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On Being a New Muslim (Q&A Session)

Theresa Corbin
26 March, 2017

Asalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters, 

More and more people are entering Islam and facing a mountain of unanswered questions. Or new Muslims are finding answers to questions that do not take the experience of the convert into account. For this reason, we are pleased to offer a live session just for new Muslims.

This session will be dedicated to answering all the questions new Muslims have about identity, culture, and learning and living Islam.

You don’t even have to be “new” to participate. Those who are newly practicing are welcome to join the session.

The session host will be writer and once new Muslim, Theresa Corbin. So please jot down your questions and join us Thursday, March 30th, from 5 PM-7 PM GMT  (8 PM – 10 PM Makkah) (1 PM – 3 PM New York)

If you won’t be available during this time, but you have questions that need answers, don’t worry! You can email your questions in advance to [email protected], and our counselor will include them in the Live Session. 

Thursday, Mar. 30, 2017 | 20:00 - 22:00 GMT

Session is over.

I have recently accept Islam and I really believe that this is the faith for me. However, due to all of the Islamophobia that is happening currently in my country, I am afraid to wear hijab. I don't want to be attacked because of my faith. I wear modest clothes, and do not show my body. Do I really have to wear hijab if it may lead me to being attacked? I am so scared.



Salam,

Welcome to Islam! I understand your concern, as I have lived in the US for 15 years as a Muslim woman wearing hijab. It is not an easy thing. Simply putting a piece of cloth over your hair makes you an instant target of harassment and sometimes worse. And this is a very serious and scary thing. People who do not experience this can too easily dismiss this serious stress Muslim women in the West face.

I converted to Islam one month after 9/11. And like you, I was terrified of wearing hijab. In fact, the thought of having to wear the hijab kept me from converting for some time. That was until a Muslim lady gave me some good advice. She said: Islam is not about hijab. While hijab (for both men and women) and modesty in all aspects of life is an important part of the manners of a Muslim, it is not a core part of belief. Take it easy. Learn the faith and see what happens.

And I did. I didn’t wear hijab right out of the gate, but I did start learning and living Islam. Since you are new to Islam, I suggest that you focus on learning pillars of iman (faith) and implementing the pillars of Islam. This will increase your faith and with increased faith, only Allah (SWT) knows what is possible.

Perhaps, since it is still a bit cool outside, if you want to take steps toward wearing hijab, you can start by wearing a hat and the like. But if this is too much for you, know that your priority is your connection with Allah. Strengthen that step by step.

Learn the 6 pillars of iman. Learn about Allah through His attributes. Learn about Islam and start implementing the five pillars. And forget about what people say one way or another. Ask Allah to give you the strength and courage of conviction to draw nearer to Him by doing all that pleases Him.

If you find that you are still not able to wear hijab and be an identifiable Muslim in the difficult atmosphere in which we live, don’t ever let it hold you back from being the best Muslim you can be. And always, no matter what, ask Allah for His protection and mercy.

I hope this helps. May Allah keep you safe and firm on the path to Him.

Salam.

I am a new Muslim man but I am uncircumcised. Do I need to get circumcised?



Salam,

Thank you for trusting me with your question. I can understand how this might be a major concern for you as a new Muslim brother. Since this is such a sensitive question, I would advise you to submit your question to ask the scholar at the link here. 

 

Please keep in touch if you have any more questions about your new faith. All the best.

Salam.  

I am new to Islam and I am shy to approach the local mosque alone, how can I make new Muslim friends?



Salam,

Thank you for your question. I know it can be very intimidating to enter any place where you are new. But it is very important that you become a part of the community of Muslims in your locality. Otherwise learning Islam can become overwhelming and living as a Muslim in a majority non-Muslim land can be very lonely. New Muslims need community.

There are many ways you could go about getting to know people at your local masjid (mosque) before going to attend a prayer or a lecture. One way to do this could be to get in touch with someone from the masjid online (many mosques are on Facebook these day). Once you are in touch with someone, let them know you are a new Muslim and that you would like to be a part of the community. Ask them for the contact info of someone of the same sex as you so that you can ask them questions. Email this contact, ask questions, get to know them, and ask if they would meet you at Jumuah (Friday) prayer and introduce you to other sister (or brothers).

You could also join a new Muslim support group. There are many on Facebook and some that are rather large online such as New Muslim Project. You can get in touch with the admin of one of these organization or groups and ask if they know of anyone in your area who could meet up with you and help you integrate into the community. There are many things you could do, these are just a few examples. 

Also find more tips at the link here.

I hope this helps. May Allah put good people in your life who will help you on your path to Allah.

Please keep in touch if you have any more questions.

Salam.

I am thinking about Islam and I believe I am ready to take my Shahadah, I am shy though, do I really need to say it in front of a big crowd of people?



Salam,

Thank you so much for trusting me with your question. I am very excited for you as you take your first steps into Islam and I wish you a warm welcome! May Allah continue to guide us to the eternal truth. To sooth your mind and nervousness about saying your shahada in front of a crowd, this is not at all required.

Normally, witnesses are required but this could be a few people (Muslims) with whom you are comfortable. And you do not need to be at any specific location like a masjid (mosque) to say your shahada. 

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

Strictly speaking, it is not at all considered an essential requirement for witnesses to be present when a person is embracing Islam; thus if a person declares shahadah (testimony of faith) between himself and Allah, he is considered a Muslim in the sight of Allah. But in order for him to be recognized as a member of the Muslim community, he must declare the same in presence of two witnesses or before an Imam of a mosque who has been duly authorized to issue a certificate indicating the same.

It is, therefore, highly recommended for anyone embracing Islam to do so in the presence of persons authorized to issue certificates as he/she may be called upon to produce them while planning to go for Hajj or in case of any question concerning his Islamic identity. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, taught us that while doing things we should try to do them as professionally and efficiently as possible”. (Source)

You can say your shahada in front of Allah anywhere, but for the purposes of announcing your testament of faith for you to become a part of your local community, you can do so in front of only two people anywhere you are comfortable with. Or you can say your shahada in front of the imam at the masjid, making him aware that you prefer not to do so in front of a crowd.

Please keep in touch with any question you may have as you learn your new faith.

And check out this link for learning resources.

Salam.