007 Dialog Between Imtiyaz And Lauren

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Hello, thank you for visiting Allah’s Word. How may I help you?

Imtiyaz

Hello, thank you for your willingness to help me. I was raised Catholic by my parents, but I started to doubt my faith and disagree with many fundamental ways the Catholic Church is run. I started to drift from it.

Lauren

When I came to college, I became good friends with a Muslim girl. She is very dedicated to her faith, and it made me want the same for myself.

Lauren

Thank you for sharing that with me.

Imtiyaz

I later met her cousin and became good friends with him. He is very respectful and I like him.

Lauren

I do not know what to do because I know that it would be very difficult to be with him, and we have never talked about this.

Lauren

Okay

Imtiyaz

I have been considering exploring Islam before, but now I cannot tell if the main reason driving that now is because of him.

Lauren

The motivation for the exploration at times is not important so long as the end outcome is based on conviction.

Imtiyaz

That is true

Lauren

People research faith for various reasons. Some even study Islam to criticize and attack it but end up becoming Muslims.

Imtiyaz

I have admired the strong faith and dedication my Muslim friends long before I met him, but I do not know what to do or how to go about it

Lauren

You should carry on pursuing the faith and finding out more. We can help you here with your queries.
You can also explore it more with your Muslim friend.

Imtiyaz

“Islam” literally means peace through submission to God by belief in His Oneness and by obedience to Him. That’s why Islam is the same religion preached by all earlier prophets, in whom Muslims must also believe. These prophets include Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Jesus (peace be upon them all), among others.

Imtiyaz

As Muslims we love and honour Jesus Christ and consider him God’s chosen Messenger.
We believe that he preached like all other Prophets that God is One and no one else should be worshipped besides Him.

Imtiyaz

But to me, steps toward conversion should only be done with 100% conviction and confidence.

Lauren

I feel as though if I were to start that now, it would be partly for the aforementioned reasons but also partly for her cousin.

Lauren

I understand your dilemma but it can also become an obstacle for not searching for the truth. I do not think it should stop you from exploring the faith.

Imtiyaz

And yes, I agree with what you stated. But I do not know if that is enough to change.

Lauren

I feel like it’s too late for me to change since I have been living my life in another faith for so long.

Lauren

It’s never too late to change. We have thousands of people converting even in old age. It is never too late to find your purpose in life and re-connect yourself to God.

Imtiyaz

Each day is an opportunity. Also though it may seem the transition will be difficult it ends up being much easier.
There are many similarities between Islam and Christianity which makes the transition easier.

Imtiyaz

But if I would, would I be penalized for things I have already done? I have engaged in zina, and in general, not followed well the rules in either religion

Lauren

No you would not be penalised. In fact when a person converts to Islam, all their past sins are forgiven and they start like a newborn.

Imtiyaz

That is nice

Lauren

Also God realises that humans will make mistakes and errors and will always forgive if we return back to Him.

Imtiyaz

I also worry that maybe the problem is just me. If I cannot stay dedicated to my own religion, how would I to a new one?

Lauren

I think sometimes satan puts unnecessary thoughts in our mind which we don’t really follow in real life. Say for example, you had a really bad experience in one marriage, would you never marry again because of that one bad experience?

Imtiyaz

Say you had a bad experience and one school and left. Would you never go to another school because of that bad experience?

Imtiyaz

You can consider that with all our other worldly experiences, whether it is a journey on a train, a holiday, a friendship etc. We never consider one bad experience to never explore new experiences. Right?

Imtiyaz

Yes those are true. But since the two religions are not very different, what is the difference between the two that would make Islam the better or more fitting choice?

Lauren

Though there are important similarities when it comes to values like love, kindness, charity, compassion etc there are also fundamental differences.

Imtiyaz

I am scared to try and fail at being Muslim. I see that my friends are almost perfect.

Lauren

They do everything they are supposed to and almost never commit any wrongs. I do not know if that is achievable for me.

Lauren

Islam does not have a hierarchy that you find in Catholicism nor do you need to go to humans beings to seek repentance from God.

Imtiyaz

Islam doesn’t demand perfection. Islam recognises humans will make mistakes and errors.

Imtiyaz

But in Islam aren’t the “levels” of heaven and hell hierarchies?

Lauren

But what would be an objection with that? Don’t we have different levels or rewards and punishments in this world? Should Adolf Hitler get the same punishment as a person who committed theft?

Imtiyaz

No, you are right

Lauren

How is it possible to learn everything though? I do not speak Arabic. Through my friends I learn something new almost every day.

Lauren

I did not know that music is haram and you are not supposed to listen to it.

Lauren

The idea of changing my whole life so drastically is scary and seems unfeasible.

Lauren

You do not need to learn everything. Nor are you required to make all changes from day one. You need to take it step by step and grow gradually.

Imtiyaz

Well, what is the first step?

Lauren

Remember even with your friend it took her at least 20 years to get to where she is now.

Imtiyaz

The first step is to understand the fundamentals of Islam and believe in them.

Imtiyaz

The most important thing for you to know for now is that by accepting Islam you believe that God (Allah) alone should be worshipped and that you believe in all of His prophets including the final one prophet Muhammad…

Imtiyaz

You should also believe in the Angles, God’s Books that He sent down to His prophets, believe in the Day of Judgment, and that you believe in God’s Decree (that He knows what happened in the past and He knows the future and that He decrees everything in life).

Imtiyaz

But to be raised by Muslim parents in the Middle East is a lot easier to learn than here in the United States

Lauren

Every country has its own challenges. God will only question on what you were able to do based on your own challenges and restrictions.

Imtiyaz

Okay, thank you Imtiyaz. I really appreciate your help.

Lauren

I have to go to class and cannot talk anymore, but I will think about what you said.

Lauren

It was my pleasure talking to you. I pray God helps you on your journey.

Imtiyaz

If you wish to know more about Islam, please take a look at this nice book:
islam-guide.pdf

Imtiyaz

007 Dialog Between Imtiyaz And Lauren

007 Dialog Between Imtiyaz And Lauren

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