Bismillahi-ar-Rahmani-r-Raheem!


"We should have invented a lie against Allâh if we returned to your religion, after Allâh has rescued us from it. And it is not for us to return to it unless Allâh, our Lord, should will. Our Lord comprehends all things in His Knowledge. In Allâh (Alone) we put our trust. Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in truth, for You are the Best of those who give judgment." [Al-A'raf 7:89]

Islam-Only a Trend?

As-Salamu Alaikum dear sisters in Islam! This new topic of mine will make you think, Insha'Allah. I don't know if any one of you so called "born Muslims" ever faced with this subject but I have, many times. It makes me sad and sick just to think about it but I have to share this with you, sisters. My topic is going to be: is Islam just a fashion? Is it "cool" to be a Muslim so that many people revert only for this reason?
When I reverted, Al-Hamdulillah, I received a lot of positive reactions from other Muslims. But some of my brothers and sisters believed that I only reverted because Islam is fashionable right now. All that made me feel very lonely. Already before their comments I was feeling isolated as some of friends and relatives didn't accept my choice. But, Al-Hamdulillah, I got over it.

Hollywood is making money with Muslims. Nowadays many movies feature Muslims, mainly as terrorists but anyhow. For quite a long time celebrities have been reverting to Islam (e.g. Neil Armstrong, Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali, Cat Stevens aka Yusuf Islam etc etc). This all could be only positive for Islam but some people misinterpret it and start following Islam hence it's "the newest trend". The One and Only Reason to become a Muslim is the need to obey Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'Ala)!
When these trend-followers convert to Islam they are doing the right thing and I'm not accusing them. Anyone who embraces Islam is my sister or brother. But what happens if they want to follow the next trend? If the next "big thing" is e.g. Hinduism, do they just leave Islam and start behaving like Hindus? Were they ever real believers? Allahu a'lem! One should keep in mind that abandoning Islam for some other religion or atheism is a big sin!
Actually according to Shari'ah the one who leaves Islam should be killed. But this is only possible in Muslim countries. In countries where it is not available the punishment varies quite a lot. Muslims shouldn't socialize with disbelievers so at least the person would be left without support from Umm'ah. And think about the loss when a person doesn't believe anymore and he doesn't pray nor fast! All those things that bring pleasure to believers are now so far for a disbeliever!

So is there anything we can do to change the situation? If you are in doubts about anything in Islam you could say: "Bismillahi-ar-Rahmani-r-Raheem. Huwal Awwalu wal Aakhiru waz Zahiru wal Batinu, wa Huwa bikulli shai'in Aleem" (In The Name of Allah, The Most Beneficient, The Most Merciful. He is The First and The Last, The Most High and The Most Near. And He is The Knower of All Things.) Recite any Surah from The Holy Qur'an in Arabic. Ask for Allah's forgiveness and engage yourself in ibaadah.
If you see a brother or a sister who is feeling unsure about Islam, act immediately. Start giving Da'wah to her/him. Keep in contact in whatever way possible. You could e-mail, call, write a letter, visit or somehow make her/him feel that she/he is not alone and members of Umm'ah will be her/his support until she/he is free from doubt. If it seems that you can't do anything, ask someone else. Even a total stranger can help if she/he is a Muslim.
But what leads people to doubts? Here's a couple of suggestions. Use precaution!
* Non-Muslim friends might give you a wrong impression about your own religion and that leads to doubts.
* Are you doing enough ibaadah (worship)? Salah (prayer) and Saum (fast) make you feel more connected to Islam.
* Western media might contain propaganda that drives you to the point of suspicion. Don't watch stupid tv programs.
* Low spiritual season. If you are temporarily not interested in religious matters, try to change your mood.
* Are you enough among other Muslims? If there's not many believers in your area try correspondence or e-mailing.
And remember, Allah (SWT) is The Oft-Forgiving and The Most Merciful!