That thought is what got him so depressed.

That thought is what got him so depressed. But I dont think he realized how hard ones heart can be when you deny your human need for a relationship with your Creator. So I dont hold it all against him. He didnt know what he was getting into. My mom doesnt know that I am a Muslim, but at least she hasnt shown her anger over me going to the mosque. As God commands, Ill continue to try my best to be nice to my parents as long as they dont attempt to take away my Islam.

The best thing that I can do for them is to be a good example so that maybe one day, inshallah, they can see that there is a better way of living than living in the dark world of God-denial. Ive never been to the Mid-East, but I am studying Islam every day. I read books from every point of view. Sufi, Shia, Sunni, books on the Quran alone... The Muslims view sects as haram, so no matter what you believe you are always a Muslim and nothing extra.

You may have completely different views than another Muslim, but as long as you both believe that there is no god but God, you are both Muslims and thats that. I read a lot on-line, and discuss a lot with other Muslims on-line and on the phone. Ive met some really great people on-line who have taught me a lot about life, Islam and God. Right now, I am 100% a Muslim and that will never change, inshallah. I thank God that Ive gone through so many periods of doubt.

When I look back I see that it was not God leaving me but God telling me that it was time that I asked myself how much I loved God, and what I was willing to go through to understand my faith. A week of crying, depression, prayer, reading to the extreme, and ignoring most other things in life sounds harsh...but the reward - knowing so much more about yourself, God, and the relationship between you (Islam) - is worth more than any material things.

Through my interrogation of Islam I gained Gods most precious gift - Islam, or surrender to the peace. Ive heard Christians say that with Christianity you know God on a personal level. In Islam, your relationship with God is so much deeper than that. God is with me every moment, guiding me, teaching me, loving me, protecting me, liberating me, enlightening me, comforting me... Alhamdulilah for Islam! Islam has done a lot for me. More than I could have ever guessed.

And every day, it just gets better. At first it was like Allah was turning on lights where it was dark. Now, He is shining light into places that I never KNEW were dark!