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’)

Answers*

Is it true that Muslims are allowed to lie to non-believers to advance the Muslim faith?

Why would you commit to a faith in which women are treated so poorly?
Did you previously feel that you didn't really belong to society or did you have low self esteem? Are these the reasons you converted?
Will you be raising any daughters you have to believe they are inferior to males? Why would you do this?
Are you comfortable knowing that any daughters you have must marry a Muslim, but your sons can marry who they want?

If you would have remained Christian would your husband have still married you?

Do you attend the mosque? What do you think of the general perception that Muslim men look upon women (especially non Muslim women) as second class citizens?

@AdaFuckingShelby

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?

So in 2013 I was 24 years old and studying a PhD. I would say I battled with it for a year or so, and it was a battle because the community makes it seem all or nothing and when I was first ‘interested’ the idea of wearing a headscarf made me feel so uncomfortable but there is more to religion than how you dress. There’s a bit of pomp to say the shahada or they make it that way in the dawah community but it’s not needed all it is is truly a sentiment said from the heart.

I would say do your research, really think about it and why, ask all the difficult questions and keep pushing until you get an answer. Ignore all the nutters and watch where you get your information, there are a lot of self professed scholars with YouTube channels that are incredibly sectarian and frankly backwards (zakir naik, yusuf Estes, ali dawah- avoid these clowns) instead the likes of shabir ally are far more nuanced and intelligent.

To the mum I’d say ask the difficult questions too, I’d recommend shabir ally too he’s got a lot of great YouTube videos. Keep the conversation open and just make sure where he’s getting Info from is a trustworthy source.

Regrets: yes, worrying what people thought of me!

What do you find in Islam that you didn't find in Christianity?

@Blueuggboots

Is it true that Muslims are allowed to lie to non-believers to advance the Muslim faith?

No that’s not true, that concept is called taqiaah I think and truthfully a lot of Sunni Muslims perpetuate this myth by saying it’s something that the Shia do. It’s not.

It is permissible however to lie about your religion if your life is on the line

Do you think women should be subservient to men?

Do you agree or disagree with the practice of circumcising male infants, and why?

@FrownedUpon

Why would you commit to a faith in which women are treated so poorly? Did you previously feel that you didn't really belong to society or did you have low self esteem? Are these the reasons you converted? Will you be raising any daughters you have to believe they are inferior to males? Why would you do this? Are you comfortable knowing that any daughters you have must marry a Muslim, but your sons can marry who they want?

Women are treated poorly everywhere.

I am married to a man from Iran.

He's not religious at all and I didn't convert marrying him.

I can honestly say he's the kindest and most respectful man I have ever met.

Thanks OP

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

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?

I have a penchant for alliteration.

I’d never have said I was wild, i never slept around I was just a very typical British youth. I never stopped to think actually how some of the things I was doing weren’t actually very empowering to me as a woman I just went along with the cultural norm

@Grottytoilet

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?

I struggle. I often forget, especially after having children, you don’t pray when you have Locia/ your period. But I try to think of it like when work is really crazy, sometimes you need that 5 mins break to just breath and reflect. The prayers only take 5 mins each so it’s a bit like a reset button, 5 mins to think actually about all the things you have to be grateful for

Could you explain in simple terms why you (or other women) wear the headscarf, veil etc ... Is it about modesty? And why is modesty important?
Why don't men cover up (or perhaps they do?) in the same way women do?

I am an atheist so struggle a bit to understand the believe people have in a higher being so apologies if my questions are direct?

Do you think there are beings on other planets?

Does being Muslim impact your political beliefs?

What would you find the most offensive thing a non Muslim could say or do?

@PferdeMerde why on earth would she hate women?!

@toomuchlaundry

Do you think women should be subservient to men?

No, emphatically not. This is In my opinion is not an Islamic thing but the consequence of male scholars protecting their power through compulsory heterosexuality and heteronormativity.

Came to ask the same sort of question as Jewel - why the clothing “rules”?

I do love your turn of phrase but I really struggle with why you had to choose. WHY can't you wear hot pants and be a good Moslem? It's an article of clothing, not a moral position.

@MrsColon

Do you agree or disagree with the practice of circumcising male infants, and why?

I disagree with involuntary circumcision. Circumcision is a sunnah (meaning it carries reward but it’s not compulsory) there are many other practices that are sunnahs but haven’t been adopted with such vigour as circumcision. I have a son who won’t be circumcised unless he chooses to be.

@PferdeMerde

Do you hate women?

Only ones who ask daft questions :p

Didnt take long for the islamophobic posts lol

Why don't you pray when you are menstruating? That seems odd. Do you not find that somehow indicative of how Islam views women?

I can't see how that isn't anti-woman.

(I also know that Orthodox Jewish practitioners have rituals around menstruation so I'm not singling out Islam, that is however what your thread is about).

You can't pray when you have your period? That sounds like a very misogynistic approach, implying that women are unclean. How do you reconcile that with your belief that women are not subservient?

I can understand it. I harbour se try fantasies about becoming a nun. Lots of rules to abide by so don’t have to think and no men about. Lovely.