As salamu alaykum sister,

Shokran for writing to us with your concerns and congratulations on your reversion to Islam!  May Allah bless you and grant you ease on your new journey.  Concerning your children and x-husband, It is not an easy path sister, I know.  My situation was similar however my x-husband was out of the picture pretty much so I did not have him to worry about, but my children were young and brought up Christian in the church, so the change was big for them.  While I do not know where you live-other than the US or what kind of community you live in, in certain places people have misconceptions about Islam, thus making some children hesitant to learn or embrace Islam for fear of ridicule.  Additionally, if they were not raised in a faith-based home, suddenly having a structure religious atmosphere in the home as well as religious expectations can be kind of a shock for them.

I was once told to take Islam in teaspoons, meaning don’t try to learn everything at once as it can be overwhelming to some people who are new, especially children.  I would kindly suggest sister that you go at your own pace concerning learning, wearing hijab and so forth.  Please do however make it a priority to learn your prayers and keep your 5 daily prayers in addition to gaining Islamic knowledge by reading the Qur’an, going to the Masjid and Islamic events as you are doing now.  Continue to encourage your children by being an example as well as by talking with them about the things you are learning.  Concerning your daughter, as she is only 8, she will be easier to teach as she is still young.  I would kindly suggest buying her children’s books on Islam and spend time reading with her about the Prophet (PBUH), Islam and the various other topics that provide a fun but teaching experience.  While it is not Ramadan, I would suggest getting a child’s book on Ramadan (or movie) and show her all the fun festivities which occur throughout Ramadan up to Eid.  Children usually look forward to Ramadan for many reasons and this may pique her interest as it is one our holidays (Eid).

When teaching your daughter, You may want to tie in some of her interests with Islamic values.  For instance, if she is an animal lover, you may want to take her to do charity with other Muslims who care for lost or abandoned pets.  If she has a passion for fashion-you may wish to show her all the beautiful types of Islamic dress from different countries.  If she enjoys sports or cooking, for example, get her involved in some of the young girl’s groups in your Islamic community.  The more things she is exposed to in Islam that she can relate to the more she will be to learn, insha’Allah.  Also, as she makes more Muslim friends, she will insha’Allah want to start to be more like her friends, especially if they form close bonds.

Your son is going to be more of a challenge.  I pray that Allah makes it easy for you.  He is at that rebellious age anyhow and to make things worse it does not sound like he has adjusted well to the divorce.  It seems he is angry and hurt over it sister.  This is a very difficult time and one you may have had to go through regardless of your reversion to Islam.  I would kindly suggest taking your son to a counselor in your area insha’Allah to work out his issues about the divorce and whatever else he is going through.  Intervention at this stage may insha’Allah prevent worse behaviors from developing.  I would kindly suggest that you continue to be an example to your son of how one overcomes hurt, disappointment, and adversity in life. You may want to get to know other families at your Masjid who may be in a similar situation (divorced/single mom’s with children).  Insha’Allah this can be a great support to you as well as a socially up-building outlet.  Many single moms get together with their children for family night’s at each other home wherein they have fun activities planned for the family.  Perhaps insha’Allah your son may meet a young brother whom he can relate to and become friends with.  This would help with opening up his heart to learning about Islam insha’Allah.  I would also kindly suggest that at his age you do not pressure nor threaten him about Islam, as he will turn away harder but insha’allah provide a learning environment that may pique his interest.  If some of the boys at the Masjid are into basketball or cars or something he is interested in, make it a point to ask him if he would like to go with “so and so” to a game or event.  This, of course, would need to be set up by networking with the sisters at the Masjid to see what opportunities exist for your son.  Often times, when one is not willing or ready to learn about Islam, they may be willing to participate in activities that appeal to them first, and later become interested insha’Allah.  Please though sister,  get him counseling insha’Allah.

As far as your x-husband goes, unless he is threatening violence-I would just ignore his threats to take the children because you are Muslim.  Don’t feed into his threats nor respond. The last time I checked, it was not a crime to be Muslim in this country nor was it a proof that someone is an unfit mother or father.  In fact, as Islam forbids drinking, drug use, promiscuity, hurting others and other harmful acts,  and encourages kindness, charity, high morals as well as respect for all living things-Islamic parents often can provide the best moral and stable homes for children to be raised in.  Your x-husband may be harmful however in that he may be brainwashing your children with hatred and lies about Islam.  That is why it will be important that they have a clear understanding of what Islam is and isn’t.  Your daughter as I stated is at an age wherein you can still help shape her thoughts and direction, your son, however, may need more time as he may be dealing with issues of anger, abandonment and hurt due to the divorce, which is common in some children after a divorce, thus I highly recommend you you deal with the counseling issue with him while at the same time offering him interesting activities that he can relate to within an Islamic context.  Insha’Allah once he is engaged in counseling and begins to heal, he will be more receptive to active learning and application of Islamic principles in his life.  Do make duaa for your children sister that Allah swt guides them.

You are in our prayers sister, please let us know how you are doing.