Sumayyah Meehan’s Journey to Islam
Our article today revolves around an interview with Sumayyah Meehan, a virtuous lady who embraced Islam 23 years ago. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Waynesburg University and leads a blessed life as a journalist, marketer, and freelance graphic designer with her five children in North Carolina.
We conducted a beautiful, warm, and meaningful interview, delving into her past and her current feelings. Let’s listen together to what Sumayyah shared…
The last birthday I celebrated was the turning point of my life. Now, looking back, I can say that I became a Muslim right in the middle of my life.
With the grace and mercy of my Lord, the day I embraced Islam and uttered the shahada is vivid in my memory. I surrendered myself to the will of Allah with indescribable excitement while saying, ‘There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His servant and messenger.’
I’ve learned a lot on my journey in Islam. I am infinitely grateful to my Lord for embarking on this journey and for everything I have learned and experienced.
Islam: Not Just a Logical Religion
Throughout my years as a Christian, I experienced a range of emotions, from disappointment to confusion. I never felt completely at ease or secure spiritually. I always had questions, unanswered queries that lingered. Yet, when I look at the second half of my life as a Muslim, it tells a completely different story.
From the moment I read the English translation of the Quran, a simplicity and understanding that appealed to my senses enveloped me. It’s worth mentioning that one of the greatest misconceptions about Islam, in my opinion, is portraying it as a difficult and intricate religion. However, it’s not the case at all. As someone who spent as many years as a Christian as I have as a Muslim, I sincerely express that the clarity and ease of understanding of the Quran are what still resonate with me today.
As Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When Allah wills good for someone, He grants him understanding in the religion.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
An Amazing Journey
I must confess that, after completing my shahada, I was happy on one hand. There was a unique excitement because Allah had granted me this beautiful religion. Yet, I also experienced the difficulty and sadness of not knowing anything about my new belief. Imagine not knowing anything, from performing ablution to praying correctly. I had to move forward with zero support. Although this situation was genuinely challenging, after a while, it clicked. Since Allah had bestowed this favor upon me, I was determined to do my part.
I realized that if your intention is good, Allah undoubtedly helps you. I can confidently say this after spending 30 years as a Muslim. Are there still things I don’t know? Absolutely. And that’s the beauty of Islam. Always being a student and teacher of this noble faith motivates me.
Allah Replaces What Is Lost
During my years as a Christian, the days I remember the most are usually the holidays. Thanksgiving, Easter, and the arrival of Christmas were always special occasions in our home. The entire family gathered at my grandmother’s house to spend quality time together and preserve family traditions.
As a new Muslim, one of the most painful experiences was being abandoned by my family and close friends. I was excluded from family gatherings everywhere. My closest relatives kept the rumor mill simmering to ensure I remained the ‘unwanted’ person. Enduring all this was not easy. Therefore, I always wished for Allah to replace my biological family with a family that would accept me as a Muslim.
As Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘When a person’s child dies, Allah the Most High asks His angels, ‘Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’ They reply in the affirmative. He then asks, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ They reply in the affirmative. Thereupon, He asks, ‘What has My slave said?’ They say: ‘He has praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return).’ Allah says: ‘Build a house for My slave in Paradise and name it the house of praise.
I had forgotten what it was like not to be a Muslim when I look back. The years I felt lonely and excluded suddenly disappeared. I consider every day I spent as a sincere servant of Allah meaningful and truly lived.
Thank God, with Allah’s mercy and endless grace, I was able to establish a Muslim home. I have sisters in my close circle and sisters from all over the world whom I can connect with online. Beyond that, what is even more important to me is that my children have friends, peers they can turn to for advice and from whom they can learn when they are in need. Now, my only wish is to support my five children, who have grown up with an Islamic perspective from birth, in walking the right path and to increase my worship for the afterlife.
Don’t stories like these warm your heart? May Allah make us Muslims who contribute to beauty and awareness. Praying for more Sümeyyes’ lives to touch, with gratitude to Allah.
