New Muslims

To believe in One God,

2009-12-13T19:04:00.003-08:00

I am a 40 year old female widow, that lives in the USA, Ohio. As a kid my Mom raised us to believe in One God, but we were not Muslim. We did not eat pork, but we were not Jews. My mother has since passed, but her teachings stuck with me. We went to church, but my Mom always said pray to God only. She was a big reader of the Holy Bible, Old testament, and use to tell us as kids, that man has tampered with it, but God has put his clues here and there for his people. I don't know where she got all her thinking, but I'm glad she had it. I went to Baptize schools, where they would say my sister and I were products of a sin. (we were biracial, my Mom is black, and my dad white).

So as you could see I did not think they had the right religion. I can remember praying as a child, asking God why I cannot believe in Jesus as God? But for some reason I could never.

I stopped going to church for a long time after school. I went back as an adult in my early 30s. I even joined a church, but I always prayed to God, saying, that I just wanted a place to worship him. So every time I went to church I had to say this prayer to God, to let him know I was only praying to him, not Jesus. (It's funny now, that I know more about Islam.)

I did eventually go to a Mosque to study, but the men Muslims I worked with, and knew, would brag how many wives they could have. That just turned me off. And when I went I did not feel very comfortable because of all the nationalities that seemed to have clicks, and the only Muslims I knew at the time were men. So I only went to a few classes. I stopped going. I look back on this, and say going to the Mosque is not user friendly:o)

You cannot just walk off the street, you have to know things, (how to dress, and why the prayers are in a different language than your own) or you will really feel like you don't fit in. I could never really get into the church thing either. But I wanted to be close to God.

I became a foster parent when I turned 35, (we, in the USA, have a lot of black older children in foster care, and up for adoption). So I became a foster parent. I had 2 kids, that ended up staying with me for 5 years, and came up for adoption, and because I knew they would just stay in the system, and be moved from home to home, I adopted them, 2 years ago. They are now 13, and 12. Right before the adoption, I got married, and my husband was going to adopted them with me, even though I had them before he came in my life. He was a very good man. He died 10 weeks after we got married, a heart attack in bed.

Everything went down hill from there. The kids with their back ground, losing their family, through foster care, and now losing what was the closest thing to a dad that they knew, went off the deep end. And I did too. It was a bad time for us. I began to drink wine at night to sleep, and I began to drink more. I desperately need God in my life, but with the drinking, I thought I would not be clean enough to even ask God for help. I did go through with the adoption, and then I got some help for the drinking. I had a real hard time not wanting to drink, until this 1 prayer I prayed, I remember this prayer!

It was this past year. I remember telling my kids, that they would not make 1/2 the mistakes in life they would make, if they just listen to their mother. Then I thought about that when I said my prayers that night, I would not make 1/2 the mistakes I made if I gave my will over to God. And let God run my life.

I prayed that night to God, and I told him, I don't care if I never have a husband again, I don't care what material things I have in this world, I just want you in my life, and your Will not mine. I had said prayers like that before, but this time I really meant it. I did not care about anything on this earth at that time, but God.

Since that prayer I have not wanted a drink since.

Then came a friend I knew a long time, he had been checking on me about once a month since my husband had died, he knew us both before. He asked me if I would be interested in learning about Islam. I told him how I felt before when I studied that short time, but I would read the Quran. I read the Quran, and then I took my Shahadah!

Thank God Almighty, I am a Muslim. I have only been a Muslim since July 19th 2002, but I can say this, it is the most peaceful I have ever felt in my life! I know I have a lot to learn, but what I can say, is I have a place to worship the One and Only True God, Allah. This is my story, Praises be to Allah! I cannot Praise God enough! God is Great!

We created equal in the eyes of God

2009-12-13T19:04:00.002-08:00

I was born in Arkansas to Christian parents, who were also born in Arkansas. In fact as far back as I can trace all of my family has come from the Southern states here in the United States. I was raised here all my life on a farm, where you get up in the morning, milk cows, feed the chickens and do the rest of the chores. My father was a Baptist minister, which is just a sect. of Christianity, such as Catholics, Methodist, etc.

These are all "Christian" religions, but with different doctrines. It could be best explained as to the differences that are between the Sunni and the Shiite. I am Sunni by the way. The town that I lived in was completely white raced and all Christians. In fact this was the scenario in a 300 mile radius of me. So I had never been exposed to any other cultures or religions. But I had always been taught that we were all created equal in the eyes of God, and that there was no difference in race, color, culture or religious practices. Later I discovered that this was easy for them to preach and teach as long as they stayed closed minded and these other people did not invade their world.

The first time I seen a Muslim was while I was in college at the University of Arkansas. I will admit at first I stared at the women in their "different clothing" and the men with the towels wrapped around their heads and wearing "night gowns". But the first time I had the opportunity to get to know a Muslim lady that I felt comfortable with in asking questions, it started a thirst in my heart and soul that will never be quenched. Alhamdulillah!!!

I will never forget her, she was from Palestine and I would sit for hours listening to stories about her country and the culture, but what intrigued me most was her religion...Islam. This lady had an inner peace about her. Like no one I had ever seen. I can remember so well even today her telling me about the prophets, peace be upon them, and ALLAH (swt). Even though I had never voiced this to anyone, I had always questioned in my mind the concept of what Christians called the "trinity" and why we had to pray to Jesus (pbuh) and not to God directly, and why so much emphasis was put on "Christ" and not God.

My friend did everything she could do to convince me that Islam was the only religion that would take me to heaven, and that it was not just another religion, it was a way of life. My friend graduated six months later and returned to Palestine. She was killed two weeks later outside of her home. I was devastated, it was like a part of me had died with her. We knew that when she returned home our chances of ever seeing each other again in this life was very unlikely, but she told me that what was most important to her was that she seen me in the here after in "Paradise".

During this time I had met and made friends with a lot of people from the Middle East. They also helped me deal with the lost of my friend. This was also when I came to love the Arabic language. It was beautiful.

I would listen to their tapes of the Qur'an for hours, even though I didn't have any idea what they were saying. Even today, I love to have someone read to me from the Qur'an, and I still can't understand what is being said, but it still touches my heart and soul. I didn't have time to really learn any Arabic in college, I was lucky to remember my homework assignment. But I am trying very hard now to learn how to speak and read it, Insha’Allah. And for those who have ever listened to me speak Arabic or type in "Arabic English", they can tell you I have along way to go. And I thank them for their patience and "tutoring".
After I left college and returned to my "community", I didn't have the honor to be around Muslims any longer. But the thirst had never left nor had my love and desire for the Arabic language. Which I might add infuriated my parents and other friends. This confused me, because I had always been taught that we were all equal in God's eyes. I guess there were a few exceptions to this concept for my friends and family.

Then in the Spring of 1995, Allah (swt) brought someone into my life. This person was such a wonderful example of what a Muslim should be and what Islam was about that once again, I began to ask questions. I was even taken to my first mosque. That will be a memory that shall forever be etched into my memory.

For 8 months I studied everything he could possibly find me and read and listened to tapes continuously. Then on February 15,1996, I officially embraced Islam. ALHAMDULILLAH !!!!!!!!

Our engagement was broken because his parents were against the idea of him marrying an American. Even though we are no longer engaged, I respect and admire him greatly. And I would never give up my Islam.
Since Feb. 15, my life has taken many turns. When I became engaged to an "Arabian" or "foreigner", my family was in shock, they rarely spoke to me. I also lost most of my American friends. BUT when I embraced Islam, my family first tried to have me committed to a mental hospital, when that didn't work, they completely disowned me. They did make calls to me to tell me that they hoped I rotted in hell...and calls from my so called friends stated the same desire. Yes this hurt, even though my family and I had many differences, I still loved them deeply.

Alhamdulillah wa "Subhanaallah" my eeman (faith in Islam) was strong.
The last time I spoke to my family was two days after the bombing in Saudi Arabia. My uncle and cousin were killed in the bombing...my family called again to tell me of the news and to "assure" me that my family members that were killed in the bombing loved me.BUT their blood was on my head and all my terrorist friends. I cried for days, but once again, my eeman stood strong and I continued.

The next turn in my life was when I returned home one afternoon four days after the bombing to find that someone had shot at windows of my home, and spray painted "TERRORIST LOVER" down the side of one of my vehicles. The police were no help to me at all. That same night while chatting in the "Muslim Chat" I heard gun shots ring out. They had returned, and finished almost all the remaining windows that were left in my home, and killed my pets that were outside.

Upon the arrival of the police I was told that unless I could give positive identifications of these people and the vehicles they were driving, then it would almost be impossible for them to be found. I begged them to check my vehicles for any damage, I wanted to go to a motel so I would feel safer. I was told absolutely not, they were concerned that my "TERRORISTS" friends could have planted a bomb in one of them as a trap for the police. I crumbled to the ground on my knees crying out for ALLAH'S (swt) mercy and guidance.

Allah's answered very faithfully. I was attacked one night in a parking lot by an unknown man that proceeded to beat me, stab me, break my wrist and fracture some ribs. This person has been caught, and is awaiting trial, but at this time he is only doing public service work for this town. Last week when I went to pick up my clothing at the dry cleaners I was informed they had been lost, these articles included all my hijabs, jilbabs, abayahs and khimars. How convenient for them to lost these items.

The town I live in is very small and there are no other Muslims or Arabs even close. The closest mosque is 120 miles away. Even though I am alone as to the fact that I do not have any other Muslims to visit with and learn from, Alhamdulillah, ALLAH is always there!!

What little knowledge I have about Islam has been gained through reading everything I can find on the internet, and through my true friends and family on the Internet. I will never give up...but I would like to thank a very special Palestinian brother for his love, support, friendship and prayers during these past few weeks. You know who you are. God bless you richly. To my other Muslim brothers and sisters on the Internet, I love you and I thank you.

I am not writing this story in hopes of gaining pity. I do ask that everyone continue to pray for me, or anyone that is reading this to be assured that ALLAH (swt) will never let you down. But the injustices and prejudices that we Muslims face here in the United States and around the world has got to come to an end. It has to be acknowledged and dealt with, I know I am not alone in this fight. It is time that the media print and show the "TRUE" side of Islam. ALLAH (swt) will prevail!!!!

And one final thought, to my friend who first shared her knowledge of Islam with me...I know that on February 15 of this year, you smiled down on me from paradise and gave ALLAH (swt) all the praises, and Insha'Allah I will see you again.
I love you all.
Amirah

There were too many unanswered questions

2009-12-13T19:04:00.001-08:00

For a good Christian girl to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim is extraordinary enough. But more than that, she has also converted her parents, most of the rest of her family and at least 30 friends and neighbours.

Her family were austere Christians with whom Rogers regularly attended Salvation Army meetings. When all the other teenagers in Britain were kissing their George Michael posters goodnight, Rogers had pictures of Jesus up on her wall. And yet she found that Christianity was not enough; there were too many unanswered questions and she felt dissatisfied with the lack of disciplined structure for her beliefs. "There had to be more for me to obey than just doing prayers when I felt like it."

Aisha had first seen her future husband, Mohammad Bhutta, when she was 10 and regular customer at the shop, run by his family. She would see him in the back, praying. "There was contentment and peace in what he was doing. He said he was a Muslim. I said: What's a Muslim?".

Later with his help she began looking deeper into Islam. By the age of 17, she had read the entire Koran in Arabic. "Everything I read", she says, "Was making sense." She made the decision to convert at 16. "

When I said the words, it was like a big burden I had been carrying on my shoulders had been thrown off. I felt like a new-born baby."

Despite her conversion however, Mohammed's parents were against their marrying. They saw her as a Western woman who would lead their eldest son astray and give the family a bad name; she was, Mohammed's father believed, "the biggest enemy."

Nevertheless, the couple married in the local mosque. Aisha wore a dress hand-sewn by Mohammed's mother and sisters who sneaked into the ceremony against the wishes of his father who refused to attend.

It was his elderly grandmother who paved the way for a bond between the women. She arrived from Pakistan where mixed-race marriages were even more taboo, and insisted on meeting Aisha. She was so impressed by the fact that she had learned the Koran and Punjabi that she convinced the others; slowly, Aisha, now 32, became one of the family.

Aisha's parents, Michael and Marjory Rogers, though did attend the wedding, were more concerned with the clothes their daughter was now wearing (the traditional shalwaar kameez) and what the neighbours would think. Six years later, Aisha embarked on a mission to convert them and the rest of her family, bar her sister ("I'm still working on her).

"My husband and I worked on my mum and dad, telling them about Islam and they saw the changes in me, like I stopped answering back!"

Her mother soon followed in her footsteps. Marjory Rogers changed her name to Sumayyah and became a devout Muslim. "

She wore the hijab and did her prayers on time and nothing ever mattered to her except her connections with God."

Aisha's father proved a more difficult recruit, so she enlisted the help of her newly converted mother (who has since died of cancer). "

My mum and I used to talk to my father about Islam and we were sitting in the sofa in the kitchen one day and he said: "What are the words you say when you become a Muslim?"

"Me and my mum just jumped on top of him."

Three years later, Aisha's brother converted "over the telephone - thanks to BT", then his wife and children followed, followed by her sister's son.

It didn't stop there. Her family converted, Aisha turned her attention to Cowcaddens, with its tightly packed rows of crumbling, gray tenement flats. Every Monday for the past 13 years, Aisha has held classes in Islam for Scottish women. So far she has helped to convert over 30. The women come from a bewildering array of backgrounds.

Trudy, a lecturer at the University of Glasgow and a former Catholic, attended Aisha's classes purely because she was commissioned to carry out some research. But after six months of classes she converted, deciding that Christianity was riddled with "logical inconsistencies".

"I could tell she was beginning to be affected by the talks", Aisha says. How could she tell? "I don't know, it was just a feeling."

The classes include Muslim girls tempted by Western ideals and needing salvation, practicing Muslim women who want an open forum for discussion denied them at the local male-dominated mosque, and those simply interested in Islam. Aisha welcomes questions. "We cannot expect people blindly to believe."

Her husband, Mohammad Bhutta, now 41, does not seem so driven to convert Scottish lads to Muslim brothers. He occasionally helps out in the family restaurant, but his main aim in life is to ensure the couple's five children grow up as Muslims.

The eldest, Safia, "nearly 14, Al-Hamdulillah (Praise be to God!)", is not averse to a spot of recruiting herself. One day she met a woman in the street and carried her shopping, the woman attended Aisha's classes and is now a Muslim."

I can honestly say I have never regretted it", Aisha says of her conversion to Islam. "Every marriage has its ups and downs and sometimes you need something to pull you out of any hardship. But the Prophet Peace be upon him, said: 'Every hardship has an ease.' So when you're going through a difficult stage, you work for that ease to come."
Mohammed is more romantic: "I feel we have known each other for centuries and must never part from one another. According to Islam, you are not just partners for life, you can be partners in heaven as well, for ever. Its a beautiful thing, you know."

I felt growing unrest in my heart

2009-12-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

My father was very much inclined towards Christianity. When I was a child he would tell me stories from the Bible about prophets like Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them). As a result I grew to love them and also had a great admiration for my father.

As I began to mature I felt growing unrest in my heart. Something was missing in my life but I didn`t know what it was. I wanted to return to my childhood state when I was innocent, but as each day went by my situation worsened. My character was in need of reform, but I didn`t know how to go about it.

I looked at my community and society at large and felt alienated from them. At weddings and other social occasions I`d sit, looking at everyone around me, wondering what on earth I was doing there. Surely there had to be more to life than this. When I told my mother about how I felt, she asked, "Well where do you belong then? You have to fit in with other people and be like them if you want to get on in life." Her advice did nothing for me. I knew this life was not for me, but what alternative did I have? It seemed there was no hope. I sank deeper and deeper into depression, often feeling suicidal.

It was then that events occurred leading to the most terrifying experience of my life. In the middle of the night I would wake up and walk around in a half conscious state, thinking it was daylight. I could see what I was doing and what I was saying, but I was unable to either stop myself or understand why this was happening. I felt as if I was on the verge of insanity, finally beginning to crack up. During the day, I was normal, and so to the rest of my family it was a joke. However my mother insisted on taking me to see the doctor. Her reaction was the same. She laughed and told me I was sleep walking, maybe I should have a hot drink before I went to bed. No one realised how afraid I was, feeling anxious everytime darkness began to fall.

A couple of days later, whilst I was asleep I saw the face of this being, not entirely human. Its skin had a greenish-black tinge and it had something on it`s head. It`s face was turned away from me, to the side. Then it looked straight into my eyes, with eyes amber in colour. I jumped up in fear, and seeing this it threw its head back and laughed at me, an evil laugh. All I could hear were voices; screaming, laughing and something being chanted in a rhythmic tone, which I was unable to understand.

I leapt out of bed and switched the light on. This was no nightmare. I was fully awake, but the voices were still there. I began to scream, covering my ears, frantically running around the room in an attempt to drown out the voices that were hounding me and to try and wake the rest of my family. But they just didn`t seem to hear. I was crying out loudly, weeping profusely but still the voices would not subside. I felt such fear, the like of which I could never have conceived before. No one could help me. I was all alone and powerless to do anything.

In desperation I got down on the floor, covering my face and ears with my arms, between my sobs, I began to pray; "O God! Please help me! I`m sorry for all the things I`ve done wrong. I`ll do whatever you tell me, whatever road you want me to take, I`ll take it, but you have to help me. I don`t know what you want me to do." I kept pleading in this way, repeating myself again and again.

Then all of a sudden everything stopped. The voices had gone and I sensed the atmosphere had changed, but I was too afraid to look around the room, and still kept crying. After some time I managed to find the courage to uncover my face. Everything was peaceful, serene. God had saved me.

It`s difficult to convey to others exactly what happened and how I felt. A person can only comprehend something like this if they have been through a similar experience. After a while I forgot how afraid I had been when this incident took place. But I was now convinced of God`s existence.

Some time later, during the month of Ramadan, I was sat at home in front of the television, flicking from channel to channel. I accidently switched to an Arabic channel where there was a live transmission from the Ka'bah in Makkah at prayer time. The image moved me; people bending down, prostrating, standing side by side, from different parts of the world wearing the same clothes worshipping the same God, the One True God. Everything seemed so clear now. It was almost like looking into a mirror. I saw my true self.

I went to the library and picked up a translation of the Qur`an. I didn`t know quite what I was going to find, but what I read left me in wonder and exceeded all my expectations. I began to read about Jesus (AS) and his mother Mary. Prior to this I had never thought of Jesus as being a prophet of Islam, in fact I was under the impression that Muslims disliked him. Then I turned to some verses about the prophets Lot and Solomon (AS). God spoke of them as being noble prophets, unlike in the Bible. Even before this I could never understand how these people could commit such crimes as they were accused of in the Old Testament when they were the ones sent as examples for us.

This was my first encounter with the Qur`an. I had feelings not only of joy and amazement, but also of relief. I didn`t know a book like this actually existed, it seemed almost too good to be true!

I really believe that in the life of each and every person Allah (SWT) makes Himself manifest to them in some way or another. In their heart everyone knows the reality of His existence, even though externally they may try to cover up the truth.

Looking back at my life when I started to think about religion, it never occurred to me to even consider Islam. Maybe this was due to the inward fear I had of Islam, or Islamaphobia as it is called. Whenever I saw a man with a beard and Islamic dress, a woman in hijaab, I felt threatened. The words fundamentalism, violence and terrorism sprang to mind. I let the media do my thinking for me instead of considering the facts for myself.

I used to think of religion as something that was not supposed to make sense, you shouldn`t think too deeply about it or ask too many questions, but just believe. In fact I was afraid that by getting an education and going on to university I`d end up becoming an atheist! But with Islam, the more I look into it the more I realise how beautiful this deen is. The laws are just and unparalleled. It is the Truth, the universal message, and the greatest blessing Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon Mankind. Alhamdulillah that I person like me has recognised it as such.

Simple purity of Islam

2009-12-02T21:24:00.016-08:00

Sir Abdullah Archibald Hamilton (England) Statesman and Baronet
About the author: Sir Abdullah Archibald Hamilton Bart, formerly Sir Charles Edward Archibald Watkins Hamilton, embraced Islam on 20th December 1923. A well-known English statesman, fifth baronet of the first (1770) and third baronet of the second creation (1819) Sir Abdullah was born on 10th December 1876. He was a Lieutinent in the Royal Defence Corp. and was also the President of the Selsy Conservative Association.

Since arriving at an age of discretion, the beauty and the simple purity of Islam have always appealed to me. I could never, though born and brought up as a Christian, believe in the dogmatic aspect of the Church, and have always placed reason and commonsense above blind faith.

As the time progressed, I wished to be at peace with my Creator, and I found that both the Church of Rome and the Church of England were of no real use to me.

In becoming a Muslim I have merely obeyed the dictates of my conscience, and have since felt a better and a truer man.

There is no religion that is so maligned by the ignorant and the biased as is Islam; yet if people only knew, it is the religion of strong for the weak, the rich for the poor. Humanity is divided into three classes. First, those on whom God has, out of His bounty, bestowed possessions and wealth; secondly, those who have to work to earn their living; and lastly, the great army of the unemployed, or those who have fallen by the wayside through no fault of their own.

Again Islam recognizes genius and individuality. It is constructive and not destructive. For example, if a landowner who is rich and is not in need of cultivating his land refrains from doing so for some time, his property ipso facto becomes public property, and according to Islam Law, passes into the hands of the first person who cultivates it.

Islam strictly forbids its adherents to gamble or to indulge in any games of chance. It prohibits all alcoholic drinks and interdicts usury, which alone has caused enough sorrow and suffering to mankind. Thus, in Islam, none can take a mean advantage of another who is less fortunate.

We neither believe in fatalism nor in predestination, but only in pre-measurement; that is to say the fixity of the laws and the intelligence to follow them.

To us, Faith without Action is a dead-letter; for in itself it is insufficient unless we live up to it. We believe in our own personal accountability for our actions in this life and the Hereafter. We must carry our own cross and none can atone for another's sin.

Islam teaches the inherent sinlessness of man. It teaches that man and woman come from the same essence, possess the same soul, and have been equipped with equal capabilities for intellectual, spiritual and moral attainment.

I do not think I need say much about the Universal Brotherhood of man in Islam. It is a recognized fact. Lord and vassal, rich and poor, are all like. I have always found that my brother Muslims have been the soul of honour and that I could believe their word. They have always treated me justly, as a man and a brother, and have extended to me the greatest hospitality, and I have always felt at home with them.

In conclusion, I would like to say that whereas Islam guides humanity in the daily workaday life, the present-day so-called Christianity, indirectly in theory and invariably in practice, teaches its followers, it would seem, to pray to God on Sundays and to prey on His creatures for the rest of the week.

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How did this woman become Muslim?

2009-12-02T21:24:00.015-08:00

I said, Emily has become Muslim?!

She said, Yes, she became Muslim.

This news came as a surprise, and I asked myself, how did this woman become Muslim?

I had never noticed anything in the expression of this Filipina woman to indicate that she wanted to hear anything about Islam But Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Verily, you (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like, but Allaah guides whom He wills [al-Qasas 28:56]

And Allaah had guided this Christian woman to Islam. The lady of the house for whom Emily worked told me the story of her Islam. Her journey towards Islam had begun when she had said to her mistress, I want to learn about Islam.

This surprised the lady of the house, but she told her a few things about Islam in an attempt to convey a little of what she knew about her religion. Then she got in touch with the Centre of Daw�ah and Guidance for Non-Muslims (Markaz al-Da�wah wa�l-Irshaad li�l-Jaaliyaat ghayr al-Muslimah) in order to get hold of some books about Islam written in the Filipino language (Tagalog).

What attracted my attention to this story is the fact that this newly-Muslim woman sees things in our religion that many others do not see.

When I asked her why she had embraced our religion, she answered as follows:

I used to feel very peaceful deep in my heart, even though I was in a strange society far away from my homeland. I received kind treatment from my mistress and she was concerned about me and my rights. She cared about my safety and would not let me go out alone on my weekly day off. She said, If your husband were here, I would let you go out with him on your day off. At the beginning, I used to accuse the Muslims of being oppressive, but I soon realized that she meant well and wanted to keep me away from immoral routes. If this was the case with minor issues of your religion, then what about the major issues?

Whilst thinking about the story of this Filipina worker, whose appearance was even more beautiful than before now that she was wearing the proper Islamic hijaab, another question came to my mind: what motivates a woman to become Muslim?

Despite the fact that the people in the family for whom she worked were not particularly keen to call her to Islam and they did not follow a purely Islamic lifestyle, there still existed that common sense (fitrah � natural human inclination) which prevails over most of our households � that fitrah accompanied by kind treatment and good manners to which Allaah guides us in most of our dealings, even though some neglect much of it; that common sense which we must pay attention to. But it is this fitrah which always attracts them to the true religion.

My message here is daw�ah and raising awareness, the da�wah which starts in our homes with simple efforts. Our religion of Islam is a great religion which includes profound principles and concepts and it can save mankind from its woes; we must not neglect these principles.

If this woman could become Muslim simply from seeing or hearing a few simple things in our lifestyle, how would it be if we were really adhering to our religion properly? Wouldn�t that have a greater and more positive effect on the non-Muslim foreign workers around us? It would definitely have a great impact on improving the state of our Islamic society and the entire Muslim Ummah.

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Born in London I was brought up Christian

2009-12-02T21:24:00.014-08:00

Muhammad John Webster (England)
President, The English Muslim Mission

Born in London I was brought up Christian of the Protestant persuasion. In 1930, in my teens, I was confronted with the problems normal to a reasonably intelligent young man, these problems being basically relating to the reconciling of everyday affairs with the claims of religion and here I came across the first weakness of Christianity. Christianity is a dualism which regards the world as sinful and seeks to turn its back on the realities of life, projecting its hopes into a future world. As a result of this there is created a Sunday attitude towards religion which has no place in the rest of the secular week. At this time in England there was a great deal of poverty and social discontent which Christianity made no attempt to resolve. More emotional than knowledgeable, with the enthusiasm of youth I rejected the Church and became a Communist.

Communism has a certain satisfaction at an emotional adolescent level but again it did not take long to realise the hateful nature of Communism based upon class warfare, in itself immortal. Having rejected the materialism of Communism I turned to the study of philosophy and religion. The unity which I observed all around me led me to identify myself with what is known as Pantheism, a natural law religion.

We in the West find it difficult to acquaint ourself with Islam for since the days of the Christian Crusades there has been either a conspiracy of silence or a deliberate perversion of Islamic matters. Anyway at the time living in Australia I asked for a copy of the Holy Qur'an at the Sydney Public Library, when I was given the Book and was reading the preface by the translator, the bigotry against Islam was so obvious that I closed it up. There was no Qur'an translated by a Muslim available. Some weeks later in Perth, Western Australia, I again asked at the library for a copy of the Qur'an stipulating that the translator must be a Muslim. It is difficult to put into words my immediate response to the first surah, the Seven Opening Verses: Then I read something of the life of the Prophet (peace be on him). I spent hours in the library that day, I had found what I wanted, by the mercy of Allah. I was a Muslim. I had not at this time met any Muslim. I came out of the library exhausted by the tremendous intellectual and emotional experience I had received. The next experience, I still ask myself: was it true or was it something I had dreamed up, for in cold print it seems impossible to have happened. I came out of the library intending to get myself a cup of coffee. I walked down the street and raising my eyes to a building beyond a high brick wall I saw the words 'Muslim Mosque' I straightway said to myself 'You know the truth, now accept it'.

'La illaha illalah Muhammad ur Rasul Allah' and so by the mercy of Allah I became a Muslim.

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The study of Oriental Religions

2009-12-02T21:24:00.013-08:00

Muhammad Alexander Russel Webb (U.S.A.)
Diplomat, Author & Journalist

About the Author: Muhammad Alexander Russel Webb was born in 1846 at Hudson, Columbia county, New York. Educated at Hudson and New York he became an essayist and a short-story writer. He took to journalism and became the editor of St. Joseph Gazette and of Missouri Republican. In 1887 he was appointed United States Consul at Manila, Phillipines. It was during this assignment that he studied Islam and joined its fold. After becoming Muslim he extensively toured the world of Islam and devoted the rest of his life to Missionary work. He also became the head of the Islamic Propaganda Mission in U.S.A. Mr. Webb died on 1st October 1916.

I have been requested to tell you why I, an American, born in a country which is nominally Christian, and reared under the drippings, or more properly perhaps the drivelling, of an orthodox Presbyterian pulpit, came to adopt the faith of Islam as my guide in life. I might reply promptly and truthfully that I adopted this religion because I found, after protracted study, that it was the best and only system adapted to the spiritual needs of the humanity. And here let me say that I was not born as some boys seem to be, with a fervently religious strain in my character. When I reached the age of 20, and became practically my own master, I was so tired of the restraint and dullness of the Church, that I wandered away from it and never returned to it ... Fortunately I was of an enquiring turn of mind --- I wanted a reason for everything, and I found that neither laymen nor clergy could give me any rational explanation of this faith, but either told me that such things were mysterious or that they were beyond my comprehension. About eleven years ago I became interested in the study of Oriental religions.. I saw Mill and Locke, Kant, Hegel, Fichte, Huxley, and many other more or less learned writers discoursing with a great show of wisdom concerning protoplasm and monads, and yet not one of them could tell me what the soul was or what became of it after death... I have spoken so much of myself in order to show you that my adoption of Islam was not the result of misguided sentiment, blind credulity, or sudden emotional impulse, but it was born of earnest, honest, persistent, unprejudiced study and investigation and an intense desire to know the truth.

The essence of the true faith of Islam is resignation to the will of God and its corner stone is prayer. It reaches universal fraternity, universal love, and universal benevolence, and requires purity of mind, purity of action, purity of speech and perfect physical cleanliness. It, beyond doubt, is the simplest and most elevating form of religion known to man.

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The total freedom from idolatory

2009-12-02T21:24:00.012-08:00

Colonel Donald S. Rockwell (U.S.A.)
(Poet, Critic & Author)

The simplicity of Islam, the powerful appeal and the compelling atmosphere of its mosques, the earnestness of its faithful adherents, the confidence inspiring realization of the millions throughout the world who answer the five daily calls to prayer --- these factors attracted me from the first. But after I had determined to become a follower of Islam, I found many deeper reasons for confirming my decision. The mellow concept of life -- fruit of the Prophet's combined course of action and contemplation --- the wise counsel, the admonitions to charity and mercy, the broad humanitarianism, the pioneer declaration of woman's property rights - these and other factors of the teachings of the man of Mecca were to me among the most obvious evidence of a practical religion so tersly and so aptly epitomized in the cryptic words of Muhammad, "Trust in God and tie your camel". He gave us a religious system of normal action, not blind faith in the protection of an unseen force in spite of our own neglect, but confidence that if we do all things rightly and to the best of our ability, we may trust in what comes as the Will of God.

The broadminded tolerance of Islam for other religions recommends it to all lovers of liberty. Muhammad admonished his followers to treat well the believers in the Old and New Testaments; and Abraham, Moses and Jesus are acknowledged as co-prophets of the One God. Surely this is generous and far in advance of the attitude of other religions.

The total freedom from idolatory ... is a sign of the salubrious strength and purity of the Muslim faith.

The original teachings of the Prophet of God have not been engulfed in the maze of changes and additions of doctrinarians. The Qur'an remains as it came to the corrupt polytheistic people of Muhammad's time, changeless as the holy heart of Islam itself.

Moderation and temperance in all things, the keynotes of Islam, won my unqualified approbation. The health of his people was cherished by the Prophet, who enjoined them to observe strict cleanliness and specified fasts and to subordinate carnal appetites ... when I stood in the inspiring mosques of Istanbul, Damascus, Jerusalem, Cairo, Algiers, Tangier, Fez and other cities, I was conscious of a powerful reaction [to] the potent uplift of Islam's simple appeal to the sense of higher things, unaided by elaborate trappings, ornamentations, figures, pictures, music and ceremonial ritual. The mosque is a place of quiet contemplation and self-effacement in the greater reality of the One God.

The democracy of Islam has always appealed to me. Potentate and pauper have the same rights on the floor of the mosque, on their knees in humble worship. There are no rented pews nor special reserved seats.

The Muslim accepts no man as a mediator between himself and his God. He goes direct to the invisible source of creation and life, God, without reliance on saving formula of repentance of sins and belief in the power of a teacher to afford him salvation.

The universal brotherhood of Islam, regardless of race, politics, colour or country, has been brought home to me most keenly many times in my life and this is another feature which drew me towards the Faith.

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Thought of God

2009-12-02T21:24:00.011-08:00

William Burchell Bashyr Pickard (England)
Author, Poet and Novelist

About the Author: W. B. Bashyr Pickard B.A. (Cantab), L.D.(London) is an author of wide repute. His pen-production include: Layla and Majnun, The Adventures of Alcassim, A New World etc.

"Every child is born with a disposition towards the natural religion of obedience (i.e. Islam); it is the parents who make him a Jew, A Christian or a Magian." ---- a saying of Muhammad.

Having been born in Islam it was a good many years before I realized this fact.

At school and college I was occupied, perhaps too intensely, with the affairs and demands of the passing moment. I do not consider my career of those days brilliant, but it was progressive. Amid Christian surroundings I was taught the good life, and the thought of God and of worship and of righteousness was pleasant to me. If I worshipped anything it was nobility and courage. Coming down from Cambridge, I went to Central Africa, having obtained an appointment in the administration of the Uganda Protectorate. There I had an interesting and exciting existence beyond what, from England, I had ever dreamt, and was compelled by circumstances, to live amongst the black brotherhood of humanity, to whom I may say I became endearingly attached by reasons of their simple joyous outlook upon life. The East had always attracted me. At Cambridge I read the Arabian Nights. Alone in Africa I read the Arabian Nights, and the wild roaming existence I passed in the Uganda Protectorate did not make the East less dear to me.

Then upon my placid life broke in the First World War. I hastened homewards to Europe. My health broke down. Recovering, I applied for a commission in the Army, but on health grounds this was denied to me. I therefore cut losses and enlisted in the Yeomanry managing somehow or other to pass the doctors and, to my relief, donned uniform as a trooper. Serving then in France on the Western Front, I took part in the battle of the Somme in 1917, where I was wounded and made prisoner of war. I travelled through Belgium to Germany where I was lodged in hospital. In Germany I saw much of the sufferings of stricken humanity, especially Russians decimated by dysentry. I came to the outskirts of starvation. My wound (shattered right arm) did not heal quickly and I was useless to the Germans. I was therefore sent to Switzerland for hospital treatment and operation. I well remember how dear even in those days was the thought of the Qur'an to me. In Germany I had written home for a copy of Sale's Koran to be sent out to me. In later years I learnt that this had been sent but it never reached me. In Switzerland after operation of arm and leg my health recovered. I was able to go out and about. I purchased a copy of Savary's French translation of the Qur'an (this today is one of my dearest possessions). Therein I delighted with a great delight. It was as if a ray of eternal truth shone down with blessedness upon me. My right hand still being useless, I practised writing the Qur'an with my left hand. My attachment to the Qur'an is further evidenced when I say that one of the most vivid and cherished recollections I had of the Arabian Nights was that of the youth discovered alive alone in the city of the dead, seated reading the Qur'an, oblivious to his surroundings. In those days in Switzerland, I was veritably resigne a la volonte de Dieu (Muslim). After the signing of the Armistice I returned to London in December 1918 and some two or three years later, in 1921, I took up a course of literary study at London University. One of the subjects I chose was Arabic, lectures in which I attended at King's College. Here it was that one day my professor in Arabic (the late Mr. Belshah of Iraq) in the course of our study of Arabic mentioned the Qur'an. "Whether you believe in it or not," he said, "you will find it a most interesting book and well worthy of study." "Oh, but I do believe in it," was my reply. This remark surprised and greatly interested my teacher in Arabic, who after a little talk invited me to accompany him to the London Prayer House at Notting Hill Gate. After that I attended the Prayer House frequently and came to know more of the practice of Islam, until, on New Year's day, 1922, I openly joined the Muslim community.

That is more than quarter of a century ago. Since then I have lived a Muslim life in theory and practice to the extent of my ability. The power and wisdom and mercy of God are boundless. The fields of knowledge stretch out ever before us beyond the horizon. In our pilgrimage through life I feel assured that the only befitting garment we can wear is submission and upon our heads the headgear of praise and in our hearts love of the One Supreme.

"Wal-Hamdu lil' Lahi Rabbi 'l-'Alameen"

New Muslims

To believe in One God,

We created equal in the eyes of God

There were too many unanswered questions

I felt growing unrest in my heart

Simple purity of Islam

How did this woman become Muslim?

Born in London I was brought up Christian

The study of Oriental Religions

The total freedom from idolatory

Thought of God

I do not want to remain a Christian any longer

I was in Manchuria where Japan was still wielding power

The majority of our people are Buddhist

What is for me the Beauty of Islam?

The Qur'an I had found in the library

The world is darkness

We had begun to accept the American mode of living

I was born in a Christian environment

An account of my conversion to Islam

Why Do Westerners Embrace Islam?

No other religion

Islam, in essence, means peace in submission to the Eternal Law

Direction of Almighty

When The Truth of Islam Dawned Upon Me

I had lost faith in Christianity

Associated Myself With The Church

Believing in the first part of the Kalima

My Other Intellectual Interests In The World Of Islam

It Was Of My Leaning Towards Islam

My conversion to Islam has been intellectual and emotiona

I became fearful of God

What brought me to Islam in Cairo

I had no religion

9/11 Sparked My Interest

Testimony to Faith

God Had No Place In My Heart

I was a Roman Catholic

My conversion to Islam began

Allah Found Me

What, then, is Islam's greatest gift in a larger sense?

Muslims Worshipped The Black Stone

I was never affiliated with any religion nor was I an atheist

I took the Shahadah

The Guard Who Found Islam

Becoming Muslim by Jewellee

Why I Chose Islam, By Bride Jemima

My Path To Islam

I Grew Up In The Church

The Story Of New Muslims - Yusuf Islam

Napoleon Bonaparte embraced Islam?

Why I Embraced Islam?

How Greece Welcomes Its Female Muslims