Hanifah*, 26, grew up Muslim. She didn’t plan to become Christian; it just happened. What followed was the loss of almost everything she had once known, including her community, a fiancé, and her sense of self. On this week’s SimplLife, she tells Oluwadamilola Koya how love, religion and personal peace collided in a way that changed her forever.
So, how did this whole thing start?
I was born Muslim. Grew up in Ilorin. My dad’s Muslim, my mom was Christian before she converted to marry him, and honestly, she ended up being more Islamic than my dad. I was raised on Islam, no questions asked.
I got into Uni at 15. University of Ilorin. I stayed close to the Muslim community: joined fellowships, kept my scarf on, did everything right. But uni showed me another side of things. Especially when it came to exams.
Exams how?
Weird things started happening. I noticed that some of my Muslim friends would open bottles of stuff and drink it before exams. They said it was for “memory retention”. I didn’t get it.
But here’s the wild part: Anytime I sat close to certain people during tests? My brain would blank out completely. Like I came in with all the answers and walked out confused. This happened a lot; to the point where I had seven carryovers. I ended up dropping out.
That’s when someone told me, “You know it’s possible they’re using your brain, right? Like, spiritually.”
Wait. What?
Yeah. That’s when I started questioning everything. I didn’t switch to Christianity immediately o. I just stopped caring. Didn’t pray. Didn’t go to mosque. I was done. My parents didn’t know — I still prayed at home. But in school? Nothing.
Eventually I got back into school. Age 20. This time, I made a decision: no more Muslim friends. I wanted to see what it was like to hang out with Christians.
What made you curious about Christianity/ being a Christian?
Honestly, it started with my roommate. She was just… calm. Always praying, fasting, playing gospel songs in the room. She didn’t stress anybody. The vibe around her was different.
One day, she looked at me and said, “Hanifah, what’s your religion? I don’t see you pray.” I told her the truth: I’d stopped practicing.
She invited me to church. I said I’d come, but I might leave halfway.
I got there, and somehow I already knew the songs. She always played them in the room. It felt familiar. I didn’t give my life to Christ that day sha. I was just vibing. But that was the beginning.
When did things get real?
March 2022. I was home from school and randomly took an afternoon nap (which is weird because) I never sleep in the afternoon.
I had a dream.
A massive earthquake. People screaming. Fire everywhere. A (terrifying) dragon. Rocks falling on my parents. I tried to help them, but I just couldn’t. I saw people in white rising into the sky, and the rest of us stuck in pain. The kind of pain that felt permanent.
I woke up crying. My bed was soaked. The first thing I did was go check if my parents were still alive.
Then I called my Christian friend and told her what I saw. She asked me to download a Bible app and read the book of Revelation. I read it, and it felt like my dream was copied straight from the pages.
That was it for me. I decided right then that I was going to become a Christian.
Was it instant peace after that?
LOL. Absolutely not.
I had to tell people. First, I told some close friends; Muslim friends. One called me ‘foolish’. Another said he’d never talk to me again. Someone else said they’d given me charm chop.
I had to delete my Instagram. It was too much. Too many people watching me change in real time.And frankly, I just wasn’t ready for the judgement.
Were there any losses that hit harder than others?
LOL. Yup. I was actually engaged to someone. The whole wedding was loading. He was a Muslim guy. In fact, everything was set.
But I called it off.
I didn’t even tell my parents the real reason. I just said it wasn’t working. They begged me. I was their only daughter, so all their ‘hopes’ were on me. They couldn’t understand.
But I knew I couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to marry a Muslim man anymore. Not because of hate or anything like that o. I just knew who I wanted to be, and I couldn’t lie to myself anymore.
How did the Christian community receive you? With open arms, I’m sure?
That’s the funny part. I thought I’d find comfort there. Some people welcomed me. But others? They judged me differently.
“You’re a baby Christian.”
“You’re not grounded yet.”
One guy said, “I can’t date someone that’s not on my level spiritually. You’ll drag me back.”
It was like I had left one type of judgment only to enter another.
Even my dressing; the nose ring, the scarf, my posts, they became conversation starters. Some Christians weren’t comfortable. Some didn’t say anything but gave me side-eyes. Ushers in church would just look at me like I didn’t belong.
What about love? Are you dating again?
Dating is complicated. The guys that come to me now are mostly still Muslim. And that’s not my path anymore.
The Christian guys? Half of them don’t take me seriously. The other half thinks I’m too new in the faith.
It’s like I’m in this weird middle ground.
So, why stick with it?
Well, because I found peace.
The kind I never had before.
Some of my muslim friends, will text me to say, “Are you sure you’re fine?” or even more shocking: “Maybe you’re being brainwashed.” But I’m not. I’m more me now than I’ve ever been. I used to be proud, rude, wild. Now I feel soft. Gentle. I feel present. I’m learning things about myself I never had time to explore before.
People compliment my face. They say I look homely. Peaceful. Calm. And I swear: this is the same face I had at 18. I’d be like… “but it’s the same face I’ve always had.” The only thing that changed was my spirit.
Would you go back if the pressure gets too much?
Never. I’ve already chosen. I said it’s either God or God. Jesus or Jesus. There’s no going back.
Any advice for someone who’s thinking of converting — to anything, not just being a Christian?
Do it for you.
Not for friends. Certainly not for vibes. Not to escape anything. Do it because it feels right. And when you do, go in fully. It’ll be hard. You’ll lose people. They’ll talk. But at the end of the day, you’re the one living with yourself.
Choose peace. Pick joy. Choose you.
The freedom to choose one’s spiritual path honors all faiths. As wisdom teaches, “Faith is between the heart and its Creator” – reminding us that authentic spirituality transcends human judgment. True devotion isn’t about conformity but finding personal peace in your relationship with the divine. When we respect each person’s unique journey, we glimpse the profound purpose behind all spiritual traditions: genuine connection with something infinitely greater than ourselves.
Want more stories like this? Keep up with SimplLife for tales on love, heartbreak, self-discovery and everything that makes young Nigerians say “God, when?” or “God forbid.”
