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Chasity Shelton, New Muslim from US: I definitely had strong feelings of God’s presence but I was looking for some kind of proof

SHAFAQNA-

  • First of all, I would like to thank you for agreeing to hold an interview and also for the time you allocated to us. Please introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about your background, the field of study, degrees, etc.

MashAllah. Thank you. My name is Chasity Shelton and I am a revert since one year ago! I live in the US where I was born into a Christian family. My parents divorced when I was very young which is unfortunately very common here. I lived with my mother while growing up, but maintained a relationship with my father. I am very close with my father even though as an adult I have moved very far away.

I worked in retail most of my life. Finally, I decided to go to university and double majored in physics and mathematics. I still have one semester left to obtain a BS, but I had to take a couple of years away due to tuition issues. It is unfortunate because I really love the academic atmosphere and thrive in it, but I feel that it happened this way for a reason. Honestly, I had continued on the path I very likely would have been working for Raytheon, one of the major US defense contractors, not knowing at the time what is actually done there. It is indeed true that Allah (swt) is the best of planners.

 

  •  What religion did you use to follow before converting? How did you get familiar with Islam? And what specifically attracted you to Islam?

I was born into a Christian family. My mother was raised Catholic and my father Babtist. My mother was not really religious at all and my father was moderately religious when I was a child but has become much more religious with age. He did take me to church several times and read the Bible and talked about it often. I questioned the logic of some things especially the trinity and eventually just refused to accept Christianity. As an adult, I considered myself agnostic. I definitely had strong feelings of God’s presence but I was looking for some kind of proof and I didn’t trust religion.
I was introduced to Islam through people that I met on Twitter believe it or not. There are basically no Muslims where I live, so social media has played a crucial role in my case. I commented one evening on a story and someone opened up a conversation with me on Twitter. I was introduced to a few other people and we all began talking every day about various political topics mostly. Islam would usually find its way into the conversation, so I knew that they were all Muslim. I loved their passion in fighting injustice and for the oppressed and I related well with them on many topics such as feminism, abortions, homosexuality, family values, etc.
Then I told them how I felt there is a God, but I left Christianity and I didn’t trust religion. They were very kind and told me that they are always there if I had questions. They told me about Karbala and I wept. I became more curious about Islam so I asked them one day where I could find a good English version of the Quran. They sent me videos to watch including Br Khalil Jaffer’s ‘Freeing the Butterfly Within’ series which is lovely and so relatable. They sent me information to read and talked with me about different topics like the Quran and science which was amazing.
I found Islam to be truly beautiful, logical, and complete! This is what I have been looking for! I feel this relief and calmness now that I never had in my life. I am able to accept Allah proudly and completely.

 

 

  •  What made you know about Shiism?

The people that I met online and connected with just happened to be Shia. I really didn’t know anything about the different sects and they never really talked about it until I said that I was interested in finding out more about Islam. Then the differences were explained to me. The successor of The Prophet (saw) should be from the Ahlulbayt (as). This makes sense and there are many hadiths clearly demonstrating this. I tried reading some Sunni points of view but it never made sense. I just recently began reading ‘Peshawar Nights’ to gain more knowledge on this topic.

Also, I always had a good feeling for Iran and not for Saudi Arabia and etc. even before I knew anything. I preferred the way that Iran is resisting in front of arrogance and imperialism.

 

  • Please tell us about your family and friends’ reaction after you became a Muslim.

My friends were kind of shocked. There aren’t really any Muslims where I live. Friends asked if I would have to wear “that thing on my head” and made comments such as “you aren’t going to become a terrorist now, are you?” but I just took it in stride. I waited to tell my family when they came to visit for a family vacation. I wanted to tell my dad before I began wearing hijab. He actually reacted better than expected. He said that he knows it is the same God and so he is okay with that. He did have reservations about me wearing hijab because here this is seen as oppressive to women. I explained to him that Islam values women as intelligent, distinguished members of society instead of objects. He is confident that I wouldn’t allow myself to be abused and mistreated. I have always been firm in fairness and justice.

 

 

  • How do you analyze the family institution according to Christianity and Islam?

They are similar, but with Islam being more just and fair. True Christianity and Islam value the family and are against fornicating, abortions, homosexuality, etc. Islam places women in a higher position than Christianity and always emphasizes respecting, educating, and rights for women.

 

  • Have you ever had time to study about Imam Hussain’s (AS) uprising? If so, what do you think?

He chose to carry out the traditions of his grandfather and from the Holy Quran by enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. Imam Hussain (AS) was martyred standing up against the oppressor with courage and dignity knowing his fate. He was very wise and strategic knowledge that he and his companions would be martyred but their revolution would live on. This was the ultimate selfless act to benefit all of humanity. My heart physically aches thinking of those last days. We only have a glimpse of Imam Hussain’s (AS) strength, courage, and wisdom but look at the profound effect that it has carried through all of these years.

 

  • If you want to say some words about the beauty of Islam, the peace, the calmness you have found in this religion what do you say?

It is the best feeling to know that Allah (swt) is giving you all that you need. Once you study Islam, you realize that you are not alone and full submission of yourself to The Creator brings the most incredible feeling of inner peace. Allah (swt) has given us the instructions to elevate ourselves and enrich our lives through the Holy Qur’an and the guidance of the Holy Prophet’s progeny (peace be upon them all). For people like me who always felt the presence of Allah (swt), but lacked the understanding and guidance, I now feel this connection with great Islamic scholars and after finding Islam, I have this calmness and serenity as I have never felt in my life.

 

  • What is the message of Arbaeen walking from Najaf to Karbala to the people around the world in your opinion?

A strong unity is shown when Shia and many others who wish to rid the world of oppression attempt to feel a tiny bit closer to Imam Hussain (AS) and the struggle he faced in those last days. This is a beautiful spiritual journey that I have not yet had the opportunity to benefit from.

 

  • How do you distinguish Iran’s Islamic Revolution from the world’s other revolutions?

The Islamic Revolution was in the name of Allah (swt). This gave strength and courage to men, women, and children alike to fight for justice and regain their dignity. Only by Allah’s (swt) grace was this accomplished. It was such a powerful movement that the energy is still spreading across the world today and inspiring others to resist being exploited and oppressed.

 

  • How do you see the character of Ayatollah Khomeini (RA) as the founder of the Islamic Revolution and the eminent personality of recent Islamic history?

Imam Khomeini was and will always remain a true leader of the people. He carried virtue and strength that could only be divinely inspired. I read everything that I can get my hands on that he has written and has been translated to English. He was so full of wisdom, foresight, and sincerity that you can’t help but feel the desire to get closer to Allah (swt) and feel the courage to stand up for justice and dignity for all.

 

 

  • We would like to know how you got familiar with Islam. What was your motivational factor in choosing Islam as your religion? And why did you choose the Shia school of thought?

I became familiar with Islam while discussing politics on Twitter. The group of people that I was speaking with would bring religion into the conversations occasionally. I loved the way they were so passionate and determined to stand up for the oppressed and justice. They told me about Karbala which really got to my heart. They are all Shia so that was how I was introduced to the Shia school of thought. I told them that I was agnostic at the time and that I believed there was a God, but I just didn’t trust Christianity. They offered me information, articles, videos, etc and when I was ready I asked for a Quran in English and said I was ready to learn more. Islam is very logical and made me feel that I found what I was looking for. I have an inner calmness and strength now that I never had before. I was really blessed by Allah (swt) to have met such wonderful people online.

 

  • How do you define or articulate the influence of Qur’an on yourself, your personal life and your social life?

The Quran gives instructions and inspiration to become more complete, fulfilled, and well-functioning people, both as individuals and as a society. Look to the Quran for answers. My life has improved dramatically. I have gained confidence and feel a sense of well-being. People are not allowed to exploit me or abuse me. My patience has increased significantly. It is nearly impossible to upset me or make me angry. I have such a sense of calmness where there was anxiety before.

 

  • Then you are telling me that there is a connection between your internal and existential need and converting to Islam. Do you consider it as a reason that nowadays we observe lots of people around the world turn to Islam and especially Shiism?

Islam provides guidance for becoming a true human being. When we follow this guidance, we find that it is in accordance with our natural inclinations and our lives become more fulfilling. We find peace and comfort and all of our needs met. I believe that when people take the time to study Islam, especially Shiism, it becomes obvious this guidance is what they have been missing and they find it easy and logical to accept.

 

  • In your opinion, regarding today’s situation, what is the duty of Muslim women as members of their respective societies? To what extent is the role of Muslim women significant in the progress and development of Islam?

Women are the mothers of society. They bring up the next generation and educate them with wisdom and grace. After fulfilling their duty as mother and wife in the household, they should also participate in political and social matters. Women are in general about 50% of the population so they must be active in gaining the education and political knowledge and using it for the betterment of society.

 

  • How do you analyze women’s right in Islam compared to what the West has propagated?

Women are respected and valued in Islam and enjoy the rights best suited for them. The West claims Islam does not offer “equal rights”, but this is simply not true. In the West, the people have become confused with the terms “equal” and “sameness”.

 

  • We would like to know a little about your journey to Islam and what made you choose Islam over other religions?

I was first introduced to Islam while learning more about politics on social media. I was really impressed with the way Shia are just and fight for the oppressed so passionately. Then after reading much more, I realized that Islam offers fairness and justice in all matters of life. Islam is more logical than Christianity had been. Once you see the whole picture and not little pieces taken out of context, it is really easy to fall in love with Islam and understand how just an Islamic society can be.

 

  • Could you tell us a little about how difficult it was for you at the beginning of your search for the Truth?

The most difficult part is finding trusted sources in English. It is also a bit difficult when you don’t understand the terminology so you have to constantly look things up, but it is just a learning process. Also, I had to gain the knowledge to accept hijab since it has been portrayed in the West as oppression. Once I understood the reason behind hijab and then compared that to the experiences that I had encountered in my own life, it was very easy to see the beauty and logic of this blessing.

 

  • How did you feel the first time you wore hijab?

I was excited to wear hijab, but nervous because almost no one where I live wears hijab. I have only encountered it just a couple of times. I found a halal butcher in town and first experimented going there where I probably wouldn’t look as out of place. I felt good about it and then I started going to more places. Now I feel so dignified and respectable.

 

  • Are you happy with your decision of reverting to Islam today?

I am so happy! It is such a blessing and has changed my life for the better. I have much more confidence and a greater outlook on life.

 

  • What did think the first time you heard about the Ahlulbayt (AS)?

I was first introduced to the Ahlulbayt (as) and I fell in love. Imam Hussain (as) was the first Imam that I learned about I was overwhelmed with grief and the desire to learn more. Then I learned about Imam Ali (as) and I have so much love and admiration for him. It became very clear to me that my decision to pick the Shia school of thought is the most logical.

 

  • What is your opinion about Islamic code (hijab)? How is it possible to actualize that?

Hijab helps to establish security and stability in both the family and society. After living my life in the US, I can confidently say that everyone would benefit greatly from observing hijab. It can be actualized by making sure that everyone understands the benefits. This will take maturity on the part of members of society to accept this and fall in love with it.

 

  • How is it possible to broadcast pure Islam worldwide effectively?

Remember that it is easier to enter the hearts and minds of people while they are experiencing emotion, especially happiness and sadness. A good way to do this is through entertainment and educational media. On social media, I have met a few people that work to make Islamic friendly shows and also informative programs. I think this helps. We should also try to subtitle many works and lectures into English.

 

  • If you were to invite a non-Muslim to Islam, what are the most important features that you would refer to?

If they come from a Christian background then it is good to talk about the things they are familiar with to create a comfort level. They possibly question some aspects of Christianity such as the trinity. Once you start this topic of conversation, the 2 religions can be compared and it can be shown that Islam is more logical.
A few people that I know, including myself, were introduced through initially discussing politics and fighting for justice and the oppressed. You can discuss Yemen and Palestine. Karbala is a great example that opens the hearts of people.

 

  • In the West, Islam is generally accused of promoting terrorism, anti-human rights issues or maltreatment of women. What is your response to these charges?

Just because someone says that they are Muslim does not mean that they are acting according to Islam. Islam actually prevents these very acts that you’ve mentioned. In fact, it is the lack of Islam and any code of ethics and morals in the West that is creating most of these issues.

 

  • What do you think about the reasons behind some efforts to promote atheism in the world and what is your advice to those who are hesitant between belief and disbelief?

Atheism has colonialist roots and they can’t be trusted. The attempt to separate Allah (swt) from society is an act that is meant to weaken social and family structures.
This is difficult in regards to people who just do not believe, but those who feel the presence of Allah (swt) but are looking for some kind of proof, well this proof is in their hearts and all around them. They just need to be open to accept it. I think either you feel the presence of Allah (swt) or you don’t.

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