Conversion to Islam sees non-Muslims take on new religious identities, adopt new beliefs and practices, and learn to live as Muslims who gradually become accepted by others. Whether they converted because they were positively drawn to Islamic teachings and practices, or because of personal crises – such as the death of a family member, the need to combat substance addiction, or as an act of rebellion against parents – the reasons given are linked together in a conversion narrative. Print this PDF and keep it by your bed, in your car, at work, or anywhere you need to be reminded of God’s promised blessings and love in your life! The reasons given can be intrinsic – that conversion gives them a sense of belonging, provides certainty about life and the afterlife, or is personally empowering. All of this puts Muslims in a double bind: If they just go about their lives, they stand condemned by those who demand that Muslims “speak out.” But if they do speak out, they can expect to be told that short of declaring their sacred texts invalid, they are fooling themselves or deceiving the rest of us.

Today, in Lebanon, there are innumerable early Islamic texts lying unscrutinized by scholarly eyes. According to these “experts,” there is supposedly no grounding or room for these beliefs in their religious texts and tradition. Though a single evolutionary process cannot be postulated, there has been a drift in various traditions toward the unification of sacred forces under a single head, which, in a number of nonliterate “primal” societies, has become embedded in a supreme being. Meanwhile, there are a number of pundits who are eager to tie the actions of Islamist terrorists to mainstream religious doctrine. The most important of all, there are people with whom you can talk at any time. Beginning in the 1880’s Jews began returning to their homeland in growing numbers, this time to avoid persecution where they lived. If these two are the only criteria for this prophecy to be fulfilled, then all the Prophets of the Bible who came after Moses (pbuh) such as Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist, etc. (pbut) will fulfill this prophecy since all were Jews as well as prophets.

Then quickly take them off, because someone might throw a beer can at you. The fans believe that it might make India win or it might make the God score as maximum runs for the game. In the US, converts (more than 550,000) make up nearly a quarter of Muslims. Technically speaking, it isn’t necessary to “convert” to Islam, as according to Islamic teaching all people are born Muslim; it is more a case of reverting to one’s true identity and submitting to Allah. However, in a recent guide we produced on conversion in Islam, we point out that this hasn’t always been the case. Journalist Graeme Wood’s alarmist article in The Atlantic is a most recent example of such intrusive punditry. It depicts the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, venerated by Shia Muslims. The Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra, Iraq contains the tombs of Ali al-Hadi, tenth Shia imam and Hasan al-Askari, eleventh Shia imam. Nolan, Cathal. “The Age of Wars and Religion, 1000-1650: An Encyclopedia of Global Warfare and Civilization.” Greenwood Press. While some are new to the religion, others grew up in Muslim families, and are either returning after having lapsed or converting to a different interpretation of Islam.

Despite such formidable challenges, reformist efforts continue unabated in learned Muslim circles. What research there is suggests that, in most European countries, converts make up between 1% and 5% of the Muslim population (up to 100,000 converts in the UK). Some continue to practice privately, others withdraw from Muslim communities quietly. Black converts sometimes find it harder to find partners for marriage, and converts from Hindu and Sikh communities often receive the worst and strongest reaction from their families and communities. Extrinsic reasons include encouragement or pressure to convert for marriage, the impact of friends or a feeling of marginalisation by another religious group. In the West, most converts are aged between 20 and 30, and more women convert than men. Why do people convert? From this story, we get the word “panic,” the sudden, uncontrollable fear that leads people into irrational behavior. Some people are shunned by family and friends. The conversion journey also can be lengthier and more challenging than most people expect. Wherever you are, whatever you’re going through, the fuel for your spiritual journey begins and ends with a real, dynamic, personal, close relationship with the Living God. The journey into Islam isn’t the same for everyone.