Converting to islam.. no not me, just in general....

[MartinJordan]

Muslims consider Islam to be the clearest in its simplicity in doctrine. The least of the uneducated can understand the basics of the religion which offers a promise of eternal happiness in a paradise appealing to the senses.

They criticize Christianity for the complexity of its doctrines. The idea that the blessed would see God face-to-face is blasphemous to Muslims.

When I asked some Muslims what they think about jihad, they cite one definition which means “to struggle, to strive hard” (the interior struggle against sin), but they ignore the second which means “to fight.” They disagree about the meaning “holy war.” However, some fundamentalist Islamic sects add jihad as the sixth pillar of the faith. They insist that Muslims have a duty to fight the infidels. (That’s not in the Koran or Hadith).

I have a close relative in her twenties who left the Catholic Church to become a Muslim. I think the main reason is that her boyfriend (now husband) is a Muslim and probably wanted her to convert. She doesn’t admit that but says she hated the idea of going to Confession to confess sins to a man. She wasn’t a strong Catholic in the first place, but didn’t attempt to learn more about the faith. My entreaties were not enough.

Let it be said that many of Jesus’ disciples left (John 6:66) him so when teachings are too hard fathom, people who do not have enough faith in their original Faith, will choose to go into another.

MJ

 

[meedo]

Muslims consider Islam to be the clearest in its simplicity in doctrine. The least of the uneducated can understand the basics of the religion which offers a promise of eternal happiness in a paradise appealing to the senses.

They criticize Christianity for the complexity of its doctrines. The idea that the blessed would see God face-to-face is blasphemous to Muslims.

When I asked some Muslims what they think about jihad, they cite one definition which means “to struggle, to strive hard” (the interior struggle against sin), but they ignore the second which means “to fight.” They disagree about the meaning “holy war.” However, some fundamentalist Islamic sects add jihad as the sixth pillar of the faith. They insist that Muslims have a duty to fight the infidels. (That’s not in the Koran or Hadith).

I have a close relative in her twenties who left the Catholic Church to become a Muslim. I think the main reason is that her boyfriend (now husband) is a Muslim and probably wanted her to convert. She doesn’t admit that but says she hated the idea of going to Confession to confess sins to a man. She wasn’t a strong Catholic in the first place, but didn’t attempt to learn more about the faith. My entreaties were not enough.

More or less… would have to agree with this post.

 

[jakasaki]

This would be an interesting question for Sister Amy…

Although she was not a Catholic, she was a Christian and dropped her faith & became a muslim.

I also know based on her posts, she also married a muslim. I think she got married last year.

Whether or not he was an influence for this change, I do not know…

 

[dolphinlove]

One of my friends that converted did so because she got married. At first, she kept referring to islam as ‘that religion’ and could tell deep down she wasnt sure if she had done the right thing, but now shee says that she has studied it further she loves it etc, but I can see she isn’t fully comfortable in her skin. She tries hard, but u can’t be comfortable if deep down u know what the real truth is, and jumped ship from the truth.

 

[dzheremi]

This would be an interesting question for Sister Amy…

Although she was not a Catholic, she was a Christian and dropped her faith & became a muslim.

I also know based on her posts, she also married a muslim. I think she got married last year.

Whether or not he was an influence for this change, I do not know…

I was unaware that she got married. Mabruk, Sister Amy (if she reads this).

Anyway, hasn’t she been Muslim for several years by this point? As far as I know, dating is not permitted in Islam so it seems less than likely that she would have converted specifically to find a Muslim husband if she only got married last year.

 

[jakasaki]

One of my friends that converted did so because she got married. At first, she kept referring to islam as ‘that religion’ and could tell deep down she wasnt sure if she had done the right thing, but now shee says that she has studied it further she loves it etc, but I can see she isn’t fully comfortable in her skin. She tries hard, but u can’t be comfortable if deep down u know what the real truth is, and jumped ship from the truth.

Well Dolph,

I personally do not know anyone who converted to islam. But I do hope that Sister Amy will visit this thread and perhaps add her conversion story to it.

I know she converted to islam first then she married a muslim guy, but I do not know if this is the reason she left Christianity.

 

[jakasaki]

I was unaware that she got married. Mabruk, Sister Amy (if she reads this).

Anyway, hasn’t she been Muslim for several years by this point? As far as I know, dating is not permitted in Islam so it seems less than likely that she would have converted specifically to find a Muslim husband if she only got married last year.

Yeah J.,

I agree - she was practicing islam for a few years, but again, I’m just saying that I don’t know if this “future” husband was the influence or she met him afterwards.

Hugs dear friend…

 

[Reuben_J]

The real life examples that I know personally are those who convert (to Islam) is because of marriage. And there are a few of them. On the surface these were not particularly religious and converting to them seemed not to be a big deal. One can say that the reason for the conversion is marriage – the requirement imposed by the other side.

However, there are some who convert after much thought spent in searching into the religion. One such famous convert is the singer former Cat Steven who later on has become a serious Islam evangelist (if there’s such term).

 

[Sister_Amy]

I was unaware that she got married. Mabruk, Sister Amy (if she reads this).

Anyway, hasn’t she been Muslim for several years by this point? As far as I know, dating is not permitted in Islam so it seems less than likely that she would have converted specifically to find a Muslim husband if she only got married last year.

Thanks!

I converted to Islam several years ago, and only met my husband recently. Actually, he kind of found me here on this forum. Saw a post of mine, visited my blog, emailed me, and we got engaged a few months after that.

So he had absolutely no influence whatsoever in my decision to convert to Islam. Nor did any other man, for that matter. I studied it on my own and found it to be the truth. Although I have met a lot (maybe 20-30% of the converts I know) of women who converted after getting married or after dating a Muslim for a while (whom they later married.) In fact, women converts outnumber men at least 3:1, last I heard.

 

[Sister_Amy]

The real life examples that I know personally are those who convert (to Islam) is because of marriage. And there are a few of them. On the surface these were not particularly religious and converting to them seemed not to be a big deal. One can say that the reason for the conversion is marriage – the requirement imposed by the other side.

However, there are some who convert after much thought spent in searching into the religion. One such famous convert is the singer former Cat Steven who later on has become a serious Islam evangelist (if there’s such term).

The requirement is actually only imposed on the men. Women don’t have to become Muslim to marry a Muslim man, but a man does have to be a Muslim in order to marry a Muslim woman. A lot of times when a woman converts after marriage it’s years down the road.

 

[Reuben_J]

The requirement is actually only imposed on the men. Women don’t have to become Muslim to marry a Muslim man, but a man does have to be a Muslim in order to marry a Muslim woman. A lot of times when a woman converts after marriage it’s years down the road.

Look like you all are much stricter than Catholics. We allow either spouse to keep their own religion but with the assurance taht the children must be brought up as Catholics.

 

[seraphime2008]

Well, this is just a bit info, in Indonesia even though much has been told of how much the country is an example of religious tolerance, people are not permitted legally to marry other who belong to different religion. It’s some sort of forcing certain religion (usually the majority) to another, especially considering certain religion put so much threats over apostasy.

 

[seraphime2008]

As far as I know, dating is not permitted in Islam so it seems less than likely that she would have converted specifically to find a Muslim husband if she only got married last year.

Perhaps that only happens in middle east where they apply some sort of sharia law, while here in Indonesia, most of the Muslim couple I know of did dating or sort of dating here. I think it’s common sense that people would have to invest certain time to get to know the possible partner of life indeed.

 

[Sister_Amy]

Perhaps that only happens in middle east where they apply some sort of sharia law, while here in Indonesia, most of the Muslim couple I know of did dating or sort of dating here. I think it’s common sense that people would have to invest certain time to get to know the possible partner of life indeed.

Getting to know a potential spouse doesn’t necessitate “dating.” Muslims have a different approach to marriage than what’s popular in the West these days. I gave a talk once at a Baptist women’s college and explained why Muslims don’t really date, and they totally understand and appreciated the perspective of Islam. So often, dating doesn’t help one find good in a spouse, but it does lead to a person being taken advantage of without being taken care of (usually women, by men who “won’t commit.”)

If time spent “getting to know” a potential spouse was the best assurance of a successful marriage, then couples who cohabitate before marriage would have the best marriages. When in fact, they are some of the least successful marriages. It’s better if couples (Muslim or not) spend time getting to know their potential in-laws, seeing if they agree on things like how to practice religion in their lives, how to run the home, what kind of lifestyle they plan to live, how they will raise children, if any. Actually discussing these things is important for long-term success–and it doesn’t require romantic dinners, movies, or making out. It just takes open discussion.

 

[seraphime2008]

Getting to know a potential spouse doesn’t necessitate “dating.” Muslims have a different approach to marriage than what’s popular in the West these days. I gave a talk once at a Baptist women’s college and explained why Muslims don’t really date, and they totally understand and appreciated the perspective of Islam. So often, dating doesn’t help one find good in a spouse, but it does lead to a person being taken advantage of without being taken care of (usually women, by men who “won’t commit.”)

If time spent “getting to know” a potential spouse was the best assurance of a successful marriage, then couples who cohabitate before marriage would have the best marriages. When in fact, they are some of the least successful marriages. It’s better if couples (Muslim or not) spend time getting to know their potential in-laws, seeing if they agree on things like how to practice religion in their lives, how to run the home, what kind of lifestyle they plan to live, how they will raise children, if any. Actually discussing these things is important for long-term success–and it doesn’t require romantic dinners, movies, or making out. It just takes open discussion.

Well…I’m only stating the obvious that what I see being practiced here in Indonesia, that they do find certain times allocated to know each other, be it in watching movie, dinner what ever the action of form, is a way of getting to know each other. For commonly knowledge, it can cover to intimate actions or just casual activities, I don’t know for detail, it is very much depends on different case. But the goal is the same: getting to know you potential spouse, and it can cover lots of aspects: psychology, intellectual level, views on matters and how they would deal with those and so on. So, I personally myself don’t see the harm of it especially when one knows the boundaries and regard chastity important. And that’s why I don’t see it as harmful either for some regular Muslims here in Indonesia who practice it.

As for co habitation result in not very successful marriage, I don’t think that has something to do with getting to know each other well, it’s the mentality of the decision of being able to escape anytime one is not happy with the bond without having to sacrifice more, that reason alone will not guarantee happy marriage because it will always be the conditional situation that drags the couple even when they legally tight the knot. Anyhow, I don’t see it different with marriage with exit sign available so easily…

 

[dolphinlove]

Thanks!

I converted to Islam several years ago, and only met my husband recently. Actually, he kind of found me here on this forum. Saw a post of mine, visited my blog, emailed me, and we got engaged a few months after that.

So he had absolutely no influence whatsoever in my decision to convert to Islam. Nor did any other man, for that matter. I studied it on my own and found it to be the truth. Although I have met a lot (maybe 20-30% of the converts I know) of women who converted after getting married or after dating a Muslim for a while (whom they later married.) In fact, women converts outnumber men at least 3:1, last I heard.

You married planten didn’t you?

 

[dzheremi]

Ooo…low blow, Dolph…I dunno about you, but I think Sister Amy is a loooot smarter than to do something like that!

 

[Miriam1947]

My sister married an Arab. He wanted her to convert. She read the Koran, told him it was ridiculous (she was especially upset about how he could divorce her by just saying so) and that was the end of that.

She also would never allow him to take the children with him when he would go home to visit his family in Yemen.

If his family wished to see their children they could come here. They eventually divorced tho they have remained friends over the years. Neither of her children are Muslim.

 

[4Horsemen]

My sister married an Arab. He wanted her to convert. She read the Koran, told him it was ridiculous (she was especially upset about how he could divorce her by just saying so) and that was the end of that.

She also would never allow him to take the children with him when he would go home to visit his family in Yemen.

If his family wished to see their children they could come here. They eventually divorced tho they have remained friends over the years. Neither of her children are Muslim.

It’s best for a couple to be of one mind and one heart when it comes to their faith, otherwise, when serious conflicts arise, they will not be able to resolve them. Like raising the children, duties in family life, role of husband and wife, etc . . .

 

[butch3510]

Perhaps that only happens in middle east where they apply some sort of sharia law, while here in Indonesia, most of the Muslim couple I know of did dating or sort of dating here. I think it’s common sense that people would have to invest certain time to get to know the possible partner of life indeed.

The reason why there is no dating in Islam is to avoid Pre-Marital or fornification according to the muslims because they consider it a sin. Even In the Philippines Muslims adhere to their beliefs I remember a famous action star who converted to Islam married a Catholic girl that she barely met proposed to her on televison by offering a diamond ring. next thing I know they married. The Catholic girl was recently dumped by his bf and my reaction was