A Spiritual Transformation
Jessica Ross's Quest for Truth: Why She Chose Islam
Four Years as a Convert - Jessica's Perspective
Jessica Ross has been a convert to Islam for four years, and
during that time, she has received numerous questions about her journey. This
text addresses the most commonly asked questions regarding her conversion
experience.
Why Jessica Converted to Islam: A Personal
Struggle
Childhood Questions and Unanswered Faith
The most frequent question Jessica encounters is, "Why
convert to Islam?" She grew up in a very small town, never having met a
Muslim or even knowing what Islam was. She consistently struggled with the
religion she was introduced to. Her many questions were never satisfactorily
answered; in fact, they often led to more confusion and failed to bring her
heart peace. With those religions, she often felt that belief was simply
dictated, without genuine explanation. People would often dismiss her inquiries
by saying, "Oh, that's faith," a response that did not resonate with
her.
A Search for Purpose and Direction
Eventually, Jessica distanced herself from religion
altogether. Years later, after graduating from university and working in the
chaotic restaurant industry while awaiting a return to nursing school, she
frequently found herself questioning, "What am I doing with my life? What
is my purpose?" She grappled with an internal disconnect between her inner
feelings and her external actions. She recognized a deep need for more
direction in her life.
Discovering Islam: The Quran and the Prophet
It was then that a friend introduced her to Islam. Jessica
began by reading parts of the Quran and learning about Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him). All the questions she had carried from her childhood began to be
answered in a straightforward, factual manner. This new understanding deeply
touched her heart, and for the first time, she felt she was learning the truth
in a simplified, clear way.
The Impact of the Muslim Community on Jessica
Beyond the Quran and the Prophet, Jessica started meeting
Muslims. The people she encountered truly embodied remarkable characteristics,
and she realized a significant reason for this was Islam. The Muslim community
had a profound impact on her, particularly before and after her conversion.
(Jessica mentions that she has a separate video detailing how the Muslim
community helped her.)
The Turning Point for Jessica: A Commitment to
Higher Standards
Jessica's decision ultimately culminated on one particular
night. She had been learning about Islam for some time and experienced a
pivotal moment (which she prefers not to detail) that became her breaking
point. It represented the divergence between her current lifestyle and the life
she aspired to live. That night, she concluded, "I can't keep doing this
anymore. I can't keep being this person I don't want to be. I need more, and I
need to live for something more. I need to hold myself to higher standards than
just myself; I need to hold myself higher to God." Following that night,
she recited her Shahada and has never looked back.
Summarizing Jessica's Conversion
To summarize, Jessica's conversion was a combination of
multiple factors:
- Reading
the Quran and learning about Prophet Muhammad, which led her to feel she
was discovering truths for the first time in her life.
- Gaining
purpose and direction in life and developing a sense of
higher accountability.
- The
positive influence of the Muslims she met and the Muslim community,
witnessing the significant impact Islam had on these individuals, which
motivated her to learn more and ultimately convert.
Can Anyone Convert to Islam?
The second question Jessica frequently addresses is whether
anyone can convert to Islam. Her answer is a very straightforward yes.
Anyone and everyone can convert to Islam. Islam was revealed for all people. A
person's past, their experiences, or even having tattoos—none of these things
matter. Individuals should not allow such factors to become barriers to
converting or to their belief and love for God. It is understood that when one
converts to Islam, their past is wiped clean in the eyes of God, as if
they are a newborn. This is considered a great blessing, offering a fresh
start. For Jessica, that is precisely what it felt like—a new beginning, a
second chance. The process begins with reciting the Shahada.
What Converting to Islam Means to Jessica
The third question Jessica discusses is what converting to
Islam means to her. She describes it as a combination of several elements:
- Beliefs: It
encompasses the belief in the oneness of God, His Messenger Muhammad
(peace be upon him), the belief in angels, and the holy books.
Muslims are required to believe in all of God's books, including the Bible
and the Torah, and all of God's messengers, such as Jesus and Moses.
- Characteristics
and Qualities: It also involves embodying the
characteristics and qualities expected of Muslims: being a good
neighbor, striving to be the best person one can be, being kind,
generous, charitable, and especially good to one's parents,
particularly their mother.
It is a combination of fundamental belief and the ethical
qualities Muslims should embody. One cannot truly exist without the other; they
are intrinsically linked.
How to Convert to Islam: Reciting the Shahada
The fourth question concerns what one says when converting to
Islam. It is called the Shahada, and it is recited first in Arabic and
then in English.
- In
Arabic, it is: "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ash-hadu anna
Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu."
- In
English, this translates to: "I bear witness that there is no god but
Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger."
Once this is said, the person becomes Muslim. The process
happens remarkably fast. While it is recommended to say the Shahada with a
witness, such as a friend or an Imam at a mosque, it can also be done alone.
God knows what is in one's heart. Thus, it is a very swift process, taking mere
minutes or even seconds.
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Jessica's Journey with the Hijab: A Personal
Choice
Did She Wear the Hijab Immediately?
The next question addresses whether Jessica wore the hijab
immediately after becoming Muslim. The answer is no. She began wearing
the hijab two years after her conversion. She simply wasn't ready or
comfortable doing so right after converting. While it is commendable if someone
feels ready, it is also perfectly acceptable if they do not. For Jessica, she
wasn't in a position where she felt ready, and she also wanted to learn much
more and strengthen her knowledge. It is not a requirement that one must put on
the hijab as soon as they say their Shahada; that is not true. It was something
she always knew she wanted to do, but it was also something she had to work
towards. By God's grace, she reached that point after just two years.
Future Discussions on Hijab
Jessica has received many questions about the hijab, including
how she maintains it when many others are removing it, and why she chose to
wear it. Given the volume of these inquiries, she plans to create a separate
video dedicated solely to answering these questions.
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How Jessica Stays Motivated for Daily Prayers
The Importance of Prayer
This is a profound question: How does one stay motivated to
pray five times a day? Jessica begins by acknowledging that all humans are
imperfect and that everyone experiences ups and downs and struggles with
different things. She views prayer as the minimum expression of thanks,
gratitude, and appreciation one can offer to God, who has given everything
in life. She also emphasizes that God does not need our prayers; prayer
is for our own benefit. Prayer is, in fact, the one thing that can profoundly
affect one's faith and iman (belief). Jessica has noticed that when her
prayers are inconsistent, her iman tends to drop. She finds that prayer
acts as the glue that holds everything together; without it, things
begin to crumble.
Tips for Consistent Prayer
The practices that have helped Jessica maintain consistent
prayer five times a day include:
- Scheduling
her day around prayer rather than attempting to fit prayer into her
existing schedule.
- Considering
it a direct call: She recalls the common reminder that if one's boss
called or summoned them to the office, they would immediately respond.
Yet, when the adhan (call to prayer) sounds and God is calling,
people often delay.
- Finding
prayer spaces: She makes sure to always find the nearest mosque or
a suitable place to pray, whether she is out or traveling. This could be
in a park, or even in her car.
- Prioritizing:
Focusing on life's priorities and remembering that this life is temporary
and unpredictable. Consistently performing prayer, thanking God, and
expressing gratitude can significantly strengthen one's iman and
overall faith.
Jessica acknowledges that these are merely her helpful
strategies and that she still experiences struggles, as is normal for anyone.
Jessica's Conversion and Marriage: A Divine Connection
The next question delves into whether Jessica accepted Islam
before or after she got married. Before answering directly, she addresses the
misconception that a woman converting after meeting her husband is a negative
thing. Many people might assume, "She just converted for her
husband," or "she converted to get married to him." However,
Jessica emphasizes that a person would not accept Islam unless God opened their
heart to it. She believes that God guides people to Islam through various means
and pathways, whether through another person, through readings, exposure, or
experiences—ultimately, it is from God. Therefore, dismissing a conversion as
being "for that person" doesn't fully make sense because God
ultimately allowed that individual to feel it in their heart, leading to their
conversion. She advocates for viewing it differently, recognizing that God
guides those whom He wills, and the focus should be on God choosing them and
their acceptance.
Jessica clarifies that she did not convert after she got
married. She had been a convert for a year before she met her husband, and
they then married a year later.
Jessica's Hijab Business: Giving Back to the
Community
The Genesis of Her Hijab Line
The final question addresses what inspired Jessica to start
her hijab business. When she first converted, she bought many of her hijabs
from mass-market retailers. As she began wearing the hijab daily, she quickly
realized that these hijabs would not suffice in terms of quality and comfort.
Her mission became finding comfortable and stylish hijabs. At the time, she and
a few family members were running an online modest clothing store, and they
carried one cotton hijab that Jessica particularly loved. After selling that
company, Jessica considered the hijab she adored and began asking family
members if they would be interested if she had more made. She started on a very
small scale, and the initiative gradually grew. Realizing its potential and her
enjoyment of the process, she decided to launch her own website (linked in the
description).
Islamic Relief Orphan Sponsorship Program
As her business grew, Jessica also recognized a desire to give
back to the Muslim community that had given so much to her. She decided that
her hijab business should be more than just selling hijabs; she wanted to
donate a portion of her profits to charity. After researching, she chose
Islamic Relief's Orphan Sponsorship Program, which she describes as a
beautiful initiative. This program has already sponsored over 60,000 orphans.
As a customer of Jessica's brand, J. Val, one has the special opportunity to help
sponsor an orphan. Jessica encourages those interested in learning more about
their orphan sponsorship program to visit the link in the description box.
Jessica's Personal Journey
In closing, Jessica summarizes the questions she has answered.
She hopes the video was informative and encourages viewers to give it a thumbs
up and leave comments if they have further questions, which she would be happy
to answer. She reminds everyone that her experience is personal and will not be
the same for everyone. Islam itself is a personal journey, and she
emphasizes the importance of remaining open-minded, asking questions, and
being curious without judging. She concludes by thanking viewers for watching
and looks forward to the next video.
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