My name’s Matthew Drake (Matt for short). I’m from Wokingham, Berkshire in England and I embraced Islam in 2005 when I was 19 years old. When I look back to when I first became muslim nearly two decades ago, I realize that I made a lot of mistakes along the way. And more often than not, these incidents were a direct result of a lack of Islamic knowledge or a lack of knowing how to apply Islam correctly in my life, either because of my own ignorance of the religion or because of the bad advice I received from other muslims who, despite the good intentions they may have had, were ill-informed themselves or had a lack of understanding. This, in addition to the excessive zeal I had as a new muslim, as well as immaturity and a lack of life experience, all contributed to me going to extremes in aspects of the religion, obligating or prohibiting things in my life that I didn’t have to, getting into arguments and debates with other people, ruining friendships and upsetting family members. Mistakes were made, damage was caused and people were hurt unnecessarily. But as time went on and the more I learned about Islam and lived my life as a muslim and the general life experience I gained, I began to understand the mistakes I made and where and how I went wrong. After graduating from the Islamic University of Madinah back in 2014, I felt a need to give back to muslim communities and contribute to the Islamic call but wasn’t sure what to do. I would often think back to the early days of my Islam, the mistakes I made and how I would have done things differently had I had known then what I know now. So the idea came about for ‘Revert Podcast’ a project aimed at helping new muslims and muslim reverts in general, by educating them more about Islam and how to practice it. By returning back to the Quran, authentic Hadith and works of the great scholars of Islam, I hope to shed some light on key issues that affect reverts, clarify any misunderstandings they may have and teach some of the basics of Islam. I don’t claim to be a scholar or ‘sheikh’ and I don’t give religious verdicts. My goal is simply to convey Islamic knowledge that is most relevant to muslim reverts – within my capacity – and to help them on their journey. I hope this initiative can help serve as a guide to reverts and new muslims, and that by way of it, I can rectify some of the wrongs and help to prevent others from making the mistakes I made. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
What happens when someone becomes muslim whilst they're in a relationship with someone; such as being married, having a long term partner, or having a boyfriend or girlfriend?This person could be someone they love very dearly and care for. They may have been with eachother for many years, or even have children together.Does it mean that because one of them has become muslim and the other hasn't, that eveything comes to an end?The relationship's over and they have to seperate or divorce? Or can they still be together, living their lives as they did before? This episode is based on Ibn Qayyim's work ‘Ahkam Ahl al-Dhimma' as well as religious verdicts of contemporary scholars.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Once someone becomes muslim, what should they do next? Are there things they should do straight away, such as praying, changing their name or taking a shower or bath? Should they start dressing up in a certain way or prepare to move to a muslim country? Are there things that are more important to do than others? In this episode I speak about what someone should do once they've entered Islam.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
What if a non-muslim relative dies, such as a parent, child, sibling, uncle or aunt?Can a muslim attend their funeral?What about the funeral procession, the burial, cremation or visiting the grave afterwards?This episode is specifically regarding the funerals of non-muslim relatives and not other non-muslims (who aren't relatives).Following the funeral processions of non-muslim relatives, burying them or attending their burial are all matters that the great scholars of Islam have differed concerning.This episode presents the evidences of the scholars who hold that it is allowed for a muslim to follow the funeral processions of non-muslim relatives, bury them or attend their burial.There are also many muslim scholars who hold that all of these things are prohibited because they are all considered to be ‘honoring and revering' non-muslims (إكرام) and manifestations of having allegiance to non-muslims and showing loyalty to them (موالاة) which Allah the most high has forbidden. May Allah protect all the scholars of Islam and show mercy to those who have passed away.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Alcohol and other drug addictions, adultery and premarital relations, watching pornography, theft, violence, bad character traits like lying and backbiting as well as sicknesses of the heart like arrogance and envy can all be common practices for people before Islam and become serious demons to fight against when they become muslim.And many of us may strive to cut these bad habits out of our lives, and are even able to stop doing them for a while, but sooner or later, we end up going back to them. We know what we're doing is wrong, but just can't seem to stop doing it.In this episode I speak about some of the ways in which we can overcome the bad habits we have and the sins we commit.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
In this episode I speak about how and why I became a muslim.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
What is Islam's stance on joking? Is it allowed? Can someone be a practicing muslim and still joke around and have a laugh?What about practical jokes, stand up comedy or other types of humor?In this episode, I speak about humour and joking from an Islamic perspective.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
When a muslim falls into error, whether it's failing to do something they should do, or doing something they shouldn't, how do they deal with it?In this episode, I speak about how muslims can repent from sins they've committed.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Loneliness is something that many, if not all reverts feel at some point in their journey as a muslim.Without muslim family members or friends around to support them, they can often feel alone and isolated, which can sometimes make practicing their faith that much more of a challenge. In this episode, I speak about being lonely as a revert during religious festivals such as Ramadan and Eid and some of the ways reverts can deal with it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
What should reverts do about Arabic? Do they have to learn it or not?Can someone be a practicing muslim and not know Arabic? In this episode, I speak about whether or not muslims have to learn Arabic and some of the benefits that learning Arabic can provide for muslims.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Saying the shahada (the declaration of faith) to enter islam and become a muslim is often the easiest part for many reverts.It's staying on the path and remaining firm in Islam where many of us struggle. In this episode, I speak about some of the ways in which muslims can remain firm in their religion and continue to practice their faith.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
What does Islam say about recreation and leisure? Is it allowed? Can a muslim play sports, have hobbies or interests? Can someone truly be an upright, practicing muslim and still take part in recreational activities?In this episode I speak about recreation and leisure from an Islamic perspective.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Upon accepting Islam, many reverts might want to learn more about their faith, but aren't sure where to start or what to start learning about. They might also be encouraged to learn by other muslims but aren't shown exactly how to do this.And without proper guidance in this issue, a muslim might go on for years without learning anything or could even go astray.So upon accepting Islam, what should new muslims learn about? Are there some things that you have to or don't have to know? And do all muslims have to learn?In this episode I speak about what things new muslims should learn about.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
What should a revert do regarding their non-muslim friends they knew before Islam? How should they interact with them? Should they just wash their hands of them and abandon them? Or should they continue to accompany them and socialize with them?In this episode I speak about how to interact with non-muslim friends.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Dealing with non-muslim relatives can sometimes be the most difficult things new muslims have to cope with and if Allah's guidance isn't followed in this regard, it can often lead to more harm than good.Who are relatives in Islam? And how should a muslim interact with them? And what if they aren't muslim?In this episode I speak about how to interact with relatives in Islam and how a muslim should interact with them if they aren't muslim.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
How should a new muslim deal with their non-muslim parents? Should they treat them well or treat them badly? Should they cut them off or should they stay in contact?If they do stay in contact with them, then how can reverts deal with the harms they might face?And can they still love their non-muslim parents and relatives? In this episode I speak about the status of parents in Islam and how a muslim should interact with their non-muslim parents.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
When some people accept Islam, they might be quick to get involved in ‘dawah' - ‘propagation' and inviting others to Islam and encouraging people to follow them in their new way of life.They also might start having religious discussions and debates with their friends, family, colleagues and other people they meet. This can sometimes result in the new muslim being bombarded with questions they can't answer or even escalate to arguments and confrontations.And because the revert strongly believes that Islam is the truth and they want to defend it and not be ‘defeated' in argument or remain silent when asked questions, they might be tempted to say things about Islam, without actually knowing whether it's true or not or to say things they aren't sure about.In this episode I speak about what a muslim should do when they're asked questions they don't know the answer to.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
This is an introduction to who I am and what this podcast is about.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Is there a dress code in Islam? Is there a uniform or specific clothes Muslims should wear? Are there some clothes that aren't allowed? Are there rules or guidelines for clothing that muslims should follow?In this episode I speak about the general clothing guidelines for men and women in Islam, as well as specific guidelines for men.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
If someone decides to enter Islam, do they have to tell anyone? Is it a condition to announce their faith to the world in order to be deemed a true muslim? Or can they just keep it to themselves, especially if telling others might cause them some sort of harm? Or can they delay telling people they know until a more suitable time?In this episode I speak about whether or not new muslims should hide or announce their faith to others.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
What does Islam say about racism? Is it acceptable? Can a person actually be considered better than another, purely on the basis of their skin color or country of origin? And do we only have to associate with or marry people of our own country or race?In this episode I speak about Islam's stance on racism.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
Often one of the first things a new muslim is told to do when they enter Islam is change their name. Usually to an Arabic one or other “Islamic” sounding name.They might do this officially, by legally changing their birth name or unofficially by simply going by another name amongst people they know.But do new muslims have to change their names? Or can they just keep their birth name?In this episode I speak about changing names when entering Islam.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/revert-podcast--4998688/support.
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