Hi. This is my first time posting here, but I had a few questions. I've been a Christian my whole life, and a little while ago began exploring other religions. I've always been drawn to Islam, and knew a lot about it (old boyfriend and Brother-In-Law are muslim), and wanted to learn more. I have been reading the Koran and it just all makes sense to me. My question is, what is my next step? How do you convert to Islam? What are services like and how am I expected to dress if I attend one? I don't even know where to start looking. I live just south of Baltimore, but am willing to travel anywhere in the DC metro area. Also, do they always speak Arabic at services? If they do, I'm in trouble. lol. I would appreciate it if there is anyone that could answer my questions. Thanks!
well i was a christian all my life too, i did choir,church camp,bible study,and of course sunday school as well as many church plays. i was introduced to islam of course as many people were after 9/11. i had never seen a muslim or knew anthing about islam. i lived in a small town in WV even black people were scarce there.
after that i just began studying it, i bought a quran and read it. it was so logical and i really couldnt deny anything in it. it seemed to make more sense that God was above his creation and did not have human qualities or needs such as to have children. i loved to think of God as all powerful able to create anything even if that creation was a man with no father, hey what about adam he didnt have amother or a father and noone says he is the son of God.
as i told my friend you do not know if tomorrow will ever come, if you are sure about islam you should not put off converting. you do not want to die in limbo between religions if you know the truth. i converted by myself i did not go to a mosque to convert. i felt if i had the truth in my heart and i knew what i needed to do i did not need an audience. i quietly accepted islam in my bedroom while my husband was at work. i called him to tell him i had converted. he was overjoyed and i have never looked back or regretted my decision. if there arent mosques in your area simply begin by attening lectures online. www.sunnahfollowers.net or watch videos at www.thedeenshow.com it will help you gain more understanidng. the deen show is moslty converts to islam they all have a personal story and can help a great deal especially when you may be the only one in your family to accept islam. may you be guided always. i am 22 yrs old and i have been muslim for 3 years now. if you need help or have any questions i can help you if yo ulike. pray4guidance4all@yahoo.com i also have a facebook page if you use that my name is maria fakhr on my page.
I converted to Islam when I was 18. At the time I found the "process" important but in retrospect it is just what you beleive not so much the ritual you go through to declare that. Anyway, I recommend that you get in touch with a local mosque and tell them you would like to convert. If it is anything like my experience they will welcome you and answer questions and you can say your shahada, or statement of faith. It is preferable to do this with at least two witnesses. All you have to do to convert is to declare and beleive the shahada: La illaha ilalllah, muhammadu rasullulah (there is no God except Allah, Mohamed is the messenger of Allah). I would suggest you do go to the mosque becuase the ladies there will likely be able to give you some guidance on other things to learn about islam, such as how to pray, after you convert, and will probably provide you with literature, some donated clothes, quran, etc, this is very common. I did not learn any of these things in advance, I had just learned enough to know that Islam is the truth, and I couldn't delay affirming my beleif any longer. The first time I went to the mosque I wore jeans and a sweater, my first jilbabs and hijabs were donations from the other sisters there. I'm not saying you have to rely on this but do not think you have to "prepare" in a particular way before embracing Islam. If you know any muslims locally they may be able to direct you to a mosque or you could look online for mosques or islamic centers in your area. You might want to call them and see what time to come by so some people will be expecting you and can let you know a good time, as people usually come to the mosque to pray several times a day and then go home, and there will probably be more people there at one time than another. Or if you can't get ahold of anyone, midday on Friday is a good time.
Regarding the Arabic: the services I have been to they speak in both arabic and english, or just english. The prayers are said in Arabic, but you can learn these in time, do not think you have to learn Arabic to convert.
How you are expected to dress: I wouldn't worry about your first time, like I said the first time I went to a mosque I was in jeans and a sweater (I also had a stocking cap, as I knew enough to know that the head should be covered lol, it is funny looking back now). Anyway, just wear something modest/long sleeves and pants for instance. You may ask if any of the sisters have any extra abayas or jilbabs to wear over your regular clothese when you convert, or extra hijabs to cover your hair (you'll probably get these without asking). They can also show you how to wear them. You don't have to dress a certain way to be in the mosque, but when you pray (even at home) and when you go out after you convert you will want to cover with long sleeves and skirt or pants, or an overgarment over your regular clothes, and hijab. It is okay to phase into this gradually, you don't have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe the next day :).
hi my name is catrina i am looking into converting but i wish i had someone at my side to help walk me thru it but i do no now ne one i am very shy and i am not sure how to go thru it my self
Salaams, :)
I made my shahadah at a small masjid in the Crofton/Gambrills/Odenton area. It's called The Makkah Learning Center. The people there are very kind, and I spoke with some sisters before I made my shahadah. I would recommend going there. If youd like, you can pm me, and I can give you the contact information for the masjid. I can also tell you about my own conversion to Islam. I was also a Christian, and went to quite a few churches in the DMV area.
We actually may become great friends. I'm hoping to move back to that area in the near future, insha'Allah. ;)
Noora
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