I converted to Islam AMA.

[Mvslimah]

10 years ago and not for a man

AMA all the difficult questions, I got some time to kill

Why did you?

And from what?

There were too many things that I couldn’t ignore, the Quranic descriptions of the development of the human embryo, preservation of the pharaoh and the seas that don’t mix. Plus just a feeling, sounds vague but can’t describe it any other way

Agnosticism

What do you think about those who are devout but of other faiths such as Catholics, Hindus or Buddhists?

Can you explain what you mean by the preservation of the pharoah?

to your religion and to me mine

that’s what I think :)

www.islamiclandmarks.com/egypt/body-of-firawn

Can I ask if you have children? If so, how does it make you feel that Prophet Muhammad took his wife when she was only 6 years old, and slept with her when she was 9?

Do you have kids?

Will you be buying them gifts for the birth of Isa?

How do you feel when there is an Islamic terrorist attack? (Sorry - you did say ask all the tricky questions).

Yeah I do.

i can’t lie it’s one of the things that were uncomfortable to me at first but it’s something that’s ‘urf (a custom of the people) and it’s very much a modern day thing to have criticised Muslims over. Virgin Mary is also believed to have been around 11 and she had previous children, there are numerous other examples and notably Christians and Jews of the time (who both used to regularly insult the prophet and look for ways to discredit Islam, never mentioned Aisha’s age). Ancient societies didn’t measure age as we do and rather used puberty to measure adulthood

the problem is when something that’s clearly very historical gets transposed to the present day with 0 context.

I do, and do you mean Christmas? And no I won’t

A bit used to it now, but it’s frustrating the double standard but truthfully Muslims sometimes play into the stereotype and don’t do themselves any favours

Are you married and if so, what religion, if any, is your husband.
Do you expect your children to follow Islam too? Do you have daughters? If so, what kind of future do you hope they will have in terms of marriage, work, children of their own and their ability to make their own decisions.

Muslim women can only marry Muslim men, so my husband is Muslim.

i have 2 yes, that’s a huge misconception, Muslims can choose their own spouse, so they can do that, i work, they can do in whatever industry they like (within reason). Muslim women aren’t these helpless souls who can’t decide anything for themselves you know

What made you do the research into the religion in the first place?
Do you wear an abayah and hijab? (sorry if wrong terminology). Do you ever want to move countries?

Ok, and what about the fact that it allows women to be taken as slaves? And that women cannot refuse a mans advances?

No I don't mean Christmas, Christmas would be the religious holiday.
I am asking if you will give gifts to celebrate the birth of your prophet.

the prophet Jesus ? No, that’s not an Islamic thing

The prophet Isa (Peace be upon him), Christians call him Jesus.

But you know this surely?

What do you think about the recent archaeological discoveries that show that Mecca was likely the wrong place and Mohammed and Islam probably started in Petra?

(Hardest I can think of)

Mary was not 11 nor did she have any more children before or after the birth of Jesus. Evidence for this is on the cross Jesus told his disciple John to care for his mother, and she lived with him from that point on. If there were any other sibling or family, under no circumstances would an unrelated man take Mary into his home. We don’t know Mary’s age but betrothal was usually mid to late teens. There is no evidence that she was 11. She also walked for about 3 days up into the hill country to see her kinswoman, Elizabeth, when she was a few months pregnant. An 11 year old would be extremely unlikely to do something like that.

Mary was also asked by the Angel Gabriel if she would be willing to be the mother of Jesus. No coercion was involved, she had free will to say yes or no.

historical context is important here that’s at a time of war (historically) and there are rule and laws as to how they must be treated (ie well) and only applies to disbeliever women (non monotheistic women) becuase they can’t be killed in battle or as a result of battle and they are meant to be given dawah so they become Muslim and when they do they are freed and given a home etc. But sexual slavery as awful as it is is also heavily referenced in the bible.

women can, esp if the man is neglecting her rights, but Islamically there is a big emphasis on sexual fulfilling your spouse as masturbating and pre martial sex aren’t allowed

What have you learnt from your experience?
What do you think are the most common misconceptions about Islam? Why do you think people often have these misconceptions?