Salam Alekum everyone :)

I got a very interesting message from an old friend from university last night---rather unexpected! :) She's currently a  law student and dating a nice British Asian* guy. She made it very clear that she is not considering Islam because he happens to be Muslim, but rather through reading the Quran has felt that "spark" of knowledge, truth and unity that many of us can identify with.

For myself this came upon reading:

"Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians -- whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor shall they grieve" (2:62)

She is asking me for advice and my experiences in regards to reverting to Islam and being Muslim, she doesn't even feel she can tell her closest for friends. One thing that we definately have in common is that we are both socially and politically very liberal. Or in short: supportive of government funded social resources i.e healthcare, pro-gay civil union ("marriage", equal rights) environmentally conscious etc--you get it.

My big fear for her, as it is for many western reverts, is that she will indeed find the truth in Islam but be completely turned off (as I almost was) by how conservative and close minded some Muslims are in regards to very real and important social issues. No offence to you if you happen to be conservative, I am speaking purely here of the  lay Muslims, Imams and "scholars" for whom everything is haraam. The sort who think virtually everything in and about the west is wrong, read The Quran literally without much regard to pluralities [in meaning] and the context of revelation and the possibilities an exegisis and practice that nurtures rather than condemns those of us with 'blended' social/religious values.

I would like to know, what would you tell my (or your) friends who had questions about Islam? What would you suggest she do if she does revert? What would you suggest she avoid? Of course, I have some ideas---but certainly there is something yet to cross my mind.

Cheers and Iman fi Allah,

Samantha***

*Second, third...generation Desi (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) person born/raised in England.