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It gives us immense pleasure to welcome you at Islamic Voice and indeed it is very gracious of you to agree for an Interview and tell us about your conversion to Islam.
I have known you and your husband personally for the last several years and from what I saw of you, I thought your story in your own words will make this
Interview so much more meaningful.
Please tell us something about yourself, your childhood, schooling and present occupation.
I was born and brought up in Bangalore. My maiden name was Sunita Aswani. I studied in Cathedral High School. I did 2 years of a Pre-University Course and discontinued as I was not very keen on studies. I went on to do a secretarial course and got a diploma in the same. I also completed an Interior Decoration Course because I had a flair for interiors and was hoping to make a career in that.
However, before I could pursue a career, I got married in 1987 and settled down being a housewife. A job was not on the cards for me. As time went by, I realized that I was capable of much more than just being a housewife, so I decided to take up a job. Medical transcription was the in thing and it made me curious to know what this was all about. I did a 4-month course and got absorbed by a company formerly known as Health scribe in 2001. I have been working at this job since then.
It would give me immense pleasure in sharing the knowledge I have about Islam with other brothers and sisters of Islam. Allah gives us many opportunities in life. We have to recognize those and give it our best. This is one such opportunity, and I will not hesitate to come forward and help those people who need know more about Islam and perform his/her duties towards Allah.
Tell us something about your parents home and your previous family traditions.
I was born in a liberal Sindhi household. Our family comprised of a father, mother and a younger sibling brother. Religion was never a predominant factor and was never imposed on us as such. We were expected to participate in our religious festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra, etc, but this had more to do with these being a cultural tradition and the few occasions in a year for all to get together.
At which age did you develop doubts or misgivings about your previous faith?
Even when I was 6 or 7 years old, I developed aversion for idol worship. It never made any sense to me to worship something that man made with his own hands and then called it god. I used to wonder how one can worship the creation and not the creator. My parents respected my feelings towards this and never sort of tried to prevail upon me. It was said that they worship the spirit that resides within the form.
How and when did you actually think in terms of Islam?
I don’t know if I ever thought in terms of converting to Islam, even though it always appealed to my senses. As I said we were brought up in a liberal household and we used to meet people from all faiths. Our neighbours with whom we were very close were Muslims. The time during the month of Ramazan was especially very endearing to me. My brother and I actually used to participate with them in all aspects of Ramazan including doing the Suhoor (meal before dawn), the Salat (Prayer) and Iftaar (Breaking fast at Dusk [Maghrib]) etc. I used to feel so good doing this.
Was it Islam that brought you to your husband or was it your husband who brought you to Islam?
Again as I said, even though I was always inclined towards Islam, I don’t know if I would have actually converted or when I would have converted. However as providence would have it, I fell in love with my husband Rishad, who was our family friend. It was Rishad who said I have to convert if we want to get married, so I suppose in that sense it was my husband who brought me to Islam. I was flexible so I did not have difficulty in adapting to the religion. Besides, as a person, whatever I do, I do it sincerely and there are no half-hearted attempts on my part.
How did your family react to your conversion?
Thankfully, I did not have to face too many difficulties in that regard and really I don’t know where I got the courage to defy my family and not only get married but also convert to Islam. My father was not against it as much as my mother was in this regard. She tried to deter me from getting married and said all kind of things, such as Muslims can take four wives and so on but really these things never bothered me simply because subconsciously I had come to accept Islam as a true religion of Allah and anything prescribed in it by Allah (swt) has to be in our greater interest.
Were you subjected to any kind of pressure after your conversion, if so, what gave you the strength to withstand the pressure?
I was subjected to emotional pressure, especially in respect to being the only female grandchild of my paternal grandfather and how my marriage and conversion would amount to the betrayal of family name and honor. However, nothing was going to stop me from marrying my husband as love is not something that I could just switch off or switch on as I pleased.
I have myself known you for the last 12 years and MashAllah I have always found you dressed in a manner becoming of a Muslimah and you have always had your head covered. Tell me what made you do this?
Actually, I only took to covering my head (Hijab) four years age and I had no problem taking to a dress code that Allah (swt) has prescribed. I believe dressing in this manner gives us dignity and a sense of honor. Several times I have experienced being given priority and a position of respect simply because of the clothes I wore. Besides, it also helps in keeping at bay people who look and treat women with disrespect.
Finally is there anything specific that you would like to convey to the young Muslim women today or even to Muslim households with regard to what you think they should be doing in order to bring Islam into their lives.
I would like to say that:
a) We should all read Qur’an and understand the Word of God. The beauty of Qur’an is in its simplicity and the profound meaning it carries in its verses. Once you imbibe something from the Qur’an, it stays with you for life.
b) Be eternally thankful to Allah (swt) for blessing us with a Deen (religion) that is so complete and is a code of life itself. If you follow this code you will do no wrong.
c) Always remember that life is transitory and we will all have to account to Allah (swt) in the Hereafter. What we do here in this life will determine our life in the Hereafter.
d) Do your Salat (Prayer) everyday as prescribed by Allah (swt) and supplicate before Him as though it is the last day of your life in this world.
e) Fear Allah (swt) always and be grateful for everything that He has given you, those things that you tend to take for granted, because remember, He can take everything away from you in a flash of a second.
f) Never believe yourself to be a better Muslim, a more pious person or whatever. It is only Allah (swt) Who knows, who is worth what. Always be humble and remember the ideal for every Muslim should be our Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), who is the best example for us to follow.
g) Do your duties towards Allah. He does not need your prayers, but rather you should pray to purify your soul. It is the only way to feel close to the Almighty.
(Anybody who wish to contact Saira Rishad for any assistance with regard to their own concerns can contact her through the office of Islamic Voice). Editor.
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