10 Things Every Muslim in West Should Do

Auzubillahi minash shaitan ir rajeem,

Bismillah ir rahman ir rahim,

Assalamualikum wa rahmatullah wa barkatuhu,

Ummziba wrote: I do believe that Muslims will continue to increase in the west, but it is not for everyone, that is for sure.  I pray that if you cannot go back, that Allah will grant you strength to raise your children as good Muslims here.

Yup, I too believe the same. My concern is that they hold fast to the right religion, insha allah. I really take heart in the reverts who are so sincerely holding the rope of allah, masha allah.

Islam has been fabricated in various beliefs all over the world. It is getting harder for the coming generation to weed the good from bad, or take what is right leaving the rest. The story is same everywhere. In some places the problem is less gross than at others, that is is only variable. I might have given the impression that bak home all are very religous, well that is not what I think, but I guess when it is easier to share ur trouble with a couple of like minded people, the burden gets lesser. Perhaps that is what your muslim friends think about the ambience back at home.

Jazak allah khair sister, for all the prayers and kind words for me. We are always in need of duas, and barakah from Allah. Insha allah, everyone's place of abode and substenence is thru the decree of Allah, so I will also get my share as He pleases, and where He wishes to settle us.

Maa salaama,

Nausheen

Hello Chrisrobin,

It is not at all uncomfortable to live a religious life, it is serene and joyful.  There are hardships, but these are considered a test from Allah, and Allah never gives His creatures more burden than they can bear.

Time consuming?  I would rather spend my time doing things that please Allah and worshipping Allah, than wasting my time doing things that bear no relevence on my relationship with Him.

Costly (money wise)?  Not at all.  Since becoming a Muslim and realizing the uselessness of the consumer driven materialistic secularism of society, I spend way, way less money than I ever did before.  Which is a real bonus - more for charity and helping others, which reaps such great rewards spiritually.

How do I cope with it?  I can only speak for myself, but, I will tell you that sincere prayer and sincere striving to please Allah brings great rewards in this life and insha'allah (God willing), in the Afterlife as well.

To sum up, since becoming a Muslim, my life has changed completely.  Yes it was very hard (especially at first), yes there were tears, but, there were never doubts.  Looking back, I have no regrets, except that I wish I had found Islam earlier in my life.

I hope this bit of insight helps to answer your questions.

Peace, ummziba.

Salam to Sister Nausheen,

As a "W.A.S.M." (White, Anglo-Saxon, Muslim) whose family has lived in California (U.S.A.) for nine generations, and a revert to Islam with a Lebanese wife I can understand your feelings.

Although I was born, raised and have lived all my life in the U.S., I feel more "at home" in a Muslim country. On many occassions, I have felt sad and desperate when my plane left the runaway at Beirut International Airport (Lebanon) headed to my "home" (namely Los Angeles, Ca.). It is natural to feel more at home among people that share your values and perspective. A person that re-verts to Islam in the West becomes a stranger in his own hometown.

I would have (most likely) already "gone back home" if is wasn't for one thing, namely, Jihad Al-Akbar. In Islam, the purpose of Islam is not to attain a comfort and peace, it's about jihad, Jihad, JIHAD. I believe that Muslims in the U.S. have a tremendous (maybe historic) opportunity to learn and teach others about Islam. In Lebanon, there is an oversupply of knowledgable Islamic scholars. In the West, there is a severe shortage of people that are knowledgable about Islam. This gives even individuals (non-Scholars who are sincerely seeking to learn more) like me an opportunity to help the cause of Islam.

I am not here to judge anyones decisions, and I wish you the baraka of Allah (s.w.a.) wherever you decide to go. I would, however, like to encourage you to stay (if you can) as the U.S. and Canada need more knowledgeable and sincere Muslims like yourself.

Salam