Case 1: In 2016, a brother invited me to UNILORIN to debate a Christian brother. After over two hours of debate, the brother embraced Islam. Four days later, I was called again to come and speak with him because his interest was to debate Christians and prove to them why Islam is the only way to paradise, but he would refuse to pray. He continued to debate even when the adhan was called.
Case 2: Recall the case of Musa Cerantonio, who embraced Islam as a teenager and joined ISIS. As of today, the Australian is no longer a Muslim.
One pattern I have seen among reverts who embraced Islam for the correct reasons, including myself, is the desire to want to outdo even born Muslims. Imagine waking up realizing that you’ve been lied to for a long time, you have been missing out on the real essence of your creation, you’ve been enlightened and seen the intellectual aspect of Islam, you have now tapped into the Islamic culture and see the superiority. You are most likely going to want to make up for the lost years.
The pressure to do more for your salvation and Islam comes from within and outside. Sadly, this pressure can become overwhelming and lead to burnout.
WITHIN
A new revert, unlike a born liberal Muslim, wants to not just make up for their lost years but also strongly identify with the Muslim community. I can recall that in 2013, when I embraced Islam, I decided to proclaim the Shahadah publicly at Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria, and like Muhammad Ali, I said, “Let everyone know that I am now a Muslim.”
A new female revert who cannot read ا ب ت ث will be seen after two weeks wearing the Niqab. In some cases, you’ll see a new Muslim sister canceling other sisters for wearing Jilbab or the Niqab; it’s not her fault.
The male Muslim, on the other hand, may be seen after two weeks dabbling into matters of Fiqh. Though unable to recite Surah Al-Fatihah, he makes takfir, he has deleted all his pictures, and condemns those who take them. He now knows which Sheikh is misguided and which is not. Yet, the only Quran verses and Hadith he knows are the argumentative ones.
OUTSIDE
When the news of a new revert is announced, it is in place that we get excited for their saved souls, but where do we draw the line between pressure and wanting what’s good for them? In many cases, I have received messages from people saying, “She must marry quickly,” when I announce that we have a new female revert. There are cases of many female reverts who have jumped in and out of marriages on account of pressure.
When a brother embraces Islam, we want them to wear their trousers above their ankles right away, and yes, when they do without having adequate knowledge, people assume them to be knowledgeable and put them in a position, making them uncomfortable and, in some cases, causing them embarrassment.
DON’T JUMP THE GUN
As a revert, I advise you not to jump the gun. Take it one step at a time and get full conviction for every step you take, lest you backslide on account of being overwhelmed and confused.
When people ask me for books or resources for reverts, I ask what kind of revert they are. A revert, like me, who embraced Islam as a seeker of truth, is different from someone who embraces Islam because they were treated nicely by a Muslim or Muslims. Likewise, someone who embraces Islam for the love of a man or woman is different. These three categories of reverts need different orientations, and there could be problems for them if we put them in the same box.
Dear Revert, you are lucky that Allah has guided you. Do not be complacent while at the same time understanding the need to take a step at a time. Any Muslim individual you look up to has gone through lots of processes over the years, and jumping the gun can be your greatest undoing. Reverts are humans and must be cut some slack, even more than we do for nominal Muslims, especially our mothers who tie scarves, wear no Jilbab, and know no tajweed, yet we do not cancel them.
Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman
English 