Details

Written by: Fatima Chand

Category: ARTICLES

Published: 07 September 2015

“They don’t belong to this world…those wearing burqa. They look odd and strange, don’t they?” These were the thoughts of 23 year old Mir Iram Liyaqat before she fully came into the fold of Islam. Though born and brought up in as a Muslim in an affluent family in Srinagar, Kashmir, Iram was never into Islam. “I used to offer salat but was never constant in it. I also fasted the holy month of Ramadan but I feel that my roza would not have been accepted by Allah (S.W.T). Why, because of my dressing sense and I think my intention wasn’t right either!”

After graduating with Bachelors in Computer Application, Iram wanted to pursue MCA aboard and work in one of the big companies. With a bright smile, Iram recalls how she told her parents that she wasn’t interested in the worldly education. “It wasn’t easy and I didn’t lose hope. I knew Allah was with me and He still is with me. If I die today, I will die as a Muslim.”

This is how she relays it…

The Decision

One winter night, I sit my parents down and tell them, “I want to be an Aalima…I want to do Aalimiyat course.” “What’s that? Aalima?” my father asks. “An Islamic scholar!” I reply. “Aalima! Why? Are you alright,” my father asks with a serious tone. This is the point where he realized that I was serious. Initially, my parents thought I would change my mind but I stood firm to it. Once I make a decision, I don’t sway from it. It was difficult for my parents to accept my decision but alhamduliah, they did.

Iram says her decision was a spiritual one. “It was a transformation of heart, mind and soul. It just felt right.”

The Awakening

The decision which set Iram on an irreversible course to spiritual fulfillment was a painful personal tragedy. This was her awakening. Iram was engaged in 2012 to an actor in Film City, Mumbai. This alliance was carried forth by their parents. “Our parents thought we were compatible. I felt like a celebrity. It literally felt as if I was in the seventh heaven…with angels playing harps all around and me floating and stepping from one cloud to the other!” Iram says she laughs when she thinks about it now. “The engagement had been very grand,” she continues. “My in-laws treated me like a princess. I thought life was this much. Our families had set the marriage date in 2013. But he was murdered.”

With a quiver in her voice, Iram continues. “I went into a trauma and I suffered from partial amnesia for two months…the veins in my brain had swelled. I was on medication.” Iram says she became angry with Allah. “I thought he took away everything from me. But then something my friend said changed my life’s perspective altogether. She said…‘What did you do for Allah that He will do for you?’ This stirred something inside me…probably both my heart and soul.”

Maktaba Taleem-un-Nissa

Iram says her friend stood beside her during this difficult phase and steered her towards Islam. “She is from Tabliqee and we used to discuss about it. I wanted to go on jamaat! We were planning to go to Bangalore for the Aalima course. But it couldn’t actuate as I didn’t relay it to my dad. Then one day she told me about a Maktaba in Srinagar…Maktaba Taleem-un-Nissa. This institution had just started in November of 2014 with the intention to give solace and shelter to young girls from all over Kashmir who had been affected by the September floods. The Maktaba was spreading the essence of Islam. My friend’s dad came home and he told my dad about Islam and how important it was to know about the religion. My dad got convinced and he was happy that the Maktaba was in our home town. My parents agreed about me joining the Maktaba.”

Iram says she had a great experience. “I was mentally prepared for it as I wanted to get into such atmosphere. Initially, I had felt like an outsider as maximum number of girls in the Maktaba had an Islamic background and their families were involved in propagating Islam. Mine was nothing as such. My family offers salat daily but they are also engaged in listening to music and watching television. Like most families, my family also thinks that Islam is only offering salat. But now I know that it is more than that.

Firm Decision

After completing the three month basic Islamic course, my dad had said for me not to go any further into it. But in those three months, I got deeper and deeper into Islam. I again told my parents that I am serious about the Aalima course. It took time for them to settle their minds and heart in regards to my firm decision and now they are happy. Currently, I am pursuing Arabic course at the same Maktaba.”

Iram says it was a big challenge motivating her family but she was able to do so with the will of Allah. “Sometimes my relatives and cousins laugh at me. Sometimes they even sympathize with my decision and my choice of forgoing worldly education. And sometimes they also feel proud of me!”

I Consider Myself a Revert

Iram says that even though she was born in a Muslim family, she considers herself a revert. “I have now accepted Islam wholly and it’s not only about offering salat five times. I have stopped wearing western clothes. Previously, I used to pass remarks at the girls wearing burqa but now I hold respect for them. I myself wear a burqa now and I feel so comfortable and so much peace in it. Since coming fully into the fold of Islam, I have not missed a salat. Alhamduliah. And alhamduliah, I offer it on time too. Sometimes, when I look into my past, I feel ashamed. I was having everything in life but never thanked Allah. I think that was the worst. Previously, I used to have a hectic schedule…college, friends, movies, Facebook. My life didn’t have a proper schedule at all. But now I am content. I have a proper agenda and I have peace. My present is the best time of my life.  I am always connected to Allah (S.W.T).”

When asked about what has been the most difficult phase into the journey of Islam, Iram says giving up perfume. “I always used to put perfume and I could never leave jeans and eye makeup. But now I have. As per the sunnah, women cannot use perfume and shouldn’t wear revealing and body hugging clothes as these attracts unnecessary attention from the opposite sex. And it’s true. We should please Allah and should be recognized as a woman who is to be respected and not harassed.”

Moreover, dressing modestly is a symbol to the world that a woman’s body is not meant for mass consumption or food for the men’s gaze.

Iram says it is heartening to see non-believers accepting Islam. “I really praise them. They leave everything behind for the sake of Allah.”

As far as the young girls and boys are concerned, Iram says they will neither accept nor heed the advice. “One cannot change perceptions overnight. I was once in the same boat as them! All we can do is pray for them. Dua is our only weapon.”