Do I have to change everything to become a Muslim?
I love Islam but...
I love playing jazz, I have been practicing every day for years. I love classical concerts and jazz concerts. I also carve stone and wood, make animal and human figurines. I am from Italy and I grew up drinking wine with my meals. I love it too. I love Latin Salsa dance. All this is an inseparable part of my identity. If I have to give up all that to become a Muslim, Islam is not for me. I want to stay in Islam!!! But not if I have to stop doing the great things I love. I am 70 years old and I am not about to change all that. Do I have to change everything to become a Muslim? If I do, I will be very disappointed because I love Islam... but not at the expense of my identity. Please let me know. I have fasted in Ramadan so far.
Dear Brother / Sister,
Become a Muslim without delaying. The possibility of sinning must never prevent you from becoming a Muslim.
Stop drinking wine (alcoholic drinks and intoxicating, narcotic substances) immediately if you can, otherwise over time.
You can do the other things you have listed as a Muslim, without being against the Islamic faith, rules and ethics.
Painting and sculpture must not be obscene, and there must be no worshipped images or figures.
Questions on Islam
- How do i get my space and privacy while living with my In-laws?
- Does the belief of a person leave if he commits fornication? The following is stated in a hadith: "A person is not a believer while he is committing fornication."
- Is vinegar made from wine permissible? Are all vinegars halal?
- What are alcoholic drinks? How does Islam view the drinks that intoxicate?
- Is it permissible to drink alcoholic drinks such as (araq and beer) excluding the wine, to the limit that will not get a person drunk?
- What are alcoholic drinks? How does Islam view the drinks that intoxicate?
- Is it permissible to drink intoxicant beverages other than wine in amounts that will not make a person drunk?
- What is love in terms of Sufism?
- What should I do to raise my children according to Islamic principles?
- Is it permissible to eat the meat on which wine is poured so that it will be tastier?

