Looking for other new muslimahs to chat with

[muslima1234]

I'm sure the brother's intentions were good. Not only may he be thinking of your wellbeing but also, he may be thinking of his duty to let you know - in case he is asked about it in the hereafter. Also, because these conversations are virtual, it is easy to forget that we come from all sorts of backgrounds and levels of understanding. Insha'Allah, you'll get the pulse of SF in no time; overtime, you'll get a better sense of how it works here and if you are receptive to it, insha'Allah you will adjust and learn from it all too (at your own pace). For now, try to think about your audience and maybe build in a gentle reminder to let people know where you're coming from. I built a 'caveat' of sorts into some of my posts (at least the earlier ones).

As for praying the missed salaat... you're telling the wrong sister ! I was born Muslim and have soooo many years of missed fardh salaat that it isn't even funny (no tears though, insha'Allah I intend to make up as many missed prayers as I can).

Do what you are comfortable doing and as you feel ready to take on the next step (whatever that may be for you), take it. Remember, life is an ongoing struggle so it is a good thing to feel like there is more improvement to be made in terms of deen. Strive and intend to do your best.

We love you for the sake of Allah (SWT) and we care about you for His sake too.

[Here is a dua that our beloved Muhammad (PBUH) used to use and insha'Allah you will find it helpful too. The post includes the Arabic, its transliteration, the English translation and a video with audio.]

Thanks for all of the advice. I appreciate it

[muslima1234]

Sister Muslima1234, have you had any problems wearing hijab to your university in Istanbul? I don't know where the law is at these days but there was a ban on wearing hijab in public institutions - at least until quite recently and even then, I wonder how much trouble it might still cause some women (not only those studying but also those working in public service).

Sister Amani... I'm so sorry for hijacking your original post. I know there are a number of other reverts here, insha'Allah some sisters will contact you through your blog.

When I attended over the summer in a special program sadly I did have an issue and I wasn't able to go to class with it. The way it is now that it is up to the professor whether or not to allow hijab in the class. The majority of the professors don't care if a student wears a hijab but over the summer I had one of the few who did. But now I go to class with it all the time and none of my professors have any problems elhamdulilah. I carry a hat and an extra hijab just incase so I can cover my head and neck if a professor gives me a problem.

[muslima1234]

Ok I am really having doubts. Why are Muslim women given significantly less rights then men. I was saddened really by the thread about female Muslim Olympians. Why shouldnt women have a right to comepete. They can still do so while maintaining hijab. They posted some article with some guy comparing them to prostitues. I find articles like that disgusting. It seems like Muslim men are against women doing anything but staying at home, serving men and breeding. I dont want to be cooped up in the house. I want to work and I want to have freedom!

[muslima1234]

Sister, it sounds like you are an athlete what types of sports do you participate in?

I noticed a number of different views from brothers and sisters under the thread you're mentioning. If you haven't had a chance to scroll through them all, insha'Allah you can take a few minutes to read some of the others too.

[I simply do not have enough knowledge to comment on Islamic rulings here so I won't venture into that area, best left to scholars.]

I am a figure skater and a tennis player (I have zero chance on getting to the Olympics!) and I also take belly dancing lessons for fun.

[amani77]

Ok I am really having doubts. Why are Muslim women given significantly less rights then men. I was saddened really by the thread about female Muslim Olympians. Why shouldnt women have a right to comepete. They can still do so while maintaining hijab. They posted some article with some guy comparing them to prostitues. I find articles like that disgusting. It seems like Muslim men are against women doing anything but staying at home, serving men and breeding. I dont want to be cooped up in the house. I want to work and I want to have freedom!

I think it really depends on the man because I am married (I am a muslimah) and my husband isn't controlling at all. Islam was the first to give rights to women so if men follow that correctly it shouldn't be a problem. Its when culture steps in that's the problem.

[amani77]

Does this site make you feel stupid sometimes? I was commenting on a post and some brothers replied using these comments full of these arabic words that I have no idea what they mean.

I dont think its this site in particular but in general I can feel really left out if I dont know what is being said and sometimes I am too shy to say anything for fear that I may get judged. Im getting better though and it does take time to learn things so just give yourself some time and have patience with yourself. Dont be afraid to ask. Im starting to ask too. My husband helps me alot. He's Arab so I learn alot from him. Salam.

[amani77]

A decent book by Gulen is Pearls of Wisdom. It is a quick read about 100 or so pages but it is really well written. A lot of people here don't seem to be too fond of Gulen because of what he looks like but I don't focus on what someone looks like I focus on what they say. I love my Turkish friends and family, I have them at school and I love hanging out with them and talking. The Turks have given me a very positive experience and they have been nothing but supportive. They are really gentile in letting me know if I do something haram. Also they emphasize that while maintaining hijab is important, the inside is more important and it is necessary to have a good heart. They also tell me not to get carried away in small details, there are some aspects of sunnah which are very hard for me to grasp, for example eating with the right hand (I have been eating with my left hand my whole life) and they tell me that that I don't need to worry about that since there are many aspects of Islam that are much more important.


I one time decided to go on Pal Talk to ask some Islamic questions and I mistakenly joined a Salafi room. The topic ended up being them asking me about myself since they found out I was a revert. I apparently was doing a lot of haram actions (which to Salafis seem to be most things) without knowing and I ended up in tears because they were so nasty. One told me "I am a filthy little girl, in fact I am one of the dirtiest women on earth and that I should be ashamed to call myself a Muslim" so that really made me question myself, since Salafis are convinced they are the only ones practicing true Islam. They were just so horrible and nasty and those comments really stuck with me. I hear so many bad things about Salafis and after that experience with them I see what people mean.


This is a totally off topic question but many times I am googling an Islamic opinion on an issue and I get linked to a site,Islam qa, Is this site any good? It seems to be very extremist because the views expressed in the fatwas seem to be very sexist, telling women they shouldn't drive, they have to stay at home and that niqab is required and one is sinning for not wearing one ( I just wear regular hijab and I dont think niqab is really for me). Often times I can barely understand the fatwas because they are written in such archaic and awkward sounding English and they are full of awkward gramatical structures and run on sentences. They way they are written make them very hard to read and understand. Is this a valid site?

Salam sis, what a horrible thing to do to someone! They could have drove you away from Islam! They should be ashamed of themselves, not the other way around. I heard the saying plenty times and still believe it...if you want to learn Islam, don't learn it all from other Muslims! Its a sad truth. Now, its natural to learn some things from other Muslims but make sure they have your best interest at heart and always back it up with Quran to make sure they are correct. I learned alot from my husband and a few other people who I trusted.

As far as the website you mentioned, I have been on there and I wonder the same thing. It does seem pretty extreme but not sure what type of site it is if you know what I mean.

[jessica88]

Oh im so happy i found your post! I have lost touch with the sister who helped me convert. I have been tryin so hard to find another sister to talk to as i have no muslim friends. I would like to meet some sister who could help me im calgary.lo

[Sarah Mc]

I am fairly new, 4 years since converting, and looking to chat with other converts/reverts. I know 4 yrs seems like a long time but in the scheme of Islam, Im still learning. I am a woman so please only other women for me
Also, I have a blog with tons of information to help others like us if you wanna check it out. Its http://americanmuslimconvert.wordpress.com

I share my stories on their as well. Look forward to meeting you all. Im sort of new to the forum as well.

Salam, Amani

Amani I'd also love to chat with you! I converted three years ago, when I was thirteen, although I became interested in religion (Islam in particular) when I was 11. I've been part of this forum for a good few years now

Al-hamdulillah on all conversions! ♥

[drsister]

welcome sister to Islam, I know a few sisters who are reverts, I am on fb if you like to add me