Revert Story of Selma: softly...“returned”

Assalamu 'alaykum waRahmatullahi Ta'ala waBarakatuHu

I am very glad to tell you the story of my “return” to Islam, and I hope that more Italian girls will follow the same Path and accept Islam insha’Allah.

Everything began very slowly; I had always believed in God, but I really never practiced Catholicism. I never liked going to church, as I didn’t feel comfortable, and honestly I didn’t find the priests’ teachings totally correct, although I felt it was not my duty to judge them...Allah alone, the Most High, sees and knows everything.

Since I was a teenage girl I began to read several books about different types of “spirituality”: I was looking for something but not knowing exactly what it was. I also found books on Islam, especially Womens’s status and the much debated veiled Muslim Woman.

The more I read, the more I became attracted and intrigued by anything related to Islam; it was a light, but constant sensation.
Days passed by and my feelings towards Islam were taking shape. My interest was growing and I finally bought myself a copy of the Holy Quran, Alhamdulillah.

I was not happy with my life-it was empty and I felt it had no purpose. I was feeling morally and physically worse each day.
Islam has been like a light that has brightened up my mind, body and soul, Alhamdulillah.

The actual transition from Christianity to Islam began more or less a year ago. I was working in a shop where, a group of Arab women would occasionally come to do their shopping. I was particularly struck by two of them: Fatima and Saida. I used to observe Fatima with her veil; I felt that I wanted to talk to her and ask her so many questions about Islam, but I felt embarrassed to approach her.

One day Saida came to buy some bread. She smiled at me and I quickly found an excuse to talk to her, although I didn’t ask about Islam straight away. Instead I told her that I was really in love with Arabic bread, but I wasn’t able to make it as nice as they do. Without delay, Saida invited me for a coffee in her home, saying that she would teach me to make the dough. I accepted on the spot, and from that moment onwards I became a regular guest in Saida’s home, where I had the possibility to get lots of information.

Then I decided one day it was time to embrace Islam and asked Saida what to do. She hugged me; she was extremely happy, but she advised me to think about it very carefully as it was a huge step. Nevertheless I was very convinced in my heart, and the following week we organised the “ceremony” of my return to Islam.

That day I was really excited; after I made ablution I gave my Shahadah and we all prayed together. The sisters were so happy they hugged me. We even had tears of joy in our eyes, Alhamdulillah.

I am now a Muslim woman and when I’m with my other muslim sisters, I go to the Mosque or I try to widen my knowledge about Islam. I am happy.
A few months after converting to Islam I decided to wear the veil. It happened in such a natural way that I myself was amazed, Allahu Akbar.

I was initially worried about telling my mum that I became a Muslim. Then one day, we were eating at the dinner table, and very calmly, I told her that I had changed my religion. I was waiting for a reaction, but she just replied that I was big enough to make my own decisions and the important thing was that I felt good about the decision I made.
I was so relieved, Allahu Akbar. She didn’t even arguing about my wearing the hijab. On the contrary, she points out to me when some hair is showing. Ma’sha'Allah she already knows how it works!

This is my story. I hope it makes you understand how Great Allah is, the Most High, and when He calls you, nothing and nobody can stop you.
Everyday I thank Allah, the Most High, for guiding me to His Way, the Right One, and I pray Him to keep me on the Straight Path forever, Amin!
I am grateful to Him for allowing me to meet many righteous sisters, who helped me, and still do, in my study and journey to Islam.

Selma (Italy)

Source: Piccola Biblioteca per la Donna Musulmana.

A Brother with extreme tattoos and body piercings reverted to Islam

Assalamu 'alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu dear all,

I came across this short clip few days ago and it really touched my heart for two reasons:

1- This Irish brother (Abdul Malik) who became Muslim 24 years ago, reminds me of my brother so much because of his tattoos and piercings;
2- His story has some similarities with mine. The way the brother was searching for the truth. The questions he was asking himself and his pure belief , before entering Islam, that God is One. But also the life he used to lead before; a rebellious life.

I pray someone out there can benefit from brother Abdul Malik story, ameen.

Wa 'alaykum assalam Wa Rahmtullahi Wa Barakatuhu

From the Vatican to Mecca, my journey to Islam

How I came to Islam…I left my hometown back in Italy, in January 1998. I wanted to study English in London and then back at home I would have found a job. My idea was to be a tourist guide in Rome or around Italy. I needed English as the main language. So I left Italy. I was only 18 and I didn’t know anyone in London but it was an adventure…

Once in London I started to look for a place where to sleep…yes I know crazy!! But really I didn’t know anyone… In the end I found this place and stayed for the night. The day after, I was already in search of a job and a college. As days went by I was getting more apprehensive as I couldn’t find any job and money was running out very quickly…I found myself, in this chapel in central London and decided to go in and pray. I was really sad and felt lonely… I knelled down and started to pray to God. I was never the kind of Christian who would pray to Jesus. I prayed to God alone and asked Him to help me. While I was crying to God, a priest came out and was surprised to see a young lady crying and praying. He came over and asked if I was ok. He said to have patience because God rewards those who have patience… I felt better and left…But my prayer on that day was answered one year and a half later…

At this point I was thrown out from the place where I was because I couldn’t afford the rent. So I had to pack my things and went in search again of a new place where to stay. Later in the evening I met some Italian girls. They invited me to stay with them in a youth hostel. It was a hostel ran by Christian nuns and the place was open only to girls. I started a new life in this ‘convent’. I was never a shy person and to be honest I was always the heart and soul of the party. But that year I was in for a surprise that changed my life forever!

To start with I found a job and that meant I could afford the college where to study English. I met some lovely Muslims at work. They would spend hours talking about God. I would ask them about Islam and the Qur’an. Sometimes I would get upset because they would say Jesus was not the son of God. “Why? How can you say it?” – My answer was. I particularly spent time with this guy. We spent entire afternoon in Hyde Park (A Very large park in Central London, UK) talking about Islam. I even bought a Bible and would defend my Religion. He would take the Qur’an with him and back his facts.

The same guy, he then introduced me to his family and his sister in-law talked to me about Islam. She was a convert too and showed me pictures of her when she used to be a Sikh. She used to be the life of the party too…I thought “that’s me now” – and I looked at her with admiration because she had the gut to change her lifestyle and her situation for the better! She was pure and reborn. I felt the need to do something.

So I left her home…She said many things that touched my heart. I was patient and believed in God. While I was walking back home that day…I heard a call…it was the ADHAAN(= the calling for prayer time) in my ears. Never had I known it existed, never have I heard such a beautiful melodic sound. Allah was calling me to success! (One sentence in the Adhaan says ‘Come to prayers! Come to success!’ I did not know that back then)

So I accepted it HIS (God) invitation and took the shahada (to bear witness that there’s no God but Allah and Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him, is the Servant and the final Messenger of Allah) one week later.

[Shahada: After uttering the words of the declaration of Faith and believe in it with your heart you become a Muslim, a servant of God]

The duas I made that day in that chapel was…”Oh Allah if you really love me, then guide me to what’s right. Ameen.” Allah guided me because He loves me but it took more than one year of patience for me to accept Islam as a way of life, the same ‘patience’ (sabr in Arabic) the priest was talking about that day in the chapel. My life changed totally.

I used to club and drink. I used to smoke and take drugs! There was not a party in town that I did not attend. My life was very sad, full of friends but lonely! Allah loves me; I know this for a fact because He saved me from that life! He saved me from a life of sadness, loneliness and misery! I don’t just feel blessed…I feel humbled and HONOURED because Allah chose me. He could have let me in despair. I was lost in the dark. For those who knew me before, they now look at me with respect. I was the heart and soul of the party! I am now nourishing my own heart and soul.

Oh Allah guides my family too. Ameen.

Author: If you are on twitter follow me at @AyeshaLucarelli