Conversion into the Islam Religion - Report Example

Sur Conversion into the Islam Religion Nature and different ways of defining conversion cause large contradictions. If we pay attention on both complexity and, in some sense, transcendent mystery of conversion, it is not surprising that scientific consensus still has not been achieved. Some people consider conversion to be a kind of pathology. For others, it is an example of the coercive power which manipulates with human being. It is important to mention that Buddhism, Christianity and Islam are traditionally being interpreted as religions of conversion (or missionary movement). Nevertheless, the investigation of conversion is necessarily connected with a much larger set of denominations than those three religions mentioned above. Initially the term “conversion” was being used in the framework of the Judeo-Christian world to describe the self-determination of the believer in religious traditions well as the faith in God and/or involvement into new views, rituals and religious communities (Rambo, 27). Thus, a point of view which represents conversion as the sacrifice of personal or social identity, rejection of conventional lifestyle and habits looks rather offensive and turns to be bounded with influential political, social and religious force. That is why conversion should be understood broader than just individual religious change, because it usually entails a change in the political, social and cultural environment, which, in turn, creates what can be called the ecology of conversion – factors which make the conversion possible (Rambo, 49). So everybody who wants to convert into the Islam should remember what is good and even necessary for life and what is bad or prohibited. It sets clear boundaries for which you cannot get out. But within these limits Islam leaves you the freedom to be who you are. All elements of the culture in which you grew up - humor, architecture, cuisine, fashion, preferences, norms of social behavior etc. – all those once shaped you as a person. And if all that does not overstep the bounds of Islam, there is no need to change it. If the just converted person is trying to abandon own culture, he/she loses a lot, but nothing gets (Paloutzian, 335). The adoption of Islam means adoption of pure Islam. It means accepting only Islam and nothing beyond it. The only requirement for the adoption of Islam, as well as in any other religion, is that the adoption should take place by own desire. For conversion into the Islam it is not required any rites, you just need to utter the testimony of confession of Islam, which is called the "Shahada". Shahada is "There is no god (worthy of our worship) except Allah. Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Conversion into the Islam may take place in the mosque, at home, on the street, in the car, anywhere, as the quality of your Islam will not change because person and only person will build his/her Islam, only he or she will be able to adjust the level of own devotion to Allah. You can accept Islam in the presence of Muslims, in the presence of the Imam of the mosque, and you can accept Islam alone because it is considered that one is the only person for whom may be accept Islam, as well as because the Allah is always with his followers, He always hears and sees everything that they say and do. Allah knows everything about innermost thoughts of his followers. However, it is important not to forget to inform brothers and sisters in Islam about own conversion into the new religion. Along with that, now it is considered to be necessary in Islam to get a certificate about own conversion into Islam issued by "trustworthy" Islamic center, or mosque. These certificates are required for marriage, pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina (Hajj), and others. Investigations of the conversion to Islam have already developed some theoretical explanations for this phenomena, which include the use of force, the attractiveness of Islam as a movement for slaves and soldiers liberation, the consent with the new political regime, the desire to get the privileges for the Muslim political power (for instance, the tax rebate), the influence of merchants (through endogamous marriage and patronizing attitude), the attractiveness of monotheism (especially for “pagan” and “primitive” religions) and providing with a mystical and transcendent experience, thanks to Sufi spiritual practices. Europeans attitude towards Muslims combined contrast feelings such as deep fear and admiration, mixed with recognition of the superiority of the Arabs. The interaction of Western Europe with the Muslim civilization made Europeans feel multilateral worthlessness. When Arabic studies, Arabic philosophy, Arabic writings appear; it turns to be clear that without Arabs European science and philosophy could not evolve at a pace. Europeans had to learn from the Arabs everything what was possible before they were able to move forward (Bulliet, 74). Since the Arab invasion of Spain in 711, in various parts of Europe formed such Muslim states as Sicilian Emirate, the Golden Horde and its successors, the Ottoman Empire. In Western Europe, Islam came not long ago, and before the end of World War II Muslims were few in number. But now, in France, Germany, Great Britain and other European countries, has increased the influence of Islam. Generally, it occurs through increased immigration of those who are Muslims from the Maghreb and the Middle East, and through natural growth of first generation immigrants’ descendants. In recent years the issue of global rivalry between Christianity and Islam greatly increased its importance. Active Christian missions around the world among the followers of all other religions, the influence of the historically Christian countries and their culture on the Muslim nations and the response to Islam is becoming more prominent. In traditionally Christian countries a gradual secularization of the population is taking place. In Islamic countries the rise of radicalism of some and the same secularization other also turns to be the crucial issue. Rising immigration from Muslim countries has led to the emergence of a significant number of Muslims in the West. This causes the growth of nationalism, supported by different versions of the vision for the future. On the other hand a growing number of Christians in Islamic countries is taking place (Poston, 119). Picture of international relations is changing and will continue to change dramatically in the coming decades. And even today the media often ignore the numerous cases of conversion Europeans into Islam. Thus, the media is separating those people from the rest of society. And this, in turn, generates misunderstandings and prejudices that are prevalent around the Muslim conversion. Still, this social phenomenon of conversion into the Islam among Europeans is primarily based on the spiritual quest of faith and inner harmony (Kose, 129). The facts of conversion into Islam have no relation to political trends or fashion nowadays. The unifying factor among converted Europeans was seeking for emotional balance. The reason for grooving popularity of Islam is that it is not just a religion which influences the mind and heart; it is a religion that requires action. It prescribes not only to cease performing certain actions, such as being unfaithful spouse or drink alcohol, but also to begin worship the Creator, and to do good for everybody or everyone. Thus, the adoption of Islam directly affects the daily life of the believer: from the beginning of the morning with a prayer till all acts which he commits before the sunset and after it. That is why it turns to be important to preserve own cultural origin after the conversion into the Islam, as it brings so many changes that sometimes we cease to pay attention on what should be and what should not be changed. The adoption of Islam as a cultural, not religious identity causes a person to abandon some things and habits without thinking whether it is necessarily or not, but which were defining personality and were worth keeping (Viswanathan, 84). In conclusion I’d like to admit, that all we currently observe an amazing phenomenon of worldwide ambitious campaign to discredit Islam and Muslims. Media mostly presents negative and perverted image of Islam, far removed from the truth. So for the common man it is extremely difficult to understand in this stream of lies and stereotypes. And yet, all sociologists in one voice say: Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. For me the reason for such growing popularity is in answers to everlasting questions, which may give Islam. When a person grows older, may appear some questions that are often hard to answer without someones help. Having read the Bible I got a question: why Judas betrayed Christ, about what predecessor said Jesus, how possible virgin birth, etc. Then I got the question why the ordinary people who had no extraordinary opportunities were being ascribed to holy ones. And then I decided to investigate the reason why everyone always thinks that Islam means terrorism, and Christianity means charity. I understood that it is because a person brought up in Orthodoxy had never seen real Islam. The media always presents us only horrors, Al-Qaeda, jihad and "Allahu Akbar" from the mouth of the Osama bin Laden, the war in Afghanistan and Chechnya. And nobody was talking about Scripture, Hadith of Muhammad, about the duty of Muslims in everyday life. All we found in the media about Islam is the coverage of incomprehensible, chaotic, frightening events occurring in the world, which in most cases have no relation to the real Islam. But a simple layman lacks knowledge to understand what is happening. Islam is highly refined religion, which may be studied infinitely. But the most important thing is how you understand the Scriptures, as all depends on iman (faith) in the heart. Thus, I have not found in Islam imposition, coercion to perform this or that action - it is not in the Quran. That is why for me Islam t is likely to be freedom of choice, improvement of ideas, thoughts and personal self. Also Western people talk and dream so much about freedom, because it is considered that it should bring happiness. Many people say that they are free because they can do whatever they want. But in fact they are not happy, and thus they are not free. People are increasingly doing what they want, regardless of anyones opinion, since no one has the right to limit their freedom. And they are free to drink on the street, take drugs, have free love, dress whatever they want, regardless of the place and the community. So generally they are free. But there is no expression of happiness on their faces. Apparently, because they are not completely free. After all, even the material welfare loses its sense, because it does not last forever. But there is something that cannot be lost, even after death. It is eternal and infinite life, as faith in God gives freedom and immortality. And though I am still not ready to call myself a Muslim, but I believe that God is one, and therefore any religion can give peace and eternity. Works Cited 1. Buckser, Andrew, and Stephen D. Glazier, eds. The Anthropology of Religious Conversion. Lanham, Md., 2003. 2. Bulliet, Richard W. Conversion to Islam in the Medieval Period: An Essay in Quantitative History. Cambridge, Mass., 1979. 3. Kose, Ali. Conversion to Islam: A Study of Native British Converts. London, 1996. 4. Levtzion, Nehemia, ed. Conversion to Islam. New York, 1979. 5. Poston, Larry. Islamic Da Ewah in the West: Muslim Missionary Activity and the Dynamics of Conversion to Islam. New York, 1992. 6. Paloutzian, Raymond. Religious conversion and spiritual transformation. Guilford Press, 2005. 7. Rambo, Lewis. Understanding religious conversion. New York, 1995. 8. Viswanathan, Gauri. Outside the Fold: Conversion, Modernity, and Belief. Princeton, N.J., 1998. Read More