I didn't know where else to post this but I wanted to share with you the private chat I had with two men on the site. I copied and pasted into an email draft so I wouldn't lose it. I thought it was quite funny. My chat name was Lynn but somehow it changed to I am in Ireland.
It seemed to be going well til I said I wouldn't condem my gay friend!
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You are now chatting with 'Tariq'
Tariq: Hello. Welcome to our live chat.
Tariq: How can I assist you today?
you: hello tariq. where are you speaking from? :-)
i am in ireland: i am in ireland
Tariq: We are based in Saudi Arabia.
Tariq: Are you a born Muslim, a convert, or a non-Muslim?
i am in ireland: oh ok. non-muslim. i seem to have changed my name on the screen, anyway I have been researching online about Islam and find it very interesting
Tariq: From what you have known so far, do you feel Islam is the true religion of God?
i am in ireland: I am not sure, it's a little confusing
Tariq: What confuses you?
i am in ireland: i dunno, its kinda hard to explain. i like the idea of inner peace and contentment but islam seems to have a lot of restrictions and rules
Tariq: It's true Islam covers all life but these are restrictions if you know them. they are guidelines and this is what all life into acts of worship.
Tariq: The concept of worship in Islam is more inclusive than other religions. It includes all the activities of life not just the familiar acts of worship like prayer, fasting and charity. For example, kind treatment to the neighbours, the wife, friends and work mates is a form of worship if it was done to please God. The list goes on to include many other things like sleeping, feeding your children or even having a sexual intercourse with your spouse. All these are acts of worship in Islam. Other religions are mere personal relations between Man and whatever deity is worshipped. I slam is a whole way of life.
i am in ireland: oh ok
Tariq: For example, the process of urination and defecation can annul our prayers to God if we don't purify properly. so we are told how to do this.
i am in ireland: it must take a very long time to do wudu and say the prayers correctly?
Tariq: no, it's not at all.
i am in ireland: plus i cant speak arabic
Tariq: These things are made easy for beginners in many ways
Tariq: So long as you believe in the basics of Islam like belief in one God, His Messengers, Books, Angels, the Last Day and so on you can convert and continue learning after this.
i am in ireland: like what? learning materials?
Tariq: do you believe in these?
Tariq: yes
i am in ireland: I believe in God for definite but I need to do some research on the other things., there is so much information to take in
Tariq: Can I have your e-mail address, please? I'd like to send you some recommended readings.
i am in ireland: ok.
Tariq: ok
Tariq: Can I know your first name, please?
i am in ireland: Lynn, I have a pet dog,and believe they regarded as unclean in islam?
Tariq: I am sorry; I need to go now as my shift has come to an end. If you wish I can transfer you to my colleague.
i am in ireland: ok thanks
Please wait while I transfer the chat to 'Kamil'.
You are now chatting with 'Kamil'
Kamil: Hello, I am Kamil. I will be continuing with you. Please feel free to ask.
i am in ireland: Hello Kamil
i am in ireland: I was speaking to tariq about my interest in Islam and he was gonna email me some info
Kamil: I see.
Kamil: Can I know your first name, please?
i am in ireland: my name is Lynn
Kamil: Have you read about Islam before?
i am in ireland: Yes but there is a lot of info to take in
Kamil: Yes.
Kamil:
I think at this stage you do not need to go in such details. You should focus on the fundamentals. And if you agree with them then accept Islam. And once you are a Muslim you can always increase in knowledge. This is my sincere advice to you.
Kamil: None of us know when death may overtake us. And we do not want to die in a state when God is not pleased with us. So the most important thing for you is to embrace Islam.
i am in ireland: it seems a very strict religion though, especially for women
Kamil: The truth is that Islam elevated the status of women more than 14 centuries ago. Islam prohibited female infanticide, which was rampant in Arabia. It gave women the same status as man in creation.
Kamil: In matters of piety or spirituality, it declared that God alone is the Judge, as he best knows the hearts. Islam put an end to several crimes and injustices directed at women.
Kamil: In addition to that, Islam legislated that women could inherit and could own assets. It also legislated that a woman’s wealth was her property and no one could take it.
Kamil: According to Islam, no matter how wealthy a woman could be, her clothing, protection, and sustenance is the responsibility of her husband if she is married or her father or brothers if otherwise.
Kamil: Several verses of the Qur’aan were revealed commanding the believing men to be kind, just and pardoning etc to the women. The Prophet also guided his followers to good treatment of females.
Kamil: Islam gives respect to women at every stage of her life – when she is a daughter, when she is a wife, and when she becomes a mother.
Kamil: The evidence of Islam’s honourable treatment of women are too many to mention here, but the fact is evident. Islam continues to resurge in a manner unprecedented in the last 1000 years.
Kamil: What is amazing is that inspite of the accusations against Islam and its treatment of women, the number of women accepting Islam exceeds men!
i am in ireland: i feel like i would not be good enough and be a disappointment to God
Kamil: Don't ever despair of God's mercy.
Kamil: I am glad that you are not taking this decision lightly and want to accept Islam the correct way. But at the same time, it is enough for a person to accept Islam if they believe in Islam and are ready to act upon it, such as the prayer.
Kamil: During the time of Prophet Muhammad, people would accept Islam after knowing it to be the truth, and then once they accepted, they took to learning the prayers and reforming their lives.
Kamil: This is also what I suggest to you, as this is also what God wants. If you do believe that Islam is the truth, then you should never delay accepting it. Upon doing that, you should try your best to learn what is expected of you as a Muslim and do your best to follow. All we Muslims fall short, as we are human, but when we do, we turn to God in repentance making firm intention not to return to that sin, and God is All-forgiving.
i am in ireland: also I would find it hard to adopt hijab, I already dress conservatively but I would feel strange walking in public with my head covered.
Kamil: It's best if you can start wearing the Hijab, that is the Islamic dress code for women. Islam believes that a woman’s body is her temple as well as her hair, and she should not expose of either, this is why she keeps herself covered and should only be seen by her husband.
Kamil: But if you are in a situation where you feel it may expose you to some harm, then you can delay it until you get stronger or are in a better position. In the beginning you must at least wear it when you pray.
i am in ireland: I wanted to find out how to pray in english and the correct movements, also prayer times
Kamil: One does not have to know a lot to be a Muslim. If you believe that there is only One True God who deserves to be worshiped and Muhammad is His true Prophet and Messenger, and that Islam is the true religion of God, then you should embrace Islam without further delay. You can learn the other things after accepting Islam.
Kamil: After you convert, we will help you get started as a new Muslim. We will send you an email with useful e-books for new Muslims as well as links and info on prayers etc.
Kamil: We will also send you a free package with a translation of the Holy Quran, a DVD on how to pray and a set of books.
i am in ireland: Oh I dont have much money right now
Kamil: It's free I said.
i am in ireland: oh sorry
i am in ireland: lol i didnt see that bit. it sounds very informative
Kamil: Yes.
i am in ireland: also i am not sure i could fast during ramadan, I am diabetic
Kamil: So long as there is a will, there is a way.
Kamil: These are all excuses that Satan is putting in your way.
i am in ireland: the shaytan? is that satan?
Kamil: You need to ignore them, and think of the greater good involved in converting to Islam.
Kamil: Yes.
i am in ireland: If I were to get married would he have to be muslim also?
Kamil: Yes.
i am in ireland: there's a mosque about 50 miles away from me but women are allowed to pray in the home?
Kamil: Yes.
Kamil: Which city are you in?
i am in ireland: Northern Ireland
i am in ireland: Belfast Islamic centre is the closest
Kamil: Okay,
i am in ireland: I would like to visit it someday
Kamil: That would be good.
i am in ireland: there's no mulim community close by so I would feel kinda isloated
Kamil: True.
Kamil: But you always have us here online
i am in ireland:
thanks. also would other muslims accept me as I wasn't born muslim?
Kamil: It always brings Muslims great joy when we hear of anyone wishing to convert to Islam. Muslims want to rush to tell their friends and family about this wonderful news. Muslims always love to hear how others converted to Islam. So for sure you will be greatly welcomed to Islam.
i am in ireland: that's good to know.
Kamil: Islam is for the whole of humanity. Islam unites together people of different colours, languages, races, and nationalities into one brotherhood.
Kamil: God says: "Indeed the Believers are but brothers." [Qur'an 49:10]
Kamil: So you will be our sister in Islam when you convert to Islam.
i am in ireland: I was thinking of going back to college to furthur my education next year, will I still be able to after conversion?
Kamil: Yes, why not?
Kamil: Actually, in university you will find many Muslims, and there should even be a Muslim Students Society.
i am in ireland: oh it would just be a local college, its a pretty small town I live in
Kamil: Okay.
i am in ireland: if you try to do your best at all times will Allah be pleased with you?
Kamil: Yes
i am in ireland: I have some bad habits I am trying to quit :-)
Kamil: definitely you will get reward on this.
Kamil: Islam is the way of life in simple terms. The way which God has created and want us to adopt and to walk on.
i am in ireland: It's coming up to maghrib prayer time here. I would like to say them to the best of my ability. i am going to look up translation
i am in ireland: I am unsure how to face east though, I am not good with direction
Kamil: You can use google earth and it will tell you even where you have to face exactly.
i am in ireland: ok what should i typeon google eart
Kamil: you have to type your address and tag with with pin
i am in ireland: ok ty
Kamil: and then you have to connect that with Makkah with the house of Allah. It will give you exact direction.
Kamil: for more details how to do this you can search on google.
i am in ireland: I have one concern, I have a friend who is a homosexual and has been a good friend to me. do I have to break our friendship?
Kamil: Well you have to teach your friend whatever wrong he/she is doing as you will be asked about your duties on the day of judgment.
i am in ireland: I dont think my friend is doing wrong.
Kamil: Why not?
Kamil: do you think he/she is doing something natural according the human nature?
i am in ireland: because love is love and if she is gay it's because she was made that way by God
Kamil: No God hasn't made anyone gay. This is how someone made him/herself
i am in ireland: I am sorry I don't agree with that. I don't think ANYBODY would choose to be gay, not with all the prejudicwe they have to face in society
i am in ireland: are u still there Kamil?
Kamil: Yes I'm here. But sorry I have number of chats to deal with.
i am in ireland: oh ok. well it's prayer time very soon and i am going to try to pray correctly. thanks for talking to me
Kamil: You are welcome.
Topic: My live chat on conversion site