"Labels", Masjids, & Ex-Muslim Friends... Oh my!

[Revert2001]

Welcome to Islam. May Allah bless us and increase us in imaan.

Brother, since you're a new convert, your first focus should be upon yourself. Get acclimatized to living like a Muslim - at least get through Ramadhan and then worry about how others may perceive you, whether they be your friends or family. What does tend to happen is if a person converts or becomes religious, people tend to become aggressive whenever the topic of religion is touched, even if tangentially.

May Allah increase our zeal in our deen and keep us steadfast upon what we know.

That is some very good advise.

Many times a converts friends and family will abandon them.

So your new muslim family will be your support group.

[abdulwahhab]

That is some very good advise.

Many times a converts friends and family will abandon them.

So your new muslim family will be your support group.

I do not suggest moving away from your parents and friends but to avoid talking about the religion at this early stage to avoid confrontational behavior that may ensue.

[Nomadic]

Dear brother
Please go through the links here.
http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...ht=#post596011

It is expacted different place of prayer will be dominated on ethenic line as they are the main service provider and perhaps first to set thing up.
This should not matter as the objective is not to adopt all of their cultural value but to be a good muslims. Islam puts emphasis on community building. For some their ethenic point of reference is one way of achiving this.
1. It is Allah who guides so seek guidance with sincerety and humility. As long as you are part of Ahle Sunnah Wal Jammah (Sunni) - those who follows the due process in seeking knowledge and observation of all aspects of a muslim life, all other lables means nothing.
2. Ismailis are considered by a lot of sunni scholars to be out of fold of islam. So attend the other masjeds. However seeking of knowledge from the salafist should be avoided. You will see they are quiet intolarent and scholasiticly shallow. Most laymen are fooled by them as it penders to ego of ignorance.
In absense of qualfied seassoned scholars, opt for online course. The links are listed here.
3. Do not inform your missguided ex muslim friends. Let your action speaks louder then words. Years of comminsim and miss information will eventually fade when a true example is brought infront of them. Do not argue with the foolish!! When one is humble and sincere and spends time reflecting and studing under a qualafied seassoned scholars, wisdom will reflect in action. So pray/dua for your and their guidance.
Islam is not about inflating ones ego! So keep your heart checked.

[AbdAllah313]

I will just tell you one and simple thing spend your time in Allah's Path i.e. spend your time in 4 month find out any masjid near from you talk with them and go in Allah's Path for 4 month if cant make it 4 month dont worry go for 40 days
when you will spend your time in Allah;s Path ( Jamat) you will understand easily Islam Quran Hadith Prophets life, Sahaba's Life Inshaallah it will 100 % beneficial for your self and others also...

Brothers & Sisters!

I am a VERY recent reverted brother to Islam... as in the past month. I studied Middle Eastern & Islamic History in college and in fact have my degree in it... however, it wasn't until 2 years after graduating with my degree that I've decided to revert... I've found myself in a great place and time in my life and Islam speaks to me in a way it never REALLY has before; no longer is it just an academic study that I analyze from the outside, it is now the foundation of who I am, !

Still, need some advice... I have a good start: a strong understanding and knowledge of the Qur'an & Islam (I've already read the Noble Qur'an cover to cover), a supportive family (my dad just spoke to me tonight about it, said it was awesome that I had found something that was making my life better), and a very positive attitude. But I have 3 major issues:

1) The accusation of a "new label"
In the past, I have bounced around religiously... I have bounced from Hinduism, to Atheism, and to LaVeyan Satanism... and now to Islam. Because of this, some of my acquaintances and one family member has accused me of just "taking on a new label" and that I'm "just doing it for attention". I know that at the end of the day, it's between myself and Allah (swt), but I dunno... I don't want to seem like a histrionic sycophant and want to make sure people know I am sincere in my new life. Thoughts?

2) Finding a masjid
There are a few masjids in my area; 3 Sunni and 1 Ismaili, to be exact. However, in my experience they all tend to be very conservative, Salafi-run, or divided along ethnic lines (e.g. it might be strange for me- an American- to attend a mosque that is 100% Bosnian). How should I approach this situation?

3) Ex-Muslima friend
One of my best friends is a Bosniak who is now a strict atheist. She has a stroooong dislike of Islam. I'm not quite sure how to tell her about my reversion, as I can hear her now: "Oh man, REALLY? You've gotta be kidding me..." and she'll proceed to lecture me about how awful it is to be a Muslim and I should take her word for it because she knows from personal experience. Any suggestions on how to approach the situation as tactfully as possible?

Thank you guys so much and thank you for helping through this amazing event in my life! Peace