It has almost been 18 years since I took my Shahadah on a hot July evening surrounded by peole who I no longer have any contact with. I often wonder to myself if the disconnect comes from me or the community at large. In reality I think it is a mix of both. So today I am going to try to explore a topic that is complex and very personal. Statistics show that a vast majority of those that convert to Islam will leave the religion in the first year. If you then ask those who have left if it was a matter of belief, they will say, "no". So what is it that drives people away from this amazing beautiful religion? For many I have spoke to, it is the lack of support within the community or the lack of knowledge of how to access any support that is available. What wears on me is that we have become so disconnected from the Prophetic tradition. So much of our understanding of our deen is based on our undestanding of the seerah of the Prophet (saws) and what was happening historically in the Arab world at the time of the revelation. Islam has an incredible legacy of converts. Their stories are incredible. They are full of strength, sacrafice, and unending devotion to this blessed deen. We read their stories and become motivated and empowered. However, we sometimes forget that they had a support system. Even when they were in Mecca and were secretive about their faith or in the time of persecution, they had a network they created that supported them. Today's scenarios are not as encouraging. Now a majority of converts sit in a masjid and take their shahadah, while aunties and uncles look on shouting takbir. Both the convert and the congregation leave the masjid feeling inspired. However, months later the convert is left to atrophe spiritually, while the congregants continue to feel uplifted by all the recent converts they have seen taking shadahah in the masjid. I guess what I am saying is there is a disconnect.
I have wrestled with this for years as I have seen organizations try to establish programs for converts. I am absolutely not laying all the responsibility at the feet of the Muslim community. I think we as converts also must take charge of our faith and make our voices heard. Starting in March, I will begin exploring this topic. Each month I will post about Convert Care to bring awareness and begin my own journey of helping others who are entering Islam.
14 Comments
This is a heartbreaking. Indeed this is also an eye opener for me. Yes sister! We can't just blame the society. We are the part of society we blame. At least, now on we can keep in touch with those who revert.
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Fatima
2/23/2016 09:10:15 am
I agree that lack of knowledge among the people is what keeps them away from Islam. I have even come across many Muslims who do not have much knowledge about the religion but they claim to know everything and argue without proper reasoning and support of their claims.
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hena
2/23/2016 01:16:15 pm
this is a very sad reality..we tend to encourage people towards Islam but often end up neglecting the stages after! may Allah keep you under His guidance and mercy always!
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Amina
2/23/2016 03:02:32 pm
I was sad the first time I heard about the statistics of reverts leaving Islam in their first year at a dawah training. Its sad but true.
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2/25/2016 07:11:43 pm
I think there is enough blame to go around. No one would expect a baby to just be able to grow and become healthy with no intervention, nurturing and care. I pray that we seek opportunities to strengthen the ummah by truly meeting people where they are. :)
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2/25/2016 07:05:29 pm
I am going to have to bookmark this link. Upon taking my Shahadah, I had people from all over the world sending me materials to help me understand the deen better. I just couldn't get someone in the same town to take the same initiative. It was really weird.
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myda
2/26/2016 06:02:43 am
dont know what to write,
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2/28/2016 02:01:56 pm
This is such an issue within our Ummah. I've definitely seen many organisations helps and assist with new converts - as a whole community we don't seem to be aware of the issues facing converts after taking the shahada. I hope and pray we can rise up to it inshaAllah.
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I understand the struggle is real for the new muslims but often hear stories of people leaving Islam. It is sad. I had a friend who converted, alhamdulillah she had support and still does but I saw how some of her closest friends who helped her turn to Islam almost abandoned her once she had converted
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AuthorA muslimah mom of two teens trying to navigate my 40s. Taking time outs when I can to make it each day! Archives
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