The Challenges Encountered by Mualaf After Conversion to Islam: A Study on The Apostasy (Murtad) Cases in Malaysia

Abstract

The rising of conversion mualaf to Islam proved that Islam has become a universal religion, and people started to recognize and accept the truth of Islam. Despite that, the phenomenon of mualaf returning to their former religion had concerned the authorities as reported by newspapers and social media. Even so, the issues related to mualaf have never ceased since it is a difficult matter to deal with it. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify the reasons that caused mualaf to return to their former religion based on the apostasy cases that happened in Malaysia. This qualitative document analysis technique uses secondary data in attaining the information related to the study. The findings showed that mualaf indeed had confronted various challenges after converting to Islam, for instance, lack of faith (‘aqidah) in Islam, insufficient knowledge about Islam, lack of religious commitment, failure in marriage and trouble from the birth family. On the other hand, this study will assist the preacher and da’wah institution to comprehend more about issues related to mualaf and suggest a more practical method of da’wah for them in a way the apostasy cases in Malaysia simultaneously could be put to an end.