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Becoming Muslim
By Amal
As a young girl born in the Northwest of
the USA, my dream was to become a nun. Growing up Roman Catholic, I saw the nuns
have a spirtual presence that attracted me until I reached the age of 14. It was
then I started having misgivings about Catholic doctrine, so I gravitated
towards the Protestant faiths. The trinity was a lingering concern for me. I
often just tried "to have faith" but my own logic overruled this, so many
considered me "not serious enough to be spiritual". At the age of 20 I began
talking religion to a cab driver, and heard the term Islam for the first time
from a real person. The nightly news talked about Islam and the Muslims - sure,
they were called terrorists. I presented this to my driver, who Alhamdulillah
laughed softly and suggested I read Al-Quran. Actually, I read a few books on
Islam first, then the Quran. This is when I knew I could have both my faith and
logic, and Alhamdulillah I found I wasn't crazy after all. It took another two
years before I took Shahada, and another two before hijab.
Alhamdullah now at 29, I have my faith,
health, oh, and a terrific husband as well (this is one of my first prayers or
duas answered!). My story is not unusual, quite boring if you are not me I
suppose, yet I never tire of telling others my story. I could tell of my family,
that would be unusual. They have never been happier with me, although my sister
still does not like my hijab, all members are in agreement, I am happier, more
centered, and above all I have peace where before was chaos and confusion. It
didn't happen over night, I have worked and am still working at this, you don't
"convert" and that is it, everyday comes the struggle to learn, only now I
welcome struggle. Inshallah, God Willing, my story has inspired someone, at any
rate thank you for reading my story. May Allah Guide those who search.
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