As a revert to Islam, I've often found myself overwhelmed by the sheer number of rules and practices. And when I talk about Islam, that’s often one of the first things that come up. And I can’t blame them if even many Muslims around me used to say how hard being a Muslim is. And like them, at first, I believed them.

It's easy to get caught up in the dos and don'ts, forgetting the beautiful simplicity at the core of our faith. So let me say that again: it’s not supposed to be hard. And by that, I don’t mean there won’t be any challenge. But too often I find that if we focus on cleaning our heart, obstacles in practice melt away.

When I first embraced Islam, I thought I had to master every single practice immediately. I'd see born Muslims effortlessly navigating their daily routines and feel like I was always playing catch-up. But over time, I've come to realize that Islam offers us an incredible gift – the opportunity for constant growth and connection with Allah.

Baby Steps

As humans, we're creatures of habit. Once we've integrated a practice into our routine, it becomes second nature. So don’t go all crazy wanting to change everything all at once. Baby steps. That's when the magic happens – we find new ways to connect with Allah, keeping our faith fresh and vibrant.

I remember trying to learn to pray. As a non-Arabic speaker, that amount of weird syllables seemed absolutely insurmountable! But I wouldn’t be the first woman to learn a new language for love! And so I tried, for Allah. I know some people learn to pray in a week - if that’s you: Wow! - and if you’re like me and it takes you a year… Wow! You persevered. Those who learned fast are blessed for it. Those who struggle and persevere are blessed for it. There is no shortage of blessings. You got this!

It’s Raining Blessings!

God’s mercy can feel vague at times, so I like to think of it that way. Whatever you do, wherever you are, there is an abundance of blessings. You go left, missing some blessings, only to find yourself showered with blessings to the right.

You struggle reading the Quran? Great! You get twice the reward. You remove a branch that’s blocking your way in the street? Congrats, you’ve just earned good deeds! These are all authentic narrations we get directly from the Prophet. No joke. It’s just that easy!

Embracing the Ease

So, whoever you are, let's embrace this beautiful ease that Allah has gifted us. Remember, we're on a journey of constant growth. Every small step we take towards Him, He multiplies in return.

Don't be discouraged by the seemingly endless list of practices. Instead, celebrate each new habit you form, each verse you memorize, each act of kindness you perform. These are the brushstrokes that make your faith uniquely beautiful.

And on those days when you fall short (because we all do), remember Allah's vast mercy. He's not waiting to punish us; He's eagerly anticipating our return to Him, ready to shower us with forgiveness and love.

Isn't that the epitome of ease?