Well, i am not an expert. You may know a lot more than I and if so, please inform me please. I only know that there have been some converts from Islam to Judaism ever since Islam got started. These have included some who became known rabbis of note, and that there are some Moslems even today who do decide to convert to Judaism, believing it to be a preferable monotheism or finding things in the world of Islam that they do not agree with or wish to abide by.
Secondly, there are Biblical precedents for welcoming non-Jews into the Jewish community, such as Deuteronomy 10:18, plus a couple more I can’t recall offhand but they’re in there, plus several teachings that Jews are to welcome the stranger and ...yes, those that do convert into Judaism. There is also the much-revered experience of Ruth (who, mikvah possibly aside, is widely considered and honored for having joined the Jewish people as at least a defacto convert...and we mustn’t overlook the fact that she became a matriarch of King David and thus Messiah, too). Jewish tradition includes honoring Sarah, wife of Abraham, along with Abraham as the spiritual parents of those that convert to the Jewish faith (and rabbis will often offer the names Abraham, Sarah, or Ruth to new converts should they wish to adopt them...because Jewish tradition teaches both Abraham and Sarah welcomed outsiders into their fold...which would of course generate the Jewish people). The Jewish Talmud recognizes converts to Judaism and honors them with the moniker of “newborn babes” (Yevanot 22a) in the people of Israel, to be welcomed as newborn babies are welcomed into any loving human family. (some limitations may still apply in Orthodoxy but only in limited circumstances).
I am not a scholar so my knowledge is limited but...there are yet two more reasons why at least some Moslems can be welcomed into the Jewish faith. It is simply because so many Jews were foricbly converted to Islam over the centuries (yes, I realize Islam teaches that faith is a matter of individual conscious but that was not always the actual PRACTICE). ALSO, the 10 “Lost Tribes” of Israel went to some countries which later were taken over (and mostly forcibly converted) to Islam. For both of these historical reasons, many Moslems (especially those that sincerely feel in their hearts drawn to Jewish faith) can be “welcomed back” into the Jewish People. It is said that such people “have a Jewish heart” if they wish to “convert” or “return” to the Jewish faith. There are records of forcible Jewish conversions in most countries that have been conquered by Islam. And there are records or reasons to believe Jewish people including the Ten Tribes (their descendants) are today living (mostly as Moslems) in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Khazakstan, Arabia, Tunisia, Egypt, Moracco, and so forth. It is not easy to convert to Judaism because Judaism is not a prosthesyting religion, and indeed the rabbis will require usually a year or two of study so that the individual learns just what s/he is undertaking. Judaism is not only a profession of faith, it is largely (mostly, many would say) a system or path of moral life. There’s a lot to learn, even for ethnic ‘returnees.’ But, I’ve always heard that the door is open...for the sincere seeker...
Again, does Judaism go out seeking to wean people away from Islam? NO! Absolutely not. This is for at least 3 reasons, 1. Judaism is a community a people not only a profession. Second, Judaism does not require anyone to become Jewish to go to Heaven (in this respect, Judaism is quite different and far more universal than much of Christianity...anyone interested can look up the “Noahide Laws” for more information). Third, there is the practical consequence that in some Islamic countries anyone leaving Islam can be punished very severely ... the rabbis do not wish to help bring this on anyone...especially since Judaism does not require Jewish faith profesion to go to Heaven in the first place.
But, for all of the above reasons and possibly more that I don’t know, if a person sincerely feels drawn to Judaism there s/he can usually find a rabbi who will discuss the Jewish faith with them. If you are aware of any contrary authority I will welcome learning of it, I am not an expert by any means. Please do be so kind as to correct me in any error I may have posted, thank you very much!
Thanks sincerely.
fhc
Thank you for taking the time to write up such a lengthy reply. What you’re presenting is a very liberal view and we’re talking about Orthodox.
Maybe a third time: Orthodox don’t convert Muslims.
The simple explanation is Ishmael was promised a nation even though not under The Covenant, and if they live as righteous Gentiles, then they have a place alongside us Jews in the World to Come.
An Orthodox conversion is a very, very different process than any other Jewish movement, and it has extremely strict halacha interpretations.