Nine Lessons for New Converts/Reverts to Islam

7. You are the trophy Muslim (I know, it’s annoying)

“How long have you been Muslim? How did you convert?” These are two questions you are going to hear for the rest of your life, so have the edited monologue ready.  Every time people ask you these questions, their eyes light up.  They want you to move them and give them their daily īmān-boost with your magical story, and suddenly you feel some pressure to perform.  You don’t have to.

While I encourage you to be polite, understand that you aren’t putting on a show to make others else feel good about themselves or Islam.  Keep it short and simple.  Other people will patronize you in the beginning when they hear you’ve been Muslim for a few years, and may ask you basic questions, assuming you know nothing.  They are well intentioned, but have a response ready, that is polite but also ends the conversation.  You don’t have to stand there and smile and endure this time and again.  Be nice but brief, and know that you don’t have to share any details of your life or conversion that you don’t want to.

Next: Be careful who you marry.