Discover essential guidance for new Muslims — from understanding that Islam erases past sins to overcoming challenges and embracing faith with confidence. Practical tips, valuable advice, and inspiration for every revert on their journey to Islam.

Sometimes, I Envy New Muslims!

✍️ By: Sam A. – United States

Introduction

Since childhood, I have been a Muslim. I was raised in a Muslim family, surrounded by the call to prayer, the Qur’an, and the practice of prayer and fasting. Yet deep inside, I have always felt something strange: a hidden envy toward new Muslims!

It may sound odd, but let me explain why…

A Spiritual Rebirth

When a new Muslim pronounces the Shahadah, it is as if they are born anew. Their entire past—every sin and mistake—is erased. They begin a pure, clean life with a spotless record. They truly experience a “spiritual rebirth.”

But I, as someone who has been Muslim since birth, carry the weight of accumulated sins over the years. At times, Satan tempted me, I fell short in my worship, and I committed mistakes that I know may appear on my record on the Day of Judgment.

Qur’anic Reassurance

Yet every time this thought overwhelms me, the Qur’an brings me back to balance and peace. I read the verse:

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” (Qur’an 39:53)

And I remember:

“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?—and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.” (Qur’an 3:135)

Here I feel assured that Allah never abandons me, no matter how often I fall short. The doors of repentance are always open.

Yes, the new Muslim begins with a fresh page, but the lifelong Muslim too can erase his past with sincere repentance.

Real-Life Experiences

I once met an American young man who had recently embraced Islam. He told me about the peace and relief he felt after saying the Shahadah, how for the first time in his life he could sleep without being haunted by his past.

I also met a European woman who had just become Muslim. She wept intensely when she learned that all her previous sins had been forgiven. She said:
“How merciful this religion is—it has given me a new life.”

In that moment, I realized I do not need to envy them. Instead, I should learn from their sincerity in repentance and the sweetness of starting anew.

Conclusion

Islam is not just a new beginning for the convert—it is also a continuous opportunity for born Muslims. The door of repentance never closes, and Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful, who forgives all sins and opens His path for every heart that seeks Him.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Islam forgive all past sins upon conversion?
Yes. Islam wipes away everything that came before. When someone embraces Islam, all their previous sins are forgiven, and they begin a pure and clean life.

2. Can someone born Muslim also start fresh like a new convert?
Absolutely. Sincere repentance erases sins. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who repents from sin is like the one who has no sin.” (Ibn Mājah)

3. Why do some lifelong Muslims feel envious of new Muslims?
Because new Muslims experience the powerful feeling of a complete rebirth, while lifelong Muslims may feel burdened by their sins. Yet, remembering Allah’s mercy restores balance and peace.

4. What advice is most important for a new Muslim in their first steps?
Focus on learning prayer, gradually reading and understanding the Qur’an, keeping good company, and seeking authentic Islamic knowledge.

5. Does Allah forgive major sins like murder, adultery, or drinking alcohol?
Yes. Allah forgives all sins if a person sincerely repents, abandons the sin, regrets it, and resolves never to return to it.

6. Are past sins held against a Muslim after repentance?
No. Sincere repentance erases sins completely, and Allah may even replace them with good deeds.

7. What is the difference between repentance and conversion in terms of forgiveness?
Conversion (embracing Islam) wipes away the entire past instantly. Repentance erases sins as well, but it requires sincerity, regret, and abandoning the sin.

Practical Advice for Both New and Lifelong Muslims

1. Always start anew: Don’t let your past weigh you down. Islam erases what came before, and repentance erases what came before.

2. Maintain a daily connection with the Qur’an: Even one page or one verse with reflection makes a difference. Consistency matters more than quantity.

3. Surround yourself with good company: Righteous friends help you stay firm, while harmful company drags you backward.

4. Seek knowledge gradually: Begin with the basics of purification, prayer, fasting, and then move upward.

5. Increase in seeking forgiveness and du‘ā: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Glad tidings to the one who finds in his record much seeking of forgiveness.” (Ibn Mājah)

6. Never despair of Allah’s mercy: No matter how great the sin, the door of repentance remains open until the sun rises from the west.

7. Balance worship and worldly life: Don’t let guilt or worldly distractions hinder you from consistent progress.

8. Keep your intentions pure: Sincerity is the secret of acceptance. Even small deeds with pure intentions outweigh larger deeds without sincerity.

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