and dignified way- protecting her while they were in a very dangerous shelter (this particular shelter was known for violence and was one which women were generally advised to stay away from).
Later I ran into that same man. We ended up talking and playing chess. Now this is where it gets difficult for me! Homelessness was difficult but losing at chess may have been harder. I can have difficulty accepting losing at chess.
I was considered very good at chess. Now I'm probably not so great but... growing up, I was in chess club, played in chess tournaments.... besides the instructors, I was considered to be the best player in my chess club. A lot of people don't want to play me at chess. A lot of people have hated playing me and would avoid playing me because I would beat them. When it comes to chess, I am used to winning. I am so used to winning that I have to make sure not to feel arrogant because I am so used to winning. When it comes to chess, I think I'm Muhammad Ali lol.
So this guy... he beat me again. And again. And again. He beat me over and over and I stood no chance. I simply was not on his level. This was heartbreaking for me lol. I am not used to losing.
After he beat me, he wrote down names of chess books for me to study. This man was a chess genius who happened to be homeless.
And after we talked chess... he mentioned Islam. He talked to me about Islam, taught me some things about Islam, told me where to get a Quran and what translation to get (Yusuf Ali).
So that was how I ended up with my Quran. I was reading it on my own. I was poor, homeless, desparate, half-delirious. But I was so happy looking back. The guy who was next to me in the shelter- he was a Muslim. We started reading the Quran together and he helped teach me about Islam. May Allah bless him.
At this time, I lacked understanding of Islam. But I am so happy that Allah was kind enough to send me people to teach me about Islam. Me and my friend who was teaching me about Islam in the shelter- we started going to the mosque together. This was the mosque where I would take my shahadah.
I am very happy to be a part of this ummah and above all I am happy to submit to Allah in Islam. I am happy that Allah has allowed me to learn about this religion.
I am very, very happy that Allah sent us a Quran. What if Allah had not sent us guidance? What if Allah had not sent us the Quran? I think about that all the time- how terrible that would be!
May Allah bless, guide and protect our noble and humble ummah. May Allah bless and guide all the Muslims. May Allah guide all the non-Muslims to Islam. May Allah prevent this world's oppressors from inflicting harm on the innocent. Ameen.
May Allah bless you, whoever you are reading this. May Allah guide you and fill your heart with imaan, filling your heart with even more imaan if you are a Muslim. May Allah guide you and lead you to the path of Islam if you are a non-Muslim. Ameen.
Amazing, over 30 pages, I will read more later. although I am a revert myself, I also love reversion stories. there are tons on YT as well.
Hello , I am 18 and recently converted to Islam. Converting is something i have been looking into for years but only now did i do it and its been the best decision ive ever made. Ive struggled with Alcohol and smoking for much of my teenage years due to me being abused as a child , it was a sort of coping mechanism but now i havent touched any alcohol for over 3 weeks which may not seem a lot but it is for me and i have felt so much better. I made the decision to convert after reading the Quran and then studying Islamic scriptures and honestly i felt touched and for the first time in my life things made sense and i can honestly say islam and Allah and everything really stood out to me and after years of debating it and studying i finally converted 2 weeks ago with the help of 2 really good mates of mine who are also Muslim. However i have been practising in secret due to fear of islamaphobia from my fanily as i am from the UK abd was raised in a christian family.
I was brought up in an atheist environment, although should admit that my parents always was quitely believing their own ways.
In the age of 11-13 I had a brief irrational religious experience, starting from mysticism and finishing after living in local hare krishna ashram due to disappointment.
Afterwards I became a hardcore atheist considering any religion as a mass psychosis.
My research experience tought me to doubt any wishful thinking and to seek rational ground everywhere.
Being not successful in social life I was seeking success through achievements.
However, while aiming to create AI, I had to think reflectively, to research thinking itself, the life of the knowledge and desires, to learn the ways of society.
Trying to understand implications of quantum physics brought in more confusion.
I was amused to see purely logical confirmation of Big-Bang theory (in the beginning was Word) through the principle of minimal absolute complexity but no more.
Any doubts were accumulating in subconscious covered by the armor of atheistic rationalism.
I wanted to go deeper into introspective research and 12 years ago I resorted to psychodelics.
After series of experiments I had a tough experience, which was like an armor-piercing strike through that armor of rationalism. That's when I had insight about divine matters being on the edge of the crazyness and first time sincerely was praying to God to stop this.
It didn't make me religious instantly,
I only allowed myself to consider divine influence as a hypothesis, which was gradually gaining weight through the years to come.
When I went abroad first time 11 years ago, I was often meeting spiritual and religious people.
I was amused to discover that I could discuss spiritual matters with them if looking for correlations with my own thoughts, not merely rejecting as was trained by atheist society which ridiculed any spiritual words.
4 years ago, in Cambodia, while being deep into math research, I had an unpleasant experience with fellow expats.
I preferred way of Truth instead of playing their game. During conflict I was doing what is right and let happen what will happen. I actually felt support of God. But later there was a moment of total loneliness, when I was being hunted and no friends were willing to help.
Then came the thought: "There is Islam!"
At the moment, I was rather an agnostictheist. I wasn't considering religions seriously. I was thinking that prophets where some spiritual persons whose ideas were good enough to be widely spread, but religions I was considering as a social phenomenon.
And also, I used to believe propaganda that Islam is the worst of religions.
But I myself just experienced false accusation and also before was witnessing politically motivated work of propaganda.
I realized, that whatever I've heard about Islam is also may be only the propaganda.
I started to search in internet, registered in IslamicBoard.com.
Few monthes later I arrived to Malaysia.
I was learning muslim way of life, considering embracing Islam.
I had a half of Shahada. I admitted that there is no one worthy to worship other than Allah. I was liking prophet Muhammad way of life but didn't understand the role of Islam and Qur'an in the plans of Allah.
I would embrace Islam that time if I would see a place for me, if could immigrate into Malaysia or Indonesia.
It didn't happen yet and when I've got tired of immigration problems I went to Philippines where I spent next 2 years.
In Philippines I encountered one bright mormon missionary from New Zealand. I was introduced to Christianity such peculiar way. I liked discussions with this guy, I understood role of religions as a guidance for mankind.
I was planning to resettle to Argentina and in anticipation of receiving innocentive award money prematurely left Philippines.
I appeared in Thailand without money when my parents couldn't support me anymore no matter what.
I went to live in Buddhist monastery for foreigners in the nothern Thailand, where I spent 2 monthes with ideal conditions for meditation.
That was a good experience, there were things which I appreciated, there were things which I disliked, like luck of purpose and idolatry. When I had to prostrate, I was thinking about Allah.
2 more monthes I spent in local temple near Bangkok, trying to arrange award money transfer and UNHCR application.
That's when I got tired of it, was praying for a straight path.
When thai visa expired, it was the end of the 2018, I went to Malaysia.
This time, I was more willing to embrace Islam, I've learned a bit of all major religions and my personal choice was for Islam, but I was afraid to feel alienated as it was during previous visit and still had some doubts, like whether Islam is Allah's favorite religion or why so many problems in muslim countries.
As I still didn't receive award money, I kept travelling by hitchhiking same as was doing in Thailand:
I was simply walking on the highway's side and whoever willing to help a traveller was stopping.
On my way in Malaysia I've met few good muslims who helped me and resolved my doubts.
I was walking through a rural area when I was thinking, that I don't know if Allah want me to become muslim, but I decided to make my first step and try to practice.
So, upon seeing next Masjid, it was Asr time approaching, I asked people in the restorant nearby if there is someone english-speaking and if I can learn to perform Salah.
Owner invited me to eat, we talked, then imams arrived and we came all together to Masjid.
- Are you Muslim?
- Not yet.
- Do you want to become Muslim?
And that was it, the invitation. All doubts have gone already, there was only a hesitation. So, my answer was simply:
- Yes.
I was raised in Catholic family. I never accepted it but I did what my parents wanted me to do, go to church, having Catholic (or Christian, because that's not too different) friends etc. The day I started to refuse all that (I was around 10-12 years old) was the day "hell" at home (and everywhere else, because most people I knew were Catholic and I went to Catholic schools most of my life) started. I had to endure my parents' wrath and manipulation to make me return, everyone else' indifference (well it was my decision, afterall), struggle in school (friends, bullies, study) and then workplace pressure - my mind and body were suffering so much, all I had was my heart, which felt alive and well, because I no longer lived in denial.
It was like that for many years, the impact on my overall health was tremendous, even my heart almost gave up twice. So I started to wonder about what happens when we die. I read books about different faiths, joined forums talking about faith and religion, and from there I learned some things and tried to practice them. But it wasn't enough of course, it was a bit here and there from this and that faith, religion - I wasn't getting anywhere and I felt emptier and emptier inside. Also the people I used to converse with and from whom I learned about these different faith,religions started acting weirder and weirder towards me, so I stopped talking to them and completely abandoned my search. I just lived my life as before, no religion whatsoever.
I always know God exists, I don't know why and how, I used to call Him : the Source (I never understood the concept of 3 in 1 body, so I just ignored it). A few years passed and in one day, Allah turned my attention to Islam - a religion I heard about but knew very little about. I was watching videos about economy crisis around the world, and among the videos recommended to me, is an Islamic perspective on the subject. It took me more than half length of the video (about 30 mins) to figure out what exactly I was watching. I then figured out that the speaker is a muslim, giving lecture about the world economy in a mosque, he is quoting from the Qur'an, Words of Allah. I was amazed that someone who seems deeply religious, is also very knowledgeable about world politics, history, finance, economy. I always thought those are mundane matters, worldly life, and are totally separate from religion, soul matters. I looked up his biography, his interviews, his videos - all indicate he is doing well in this dunya, at the same time being pious. How is this possible in this modern age, the 'dog eat dog' age? Also, the connection he made between world events and Qur'an - how can this one book tell so many things?
Every religion has a holy book, if the book is Qur'an, then the religion is Islam. So I started researching about Islam, I was totally surprised at how many online sources available about Islam. How did I miss this religion back in the days I was researching different faiths, religions out there? A few years of research, anything I could find, anyone I could talk to about Islam - I was then fully convinced and accepted it. I was worried about going to the mosque, but I wanted to say my shahada there, so I went anyway. The Imam was so gentle and helpful, and through him, I met local muslimahs. That day after shahada, I went home feeling like I was born anew, like I am a different person, like I was given a second (more like fifth chance) to live Alhamdulillah how many people can say that, I am grateful beyond words.
Someone told me, most reverts do not last 4 years. I wanted to assure him that I am not one of those reverts, but I decided to prove it with action instead of words. More than 4 years now and here I am, still a muslimah Alhamdulillah. I won't say it's easy, there were times I almost gave up. But each time I remember life before Islam, how grim it was, how lost I was, all the mistakes and sins I did in that life, all that other people had done to me in that life - why would I want to live that life again? Allah has changed me and my life through Islam. This is the life I want. May Allah keep my faith strong in Islam and make me live as a muslim until I return to Him.
السلام عليكم
My story is a very long one but for simplicity's sake, I'll keep it short. Unless someone wants to know more, feel free to ask.
I was raised catholic in the US. I have always believed in our creator but never in religion. I searched for meaning and truth and guidance in many different teachings and practices, even into pagan teachings and zen buddism... every avenue that I thought would lead me right, may Allah forgive me, but no truth was there. It was a decade long search for guidance and truth.
A series of sad life events led me to Islam. I had read the quran about six times before I sat down one day and just spoke my shahada before allah and the angels. Just like that. No ceremony, nothing public, just my lord and I. There was no long debate in my mind or with others and I didn't really care what anyone thought. Peopke judge and condem others too quickly. The only judgement that matters comes from Allah.
It was the simple truth of Islam that had suddenly hit me. Yes, I had many dreams and what were for me signs or messages. I guess I didn't understand before. It took a lifetime of trialsand tribulations to finally see the truth.
Well, I still don't understand all that I would want to but I learn every single day. The hardest lesson I am learning right now is the absolute reliance and trust in Allah's plan. He's got something better for me than what I have been dealt, I know it. Oh... sabr... that's was very tough as well!
Wearing a hijab presents me with difficulties daily, from rude looks to actually not getting the job.. yes, being completely ostracized by my own blood... but that's a small lesson and I like my hijab. I realize this us an issue which so many women struggle with but sister, don't hide what you know in your heart is right for you. Just as no one should force you to wear hijab, no one should force you to not wear it.
I am doing all I can to learn and be a good human. I pray, cry, breathe and reflect deeply. I read quran, learn, cry some more and breathe again. I don't fast though, due to medical issues, but I do abstain from all the sin I possibly can. I suppose that's all we can really do.
I wish you good health and may Allah grant us ease in troubled times
Attachment 6993
Salaam everyone! I am going to revert to Islam soon, In Sha Allah!
My past is so disgusting, yet I am now on my way to be a good Muslimah.
I was raised in a wealthy, atheist family. My mom trained me to be a model, and I loved it. I entered into the fashion industry during my teenage. Day by day, year after year, my fame grew and people admired my beauty. I accepted offers to do modelling in bikinis, lads mags and catwalks, just like any other models would do. I was popular enough to have many modelling agencies wooing after me. I had the opportunity to travel, and I partied a lot. I led a promiscuous lifestyle. I had no concern for my spirituality. I focused on my physical beauty and fitness. And, my parents were proud of my achievements.
But, I never had peace in my life. Sooner, all the photoshoots and modelling sessions began to wear me down. So, to satisfy my empty feelings, I accepted even more modelling offers, participated in yoga classes and posted more pictures of me in the Instagram. I craved to get more "likes" from my followers. And yes, I got more than 10,000 likes for each pictures. But, I knew that my smiles and poses were fake. Sooner, I realised that this is not how my life should be. I began to indulge into spirituality.
I read holy books of all the religions while continuing my modelling career. And I came across Holy Qur'an. During the same period, I was in a Middle-East country for modelling sessions.
One fine Thursday evening, after my final session, I went into my hotel room. I wept, thinking of how dirty and messed up my life was. Images of people chasing after me and treating me as a lifeless meat haunted me, though I had so much wealth to enjoy. I cried, cried and I cried, until I heard beautiful Adhan sounded from a mosque nearby. I have never heard such a beautiful song before. Somehow, I felt so calm in my heart, my tears stopped. I saw women wearing abaya and khimar, were much more happier than I was. Then, I took the Qur'an in English and randomly flipped to Surah Ad-Dhuha and found this verse: "And He found you lost and guided you"
I felt an uexplainable peace in my heart, and tears of joy flowed from my eyes. I believed Allah had bring me into such moment, and I realised Islam is the true religion. That night, I spent my time reading the Qur'an. I never knew what modesty is, till the moment I read about hayaa. As a woman, I needed to cover my awrah. I also learned about mahram, and what makes a relationship haram. I understood that all those whiles, I was living the exact opposite, Western lifestyle, which is sinful. But, I still never wanted to settle yet, because: 1. I had other modelling contracts to complete, and 2. I want to learn even more about Islam.
Before I left the country, I had bought some abayas, hijabs and niqabs, which were helpful to me later. I continued modelling for immodest clothings, but I did not accept other offers anymore. I broke up with my boyfriend peacefully, though he didn't like the fact that I am learning Islam. It seemed that he was lusting after my body and beauty throughout our haram relationship.
I learned about Islam through online courses, and I made up my mind to accept Islam. I learned how to perform wudu' and how to pray. I felt immense joy and peace in my heart. But, I feared if my parents would accept me if I would leave the modelling industry which made them proud, and convert to Islam. In the meantime, I used to go to a mosque nearby my house and wear the Islamic clothings, without the knowledge of my parents.
During one dinner, when my parents served me pork, I politely declined to eat it, which caused some uneasiness among my parents. I stopped drinking as well. I deleted my Instagram account. They were also asking why I was declining all the modelling offers.
Just a month ago, I calmly explained to my parents that I wanted to revert to Islam. That shocked my parents, it brought them into tears. I know they couldn't accept the fact that their famous model daughter will become a Muslimah one day. It was just two weeks ago, they started to talk to me again. We discussed on my decision, and they finally accepted it.
Now, I am no more in the modelling industry. All my popular friends left me, but I gained more spiritual friends who can guide me into Jannah. Though I am still fearing about my past, but I believe Allah will guide me to a better deen. In sha Allah, we will all become better Muslims. Alhamdulillah for His mighty mercy upon me.
No matter what the problem on your mind, Allah is certainly the greatest helper.
Saeed H H Alyousuf