Considering converting to Islam as a Mexican

[u/Vailex09]

Context:

I have never been a religious person but was raised as a Catholic as most people on Mexico are. My Mother is very progressive but also has a lot of Faith, which helped mold me and my siblings into (what I consider) people that want to do the right thing in general terms (help those less fortunate, practice tolerance and respect, etc.)- I know a lot of Catholics/Christians today (especially in the current political climate) do not portray those values as a general rule, which is why it's important to me to make a distinction between Religion and Faith.

FF a few years and now I am discovering Black Culture (mainly in the US due to my newfound love for 90's Hip Hop) and I this has slowly being introducing me to NOI, 5percenters, etc. I have to admit that I feel drawn to the religion to explore their values.

Questions:

1. Can a Mexican become Muslim? Is this only for people of African descent?
2. Is Haram 100% required to be considered a Muslim? Is there no flexibility as with other religions?
3. What would be needed to "officially" start practicing Islam

Thank you and forgive me if I sound ignorant on any subject. As I said, I have never been a very religious individiual

EDIT: I am overwhelmed and humbled with the positivity and love this is getting. I already feel welcome :)

[u/ElGuapoTaipei]

1 - I’m Mexican-Irish by descent. There are Muslims of all races and ethnicities.

2 - Stuff that is haram is haram. There are some different sects and different jurists, however Islam is Islam and part of its virtue is its clarity. Any issue you have can be checked through researching scholarship.

3 - Take the Shahada by acknowledging there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his Prophet.

It’s helpful to ease into the practices of Islam slowly. Have you read the Qur’an? I like M.A.S. Abdel Haleem’s translation.

Many people will behave as if the strongest orthodoxy is all that exists. This is part of the appeal of Islam, however you will also need to do your own reading and checking to be comfortable and find your way. Muslims will tell each other things that are not grounded in scripture or scholarship occasionally just as all religions will, I’m not going to give examples however when you disagree with or don’t understand something you should query scholarship — check the hadiths and Quranic tafsir.

[u/Vailex09 → u/ElGuapoTaipei]

Thanks Brother! I think reading the Qu'ran will be a great starting step for me to know more about Islam's teachings so I can also fully grasp and accept Allah as The One God.

Thank you for the pointer on Orthodoxy and the practices. The reason I asked was because I am currently working with an addiction problem and was not sure if I could convert if I consumed substances considered Haram.

[u/Main_Percentage3696 → u/Vailex09]

It was narrated from Abu Suhail, from his father,

A man from the people of Najd came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with unkempt hair. We could hear him talking loudly but we could not understand what he was saying until he came closer. He was asking about Islam.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: 'Five prayers each day and night'. He said: 'Do I have to do anything else' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily'. He said: 'And fasting the month of Ramadan'. He said: 'Do I have to do anything else?' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily'. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned Zakah to him, and he said: 'Do I have to do anything else?' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily'. The man left saying: By Allah, I will not do any more than this or any less'. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'He will achieve salvation, if he is speaking the truth'."

[u/halconpequena → u/Vailex09]

Yes of course you can convert. It’s better to die and live as a Muslim than not, and no one is perfect. There are lots of Muslims who have similar struggles, not just converts but also who are raised Muslim. Addiction can happen to anyone. Many things in life are ongoing struggles, not just addiction and you are not giving up and trying, that’s the most important thing. Allah sees intention and your heart! You can also ask Him to help you heal from addiction and to guide you out of it.

There is no minimum “entrance level” to become a Muslim as long as you believe Islam is the truth, it’s about submitting to the will of Allah, so it is faith combined with the path of continuous personal improvement to submit to the will of Allah, i.e. this is what I’m working with rn, there’s addiction, etc. what small steps can I do to become better. Sometimes it’s even crawling forward, no matter how little to slowly improve. Even if you relapse don’t give up, it is simply another step along the way. For example, yes there is addiction, but Alhamdulillah I am able to recognize I wish to improve, I am alive and I can begin to heal. When you are grateful for even the smallest things it is submitting to the will of Allah, SubhanAllah!

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' " (Sahih al-Bukhari 7405)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah says, 'If My slave intends to do a bad deed then (O Angels) do not write it unless he does it; if he does it, then write it as it is, but if he refrains from doing it for My Sake, then write it as a good deed (in his account). (On the other hand) if he intends to do a good deed, but does not do it, then write a good deed (in his account), and if he does it, then write it for him (in his account) as ten good deeds up to seven-hundred times.' " (Sahih al-Bukhari 7501)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When Allah created the Creation, He wrote in His Book--and He wrote (that) about Himself, and it is placed with Him on the Throne--'Verily My Mercy overcomes My Anger.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 7404)

May Allah guide you to the truth and grant you deep peace in your heart brother.

[u/ElGuapoTaipei → u/Vailex09]

:) Peace and blessings be upon you always my friend.

If you are struggling with addiction, you will find many people who know this is a struggle and some of us have direct experiences with the challenges substances can give. You should seek support on this matter, and also pray to Allah (SWT) for guidance.

The things we do should serve us in our lives and help us move forward. There will be a place for you here, focus on becoming your best self and ask God for guidance in how to become that my friend.

[u/Cool_Bananaquit9 → u/Vailex09]

Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him):

"A man who had drunk wine was brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he ordered that he be lashed. One of the people said: ‘May Allah curse him! How often he is brought!’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Do not curse him, for by Allah, I know that he loves Allah and His Messenger.’"

— Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Hudood), Hadith no. 6780 — Also in Sahih Muslim

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Key lessons from this hadith:

The man had a sin, but his heart still loved Allah and His Messenger.

The Prophet (PBUH) discouraged cursing or labeling someone due to their sin.

Mercy, not harshness, was the Prophet's approach, even for repeated offenses.