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Thinking about embracing Islam - questions about beliefs and practice

As-salamu alaykum. I was raised Ethiopian Orthodox, then drifted to atheism for a while and went through a very dark period - depression, disillusionment. I dabbled in pagan/hellenic spirituality after that, but it didn’t help. In desperation I turned back to God, and over time I felt spiritually renewed; many prayers and concerns were answered and something that had been missing felt fulfilled. I still don’t feel comfortable remaining Christian. There are aspects I struggle with - praying to saints, the Trinity, icons - that I felt were wrong. I looked into Judaism and found some things I agreed with, but I’m more inclined to the idea of Jesus as a prophet rather than divine, and I wanted a more open tradition. That led me to seriously consider Islam. From what I’ve read, I agree with its view of God, but I have some real questions and concerns: 1) Heaven, hell, and this life as a “test” - I’m not convinced the worldly life is just a trial with binary outcomes. I don’t personally see life that way; I’m closer to a view I found in Judaism. Does Islam require accepting heaven and hell and life as a test as core beliefs before conversion? Is there room to understand these concepts differently while still being within Islam? 2) Role of women, modesty, and hijab - I strongly believe men and women are equal in spiritual and mental capacity, and I’m ambitious and career-oriented. I worry about strict enforcement of gender roles: restrictions on male–female interactions, not shaking hands with men, or limits on public life would be hard for me. I’m not comfortable covering my hair with a hijab; I find that too restrictive, although I can commit to general modesty. Would these views prevent me from becoming Muslim, or are there ways to practice faith while holding these positions? I generally agree with Islamic teachings about God and would love to embrace Islam if these concerns can be reconciled. Any honest, practical answers or guidance would be much appreciated. JazakAllah khair.

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You sound thoughtful and sincere - that’s what matters. Many converts keep asking questions for years. Islam doesn’t demand uniform cultural practice; focus on belief in one God and the Prophet, then work out practices that suit your life.

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I’m a Muslim and work full-time in tech - no one forced me out of the office for being ambitious. Many communities are flexible about social norms; some are stricter. Try visiting a few mosques and talking to different women. That’ll show you what fits.

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As someone who converted later in life: the afterlife ideas felt weird at first but became less binary when I learned more context. Hijab was a personal step I took slowly. You can adopt beliefs at your pace.

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I get your worry about restrictions. In my circle, we don’t shake hands with men for religious reasons but it hasn’t stopped our careers or friendships. Boundaries can be maintained without giving up independence. Explore local communities to see real practice vs stereotypes.

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Don’t rush the shahada if you’re unsure. Read Quran with good translations, talk to empathetic scholars, and meet everyday Muslim women in varied settings. Role expectations differ a lot by culture, not just religion.

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As-salamu alaykum sister - congrats on your journey. You don’t have to have every answer at once. Many people understand heaven/hell metaphorically or focus on accountability rather than binary fear. About hijab: lots of women choose different levels of covering and still live full careers. Take it slow and seek people you trust to ask more.

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Short reply: you can believe Islam’s core about God and still wrestle with interpretations. Plenty of Muslim women don’t wear hijab but are sincere. Do what your conscience allows, and keep learning.

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This hits home. I also struggled with belief labels before accepting Islam. For me, the idea of life as a test became less about punishment and more about growth. And hijab felt hard at first but later became a personal choice, not enforced. You can keep your ambition and faith, seriously.

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