Testimonies of Conversion - Essay Example

ISAAC MUTINDA ORDER NO: 128305 TESTIMONIES OF CONVERSION Islam has continued to expand because of its ability to entice as well as attract new adherents. Converts to Islam are found across all genders, ages, all professions and social status. At least we have converts in all the above categories and it is right to say that conversion to Islam is not segregational nor is it a reserve for a few deserving individuals. Converts are derived from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. In terms of religion orientation, converts to Islam come from all backgrounds, such as Roman Catholicism, main stream protestant churches, Buddhism, Sikhs and even Judaism. Islam is both appealing and easily adaptable hence it becomes a very attractive religion to some. To many, Islam appeals to them because of the cultural heritage value it holds, this is especially so, to those, whose great grand parents were taken as slaves during the slave trade. In the USA for example, Islam in the 20th century was presented in a context that appealed to black Americans. This contributed greatly to many African Americans converting to the Islam religion. Converts to Islam are generally expected to observe hard work, ethical behavior, and conservative distinctions between men and women although there other mandatory fulfillments for converts. These include; Acknowledging that, the Holy prophet Muhammad is the last messenger of Allah and after him there is no other prophet of Allah who will come, that the Qur'ran is the last of the divine books revealed and all its contents are true, that all the teachings given by the Holy Qur'an in absolute and unambiguous terms are true and acceptable and that the life hereafter will involve one facing the fate of his or her good and evil deeds. Conversion to Islam has no particular procedure and it entails accepting the above mentioned beliefs with ones heart and soul (Haneef, 74). Reasons for conversion. This depends on ones belief in the right path of god, the love of another or the fact that another faith may seem, according to the convert, to be promoting a different and better way of living. Conversion and marriage. Ideally, it is not a correct practice to embrace Islam for the sake of marrying only. Therefore, one should know at the first instance that conversion to Islam is not meant for marriage. People convert just to follow a set of beliefs different from those of other family members or friends this can be termed as rebellion. It may be because someone wants to change certain aspects in their life. Forcible religious conversion, conversion may also result through coercion as it was the case during colonization in the 18th century and other periods in history. In such times, refusal to convert to Islam resulted in the massacre, destruction, rape of women and enslaving of men. Context of conversion. In college, converts may meet Muslims and get interested in their culture and religion. This develops into deep Interest in learning more and studying Qur'ran. If helped by other Muslims, one gets converted easily at this stage. Social reasons. Generally Muslims, especially women are viewed as honesty, and of high morals this strength of morality impacts on non Muslims hence making many to want to convert. Conversion through friends. Friends can help one in reading the Qur'an and answering any questions about the religion therefore it is an important mode of conversion. Almost without exception, changing to a new religious orientation takes place through what is referred to as kinship and friendship networks in sociology. Conversion through impersonal methods of communication, this happens through the electronic and other forms of media such as television. By watching an Imam preaching in television or listening to Qur'an readings in radio, many are led into conversion. Disillusionment with the western society. Many people are confused and disillusioned especially in the west about the true religion vis--vis their culture. This has led many to convert to Islam. Supernatural phenomena for example dreams (Chapman, 63). Some people convert as a result of a supernatural encounter through dream and meditation. This leads them to making very radical decisions hence converting. Respect shown by Islam to women. Many, women especially, have continued to convert to Islam because of its respect for women and its stance on high moral values and standards. Conversion of minors, this result mostly as a result of abduction. Although it is a rare means of conversion, it happens nevertheless. It is worthy mentioning that, not every conversion way is true reason for conversion. For any conversion to be viewed as valid, the convert must have the wish to convert. Converting Processes. One interesting thing with converts is their expectations, although it varies from person to person, many expect the conversion process to be cognitive and intellectual while others expect the process to be both emotional and passionate. There are those whose idea about the conversion is more on doing things in a different manner following new rituals. Converts are usually very motivated by Islam in their first months after conversion but after some time, however, some discover that they had over expected and they therefore turn to criticizing Islam or at least being not as enthusiastic. This change is attributed to the sudden culture change one experiences after conversion. Consequences of conversion. Sometimes they're very intense. Sometimes they're minimal.One of the things that is very striking when you go convert into many religious groups; Islam included is that, you are likely to be accorded enormous affection. People in some groups will even treat you as a brother or sister, many converts having grown up in a society which every one minds about their own business, are overwhelmed by the need for close relationships therefore making the converts to feel good and appreciated. This is one of the most key attraction, and consequences of the whole conversion process. Converts also tend to interpret and view life in a different dimension although this varies from individual to individual depending on the degree to which they apply the new teachings to their lives. Some may turn to be radicals others to Sheikhs and so on these sudden changes can be disruptive to the family institution. Converts change into being oversensitive to every small happening in their lives and they tend to give different meaning to every misfortune often, they attribute it to Allah. Converts become more energized in doing their things as well achievements. For instance a convert may work hard in class so ass to pass well in order to prove that their new religion is associated with success. Converts of high socio-status in particular stand a chance of attracting people to Islam through exemplary performance at work. All in all people convert largely due to the perception that Islam is a radical and solid religion committed to serving God and the human kind. Initially, converts are usually emotionally obsessed with the new religion and want to practice every detail of the Islamic precepts; this is strongly linked to a disappointment with their previous religion. Relevance of Conversion. Converts play an important role in society and are cultural and political mediators between non-Muslims and Muslim since they have been through the both worlds and can relate with each of the groups. Converted intellectuals, in particular, make Islam look legitimate to the society because of the esteem with which they are treated with by the society. Female converts play a crucial in connecting gender and Islam. Muslim converts tend to be enthusiastic about Islam at first,for young people, the attraction to Islam can be atttribubuted to ideology rather than to any other cause. The ideological basis of viewing Islam as a political ideology and the continues depiction of Islam as a religion , as victim of Western domination combined with moral ideals decline in the West have all worked to the advantage of Islam spread through conversion.. People convert to Islam to experience a new identity, at least different from their predispositions. Conversion also brings a feeling of liberation from, otherwise, domineering religious backgrounds. Over and above all, Islam is perceived to be clearer, and more realistic to the 'truth'. Politically, Islam brings converts, a connection between spirituality and politics. It is worthy mentioning that, Islam's wide range of, religious and ideological space appeals to many, hence causing more people to convert. Converts experiences. Conversion as a social and emotional process involves new practices, this can be overwhelming to the convert insight hence resulting into radicalism or extremism seen recently in some Muslim sects. This, if not checked can be destructive to converts since the new religion introduces converts ought to take care not to be disillusioned. Challenges. These range from social embarrassment, to confrontations especially with friends and close relatives. Women conversion particularly touches 'raw nerves' in some societies and it gets tougher for women converts than their male counterparts. This is partly because of ethnic or religious traditions which have been hypersensitive to the issue of women and their independence. The other challenge is that a convert is required to invest more time studying the religion than a born Muslim who has been through the system in their lifetime. Deterrents to conversion range from circumcision to praying five times a day and the fear is advanced by lack of true information as many people don't take time to study the requirements but often rely on rumours.Also, key to the fear is that many people don't understand that it is their human right provided for in the United Nations Human Rights declaration which affirms that, everybody has a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion including the freedom to adopt a religion of their preference. Meaning of Conversion. The meaning ranges from, psychological to what is referred to as brainwashing although no research has proved any truth behind these claims. A convert's identity revolves around who they believe to be, what defines ones identity, what attracts them and makes them proud of Islam, their interest in Islam including their orientation, what are the fears they inhibit about the new religion, and what makes them remain stead fast in the Islam. According to (Watt 1953, p. 86), Khadijah was the first convert to Islam. Today just as it was in historical periods, converts continue in the struggle to discover themselves and their new found faith amidst very challenging times brought about by the advent of terrorism. Conclusion Therefore, the issue of conversion is a very controversial topic, because of emotions it elicits in people. Conversion can disrupt families especially when close family members convert but their loved ones can quite understand the decisions often the situation is worsened if the members of the family consider the new religion to be destructive or cultic. According to me conversion can have both negative effects such as, disorientation, confusion, extremism and eventually complicating the life of the convert. On the other hand converts can experience psychological, emotional, and spiritual satisfaction after converting. REFERENCES Chapman, C. Islam and the west, conflict, coexistence or conversion.Petermoster press. Carlisle. Fazlur Rahman, Islam, 2nd ed., University of Chicago Press, Chicago: 1979. Haneef.Z.What every one should know about Islam and muslims.Adam.Delhi.1994 International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 2000, Vol. 10, No. 2, Pages 101-110 Nasr, S.H "Introduction," in World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest, Vol. 20, Islamic Spirituality: Manifestationsed New York: Crossroad, New York 1991. Watt.W.M. Muhammad at Mecca, Oxford University Press, 1953. Raju. K. >Shame on you! You pseudo secularists.14.12.2001. Read More