As a young girl born in the Northwest of the USA, my dream
was to become a nun. Growing up Roman Catholic, I saw the nuns have a spirtual
presence that attracted me until I reached the age of 14. It was then I started
having misgivings about Catholic doctrine, so I gravitated towards the
Protestant faiths. The trinity was a lingering concern for me. I often just
tried "to have faith" but my own logic overruled this, so many considered me
"not serious enough to be spiritual". At the age of 20 I began talking religion
to a cab driver, and heard the term Islam for the first time from a real person.
The nightly news talked about Islam and the Muslims - sure, they were called
terrorists. I presented this to my driver, who Alhamdulillah laughed softly and
suggested I read Al-Quran. Actually, I read a few books on Islam first, then the
Quran. This is when I knew I could have both my faith and logic, and
Alhamdulillah I found I wasn't crazy after all. It took another two years before
I took Shahada, and another two before hijab.
Alhamdullah now at 29, I
have my faith, health, oh, and a terrific husband as well (this is one of my
first prayers or duas answered!). My story is not unusual, quite boring if you
are not me I suppose, yet I never tire of telling others my story. I could tell
of my family, that would be unusual. They have never been happier with me,
although my sister still does not like my hijab, all members are in agreement, I
am happier, more centered, and above all I have peace where before was chaos and
confusion. It didn't happen over night, I have worked and am still working at
this, you don't "convert" and that is it, everyday comes the struggle to learn,
only now I welcome struggle. Inshallah, God Willing, my story has inspired
someone, at any rate thank you for reading my story. May Allah Guide those who
Search.
Jul. 29th, 1999
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