INTERVIEW: HOW I FOUND MY FREEDOM THROUGH ISLAM

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu

I love reading stories about reverts to Islam describing their journey to Islam, and Alhamdulillah, this is such an amazing interview we had with a Muslimah. Do make sure you read it right up to the end, because trust me, it is such an inspirational one. MashaAllah!

So here it is:


TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO ISLAM

I lived a life knowing that God was one and in charge of me. I didn't really understand the significance of Jesus in Christianity. I would pray to God and end with "in Jesus' name" because that was what I was used to. Ironically I chose to get baptised at a young age but my mom prevented me because she wanted us to do it together. I lost that "high". I actually never liked church. My palms would sweat. We only went occasionally. What really got the ball running was when a former boyfriend, who is Catholic, asked me if I pray to God or Jesus, I said so quickly God. That's when I realized my faith didn't align with Christianity. 

So I spent a few years researching religion. I looked into afrocentric philosophy, which explained that the African race were gods and other pro-black blasphemy. I almost annihilated the existence of Jesus from my heart due to research that shows the parallel between what Christianity teaches and greek mythology. Which I later learned was due to Saul (Paul) teaching the gospel of Jesus (pbuh) to the gentiles and mixing their polytheism in it in order to convert them. The son of god and dying for sins is a story once told before, or whatever. But then Islam restored everything. I always admired the modesty and respected how Muslims revered God. I found the religion that only believed in God! So I studied here and there. I knew non-practicing Muslims. I spent 3 years yearning for Allah and trying to answer my fitrah. Ramadan 2012, I learned how to pray and when I moved to Charlotte in October 2012, I took shahadah.


WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE IN YOURSELF AFTER ACCEPTING ISLAM?

I have more discipline. Discipline is always something that I’ve admired amongst the Muslims, when I was a non-believer. My reliance on Allah and my understanding of life has become much clearer, which shows in the type of advice that I give to, not only my muslim peers, but to non-muslim peers as well. I have become more understanding; the way that Prophet Muhammad pbuh, gave daw’ah to people- based on their level of intellect- is how I strive to be. I focus more on living for al-akhirah and not so much for this dunya. I once obsessed over materialism, now I obsess over Islam. I choose my peers more wisely and even changed how I socialize with my family— it’s very difficult being the only Muslim in my family.


WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WEAR THE NIQAB?

During winter break one semester, I took a hijab and wrapped it around my head and my face. At the time I was intrigued by Bedouin ways of wrapping the head and dress. I had even purchased an agal to accessorize my hijab, although I knew that it was an accessory that men wore on top of their headdress—I have long left that phase. I felt an abundance of confidence and beauty with only my eyes showing. The niqab was something I felt I wanted to do. I had not read into the daleel of it being wajib, I just liked it! I also felt it was necessarily. In my society, even the covered women is seen as something exotic, and I wanted to appear unapproachable to the non-Muslim male. It’s been a year as a niqabi and nothing has changed. I just use that opportunity to give daw’ah.


YOU ARE A UNIVERSITY STUDENT WHO WEAR THE NIQAB. HOW DO PEOPLE REACT TO YOUR NIQAB AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH ANY NEGATIVITY?

When I first began wearing the niqab to school, my professors said nothing, neither did my classmates until they became confused. When I put the niqab on, it did not permanently stay on. I put it on first to see the reactions of my classmates and instructors. Then I would come to class without it. When a classmate asked me about it, that’s when I made the decision to be consistent. I have yet to face any severe negativity, besides random screams and giggles. A lot of people are familiar with me and they like the sneakers that I wear, so they are more interested in how ‘cool’ I look dressed Islamically and my personality than anything else. I’ve been discriminated against once in public fairly recently, but that only made me stronger bi’idhnillah!


WHAT HAS BEEN/IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AFTER ACCEPTING ISLAM?

Establishing a balance between being a devout muslim and being with the kuffar. Prophet Muhammad pbuh, said that the Deen of your friend becomes the Deen of you. I strive daily to fight against my own jahiliyah and the jahiliyah of others around me. In the beginning, it would create a divide between my grandmother and I because she could not understand the strict lifestyle that I live. She couldn't understand why I didn't want to go to family gatherings— merely parties. She definitely didn't understand why I wanted to cover. Her argument was that men will be men regardless if I expose or cover. She has a point, but I refuse to accept that in order to uncover. I cover for Allah Azza wa Jal.


NEW REVERTS TO ISLAM MIGHT NOT ALWAYS GET THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILY. HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE NEW MUSLIMS TO COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE RIGHT AFTER ACCEPTING ISLAM?

Understand that once you take the shahadah you have a new family. When I became muslim, my friend’s parents took me under their support. I have no family where I currently live, so I go to jumu’ah with my friend’s family, we eat together and I even have a room at their house. I've gained so much support from the ummah. I know we as reverts want the support from our family. I got everyone’s support except my most beloved—my grandmother. It’s still a constant struggle, but I bear it with patience. We must also realize that our purpose is to please and submit to Allah, so if the whole world is against us, but Allah is with us that should suffice us.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSUME THAT ISLAM OPPRESSES WOMEN. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL ON THAT POINT?

Islam definitely does NOT oppress women. It looks out for the better interest of women. Allah made us private and society made us public. Living a life in jahiliyah has helped me to better embrace the lifestyle of a muslim women. I cherish the importance of a wali/guardian when traveling and getting married, I cherish hijab regardless if it’s 100 degrees outside, I cherish staying home unless I have a need to go out, I cherish not touching the opposite gender. There is so much benefit in abiding by the commandments of Allah.


WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST THING ABOUT WEARING THE NIQAB AND HOW HAS IT HELPED YOU TO ACHIEVE THINGS PEOPLE NORMALLY DON'T THINK NIQABIS ARE CAPABLE OF?

Niqab is my opportunity to give daw’ah. That’s what people start up conversations with me about the most. It’s like people look at me and assume things, and when I open my mouth to speak, their assumptions are thrown out of the window. I've gotten a job, an internship, and leadership positions all as a niqabi. Niqab has helped me to reframe my confidence. Niqab has helped me to live with conviction— I refuse to settle and compromise my values in order to progress in life. I live by the qadr of Allah.


IF A NON-MUSLIM WERE READING THIS, WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM OF ISLAM?

In order to understand Islam you have to come with an open mind and leave your baggage at the door. Be very inquisitive. Islam has answers not only my spiritual questions, but scientific. It’s great to learn about Islam through a Muslim, but also read the Qur’an once or twice. Once just for the vibe and second with critical thinking— when I read a verse and then research its meaning it restores my faith all over again. Also research who Prophet Muhammad is. His story is wonderful, ma sha Allah.

ALL VERSES FROM THE QURAN ARE BEAUTIFUL, BUT WE ALL HAVE THAT SPECIAL FAVOURITE. WHAT'S YOURS?

I would say Surah Al Ikhlas because it is the reason why I converted to Islam. I always believed in the Oneness of Allah. I knew that he was not begotten nor had begotten. 

"Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One,
Allah , the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born,
Nor is there to Him any equivalent."

 

THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ISLAM BUT ARE AFRAID OF ACCEPTING IT. ANY ADVICE FOR THEM?

Islam is a religion of truth that impacts the heart. Listen to your heart. Trust in Allah and you’ll prevail!


ANY SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR MUSLIMS?

My beloved brothers and sisters, hold fast to the rope of Allah. Be in constant study of your Deen. This dunya is so trippy, don’t let it lead you astray. Live for al-akhirah and Allah will take care of your dunya. We are Muslims, prescribed for one path— The Straight Path— so don’t divide, but unify. I love you all for the sake of Allah.

PARTING WORDS

I’ve been a Muslim for a year and within this year my life has changed for the better. If all was taken from me and I still had Islam, I’d be pleased. I pray that as time progresses I become more and more submissive to Allah. I pray that Allah continues to guide the believing men and women upon His righteous path, that Allah forgives the sins of the believing men and women, that Allah accepts the ibadat of the believing men and women, that Allah guides our non-Muslim loved ones, that Allah grants us shade on the day of yawmul qiyamah, that Allah protects us from the shaytan and his army, and that we receive our book of deeds in our right hands. Ameen! 

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Jazakallah Khair for the interview Ukhty! May Allah reward you for your time and effort and bless with with all that it good. 

The sister decided to go anonymous for the interview, but do make Duaa for her if you benefited from this interview as much as I did, In Sha Allah.

Note: If you would like to be interviewed for our blog, leave us an email on niqablovers@gmail.com and we'll get back to you, In Sha Allah. Sisters only.