Ads by Muslim Ad Network

My Changing Reality and My Parents

07 December, 2022
Q How do I tell my parents that I want to embrace Allah?

Answer

In this counseling answer:

“Often, the decision to tell parents about religious conversion can be difficult, depending on their level of openness. There are many factors to consider, such as how religious your parents are, how open or closed minded they are to religions other than their own, their expectations of their children in regard to religion, their level of attachment to their ethnic-cultural traditions, and many others.”


 A-salamu `Alaikum dear,

Thank you for your brief question. I am assuming that when you say you wish to “embrace Allah,” that you mean through conversion/reversion to Islam. If so, it is always intriguing to me when a young American woman such as yourself is interested in Islam.

I only wish you had provided us with more background information so that we could provide a more detailed response. As an American convert myself, I am very interested in hearing about the circumstances that have brought others to the door of Allah.

Often, the decision to tell parents about religious conversion can be difficult, depending on their level of openness. muslimThere are many factors to consider, such as how religious your parents are, how open or closed minded they are to religions other than their own, their expectations of their children in regard to religion, their level of attachment to their ethnic-cultural traditions, and many others.

It is impossible for us to give you specific advice in terms of how to talk to your parents for we do not know anything about them. What has become natural to you can become natural to them by your example.

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

In addition to the issue of parents’ level of acceptance of religious conversion in general, communicating one’s wishes to convert to Islam has been made even more difficult in current times due to the daily assaults on Islam by the media and others that aim to present the religion in a negative light.

This includes many Muslims themselves, who choose to act in the name of Islam despite their behaviors being far from the guidance and teachings of the religion itself.s

As such, for people that wish to convert to Islam, the reaction is often one of bewilderment, like “why would you want to do that?” The irony is, more people than before are becoming Muslims. In communicating your desire to convert, therefore, you must be prepared – with sound knowledge – to respond to a range of reactions, emotions and questions.

Be prepared to explain yourself in a way that people can understand, through reason and personal belief. Again, you did not provide any background to your situation, so it is difficult to know why you wish to convert to Islam, and what has brought you to the faith. Nevertheless, to help your parents and others understand your desire to convert to the faith, it is helpful if you can explain yourself in a way that would make it easy for them to understand when you are ready and they are more receptive. Only you know what that is, so you must determine this on your own.

There are so many factors involved in your question, but I feel as if I cannot provide you with an adequate response because I know so little about your context and circumstances. Perhaps you could write us again providing more details as to your situation, or if you had a specific concern in regard to talking to your parents.

Sorry, and I hope to hear from you again…

***

Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services.

Read more:

My Parents Don’t Understand Me, What Should I Do?

Parents Don’t Allow Me to Go out with Friends

https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-parenting/young-hearts-minds/what-my-parents-are-doing-frightens-me/

About Dr. Abd. Lateef Krauss Abdullah
Dr. Abd. Lateef Krauss Abdullah is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Science Study’s Community Education and Youth Studies Laboratory, Universiti Putra Malaysia. He received his B.A. from the University of Delaware (U.S.), his M.S. from Columbia University (U.S.) and his PhD from the Institute for Community & Peace Studies (PEKKA), Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2005 in the field of Youth Studies. Abd. Lateef is an American who has been living in Malaysia since 2001. He is married and has 2 children.