New Greek Muslim needs your advice
June 14, 2010 by ImanK
This came in through our old blog site. Can you give her some advice?
My name is Aisha(19 years old) and I am Greek currently living in Czech Republic for my studies. When I was in Greece i had no idea about Islam, due to the lack of information about it in Greece. I just thought that it is a religion for Arabs… However Allah gave me the opportunity to see this beautiful way of life in Czech Republic.
As most of the Greeks understand being a muslim in Greece is not very common. In about 1 month i will go back to Greece and i will have to face my Christian parents. Although they are not very religious, they don’t go to church except Easter and Christmas and sometimes not even then, the idea of having a different religion from the rest of my family (and the rest of the Greek citizens) and the idea that i will make it so obvious by wearing the hijab will not give a very good reaction according to their behaviour…
I would appreciate it a lot if you could give me some advise on how to talk to them and what to tell them because they don’t know anything for islam except that it is a religion that people from Pakistan that live in the city center,where most of violence occurs in Athens. May Allah help me and make it easy for me.
Moreover, showing off in Greece is something that I use to do but i find it meaningless anymore. Girls nowdays in Greece have lost their mind and walk almost naked in the street,driving the attention of every female person that passes next to them.
However this is something very common, but wearing the hijab isn’t.. I don’t know what my non-muslim friends will be with the idea of going out with a girl that covers her body… Iknow them since i was a little child and they will understand but i will have to explain them in the right way… do you have any suggestions?
Even a very small advice might be very usefull for me so please help a new muslim girl that needs your help. please take in consideration that i reverted to islam 2 weeks ago
The following text is for muslim women:
In Czech Republic like in Greece there are not a lot of muslims especially girls. Can you please send me a few basic information about basic things concerning the islam?
not for the social life but the every day life and things that muslim gilrs do!
Peace be upon all of you!!
Thanks to all of you spending time even reading about my story.
ALL PRAISES BE TO ALLAH!
Salam!
Salam Aisha!!! I’m so happy to know that you converted to Islam two weeks ago. Macha’Allah, Al Hamdulillah
I’m 19 years old too, i would really like to speak with you about my life and Islam, i was born Muslim Al Hamdulillah, and i’m very interesting in meeting people like you who wants to learn more about Islam and Muslim life.
So we can talk by mail or windows live?
Alsalam aleikum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatu. May The Almighty give you peace to enable you overcome this obstacle. My only advise is to read Ms pouliasis story and other reverts stories that are in the site. As for your new life in Greece do not give in on wearing the hijab. Make sure you keep your prayers and I am sure if you contact the Muslim association they will help you with the rest . Unfortunately,I am not in Greece where I would have helped you but I wish you all the best. Allah is always with His believers and may He help you
Assalamu aleykum Sr. Aisha,
Welcome to our Greek Muslim family! I am sure here you will find all the help you need inshaa Allah. As sr. Helen said, the most important part is to be consistant with the prayers and the rest will come with time.
My word of advice is to take it slowly with the deen (way of life) of Islam, otherwise you might get overwhelmed, that is in being enthusiastic in trying to put in practice a lot of new thing in a short period of time.
Many people refer to Islam as a religion and it may be so in that it binds together Muslims all over the world. However, Islam is basically a teaching, like taking off a pair of glasses that distorted your view, so that you may see things as they truly are. The foundation of Islamic teaching is knowledge and the first thing you should know is that every action of yours should be based on knowledge.
So, it’s not really about what Muslims do, it is rather why they do what they do? When you have “why” in mind, you will be able to seek out the knowledge that will lead you to increased understanding of yourself, your relation to God and to the people around you.
Because that it a process, it will require time and time requires patience. So, be patient and ask Allah to make it easier for you. In time you will have your openings to share your change of life, attitudes and beliefs. You are right, many people in Greece feel uncomfortable with the idea of a Greek becoming a Muslim and most of them know very little about Islam. That might pose difficulties at first but it is a blessing actually. My personal experience is that it drove me, wanting to understand Islam in a way I can deal with the most difficult questions and reactions. So, it took me 2 years to become a Muslim and 1 year in becoming confident so as to discuss about Islam openly and without hesitation or drawbacks.
Previously, I spoke about the importance of knowledge. Many times I felt lonely when I was in Greece, feeling I am the only Greek Muslim there. Through the same forum, a few months ago, I discovered there is a very live Greek Muslim community, consisting of native Greeks. Including myself, these are people who have been where you are today and they can help you on your way and with all the question that will probably arise, in due time.
May Allah make it easier for you. Ameen!
Gerasimos
Assalaamu alaikum, Aisha,
I would like to give you some advice regarding your parents.
As you know, it will be difficult to tell them. I also converted when I was away at college and I wrote them a letter to tell them. I don’t know if that helped or not, but it was certainly easier for me.
Things were awkward at first. They didn’t want to see me pray so I prayed in the basement. My mother couldn’t understand why I covered my head. Everything was very strange to them and it took a while.
After I married it became easier for me because I had another support system, but you shouldn’t rush into marriage. Take your time to know a prospective brother well. Check his background. Find someone at the masjid, maybe the husband of a sister you get to know, who can help you. You don’t need to worry about that yet. You have plenty of time.
And you’ll have to give your parents time. Over the years they will relax with your new way of life. My mother helps me find Islamic clothing now and always makes sure there’s no pork in the food she serves my sons. I have grown nieces and nephews who didn’t know me before I became a Muslim so it’s natural now in our family.
Remember to always keep good ties with your parents. That may be very difficult sometimes, and there will probably be times when you’ll have to force yourself to be quiet. Don’t argue with them. Be patient, make du’a, and let time take care of the problem.
Best wishes to you, Sister. Congratulations on your conversion.
Jamilah
[MOD EDIT: Comment removed for irrelevancy. Forum rule #1]
Assalaamou ‘Alaykoum,
I read with interest the letter from sister ‘Aisha and the comments from sisters Jamiilah, Farah, Helen and brother Gerasimos, who I assume are of her age. I would, therefore, strongly advise that she should keep in touch with them for advice as I expect she will go through difficult time getting her parents and friends used to and accept her choice.
I am a grandfather of 19 grand children who are, unfortunately, not redsiding in Greece to keep her company and advice. I can provide her with a copy of a Greek translation of meaning of the Holy Quraan or an English one if thatwould of help to her.
Wassalaam
Dear Timotheos,
Are you kind enough to make clear what sect of christianity have you converted in?Your statement is a bit provocative,doesn’t have a sense of being a fact,What did attract you to transgress?
Looking for an answer
My dear br Gerasimos,
What an extract from your experience..
Some preffer to enter Akirah fullheart some running out full speed.
Continuation of brother Bilal’s post:
And then they get tackled down, lose control and fall into despair, not being able to hold on to the essense of Islam, which is kindness and peace, trying on the other hand, with their super-long beards and super-short pants to point out to the others what Islam is about. Haram Haram Haram.
It is not that Islam is over our capabilities, but trying to jump the whole stairhouse instead of taking it step by step is impossible. So step by step, even being kind takes time to master, and even having the peace takes a lot of patience. Ya Ummah, don’t rush yourselves, έχει Ο Θεός
Dear brother Bilal,
Akida (practicing rules) as the outward practice, is only one of four dimensions of Islam and it is the linear 2-dimensional element that is the most immediate to recognize in that level of existence. That’s why people will easier enter into Akida which in itself is actually sequential (1-2-3, A-B-C, etc), like learning how to drive a car, difficult to get used in the beginning but at the end you don’t even think about it, you just drive. Unfortunately, that’s the state of many Muslims today.
Iman (faith) is the second dimension of islam, that is the vertical dimension of upward or downward motion. Prayer is an action (linear) but it has (or rather should have) a vertical dimension as well. Putting our forehead on the ground is a sign of recognition of our relationship to God and our submission to Him as well as it is a sign of lifting the heart over the intellect. So, being conscious of our actions is actually a part of Iman and according to the Islamic teaching, consciousness is a function of the heart and not of the brain. Now, Iman is not a stationary point and there is not a single human being (not even the prophets) who doesn’t have fluctuations in their Iman. There is a reason for that but I will not enter into it at the moment. The bottom-line is, there is a constant personal Jihad (struggle), to maintain and strengthen Iman and that will always be a process and not a goal.
There is no way, one can wholeheartedly enter Akida without Iman but when one has both, he/she can enjoy the third dimension of Islam. Ihsan literally means “making beautiful” and it refers to the depth of our actions. That is when our conscious actions, bring beauty into this world.
Finally, the fourth dimension is time and it refers to an individual’s life-span where everything else unfolds. I would also add, it is the gift of consciousness and awareness pose on us the responsibility and it is the reason we are going to be judged on that Day of Judgment.
The description above is not in any way an exhibition of knowledge, it is merely a knowledge I took from others and I had the chance to reflect upon, in the process of trying to understand Islam in its totality. The reason for sharing this is because I would like to see Muslims becoming aware of Islam’s all four dimensions and not only its outward dimension. Even more important, it is a word of caution to Sr. Aisha and other new Muslims, for what they might find “out there” and as a guideline for their own personal search for the truths of Islam.
Probably the most challenging aspect for any new Muslim is to step away his/her own preconditioning, in order to be able to redefine and grasp the necessary concepts, for the proper understanding of the Islamic teaching. Ask, check and cross-check when the slightest doubt enters into your heart, or when it just doesn’t “feel” right.
Peace and blessings
Gerasimos
And by the way, warm congratulations and welcome Aisha, for reverting back to the biggest family ever, the Ummah of Islam!
Br. Bilal, sorry if my post came over as offensive, it was rather intended as a warning for us to be careful. Everyone has his own rhythm, his own experience and his own pace to walk the road of Islam.
Br Gerasimos,
Just to make clear my comment on Tmotheos.
Akhirah(Hereafter)is one of the components of Akida(Islamic belief).
Our transient life on earth is a journey back to ALLAH where we belong.
We may enterJannah(garden-paradise) if we SUBMIT to Him with all our heart and doing good deeds.
Otherwise we cannot escape Jahannat(hell) with black faces, whatever the speed we run to get out.
Br.Amir
You didn’t insult me.I love you for the sake of Allah and as a son.
Sometimes I’m hard with you because you must stay in the middle path;you are predestined to be something special for us the greek converts in the future.I pray to ALLAH that it will happen.I will be the first to rejoice.
Wow welcome to our family sister,
I am so happy for you. Please take things slowly and easy with your parents. My name is Elena and i am 23 i converted last May Alhumdulillah and my life has changed, one great advice they gave me when i became Muslim… take baby steps. You will want to explore and tell everyone, but trust me most people will be negative, even your childhood friends might go…. that happened to me, my dearest friends left me…but Allah SWT never leaves anyone and always brings more on your path. Alhumdulillah now i have great true friends and family who are here for me.
Also we are here for you, the need to talk and ask questions will be just the beginning but please feel free to contact me or The Muslim Association of Greece, we are a big family and as we have been through that path ( its not an easy one, but worthed everything).
As for hijab in Greece, my suggestion…. learn Islam and the basic, take your time and explore and when you ready put the hijab. Hijab doesnt make you a better muslim if your heart is weak but its defines you more as a muslim, and it needs time. I wear hijab in Greece and never had problems actually i love wearing it there… because people think you immigrant but when you talk in perfect Greek they are curious to know more and why, when , how…
But this wil come with time.. as i said baby steps.
If you want more information or you have questions i will be more than happy to help you and support you. Inshallah May Allah SWT make it easy for you in this life changing and bright path.
Salam
salam alikom wa rahmato allah wa barakato
8elw prwta na steilw ta synxaritiria mou gia tin Aisha
eimai mousoulmanos kai zw stin Ellada edw kai 6 xronia gia auto katalabainw polu kala pws niw8ei i Aisha, kai kserw ti simainei enas ellinas i mia ellinida na ginoun mousoulmanoi.
i sumboli mou einai na zitas apo ton ALLAH stis proseuxes sou na se boi8isei kai na sou dieukolinei thn nea sou zwi
8a eimai polu euxaristimenos na se boi8isw na ma8eis perissotera gia to ISLAM,
salam alikom