It’s tempting to want to keep to yourself, or isolate yourself from others, after embracing the Islamic faith. Everything is so new to you and feelings of doubt or trepidation are common emotions that may tend to creep in. If you’re not careful, they can take root and grow like an unruly mass of weeds that’s difficult to tame.
For this reason, you want to break out of your comfort zone as soon as possible. And do so with full faith and trust in Allah Almighty.
You’re Muslim! It’s a joyous and momentous milestone in your life. Embrace it with every fiber of your being and ‘break out’ so that you can soak up the beauty of your new faith.
You Did it Once, Now Do it Again!
If you think about it, you already stepped out of your comfort zone by learning enough about the Islamic faith to know that it was right for you and taking the ultimate step in declaring your faith in the Oneness of Allah and belief that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Final Messenger. Instead of taking two steps back, due to fear or even a fear of failure, take one giant leap forward!
Reflect upon all the reasons that you considered Islam in the first place. Tap into the first impressions you had when Allah Almighty nudged gently on your heart and called you back to Him.
Revisiting those original thoughts and sentiments will stir up the cognizance you need to solidify your Islam, thus giving it the longevity you need to succeed in this life and the next.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
It’s a wonderful feeling to be part of a Muslim community, or Ummah. And it’s not too difficult for new Muslims to begin forging relationships with their brethren in faith in some of the larger Muslim communities around the world. But for many new Muslims, living in a community where there are few Muslims presents a challenge.
In this case, and instead of getting discouraged, you must remind yourself what the true purpose of life is. As Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran:
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (Quran 51:56)
Worshiping the One and Only Allah comes first and everything else is secondary. No matter if you live in a large community of Muslims or a minuscule one, it’s up to you to take the first step and make connections with other pious Muslims regardless of whether it is in person or online.
Step out of your comfort zone and make the first move to connect with other Muslims to strengthen your faith.
Set Your Own “Growth Goals”
When it comes to making a real and lasting change, you have to set goals. And when it comes to your Islam, no truer words could ever be spoken! Identify the areas in your new faith that you need to work on, such as perfecting your prayer or increasing taqwa (God-consciousness) in your worship to name only a few.
Once you establish your growth goals, begin taking the necessary steps to achieve them, such as watching how-to pray videos or even by reading a book on the prayers. By setting growth goals, you can keep moving forward with your Islam while building a solid foundation to anchor your faith for a lifetime. Break out of your comfort zone by recognizing your shortcomings and taking all the necessary actions to overcome them.
Get Uncomfortable!
The whole point of getting out of your comfort zone is to get uncomfortable because that is when impactful and meaningful change can happen. It’s very easy to complain or carp on all the reasons why you can’t do so-and-so and make progress. Yet, the hard work comes in when you have to stop complaining and start doing!
Break out of your comfort zone by tackling those uncomfortable situations that you fear the most, like going to the mosque to pray in congregation or attending a community event for Muslims where you know you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb. Realize that being different or attracting attention because of your newness as a Muslim is nothing to be ashamed of and, actually, something that should fill you with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Before you know it, you’ll be able to conquer your fears and let your Islam shine. Best of all, one day you will be in a position to lead as an example for other new Muslims to follow while increasing your good deeds exponentially!