Laura El Alam Like so many converts, when I was a brand new Muslim, I was trusting and optimistic. Inspired by the beauty and perfection of Islam, I expected that all the “born Muslims” around me would be living upright, wholesome, pious lives. After all, they had been raised with Islam as their blueprint, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as their role model. With the benefits of lifelong guidance and inspiration, I reasoned, how could they display anything but excellent behavior? I was so enamored with my newfound faith and so eager to think the best of my sisters and brothers in faith that I forgot about one inevitable reality: human weakness. Islam is perfect, but humans are not. In fact, every single one of us is a sinner. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “All of the children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent.” (Tirmidhī 2499) If you are a new convert, you may feel deep admiration for certain individuals who taught you about Islam. Perhaps it was your spouse, a co-worker, or a friend who introduced you to the faith. Maybe you started following a lecturer online because you were deeply impressed by their knowledge and charisma. Or possibly some congregants at the local mosque seem to be amazing people with outstanding character, and you’re thrilled to be in their presence. Having role models is not necessarily a bad thing, of course. A problem arises if we take our admiration a little too far. We sometimes put people on a pedestal, forgetting that they, too, are flawed human beings. We might start thinking of certain individuals as more than mentors and teachers, attaching our hearts to them, connecting our faith to them, and expecting them to be perfect. Then, when these people make mistakes or commit grave sins, it can be extremely painful. It might even shake the foundations of our iman, or belief in God. If we find ourselves feeling devastated or having a spiritual crisis when a beloved role model falls from grace, that is a sign that we have put too much emphasis on that person, and not enough on Allah and His deen. We probably did not intend to form an unhealthy attachment, nor set out to worship someone other than Allah. But if our disappointment in a fellow human being’s transgressions hurts us to our core, it is a clue that we have formed an unhealthy or inappropriate attachment to him or her. As Yasmin Mogahed explains, “Pain is a pointer to our attachments. That which makes us cry, that which causes us the most pain is where our false attachments lie. And it is those things which we are attached to as we should only be attached to Allah which become barriers on our path to God.” How can you cope with being shattered when your Muslim role model lets you down? Constantly remind yourself that only Allah is perfect. His prophets, the best of humanity, were infallible in regards to sin, but still mortal and fragile creations. Because humans have free will and are inherently flawed, we will all fall short of our faith’s high standards now and then. But our mistakes are not His mistakes, nor are they indicators that something is wrong with Islam. Continually refresh your personal connection with Allah, the Quran, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). We are all part of the Ummah, a community of brothers and sisters in faith who should support and protect one other. Bonding, interacting, studying, and worshiping with fellow Muslims is generally beneficial. But remember that in Islam, you don’t need an intercessor between you and God. You are already– and always– close to your Creator. He tells us in the Quran: “Indeed, it is We Who created humankind and fully know what their souls whisper to them, and We are closer to them than their jugular vein.” (50:16) Remember that tawheed, worshiping Allah alone, is Islam’s central and single most important concept. Always check the compass of your heart and make sure it is pointing towards Him alone. Don’t over-generalize. The human brain is predisposed to learn negative stereotypes, but remember that just because one individual does something disappointing or harmful does not mean that all Muslims are like that. For instance, in cases when a well-known Islamic scholar is exposed for his sins, people often begin to suspect or distrust all scholars. They may even over-generalize so much that they begin to doubt Islam itself. Be proactive to avoid unhealthy attachment in the first place. One step is to adhere to Islam’s gender segregation rules. There is great wisdom in enforcing a distance (both physical and emotional) between men and women who are not mahrams. One-on-one chats and lessons, whether in person or online, can easily devolve into flirtations or prohibited relationships. If you are seeking Islamic knowledge, it is best to find a teacher of the same gender. Learn Islamic knowledge from various sources. If all of your information comes from one person, you will be more dependent on him or her and more likely to suffer a huge spiritual blow if their sins are exposed. There are innumerable resources, online and in-person, to learn about Islam and plentiful scholars of both genders. So, diversify your learning. Allah created humans as social beings. We are predisposed to seeking meaningful connection with others, and our hearts can feel profound emotions. There is nothing wrong with loving and admiring people within the boundaries of Islam, but we must always remember that ours is a religion of moderation. We should strive to keep our hearts from feeling too attached to anything in this dunya (worldly life). After all, everyone and everything on Earth will eventually perish. The only permanent One is our Creator. He is the only one who will never, ever let us down and He is the only One worthy of our devotion. Read Other Articles on whysialm.org

Jana Hussain There is a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (may the blessings and peace of God be upon him), “Verily, the parable of good and bad company is that of a seller of musk and a blacksmith. The seller of musk will give you perfume. You will buy some, or you will notice a pleasant smell. As for the blacksmith, he will burn your clothes, or you will notice a bad smell” (Sahih Bukhari). Growing Up Far from Familial Support My parents moved from Iowa to California when I was two-years-old, leaving behind all their families. We moved again when I was nine, and my parents divorced when I was twelve. When I was sixteen, we moved again after my mother remarried. Needless to say, I did not make any long-term friends. Our family situation was very problematic. Children are very vulnerable to stress in the home, especially when there is no extended family—no grandparents, no aunts, no uncles, no cousins to have as support. The underlying family dynamics caused me to be not close at all to my father and not as close as I would have liked to my mother. I definitely had feelings of loneliness, with my only emotional support being my younger sister. My parents were mildly religious; they sent us to Sunday School for which I am grateful, as that gave me my strong belief in God and His Prophets, especially Jesus, whom I loved for his miracles and uplifting teachings. I did not think too much about the concept of the Trinity and the Nicene creed we occasionally recited in church. It never made much sense to me. I have always been a seeker. I once tried to build a crude altar out of rocks once like I imagined Jewish altars were, but I had no way to connect it back–no sunnah, or practice of the prophets, that outlined how it was done. Finding Emotional Stability & Islam I was not psychologically and emotionally strong, and I avoided controversies, especially about the nature of Jesus. My sense of self felt threatened, as I did not know what was true. I had a roommate from Mexicali in college and other Mexican/American female friends and went to Mexicali a few times to visit with my friend and her mother. For the first time in my life, I saw and was very attracted to close mother/daughter and female cousins’ bonds. It was the first time I had seen a strong extended family structure and realized how emotionally stabilizing it was. I became Catholic temporarily as I liked the campus Catholic services with guitar; it was not as attractive when I attended mass outside. I met my husband Manzoor in college at the International Club and was very attracted to his strong sense of family and his stable nature, born from his faith and solid family upbringing with lots of extended family. I was also drawn to his self-confidence about his direction in life. I did not know much of Islam but learned that Jesus is not considered the son of God. I did not think too deeply about it. When we considered marriage, I agreed that it was better for both parents to be on the same page, religion-wise. There were very few Muslims at that time at the university, so my main reference for Islam was my husband. At some point after marriage I got the book Islam in Focus, which I found very enlightening. One of the things that really impacted me was the fact that in Islam, there should be no separation between your faith and your treatment of human beings, even in the area of business. You had to be honest about whatever you were selling. My stepfather was a strong Christian, but he believed that you should give to God what belongs to God and to man what belongs to man (according to the Bible). In his belief, there was no problem not being transparent in business dealings which never made sense to me even when a Christian. I did not have any information for many years about the life of the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of God be upon him), unfortunately. The plan was for Manzoor and I to get married in my parents’ house with a Presbyterian minister and then later that evening for me to convert to Islam and get married in a masjid. To give you an idea of my state—it never occurred to me to tell my parents that I planned to become Muslim. My step-father found out the night before we got married and was extremely upset, as he felt I would be condemned to hell if I were not a Christian. My mother was less concerned. She was more worried about any prejudice our children might experience. After becoming Muslim, my husband and I moved a lot. We were in Iran, Austria, and Pakistan before finally settling back in the United States. In Iran, I fasted Ramadan for the first time and felt how fasting seemed to strengthen me internally and gave me a sense of peace. I was first introduced to mysticism or the spiritual aspect of Islam, sometimes called Sufism, and I found it very peaceful. Islam’s Emphasis on the Inward and Outward After we finally returned to the United States, I strove harder in my goals to attain closeness to God. My spiritual teachers always advised to begin gradually and then take on more and more practices as was comfortable and natural. This is especially important to remember. When a person first embraces Islam or even initially makes the decision to practice more, it can feel burdensome and overwhelming. Begin slowly and implement good habits like daily Quran recitation, supplication at particular prayer times, and sending blessings on the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of God be upon him). The key point stressed is consistency—it is better for the soul’s development to do a little every day than to do a lot

Some events that occurred on specific dates are so embedded into the collective consciousness of the American people that each calendar year, we recall how our individual and national consciousness was impacted. Usually, such occurrences take place on American soil, like the 911 bombing of the World Trade Center’s twin towers or the January 6th insurrection attempt to block the certification of the winner of the 2020 Presidential election. But, on October 7, 2023, Hamas, The Islamic Resistance Movement in Occupied Palestine, launched coordinated operations on a music festival attended by hundreds of youths and on multiple Israeli kibbutz. These actions resulted in around 251 Israelis being taken as hostages. Western media reports of mass rapes of Israeli women and the beheading of infants were later proved to lack evidence, truth, or credibility. Shortly after the hostages were taken, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set into motion one of the most brutal genocidal assaults against non-combatants, primarily women and children, ever witnessed in the 21st century. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis were protesting in the streets for the ouster of Netanyahu on charges of corruption before the Hamas attack. The political calculus of his situation was to ignite a long-term military conflict in the region to stave off being unseated as Prime Minister and going to jail. The response of the United States to the Israeli bombing of Palestinian homes, schools, and hospitals and the destruction of the entire infrastructure of the Gaza Strip was to replenish their stockpile of 2,000-pound bunker-busting bombs, rockets, and other weapons of war against a defenseless civilian population disproportionately comprised of women and children. To date, at least 175 courageous Palestinian journalists have been illegally targeted and killed while daring to report and film the unprecedented orgy of slaughter against an innocent Palestinian population. The United States has a complicated relationship with the state of Israel that goes far beyond that of merely being an ally. Israel has served as a cat’s paw for American and European interests, particularly oil and other resources found in the region. However, some European and Asian allies of the United States are confounded by its seemingly uncritical support of the present and past governments of Israel’s crimes against humanity committed against the Muslim population of Palestine and the region. A critical understanding of the essential elements that have seemingly inextricably bound the fate of the United States to the Zionist state of Israel is in order. In the book, Israel, America’s Key to Survival, by Mike Evan’s, the author writes, “Only one nation, Israel, stands between terrorist aggression and the complete decline of the United States as a democratic world power…If Israel fails, the United States can no longer remain a democracy…Arab money is being used to control and influence major U.S. Corporations, making it economically more and more difficult for the United States to stand against world terrorism.” In addition to being a questionable, if not outright false, assertion, the statement ignores the actual power dynamics of the two states in which the destructive military capacity of the United States coupled with its financial strength compared to other nations act as significant deterrents for other nations to attack Israel physically. Also, the US’s absolute support of Israel in world bodies like the United Nations militates against any attempt to sanction Israel. The book’s premise is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. The phrase “the tail wagging the dog” describes a situation where a more minor or less significant part of something controls or influences the whole inappropriately or unexpectedly. The powerful lobby for Israel AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has additionally enhanced Israel’s status in the United States. AIPAC speaks and raises money on behalf of a coalition of pro-Israel American Jewish groups. Factually speaking, few US Senators and Congresspeople do not receive donations from AIPAC. In exchange for AIPAC’s donations, the expectation is for the recipients to vote in favor or against legislation as instructed by AIPAC. However, donations from lobbyists are not the sole contributing factor to Israel’s outsized influence over America’s domestic and foreign policy. The ever-growing presence of Christian Zionists across the United States has an out-sized impact on why Americans accept the extreme political and military behavior of the Zionist State of Israel against the Arab, mainly Muslim, countries and within Occupied Palestine, and on the African continent. According to a Pew Research 2023 study, 63 percent of Americans identify as Christians, the largest denomination being Catholics, followed by Evangelical Protestantism. Evangelical Protestants are among the fastest-growing Christian denominations in the United States today. Christian Zionism is a belief among some Christians that the return of the Jewish people to the Holy Land, modern-day Israel, and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 are following Biblical prophecy. This movement supports the political and religious alliance between Christians and Jews, particularly in favor of the modern state of Israel. Christian Zionists advocate for policies that unilaterally favor Israel’s security and sovereignty at all costs, often influencing political decisions in the United States. The current President of the United States has emphatically stated that he is a self-avowed Christian Zionist. Maybe this helps us to understand why he is facilitating genocide while professing to be a faithful Christian. Since the establishment of the secular Zionist state of Israel, Biden and American Presidents before him have assisted the Israeli devastation of Palestinian Muslim populations and forced removal from their homes. Like Biden, Christian American Presidents, as one of the first overseas acts of their Presidency, have put a yamaka on their heads and bowed their heads at the Wailing Wall in Occupied Jerusalem. The carnage that we have seen in Occupied Palestine since October 7, 2023 could not have happened without the tacit support of Christian Zionists in the US. As witnesses to a horrific, indisputable genocide being brought to us by social media, selective mainstream accounts, and brave Palestinian journalists, we must do our part to influence an authentic narrative

The Power of Gratitude: How Islamic Prayer Can Improve Your Day Islam is a religion that emphasizes the importance of remembrance of God in all aspects of life. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to say a prayer on almost every occasion such as eating, drinking, sleeping, traveling, and entering one’s home. This article will highlight the psychological and mental benefits of one such supplication, the one recited when one wakes up. Islamic Prayer Upon Waking: A Reminder of Death and Resurrection Muslims are encouraged to begin each day with a prayer that says “All thanks are due to God who gave us life after death and to Him is the resurrection.” (Sahih Bukhari). This prayer highlights the importance of recognizing that sleep is a form of temporary death and that waking up in the morning is a new lease on life. It also reminds us of the ultimate reality of death and resurrection, and how every day is a rehearsal for the day of judgment. What is similarly important is that it encourages Muslims to start the day with a prayer of gratitude. The first words that are uttered upon waking up, when one’s eyes are barely open, is “Thanks to God.” This has a tremendous impact on one’s psychology. It sets the tone for the rest of the day and helps to cultivate a positive mindset. Gratitude is a powerful psychological tool that has been shown to improve well-being, increase resilience, and enhance interpersonal relationships. How Gratitude Can Better Your Mental and Physical Health Research has shown that practicing gratitude can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which are neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. Gratitude can also reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is associated with a range of negative health outcomes, including anxiety and depression. Gratefulness is an antidote to negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. When we express gratitude, we shift our attention from what we lack to what we have, and this shift in mindset can have a powerful effect on our overall outlook on life. Grateful people are more optimistic, have better relationships, and are more resilient in the face of adversity. Gratitude and Patience: The Keys to a Happy Life The reality is that everyone has some kind of problem in their life. When we wake up, we often think of what we have to do that day or the challenge we have to overcome. However, Islam teaches us to be grateful not just for the blessings we receive, but also for the challenges and difficulties we face. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” (Sahih Muslim) Gratitude and patience are important in all circumstances, whether they are good or bad. It reminds us that challenges are opportunities for growth and development and that even in difficult times, there is always something to be grateful for, even things we often take for granted, such as the fact that we wake up each day. Practicing Gratitude Regularly Can Lead to a More Meaningful Existence Starting the day with a prayer of gratitude is an important practice in Islam that has both psychological and spiritual benefits. It reminds us of the temporary nature of life and the ultimate reality of death and resurrection. It also helps to cultivate a positive mindset and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance all areas of our lives, and practicing it regularly can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence. The Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings on the Purpose of Life Ultimately, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, are full of wisdom that has real-world benefits. The act of sleeping and waking up is a rehearsal for the Day of resurrection. It is a mini death and resurrection every day. This prayer reminds Muslims of the ultimate purpose of life. It is a reminder that all humans are accountable for their actions and that they should strive to do good and avoid evil. This awareness can help people make better decisions throughout the day and align their actions with higher moral values. All of Islam’s teachings are meant to bring good and ward off bad from the lives of humans. It is only through Islam that one experiences actual peace, tranquility, and serenity. Have more questions? Call 877-WhyIslam, you deserve to know! Read Other Articles on whysialm.org

In an otherwise normal, decent world, pornography is not a topic that we would wish to publicly discuss. Talking about issues with negative connotations often brings out the very destructive impact on the public that we intended to avoid.  But once a destructive issue is already in the public sphere and impacting society, it is important to discuss it. The case of pornography in the West and most countries in the world is exactly that—it’s way past the threshold. In fact, it’s wreaking havoc in society. Pornography has manifested in its most extreme state of vulgarity in our current time, using the omnipresent technology of the internet and mobile devices. Pornography has always been a part of human culture, going at least as far back as the fertility cults, with their pornographic drawings, that existed throughout the world. Some researchers suggest that fertility symbols were used as early as prehistoric times. The digital age has given pornography new dimensions and raised concerns about its negative impact on individuals and society as a whole. It’s just like “sugar” in the modern diet causing a public health disaster, it’s omnipresent—you don’t need to seek sugary products explicitly, but added sugar comes to you in every food you buy, be it kids’ milk pouches, juice, bread, ketchup… you name it. Similarly, pornography or the likes of it doesn’t need to be sought explicitly but comes to you as an ingredient in your everyday life—you go to a TV channel, a web page, YouTube, or internet gaming sites—you constantly get baited or even sampled (sampling is a direct marketing technique that offers the consumer a small sample for free so that they will be motivated to purchase the full product after that). Baiting is most often done with soft porn, a gateway to more hardcore pornography. According to definitions.net, softcore pornography is… “…commercial still photography or film that has a pornographic or erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexual penetration. Softcore pornography includes stripteases, lingerie modeling, simulated sex and emphasis on the sensual appreciation of the human form. It typically contains nude or semi-nude actors involved in love scenes and is intended to be sexually arousing and aesthetically beautiful. The distinction between softcore pornography and erotic photography is largely a matter of taste.” Islamic Clarity About Pornography For Muslims, there is no distinction between soft- and hardcore porn. Islam is clear on the issue of producing or consuming sexually explicit material of any kind. It hasn’t just declared it unacceptable but creates barriers surrounding it so that society can prevent individuals coming close to it. Islam is the religion of haya, modesty. In that way, Islam provides, so to speak, a natural immunity to pornography. So, we shouldn’t be worried, right? Far from it. This danger is like an infectious virus—indiscriminately attacking Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We’ll go over why the Muslim “immune system” to pornography isn’t working. Let’s understand first the “immune system,” if you will, that’s inbuilt in Islam. Islam has put modesty of men and women as a criterion of faith. It’s not just about wearing modest outfits and restricting the mixing of men and women; it is also a lowering of the gaze by both men and women. Islam accepts the reality of human biology that drives us sexually. Thus, Islam puts marriage as a top priority to channel sexual impulses in a healthy and productive way. The Qur’an is very clear on every able man and woman getting married unless there’s a condition of prohibitive disability or abject economic hardship where they are advised by God to “fast” to counter the effect of human biology and hormones. The Qur’an then takes it to the next level: advising men and women to not even come close to sexual involvement outside of marriage—knowing that humans are created weak and that one must stay away from the slippery slope of immoral activities. At a societal level, the Islamic economy has made it very explicit that anything harmful to society shouldn’t be a money-making industry. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, etc., are prohibited in the Islamic system. That’s a macro-level immunity that Islam provides. One should then ask why all the above aspects of such a broad-based defense mechanism is not working for Muslims. The answer is simple — we’re living in a society that promotes a lifestyle that compromises the “immunity” that we are supposed to have. Do not think that it’s only in America or in the West. It’s also ubiquitous in many Muslim countries as most of the world is now following the West as a cultural role model without giving any critical thought to religion or societal stability and well-being. Pornography is a legal business in most countries. Some may deny that Muslim countries have such an industry. I would argue, however, that the entertainment industry is not far removed from it, and most Muslim countries allow the almost unrestricted flow of Hollywood or Bollywood movies. As mentioned above, soft porn, which is prevalent in movies, is just one step from more hardcore pornographic material. To make the effect worse, marriage between a man and a woman is being hollowed out, while the uncensored mixing of men and women is encouraged or, many times, structurally necessary in the workplace. Harming of Faith and Healthy Relationships The most devastating harm pornography or the entertainment industry does is that they eat away the foundation of the faith (iman). Imam Ghazzali wrote in his book Minhajul Abedin that if our nafs (self, soul) is a wild beast that drags us to follow our desires, then the gates through which it’s fed are through our senses. The most important sense is our eyes. The more the beast is fed, the wilder it becomes. And it drags you further away from the remembrance of Allah. It’s like a rain shower on a barren land with a downward slope—you put soil on it to farm crops, but the

Laura El Alam When people first embrace Islam, they are often filled with energy, optimism, and positivity. The joy of connecting with their Creator and discovering His plan for humanity makes them feel like they have a new lease on life. When they share their new mindset and lifestyle with their loved ones, they might experience a variety of reactions. In the best case scenario, their friends and family are willing to listen, learn, and support them on their journey. Sadly, that is not always the case. Some new Muslims face opposition, hostility, and rejection. They are ostracized by their family or abandoned by their friends. What should you do if your loved ones reject you because you became a Muslim? 1. Try not to be too worried if their initial reaction is negative. People’s hearts can soften over time. If someone responds in a way that is unsupportive, challenging, or upsetting, you should remind yourself that it might just take a while–months, or even years– for their feelings to settle. Some people find change to be extremely hard to cope with, but over time, many can adapt and broaden their outlook. 2. Don’t try to convince them of Islam by debating, arguing, or attacking their religion. You might feel like you now understand the Truth and you want to share it with them. However, pressure tactics usually backfire. Instead, focus on showing the beauty of Islam through your actions. Be as kind, gentle, and helpful as you can. This will teach them about Islam more than any lecture could, and it will also reassure them that the “new you” is positive, wholesome, and more loveable than ever. 3. Decide who is worth your efforts. In Islam, maintaining family ties is extremely important. If the people who are opposing your conversion are your parents, siblings, or other close family members, you should make a sincere effort to preserve your relationship with them, and God will reward you for any patience you display. On the other hand, if a friend, colleague, neighbor, or acquaintance rejects you because you chose to become a Muslim, you might want to consider whether this person really deserves to be a part of your life. A worthy person will try to understand your point of view, support you, and want the best for you. So, if someone outside of your close family refuses to respect your new lifestyle, then they are probably not deserving of your emotional energy. Save your efforts for the people who truly matter. 4. Once you have determined that someone is worth your effort and energy, you will need to summon up a lot of patience. If they are unhappy with your conversion, they will likely question your beliefs and possibly even debate or argue with you. One helpful thing to remind them (and yourself) is that each and every one of us is in charge of our own soul. Our primary responsibility is to our personal connection with God, and other people’s approval and opinions do not matter in the crucial decision of Whom to worship. We can still love and respect our family without letting their negativity affect our core beliefs. We can also choose not to debate or argue, especially if the other party is not listening to our point of view. 5. Understand that a variety of emotions might lie behind negative reactions. What looks like anger is often a manifestation of different feelings: fear (of losing you, or of stereotypes they have about Muslims), anxiety (about how their life and/or your relationship might change now that you are a Muslim), sadness, or even insecurity. It’s quite possible that they aren’t aware of their true feelings, or they don’t know how to identify – much less verbalize – their feeling of “I love you and I don’t want to lose you.” If someone is lashing out when you tell them about your decision to embrace Islam, you can say something like, “I can see this is hard for you to accept right now. Just know that I love you and I intend to keep being a good daughter/sister/friend to you. Someday I hope you will find a way to support me because I am happy with my choice, and my dedication to Islam is making me a better person.” 6. Recharge your battery with supportive people. All the negativity can be draining and might even take a toll on your iman (state of heart, or spiritual health).  Make sure to spend time with Muslims who teach and inspire you. If possible, join a class for converts to learn more about your faith, make friends, and find sympathetic listeners. If you find that certain people in your life are so toxic that they are making you doubt Islam, then take a break from those people. Nothing is more important than your faith, and you must guard it carefully.

In late summer, students across universities in Bangladesh hosted various demonstrations, protesting a revival of a quota system where descendants of the fighters of Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971 would be awarded with government jobs. This accounts for around 30% of government jobs. At the time of the protests, there were 18 million unemployed young people in Bangladesh. Students formed a countrywide movement to protest for reform of the quota system, coined “Students Against Discrimination.” What started as peaceful protests quickly turned deadly, with Bangladeshi police killing a student coordinator, Abu Sayed. The video of Sayed’s killing sparked even more protests, with thousands of students pouring into the streets. Protesters were sparked further by the way the government refused to meet any demands. Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s prime minister, ruling for over 15 years, called protesters “Razakar,” which is an offensive term used for collaborators. Protests turned more violent when police started attacking more and more student protesters in Dhaka. The government then shut down universities and cut off the internet. According to Al Jazeera, at least 187 people were killed, and 1,000 were arrested between July 10 and July 20. On July 18, it was reported that the internet in Bangladesh was cut off by authorities. The next day, armed forces fired at large crowds of protesters. After the days of violent response to protests, the Supreme Court on July 21 decreased the 30% quota to 5%, and reserved a 2% quota for ethnic minorities. The rest of 93% of civil jobs will be decided on merit. However, protests continued because a curfew was still imposed on universities, internet was not fully restored, and the arrest and killings of student demonstrators were too violent. Protesters renewed their demands, which then included the release of protest leaders, lifting of curfews, and reopening of universities. An estimated 300 protesters died at the hands of the government. BBC reports that around 32 children died during the demonstrations. A mass protest in Dhaka’s central square eventually forced Hasina to resign and flee the country, ending her 15-year rule. After Hasina’s escape, the Bangladeshi president released several prisoners charged under false circumstances, that were imprisoned by Hasina’s orders and under her direction, among them her opposition leader. Though her long-standing rule was unpopular for many reasons over the years, it was the violence against students which finally led to the collapse of her rule. Students could not bear the injustices perpetrated against their friends and community members.

Habeeba Husain A young Christian man never thought the Muslim friend he played basketball with in his twenties would re-enter his life nearly fifteen years later as his brother in Islam. “I was praying for him, and I felt like at the same time, he was praying for me,” said Maurice Hayes, 39, of New Jersey who converted to Islam this past Ramadan. Although he grew up in a religious Christian family, Hayes’ level of practice see-sawed throughout his life. His parents were both very much involved with their local church, but he described himself as a backsliding Christian, a person who is not fully practicing and moving away from God as a result. But when he entered his late twenties, Hayes decided to go all-in to his religion. “I know the Bible almost like the back of my hand,” Hayes said. “I could empathize with people based upon their struggles, and I could resonate with them on this level…Jesus said this, Paul said this…I could put a message together.” Diving so deep into learning the Bible made Hayes almost too knowledgeable in the subject. He was able to argue from both sides. He found holes, things that just didn’t add up in the text. “There were too many contradictions within the book for me to just go forth and practice,” Hayes said. Additionally, Hayes took issue with other Christian preachers that used the “you’re going to Hell” approach. He quoted Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” With this clearly mentioned in the scripture, Hayes would question the preachers, “So how do you know that you’re going to make it?” The inconsistencies within the scripture and this popular approach to preaching Christianity pushed Hayes into agnosticism. “I knew there was a creator, but I couldn’t figure out who it was,” Hayes said. For over a decade, Hayes lived a secular lifestyle all the while knowing God was out there. His Christian roots taught him to seek God’s help and fast when facing a difficulty, and he continued to practice this from time to time throughout his life even as an agnostic.  When Hayes distanced himself from Christian practice, his relationship with his family members soured. He didn’t agree with their methods of practice of the Christian faith that, in his view, contradicted the Bible. Things like putting up a Christmas tree or drinking alcohol made no sense to him, and thus, he was fine living a secular lifestyle—he wasn’t looking for a replacement religion. However, this mindset shifted in October of 2023. All over his social media timelines, Hayes saw the gruesome images coming out of the Gaza strip. For months, his eyes and ears unwillingly became witness to Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian civilians. It was these people who reminded Hayes of someone very familiar to him. “I’m seeing people worshiping, in spite of all the suffering,” Hayes said. “If there’s any example of what Jesus was like—suffering and still praising God, crucified and still praising—this. This is it.” People across the world have seen the photos and videos from the Gaza strip, things like entire neighborhoods destroyed in the background of a sole survivor holding his decapitated dead or a father mourning while carrying his child’s lifeless body. But despite the unimaginable images, the world—including Hayes—heard the Palestinian people still say, “Alhamdulillah,” or “All praise is due to Allah,” illustrating their immense trust in God’s decree and firm belief of better days to come in Heaven. In his own life, Hayes said he has troubles. From his family to his business, he felt things were falling apart. But observing the steadfastness of the Palestinian people opened his eyes. “I can’t feel bad for my situation, because they’re suffering one thousand times more than I am—and they’re still worshiping God,” Hayes said. Then he decided, “Let me look into their faith.” As Hayes began to research Islam, he came across videos and articles that debated and pointed out the same flaws he saw in the Bible. He realized he wasn’t alone in his thinking, and in fact, there were millions who felt the same way. The more he learned about Islam, the more he filled the gaps left by his former faith. “I love the fact that the Quran is preserved. I love the fact that I can speak about it with full confidence, whereas I would have doubts before [with the Bible],” Hayes said, referencing the idea that the holy book of Islam has remained unchanged, protected by God. Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of God be upon him), people have been memorizing the Quran and passing it down to subsequent generations both through an oral and written tradition. This past Ramadan, Hayes privately took his shahada, the Islamic testimony of faith in which a person declares, “There is no god but Allah, and the Prophet Muhammad (may the blessings and peace of God be upon him) is His final messenger.” This entered him into the fold of Islam. He was officially a Muslim, just like his friend from a decade and a half prior. Hayes wanted to reconnect with his Muslim basketball buddy, but didn’t even have his current phone number. He logged onto LinkedIn, took a deep breath, and sent a direct message to share his good news. His friend of course shared in his joy of this new chapter and volunteered to drive him to a local mosque to declare his faith publicly and meet the greater Muslim community. “I had to thank him,” Hayes said. “I [told him], ‘I know you were praying for me. I was praying for you to become a Christian. I know you were probably praying for me to become a Muslim. I owe this to you.” With his newfound faith—his gift from God—Hayes cannot help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for guidance from Allah’s Quran, gratitude for the friendship all those years ago