Well people reverting/converting to Islam is so common nowadays that theres been numerous documentaries on them by BBC, Channel 4 and other TV stations. Here's a few, very heart warming MashAllah:
It's funny, but as much as we (and I am guilty of this too) bandy around the term revert, aren't we all reverts?! (and sorry for hijacking the thread but I want to just sound this out)
I don't actually like the label at all. As far as I am concerned, I am just another Moslem, simply born to non-Moslem parents.
Being Moslem is not where you're from but where you are at right? And more importantly, where you are going...
And it's also funny how born Moslems are always coming up to you going 'ohh, I know another revert brother. You two should get together some time. I'll give you his details!' Hehe! Cute but can get annoying after a while!
I will not typically share my story of reversion. It is a deeply personal and emotional thing for me, and to be honest, I get a little weirded out by those who want to broadcast the details... I'm not saying it's wrong but it doesn't feel right for me.
Insh'Allah I will have a squizz at the vids tomorrow. It's now 1am here and I'm knackered (and my 1yo is squawking...) <sigh>
Well, I don't want to rain on your parade, but how many Muslims in the West are Muslim only in name only?
You say revertings are up? But how come mosque attendance is dropping among Dutch muslims? It dropped to about 40% in 2002, down from 50% in 1998. The figure is about 30% for younger people. The number who are a member of a religious organization has dropped as well. According to the statistics there was even a small increase in apostacy (up about 1-2%). Among university graduates it is about 17.7%, compared to 2% for those without education.
I am really curious to see some real reliable figures on this. Surely mere anecdotal evidence doesn't get us very far. I can also give you anecdotal evidence about all those of Muslim descent at my university, who are about as religious as I am! Lets not forget about the strong taboo within muslim society concerning atheism and apostacy. Many muslims who are not religious will not be quickly admit so I believe.
Well, I don't want to rain on your parade, but how many Muslims in the West are Muslim only in name only?
You say revertings are up? But how come mosque attendance is dropping among Dutch muslims? It dropped to about 40% in 2002, down from 50% in 1998. The figure is about 30% for younger people. The number who are a member of a religious organization has dropped as well. According to the statistics there was even a small increase in apostacy (up about 1-2%). Among university graduates it is about 17.7%, compared to 2% for those without education.
I am really curious to see some real reliable figures on this. Surely mere anecdotal evidence doesn't get us very far. I can also give you anecdotal evidence about all those of Muslim descent at my university, who are about as religious as I am! Lets not forget about the strong taboo within muslim society concerning atheism and apostacy. Many muslims who are not religious will not be quickly admit so I believe.
That is what you think, but figures show that an approx. 25 000 convert to Islam in the us alone... that is after 9/11... We are still there and soon to be one-third of the worlds pop... We are on the down-low (ie working underground)
Forgive Him Who Wrongs You;
Join Him Who Cuts You Off;
Do Good To Him Who Does Evil To You;
And Speak The Truth Even If It Be Against Yourself.
Inscribed On The Prophets (PBUH) Sword
It's funny, but as much as we (and I am guilty of this too) bandy around the term revert, aren't we all reverts?! (and sorry for hijacking the thread but I want to just sound this out)
Thats cool you're not hijacking this thread mate.
The only "reverts" are those who are raised as non-Muslim but embrace Islam. Because it is said that everyone is born in a state of submission to Allah- a Muslim but is raised as his/her parents wish.
I don't actually like the label at all. As far as I am concerned, I am just another Moslem, simply born to non-Moslem parents.
Being Moslem is not where you're from but where you are at right? And more importantly, where you are going...
And it's also funny how born Moslems are always coming up to you going 'ohh, I know another revert brother. You two should get together some time. I'll give you his details!' Hehe! Cute but can get annoying after a while!
I will not typically share my story of reversion. It is a deeply personal and emotional thing for me, and to be honest, I get a little weirded out by those who want to broadcast the details... I'm not saying it's wrong but it doesn't feel right for me.
Insh'Allah I will have a squizz at the vids tomorrow. It's now 1am here and I'm knackered (and my 1yo is squawking...) <sigh>
Allah ma'ak
Reverts/Converts to Islam hold a special place in my eyes because they accept the truth of Allah SWT. How hard must it be for them, its a life changing decision and they do it for the sake of Allah SWT.
Hi Guyabano,
The reality of the issue is not as it is commonly portrayed in the western media - this topic has been discussed here: http://www.islamicboard.com/20595-post1.html
I encourage you to read the above link to understand the Islamic perspective on apostasy.
Goku,
I've seen the first two links before, and they're good mashaa'Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik]
The only "reverts" are those who are raised as non-Muslim but embrace Islam. Because it is said that everyone is born in a state of submission to Allah- a Muslim but is raised as his/her parents wish.
I disagree akhi. I believe that the moment that most born Moslems recognise that the god and the prophet they have been learning about since the day of their birth when their baba sang the adhan into their ear, when those distant conepts become Allah swt and his Prophet Mohammad saw, then that is their moment of reversion.
You are right - we are born in a natural state of pure fitra, all of us. But the duties and teachings of our parents upon us are not what make us Moslem. It is our OWN acceptance of the deen, whenever that may take place. THAT is their moment of reversion.
And the brothers and sisters who go through their wild days of rebellion and jahliya - when they too come back to the path of righteousness, subhanallah, that is THEIR moment of reversion.
And each time it happens sincerely, it is insh'Allah accepted by Allah swt.
There is no difference to a non-Moslem sincerely embracing Islam and its mercies for the first time to a born Moslem, learned the ayas, prayed 5 times a day every day, wore hijaab/beard but did all of these things for the parents/friends/cultural expectations/teachers rather than for Allah ta'ala.
The moment you do anything sincerely for the sake of God and you recognise you are his dutiful slave, alhamdulilah - that is when YOU have had your moment of reversion.
From then on in, you are a Moslem - forget the revert label...
I disagree akhi. I believe that the moment that most born Moslems recognise that the god and the prophet they have been learning about since the day of their birth when their baba sang the adhan into their ear, when those distant conepts become Allah swt and his Prophet Mohammad saw, then that is their moment of reversion.
You are right - we are born in a natural state of pure fitra, all of us. But the duties and teachings of our parents upon us are not what make us Moslem. It is our OWN acceptance of the deen, whenever that may take place. THAT is their moment of reversion.
And the brothers and sisters who go through their wild days of rebellion and jahliya - when they too come back to the path of righteousness, subhanallah, that is THEIR moment of reversion.
And each time it happens sincerely, it is insh'Allah accepted by Allah swt.
There is no difference to a non-Moslem sincerely embracing Islam and its mercies for the first time to a born Moslem, learned the ayas, prayed 5 times a day every day, wore hijaab/beard but did all of these things for the parents/friends/cultural expectations/teachers rather than for Allah ta'ala.
The moment you do anything sincerely for the sake of God and you recognise you are his dutiful slave, alhamdulilah - that is when YOU have had your moment of reversion.
From then on in, you are a Moslem - forget the revert label...
good comment - makes sense to me.
each man thinks of his own fleas as gazelles
question authority
thank you 4 correcting me north malaysian... the thread above is really for u. hehehe... ( i dun think anyone will understand what is 'bingung')
as for dishdash...
thank you... may Allah forgive us all... and maybe oneday we can meet in heaven (eventhough... i'm not confident at all to be there...but it is nice if we can get to know each other in heaven)
thank you 4 correcting me north malaysian... the thread above is really for u. hehehe... ( i dun think anyone will understand what is 'bingung')
as for dishdash...
thank you... may Allah forgive us all... and maybe oneday we can meet in heaven (eventhough... i'm not confident at all to be there...but it is nice if we can get to know each other in heaven)
Maaf - saya mengerti tidak banyak bahasa Apa bingung?! Like bencong?! hehe!
That is what you think, but figures show that an approx. 25 000 convert to Islam in the us alone... that is after 9/11... We are still there and soon to be one-third of the worlds pop... We are on the down-low (ie working underground)
Actually, there is more substance to KAding's post I have to say.
Are you counting NoI in the States cos I will not.
The whole numbers thing is a pointless exercise anyway. It should always be about quality not quantity. So we've got a high-birth rate?! Alhamdulilah. Beautiful in itself, but cetainly not increasing the quality any.
To sunni Islam there are a fair few reverts. But sadly these tend to be equalled out by those leaving sunni Islam for a secular Western life. May God return them to the path of righteousness.
I've always argued that the fastest growing faith in this world is 'none' agnosticism is rampant... And I have also maintained that there is no better time for us to be showing the beautiful side of Islam. Non-Moslems are actually starved of spiritual guidance - this is a time of great opportunity.
And yet...
The figures will always be difficult to prove and even harder to believe. Lucky it's irrelevent.
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Goku,
Apa bingung?! Like bencong?! hehe!
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