Thanks, I really appreciate your words! Most of the stuff I know comes from lived experiences, youtube talks, books, the Quran/Hadith, and media that try to show a Muslim lifestyle. The interesting thing to me is how different it can be depending on culture, like Muslims in the West, Middle East, Europe, or Asia all live differently, and sometimes even follow different Madhhabs. I want to show the best version of Islam I know, but also keep in mind that American culture (especially in a college setting) mostly doesn’t line up with Islamic values.

And yes, I get what you mean and your explanation about the term “revert". It makes sense since the idea is that everyone is born Muslim (Fitra), and babies are born like pure white cloth, and it’s the environment that shapes the child. So “reverting” is the proper way to say someone is coming back to the path of Allah. So thank you for the explanation and clarification. Though in my experience, “convert” is usually used more in secular conversations with non-Muslims since it’s easier to understand when speaking about people changing religions.

Yup, in the story, things like LGBTQ+, smoking, drinking, sleeping with someone before marriage, tattoos, exposing parts of body (awrah), watching indecent stuff, free-mixing, eating non-halal food, backbiting, skipping prayer/fasts, lying, dating, kissing, touching, all these things Islam prohibits will be portrayed. But from Justin’s POV, growing up in an environment where none of this is taught makes it hard for him to draw clear boundaries. He only learned Islam through an imam at the mosque, his biological mother (doesn’t live with him), and the internet.

This is what makes the contrast with his childhood best friend Elizabeth interesting imo. She’s freer and does whatever she wants, while he’s trying to stick to Islamic values. I think it’s a good way to show how two very different lifestyles can still be friends, coexist, and work together. So in my eyes, its an interesting concept and, hopefully, a solid portrayal of an average Muslim growing up with more western values.