Adeel Malik
People continue to embrace the religion of Islam from all types of backgrounds. No doubt, most of them reverting to Islam are Christians, but there are others too, like this 20-year-old Indian woman born in Hong Kong to a Hindu practicing family.
Muslim Council of Hong Kong spoke to her to share her journey to Islam. Due to personal reasons, she requested for her real name not to be used (and you will see why).
Life before Islam
My life before Islam was always confusing, as I used to attend rituals and follow the path my parents brought me up by.
But I never understood why the term “god” was given to mere creations that could be tarnished.
I always received unpleasant comments from boys about my looks along with teases and I never felt safe.
Why Islam?
I was first interested in Islam by my home’s atmosphere. It was a very Islamophobic atmosphere. Daily, I heard bad things from my parents when they talked about Muslims.
It struck a sense of curiosity in me as I would always ask “Why are Muslims so bad as my parents claim them to be?”
I have had Muslim friends since I was young and I felt they aren’t bad. So, one day, I decided to question a close friend of mine and he very easily passed me a copy of the sahih international English translated version of the Qur’ān.
As I read the Qur’ān, the more I realised how wrong my parents were in their thinking of Islam being bad.
Then, I reached the part of Hijab where God Almighty is talking about how people should cloth themselves, especially women. It inspired me. It actually wanted me to dress modestly. I felt by doing this, it would change the way I felt about myself and even make men to lower their gaze as they won’t look at me in out of shyness for I would be identifying myself as a Muslim woman.
So, on one fine day, I tried out the Hijab and SubhanAllah (All glory to Allah) it felt amazing!
There are so many more things that I could go on about Islam really being the true religion. The fact is that the more I read the Qur’ān, the more I felt deep inside that this is the truth and so I embraced it at the age of 19.
Read Also: British Atheist woman with grandmother being Shia, embraces Islam in Hong Kong
Struggles since becoming a Muslim
My family. As you all have known by now that by becoming a Muslim, I knew I would face a tough time from within a very Islamophobic family. It is a continuous struggle.
But, as Islam teaches to honor and respect our family members, even though they are non-Muslims, as long as not to engage in associating partners with Allah, I try to do just that.
Currently, I’m being harassed constantly by my parents not to dress like a Muslim woman. They accuse me of not being normal and that I have been brainwashed.
I have been told by them they will consider me as being mentally ill if I do not obey them regarding my clothing.
What do I do facing all of this? I turn to how Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) dealt with such struggles. He never lost hope for better days and remain patient no matter how difficult the tests became. Allah is with us all the time. He’s watching everything and He knows. He only tests those whom He loves the most.
“Do the people think that they will be left to say, “we believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.”
Read Also: Muslims of Hong Kong: The mannerisms of Muslims led a Chinese Atheist to embrace Islam
Advice to those seeking the truth
An advice I would like to give the future world is to please everyone out there of every religion, do not judge anything on others opinion.
If you do not know about something, then it’s better not to say anything.
Seek knowledge from the original scriptures and you will find how Islam is simple, complete and the chosen religion of our Creator.
Future plans
My goal is to increase my imaan (faith) as much as I can and to help as many people as I can to understand Islam better clearing any misconceptions that may arise due to what the media says about Islam – the religion of peace!
I ask whoever is reading this to keep me and all other revert Muslims in their prayers, as life is challenging for us. Ask Allah to guide our parents and the entire family.
