Frequently Heard Excuses
EXCUSE:
Islam will be too difficult for me.
ANSWER:
Islam is not difficult.
Allah said, “He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the reli gion any difficulty. It is the religion of your father, Abraham.” (Quran, Chapter 22, Verse 78)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “I have been sent with pure monotheism and the religion of ease.” Examples of ease in Islam:
❖ The Prayer: One prayer may take five minutes; thus, a day’s worth of prayer may only require 30 minutes of your day. If you are incapa ble of standing for the prayer due to sickness, injury, or old age; you are allowed to pray sitting or lying down. If you are sick, you can combine your prayers. While traveling, you can shorten and combine your prayers.
❖ Fasting: Those who are sick or elderly—and unable to fast the month of Ramadan—are excused from fasting. Persons traveling, experiencing temporary illnesses, or who are pregnant can make up the fast during later days.
EXCUSE:
Islam is a religion for Arabs.
ANSWER:
Eighty percent of Muslims worldwide are non-Arabs. Thus, you find Muslims of all races, colors, nationalities, and economic backgrounds in every part of the world. Islam is a universal religion. Prophet Muham mad was sent to all the people of the earth regardless of their race, cul ture, ethnicities, or geographical location. Allah said in the Quran, “Say (O Muhammad) ‘O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all.’” (Quran, Chapter 7, Verse 158).
EXCUSE:
Islam will prevent me from the enjoyment of the world.
ANSWER:
Islam is moderate—being neither neglectful nor extreme—and Muslims live normal ordinary lives. Islam does not forbid us from enjoying the amenities of life. It shifts the focus to our ultimate goal, which is the everlasting, unimaginable enjoyment of Paradise. The only place where sickness, sadness, and old age do not exist. Therefore, we attempt to abstain from the temporary desires of the world if these vices will dis tract us from reaching our ultimate goal.
EXCUSE:
I enjoy pork.
ANSWER:
The One who created the pig has infinite wisdom for why He forbade the consumption of pork. From His mercy, He provided us with count less other meat options; to include the aquatic animals of the ocean, cattle, poultry, sheep, and goats. Likewise, He gave us fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, dairy, and other foods. It is sufficient for the Muslim to avoid pork simply because his Lord commanded him to do so. If your physician advised you to avoid certain foods to improve your health, wouldn’t the sensible person comply? Although eating pork is a sin in Islam, it does not prevent someone from becoming Muslim. So even if you may need time to wean yourself off pork, you can still embrace Islam today.
EXCUSE:
I have too many bad habits and sins to embrace Islam at the moment.
ANSWER:
Embracing Islam saves the individual from the gravest of all sins, which is the worship of other than Allah. Once you enter Islam, you can gradually continue your self-improvement with the aid of Allah. Don’t delay.
Delaying something until tomorrow only benefits those who can guarantee they will live to see tomorrow. Embracing Islam while maintaining your bad habits is better than not embracing Islam at all.
EXCUSE:
My family and friends may disapprove.
ANSWER:
As individuals, we make personal choices that might go against the ex pectations and plans our families envisioned for us, such as those con cerning our career, education, even our choice for a spouse. We say,.
“This is my life and I have to do what is best for me.”.
I say to you, the religion of Islam came to provide humanity with pros perity in this life and the Hereafter. Therefore, the decision to embrace Islam is the best decision you will ever make. Don’t jeopardize your wellbeing and happiness in this life and the Hereafter fearing the disap proval of others. A true loved one, a true friend, would respect your de cision. I pray that Allah blesses you with true guidance.
I also encourage you to pray directly to the Creator. Ask Him to open your heart. Ask Him for His guidance.
How can anyone go wrong seeking guidance from the All-Mighty, Ever-living God?
God said, “O My servants, all of you are astray except those whom I have guided, so seek guidance from Me and I shall guide you.” Here is a simple prayer that will not take much of your time.
O God, guide me to the correct path and save me from misguidance