Section 5.5: Hindu: Finally I Have to Unwillingly Revert to Islam

Section 5.5: Hindu: Finally I Have to Unwillingly Revert to Islam

At InterfaithShaadi.org, the majority of posts (more than 700) and comments are related to non-Muslim-to-Muslim marriages. Considering this is a major subject of interest, the author has included real life experiences of 55 couples in such relationships in this book. Interfaith dating couples should read these real life experiences and decide their own path forward.

Ayesha (former Deepa) says:

I am married to a Muslim guy for last eight months and reverted (converted) to Islam five months ago. I met my husband during college days almost seven years ago and spent some good time as a very great friend together. When college was over we separated. We were passively in contact until we met face to face two years ago. This time when we started to spend time together, we ended getting married through the Special Marriage Act 1954.

He never talked about Islam ever and religious conversion was far of the talk but there was good opposition from my family stating that it would be very difficult for me to settle in a Muslim family. I didn’t pay heed to them and thought will manage some how but unfortunately my parents’ family was true. When I entered my in-laws house, I faced hostility and non-cooperation and very much unfriendly environment. My mother-in-law wanted me to revert to Islam and my hubby’s sister suggested me to do so to be accepted in the family. My husband was silent.

I asked my husband to move in separate apartment but he refused to move since he cannot leave his family and I cannot leave my husband. So after 3 months finally I had to give up and unwillingly revert to Islam. I was given a new name “AYESHA” and had a nikaah. After that my life changed completely. I was compelled to leave my job; I did that.

Now my in-laws are becoming friendlier and happier. My Mother-in-law taught me to offer salah (prayer) that I have to do compulsorily five times. There is no chance of missing any of those salah. In free time she teaches me Koran and hadiths. There are many restrictions applied to me. I have to wear black gown called abaya and hijab and if I don’t, they get angry. Also whenever going outside or at home, I have to wear hijab and abaya, a new experience from jeans. They haven’t asked me to wear a veil yet but I won’t be able to escape from it for long.

Most of my documents like passport and voter-Id card have new identity of me. My name of Ayesha has been added in Ration card, and I have applied Adhar (Indian identity) card as same. My old identity has been almost erased, except from my mind.

I am also going away from Hindu identity to a Muslim one. There are occasion of unhappiness and often suffocation but I have to live with it. My parents are very sad about it but they haven’t abandoned me yet completely but I am now hardly in any contact with them.

Only saving grace is my husband. There is no attitude change from his side. He still loves me same that was earlier although he sometimes advises me to go to some Islamic seminary to learn more about Islam, so that my life can be easier in a new shell but no force.

Anybody marrying a Muslim must keep in view that it’s not easy to go with this kind of marriages and have to often sacrifice. Woman shares most of the portion of sacrifice. —Ayesha

Ayesha says (3 months later): I don’t have any attachment for any faith… I am just practicing Islam casually. —Ayesha

Ayesha says (6 months later): Hi Admin, I was aware that it won’t be easy to get accepted by the mother-in-law of mine. Anyways if I had not reverted our marriage would have not lasted long, may be a year or two. Now I hope it can go long as I wish. Now I don’t have any complaints. It was favorable to me as I am now compatible to Islam and its tradition. I am happy. —Ayesha

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