Tips for New Muslims
Are you a new Muslim who has just converted to Islam? If so, here are a few tips to try and make things a bit easier for you in your new life as a Muslim… By New Muslim Project, Auckland
Do’s
Do take things slowly. Think of learning about and practicing Islam as a marathon and not a sprint. If you go too fast, too soon, you will likely get confused and burn out.
Do maintain ties with your family, and try to improve your relationship with them, as Islam instructs us to. This is the best form of dawah to family members who may be concerned about your conversion to Islam.
Do maintain a connection with the mosque; At the beginning it may feel strange and ‘foreign’ in the mosque, and you may feel that people are looking at you, but this feeling will quickly go. Also, there is usually one guy that stares at everyone in the mosque, so don’t worry about it that much. If you force yourself to go regularly, it will soon begin to feel less ‘foreign’, and more ‘normal’ as you get used to it.
Do try attending a number of different mosques until you find one that suits you
Do attend regular talks at the mosque
Do attend regular classes at the mosque Ÿ Do search out local Islamic events and talks on the Internet/Facebook
Do maintain your 5 daily prayers, and make dua (supplication) to keep your connection with Allah
Do keep reading the Quran – even if a few verses a day – to maintain your connection with the Quran and boost your Iman (faith)
Do make dua (supplication) to Allah to keep you steady on your path and make things easy for you
Don’ts
Don’t assume that someone knows what they are talking about just because they dress in a long white robe, wear a turban, have a nice beard and ‘looks religious’ (same goes for sisters). Find someone you trust, and who is knowledgeable, and always use them as your reference point for inquiry/information; Your local imam is a good starting point (although he may also dress in a long white robe, wear a turban, have a nice beard and ‘looks religious’ – he usually does know what he is talking about).
Don’t listen to everyone about everything. Lots of people will want to tell you lots of different things about Islam when they meet you. They are only trying to help 🙂 But this may confuse and overwhelm you with information. Again, remember to take things slowly. As stated above, find someone you trust – an Imam, or a knowledgeable brother/sister – and if you are confused, always go to ask them to clarify what you have been told by others.
And again, don’t go too fast. As stated several times above, take things slowly. There is a tendency to get caught up in the excitement of becoming a Muslim, and wanting to go too fast, too soon. This will usually result in burn-out. Pace yourself, and take things one step at a me. You have your whole life to learn, and implement Islam into your life, God willing. Again, think of it as a marathon and not a sprint.
Tips for Born Muslims — regarding New Muslims
You may have seen someone declare their shahadah before. Maybe at the mosque or a dawah stall. There are often tears of joy and hugs – but did you ever wonder what happens the day after the shahadah? A lot of the me new Muslims lack ongoing support to help them adjust to their new life as a Muslim. Here are a few tips/do’s and don’ts when it comes to helping new Muslims, and what they need
Do’s
Do take their phone number and actively keep in contact with them – don’t wait for them to text you.
Do invite them to the masjid for talks/study circles
Do invite them out to dinner with other brothers/sisters to help them create new social contact.
Do be supportive, and non-judgemental. Remember that new Muslims have only just started, and have often come from a completely different mind-set to what you may be used to. Give support and advice, but don’t judge.
Don’ts
Don’t tell them they need to change their name.
Don’t tell them that they now have to dress in a shalwar kameez/thobe.
Don’t tell them that they are better than other Muslim’s because they are a convert/revert.
Don’t treat them like a celebrity/freak show and try and take photos with them at the masjid (yes this happens sometimes).
Don’t try to get them married off straight after they have converted/reverted. This often doesn’t end well.
Don’t overload them with information and rules. Remember, the Prophet (SAW) preached the Oneness of Allah and Tawhid for thirteen years before many of the laws that we live by today were revealed and introduced in Madinah. Implementing Islam was a slow change for the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet Muhammad [Peace Be Upon Him]). Expecting new Muslims to strictly abide to every single rule, before they know Allah, is like putting Medina before Makkah. Had Allah (SWT) through the Prophet (PBUH)) tried to implement these rules before the Sahabah were ready, they would have been reluctant to change; this is a similar situation with New Muslims today. Take it easy, take it slowly, and help build that love for Allah. Once that love for Allah is there, the rules will become easy to follow. Without knowing Allah, it will be hard to follow the rules, and new Muslims will likely burn out.
We think the most important piece of advice, as stated above a few times is to take things slow and build a solid foundation on which New Muslims can settle and remain firm. This can be done through education and learning the basics of Islam, as well as maintaining prayer, going to the masjid, and socialising at the mosque/study circles with other like-minded Muslims. Remember though, everyone is different, and there is no ‘one size fits all approach’. These are simply a few tips that will hopefully be of assistance inshaAllah 🙂
For more information and support:
iERA – 0800475261 OR 0800 ISLAM 1, https://ieranz.com/
New Muslim Project, P: 020 4184 6098, Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewMuslimProjectNz E: newmuslimprojectnz@gmail.com
Islamic Bookshop, garment, perfume and resources
Darul Hijrah Books, Auckland – https://www.darulhijrah.co.nz/
Dubai Aroma NZ, Totara Heights, Manukau, Auckland. P: 02041792292 W: https://www.dubai-aromanz.com/
Fusion Collab, Tulja Centre, Shop 4, 190 Stoddard Road Mt Roskill, Auckland P: 021 214 6247 FB: https://www.facebook.com/fusioncollab/
Islamic Bookstore NZ, 022 464 7526 W: https://islamicbookstore.nz/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/islamicbookstorenz/
Jannah Road Charity Online Store W: https://www.jannahroad.co.nz/products/
My Little Library – https://www.mylittlelibrarynz.com/
Shahadah Online Islamic Store – M: 02108722266 https://www.shahadah.co.nz/
Sohana Enterprises Ltd,1/129 Great South Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland . P: 09-2769789
UKLA Islamic Store, 185 Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland P: 021 026 03119 W: https://ukla.co.nz/store/
Ummah Store, Mt Roskill, Auckland By Appointment) P: 09 620 5759 or Online Shop. W: www.ummahstore.co.nz
Podcast and Television
After Isha Podcast nz – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCel76-WgG8gOlt6UDEniOlQ
Live Broadcast – https://masjidattaqwa.co.nz/live/
Live Broadcast – https://masjidayesha.co.nz/
Maulana Muhammed Shaakir, Auckland – https://www.livemasjid.com/imaamshaakir
Voice of Islam Television, supports and resources. https://www.voiceofislam.me/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/VoiceOfIslamTV/ Free Phone: 0800949475
Also See the Local Islamic Scholars
See Islamic Centres