Alhamdulillah I Converted - A Few Questions
السلام عليكم sisters, Alhamdulillah I became Muslim yesterday and I’m still processing everything. I was a bit shy to ask the shaykh some practical things, so I hope you don’t mind me asking here. First, I’m worried about hijab. How serious is it if I can’t wear it all the time right away? I grew up Catholic and haven’t told my family I converted, so I’ll be hiding it for now. Sometimes I might not cover when I’m with them because most of my clothes are cropped or fitted and it’s hard to change that immediately. When I go out alone I’ll wear hijab, and once I’m living on my own I plan to be stricter about it. Is gradual change okay or is it a big issue? Second, I know zina is forbidden, but are there different expectations for women? I’ve heard some Muslim men talk casually about past relationships and high body counts and say they aren’t interested in marriage. I’m not a virgin myself, though I’ve been abstaining from intimate relations since I accepted Islam. (I will say I still do casual things like shaking hands or high fiving male friends sometimes.) How should I approach this part of my past and moving forward? Finally, could you share other things commonly considered haram besides drinking, pork, music, and immodest dressing? I want a clearer idea of what to avoid as I learn. Jazakum Allah khairan for any advice or personal experiences you can share. I appreciate your help and duas.