Islam Guidance

Please tell me more about the 'process' of your reversion. How did you start your studies about Islam? What Islamic resources impressed you more? How did you say your Shahadah?

In the year 2000 with labor complications, during the birth of my child, I had a near death experience that shook me beyond anything in my life. I was married, at the time, to a non-Muslim, non-religious man who I had met when I was very young. After this near death experience I began to have this sense of misplacement, as if there was something I should be doing but I couldn’t recall what it was.

I had this feeling before off and on in my life but it was stronger then ever at this specific point. I began to pick up books on spirituality and I searched through different religions and ideologies. I was trying to relate to my soul.  I began painting hours a day researching my thoughts and placing them on canvas. Not finding what I was looking for I felt lost and confused about the direction my life was going.

As much as I tried to keep my marriage moving forward it ended but fortunately our children have adjusted. Alhamdulillah

The introduction to Islam, oddly enough, happened when I was playing a game on the Internet one day, I should mention I really enjoy playing computer games. On this momentous day I began to talk or I should say type to a young man over the Net who happened to be a Muslim. He was the first Muslim I had ever met.

He was very genuine, kind and polite and he left me with such a good feeling that I was intrigued by his faith and I wanted to learn about it. He encouraged me to read about the history of Islam and to understand it all so including the texts by both Shia and Sunni scholars. He felt confident that I would be directed once I saw the truth. He was kind enough to send me links and files and audios and videos. I read and studied hours a day. In fact I could not quench my thirst for more material on Islam. I spent a lot of time on websites such as al-Islam.org, aimislam.com,almujtaba.com, convertstoislam.com and many more as well as collecting books on the subject.

I would wake in the middle of the night to read and I would cry tears of joy because the truth slowly was being revealed to me. I was, of course, touched and moved by the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and I immediately had a love for the Prophet and his family. I read of the battles and in particular the battle of Kerbala (and since then - many times over) and my heart cried. Soon the whole truth came to me. During this time of intense study (a year) I had many dreams that seemed to be saying so much.

In one most prominent dream I was visited by a veiled woman and she tried to convey that there was a war beginning and that I had to recite my shahada and work for Allah(Swt). She pointed from atop a minaret towards the east and the south and she showed me images of people suffering. She showed me three stones and she then merged them together, which I later interpreted as uniting the ummah. The turning point was when I had an epiphany that encouraged me to become a Muslim.

After picking up the Qur’an for the first time I was immediately struck with a memory of an on-going recurring dream I had my whole life. In the dream I am reaching forward towards an old book that sits open on a wooden table, the room is dimly lit by candle. I feel compelled to get to the book, I must reach it but a force holds me back. I occasionally reach the book but the words are unclear and I suddenly wake up, feeling lost and frustrated by the dream. This dream began so early on in my life that I can’t remember how young I was, it would repeat once or twice a year.

On this day, the day I had this epiphany, I was forever changed when I realized the holy Qur’an in my hands was the book I had longed for my whole life. It was the book I was trying to get to, to read.  My eyes filled with tears right there at the check out counter of the local bookstore and I could feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck as a warmth built up inside me.

I later recited my Shahada under Allah(swt) and witnessed by the young Muslim man over the Internet. Alhamdulillah I was walking on the lightened path.

Referring to your reversion story, how can it be possible that a girl being born in a non-religious family has 'an innate love for her creator?

This is a good question and I often wondered why I was praying when nobody ever asked it of me? It’s true my family did not follow any religion and they remain agnostic to this day. Growing up the topic of God did not come up very often, if at all. In my family Christmas was a thing of Santa Clause, reindeers and gifts under the tree and not really having any connection to Prophet Essa (pbuh). When reading the verse 7:172 from the Holy Quran I understood it to explain the Arabic word fitrah as to innately know the oneness of God and to know his existence without having anyone tell you as much.

That is to say I believe that all people have an innate sense of religion and the ability of knowing God as One. It is innate just as you know killing, lying and thieving are wrong.  What I believe happens is we move away from this, often because we forget what we know innately being masked by the material world or because of another religion that may take away from Allah(swt).

In my case I was very aware of this innate feeling to believe in my creator and I acted on it with praying and behaving as I felt Allah(swt) expected of me.
There was a time when this knowing of Allah(swt) grew distant and my teenager years were often times a narrow road and filled with temptations that looked to remove me from my path. I soon came back and continued on in my life but was affected by that feeling I described earlier of feeling lost or that I had something I should be doing.

Now that I have found my way I wish to do what I can to help others see the light and to remind them of their innate knowledge of the one true creator. Also to bring the truth of Islam to those who are not Muslim and to help put a stop to Islamophobia.
 
It seems that the number of women reverting to Islam is much larger that that of men. What do you believe to be the reason for that – if this is right at all?

I know that the Internet tells us, through statistics, that there are more women then men reverting to Islam and for the most part it seems that this could be true. If there are more women reverting than men then in my opinion, it is because they recognize that Islam IS equality and freedom and liberation for women. It is what Allah(Swt) has laid down for us. Islam is a way of life that brings true liberation to all women if practiced as Allah(Swt) willed. So upon learning this we are drawn to it.

To further explain, I think many western women feel librated for false reasons and one key reason has to be their need to express themselves provocatively. The so-called liberation or feminist movement of the sixties has been thrown out of perspective. They were throwing off their undergarments to prove themselves as equals, to show their strength to do as they pleased. And now they walk around half naked to prove what? That they can arouse a man's delight, and to manipulate or to be the envy of others? And at what costs?

Of course men and women should be treated equally but there are obviously areas that we can’t be treated equally for reasons that are beyond our control. Allah(swt) has made us different and things that are different cannot always come in as equal in certain areas. This is not something women should feel threatened by, as in turn there are certain things that we are only capable of over men. We are equal in our minds and in our souls and under Allah(swt) and this is what we should strive to express.

I have asked women why do they feel liberated in the west? They will say things such as, well I can dress as I please, I can work in any field I wish and I can speak out loud about my beliefs whatever they may be. If I ask them do you think Muslim women are liberated? They will often ignorantly answer ‘no because they are forced to veil or no because they are controlled by men and are not allowed to think or speak for themselves.

These women have been programmed to think this way about Muslim women, this false assumption of veiled women has been repeated so often it has become fact in their minds without ever considering to research its validity. These same women are always surprised when I explain that the religion of Islam encourages all Muslims to educate themselves fully and to express themselves and to be equally treated under the eyes of Allah(Swt). I tell them about hijab and the virtues of veiling and being treated equally and for what is truly important our souls and our minds.

I tell them of the rights of Muslim women. I remind these women that it took men in the west a long time to finally recognize that women had rights and so they then were allowing them to vote, own property and further educate themselves and work in their learned fields, long after Muslim women were already living this liberated life. I often have to explain to non-Muslims that there are some societies that Muslim women do not find their rights and are treated poorly but this is not the Islam that has been revealed to me. Sadly many confuse cultural customs with Islam and the two are widely different.

During the feminist movement western women felt they were moving forward and they were in many areas but I believe they have now actually fallen backwards. There is a breakdown in society and it’s only getting worse. Magazine covers splashed with images of gauntly thin half-dressed models with sprayed on digitally enhanced faces that the young western woman aspires to, Young 13-year-old girls posting up their Internet profiles with provocative gestures and alluring descriptions, TV shows that represent women supposedly living the good life because she-has hundreds of male conquests- money and the party life, women frequenting bars posing and flaunting their goods to attract a mate, that will not likely see them with respect. 

How liberated are they? They have no idea how controlled they really are. There are very few women who are not drawn to the makeup counters and fashion industry, spending billions a year and all to turn on the opposite sex and or to be the envy of all the other women? This is a form of oppression.

Westerners live with the fact that monogamy is becoming less and less popular and sexual disease is on the rise, marital affairs are as common as peanut butter on bread and at some point it will all come crashing down. The pendulum has swung too far. This is not liberation at all; this is being controlled without even being aware. I know, I’ve lived it, I know what it is like to be judged by my appearance alone.
 
The veil, in Islam, is true liberation. The veil offers peace of mind and shelter to women, it offers dignity and honour. They no longer have to feel compelled to attract the opposite sex or look a specific way to be treated better then others. The veiled woman is respected and strong and confident. 

She can be a leader, an activist, a Doctor, a Mother, a loving wife. When one discovers Islam they discover the liberation of women that the veil brings along with many other liberating laws for Muslim women that have been set since the revelations made by the Prophet (pbuh). Some laws liberating Muslim women hundreds of years ago in Islam were only slowly becoming popular in the west this last century.

Women are drawn to Islam because Islam is freedom for women and equality under Allah(swt). These laws were set by Allah(swt) not by men and this is why you find equality and this is why women would choose to become a Muslim. 

I would like to add that there are some western women, some who I can even be so lucky to call my friends, who are not tricked by this campaign for immorality they live modestly and with a strong female mind and show respect for those who choose to veil.

Hijab is the symbol of a Muslim woman, though unfortunately not paid much attention to by some Muslim sisters, even here in Iran. How will you defend Hijab if you are asked to show it through an artwork?

Well as I’ve stated, to me, the hijab equals freedom. I feel many sisters who show disrespect for hijab and wear it incorrectly or do not wear it at all may not be fully aware of their faith, or of the history behind hijab or since we cannot judge them maybe they have another reason they feel they should not wear hijab.

If we say we are believers then how do we not cover when Allah(swt) has asked this of us? I must point out; as I have experience with this, when a woman becomes a Muslim no matter how much she understands and reveres the veil it is often difficult to begin to wear it. She has to confront the world as a symbol of Islam and it can be especially hard when everyone seems to be against her new faith and view the hijab as oppressive. These women need to find strength to wear hijab but once they do they find they are secure.

Getting back to the artwork, I have thought about this and I would like to reveal a series of art depicting Zaynab Al-Kubra (AS) in some way. Possibly abstract indicating her spirit and strong soul.  Zaynab, the bravery of this woman, this heroine setting such a great example for hijabi women of her time and still centuries later we feel her presence as we retell her stories. From her, from all that she had to endure we learn to be proud of hijab. With hijab we see that we are recognized for our minds.

In my case, being the only Shia, living in a small conservative town of possibly two other hijabi women, and many intolerant individuals it is not an easy task to veil. When wearing hijab fingers point and comments are made. I have become quite fearful at times as I live alone with my two children. You are already, as a revert, often times, distanced by your family and peers and sometimes not finding it easy to be part of the ummah. 

It’s a tough path to walk but there is always struggle when it comes to doing what is best to please Allah(Swt). The believers life does not come easy. It is not permissible to just say you believe. So in answer to your question.. yes I will be doing a series on hijab that would look to inspire new Muslim and born Muslim women with the story of Zaynab (AS).

Have you ever made a pilgrimage to Hajj or Umrah? What about Mashhad? If so, please tell me about your experience of being a pilgrim. If not, please share your feelings toward making a pilgrimage.

I have not yet had the opportunity to do the pilgrimage to Hajj or to Mashhad, but it is something I feel strongly about doing. I am already so moved and touched by all that I learn of Islam and the ahlulbayt. To actually walk on the footsteps of the Prophet (pbuh) in Medina and Mecca or to touch the walls of the Shrine of Imam Reza, Mashhad would be a humbling experience to say the least.

I’m sure I would be moved to tears and overcome with joy and sorrow both. I am not one of much money and so this trip will likely be in the very far future but inshallah it will happen before I leave this world.

Please tell me more about your upcoming series for Ashura. 

Without revealing too much about the technical side to my series of artwork, before it’s showing, I will do my best to give you the feel of it because this is what truly matters when it comes to art. First I’d like to mention I have been studying Islamic Art for the past few years and I have enjoyed viewing the geometric Art, Architecture and Calligraphy created by many Muslim artists over the centuries, such intricacy and talent with such accuracy is most impressive. I’ve always been into the arts and so I studied under a Montreal Concordia University Art Professor for four years.

When discovering Islam it was natural for me to also learn as much as I could of the Art History of Muslims. I found I could not find much contemporary work that I felt would be expressive of Islamic art with techniques of our times..

When reading the stories of Karbala I often found them accompanied by the same artwork images, that have been telling the story, effectively, of the battle for many years. Although I find much of it very well done and very telling I was struck with the thought that I was not seeing anything new and so I was then inspired.

The battle of Karbala, ‘the everlasting stand’ is an old story but one that we replay each year and one that I wish to reveal by a new method. I will be presenting a series that is visually abstract but emotionally moving. The ten pieces will be approximately 8 feet by 4 feet wide on mylar (a flexible, semi –transparent material).

I chose to use this material so that the works can easily be transported for exhibition as well as the fact that it suits the tactile surface I will need to represent the work as I envisioned it. I want the works to be touched as well as viewed, to enhance the viewers experience and to bring them closer to the piece. Their size alone will help the viewer understand the impact of this event on history.

The ten pieces of art will be a mixed media adding textures and sound that I hope will allow the viewer to experience the past and encourage them to learn more.. My goal is that you walk into this room and feel the air of Karbala, the mood is set, I wish to grab the emotions of the viewers and inshallah try to reveal the tragedy of this event in history through my art. 

Almost all Muslims believe that Muslim reverts are more 'true' Muslims than born Muslims. This may be because reverts get interested in knowing about Islam with questions being born in their minds which born Muslim apparently lack. How can a born Muslim have a motivation to know his religion more deeply?

I have heard some Muslims say this before and I think what they are referring to is that Reverted Muslims tend to all have one thing in common, the need to know the truth about Islam and the desire to learn as much as they can about their deen. Reverts are often the type of people who break away from the rest of the pack regardless of the difficulties to themselves provided it’s what feels right.

To study Islam, to become a Muslim is a very different way of life but one that is fully embraced by the Revert type. Once we learn about Islam we are in love with our faith and Allah(swt) and with this comes strength. I’ve come to believe that the born Muslims who are not as committed to their faith are much like some westerners who are distracted by the material world and events in their life that take from what is truly important. They have come to take their religion for granted and the desire to learn about Islam has all but disappeared. Sometimes even mixing their culture with Islam and not even knowing that at times it vastly contradicts the Qur’an and Sunnah.

There are some who have said that they have become inspired by Reverted Muslims and have rediscovered their faith after having them in their lives. It comes down to rediscovering this amazing religion, the words of Allah(swt) are there for us in the Holy Qur’an, the words of Allah(swt)!!! Do you understand what I’m saying?

I honestly can’t get over it, at times; these are the words of our creator, the magnificent, and the merciful. Stop, and take the time to understand that there truly is a creator, he has given us life, he has given us all that we see, feel, love. WE exist because of HIM. Stop, and consider what we know. We know that Allah(swt) is real, that he does exist, we know that the Prohpet Muhammad (pbuh) was the true messenger and last of the Prophet’s of our Lord.

We know that all that he recited to bring forth the Qur’an is true and are the words of Allah(swt). This is a way of life, a message given to us to change our ways, to be the best we can be, to find peace, to end suffering, to fund the poor, to shelter the old/widowed/orphaned, to be loved and to love, to live in a diverse community of Muslim men and women finding unity within our common goals, a guideline has been laid out for us.
 
All of this is there in front of us, just stop and look and understand the truth. Stop and say Lord increase my knowledge, as it is the key to a just and fulfilling life in this world.  Take the time to learn more about Islam and keep those who are pious and truth seekers near your side. The more you discover the closer you become.

How do Sunni Muslims, especially reverts, react to your website? How do you interact with them?

I have not had any bad reactions from any Sunni Muslims on the site or forum. They come and add their remarks and to my surprise have even pointed reverts to the revertmuslims.com website from their own sites. I have had the occasional Internet hacking problem that may be brought on by people not wishing for the site to exist but so far nothing too serious.
We did have someone recently post offensive material but we quickly removed it and I am not sure who it was or what religion they may have been. I wish to show tolerance for the different views and my hope is that when they visit they will see the truth.

Many Reverted Muslims become Sunni first because they often live in a predominant Sunni community and are steered that way. They are sometimes moved further away when they are shown the common misconceptions of Shi’a and they are then discouraged to learn about the sect. I feel confident that the Sunni or the Muslims who have not yet found their way will learn the truth when they visit the site and inshallah will change their path.

I recently received a nice email from a fully Reverted Muslim family from Sunni to Shia and they were so pleased to find our site and were enthusiastic and thrilled to be able to talk to others who have also discovered the truth. I have come to talk to born Sunni Muslims who reverted to Shia Islam and they speak much the same way as Reverted Western Muslims. When Allah(Swt) wishes to guide you, you are filled with the desire and passion to learn more and to become closer to Allah(Swt). Alhamdulillah

Please explain more about the theme of the first ever International Revert Conference, i.e. 'Preparing the Way for Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return)'. Why did you chose this as the theme? 

I love the theme so much, it really warms my heart. My dear friend sister Fatimah, a reverted Muslim from Quebec, who is our events coordinator, came up with this theme idea. The sister's explanation was that as Muslims we have a tendency to say ‘Oh Allah Please hasten the reappearance of the 12th Imam’ Which is nice, but we should follow up these noble statements with actions.

We should be in an active state of waiting. As we wish to convey through this conference, this state of waiting is not docile, but mobile. We need to arouse our senses and prepare our minds for his reappearance.

The newly reverted Muslim should be made aware of the importance of this Imam of our time. We often speak of the Mahdi (AS) as if he existed a long time ago, ONLY, but as we should remind ourselves he is the Imam of our time. He is here now.

It is so easy for us to put our faith and trust in Allah(swt) even though we do not see Allah(swt) but it is, for some reason, harder for us to imagine the Imam, a human, here present today. Why do we struggle with this? Let us remind ourselves that Allah(swt) can do all, can create all things, to have the Imam here is so easy for Allah(swt). Inshallah our message will come clear for those who attend our conference.

I am so grateful to have the help of the very committed sister Fatimah along with all the other great and pious members of our conference committee board and volunteers.

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