A New Muslim's Diary
It's Our Fault for Making Islam Look Strict
Many non-Muslims may be prone to thinking that Islam is strict with many rules, because we Muslims are so easily insulted, with an "everything-is-not-allowed-until-said" attitude. The challenge is to learn to distinguish the issues which, according to Islam, are haram, and to be firm, whilst at the same time not overdoing and make it seem as if everything is haram.
A Muslim Convert's First Travel Experience
I had been to Korea once before, before I reverted to Islam. This time when I returned, I experienced a different side of Korea, the Muslim perspective.
It's a fact- Muslim converts in Singapore are left to fend for themselves after their conversion. It's easy to be misguided, since I don't know where to start, or how to proceed.
Stop Complaining, Start Thanking
Being Singaporean, complaining about anything and everything was part of my second nature. But I've since learnt that as much as it's easy to thank Him for the blessings and good things he has put in my life, I should thank Him for all the trials too.
Why Do Muslims Pray 5 Times a Day?
So many people have asked me this question, "Do you pray 5 times a day?" And when I say yes, they open their eyes wide in shock. To understand each prayer as a representation of a cycle at any stage in our lives.. the beginning, peak, fall, and demise... it just helps to remind us to give thanks and worship Allah at every point.
My trip to Turkey was one of the most eye-opening experiences I had, especially as a new Muslim. Here are just a few of the many.
"A belief in God would demand one hundred percent obsessive devotion, influencing every waking moment of this belief on earth. But four billion so called believers do not live their lives in that fashion, except for a few. The majority believe in the usefulness of their beliefs- an earthly and practical utility- but they do not believe in the underlying reality."
Here're 14 reasons to show why we Muslims do not consume pork (most of which are scientific). The single most important reason of all? It's Divine Law.
When I was a Catholic, fasting was akin to suffering (in remembrance of Jesus (Isa) A.S suffering for our sins), but Ramadan taught me that fasting is not about suffering at all, but about enabling us to enter into the state of being that is most apt to worship God.