Hi, Fuschia welcome i hope i can share something useful with you, while you are making this very important decision. Apparently in order to become a Muslim, you must believe in the 'Last Day.' What exactly does this mean? Does this mean that you believe you will enter judgement, or that there will literally be this big special day on Earth with supernatural rams and scrolls and whatnot? The Last Day is Unseen to us through our life on this Earth. The Last Day itself is explained throughout the Koran as reminder for those who choose to believe, that ultimately, after departure from this Earth, everything they do while in this life will be asked for their responsibility. As the Last Day itself is unseen to us, we can only imagine how great the Day (the whole events) is, from reading the Koran. One sure thing is that, The God will not leave any single good act done in faith/belief (to The God and the Last Day) not paid/blessed/bestowed, and The God is the Most Generous in paying/blessing/bestowing good acts. God's blessing in the Hereafter is also an Unseen, it is beyond what we can imagine in this world. In this life, however, what you feel when you are doing something good in faith/belief is instantly enjoyable. angel The more we follow God's message, the more we feel this "bliss". When we are thankful to God, we are actually being thankful for ourselves. On the other hand, The God will not leave any single misdeed/foul doing unnoticed -- it will be "retributed" with exactly its equal in perfect justice. Doing a single misdeed may lead to another misdeed and then to more misdeeds... "straying" from the straight path is the worst thing we can do in this life -- such is what God warns us against, for us to be careful and to stay in the straight path. The straight path? It is explained in the Koran -- and related to your next question About the Koran, can you interpret it as you think is accurate? I live in a non-Muslim country so if I read the Koran I read it with fresh eyes. Sometimes I come across verses and I think they mean this or that. If I look them up on the internet I find some Muslims say they mean something else. I can't think of an example- and its not important. Only, is it acceptable to be a Muslim and read the Koran from your own perspective? This assumes that the reader is not doing it out of pride or convenience and is asking God for clarification. "Fresh eyes" is great! Every time we read the Koran, we better have "fresh eyes", and "fresh mind", and "fresh self". The responsibility for your understanding upon the Koran is yours alone, and we are suggested to consult to each other in the best manner possible. This brings discussion to lead to a better understanding. Often we do see only a tiny part because of our own limited knowledge and experience -- then when we share/discuss with someone else, we will suddenly think ! "i haven't thought of that before...!". Collective learning brings about acceleration to a more holistic understanding. That is why discussion done by a group of cooperative people will be of more benefit than un-counseled individual interpretations. So, you're right -- keep your eyes fresh! Good luck and may God guides us to His blessings