I came across this blog by a recent revert to islam, wht r ure thoughts on this:
"I’m feeling very excited as I write this post, and again, newly grateful for my faith. The link discusses the case of a Swiss politician who initiated a law against minarets in Switzerland, and has since embraced Islam.
Swiss antagonist of minarets embraces Islam | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online
I can appreciate why such cases of conversion make the headlines, when a person is so openly anti-Islamic, then it seems all the more amazing when they actually end up submitting to God and becoming Muslim. How does this total change occur, what happened to change their minds and how can we help to change the minds of others? All of these questions naturally come to mind, but today I want to discuss the question of whether such people really “hated” Islam at all, and if they did, why.
Each convert’s case is different, but having since reflected on my own coming to Islam, and spoken in depth with other converts, I have found that many experience a phase during which they have negative feelings towards Islam, or towards Muslims. This phase usually occurs shortly before they finally accept the truth and are ready to submit, which happens when they declare their faith to God and become Muslim. Most of us are aware of the numerous historical cases of individuals or groups who were initially against Islam, but later embraced the religion, many of whom were living during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), although there have been many since then.
My personal phase of “hating” Islam lasted around two years. It was not so extreme as in the highlighted case, but I did begin to have negative thoughts about Muslims, about their practices, and what I understood about their beliefs. I had formed stereotypes about these religious looking men and women I came across, and allowed myself to be taken over with negative thoughts whenever I passed by a mosque or a Muslim person. This phase started when I had gained a little information about Islam, in that I knew what the basic pillars were, and some of the rules relating to each one. However, I never voiced any of my opinions to anyone who was not Muslim, if I heard a non-Muslim university friend speaking negatively about Islam I never joined in, or even said that I agreed with them. I would however often question the Muslims I knew and would debate with them, and I would openly state that their religion was not true and that they were brainwashed for thinking otherwise.
This difference in outward attitude, between when discussing Islam with Muslims and when with non-Muslims, should have been a clear sign that my feelings towards this religion and its people was not all that I made out. At the time, I could not have admitted it to myself, but the truth was that my real feelings were those of jealousy, and not of pure hatred as I had tried to convince myself of. I was jealous of the Muslims for having what I cried out for inside.
So, each time I walked passed a Muslim women in a head-scarf, and muttered something to myself about her being ashamed of her appearance and about the likelihood of her being forced to wear it, what I was really doing was trying to convince myself that there was no truth in this religion, that the Muslims were not really happy, fulfilled people. Of course, in hindsight, I know that I knew at the time that what I was trying to believe was not true, that I knew very well that Islam was the truth and the Muslims had the best of this life, it was just that I was not ready to accept this truth. My “hatred” was my method of suppressing my real belief, a belief that I was unable to handle at first, as it all seemed too difficult because of what I had imaged would happen if I accepted it (listen to the first verse of the Dawud Wharnsby song “Afraid to read” and you’ll understand exactly what I am talking about).
Around two years after this phase began, I found myself in a mildly difficult life situation, but it was enough that through this I was humbled to a point where I just could not go on holding these jealous feelings and pretending to believe I was better off than the Muslims were. My state enabled me to see clearly for the first time in my life, and to appreciate that submission to God was now my only option, instead of spending my life being jealous, I would claim Islam for myself. I cannot even describe the utter relief and peace that I felt once I did, and I realised that I had actually been a believer for a long time, I just was not a Muslim until that day.
By sharing my own experience, I am hoping that my readers can begin to understand that at least some of the people who seem to “hate” Islam on the surface, may be going through a very challenging internal trial, that they do not express to you. Signs of this may include the person asking lots of questions, many of which may come across as argumentative, and being keen to debate things with you. They may openly declare to you that they do not believe, even that they will never believe and mock you for doing so. Beneath the surface, this person may be crying out for the truth, as I was. When they ask about women’s rights, about fasting and physical punishments, the real underlying question they may want answering is why should they submit to God, and what does it mean to submit to God? As Muslims we know that Islam is so much more than rules and regulations, so we should not think that others do not see this also, and wish to understand it.
I have had many people ask me about Islam, and quickly follow up their questions with something along the lines of “I’m only asking because I’m interested in other religions”, although I would wonder if they would engage in such a lengthy conversation with someone of a different faith. I cannot recall a time in which a person has ever said “I’m asking you because I am interested in Islam”, and maybe this is because to make this statement would be too much of a commitment, and they would have to admit to themselves that they want and need Islam, and I know that to do this can be very scary. I think that the best thing we can do as Muslims is to practise our faith in the best way that we can, and if we are questioned about our religion, to stay calm, never get angry, and to only answer with that which we know to be true.
I ask you to join me in making supplication for this brother, and for all those people who are struggling with their belief, may God guide them to the truth and give them the strength to act upon it. "
The Sister Has Style Blog: Never hate those who seem to hate Islam
