Lost - Support Needed

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Alhena

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Hello all,

I have been learning as much as I can about Islam for several years and I would like to revert. The problem is that I feel so overwhelmed and lost, I'm not sure how to carry on once I have said shahada. I have tried to become more involved with local Muslims, but they seem distant and seem to eye me with suspicion. This is a most uncomfortable feeling since I would like to be accepted into the Muslim community. I guess the most important thing for now is that I'm not sure how or when to pray...

I know this will be a new start for me and I know it won't be easy. Can anyone please offer any guidance? I really only know the basics, like what foods are haram etc. I also know that I will likely not wear hijab in public or around my family at first, but I know I must wear hijab to pray.

Any and all words of guidance will be most appreciated.
 
Salaam, Alhena!

First off, congrats on your decision to revert! I know that it can seem very VERY daunting at first, but the best advice I can give you is take it slow. No one would expect you to become a "perfect Muslim" overnight. For prayer, if it is done with sincerity, it will be accepted; as a matter of fact, you will get DOUBLE the reward with Allah - for both praying, and for putting in extra effort to learn it correctly!

I'd also recommend, of all things, Youtube. It's wonderful for learning prayer and pronunciation, and you can of course pause it and replay it without having to hound people; just do a search for "how to pray salat" or "islam how to pray". I also found lots of great videos on "how to wear hijab", if you find you are having any difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you are new. One of the greatest helps to me was to look up children's programming on Islamic basics. It doesn't weigh one down with tons of information at once, but does give thorough and simple explanations; then, if I wanted to learn more, I looked for lectures on those topics. Two of my favorites were "Enjoying Islam with Zain and Dawud" (the two adult stars of the show are very popular nasheed artists as well) and "Stories of the Prophets with Yusuf Estes". Both shows are produced in English, and readily available on Youtube.

Oh yes, and last-to-lastly: this forum is always here, and the people are amazingly helpful.

Don't hesitate to give your shahada; putting it off is the worst thing you can do, because you never know when your time is up, and you don't want to kick yourself if you waited too long! You don't have to know how to do everything "right" first, that will come later. :)
 
Salaam Sis,

welcome to the forum.

If u believe Islam is the Truth , then don't wait for anyone / anything - just utter the Shahada - there is no diety but Allah and Muhammed peace be upon him as a slave and Prophet of Allah.

U don't have to be a perfect Muslim from the first day and don't let local Muslims disappoint u . It's said that Islam is the best religion with worst followers :( Islam is perfect :) , we are not :(

may Allah makes thing easy for u , Ameen.
 
Salaam,

When your ready just take it one step at a time. For the prayer times there are quite a few websites out there. I like to use prayertimes.info but if you google islamic prayer times you will get a lot of reliable websites. You might notice some difference in the timing between the websites but don't worry about that right now, just stick with one set of prayer times for now or just go with the prayer times at your local masjid.

For prayer here is a detailed version:

abdurrahman.org/salah/prophetsPrayerAlbaani/

Here are some decent videos:

youtube.com/watch?v=DaKb2zX1QBs

youtube.com/watch?v=niTu5Az1_YY


Good luck, I'm sure it feels overwhelming to learn, but once you get the hang of it the prayer will feel natural.
 
:sl: Sister,

It seems tough,improbable most likely that you can't do it. But you know what,check that,who is causing that stirring feeling at the bottom of your heart? The Shaitaan(the Devil),he will always try to keep you away from good acts,one such as converting will be difficult with the devil feeding constant worries of such issues you may face after you convert to Islam. But sister there is nothing to fear with a few issues. After all,the forum is indeed for giving assistance to Muslims who ask for it. We are not scholars here but we can share our opinions,reflect on thoughts and help each other out so your minds at ease. Whatever specific inquiries you have,feel free to ask them around the board. If you need technical assistance in getting around the board be sure to create a thread in the help desk section or PM a staff member. May Allaah make things easier for you and ease your mind,and all of our minds,ameen.
 
hi alena.... as a new revert i understand how you are feeling.

I found this on here somewhere and it has been invaluable.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rywokB1vtOc

if you have a windows sidebar you can download a salat programme, it justs sits there on your pc and reminds you when its time for salat.... i love it :)

also one of the sisters here recommended watching videos on youtube by Amenakin ..... she has some really great videos on how to tie hijab and is such a lovely person too, her vids are really good to watch :) I found it difficult to wear hijab to start with as i felt suffocated..... i just wore loose scarf..... but really slowly i began putting my scarf tighter around my head... i now wear 'almost hijab' but im getting there :) inshallah you will too :)

theres a book here 'A Hand Through the Door For My New Sister..... http://www.islamicbookstore.com/b7081.html..... or here if you are in england https://www.islamicvision.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=1_33&product_id=3643 .... there is somewhere you can download it for free but im not sure where sorry

This site is fantastic for help advice and support...... i dont post often but i do come here and read a lot..... i have learnt so much here :)


i forgot to say.... my husband brought me a few books and pamphlets from the Mosque.... how to do salat (very very easy to understand) and 'Towards Understanding Islam' which helped a lot
 
Last edited:
Greetings, and welcome to the Forums.

May allah make your Journey of knowledge easy.

my only advise is to take things slowly slowly and in small steps. move to the next step, only when you are comfortable on the previous one that is, when you feel you can take on more. dont overwhelm yourself otherwise you will give up easily.
 
Thank you all very much for your kind responses. I cannot tell you how thankful I am to have found a community where I can gain acceptance for my decision. I know I have a long road ahead and I will need a lot of guidance, but I know I am only expected to make the journey one step at a time.
 
Alhena said:
Hello all,

I have been learning as much as I can about Islam for several years and I would like to revert. The problem is that I feel so overwhelmed and lost, I'm not sure how to carry on once I have said shahada. I have tried to become more involved with local Muslims, but they seem distant and seem to eye me with suspicion. This is a most uncomfortable feeling since I would like to be accepted into the Muslim community. I guess the most important thing for now is that I'm not sure how or when to pray...

I know this will be a new start for me and I know it won't be easy. Can anyone please offer any guidance? I really only know the basics, like what foods are haram etc. I also know that I will likely not wear hijab in public or around my family at first, but I know I must wear hijab to pray.

Any and all words of guidance will be most appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hello there i hope you are well. Firstly i would like to say that you are very lucky that out of so many Allah has given you guidance to the straight path and he has not bestowed this honour on most for he says clearly that if he wanted to he would have given guidance to the whole of mankind. He only guides whom he wants and also removes guidance from whoever he wants. Surely he has seen something in your heart that he likes and so he is wanting you to go towards him and close to him. In Islam there is an uninterupted direct connection between a person and Allah. You will feel this amazing feeling and connection when you start to practice Islam.

We must also realise that satan will always try and deter us from the right path for he is our sworn enemy and will be until the day of judgement. He is part of our trial and test on this earth so surely he hates it that you are wanting to accept Islam and go towards Allah. Surely he will try his best to stop you but will you let your sworn enemy do so? Disregard and reject his evil whispers and know that if Allah has given you the ability to accept the truth then do you think he will abandon you now? NEVER! He is there for you and only a supplication away. He will do what is best for you as long as you be patient for his pleasure and do what pleases him.

Yes you will have tests, hard times, stresses, problems like we all do but that is a part of life and that is what enables us to get closer to our creator as well as gaining immense rewards in the hereafter. Our purpose is simply to worship the almighty and we have from now until our lasr breath to please Allah and build our hereafetr so there is no time to waste.

You can tell your family when you are ready as there is no compulsion on telling them straight away but you should disregard satan who is trying to convinvce you that there will not be any support for you or that you will be lost etc for when you look back you will think why did i ever feel this way. Therefore know that you will get plenty of support for you have us here and you will also find good sisters who will help and guide you and whom you can keep company with.

So accept the shahada immediatley and everything else you can take step by step whatever you can handle for there is no good in rushing to practice and becoming overwhelmed. Allah does not unneccesserily burden anyone with anything they cannot handle. So after accepting faith you should learn how to pray in your own time and learn the basics of Islam.

This book will teach you everything you need to know about the basics of Islam and more as well as how to make wudu and pray Salaah and about fasting, zakah, hajj and stories of the Prophets etc. It is a book which is available in the shops but you can directly download it for free as a PDF file and can save it and even print it:

Islam Beliefs and Teachings


http://www.islamicbulletin.org/free_downloads/kids/islam_children.pdf

Here are more resources for you:

Women in Islam

http://www.islamicbulletin.org/services/women.htm

The ideal Muslimah

http://www.islamicbulletin.org/free_downloads/women/the_ideal_muslimah.pdf


If there is anything else you need like help, advice or resources then please do not hesitate to ask. We welcome you here and will try our best to help and guide you as best we can.
 
Hello Alhena, I am in the same situation as you, only I have not been learning about it for long, just a few months. I want to convert, but I get confused about some of the things. This is the best place to come for advice and support. I live in Missouri, and I just wish I could find someone who lives close to me that I could speak with in person, I think that would be of great help. I have found a Mosque about 1 1/2 hours from my home, but I am concerned as to how they will accept me. I will keep watching for your posts to see how you are doing. Sunnie
 
Ummu Sufyaan said:
Greetings, and welcome to the Forums.

May allah make your Journey of knowledge easy.

my only advise is to take things slowly slowly and in small steps. move to the next step, only when you are comfortable on the previous one that is, when you feel you can take on more. dont overwhelm yourself otherwise you will give up easily.
Click to expand...

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice. Many reverts do the mistake of taking on everything at once, and crashing and burning.

Do the shahada as soon as you feel absolutely convinced about Islam being true. Allah knows what's in your heart, your shortcomings won't be held against you to any greater extent simply for having said the shahada prematurely. Or, if anyone does so, they're in error.

Me, I'm still learning and getting used to it, though I've been convinced of the truth of Islam for years.
 

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