7 Things I Didn't Expect When I Converted to Islam - Revert Muslimah Theresa Corbin
25 July 2014
By Theresa Corbin*
After many years of studying religion and coming to
the conclusion that Islam was the only religion that
made sense to my nature and who I wanted to be in the
eyes of God, I converted to Islam. My life has changed
drastically. And even though I took about three years
to negotiate this decision and think about all the
things in my life that I would leave behind and all
the things I would incorporate, I had no idea how
different my life would be. I had no idea… I have
compiled a list of (some) things that I never
expected.
#7 I didn't expect to love
dressing modestly
I thought I would have to swaddle myself in hideously,
un-creative clothing in order to observe hijab. While
I wanted to have the luxury of being in control of my
sexuality and only showing my beauty to the people I
chose, I didn't want to give up my style. Now, there
is nothing wrong with looking bland if that is your
thing, but it is not mine. I am in LOVE with color,
and I am a highly creative girl with a love for
fashion. I learned that I didn't have to give up my
signature style just because I wanted to be modest.
Modesty doesn't mean giving up style. I was very happy
to discover that.
#6 I didn't expect there to
be so many different brands of Islam
I didn't expect that every Muslim that I would meet
would want me to subscribe to their special brand of
Islam. It gets very confusing for brothers and sisters
who convert. All you have to do is verify, verify,
verify. Know! Your! Sources! The great thing about
Islam is that everything is documented and verified. I
learned this the hard way. When I first converted, I
thought every Muslim knew better than me. And mostly
they did, but there are also Muslims out there who
feel very passionately about the brand of Islam their
parents blindly took from their parents, and so on.
Muslims and non-Muslims alike – go to the source and
ask your friendly neighborhood Muslims to verify the
"Islamic facts" they are trying to sell you. If they
become upset by this request, walk away. They have an
issue with pride.
#5 I didn't expect to save so
much time not fighting a daily battle with my hair
Before Islam, I would spend about 5 hours in total
grooming my mane on a weekly basis. Over the 12-year
period of wearing hijab, I devoted maybe only one hour
a week to making my hair look nice for the hubby (ok,
so maybe more like 30 mins, -sorry hubby-). I have
saved approximately 4,000 years just in hair care time
alone. (I am good at math!). Not to mention the whole
ditching the extensive makeup program. That is
awesome!
#4 I didn't expect to be
expected to change my name
I have a perfectly fine name, thank you. "Theresa." It
means the one who reaps what she sows. How much more
"Muslim" can you get? By the way, The Sahabah didn't
change their names when they converted. Their names
became Muslim names, and so did mine, and so can
yours.
#3 I didn't expect attendance
to be taken
I did expect to be a part of a community. As a part of
the majority in my country, community was not
something I was familiar with. What I did not expect
was that my attendance in that community would be
monitored, questioned, and scrutinized. Where were you
last Jumuah? Why weren't you at the lectures every
night and morning? Why don't you come out to the
special Eid event? All well-meaning, but what they
don't understand is that I am a lone wolf. However, I
have learned that if you want people to like you and
desire your presence, don't go, or at the very least
be indifferent to showing up.
#2 I didn't think I would be
expected to be an expert on Middle Eastern politics
I wasn't and I am still not, and have no desire to
become such a thing. And most likely neither are you.
Having strong opinions doesn't make one an expert,
just so you know.
#1 I didn't expect to be
loved
I didn't expect that perfect strangers in every small
town and big city I visit would immediately love me
just because we share a love of Allah. And I didn't
expect to feel the same way for them.
This article has been published with
written permission from the author Theresa Corbin
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EsinIslam.Com
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