A first-generation Puerto Rican in the United States, this brother’s journey to Islam required him to make one of the hardest decisions of his life: cutting ties with the friends and family members whose influence was pulling him away from God. His story is a testament to the transformative power of patience, sincerity, and examining the foundations of faith.
Changing Your Environment Changes Your Life
Surrounded by a close-knit family and extended friends who partied together, the brother realized that meaningful change required changing his entire atmosphere. He stepped away from friends and family who were a bad influence, and only then did his life begin moving in a positive direction. His initial approach to dawah lacked wisdom — coming home and telling his family “I have the truth, you’re going to hell” — which got him kicked out of his home.
“My father was buying a hot dog and the vendor was praying. When the vendor said he’s Muslim, my father said: ‘My son is Muslim too — he’s a Puerto Rican from New York.’ When asked what he thinks of Islam, my father said: ‘I can sleep at night now.'”
Advice for New Muslims and Truth-Seekers
- Take your time: Do not rush into confrontations with family. Wisdom and patience repair bridges faster than arguments
- Keep an open mind: Truth cannot be found when your mind is closed to new possibilities
- Study the foundations: Examine every religion’s core teaching — who they worship, what they worship, and how they worship. Deficiencies in foundational theology become clear through honest comparison
- Be patient in Ramadan: His first fast ended with him raiding the cookie jar at 3 PM, and his first Taraweeh prayer left his feet burning. But with time and sincerity, what once seemed impossible became a source of spiritual empowerment
Islam does not demand perfection from day one. Take it step by step, be sincere, and Allah will make the journey easy. The fact that a Puerto Rican family from New York can find peace through Islam demonstrates the universal truth of this message — it is for all of humanity, without exception.
