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Interview with Ms. Zahra Sumayyah from Australia

So please, sisters do not marry – do not convert to Islam for marriage. Come into Islam first because you want to be Muslim, practice for at least 5  years and then think about looking to see what male through your local masjid may be a practioner that is suitable…

According to rahyafte (the missionaries and converts website):

RahyafteRadio by “Tina baradaran

As Salaam Alaikum dear brothers and sisters, today we welcome Zahra Summayah from Australia, who was raised as a Roman Catholic and is a recent revert to Islam.  She chose her name Zahra Summayah from Muslim heroines. She has experienced 15 years Buddhism then converted to Shia Islam. She has four university degrees in psychology and a Master in Development studies. She works as a peace activist in Syrian refugees’ affairs living in Jordan.

Here Rahyafte team invites you on a special journey into the life of sister Zahra Summayah

  • 1.Welcome to Islam Zahra  Summayah and welcome to today’s interview, please introduce yourself.

Salam everyone, my name is Zahra Summayah I chose my name from Fatima Zahra and Summayah bin Khayed the first martyr of Islam. I looked to these women to give me the strength to stand for my beliefs and be a humanitarian and a social justice activist. I first heard about Summayah when I went to see  Boona Mohamed perform his poem ‘Heroes’, and he got into the bit about summayah “when Summayah held her chin to her killers did she think we would name our little girls after her, to teach them strength?”

At that point I had chosen Zahra from Syeda Fatima Zahra, but I had not, I felt that something was missing, I wanted another name, and he gave me that name; so that was wonderful. Um, Ah, I have lived my life courageously and I will continue to stand in defiance of wrong and put my life on the line for righteousness. Arafat is the day about sacrificing for Allah and so today it is particularly significant that I am talking to you about how I came to Islam.

 

  • 2.Could you please mention a quote by Hafiz or Rumi that resonated with you?

Ah so at the top of my head, I don’t have any particular Rumi poem that stands out. In my the year leading up to becoming Muslim, what I was seeing was some wonderful Rumi and Hafiz quotes through Facebook, funnily enough. And what I would find is those quotes resonated greatly with me because they spoke of the nature of self, and life and suffering and separating ego (nafs) from worldly existence. And that pretty much is exactly what Buddhism is about. So that is my connection there.

A quote has come to me:

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about.”

This is a quote from Rumi in my early days that I would sit with. Especially as I was talking Buddhism with Muslims and finding the common ground.

  • 3.What specifically made you choose Islam over other religions?

Well what in the end made me chose Islam as my final destination of spiritual practice, is that I started with Christianity I was born into that faith, but I found that as a humanitarian I couldn’t stay worshipping within an institution that has caused so much trouble, around the world through its oppression, and it is tied to colonialism. So I found that I could not worship within that tradition, though I still respected Jesus (PBUH).  After that, I was about a teenager when that happened, for maybe 5 – 6 years I was what you would consider agnostic – someone who neither believes or doesn’t believe. Ah, then what I have done is from that I was looking at Pre Christian faiths and then the Hare Krishnas but they are polytheistic or animistic and it made no sense. Then through my practicing of counseling and study of psychology I came across Tibetan Buddhism through my counseling colleagues. I sat with that practice, seriously studying and taking empowerments for 15 years, by the end of that practice, as far as Muraqaba, Muhasabah and Taskiya (Purification of the heart), many similar methods as well. I found that I did not have a direction of devotion, my focus of was inwards, in changing ego/nafs but I did not have ‘the Beloved’.

Buddhism speaks of the oneness of the universe, but does not put personality to it, whereas Christianity puts a personality and form to God that did not make sense. Whereas Islam sits beautifully in explanation that there is a creative being not just a process like Karma in Buddhism. And that this creative being loves us and is someone to be devoted towards. So this is what made me step into Islam.

 

 

 

  • 4.Very inspiring story Ms. Zahra Summayah. You mentioned the ‘Beloved’ could you please elaborate on that?

Ah yes that is a tricky question – the Beloved, very early on my first readings of Rumi, read as romantic and the beloved was the one you loved, your significant other. But then as I progressed in the path, I understood both um beloved ultimately being Allah (swt), but also beloved to Allah (swt) is our Prophet (saw). So at this stage now, 5 years into being, nearly 6 years next week, being Muslim; I see the beloved as my Allah (swt). Yeah!

  • 5.You mentioned that next week will be six years that you have reverted to Islam and found Allah (s.w.t) in your journey. What were some of the struggles you went through in your journey into finding the truth?

Well I think finding the truth in and of itself was not hard, when your heart is open, Allah (swt) guides you to it. But as far as, what struggles I have had in my early days, and continue to have being Muslim now, as a revert. I think the big one standing out for me, is I don’t live in a suburb where Muslims are living, in Sydney. I do not live where the Muslims are, so I do not have an Islamic Centre near me, I am not part of any ethnic groups. The big thing I notice in Islam sadly, is that a lot of masjids divided along ethnic lines or created upon ethnicities. And I feel as a Western woman, often not quite as embraced by the different ethnic groups, maybe, I am not sure really why. But, um, so there is a loneliness. Thankfully, I am a very solitary person, and I do believe very strongly, that the unique side of one’s practice and the solitariness of practice. Like,  I am sitting here talking to you, all around the world, around Australia – it is Arafat for me here in Australia and I am enjoying the fasting and the ibada and the reaching out and talking about Islam today.  But tomorrow it is Eid for those going by local moon sighting, and tomorrow I have no Eid plans. So that is a struggle that is difficult. I think other issues that have come up being, a convert and a convert woman. Hijab, I mean, coming to hijab as a personal choice, as a personal devotion to Allah (swt) to obey Him, that was easy. But in a Western country, particularly in the age of War on Terror, you step out every day of your house in fear, that you might be assaulted, or you might be discriminated against in one way or another, by wearing hijab. And as a revert woman, I must admit I do find it, disappointing that a lot of ethnic Muslim born guys, living in Australia or the West.  They do not wear Topi, beard and thobe and look Muslim, so they get a bit easier than the women who wear hijab, abaya and niqab; things like that.  That is a struggle.

I think finally, the hardest for being a revert is being, in the middle two world, you no longer fit in the world you came from – the secular world maybe your ethnic family group drank alcohol or ate pork, or you know, looked at shameless material that is considered normal in this culture. But you are not ethnic either, as far as the ethnic Muslim side – so you do not really fit into their cultural norms. So it does make it hard, it makes it a lonely practice. But within that loneliness you get to see God and see His revelation in pure form insha’a Allah. And practice with discipline, Insha’a Allah.

I hope I am speaking clearly 🙂

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones):

Yes you are 🙂

People all around the world are listening and we are with you on your journey, you never need to feel away or alone from the Muslim community.

Thank you, JazakAllah Khair that is so sweet. I should not say alone in that sense, I am actually really fortunate I have so many beautiful Muslim sisters all around the world, Alhamdulillah for Facebook, and now WhatsApp, I am connected to some wonderful Sisters’ groups in WhatsApp, and now Alhamdulillah through here in Telegram. Thank you.  So I am know I am not alone in spirit as such. It is the practical, the physical alone I guess. yeah. So but that is the hard thing being a revert, when you don’t have anywhere to go for Eid. Though I must admit, I do not understand the importance of Eid, today Arafat – my seeking forgiveness, my ibada that is important. Ramadan is important, Eid is to me doesn’t seem to be important and sadly I see a lot of Ethnic Muslim born communities spending the last 10 days of Ramadan; worrying about Chan Rat and clothing and food. Instead of the ibada, which disappoints me.

  • 6.this question is from one of our listeners: After being Muslim,

Now you are focusing in which subject, that  you have to know, perform till the end of life?

Salam, um I think that you mean which Islamic subject do I need to focus on? What I feel is/will be my constant struggle toward, to have a high place in Jannah at the end of this life, is to live a life of patience. I was watching today, footage from Mt Arafat, seeing the crowds of people moving around, a bit like cattle being herded about the place. And I was thinking about how some people, including myself; if put in that situation of waiting and being pushed about, and it is hot or it is tiring. How we get frustrated with not getting where we think we need to be. And having trouble waiting. And that we, we struggle with patience, a graceful trust in Allah (swt). And I am constantly learning, that one. So I think I will be learning that and have many tests in it for the rest of my life.  Aside from that, in the practical steps of Islam I want to achieve Kushoo in my Salat, in the same way I managed to attain in my meditation in Buddhism. So yes the Kushoo in Salat and I do aspire to not just learn to recite Quran and memorize more surahs, I struggle with that. But I would love to achieve comprehension, I enjoy a subscription to NAK bayyinah TV and his explanation of Quran and the linguistic miracles of the Quran just make me so inspired. It would be wonderful one day, maybe in this life time or maybe in Jannah I will be able to read with comprehension and that I do not just have to rely on tafseer. So I think that these are the main things that I am looking at and hoping to achieve.

 

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones):

Every day we are all learning about Islam and its vastness. Insha’Allah you are able to attain all your hajaat.

Indeed, Inshaallah you shared a lovely photo, these are some of my absolutely wonderful sisters from UNSW, I was really fortunate when I first became Muslim I was living in a little country town, and they knew me as Buddhist for 15 years, so when  I suddenly turned up in hijab, it was like a bit crazy. But I was the only hijabi for 100s of miles. But when I got into my Master in UNSW I was really fortunate, I came in lived on campus and I got to live with these girls, amongst them and was one of the organizing committee members for the Islamic society. When I got to O week I went straight to the ISOC stall and lived with them ever since. So I wish for them great blessings from Allah (swt) and have great appreciation and thanks for all they have done for me. I love them all, but a lot of these girls now are overseas students, and now back in their home towns.  But yeah, love them to bits.

 

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones):

Great Work Ms. Zahra Summayah at the University of New South Wales

Thank you yes, about university it is very interesting I found that being at a Secular university in Australia there was an Islamic society, I was able to have hijab awareness days, girls chose to were abaya, there was an ease of practice. I lived 2 years in Pakistan, the universities there, if you wanted a World Hijab Day on a Pakistani campus you were not able to. So that was interesting, sad and interesting.

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

My understanding of hijab is that it is fard upon both men and women, and in fact in the Quran it is mentioned first in relation to men. Hijab for men being lower the gaze and protect the private parts. And in fact when a man performs his command of hijab he gives dignity to women. And a man he is responsible for his gaze and it does not matter if the woman in front of him is in burqa or naked; he must control, it is his responsibility. My belief of hijab it is my obedience to God, my devotion to God and it has nothing to do with helping a man lower his gaze, or um not even a political statement, it is not even really to identify me as Muslim as such, though of course it does.  First and foremost I wear hijab, because my God wants me to protect my own sense of self-worth and in this day and age where women are objectified and sexualized and pornography is in everything, it is the main way women are diminished and their autonomy and power is diminished, is by taking their clothes off them. So I do actually stand in protest with my hijab, because I will cover and in my attempt to do that I hope that my attention is given to my intellect and heart over, what I am wearing and how I look.  This is all part of self – respect. As far as actualizing it, I think there are many different ways, some women will wear niqab, others burqa.  I believe that expression of modesty, the visualize expression of modesty is open and flexible, as Islam is open and flexible, but within reason. Khimar is mentioned in the Quran, and that context historically, the women back then had headgear on that had, and they were asked to draw the tail ends of the headgear on around their chest. So the presumption is there was always head covering. So and obviously, to not be a hypocrite then inner and the outer must be matched, so hopefully when you look at yourself in mirror wearing hijab, you reflect upon the fact that you are a slave of Allah (swt) and then hopefully your actions speak that throughout the world, and how you deal with other people, insha’a Allah.

 

 

 

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

When I first took to hijab, I started wearing hijab about 3 months into becoming Muslim, as I said earlier I was living in a little country town, I think for maybe for the first few months, I wore hijab in the house, practicing with you tube videos for how to tie the hijab, and if someone came to the door then I was in hijab. But I did not initially go out in public with hijab, that took about 6 months, and when I did, it was an interesting experience, thankfully not negative, it is just that people were kind of a bit shocked. That community I had been living in it for about 20 years and they knew me as an active Tibetan Buddhist practioner and part of a Dharma activities group that did fundraising.  They knew who I was, and to see the sudden change, they did not know what to make of it.  I did not let my family know I was Muslim, for probably a year and even when I did, I would not initially turn up wearing hijab, I would travel down to Sydney to see them and I would wear hijab on the train, but take it off before they saw me.  It was coming back from Pakistan in 2012, I was there for 7 weeks and I was on the plane coming back and I was wearing hijab, I just thought I could either do what I always did, go to the bathroom and take it off before greeting them.  Or I could find the courage, and you know step out of the plane into the arrivals area and they see me, which is what I did.  I have never looked back. That gave me the kind of courage of Summayah, and they have accepted it, Alhamdulillah.

  • 9.What is the most beautiful Ayah of the Quran in your opinion? And why?

Obviously there are many beautiful ayat in the Quran, but I think the one I particularly love is Surah An- Nur 24:35:

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: lit from the oil of a blessed Tree an Olive neither of the East nor of the West whose Oil is well-nigh luminous though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah guides to his Light whom He wills. Allah presents examples for people: and Allah knows all things.”

And, I guess the mention of the olive tree speaks to my Italian heritage, so I like that. But no, in all seriousness, having listened to Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan’s tafseer is wonderful, and that it makes me realise the light and spirit in my heart – the Ruh (breath of Allah) wants to meet the light of revelation, and when that touches my heart, my heart hopefully insha’a Allah will be a blaze with the fire of revelation and that the light is for others around me. Like the moon light guides those in darkness, so I take from that the hope that I will be a beacon of light for others in this world. Insha’a Allah

 

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

Absolutely, Alhamdulillah being Muslim! I am incredibly happy being Muslim and practicing my Deen and striving in the path of Allah (swt) and sacrificing or at least trying to sacrifice step by step the larger and the smaller things that displease Allah (swt). You know, I am terribly happy with that. It is not an easy path, it is not easy being a convert, because we straddle two worlds, we are definitely of the strangers that our Prophet (saw) mentions. Because we neither fit into ethnic Muslim groups and we do not fit into our own families, and friends and social circles as comfortably anymore either. But that is Ok, because the things of this world are not the things we want to fit in anyway. So Alhamdulillah for being Muslim.

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

The first time I was told about Imam Ali and the Peak of Eloquence, I was amazed. Again, for me I found it really quite interesting that the things the Prophet (saw) says, the things Imam Ali says and the things that Buddha says – some of their quotes and sayings. If you took the names off them and put them all in a hat, pulled them out one by one, you would often mistake who said what. Because the things they were saying are very similar. It just all made sense. The Ahlul Bayt make sense, Islam is about family- family is centre of Islam, the centre of society, what better example than our Prophet’s family? My direction into Ahlulbayt was through the women, through Khadijah she was the first personality, aside from the Prophet that I came across, because she as an independent business woman, mature that resonated with me far more than Hazrat Aisha being a little girl. Then that led to Syeda Fatima, then that led to Zainab, blessed Syeda Zainab. Then you know, you look at Imam Hussain, Hassan and Karbala – just everything about the Ahlulbayt makes sense, it makes sense that Imam Ali was to be the guardian, chosen by God of the Last Word. So I feel incredibly fortunate to have come across the personalities of the Ahlulbayt.

I am not within any particular scholar or school within the AB and in fact my personal practice within Islam is Shia with a little bit of Sunni – there are Sunni teachers in there that I like – Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan. I am very happy to join with my Sunni sisters and brothers to pray congregational Taraweeh. And I would defend all our wonderful Aamals and special days of commemoration that might be considered by some as budah, because frankly in my view all forms of worship, anything that gets you closer to God has got to be good. And when it comes to ibada I really do not think there is anything wrong in either a congregational Taraweeh or the practices we do on Muharram (except the self-mutilation that is haram). I feel blessed.

  • 12.What final message do you have for people who want to revert to Islam today? How would you describe Islam to them?

There is much to know about Islam, I guess everyone will come into the path from different perspectives, some will be coming at it from the scholarship, others from the heart and experience, and others will be seeking what is practical in Islam. I think that the hardest balance is between enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, which is what we must do, we are commanded to do no matter the level of perfected practice we have. While still being, kind and respectful of the various levels people are at in their practice. So that is something as an Ummah we struggle with, and as individuals we struggle with. That is something that needs to be done. I think when you first come into Islam, rules are important of course, but they should not be the main focus. I actually think, I learnt how to pray using Youtube on my laptop, so thank God for Youtube.

But, I think a lot of masjids, Muslim borns they need to remember the convert not just at Iftar when it is a blessing on them, but at Eid – that is really important.

I think really focusing this on the Sisters – sisters who convert, please do not convert for marriage, ever, just don’t. The biggest issue with that if you convert to marry some guy, is that hopefully what would happen is that you get really strong in your practice because someone who chooses it rather than born into it – we make mindful decisions to change our lives for Allah from the start. Then what happens we outgrow the Ethnic Muslim born guy who may be more a ‘cultural Muslim’ and is not really practicing and does not really want to. So please, sisters do not marry – do not convert to Islam for marriage. Come into Islam first because you want to be Muslim, practice for at least 5  years and then think about looking to see what male through your local masjid may be a practioner that is suitable and will lead you further down the Path, not try and get you off the Path. So yes, be really careful.

 

Also as convert I think that it is important – particularly Westerners, to understand that Islam as practiced by ethnic Muslims (Arabs or Asians) is not always the truth and a lot of time, they are practicing cultural traditions that are labelled as Islamic but are incorrect. So keep asking, keep looking and reading and asking scholars and different practioner about – Google, we are lucky to be in the age of Google – do your research. Then ultimately do what is right in your heart. So long as it is not haram – but I believe when it comes to our ibada that is personal.

And please, one last thing – when they talk about Islam being a balanced religion – they are not meaning a balance between halal and haram, which sadly a lot of ethnic Muslim borns take it as. What it means the balance between everything that is halal = the balance is between how you express what is halal. All that is haram must be left.  So keep striving towards that, this is the right path. The normative framework of Islam is the right path.

Sadly how it is practiced by many around the world, is not the right way sadly, so we need to have the confidence in our heart and understanding to do what is normative framework of Islam asks us to practice.

Thank you so much everyone for listening, I hope that I was understandable and that I did not speak too quickly.  I am sorry if I did.

Eid Mubarak to all who are celebrating today and Eid Mubarak for all those celebrate tomorrow. And may Allah forgive everyone our sins, and give all the duas that will meet them, the best in this world and the next, Ameen

 

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones) – Zahra Summayah

JazakAllah Khair everyone, Eid Mubarak – may we all sacrifice in the way of Allah (swt), Ameen

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones):

Elahi Amen

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones) – Zahra Summayah

Please forgive me any error, offense or confusion.

I will go break my fast now, insha a Allah, Alhamdulillah , Allah Hafiz

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones):

Please forgive us Ms. Zahra Summayah and keep us in your prayers.

 

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones):

Thank you very much for your time Ms. Zahra Summayah. May your fast be accepted today on the day of Arafat. May Allah (s.w.t) bless you and keep you strong and firm on this true path.  Eid Mubarak✨

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones) – Zahra Summayah

JazakAllah Khair, and for you all 10 fold. Ameen

Rahyafte (The Guided Ones):

Ms. Zahra Summayah has her own blog called Emboldened Hearts where you can view her profile and activities. https://zahrasummayah.wordpress.com/

Please visit her page to read more about Ms. Zahra Summayah.

RahyafteRadio by “Tina baradaran

DUA: Allah please accept this from us. You are All-Hearing and All-Knowing. You are The Most Forgiving.You are The Most Relenting and repeatedly Merciful. Allah grant us The Taufiq to read all the 5 prayers with sincerity.
(Taken from: To Be Earnest In Prayers By Amina Elahi)
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