British, Muslim and Converts 

6:50 "Not a convert, not a revert, just a muslim." "There is an idealisation of a white convert, which I want no part of". What a beautiful woman, what beautiful words.

Important lessons for all of us. We would not label reverts, we're just Muslims.

I am newly converted to Islam, I'm Italian, half black half white, my husband is british and he is with Pakistani background. I just want to say, as a complete outsider to many of the topics in this conversation, I say that I don't want to get into this nonsense mess created by humans ego and false understanding of the world. I don't want relate injustice, racism and ignorance with Islam. I see Islam as the most rightful religion / philosophy. All those topics and things being said really put me off. I don't want to be there. Thank you. keep up your good job.

36:30 This is spot on. This is what initially drove me out of Islam; the focus on the external over the internal. I found my way back after my own extensive research.

Brave and brutally honest points from Myriam.🙏

I am a Muslim from Libya, and I totally Respect my Sister Mariyam, May Allah bless her with the best life and Janna

Mashallah I'm blown away by sister Miriam example of the sheikh and his student. I once posted a comment about miram when I saw her without s hijab. May Allah forgive my short commings and me being judgemental.

The example of sheikh hamzah bought tears to my eyes I can just feel the pain of sister Miriam frustration. I am so so sorry as a born muslims we have not done justice to our brothers and sister's who became muslims. May Allah swt forgive us!

We are so sorry that sister miriam feels that born muslims sometimes become a burden of judgemental zealots. She is absaloutely right that every muslim has their own journey into islam and they have their own connection with Allah swt. May Allah swt make your journey easy and a prosperous one and he shower his infinite blessings on miriam and all the ppl who choose islam as the way of life!

I couldn’t recognise sister Maryam on this video. I saw her several times in Regent’s Park mosque with hijab on. I would like to thank her for sharing her experiences. I hope our born Muslim brothers can learn something valuable from this video.

Maryam has very important and valid observations. Beautyfully articulated. The so called born muslims must listen and feel sorry for their stupid behaviors

This girl has an awesome perspective on her Islam! More power to her ماشاءالله ☝️👍👍

Salam Myriam😍 ,I’m muslim and I love you beautiful sister MashaAllah. You Are a great muslimah. Allah bless you,and all people.Respect.

this life is short and temporary but there is eternal life after this

I realize with this discussion that NEW believers, especially womens, have to cross the desert twice to live their faith, first with their family and then with their new community. May God protect them.

MashAllah, articulate, hard-hitting, thought provoking and I could relate many times to what was shared.

WOW Masha Allah and Salams to all who set this up, very good initiative..

100% agree with brother, yes there are lots of opportunist around you to take advantage, spot on brother.

This discussion brings to light so many issues in the Muslim community that I feel like I could write a whole book about it. The bottom line is that in Britain the Muslim community should be led by well educated British Muslims who’re familiar with local culture. Kudos to Myriam and Ismael for giving us a lot of food for thought.

Great discussion . No matter whether you are born into the faith or find it later we all have to make a conscious decision to embrace it ourselves , in that sense were all reverts.

Very interesting. Thank you!

Interesting....Will carry on to finish this video. ....so far very interesting.

Wow what a lovely conversation. So much to learn for all Muslim Community, specially as a born Muslim towards other Muslims. The Best we can do as a born Muslim just pray and support each other instead of pointing others. May Allah Bless all Ummah and forgive us.

Mashallah very interesting discussion.

What happened to Myriam’s voice/accent!? She sounds like she’s from some east London ghetto now 😂

May Allah guide all of us and keep us steadfast up to the end.

masha allah welcome to Islam brother and sisters you can not imagine how lucky you are may the Almighty bless you and increase steadfast your faith

MashaAllah sisters and brothers. Good message.

Im a bit...confused. I havent seen Myriam Francois Cerrah in ...i want to say 4 years, and she seems _really_ differently. I dont just mean the makeup etc and no headscarf; her accent is _very_ different. It's gone from a fairly posh middleclass accent to a working class London accent, and it's really noticeable. Whats that all about? Sorry to not be commenting on the substance of the actual discussion, it just really threw me.

الحمدلله على نعمه الاسلام Thanks to all

I 100% support you and love your works ❤

Thank you to both sisters for sharing

masallah how lovely these british brothers and sisters, elhamdulillah ya Rabb please keep them on sirat-i mustakim.aminnnnnn

May God bless us!!

That God strengthens our faith all .

Jazakallah khairan for this stream, it so so insightful and very much needed of real life in having real conversations. I find Islam is perfect, unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance in the Muslim Communities that is alien to what Islam actually is. Muslims need to actually learn about the deen correctly with wisdom. The world has changed so much but the mentally has remained cultural tribal and post colonialism of very ridged thinking. May Allah protect us and guide us upon the straight path. Ameen.

May God reward you in this life and after life

Alhamdulillah, we are all Muslim, that we should be categorizing in any form convert or revert. great discussion. May Allah guide us we are one community that is Muslim

That anecdote of carrying the woman across the river was told to me but in a buddhist framework. It's always stayed with me

Assalamo Alaikum sister love you from India and REQUESTING all ummah to do Dawah works continue world wide and Build Islamic Schools to create more and more Zakir Naik and Ahmed Deedats like Islamic preachers to explain Islam betters to non muslims and muslims as well. May Allah Bless and protect you and make Dawah works easy for all Ameen

Great

Masha Allah sister! May Allah protect you!❤️🤲 Islam is a true religion.Islam religion of peace.Islam is the only religion that teaches love and humanity.❤️❤️❤️

Yes I completely agree with sister Miriam, islam is journey for everyone even for the born Muslims.... absolutely right faith isn't a constant thing its a continuous rollercoaster ride ..one minute up and next minute down, I guess its because of the various tests Allah put us in our life....its been this way for everyone whether youre an born muslim or not ......me myself lets say became a real muslim and started learning about real islamic teachings in my teens and Islam is still a journey and learning path for me...

Very sad about our Muslim society. We all need to introspect deeply constantly and correct ourselves .

MASHALLAH LOVE YOU RESPECT YOU All, ALLHAMDULILLAH we born MUSLIM.,Butt You're very much Better than Us YOU are Speacial human beings ALLAH Bless you All, AMEEN

I think , “ enjoining good and forbidding evil” is best when applied to one’s self.

Beautiful conversation🤲💕💖🇹🇲🇹🇳🇵🇸🇮🇶

Righ right gaes. LoL🤣🤣🤣. True, true and true. LoL🤣🤣🤣 how Myriam talked really captivating.I on the same page. Truly loving this discussion.

Habluminallah, Habluminannas. I love the discussion. Even in Indonesia it happened, My friend from school think I am secular. I believe in monogamy while my friend is ok with polygamy. The good thing he is still in monogamy state. He think because i had studied abroad, I become more liberal😊 and my friend is really a smart person. So I remind him about Al Hujurat : 11.

MasyAllah Alhamdulillah Allahuakbar rezeki kita amin

Mashallah, Much respect for alll of and So proud of all you especially sister Myriam , Mashallah she brilliant 🙏❤️

I wish, tone of the podcast was towards positivity.

machaa allah alhamdo lillah ☝❤🌴🌷🍒

Assalam Alykum I’m from India very happy see you all Allah bless you sisters. Alhamdolillah

IERA ARE GOOD FOR NEW MUSLIMS. I KNOW the PEOPLE behind the scenes they are legit good brothers who will help you.

Respect

iam amazed by this myriam

Nice video 👍

ASA I lived in KSA for 3 years.. I am saddened by these stories..it was the best time of my life..... I ignored any strange people...made it personal and spiritual for me...I urge you to all go and make it personal...ignore the gov..make that connection with Allah SWT... let HIM be your host...I did it...just do it..dont not let politics or Iblees stop you...

Very good discussion. Always find out what Islams says, not what a muslim says. Since all muslim groups have a culture attached to them, they will try to blend their culture with Islam and present it as Islam to the other people. So one has to be smart enough to distiguish between culture and Islam.

Masha allah

mashaa Allah sisters

Sorry to hear sister- not all Muslim is perfect and may Allah guide them. Believe me they are struggling too

Al Baqarah 216, Al Hujurat 11-18. Barakallah

Nice debate thank you

Masha-Allah ❤️

There are many books written on the topic of purification of the heart.

very nice ismail

Manshallah

Maryam is spot on. Some people are obsessed with the apparent appearance etc.

Proud of you

Welcome to islam Sister machaallah allah uakbar

👍👍👍As salaamu alaikum! A discussion very much expected. It should continue. Having born in or converting/reverting to Islam is not all. We have no chance of self satisfaction. What our requirement is satisfaction of Allah swt. To achieve that we need proper motivation towards Allaah, Rasool(saw) and towards those people amongst us who are ahead of us in 'abiding by Allah's orders ('murshid' as mentioned in the holy Qur'an)'. Muslims need motivation, education, discussion, research, self evaluation, self correction and follow the instructions of a 'murshid' till our death. May Allah SWT guide us towards right destination.🤲🇧🇩❤️❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹🇵🇸 Jazakallahu khairan.

MashaAllah, smart british ladies, ,,❤❤🌷🌷🌹🌹⚘⚘⚘

I take it the "happy song" dance was an act then sister Myriam Francois!!!

We are all born muslim, alhamdulillah

IMO, underlying root of this fascination is dominance of Western culture.

Masha Allah. That was intense.

Islam we get from the prophete and his life . Also with his compagnions

Hi, i am happy for you to be muslim

im a convert but i get abuse from friends and some threats as well i dont like that at all and its making me depressed i dont like when people make threats just because i converted and i didnt do anything to them

very cool

Congratulations to all 3 of u , keep it up nd stay blessed.

Salaam from 🇵🇭 Philippines.

Is that the syster with the french name Francois? I remember her from years ago. So many Da'wa videos showed her. What happened, why did she remove her Hijab. She looked so precious and pure in it. Sister come back to Eemaan, especially in times like these when public figures and their appearance may become guidance or misguidance for our youth. A Muslim should love for his brothers and sisters what he loves for himself. If you make the Salat, you must cover yourself, so continue with that until it returns. Eemaan goes up and down. And no one is perfect. But one should strive to please Allah and not the people. Strictly guard the Five Daily Prayers for one week, and Insha'Allah the Eemaan will go up again.

May Allah protect us 🙏

May Allah SWT guide all of ahle Russia🇷🇺 and west as well all of us and all of atheist china🇨🇳 singapore🇸🇬 japan🇯🇵 letin America Africa🌍 on the straight path always amen

Assalamualaykum to you all. Some very interesting comments: 1) Hajj: my farther told me a story about his 1st Hajj in the 1960's and the inequalities then, surprised that it continues to this day. 2) Prisons: when Imams visit prisons I believe they don't intend to be backwards in propagating tenants of Islam. They work on what they know and believe. They may see things in "Black & White" where we don't, that doesn't make them wrong. Generalising Imams isn't the way I'd say but to take each case individually and on its own merits. 3) Imams: Imams who can't even speak English properly were somewhat degraded by one of the panelist. I don't totally agree with her. I've found that when I've engaged in deep conversations with them that they hold a vast array of knowledge, clearly this knowledge isn't being tapped into (remember, most of them are highly qualified from foreign institutions). Its their employer who dictates how broadly they teach. I agree that todays needs are those who can address the audience and connect with them properly. I believe Blanket Stereotyping Imams whom cannot speak English properly (Indian subcontinent accents, or other small shortfalls) is a tad reckless. Because most Imams can convey their intended message properly. Again, I'd say "take each and every case individually" I think you'll find what you're talking about is in the minority. As to types of Imams we need? Well, they need to apply for the position. Are they being unfairly rejected? 4) The Muffin man: When there's a ripened fruit on a tree, every fruit loving critter wants it. "Shaking the tree to see if the fruit falls" So a 60 Yr old man proposed, what's the big deal. I'd be chuffed. You placed yourself in that position, had you not then he wouldn't have been able to propose. There's plenty of older men with much younger women & vice verse, no big deal. I think you felt deflated that "I am such and such.... how dare he propose" You won't be able to stop men from proposing to women (regardless of age difference), unless you carry a sing (like Mr Bean) on your back saying "No to marriage proposals" 5) Islam in itself doesn't need any form of "amendments or reform" Islam is Islam, its timeless. I think what you guys were driving at is the need to propagate "Pure Islam" in a society where instrumental changes are occurring so fluidly thats its hard to keep up. Society is fluid, its changing all the time, especially in none Muslim country. Challenging to say the least. Take each case individually and work on it, e.g work with a specific Masjid and/or Imam (prison visit). Explain what you feel their shortfalls are..... and how they effect the community, take it from there. In my comments above, I have no intention of hurting anyones feelings or lowering their image. I enjoy constructive dialogue and not being attacked.

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله اذا اساء بعض الناس سمعة المسلمين الاسلام بريء عنهم لا ينسب الي الاسلام مما فعلوا اسال الله ان يثبتنا واياكم علي الحق وبنيتنا علي الاسلام

Takbir

Alhamdulillah

That is true brother and remember the companion that went to the prophet Muhammad SAW and oh prophet of Allah, I just kissed a woman that is not rightful for men what should I do’ and the prophet didn’t yell at him and his advice was so immense that he just asked did you pray with us as the man was feeling very sad as it is a grave sin but his prayers were already cleansing his actions already and we need to learn from them everyone makes a mistake.

Any disagreement about Islamic jurisprudence must be on evident of Al-Quran and Sahih Hadith. Sometime disagreement occur because it is a matter of language translation, literal reading, varied historical events etc. The best we as Muslim/Muslimah can do is read what Islamic scholar of jurisprudence say and their evident to support their views. Whichever we think is most closest to Al Quran and Sunnah we follow that because at the end of the day, we will be judge by our own capability and indeed Allah is the Most Knowing and Most Forgiving. Here is some of what scholars had discussed in the past. According to the opinion of the majority of scholars, wearing the niqab (face veil) is a custom and not part of religion or adornment. This is based on the fact that the entire body of a Muslim woman is 'awrah (those parts of the body that must not be exposed before non-mahrams) except for her face and hands. This is the established opinion of the Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi'i schools of jurisprudence, the sound opinion of Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal and the opinion maintained by his students, and the opinion of al-Awza'i and Abu Thawr. Previous proponents of this opinion include 'Umar, Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), 'Ata`, 'Ikrima, Sa'id Ibn Jubair, Abu al-Sha'tha`, al-Dahhaq, Ibrahim al-Nakh'i and many others from among the mujtahids (scholars who are competent to exercise independent reasoning) from among our predecessors. They based their opinion on the hadith of 'A`isha, the mother of Believers (may Allah be pleased with her) who narrated that when Asmaa` Bint Abu Bakr entered upon the Prophet wearing transparent clothes, he turned his face away and said, "O Asmaa`! When a woman reaches menarche, nothing of her should be seen except this and this" (and he pointed to his face and hands)" [Abu Dawud and others). According to Imam Abu Hanifa, al-Thawri and al-Muzani, the feet are not part of a woman's 'awrah and therefore it is permissible for her to expose them. Scholarly opinions The Hanafis In the book titled “al-Hidayah fi Sharh al-Bidaya”, Imam al-Mirghinani said, "The entire body of a free born Muslim woman is a 'awrah except for her face and hands." In the book of “al-Bahr al-Ra'iq”, the prominent scholar Ibn Nujaim commented on the opinion of Imam al-Nasfi saying, "Al-Nasfi's opinion in which he stated that a woman's entire body is 'awrah (must be covered) except for her face and hands is based on the words of Allah the Almighty "They should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof" [Qur'an 24, 31]. Ibn 'Abass (may Allah be pleased with them) said, "[The apparent ornaments] refer to woman's face and hands." The Malikis In al-Sharh al-Kabir, Imam al-Dardir, "The 'awrah of a Muslim woman in presence of a non-mahram [individual to whom marriage is permissible] is her entire body except for the face and hands." Maliki scholars stated that it is disliked for a Muslim woman to wear the niqab if it is not part of the custom of her country. They mentioned that insisting on wearing the niqab and contradicting the customs of the land is deemed overzealousness in religion. The Shafi'is In Asna al-Matalib, Sheikh al-Islam Zakariyyah al-Ansari said, "The 'awra of a Muslim woman both during and outside of prayers and in the presence of non-mahrams is her entire body save the face and hands." The Hanbalis In Mughni al-Muhtaj, Imam Ibn Qudama said that it is permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her face and hands because covering them entails hardship. Likewise, when a man wants to marry a woman, it is permissible to look at her face and hands. Evidence from primary texts The majority of scholars substantiated their opinion on this matter by many evidences derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah. Evidences from the Qur'an They (women) should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof" [Qur'an 24, 31). This verse refers to the adornment that is permissible to be revealed such as kohl which is the ornament of a woman's face and rings. Ibn Abu Shayba, Abd Ibn Hamid and Ibn Abu Hatim reported that Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said in his interpretation of the verse that the adornment that is permissible for a Muslim woman to reveal includes her face, hands and rings. In his interpretation of the verse, Ibn Kathir said, "It was reported that Ibn 'Umar, 'Atta`, 'Ikrima, Sa'id Ibn al- Jubair, Abu al-Sha'tha', al-Dahak, Ibrahim al-Nakh'i and others maintained the same opinion as Ibn 'Abbas." The Sunnah Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "A woman in a state of iharm should neither cover her face nor wear gloves" (Bukhari). Based on the hadith, if a woman's face and hands were considered 'awrah, the Prophet would not have forbidden covering them while in ihram. Bukhari and Muslim recorded in their collections of Sahihs that Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated: "Al-Fadl was riding behind the Prophet (pbuh) on his mount, when a beautiful woman from the tribe of Khath'am approached the Prophet (pbuh). Al-Fadl kept gazing at her (in some narrations it was mentioned that she was beautiful) so the Prophet turned al-Fadl's face to the other side. She asked the Prophet (pbuh), "O Messenger of Allah! My father is an old man. He cannot sit firmly on his mount and therefore cannot perform his obligatory hajj. May I perform it on his behalf?" The Prophet (pbuh) replied, "Yes, you may." This happened during the Farewell hajj. If the face were part of a woman's 'awrah that must be covered, the Prophet would not have approved of her uncovering her face in the presence of people. Rather, he would have commanded her to cover her face. Moreover, if her face was covered, Ibn 'Abbas would not have known whether she was beautiful or otherwise. Imam Muslim recorded the hadith of Jabir Ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) in which the Prophet (pbuh) reminded women to pay charity as a protection from Hellfire in the Hereafter. Thereupon, a woman from among their noblest, with dark spot on her cheeks asked, "Why is that O Messenger of Allah? … This narration indicates that the woman's face was uncovered and that the narrator of the hadith saw her face. There are other hadiths to this effect. Furthermore, [everyday] needs require exposing the face and hands during business dealings. The issue of attire is closely related to a community's customs. The opinion implemented for fatwa in Egypt in this respect is the preponderant opinion maintained by the majority of scholars who permit exposing the face and hands. There is no harm in women covering their faces in communities where this is the custom. However, this must not be tied to a woman's religiosity. This scholarly disagreement concerns the case when wearing the niqab is not taken as a means to divide the Muslim community or make it a symbol of worship and religiosity. If this is so, then the ruling for it changes from recommendation or permissibility to being an innovation. This is because in this case, niqab turns into a means to discord and division among Muslims and their families. *This is taken from Fatwa of Egypt www.dar-alifta.org/foreign/ViewFatwa.aspx?ID=6766

But, what about enjoining what is good and forbidding what is bad? What about giving advice, to the believers, as giving advice is beneficial, according to the Qur'an? That doesn't justify the disgraceful behaviour some of the men showed, upon the sister.

God bless ❤

The muffin story was hilarious

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته نسال الله الثبات على الحق لكلمسلم امبن☝❤🌴🌷🍒

HONEST PERSON

She's absolutely right

As someone who works with people with substance misuse issues, what the Shaykh did as miriam was saying is accurate. Alcohol is the only drug you can die from if starved off (for those with addiction).