r/converts

I am looking for advice because I don't know what to do!

Since the beginning of this year, I have had doubts about my life and whether I want to continue as a Muslim. I have tried to continue, so I have been praying more, doing research, and learning.

But I notice that it is not helping, and because of this, I only have dreams and fantasies about my old life as a non-believer. I am deeply ashamed of this because for years I always believed faithfully and without doubt in Islam.

My doubts are getting worse over time, and I feel worse in my head.

I really want to make a decision because life is so short, you never know what happens after death, and this makes me doubt more.

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Let me start off by saying that I (35 F)grew up atheist. Family wasn't religious. Science was king... heck.. I even have a degree in a scientific field! That was until I discovered Islam, and it changed my life for the better... in a lot of ways, in some ways... not so much.

My newfound faith has given me a sense of peace and purpose that I have never felt (other than the sense of purpose gained from being a mother to my two children) in my life! My health is better, and my mental health has greatly improved.

I have been Muslim for a little over a year and a half now.

So that's a little context... now onto the moral dilemma...

I was a new revert to Islam of around 5 months before I worked up the courage to tell my parents. I sent them a long message (perhaps in hindsight, it wasn't the best way to go about it) stating how I had taken my Shahada and I was prepared to answer any questions/concerns they may have , etc etc.

Within half an hour of me sending that message, my father turned up at my address, pretended to be calm (it was a ruse for me to let him in) proceeded to give me a lecture about how Islam is evil etc etc and said some really disgusting things about how I'm putting "his granddaughter in danger because those people can't be trusted" amongst many other racist and vile things and slapped me around the face and left. I've not seen or spoken to them since, I did speak to one of my sisters (who's very much close to my parents) until about 8 months ago, but I soon realised everything I was venting out too her was being filtered back to my parents, so I cur contact with her too. They also cut contact with my children! (NEVER AT ANY POINT DID I SAY/CLAIM THEY COULD NOT SEE THEM FYI) which has devastated them.

To add in, my parents are extremely racist and the types to believe every false , far right claim that is fed too them.

Anyway...

Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago, I get a call from a withheld number...

I answer

It's my sister...

"Dad has cancer"

Me : "oh..."

And I hang up the phone.

I've not attempted contact.

I could forgive my father for abandoning me, but I can't forgive him for walking away from my children...

Am I the A'hole here?

I was born into a North Indian Hindu Brahmin family and spent many years exploring different religions in search of God. I studied Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and religious history. After several years of studying Christianity, I was baptized Catholic, but over time I became unconvinced by certain doctrines such as the Trinity, saint veneration, Marian devotion, purgatory, and some aspects of church authority.

Watching debates between Adnan Rashid and James White and other Christians was eye opening for me.

Today I would describe myself as a Unitarian Christian. I believe in one supreme God and see Jesus as a teacher, Messiah, and guide, but I do not currently accept the Trinity.

Because of this, I have been looking more seriously at Islam. The strict monotheism of Islam is attractive to me, but I still have many questions that I hope Muslims here can help me understand.

Some of my biggest questions are:

1. Why should I convert to Islam rather than remain a Unitarian Christian who worships the God of Abraham?
2. Muslims believe that the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel were originally revealed by God. If that is the case, why did Muslims stop following the Torah and Psalms? As someone who loves the Old Testament, especially Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Proverbs, and the prophetic books, I struggle with the idea of setting them aside.
3. How do Muslims understand the differences between the Torah and the Quran regarding figures such as Ishmael and Isaac? When there appear to be contradictions, how do you determine which account is correct?
4. How does sin, repentance, and forgiveness work in Islam? Is sincere repentance enough, or are there additional requirements?
5. What must a person do to enter Paradise according to Islam?
6. What is Paradise actually like? Is it primarily spiritual, physical, or both?
7. Will I be reunited with my wife and children in Paradise if we are all saved?
8. What happens to our ancestors? Will we know them in Paradise?
9. My parents are Hindus and have been good, moral people all their lives. How does Islam view the fate of non-Muslims who sincerely followed the religion they were raised in and never became convinced by Islam?
10. Finally, what convinced you personally that Islam is true?
11. Can I still Read Torah and Psalms and some Gospels if I become a Muslim?

I am asking these questions respectfully and in good faith. I am not looking for arguments or debates. I am genuinely interested in understanding why Muslims believe Islam is the final and correct revelation from God, and what would justify conversion from my current Unitarian Christian position.

Thank you for reading.

Hindu Brahmin with sacred thread, followed Vedic +Hindu faith for couple of years, Christian/Catholic for last 4 years and now Unitarian.

Assalam Alaikum brothers and sisters.
Ill keep this brief. The past few years, i have lived a life very astray, yeah. And then i came upon Islam again after many years. I struggle to find answers and i cannot reason with the “dawah bros” here. And hence I come to ask here.

What made you believe Allah was the one? What proof do you have that he is the one? Those who were atheist or from other religions and converted out of choice. Why? What guided you? I want to search for answers also. I hope this does not offend.

I feel like I want to know for myself. I have asked many people this question but nobody seems to provide answers that are personal. They just give very vague responses like “who else can it be?” And this is deeply unsatisfying. I have a yearning to know more.

So there's this girl i used to know a little over a year ago and its been a while since we talked but I mean it when I say she is one of the best people I ever met. We're the same age (shes a year older than me) At my old school she was one of the only people there who actually prayed and I was also one of the only Muslims there that prayed, she accepted me for being a convert, she didnt care I was white and not "culturally muslim". A strangers duaa is very powerful and please pray that me and her will meet again when we are both adults and marry. Ive decided I should marry because I cant keep hiding my faith from my family forever, when im an adult they'll find out one way or another. And pray that her family will accept me even though im not Arab.

I'm a Muslim from a Muslim family, and I respect and appreciate people who decide to convert to Islam. I see them as so brave and wonderful in a way I can't explain. I understand how difficult it is for them to practice their faith in non-Muslim environments or to endure constant insults. I just want to say that they are truly brave and should be proud of themselves 💗💗💗 inshalah we all meet in jannah

I’m currently a Baptist Christian, but lately I’ve been seriously thinking about Islam and whether I should convert.

The part that gets to me is how serious it feels. I’ve been taught that rejecting Christ could have eternal consequences, so part of me is genuinely afraid that if Christianity is true, converting to Islam could damn me. At the same time, I keep feeling drawn toward Islam anyway.

I also haven’t told people at church that I’m thinking about this. The idea of my pastor or Christian friends finding out feels almost forbidden, especially because I’ve publicly identified as Baptist.

I’m also drawn to how strict Islam can be about prayer, discipline, modesty, sex, alcohol, and everyday behaviour. Part of me wonders whether that structure is something I actually need.

For people who converted from Christianity: what finally convinced you? Did you feel guilty or afraid when you stopped praying to Jesus? Did you explore Islam secretly while still attending church? And what was it actually like the first time you said the shahada?

I’d also like to hear from people who seriously considered converting but ultimately stayed Christian.

Hello! I am wanting to attempt to pray for the first time tomorrow, starting with Fajr. I work in healthcare and have to be at work at 6am. I wake up at 4:30 am. Can I pray Fajr before the designated time where I am? (Around 5:45am) I am on my way to work at this time and do not have time when I first get to work before sunrise. Thanks for any advice!

I’m fairly new to Islam

I think I’m getting overwhelmed with everyday life.

It’s been the best choice I’ve ever made in my life Alhamdulillah and it’s incredible to follow the straight path.

One thing I really struggle with however is the more I learn about Islam I feel like it’s so hard to implement everything straight away.

I feel like if I learn something I can’t then miss i in my daily life or I’m scared of forgetting about it.

Like trying to constantly remember how I should be as a person, how important character, trying to do everything for the sake of Allah SWT, trying to remember all the acts of worship.

It’s hard to explain but I don’t feel like I’m doing enough. It almost makes me feel like I’m going to burn out.

Any suggestions?

I want to learn so much and also implement it into my life.

Just even learning new things and forgetting about previous things I’d learnt about as well really annoys me.

I just feel like there’s so much to think about and my head just gets overwhelmed.

Sorry for the ramble I just need some guidance on what I should do or any advice from someone who may be in this situation.

Is this normal to think like this?

So, im not the revert...my mother is, and her side of the family is beyond toxic...think of pro trump pro israel very very anti islam-anything.

My question is, how do some of you deal with family memebers like that...like...im trying to walk and hold myself in the way our prophet did. Im trying my hardest to respect my elders.....but at times i just want to swing at them because of their disgusting comments. How do others who have been in the same position deal with such family members.

And yes....i recently cut contact entirely. But we see one another during family events

Hey everyone's, I’m Gautam, 19M from India

I was born and raised in a Hindu family, and honestly I never thought I’d be making a post like this, but recently I’ve been seriously thinking about accepting Islam.

There’s someone important in my life who is Muslim, and that’s how I first got closer to Islam. But I don’t want to do this just for someone. If I ever accept Islam, I want it to be because I genuinely believe in it myself.

The thing is, I honestly have no idea where to start.

If I decide that I want to become Muslim, what do I actually have to do? Do I just go to a mosque and talk to an imam? How does Shahada work? Do I need witnesses or any documents?

And after accepting Islam, what should I learn first? Wudu, namaz, Quran, Arabic, fasting, etc. Do I need to know these things before taking Shahada or do I learn them afterwards?

I’m also confused about things like changing my name, family, legal stuff in India and just how life changes after accepting Islam.

I’d really like to hear from people who have actually converted, especially people who came from a Hindu background. How did you start? What did you do first? And is there anything you wish you knew before taking that step?

I’m not looking for a Hindu vs Muslim debate. I genuinely just want to understand the process and hear from people who have actually been through it

Any honest advice would mean a lot.

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There is a lot societal pressure on the interfaith relationships. Even the couple are ok, boys parents want girl to convert in their religion for marriage.i myself a non Muslim, married my boyfriend who is muslim.Your advice on this?

Hi all, I’m seeking advice and reassurance. it’s a yap but please read!!!
I’m a female young teenager muslim. I was born to a christian (non-practicing) mum, and muslim (non-practicing) father. my father has been absent in my life and i’ve had no proper contact with him or his family since a baby, as he wasn’t a nice person. i wasn’t raised religiously, however around 2 years ago i reverted and became a muslim as my beliefs of God and religion aligned with the islamic stories. i didn’t know how to pray, or anything like that. none of my family know, like grandparents and aunty/uncle. my mum does know, however we never really talk about it as she’s not the most supportive. i don’t mind that, however i’ve never been to a mosque or any religious place. a lot of my friends are muslim but they’re very judgemental so i don’t go to them for advice. i still don’t know how to pray salah and still haven’t properly read Quran. i do use an app that has the english translation of quran which is useful because i’d prefer to understand the message before learning the arabic version. as for salah, i use this app called Namaz and i am still learning Tashahuud (i think it’s called?). i’m really forgetful so it’s hard for me to learn it, and have been going through a lot recently, with life changes and just overall depression. i’m also in the process of being diagnosed audhd. i have anxiety disorder which makes my stress worse but it’s just overwhelming worrying about how much of a bad muslim i am.
i get easily addicted so sin easily and no matter how much discipline i have i just relapse with everything. i don’t dress that modestly, i had puberty young so i never really got to be a child or have fun in that kind of way. i don’t think i’ll ever feel comfortable in hijab. and again, i struggle with reading quran and praying. sorry this is very messy but im just paranoid

I'm half Gulf Arab (mom) and half British (dad). My mom is not an atheist but my dad is, so he left Islam and was abusive so my mom left Islam cause what else could she do? I tried contacting my religious aunt who her and her husband were friends with him and she blocked me!

I am DEFINITELY not an atheist. I have been looking into religion since I was 12 even though I wasn't raised like that. I definitely do not fit into the UK dating culture (I could explain but it's too long). I don't even fit in here anymore. I have never even been to the Gulf but people see me as foreign since I've grown up even though I speak the local language (not English). I have wanted to get married for years, due to my loneliness of being abused as a child and having no relatives, but no khaleeji wants to marry me because I'm not Muslim, even though I believe in God and have traditional values. I've just felt so alone my entire life. What am I supposed to do? I feel like I fit in with Muslims but the UK and my dad has ruined how I see Islam, I feel like I genuinely can't convert, like no matter what. I don't know how to explain it. I looked into Shia Islam even though my family were Sunni, and I like it a lot, but like I said, I feel like I just can't do this.

Hello, I've been looking into religion these past few weeks, mainly Islam.

For context, I was born a Muslim but left during my teen years and became an athiest, then shortly became spiritual but not religious. I do believe in the supernatural, but I still care very much for science.

Recently, I've felt a pull towards Islam and started reading the Quran and researching about things regarding Islam. Of course this is difficult for me since I used to have such hatred towards Islam (not muslims) and was taught a lot of twisted things about it online. Just a few months ago, however, my view completely changed and I am baffled by how much it did a 180°.

One of the main things that discourage me from reverting is how many of my friends became ex-Christian or ex-Muslim, even though I know they have skewed views and I've recently started arguing for Islam, I question if I am in the wrong sometimes. I definitely feel alone and sometimes as if my reality is not real. The thought of religion has been eating up my thoughts everyday and I cannot do anything else without thinking about it.

I'm stumped on what to do. Each time I think about closing this topic and continuing on with my life normally, I can't and my mind wanders back. And when I think about Islam again, I feel so much pain and anxiety. Please help, and thank you.