بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

اللهم صل وسلم على رسولك وآله أجمعين

The following is an account written a few years ago of how a dear friend came to Islam . We hope you benefit and please keep her in your prayers.

My family moved to the UK 12 years ago and since living here I’ve met people of many different religions and backgrounds. Going to school with them, being aware of their celebrations and cultures, and mostly, being aware of their beliefs, made me question my belief.

I’ve always believed in one God, even before Islam. Looking back I don’t think I had ever put a ‘face’ to the one God I believed in, which I find quite surprising as my mum practises Hinduism. There are many things looking back now, which I think have prepared me for taking my Shahada, and all of these experiences came from situations that were out of my hands.

There are many paths a person can take that will lead them to Islam. A few years ago I did consider reverting. Who would have thought that so many years later I would stand here – a Muslim! When I tell people I’m a revert, most of the time the questions are all the same, ‘why did you revert, what interested you about Islam?’

One night, over a year ago now, I went to sleep thinking about my day, so caught up in my life. That night changed everything. I dreamt about reading the Quran. I was curious about this book, so a friend of mine managed to find me an electronic translation online. It took me months to get through it. Some days I was so eager and could get through many pages, other days I would feel ever so sleepy whilst reading it and only manage a couple of lines.

When I started to read the Quran I thought to myself, if only I had a book about the stories of the Prophets, I could understand my reading better. A week or so later I was given a book called ‘Stories of the Prophets.’ How strange, when I felt a need for something, it was given, SubhanAllah.

After reading the translation of the Quran, I believed in it. I was also given talks to listen to and many more books to read. I wanted to know more and more about Islam; it’s a curiosity that developed – a thirst for knowledge. My friend was very helpful and patient in answering my questions. I wonder about that sometimes, and it gives me hope for the many people who are interested in Islam. If you develop a curiosity about Islam, you can always find a guide in a Muslim friend, InshaAllah (even if it is through Facebook!)

For some time my dreams continued, my curiosity grew, and I researched more. When the month of Ramadan began, I thought I would “test the water” a little, so I tried to fast for a few days. That didn’t go down very well!! I honestly don’t know how everyone keeps such long fasts; I managed to do a few half days. Waking up early and sneaking around the house to get some food was like something out of a movie! InshaAllah I’ll do better next Ramadan.

A few days before Eid-ul-Fitr, I was introduced to a sister who had just taken her Shahada. Speaking to her I felt that there was someone who knew what I was going though.  She told me about a blog and I sent an email out, eagerly anticipating a reply! This was the first time I actually spoke to anyone aside my friends about my interest in Islam. The LNM organisation replied with a name and contact number for a sister. It took me a few days to summon the courage to make that phone call. I knew things had been set in motion. I knew that this one action, was going to have a very big impact on me – and I wasn’t wrong!

When I called the sister she was very friendly and invited me over to her house. I was so nervous about going. The sister who I spoke to on the phone was there as well as another sister. Both of them were talking about Islam, the basic principles, the beliefs and the teachings. I was asked if I wanted to take my Shahada, and they explained what it is and what it means to take the Shahada. So I did! And that was in October last year!

Since that day my life has changed a lot, all in good ways Alhamdulillah. I feel more at peace with myself, and I see things in new light, so when reflecting upon something I take into account an Islamic perspective. I’m at peace knowing there is an answer to every question out there even if I don’t know what it is.

My parents certainly see a change in me, although they can’t pin-point exactly what it is. I haven’t yet told them. I avoid telling many people about my reverting. I am not afraid of people knowing, I just think my parents should know first and that I should be the one to tell them. I’m waiting for when the time is right to tell them and when they will be capable of accepting the news. Only Allah knows when this will be.

My social life has grown so much after reverting. I’ve met some lovely sisters and there are always events to go to. There is always someone to call or speak to if I need anything. MashaAllah everyone is so helpful and willing. I speak to some sisters who reverted a few years back when it was difficult to surround oneself with fellow Muslims whereas I think it is easier now to learn about Islam and become Muslim than before.

We all have difficult times ahead; telling my parents will be difficult, and if I sat down I could list all the uncertainties I can see in the future. Yet, that would be the wrong way to think about things. Islam means submission to the will of Allah. I have to accept that if He has brought me to this then He will take me through it. So I trust Allah and I submit to His will, therefore there is no need to worry about these uncertainties.

I still have a lot to learn, it’s a journey I look forward to walking. Islam is not something I would like to live without. So I constantly tell myself that if I’m going to do this I’m going to do it right, and take everything one step at a time. It is not a race to learn everything; it is about understanding and learning things thoroughly.

Islam is beautiful, and it is sad to see the many stereotypes there are out there, as not everything is what it seems. I hope this helps anyone who might be reading this, and I pray Allah guides us all towards the true and correct path of Islam – Ameen.