From Academia to Faith: Estela's Journey to Islam
Estela
Spain
Previous Religion: None
My Life Before Islam
Estela, who took the name Mariam, was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. She grew up in a simple Spanish family environment where religion and personal beliefs were not a central focus of daily life. Her connection to the Arab world began purely out of academic interest when she chose to specialize in Arabic Language and Culture at a university in Madrid. She spent five years studying the language without initially considering conversion, though she felt a deep, unexplained love for the culture and the sounds of the language.
The Moment of Guidance
Her path to guidance was uniquely linked to her academic studies. As part of her coursework, she had to transcribe and translate Surah Al-Fatiha twice. While analyzing the meanings of the words—specifically "Praise be to Allah" and "The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful"—she began to feel a profound connection to the text. The verse "It is You we worship and You we ask for help" (Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in) acted as a key, explaining the direct relationship between the Creator and the servant. This spiritual awakening led her to embrace Islam in 2004, realizing that the truth she was studying was also the truth her heart needed.
Reflections
Mariam reflects on the difficulty of sharing her new faith with her family, a common challenge for converts in the West. She initially kept her conversion private to avoid causing them distress or misunderstanding. Despite these social hurdles, her commitment to the Quran remains the centerpiece of her life; she listens to it daily and continues to find peace in its verses, such as Surah Az-Zalzalah. Her ultimate dream is to perform Umrah, and she continues to show kindness and "Birr" (dutifulness) toward her father, living as an example of the character the Quran teaches.