[Avaboormavoro]

Peace,

I agree with the sister's idea about going to the mosque. I think that is an amazing idea.

Just walk in. Muslims are very 'receptive' people and it's not like walking into a Church or Synagogue or something where you will feel completely out of place. Just walk in to the building some time during the day, you will see some type of a rack or place on the floor outside the actual prayer area with a whole bunch of shoes. Take your shoes off in the same place and go inside.

Somewhere right by the entrance or in public view you will see the 5 daily prayer times plus Jummah (Friday prayer) timings, make a note of all the prayer times if you like, and see what is the next closest prayer time coming up. Sit down on the carpeted floor anywhere, sit all the way in the back against the wall, just relax and observe. You will see people coming, praying and stuff, and you will get an idea of what the movements are when the actual prayer happens. When it's prayer time, you will hear a brother calling something out in Arabic, and at the same time you will see all the brothers starting to make straight rows standing next to each other, getting ready to pray.

After that, the Imam (the bearded brother all the way in the front by himself leading the prayer) will say ALLAHU AKBAR and prayer will commence. Just follow everyone's movements. You don't have to say a word. Just have sincerity in your heart like sister Anybody said and ask Allah (God) to guide you, help you, and straighten out your life and everything else.

If for the first time you don't want to pray yourself, that's completely fine, just go and sit somewhere in the mosque and observe everyone else pray. Start praying later on, whenever you feel more comfortable, even if that's a week or a month later, just keep going to observe (no one will say anything to you, trust me, Muslims don't roll like that). If for some reason you don't feel comfortable after giving it a chance (thought I doubt that will happen, once the Adhaan [the Arabic call to prayer] enters your ears and heart, and you hear the Quran being recited during the prayer, you can pretty much call it a day and Insha'Allah (God-willing) say Hello (or SALAM) to a new life).

This is if you want to stay discreet. If you are willing to talk, go in the mosque and ask any brother to show you who is the IMAM, or just seek him out yourself (he will be the one leading the prayer in teh front). Either before or after the prayer, just go up to him, say you're a non-muslim but have some questions about Islam and life in general (trust me, he will, Insha'Allah, jump on the chance to possibly help someone learn more about Islam and "why we are here"). Then, spill away to him as much or as little as you like.

I am only saying the Imam in this case since they will be very knowledgeable in these matters and will be, Insha'Allah, able to give you proper advice. You can really talk to any brother in the mosque, just seek out someone who seems mature and approachable (don't be weirded out by the beards, the bigger the better).

I hope you don't take this advice as mumbo-jumbo and actually seriously, wholeheartedly consider doing it.

I only wrote that long story because I figure as a non-muslim it can be intimidating to enter a mosque just like that, that's why I broke it down to what I think would help you out, feel free to ask anything I may have left out.

IN REALITY all you need to do, brother, is set foot inside a mosque, and Insha'Allah, Allah will take care of it from there.

Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us that Allah says if you take one step towards Him, He takes ten steps towards you, if you go to Him walking, He comes to you running.

Give it a shot. Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah), it's true. I can tell you first hand, and so can billions of others worldwide.

Remember, from what you're saying, you don't have much to lose, and only everything to gain.

Thanks for listening brother.

May Allah grant you peace and fill your life with blessings from His treasures. Ameen.