The session has just started. Please feel free to join us with your questions.
After the session has ended, you can view the whole dialogue by clicking Recent Sessions, or the archive.
For feedback and suggestions, please e-mail us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net.
Yours,
Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk.
Name
Jala
- Albania
Profession
Question
Salams,
I'm a new Muslim, I'm 15 years old. I converted to Islam about a month ago. Up till now I can't tell my family about me becoming a Muslim. Please tell me how to deal with this situation.
Answer
Asalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Thank you for your question. Welcome to Islam!
Your story is obviously very personal and we don't know all the details of how you came to embrace Islam, but there are some things we can say right away.
First of all, Muslims love their parents very much and they show them great honor and great respect. Not telling them about your decision is something that will have to be confronted soon, because we wouldn't want to do anything that might hurt them. Coming straight out and telling them, however, might be too much just at the moment. You can start, though, by gently beginning to mention Islam - to test the waters and see how they react. You can also try and show them by your behavior and by what you say, that you are still their daughter and that nothing has changed there.
As parents, they want the best for you. The television media at the moment is telling many people that Islam is a threat, so you have to convince them that you haven't turned into a fanatic or an extremist. When they realize that you are still the same girl, they will perhaps be more ready to accept your choice, seeing that you haven't been captured by aliens!
Ask Almighty Allah to resolve this situation for you. Take your time. Continue to show you parents that you love and respect them.
When the time is right and you do tell them that you are now Muslim, this might be an occasion when Almighty Allah will touch their own hearts.
Maybe they will one day, in sha' Allah, become Muslim, too.
Name
Lana
-
Profession
Question
I've been returning to Islam very recently; I'm so passionate about reading the Holly Qur'an also in Arabic, but I don't know how to approach It; except knowing the alphabet is there a special book which gives explanations of the almost all words used in Qur'an? (With english interpretation and word transliteration?)
Thank you
Answer
Asalaamu alaykum. Thank you for your question. Alhamdulillah, you are beginning to find joy in the Holy Qur'an and your desire to know more is itself a gift.
There are so many translations of the meanings of the holy Qur'an that it is almost impossible to know which one to suggest. When I became Muslim I was given a copy of the Holy Qur'an, with English transliteration of the text and with excellent notes. This was given out by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and many of its embassies provide copies free. Perhaps this could be a start.
IslamOnline.net is also a very good resource as there are a number of pages where you can find help.
Hi, I just had a question for you, sir. Do I have to read and understand the Holy Qur'an in Arabic in order to be a Muslim? What if I don't know Arabic?
Answer
Asalaamu alaykumwa rahmatullahi wa barakatu (May the peace and the mercy and the blessings of Allah be upon you). Thank you very much for your question. It is a question that many people ask.
About eighteen per cent of the world's Muslims are Arab. There are more Muslims living in Indonesia, for example, than in the whole Arab world put together.
Arabic is not the language of Islam. The Holy Qur'an had to be revealed in a human language, or no-one would have understood it. The language which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) spoke was Arabic and the Holy Qur'an was revealed in that language. It has remained in that language throughout history, so that it has not become corrupted over time by different translations. Muslims believe that the Holy Qur'an we hear and recite today is exactly what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
The more Arabic you come to know, the more you will better understand the original revelation, but if you don't know any Arabic at all at the moment you can begin to read the Holy Qur'an in translation.
Islam is very simple. Almighty Allah does not burden people with things which are too much for them. Try to learn a couple of verses in Arabic, which you need in order to pray the five daily prayers. Other than that, take your time and enjoy what you can, in translation.
Islam is for the whole of mankind. Our personal prayers can be in any language we choose. Try to listen to more of the Holy Qur'an in Arabic, perhaps with a translation, in order to feel its beauty. When the time is right, you will want to learn more of the original.
Name
Moi
-
Profession
Question
Assalaamu alaikum. I am a new Muslim and this is my first Ramadan coming up and it is only about 7 weeks away and I'm nervous about it. I think it will be very hard to fast can you give me some advice about that please?
Answer
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu.Thank you for your question.
How lucky you are to be soon experiencing your first Ramadan as a Muslim! Ramadan is the most beautiful month. It is not only the month of fasting, but also the month of prayer and the month of the Holy Qur'an. It is also a time when we think of those less fortunate than ourselves and we thank Almighty Allah for His goodness to us.
Ramadan is a time, too, when we resolve to live as better Muslims in the year ahead.
As far as fasting is concerned, you are right, there are seven weeks to go. Why not begin to prepare yourself now for the fast in Ramadan? Why not try and go without drinking for a morning or a whole day? Why not have a trial day of going completely without food?
Almighty Allah never burdens us with things we cannot cope with. He always gives us the strength to do His will. I remember that in my first Ramadan it was the water I missed most. Others get a headache for the first few days, but then get used to the fasting.
The most important thing to remember is why we fast. We fast because Allah commands us to do so. In fasting we submit to His will. There is such a feeling of joy at the end of each day, knowing that we have managed to fast for the sake of Allah, along with all the other Muslims in the world.
You say you are a bit nervous. Try, instead, to see Ramadan as a wonderful gift that you will be given, a chance to come even closer to Allah and to your Muslim brothers and sisters. Ask Almighty Allah that your first Ramadan will be a time of real blessing. Enjoy it!
If you want to make use of the experience of other new Muslims go to “My First Ramadan…”
Name
Jon
- United States
Profession
student
Question
I have been thinking about Islam for a long time, to tell the truth. I just get confused about the Sunni-Sufi-Shia-etc. kinds of Islam. How can I choose which one to join?
Answer
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu.Many thanks for your question.
I nowlive in Egypt. I did an interview with a journalist from London some months ago and she asked me how did I manage to cope with all the different groups and sects. My answer was quite simple: here in Egypt we are just "Muslims."
Islam is really very simple. The fact that you have come to islamonline means that you have come to a site which represents moderate, mainstream, Sunni Islam, which is what the vast majority of Muslims are.
I don't think there is any need to get confused right from the start. Stick to the basic Five Pillars of Islam. Read about the life and example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and try to read some of the Holy Qur'an.
Muslims believe that Islam is the natural religion of mankind and that it has existed since the beginning of time. To become Muslimo ne simply has to declare with one's lips, and mean from the bottom of one's heart, that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. After that, Almighty Allah will help you to grow in your knowledge of Islam, if you stick to mainstream sources. I hope you find what you are looking for very soon.
Name
Sam
-
Profession
Question
How do I know the right time to convert? I have been researching Islam for about six months but with more interest in the last couple. I want to convert, yet I want to know how to properly respond to other people’s reactions and how to be strong in my way of life.
I live in an area where white Muslims can be the target of hatred from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Also, I would like to wear hijab (Islamic dress code with a head scarf), but there are two problems.
First, my boss has informed me that he can and would sack me if I wore a scarf. Because I am a non-native Muslim, he would be within his legal rights to do so.
Second, I work with mentally ill people who can be very aggressive. I fear that, even if I could overcome my boss’s prejudice, they would be able to use the scarf to strangle me. Is there some type of hijab that would minimize this risk?
I find little support where I live. Please help me. Don’t tell me to change jobs, for I find great reward and pleasure in my work.
Answer
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Thank you for your question. I think that your concerns about wearing hijab would best be addressed by Ask the Scholar.
As for a right time or a wrong time to become Muslim, only you can know this. Only your heart can hold out for so long, until it is no longer possible to carry on without declaring the words of the Shahadah, that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenegr.
The important thing is for you to be sure that you want to submit to Almighty Allah. All other considerations, like how to respond to this or that dress code, will resolve themselves when you look upon them with the eyes of a Muslim, wanting to do everything to please Him. He always helps to ease the burdens we carry.
Name
Paul
- United States
Profession
Question
Salams, brother. Some of my Muslim friends say I have to grow a long beard and I have to wear tunics and I have to do this and that. Sometimes I think they are too strict but there are not too many Muslims near me. So what can I do? I have to work, I can't dress like they want me to or grow a long beard. But how do I know if they are right or not? If I see two or three opinions, how do I know what is right and who to follow?
Answer
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Thank you for your question.
I always begin to get a little worried when friends are telling me I must do this or I must do that. Does Islam tell me I must do it? If Islam says so, then we must. Or, as you say, is it an opinion of someone, no matter how close to me?
The most important thing to have in mind before how we look in front of others, is how we feel in our hearts and minds. Do we pray regularly, perhaps even praying extra prayers? Do we pay zakat justly and honestly? Do we fast with our whole hearts during Ramadan? By our words and actions, do we let others know that Islam is very gentle and very beautiful and very sweet?
By praying each day to become a better Muslim, drawing others to Allah by the way we live and the example we give, these other matters like beards and dress codes will sort themselves out narurally and will be a fuller expression of what it means to us to be Muslim. Rather than relying on the opinions of others, ask Almighty Allah how best you can serve Him and give glory to Him.
Name
Ahmed Saad
-
Profession
Imam
Question
Brother Idris Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah! Do you think there are enough 'maintenance programs' for new Muslims? What is the best way to enrich this?
Answer
Dear Brother Ahmed. Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. What a good question.
In my opinion, there are definitely not enough programmes or courses for new Muslims. Having made a very courageous decision, often after a great deal of heart-searching and personal difficulty, new Muslims are thrown in at the deep end, not really knowing where to turn to or which opinion is right or wrong.
Soon after becoming Muslim, I was told in one mosque that Allah would not accept my prayers if I did not have a beard. Another mosque told me that if I listened to any kind of music I could not reach Paradise. I didn't know whther these ideas were right, but they "felt" to be a bit exaggerated.
In entering a couple of mosques as a new Muslim, I felt ignored and not very welcome.
Alhamdulillah, with time we get to know more Muslims and we are even blessed with knowing some very good Muslims, whose lives and example show us what Islam is like.
People have many misconceptions people about Islam. Perhaps there is also room for courses designed specifically to teach new Muslims not only information about Islam itself but also things like how to properly prepare for prayer, how to learn verses from the Holy Qur'an and soon.
I believe we are failing in our duty to new Muslims if we can only refer them to read a book!
Name
zeinab
- Egypt
Profession
Question
What are the difficulties a new Muslim can face?
Answer
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. If I had all the rest of this week for the Live Dialogue we could begin to answer your question fully.
As it is, we can just sum up some of the problems:
- New Muslims need to differentiate between what is Islam and what is cultural baggage that really has nothing to do with Islam.
- New Muslims can face rejection from family or from friends or from colleagues at work.
- Many new Muslims feel overwhelmed by all the things they don't know about Islam.
- New Muslims, like every Muslim, can fail to live up to what Islam is, and this can make them feel disheartened and discouraged.
- Society can make new Muslims feel they have made a bad choice, by constantly presenting false images of Islam.
We all want to be good Muslims and we should always be sensitive to the problems which new Muslims face.
Name
Samantha
-
Profession
Question
I have a friend who I love very much. Since I converted to Islam, she stopped talking to me. I tried my best to visit her at her home, call her at her phone, meet her in the street, but she refuses to listen to me. I don't want to lose her friendship. I pray to Allah to help her to understand that I'm still the same person after I converted to Islam. Tell me what to do.
Thank you.
Answer
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu.
We can try our best to show others that Islam is beautiful. The media present such distorted images of Islam and Muslims that we often fight an uphill battle in trying to dispel the myths.
Obviously, I don't know the full background to your story, but all you can do is try to continue living as a good Muslim, giving good example in what you do and say, and showing that as a friend you have not changed.
It is a difficult pill to swallow, but we also need to realise that some people will not be convinced whatever we do. Time will show you how your efforts have been repaid. Until then, continue to beg of Almighty Allah that you will be a positive influence in showing not only your friend, but also others, that Islam is the natural religion of mankind and that it answers the deepest needs in our hearts.
