Q. Helping a Revert Muslimah

Salaam,

I guess in any convert stories, acceptance of the social circle (friends, colleagues, family) often becomes a thorny issue. Even Muslim communities can sometimes, honestly , impaired one's learning in Islam. Often, you may see Muslims practicing or observing practices contrary to the teachings of Rasullulah s.a.w and Allah s.w.t. The same goes for other people of other faiths, hence being human is being receptive to constant reminder by Allah s.w.t, as is revealed at many time in the Quran.(example in Quran 87:9, 88:21, 80:11,79:45)

The resultant negative reception of Islam whether in scholarship or media is of varying reasons; for example the scholarship academic of western study in Islam is an already part the western tradition in the rigorous study towards higher criticism and speculative analysis in virtually all fields of education (including Islam to the err of Muslim scholars), while the latter (the media) sought public attentions and polls with catchy stories and latest news (or gossips), political agenda and controversies. Naturally, a disinterest in "generally good and living successful Muslims" or "Loving Muslim families" the reader's interests under-weighs when compared with "Honour killings", "wife/child abuse", "Terrorists" etc.

As for your family, I guess, God willing, the time will come when one has to face the revelations to your parents. Prayers are important, and I guess, to hope your parents take your life in Islam as a path to live as a responsible and enlightened person, and not the opposite.

About challenges, the person I loved is a Christian (Methodist). As our age is getting older, forcing each other in understanding religion is almost difficult, which I pray she will be more open to Islam. I personally feel that she has "a big wall" in front of her when trying the make her read the Quran haha. (which she never did till now). Sometimes, fear and love makes me difficult to discuss more with hear, for fear of making her losing her feelings for me or creating unwanted anger and heated disagreements.

Only Allah s.w.t knows and has all will to open anyone to Islam. Guidance is for those who wanted and prayed for Him sincerely, and only by the permission of Allah s.w.t, which as I grew I probably understood slowly as to how it means. Some faced tremendous hardship, and some by just simple actions and motivations, but I guess all glory and knowledge is due to God alone, creator of the heavens and the earth. Salaam.

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