The Muslim Convert Pledge

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Here are a few simple rules I keep to maintain sanity in a messed up ummah.  It would be especially useful for new converts to Islam. 

Converting to Islam means I am a Muslim.  I did not leave my cultural and ethnic heritage and become Arab, Pakistani, Somali, Turk, Malay, Kurd or whatever nationality. 

As a Muslim, the myriad cultural and historical baggage of the community are not suddenly my issues.  I have personal, family and immediate religious needs to be addressed.  Whilst I understand there are tragedies in the Muslim world, I am not going to leave everything behind and get involved in things I do not fully understand because “everybody” is doing it. 

I understand religion to be like a car.  And every driver is a soul.  I will not judge the car on the basis of the driver.  I do not see Islam on the basis of Muslims.  Rather, if there is any doubt, I try to find a reference in the example of the Prophet (s.a.w.). 

I will try my best to find good teachers.  And I will study the religion to the depths so that I can know my God.  This is also my shield against the next idiot and his personal fatwa with no basis in the religion.