First Steps as a New Muslim
New Muslim Taking Shahadah
Taking Shahadah, the declaration of faith, marked the beginning of an incredible journey for me as a new Muslim. In one word, the first few days were amazing. I felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from my chest; the pressure and stress that once weighed me down were gone. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and privilege, knowing that out of all the people in the world, Allah SWT (Subhanahu wa ta’ala – Glory be to Him, the Exalted) had chosen me and guided me to Islam.
An Inner Transformation
The internal transformation I underwent after taking Shahadah felt truly miraculous. However, these feelings were accompanied by a flood of questions:
- “How do I tell my family I’ve become a Muslim?”
- “Will I upset my family by embracing Islam?”
- “How will I fit into my new community?”
- “Will I be good enough?”
- “How can I become a good Muslim?”
The list seemed endless, but the sense of peace that Islam brought into my life helped me face these questions with newfound courage.
Embracing Peace and Contentment
Despite the initial flood of concerns, peace and contentment swiftly replaced my worries. I must admit that the transformation in my outlook was immediate. While my questions did not vanish overnight, my approach to them changed dramatically. I firmly believe this was a gift from Allah SWT, opening doors to countless blessings I had never imagined.
Through prayer, learning, and connecting with others, I found answers to my questions and discovered a profound sense of belonging. Each day confirmed that I was on the right path. The journey of a new Muslim is filled with challenges, but it’s also rich with opportunities for emotional growth and personal transformation.
The Incredible Excitement of Being Muslim
Let me tell you something: I felt like a kid in a candy shop for the first time. I was over the moon! I couldn’t shake the smile from my face or sleep from all the excitement. All I wanted to do was talk to other Muslims about what had just happened. Subhanallah, that feeling was amazing!
The day after my Shahadah, I was on my way to work, standing at the bus stop. When I jumped on bus, I noticed the bus wasn’t too busy. Among the few passengers was a Muslim girl, probably around my age, sitting by herself. Immediately, I had tunnel vision. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Even though the bus was practically empty, I sat right next to her. She probably thought, “What a weirdo! She has the entire bus to sit in, but she sits right next to me?!”
I tried so hard to keep my cool and not embarrass myself, even though I was bursting with excitement inside. I wanted to grab her shoulders, shake her, and shout, “I’m a Muslim too now!” Instead, I just sat there with a huge smile on my face, sneaking glances at her. When she noticed, she gave me a strange look. I quickly looked straight ahead, pretending to be interested in the ride.
Yeah, I probably freaked her out. But who cares? I thought to myself, “I’m one of you now.” Well, I never saw that girl again. She probably not only stopped taking the bus but also moved to a different city. 🙂
What Changes Immediately After Shahadah?
The most incredible thing happens after declaring Shahadah: all your previous sins are forgiven, and you become like a newborn baby with no sins. As an adult convert, you are given a fresh start—a chance to do things right. This is a testament to the boundless mercy of Allah SWT.
For a long time, I struggled to accept that all the wrongs I had done over my 27 years of life were suddenly forgiven. How could this be possible? I cried endlessly, trying to understand. It wasn’t until I watched an Islamic lecture that I began to comprehend. The speaker emphasized not doubting Allah’s SWT mercy. By doubting, we question His boundless forgiveness.
Having fear and being aware of past sins serves as a powerful reminder to strive to be a better person each day. Embracing Islam and the forgiveness it brings is a gift, encouraging us to be better than we were yesterday.
The Ongoing Hardship After Shahadah
As I hinted earlier, I didn’t tell my family about becoming a Muslim. There were several reasons for this. First, I didn’t want to scare them because they had never come across Muslims or the religion and didn’t have enough knowledge to understand it. Second, I didn’t want my decision to be influenced by anybody. Third, and most importantly, I come from a very small town where everyone knows everybody, and people love to talk about others’ business—it’s inevitable.
Around the time I was researching Islam, my parents were getting divorced, which was incredibly hard on my mum. I couldn’t bring myself to add to her worries by telling her about my conversion. I knew that people around her would get involved, and I could foresee how it would all play out. My little brother was only seven years old, and I could only imagine what people or kids at school might put him through because of me.
Why My Family Didn’t Know I Became a Muslim
I didn’t care what people would say or think of me, but I was deeply concerned about how it would affect my family. My mum is too soft to say anything back and would just take it on the chin. After all she had been through with the divorce, I couldn’t add to her burden. My brother was, and still is, too young to understand the matter, but it would have made him a target for teasing. How could I protect them when I lived in another country?So, I kept my conversion to Islam a secret. To this day, we have never spoken about it openly. I know they know, but there are still aspects of Islam they don’t understand, and I’m unsure how to convey the message to them. Alhamdulillah, they know more about Islam now than before. Meeting my husband, whom they adore, and his family has put their hearts at ease.
Conclusion
My journey to Islam has been one of immense joy, transformation, and learning. While the road is not without its challenges, it is filled with blessings that remind me of the privilege of being part of this beautiful faith. Alhamdulillah.