As our Ummah grows at warp speed, we need to realize that we are injected with new blood – reverts. The reverts bring energy and enthusiasm that surpasses what many traditional muslims seem to have run out of. Are we doing our part in providing support and joining hands with the reverts in propagating the deen? I am not so sure we are doing all we can.
In my last post or two I highlighted some points that some reverts may overlook or not understand completely, but in this post I will highlight our own (desi) shortcomings.
When reverts accept Islam, there is no fanfare, there is no welcoming to the Ummah. There is no appreciation of the sacrifice they made, no appreciation of the life they have given up. We don’t seem to appreciate the gravity of their sacrifice because being muslims all our lives, we don’t seem to understand the big deal of giving up alcohol, or partying, or western clothes, or western cultural practices.
We tend to think it is just like a switch and that they will be able to give it all up. Many and most reverts give up on everything generally speaking but do realize that it takes tremendous effort and sacrifice on their part and when we do not acknowledge this sacrifice, they feel alone, they feel alienated by this Ummah, they try to find a new identity for themselves and they sometimes get lost.
When they get lost we seem to blame them for not being true to Islam. We should first point fingers at ourselves. Did we do all we could to help them in their journey to Islam? Were we there helping them in their struggles?
Most desis still regard reverts as some sort of lesser muslims. When we introduce our spouses who may be reverts, most of the family mutters to themselves, “Oh she is a gori, or oh she is a revert.” This is an arrogant attitude. Do we assume we are better than the revert in the eyes of Allah? Even if we are, what right do we have to treat someone without due respect?
We make grandiose statements about doing our part for furthering this Ummah for the sake of Allah, but a lot of desis become people of words and not of action. I am one to blame as well. I am struggling to change myself by speaking less and doing more.
We could also learn a thing or two when it comes to the art of doing Da’wa. We do Da’wa the way we have been doing it for generations – by repeating facts without being able to reason. A revert finds Islam through research and logic. Their thirst for Islam continues to be quenched through research and logic. When they interact with desis on Islamic issues, we need to be well educated to be able to handle their inquisitions and support our answers with facts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Instead we get defensive when we don’t know how to answer a question. We condemn the reverts for questioning the basic tenets of Islam and even point fingers at them for being bad muslims. This is counter-productive.
The reverts lose respect for desis in the sphere of Islam and then fend for themselves as far as furthering their knowledge in Islam goes. The reverts also need to be given time and to be dealt with patience when it comes to their understanding of our culture. Most of us jump the gun when they make a mistake. We are sensitive and defensive and tend to let them have it. Most desis know about the American lifestyle and culture and so we understand where they come from. But most reverts have not spent time in India or possibly haven’t spent time with desis and so naturally they do not know the ins and outs of our culture. We need to educate them and then be patient.
We need to stop being racist and anti-reverts and instead need to adopt a loving, understanding and supportive attitude towards them. A baby nurtured by her mother clings on to the mother for dear life. Similarly, nurture the reverts and they will cling to this Ummah for love and support inshallah.
B E L I E V E R 
As our Ummah grows at warp speed, we need to realize that we are injected with new blood – reverts. The reverts bring energy and enthusiasm that surpasses what many traditional muslims seem to have run out of. Are we doing our part in providing support and joining hands with the reverts in propagating the deen? I am not so sure we are doing all we can.
In my last post or two I highlighted some points that some reverts may overlook or not understand completely, but in this post I will highlight our own (desi) shortcomings.
When reverts accept Islam, there is no fanfare, there is no welcoming to the Ummah. There is no appreciation of the sacrifice they made, no appreciation of the life they have given up. We don’t seem to appreciate the gravity of their sacrifice because being muslims all our lives, we don’t seem to understand the big deal of giving up alcohol, or partying, or western clothes, or western cultural practices.
We tend to think it is just like a switch and that they will be able to give it all up. Many and most reverts give up on everything generally speaking but do realize that it takes tremendous effort and sacrifice on their part and when we do not acknowledge this sacrifice, they feel alone, they feel alienated by this Ummah, they try to find a new identity for themselves and they sometimes get lost.
When they get lost we seem to blame them for not being true to Islam. We should first point fingers at ourselves. Did we do all we could to help them in their journey to Islam? Were we there helping them in their struggles?
Most desis still regard reverts as some sort of lesser muslims. When we introduce our spouses who may be reverts, most of the family mutters to themselves, “Oh she is a gori, or oh she is a revert.” This is an arrogant attitude. Do we assume we are better than the revert in the eyes of Allah? Even if we are, what right do we have to treat someone without due respect?
We make grandiose statements about doing our part for furthering this Ummah for the sake of Allah, but a lot of desis become people of words and not of action. I am one to blame as well. I am struggling to change myself by speaking less and doing more.
We could also learn a thing or two when it comes to the art of doing Da’wa. We do Da’wa the way we have been doing it for generations – by repeating facts without being able to reason. A revert finds Islam through research and logic. Their thirst for Islam continues to be quenched through research and logic. When they interact with desis on Islamic issues, we need to be well educated to be able to handle their inquisitions and support our answers with facts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Instead we get defensive when we don’t know how to answer a question. We condemn the reverts for questioning the basic tenets of Islam and even point fingers at them for being bad muslims. This is counter-productive.
The reverts lose respect for desis in the sphere of Islam and then fend for themselves as far as furthering their knowledge in Islam goes. The reverts also need to be given time and to be dealt with patience when it comes to their understanding of our culture. Most of us jump the gun when they make a mistake. We are sensitive and defensive and tend to let them have it. Most desis know about the American lifestyle and culture and so we understand where they come from. But most reverts have not spent time in India or possibly haven’t spent time with desis and so naturally they do not know the ins and outs of our culture. We need to educate them and then be patient.
We need to stop being racist and anti-reverts and instead need to adopt a loving, understanding and supportive attitude towards them. A baby nurtured by her mother clings on to the mother for dear life. Similarly, nurture the reverts and they will cling to this Ummah for love and support inshallah.
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Posted in Commentary/Debate, Introspection, Islam