Changes

Assalaam Alakium! 

Good morning! Happy Wednesday! We're officially halfway through the week! This morning I'm at Barnes and Noble...again. Having one car is a challenge for sure but I know it's a test and I just need to be patient. For this mornings post I wanted to discuss changes. Dun...dun...dun I don't think anyone likes changes. 

Change can definitely be a good thing but the fear of the unknown can sometimes prevent us from taking the first few steps into the direction of change. Coming into Islam is a huge life change and can be quite the adjustment. As I've mentioned before everyone is different and we all come from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. These life experiences make us who we are today. Imagine living 20-30 years of your life being someone than converting to Islam and having to change all of that around okay, maybe not everything. But nonetheless, it's a tough thing to do. 

For example, before I converted to Islam music was. my life. I lived music, all day I listened to music, wanted to become a successful performer (vocalist) and hit it big in the music world. When I converted to Islam I began learning that music was undesirable and should be avoided due to the content of it. The first time I heard music was looked down upon in Islam was through a YouTube video. A part of me was crushed, I felt like I couldn't be my true self, like I had to become someone completely different. At first I resisted this change and would make excuses for listening to it. I then dug deeper into the subject and found more information and took a drastic change, I completely stopped listening to music. Cold turkey. I deleted almost all of the music on my computer and stopped listening to music in the car. A few months later, I broke down and started gradually listening to music again. It was so hard to change my thoughts on music. It's been a roller-coaster ride since but I know I need to take things slowly from now on. Completely ridding my life of music at once was not the best idea. I should have started out by getting rid of the most offensive music first and going from there. I'm still in the process and I trip up sometimes. Baby steps. 

When making a huge change in your life, especially in an area of your life you are very passionate about, start off small. There is no need to rush into a huge change. As long as you're intentions are right Allah will understand. No matter if we know it or not, we are changing everybody, inshAllah for the better, we just need to be open to the change and believe that Allah will get us through it. 

Here are a few tips on change:

1. Slow down. As I stated above, start with baby steps. Don't rush into a big change this will only make you uncomfortable and may be detrimental in the long run. 

2. Be willing to change. In order to change, you must come to terms with it. Don't just change something unwillingly. 

3. Reflect. Think about how this change will make you a better person. Try to picture your life in the future with this change. 

4. Support. Seek out support in friends and family. Find people who will respect your need to change and understand why you want this change in your life. 

5. Be positive. Use empowering words such as "I CAN do this, I WILL do this, This IS doable, I WILL be a better person after this" 

"If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living."Gail Sheehy

Please share in the comments any tips you have for making a change. 

Feel fee to share a experience you've had with change and what worked for you. 

Also, in the comments, leave your suggestions and recommendations. 

Have a great morning, 

Wasalaam,

~Hijabi Butterfly~

"Why did you become Muslim, sister?"

I get asked this question A LOT, in fact more than anything else. People want to know what drew me to Islam and to eventually become a Muslim. I remember being thrilled whenever someone asked me because I loved telling my story however, as the years have gone by I wonder if this is the only thing that matters to some people.

I understand the need to know "why", I ask "why" questions frequently. So much so, some people get irritated that I just can't take things at "face value". It's in my nature to know the why behind things so I totally understand this question. I also want to get it out there that as a convert, I don't want to be "just a story". I'm more than just my journey to Islam. There are so many reasons I chose this way of life but there are so many different layers as to what makes me......me. Get it?

Maybe someday I'll post an in-depth story, but for now I'd like to just write about my experiences as a non Muslim, new Muslim and Muslim of almost four years. I've evolved over the past five years and want to share it with you all. I think my experiences will be of more benefit than just my story and can help people who are in the those three stages I spoke of.

Converts need more than just a "Salaam, how are you?" approach. Converts need to know they have someone to talk to and can understand what they are going through. As a new convert, I was comforted with so many changes and it took me awhile to adapt certain things, like the hijab. Not all converts are the same, just like anyone else. Some converts start wearing the hijab as soon as they convert, maybe even before while others pray before they have converted.

My advice for those of you who were raised as Muslims, please be patient with us converts especially in our early days. Knowledge isn't learned overnight. It's important to think about what you are going to say before you say it and to always give your sisters in Islam the benefit of the doubt.

That's just a little insight from me, I need to get to bed soon. Huge headache... :(

I'll be back in the morning inshAllah

Wasalaam,

~Hijabi Butterfly~

Allah is with those who are PATIENT

Salaam again!

How has your Saturday been? It's been pretty chill over here. Mr. Writer (husband) and I just got back from one of our favorite Mexican food spots: TACO CABANA! If you live in Texas, you know what I'm talking about. We love this place! The Cabana Bowls are amazing along with the fajitas and tres leches for dessert...who can resist tres leches! They have the best sauces, the green sauce is by far the best sauce I've ever had before. It's made from tomatillos and is love in a cup. :)

Now for the topic at hand. Patience. Everyone knows the famous saying "Patience is a virtue", Islam agrees. You will often times read about patience (sabr in Arabic) in the Qur'an and Allah specifically speaks about patience a number of times to show it's importance.

Allah tests us with different trials to see how patient we will be. Illness is a time for patience; Islam teaches that when you are inflicted with an illness and you bear that illness with patience, you will earn Allah's forgiveness. How great is that? We are all bound to fall sick and as long as we bear that aliment with patience we will earn Allah Al-Mighty's forgiveness. I'll take that!

One of my favorite surahs (chapters) of the Qur'an is chapter 94 Ash-Sharh: Solace or The Relief. When I think of patience I think of this surah.

Surah 94: Ash-Sharh

"1. Did We not expand for you, your breast?, 2. and We removed from you, your burden 3. which had weighed upon your back 4. and raised high for you, your repute. 5. For indeed, with hardship (will be) ease. 6. Indeed, with hardship (will be) ease. 7. So when you have finished (your duties), then stand up. (For worship). 8. And to your Lord direct (your) longing."

When you have endured your hardships, whatever they may be, with patience, Allah will grant you ease. You  must be patient and know that Allah is the ultimate planner. Whenever any of us are conflicted with hardships and find it hard to be patient we should look to our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace be upon him). His life was full of trials and hardships, but Allah has granted him eternal ease, the best ease of all, paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) spent 12 years of his life preaching the message of Islam, often times to those who opposed his messaged and persecuted him until his death. He slept on a mattress made of palm tree leaves and often only had a few drops of milk to nourish himself with. Throughout all of this, he never became impatient with Allah. 

InshAllah in the future I'll talk more in-depth about patience in Islam. Please let me know what other topics you'd like to read about. 

Share a time where you had to be patient. 

Take care all, 

~Hijabi Butterfly~