Thinking about converting to Islam, but it would hurt my father
Muslim boy resting on the Quran
Hello,
Well, where to begin. If you read my profile you will know that I am a born Christian. Been Christian all 18 years of my life. But I have been experiencing a lack of faith in my religion.
I don't act, or feel the need to act, faithful. And it hurts me inside, but no matter what I can't bring myself to somehow become faithful in more ways. I go on missions, youth meetings, all of the above, but I feel nothing.
Islam seems different. Muslims are always reading or reciting holy text and are ready to bring their faith into their world, neighbors and family alike. I want that. But to be honest I am scared. My father is not just a pastor, he is a Bishop. That's the big head of things in the Methodist Church (one of the denominations for those who don't know). A conversion would not only upset him, but would endanger his job and how his delegation views him.
I have a large family, and family is very important to me. But I want this faith. So the big question is. What can you all tell me about Islam. Since I can't get my hands on a Koran or see a Muslim "Priest" (Sorry, I don't know the word) I was hoping you could tell me.
- thecurious
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Dear thecurious Brother or sister
It is wonderful to hear that you are interested in learning about Islam, specially what you seem to have witnessed about muslims and how they know their religion. I understand this is hard, but have patience. There are always in this day and age, to "get your hands on a Quran". I would suggest Muhammad Asad's interpretation (we prefer not to call it translation of the Quran as translations are very individual and hence are unable to convey the exact essence of what is being said, not just from Arabic, which is the language of the Quran, to English but any language to another one). I will share the Amazon link here and you can also get it on Kindle, so no one will know what you are reading! Asad was actually a Viennese Jew who reverted to Islam and has a fascinating story
http://www.amazon.com/The-Message-Quran-accompanied-transliteration/dp/1904510353/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343947370&sr=8-1&keywords=muhammad+asad+the+message+of+the+qur%27an
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Asad
Have faith in Allah, and He will make it easy for you - remember, nothing comes without a price. Your parents will always love you, even if there maybe some time they maybe upset with you because of the life choices you make.
Take care of yourself. Peace.
Dear Curious,
welcome to this website , and more over welcome to the 'way of life' .....Islam.
Allah ( God) is guiding you , no doubt Allah guides who ever He wills.
you can have a free copy of quran from any mosque that is near your house or islamic centre. you can go the website al-quran.com there is whole quran ( saheh international) with translation available.you can have a mobile application of it as well.
suhaib webb.com has some very basic video clips to understand the faith of islam. also it has some very valuable information about 5 pillars of islam.
I understand that coming from a different background can be difficult , but He who is guiding you will make it easy for you as well. Inshallah( by the will of Allah).
there is a very similar post on this website where this 16 yr old is also in a similar situation . Brother waseem( one of the editors of this website) has given very useful advice.
May Allah be with and guide you and make it easy for you.
look after yourself.
GOOD MORNING MR CURIOUS- I have a large family, and family is very important to me.
THIS IS ONE PRIEST WHO WAS ALSO A VERY HIGH PRIEST AND PL READ HIS BIOGRAPHY YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE REAL LOVE OF GOD WHEN ERUPTS CARES NOT FOR THE WORLD- The Bible's Last Prophet
What All Christians And Jews MUST Know About The Bible http://islamicweb.com/?folder=bible
IN REPLY I WOULD LIKE TO REPLY FROM THE QURAN TEXT FOR THIS FEELING OG YOURS SO THAT YOU MUST KNOW THE PRIORITIES OF HUMAN BEING WHICH IS THE ACID TEST OF FAITH AND RELATIVES-
1]"And no bearer of burdens shall bear another's burden; and if one heavily laden calls another to (bear) his load, nothing of it will be laden even though he be near of kin, you can warn only those who fear their Lord unseen and perform prayers. And who purifies himself then he purifies for the benefit of his ownself. And to God is the final return." (Quran 35:18)
2]"If you disbelieve, then God is not in need of you; He likes not disbelief for his slaves. And if you are grateful, He is pleased therewith for you. No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you what you used to do. He is the All-Knower of that which is in the breasts (Of men)" (Quran 39:07)
NO ONE NEED TO DIE FOR THE SINS OF OTHERS
3]"Say: Shall I seek Lord other than God, while He is the Lord of all things? No person earns any sin except against himself (only), and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another. Then unto your Lord is your return, so He will tell you that wherein you have been differing" (Quran 6:164)
4]"Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens shall bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger" (Quran 17:15)
FOR YR 1ST ANSWER THE ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT BUT READ THE WHOLE BOOK THIS PRIEST HAS CHALLENGED THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN WORLD FOR THE TRUTH HE REVEALED IN THAT THIS IS THE MOST PRECIOUS GEM PEARL OR WHAT EVER YOU WANT YOU CAN CALL I HAVE WITH ME TO PRESENT YOU MOST WELCOME THE FAITH OF ALL THE PROPHETS FROM ADAM TO MUHAMMAD PEACE AND BLESSINGS UPON THEM-
I AM EXPERIENCED FOR 39 YEARS IN COMPARATIVE RELIGION AND ALSO I WAS CHOIR SINGER IN MY SCHOOL DAYS SO PL FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS -
REGARDS
ALI YOUSUFF
Welcome to Islam Brother!
Muslims who are born into Islam have tremendous respect for ones who
convert. There are vast amounts of information available from
Internet websites, but more importantly you should start reading the Quran asap..
May Allah Guide you furthermore....
http://quran.com
This is our holybook in here you'll find the translation in English and the transliteration as well..
The love of God is first and foremost, hold on to him and he won't let you go...Islam (Peace) is the way of life. Since you're wanting to do the right thing Allah won't let you down he'll only make your path easier so don't be afraid. You won't lose your family because they are family and you never know once you change they might have a change of heart as well which will open up the gates of heaven for you...welcome to the light, the correct way of life...May Allah bless you and guide and your family and bless you.
Dear thecurious,
Your post sounds very similar to that of a hero of Islam, a companion of Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him, named - Salman the Persian.
He was initially a Magian, a worshipper of fire. His father was the chief of the village with huge Estate.
One day, his father told him to go and look after the estate for that day. He went, but on his way, he found a Church. He here their voices while they were praying and he decided to join them. He liked this way of Praising God, because it was better than his old way. He decided to become a Christian. He was told that Christianity was dominant in Syria.
However, he spent the day with them and did not go to the estate that day. On returning, he told his father about the Christians. He became upset and decided to lock him up, so that he does not go to the Church again. However, if managed to escape, and fled to Syria.
He looked for the Bishop and decided to serve him. They failed to impress him, rather, they upset him.
Someone told him about a Prophet to come in Arabia.
He decided to move further. He joined a caravan going to Arabia and paid them whatever he had. But they deceived him. One of them took him as a slave and made him serve him when they reached Arabia (Madinah).
When Prophet Peace be upon him migrated to Madinah, and Salman heard about it, he decided to see him. He saw him, tested to see if he was true, then accepted Islam as his final Religion.
He became one of the most beloved companions of the Prophet Peace be upon him.
You could read in detail about him here: islamiska.org/e/salman.htm
or from the book on biography of the prophet peace be upon him called The Sealed Nectar. You can download this book from here:
http://www.islamhouse.com/p/51776
Further, do you know Yusuf Estes? He was a Christian minister, who was guided to Islam by Allah, through a Muslim man, who, instead of speaking a word, demonstrated what Islam taught him. This impressed him a lot. You could watch his videos on youtube.
You could even read a similar post, which has the story of a sister, who accepted Islam:
http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/parents-hate-conversion-to-islam/
Now, for the course of action. It would depend on whether you are a sister or a brother.
If you are a brother, I would ask you to wait until you begin to earn, and take care of yourself. If you are a sister, I would suggest you to approach a Muslim organisation, who could help you find a husband (that is when you are ready to get married).
I suggest you to practice Islam in secret, until you are ready (with what I said above). Then you could reveal to your father that you have accepted Islam and it is better than any other faith on Earth. You could even be a source to guide him to the truth, if Allah Wills so.
But if he does not accept, then just practice payers and other Islamic deeds, now openly, so that everytime he sees you, his inner self triggers him and urges him to learn about Islam. Then if he wishes to accept Islam, then know that the World belongs to Allah and He Will find a source of income for your father, which if does not need to worry.
But if he does not, Islam still teacher that you respect him, but do not obey him when if asks you to worship anyone besides Allah.
If he then disowns you, then you should take it as a test from Allah, always keep good relation with him, and make use of your back up plan, which is either marriage (if you are a sister) or your earning (if you are a brother).
Always stay in the company of the good and never give up the thought of accepting Islam, due to the thoughts about the consequenses. Allah is your Lord, and if you believe in Him, He Will surely give you all that is good for you. And eventually, your return will be only to Him, then you will be judged by Him for your deeds.
No matter what we face in this World, if our Lord forgives us and gives us protection under His Shade, what else do wewant.
Brother/Sister, Islam will bring peace to your life in this World and insha Allah in the Hereafter too.
I pray that Allah makes things easy for you and that He Guides your father also to Islam.
May Allah make it so (Aameen)
Wassalamualaikum
Muhammad Waseem
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Just to further add a couple of inspiration converts to Islam:
http://islam.thetruecall.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=215
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Stevens
The curious,
Just wanted to add one thing to what Brother Waseem said regarding your father...
This may be a wonderful chance for Allah (God) to truly save your father through you. As a revert from a Christian upbringing, it is my opinion that the truth of Islam will shine through to any truly pious and God-fearing Christian if they approach it and study the Qu'ran with an open mind. Insha'Allah (God willing) your father is such a man. If he can overcome the politics of being a bishop, and overcome the pride issues of discovering the errors of his ways, he will find true peace. It does not make life free of trials, but it does make each breath more precious.
American Muslim
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
It does not make life free of trials, but it does make each breath more precious.
Well said 🙂
alsalam alikom
dear curious,
keep try to ask allah to help you .....and never give up.......and you will see