A message for All

An extract from the book: ‘ From my sisters lips’ by Na’Ima B. Robert.

Chapter 4: BEING A NEW MUSLIM- THE PROBLEMS AND THE CHALLENGES.

‘To become a Muslim is to become one who submits to the will of Allah. That means ego out, arrogance out, pride out: the self is brought to heel. (A reverted sister) Sara's long road to where she is now was paved with resistance: 'I was resisting full submission. I was happy with the way I was living my life- I had always been very active, outgoing, I liked going out, going to nice restaurants, I liked my fashions...And that was what my dad wanted for me- to be worldly, to speak different languages, to have a good education, to excel in my field- and because I loved and respected him, I wanted to live up to that.'

After spending our whole lives rebelling against some authority or other, we had chosen to submit to the highest authority of all-Allah- and sometimes it burnt like fire. How to explain the agony of wanting something so badly it hurts, even though you know that it is not allowed and has been forbidden for very good reasons? As Allah says:

' Jihad is ordained for you though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.'

Surah al-Baqarah 2:216

Although this verse speaks of physical jihad that the Prophet (saw) and his Companions were ordered with, it holds true for jihadunnafs, the fight against the self and the desires. This is the first battle that everyone must wage, the battle in which struggles against one’s baser instincts and aspires to something greater, nobler and purer. No one said the battle would be quick or easily won, but it is a battle we all face. I struggled with it then and continue to struggle now, every day of my life, and will, insha Allah, keep fighting until I die.

For everyone coming to Islam from the life of jahiliyyah, revert or returnee, there are painful moments and sacrifices to be made. But in all our hearts is the memory of those who were the first to hear the message of the Prophet (saw) and embrace Islam. Believing in the One God in a land ruled by idol worship and ancestral tribal law, the new Muslims were stripped of their wealth, driven from their homes, beaten, tortured and killed- but they did not give up their faith.

 One story that sticks in my head is that of Sumayyah (may Allah be pleased with her), one of the female companions of the Prophet (saw). After days of being tortured on the burning sands of the Arabian Desert, she was killed by Abu Jahal who, incensed at her refusal to renege on her Islam, stabbed her with a spear in her private parts. She is honoured by all Muslims as being the first ever martyr in Islam and her courage and conviction is a source of inspiration for us.

And something that has continually surprised and touched me is the unshakeable conviction of everyone of the sisters I spoke to that the pain, tears and heart ache have all been worth it- not one of them would take back their shahadah if ever they had their time again. They are prepared to go through all the trials and tribulations to achieve their goal: to hold on to their deen, to hold it close to their hearts, for its beauty to permeate their lives, their bodies and their souls and so gain the pleasure of their Lord and His Love and to, one day, see the beauty of His Face.’

Inshallah. Every thing that this Sister in Islam has said has put into writing what I feel and would’ve have said myself. Mashallah she has written a good book on her and other sisters experiences on becoming a part of this Ummah and what Islam has given to them :)…and she has also given some good advice too…if you want to know more just get the book and read it yourself…. and brothers can read it too…although it mentions a lot of what the sisters have experienced about the hijab etc it’s a good read if you’re interested in books as such.:) Inshallah I make dua that you will all stay strong in your imaan…. and always win your jihad Inshallah. And that Allah swt will make things easier for you and bring good provisions for you.