A Rant From A Convert To Islam
I felt it necessary to repost this piece, from my very good friend Amira. Amira has been a friend of mine via MySpace for several months now, and I think her voice as a strong hijabi muslimah in the face of adversity is always a positive addition.
She's also a convert to Islam, and her piece accents many of the commonalities converts experience upon taking on our new lifestyles:
What Makes Me Different From Converts to Islam.I'm in one of my moods right now so I'm going to just let it flow. What makes me different from a lot of converts to Islam is a lot of things. Before I begin, I still believe in Allah subahana wa tala, Prophet Muhammad salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, I mean everything that has to do with the real Islam. I'm still a believer.
When I 1st converted to Islam, I was in a bit of shock because I didn't know if I did that right thing because the day I converted I wasn't in my right mind. A few days later I was just confused and not knowing what I did. I'll tell you one thing. I didn't become someone I'm not like most of "YOU" converts do. I'm still aware of the issues that the world faces.
For example, other religions out in this world, different people, gays,lesbians, transgender( not saying to agree with them but they are still human beings), politics, or anything else us converts knew about growing up and living here in the US or parts of Europe. Why do you act stupid and close minded to things that you have been exposed to since growing up and act ignorant once you accept Islam?
Why are you trying to be someone your not? I'm sick of people like you. Once you accept Islam, everyone around you who isn't Muslim is a "Kaffir", you start being ignorant, you act like your stuff doesn't stink, and everything is "haram" why don't you take a look in the mirror and realize you are acting a fool! The thing about me is I'm not being ignorant about things I was exposed to growing up. I care for human beings who have been violated no matter what their religion is.
The difference between you and I. I help people who are non Muslim and Muslim. That is something you can't stand about me. Look, there are many people in the world who aren't Muslim that need help. Stop acting ignorant and open your mind to people of different faith. Did you ever wonder that maybe helping a non Muslim is a good chance to give Dawah and maybe opening that persons heart to accept Islam? I'm sure you wouldn't give the non Muslim a chance to feel that way. You know what? I would do that and I'll continue to do that and also help my brothers and sisters in Islam.
Another thing about me, I take the chance in school and to tell people around me that Islam is a peaceful religion. I tell men and woman about womens rights in Islam. I tell them that these so called "Islamic Countries" aren't following the real Islam and are making their own man made laws up but adding just a touch of Islamic Laws to make it seem fair. I don't see any of you doing that and I don't expect you to anytime soon. Muslims are always complaining about "Non Muslims" corrupting society and so on. Please, at least Christians and Jews act like human beings inside their place of worship.
They aren't always in a rush to do things and have manners. Instead of worrying about them we need to worry about religion and stop stressing over them! We have faults and the thing about Muslims, we are always judging other Muslims over their race. That is a bunch of crap and you know it. I've never seen Christians or Jews do that. If they do that, I'm not aware of it because they don't keep on like we do.
Anyways, that is all I can say right now and if don't like what I said. I don't really care because I'm my own person and you don't know anything about me.
Salaam'alaikum
Amira
I could have sworn she was speaking in Hebrew, or Yiddish. Often hearing words of mussar/ethical development are more poignant when heard from "outside" of our "boxes."
I'm sure All-h is very pleased with Amira and the muslimah she's turning out to be, and the kaffir that she turned out not to be. I think her words are quite relevant, no matter what religion one converted to or from.
Comments
Yup, that be me Amira:) much love Yitz!
Posted by: Amira | March 13, 2007 10:41 PM
Hello y love.
interesting to read it.
and i hope you are good.
avraham
Posted by: avraham | March 14, 2007 07:13 AM
I'd like to say Assalamu'alaykum to Amira and Shalom to Y-Love. I'd like to address a few points that Amira brought up.
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
First of all, I find it very odd the way that Amira separated herself from other Muslims right off the bat. I was very taken aback and highly offended at her angry and haughty tone. What is that all about? 'YOU' Muslims? I found that to be very condescending and frankly, it's not the way I'd expect a sister in Islam to behave in regards to the ummah. While it is commendable that Amira maintained her tolerance and love for humanity, obviously she seems to have gained a bit of arrogance and brashness that more than makes up for whatever positive ground she claims to have gained.
Amira, why are you so angry? You're talking about what everyone else does and the way everyone else acts. Seems to me that your chest is even more puffed up than these so-called 'converts' you speak of. At least they have the humility to attribute their knowledge and guidance to Allah! Just what makes you so much better than anyone else? You're 'not like us???' Funny, that's what Iblis (Shaitan) thought about the other jinn too, I believe. Try some humbleness and submission to Allah on for size, Amira. Who do you think you are??? You do absolutely NOTHING ON YOUR OWN. Not ONCE in your post did I see you say, 'Allah blessed me with-' or 'Allah guided me with-' You continued to rant on about what YOU do. Those things you claim you do, should be attributed to ALLAH and ALLAH alone. All praise due to HIM, not you.
BE HUMBLE AND PRAISE HIM, NOT YOURSELF.
Second, if Amira's truly such a 'great' Muslim compared to the rest of us 'converts' (it's REVERT, btw), she could start by correcting what she sees as un-Islamic behavior in a gentle way, as our Prophet, peace be upon him, did and taught.
Amira, there is nothing wrong with caring for and loving all of humanity, sister. However, as a Muslim you have responsibilities that you didn't have before, to clearly know what is wrong and what is right, and to shun what is wrong. If people start mentioning what is 'haram' and what is not, so be it. At least they are trying to keep themselves from what is evil and better themselves.
I think I speak for most Muslims (except you, apparently) when I say that I'd rather be seen as a 'judgmental fool' by shunning what the Qur'an clearly states is wrong than to be doomed to Jahannum by indulging in all this secular, 'We-are-the-world', 'Let's-love-everybody' bs. Do I endorse belittling people, persecuting people, or refusing help to those who clearly need it? No, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go participate in a 'gay rights' rally because liberals like you feel that it's 'helping people.' I'm not going to go and support gay marriage because you think it's being 'nice' or 'tolerant'.
Give me a break! There is a clear line between what is halal and what is haram, sister. Once we engage in liberal secularism that causes us to sanction what is not sanctioned by the Qur'an and by Allah, what are we left with? Once we fail to see or to acknowledge what is halal and haram, we are no better than the lowest of beasts and jinn. If you see people around you that are constantly reminding you of what is 'haram', it's because the Qur'an tells us that the evil jinn are constantly on our left and on our right, ALWAYS there trying to persuade us to go in the wrong direction.
Inshallah, sister, you will come to feel that your brothers and sisters in Islam are your true family, not people that you have to one-up or look down upon. If we are wrong, correct them, but do it with a sincere understanding of Islam and out of love. I didn't sense that in any of your words, only, like I mentioned before, an arrogance and haughtiness that is unbecoming of a Muslimah. You claim that you found Islam? Start acting like it! Any faults are truly my own, but if you take something out of this little rant, and use it positively, Alhamdulillah!
Posted by: Khalisa | March 22, 2007 02:29 PM
I'd like to say Assalamu'alaykum to Amira and Shalom to Y-Love. I'd like to address a few points that Amira brought up.
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
First of all, I find it very odd the way that Amira separated herself from other Muslims right off the bat. I was very taken aback and highly offended at her angry and haughty tone. What is that all about? 'YOU' Muslims? I found that to be very condescending and frankly, it's not the way I'd expect a sister in Islam to behave in regards to the ummah. While it is commendable that Amira maintained her tolerance and love for humanity, obviously she seems to have gained a bit of arrogance and brashness that more than makes up for whatever positive ground she claims to have gained.
Amira, why are you so angry? You're talking about what everyone else does and the way everyone else acts. Seems to me that your chest is even more puffed up than these so-called 'converts' you speak of. At least they have the humility to attribute their knowledge and guidance to Allah! Just what makes you so much better than anyone else? You're 'not like us???' Funny, that's what Iblis (Shaitan) thought about the other jinn too, I believe. Try some humility and submission to Allah on for size, Amira. Who do you think you are??? You do absolutely NOTHING ON YOUR OWN. Not ONCE in your post did I see you say, 'Allah blessed me with-' or 'Allah guided me with-' You continued to rant on about what YOU do. Those things you claim you do, should be attributed to ALLAH and ALLAH alone. All praise due to HIM, not you.
BE HUMBLE AND PRAISE HIM, NOT YOURSELF.
Second, if Amira's truly such a 'great' Muslim compared to the rest of us 'converts' (it's REVERT, btw), she could start by correcting what she sees as un-Islamic behavior in a gentle way, as our Prophet, peace be upon him, did and taught.
Amira, there is nothing wrong with caring for and loving all of humanity, sister. However, as a Muslim you have responsibilities that you didn't have before, to clearly know what is wrong and what is right, and to shun what is wrong. If people start mentioning what is 'haram' and what is not, so be it. At least they are trying to keep themselves from what is evil and better themselves.
I think I speak for most Muslims (except you, apparently) when I say that I'd rather be seen as a 'judgmental fool' by shunning what the Qur'an clearly states is wrong than to be doomed to Jahannum by indulging in all this secular, 'We-are-the-world', 'Let's-love-everybody' bs. Do I endorse belittling people, persecuting people, or refusing help to those who clearly need it? No, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go participate in a 'gay rights' rally because liberals like you feel that it's 'helping people.' I'm not going to go and support gay marriage because you think it's being 'nice' or 'tolerant'.
Give me a break! There is a clear line between what is halal and what is haram, sister. Once we engage in liberal secularism that causes us to sanction what is not sanctioned by the Qur'an and by Allah, what are we left with? Once we fail to see or to acknowledge what is halal and haram, we are no better than the lowest of beasts and jinn. If you see people around you that are constantly reminding you of what is 'haram', it's because the Qur'an tells us that the evil jinn are constantly on our left and on our right, ALWAYS there trying to persuade us to go in the wrong direction.
Inshallah, sister, you will come to feel that your brothers and sisters in Islam are your true family, not people that you have to one-up or look down upon. If we are wrong, correct us, but do it with a sincere understanding of Islam and out of love. I didn't sense that in any of your words, only, like I mentioned before, an arrogance and haughtiness that is unbecoming of a Muslimah. You claim that you found Islam? Start acting like it! Any faults are truly my own, but if you take something out of this little rant, and use it positively, Alhamdulillah!
Posted by: Khalisa | March 22, 2007 02:32 PM
avraham,
You don't know me or anything that I have been through so if I were you I would hush.
Posted by: Amira | March 27, 2007 06:38 PM
Avraham,
Sorry, my post was towards Khalisa.
Posted by: Amira | March 27, 2007 06:39 PM