Converts To Islam

Latifah Abdullah

Assalam alaikum rahmatullah barakatuh

My name is Latifah Abdullah and I am 29 years old. Ive been muslimah for almost three years now.

I began to investigate Islam in high school. I was writing a paper on the differences between Islam and the nation of Islam. I didnt know that there was such a profound difference. Then I read the message to the black man by Elijah Muhammad. This book made me a better Christian for a few more years. Then I met my sons father and husband, and got a renewed interest in Islam. By this time I was twenty-five, pregnant, and wondering what kind of values I would give to my unborn child. I bought myself a Quran and a book on the deen of Islam. I read the Quran out loud to my stomach everyday. I found that the beauty of the message was too beautiful and I didnt know if Id ever be able to live up to the ideals that Allah (swt) has set out for us. I was struck by how easy and beautiful the deen is. The language of it held me. I decided to raise my child as a Muslim/Muslimah. I had my baby, a son, and still had not converted. I still read the Quran to him everyday, he was colicky, and the Quran would calm him and put him to sleep. Then on December 26, 1999, I had a dream of being dressed in white on a lush green hillside. My husband was trying to talk to me about one of his friends insulting us because of our beliefs. I told his friend that it was the truth and to be quiet and listen to what the thousands of us were listening to. All of his questions

would be answered. It was the Quran being recited in Arabic that was the music in my dream. As I looked to the right, I saw my own personal Quran, shining with a pure light. The more the recitation went on the brighter my Quran glowed. I took this to be my time to come to Islam. I converted (reverted) January 16, 2000. The journey has not always been easy and coming up against traditional attitudes, I have often wanted to rip off my khimar (head covering) and just scream. That never lasts long because I know that Allah (swt) is where all of the answers are. I know that Allah (swt) guided me to the right path and that it is through His Grace that all is possible. I try to answer all questions put to me since 9/11 in a respectful manner, befitting a Muslimah, Islam is a mystery still to those in this country. I would not change a single thing that has happened in my life because all of it brought me to Allah (swt). I just wish we had a larger community here in my town.

Masalam

Holy Quran 20:10***
When he saw fire, he said to his family: Stop, for surely I see a fire, haply I may bring to you therefrom a live coal or find a guidance.***