5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming Muslim

Reflections from a revert who's still learning (and unlearning).

1. Islam is perfect. Muslims aren’t.
If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be this. People will disappoint you. They’ll judge you, let you down, and sometimes confuse culture with religion. But that isn’t Islam. That’s human-ness. Pin your faith to Allah — not the people around you... otherwise you will lose faith very fast.

2. You don’t have to become a whole new person overnight.
There’s this unspoken pressure like you’ve got to wear everything, know everything, pray everything immediately. But faith is a journey — not a costume change. You’re allowed to grow in steps. Allah sees your effort even when others don’t.... and remember, Allah loves consistency - even small deeds done often is far more loved than a huge deed done once!

3. Your past still matters — and it can serve you.
For a while, I felt like my life before Islam had to be hidden in shame. But the truth is, your story matters. It’s shaped you. Allah brought you through all of it for a reason. You’re not starting from scratch — you’re starting with strength.

4. You will grieve the old you — and that’s okay.
Reverting feels like a gain and a loss all at once. You may lose friends, family, habits, ways of being. That’s grief. And it’s real. But what you’re building now? It’s worth more than what you’re leaving behind.

5. You’re not alone, even when it feels like it.
There are so many of us — reverts/converts, quiet seekers, women holding it down without a big community. Reach out. Pray for sisterhood. And if you’re ever reading this with a heavy heart, know that I wrote it for you.

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