Traded hot pants for hijab, i converted to Islam AMA

[user14943608381]

I’m going to be occupied with a cluster feeding newborn so thought an Ama would be fun. So, I used to drink, go clubbing, love mini skirts and dating but I gave it all up and became Muslim. For a little while I even wore the face veil.

Ask me anything!

I’m pretty clued up in theology and the sharia for feel free to ask me anything on that too! (Disclaimer though some opinions are my own and not the ‘majority consensus’)

Hello 🙂 I guess the key question is why?

Why? (not trying to be rude, just would like to know what motivated you).

Did you do this for a man?

Were your family understanding of your decision?

Brings popcorn

Have any of your fundamental life principles changed and if so, do you feel ‘different’? Or is it just a different way in which you live your life?

Do you miss anything from your pre-Muslim life?

How, if at all, have your friendships changed?

What led you to Islam? Was there any particular event that opened your eyes to it? Thank you

How old were you when you decoded? What was the process- how long from first thinking about it to full conversion. What advice would you give to a 12 year old boy who wants to take the shahada? What advice would you give to the mum of the12 year old boy? How is your relationship with your family? Any regrets?

Decided obv, not decoded

@ThrobbingToothacheOfTheMind, possibly but not sure how that’s relevant here

@RoseRedRoseBlue, why, that’s quite a long story but I was doing my PhD and lots of my friends studied theology and then I audited some module on gender and Islam and it felt right for me

@Steelesauce no, it’s such a common misconception of a lot of converts though. But actually Muslim men are permitted to marry Jewish and Christian women. I became Muslim in 2013, but I would practice in secret and live a bit of a double life but I married my husband in 2017, met in 2015.

@cheeseislife8 no, not at all. My family hate Muslims. I’ve told my my mother several times but she refuses to accept it

Do you get irritated by the expression ‘reversion’/‘reverting’? I know the position within Islam is that you don’t ‘convert’, but ‘revert’, but I’ve always found it presumptuous, as an atheist.

Why does everything have to be so extreme - hot pants to hijab.

I'm a pagan/witch and I've always dressed modestly, I'm a vegetarian, non smoker and don't drink alcohol. I'm also celibate.

I do it because for me this is my preferred way of life and I never feel that I have missed out. I don't HAVE to do anything because of my religion I just choose to live my life this way as a kind of self imposed pagan nun.

I think wild extremes of behaviour don't often last as you are not being real to your true self. What do you think?

Did you convert before you met the father of your baby?

Surely the long story to the ‘why’ question is the one that’s worth writing.

@AtlasPine

Did you convert before you met the father of your baby?

Ah see you have just answered this

@flashbac

Brings popcorn

Hot pants to hijab is a brand right there OP. Go forth…

I'm sorry your mum is not accepting.

Aside from that, are you happy? That's all that matters.

@BHX3000

Have any of your fundamental life principles changed and if so, do you feel ‘different’? Or is it just a different way in which you live your life?

Do you miss anything from your pre-Muslim life?

How, if at all, have your friendships changed?

I wouldn’t say they changed, but I see things from a different perspective if that makes sense. So for instance, alcohol being haram (or prohibited), there are sayings that there is good in alcohol but that the bad outweighs the good. My late father was an alcoholic and it lead to his death, so whilst not everyone has that tendency I do believe that god tells us all to stay away as some people really do, so I see it as protection whereas I just saw it as a ruling before.

I miss some of the clothes! I can’t lie and I miss going out dancing! I had a lovely pair of leather shorts from urban outfitters that looked so chic with a vintage style blouse, i miss that. Yeah I can wear it for my husband but who can be arsed to dress up at home with 2 kids haha!

Yes my friendships changed but I do think that’s life. A lot of my friends didn’t get when I stopped drinking, I also realised how many people have really inbuilt prejudices against Muslims

@Corbally

Do you get irritated by the expression ‘reversion’/‘reverting’? I know the position within Islam is that you don’t ‘convert’, but ‘revert’, but I’ve always found it presumptuous, as an atheist.

Yes! I flipping hate it! I think it’s the most patronising term ever. I was raised a Christian and I was baptised one too.

I also believe revert is a fundamental misunderstanding of the Islamic concept of fitrah

@FreeBritnee

Surely the long story to the ‘why’ question is the one that’s worth writing.

I will answer it but it’s an essay for bear with :)

if you wanted to follow a religion, did you consider being a christian, or going to church.

Do you get abused on the street for wearing a hijab?

Wow, most other AMA threads are met with interesting questions that require mostly insightful questions.
Not even 2 pages in and the subtle racism has started & assumptions that OP has only converted for a man

OP how did you find changing your routine to fit in the 5 prayers a day?