The Ex-Sunni Scholar Sheikh Hassan Shehatah

Written by Sheikh Hassan Shehatah
The Allamah Shekh Hassan Shehate was born in Egypt 1946 in a family flowing the shafiyy doctrine. He was raised in a religious environment. He started acquiring the Religious knowledge at a very young age. His father sent him to Quran class when he was four years old. He memorized the Holy Quran by heart with 'tartil' (reading correctly with 'tajwid' rules) when he was five years & six months old. Then he joined Al-Azhar in Egypt & studied many fields of knowledge.
He majored in Shafiyy fiqh & Science of the holy Quran. He earned his Master’s degree in Science of Explanation of the Quran. He is also an authority in the Fiqh and Usul of the other three doctrine’s : Maliki, Hanafi & Hanbali.
Sheikh Hassan was considered as a Sunni learned man & Quran scholar. Sheikh Hassan started giving Juma preach since he was thirteen year’s old. In 1973 he became a preacher of Egyptian army beside his other duty’s as a Imam of mosque & teacher. He had a weekly TV program. Sheikh Hassan was known as a honest person so he used to fustigate the contradiction’s, mistake’s & myth’s in the Sunnism creed & propagate to mildness & prudence .
Sheikh Hassan conversion to Shiism began in 1994 when he saw prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) in a real vision in his dream & ordered him to follow Imam Ali (a.s) & he saw Abu baker & Omar in a shape of dog standing far away of prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) & Imam Ali (a.s) , after that vision Sheikh Hassan realized that is a message from the holy prophet(s.a.w.a) so he took it seriously & investigate in the history & start a deep research’s in Sunnism & Shiism creed & compare the both sides evidences. In 1996, Sheikh Hassan announced that he convert to Shiism & declared the truth through on TV & after that he challenged Al-Azhar chief (shekh Dr. Tantawi) & sunni’s scholars to a debate broadcast live through TV to prove for the people the truth & challenge them to gather all of them in one place to pray to God to condemn the liars if they disagree in the debate to prove who is on the right path, but they reject this challenge & sent Sheikh Hassan to jail for nine months because hundred thousands of Egyptian Sunnis convert to Shiism & there was no way for the sunnis scholars to prevent & control the fast expand for Shiism creed in Egypt except to keep shekh Hassan away of the people. After Sheikh Hassan got out of the jail, they exiled him for some time.
There are many reasons that led to Sheikh Hassan's conversion to Shiism True Islam besides his dream (vision). Because Sheikh Hassan from the beginning were disagreed with many sunniest principles & not really convinced by sunnism creed because of the contradiction & the mistiness in sunnism creed such as there is no authentic source for the hadith's in sunnism creed because most of hadith’s in Sunnism book’s narrate through liars such as abu Hurayra & Abu Hurayra acknowledged by him self that he is a liar [ sahih Albukhari ] & Imam Ali (a.s) announced that Abu Hurayra is the biggest liar [ Nahjul-balagha ] & sahih Albukhari plus the other hadith books narrate hadiths through the enemys of Ahl albayt (a.s) such as Umran ibn Hatan & narrate through hypocrites such as the jewish rabbi Ka'ab Alahba'ar & the sunnis accept the narration of this people while they reject most of the hadiths narrated through Ahl albayt (a.s), Sunnism tafseer (Explanation of the Quran ) it’s really contradictive & many verses are mystical for them & cannot find an explanation for it & many verses has been explained wrong on purpose to cover the facts & Shekh Hassan realized that because he were expert in Quran & one of the greatest sunnis scholars , other reason for his conversion is fiqh (Jurisprudence) because Sunnism fiqh is really contradictive & some times it’s against Quran & hadith such as Imam Alshafiyy allow for the man to marry his daughter of adultery & Imam Malik allowed for the mans to have sex with each other if they in a long travel (buggery) & Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal allowed for the womans to breast feed adult foreigner mans ( adults breast feeding ) & Imam Abo Hanifa allowed incest….etc
Today shekh Hassan is a renown Shiite scholar in Egypt & spends most of his time in teaching his students Ahl albayt (a.s) science & propagate to Shiism

www.shiarightpath.com

Sheikh Ahmed Amin al-Antaki; Ex-Sunni

Written by Sheikh Ahmed Amin al-Antaki
Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki’s birth and upbringing
The full name of Sheikh al-Antaki is Ahmed son of Yousif son of Ali son of Qanbar al-Haza. Sheikh al-Antaki was born in a village called €˜Ensow’ on the outskirts of Antakia, in Turkey. The village of Ensow comprises of two words, one of the words being in Arabic and the other in Turkish, the literal meaning of Ensow means eye of water, or oasis. This name was given to it due to its watery riches and resources.

The Sheikh was born Sunni to a Shafeei sect, he underwent his first classes under the teaching of his father. Sheikh Antaki was born in the year 1893(1311 in the Islamic calendar).
Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki’s academic life
-Sheikh Ahmed was brought up as a Shafeei and obtained his knowledge from his father at the beginning; he then went to study under the guidance of one of the Sheikhs in their village where he studied the basis of his education such as grammar, logic, etc.
After, Sheikh Ahmed directed his way towards Antakia where he attended classes under the teachings of one of the Sheikhs in the area known as Shiekh Ahmed al-Taweel, furthermore Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki and his brother attended additional classes which included studying under the teachings of Sheikh Saed al-Arfei.
After spending many years attaining his educational foundations, Sheikh Ahmed decided to travel to the €˜city of knowledge’- the Holy Azhar, in Egypt, to continue his strive for attaining knowledge and build upon his education. Upon deciding to travel to Azhar, his brother Sheikh Mohammed agreed to join him on the quest of gaining knowledge.
The Sheikh attended in al-Azhar many classes such as Islamic Theology, Arabic grammar, etc. Sheikh Ahmed received his Islamic theology teaching from the Theologian Mohammed Abu Taha and al-Sheikh Mohammed Bakhit. Both of whom were the teachers in Egypt in the past. Mohammed al-Samloot and Sheikh Hasanian were also teachers of Sheikh al-Antaki.
In the same period of time, the head of the al-Azhar university was the deceased the Allamah Sheikh Mohammed Abu al-Fatheel. After completing his studies & achieved the Al-almya degree which is the highest degree at al-Azhar, the Sheikh decided to return back to his homeland and spread the knowledge which he had obtained on his quest to al-Azhar to his friends and family. The sheikh returned to Antakia, however, the Sheikh did not prolong his stay there due to continuous occupation of the area by French forces.
Sheikh al-Antaki’s journey to Hijaz:
The sheikh was invited to a trip to Hijaz, a region in Saudi Arabia, the sheikh received knowledge that the city of Hijaz implements Islamic Sharia at the best of levels.
The sheikhs teaching were generally accepted and appreciated in Syria where he received an invitation from King Abdul Aziz al-Saud where he was given an opportunity to accept a position as Judge of Sharia, however what he observed on his trip from the Salafie’s and Wahabee’s disbelief towards other Muslims generally was the main reason for him not accepting the position as Islamic Judge (which was a position which couldn’t be rejected).
Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki resided in a city in Syria called Halab after the occupation of the evil Mustafa Atartork. The sheikh was appointed as representative (mufti) in the area by Sheikh Saed Areif who was the head of the Islamic Council at the time.
Sheikh al-Antaki’s conversion to Shia Ithna Ashari faith:
Reason for the change
The change from faith to faith or from sect to sect requires a balance between the two extremes. So whenever the facts become apparent of the faith or the sect, apparent to the logic that is, then a change is required. This is exactly what happened with sheikh Ahmed when he figured that the truth is with the Shia with a the reality of logic used between the two extremes: Shia-Sunni.
It was because of reasons of doubtfulness that the Sheikh first realised about the Shafiee school of thought and the Sunni faith in general. The faith contained disagreements as well as contradictions which disregard the fundamental bases. The sheikh notes this in his book €˜The way I became Shia’ the following:
“we realised that the Shafiee school of thought for example allows the marriage of a girl who is a prostitute to her father, the bases of this argument is that the water of a prostitute is not haram, as the daughter is not linked to the father so its allowable for the father to marry her. Abu Hanifa forbids this.” (The way I became Shia-page 16).
A further reason of why the Sheikh converted to Shia Ithna Ashari sect was because of his ability to obtain a book by the name of “Morajaat- The right path” by Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen al-Amili, he says about this:
“ I took the book and browsed through the pages astonished at the literature I was reading, I was really happy with what I was reading, it made me think about this book and its contents from its discussions between Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen (may Allah bless his soul) and Sheikh Saleem al-Bashree. Sheikh Saleem al-Bashree was a scholar at al-Azhar University; he was asking Sayed Abdul Hussain many questions which the Sayed was answering in the book…..”
When the sheikh was initially given the book, he first rejected it, as it was known to him to be a bias Shia book. The sheikh says about this:
“My brother sheikh Moraeey must have come across it and said: take this book and read it you will be surprised about it, think about it. I replied to him: from which sect is he from? He replied to me that he is from Jaffari, so I said to him: take this book away from me as I am not interested in it, as I hate the Shia. He told me to read it and not to implement any of its words and he emphasised that reading it will not affect me. Prior to this incident a discussion arose between us in the village of €˜al-Faewa’ and this is the incident took place in a area called €˜adalab’ €˜’ (about his book-page 17).
Another reason which had an impact on his conversion to the Shia school of thought was due to reading the book entitled “Abu Horayra” whose author is also Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen al-Amili, where he found out that many hadiths were made up as they did not obey logic neither did it comply with the Quran or the teaching of the Prophet (PBUH). An example is that Prophet Musa (PBUH) slapped the face of the angel of death Izrael and so He opened his eyes. Or for example Musa (PBUH) was walking naked between the children of Israel (bani Israel), or that Allah (SWT) created Adam (PBUH) like his picture?! And many more alike. The author of the book has written it in such a way which allows the reader to realise that “Abu Horayra” who befriended the Prophet (PBUH) for three years or less, was the companion of the Prophet who spread his teachings to the greatest. However the proportion of what the four khalifas saw in comparison to what Abu Horayra saw was only 27% from his traditions!!!.
The availability of strong facts which were not created and which are accepted by both Shia and Sunna
- there exists many traditions in regards to household of the Prophet (PBUH), however one tradition which especially caught the Sheikhs attention was about the ark which the Prophet (PBUH) says: “My Household to you is like Noah’s ark, whosoever got on the ark survived, and who neglected the ark drowned” (€˜Mostadreek Al Hokom- The book of Laws’ chapter 2, page 342 and Ibin Hijir €˜Sawaiqa’ page 153’)
Also the tradition of the “Thaqalaayn’ where the Prophet (PBUH) says “ I have left for you two weighty things, the Holy Book of Allah and My household, whosoever keeps with them will never go astray. The two weighty things will not separate until they return to the pond in paradise, so observe how you will do contrary to what I have stated”( tradition contained in Sahih Muslim ch.2 page 238 also contained in Ahmed Ibin Hanbal ch.3 page 17 and Sahih Tarmadi ch.2 page 308).
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has compared his household to (who comprise of Ali, Fatemah , Hasan, Hussain and the nine infallibles sons of Hussain) to Noah’s ark as the survival is only guaranteed with them as the ark was the only means of survival to the people at the time.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also compared his household to the Holy Quran which is the strongest proof that his Household are the most knowledge of people in the contents of the Holy Quran, and that they are all infallible.
For more guidance we highly recommend you to read the book €˜Morajaat- The right Path’ whose author is Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen al-Amili who has noted the most important references against the sunna’s and the truth of the household of the Holy Prophet(PBUH).
These are some of the reasons why Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki converted to the Shia Inthna Ashari school of thought.
The above was a short piece of literature belonging to a humble individual who was guided to the correct path. Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki has a book called “the way I became Shia” where he outlines the exact procedure of how he converted. Sheikh Mohammed Moraeey al-Antaki also has a book called “why I chose the Shia school of thought” both books are available at all good Islamic bookstores.
www.shiarightpath.com

Abdullah Ahmed Al-Osayri; Ex-Salafi... Now Shia!

Written by Abdullah Ahmed Al- Osayri

Abdullah Ahmed Al-Osayri was born in the city of Mahaweet in Yemen in the year 1977. With respect to his academic studies, he was a medical student, however with respect to his religious studies; he attended lessons for Wahabis/Salafis in one of the institutions in his area for a period of three years as well as taking part in the propagation of Wahabism/Salafism for a period of one year.

 

The Beginning

Abdullah talks about the events which led to his guidance. €˜In the beginning I took a decision to live according to the laws of God, and to strive with respect to Islamic principles because it is the best way to live in this life and the hereafter. I had nothing but Islam, but in the Wahabi way. When I attended the lessons I was told to ridicule my intellect for according to them intellect leads man astray and so I believed them for three years learning from them and preaching for them. So brother Abdullah was misguided by the Wahabi ideology that does not permit one to use his intellect to think.

Coming closer to Shiism
Abdullah says: €˜I was lucky that I knew a Wahabi/Salafi scholar Sheikh Ali Al-Herazi because we had a family tie as well as a good friendship and one day I heard from his family that he became a Shia. So I went to him with an intention to guide him, according to my views at that time. We started by discussing the issue of combining the two Salaats, and he told me that it is permissible to combine the two prayers and that this was verified in Sahih Bukhari.

On the next occasion of their meeting, the discussion was about theological issues rather than Fiqh (jurisprudence) issues as the last time. Sayed Abdullah says: €˜We started talking about Allah (SWT) attributes for the Wahabis/Salafis say that Allah is physically present on his throne so my Shia friend asked me from where we had this ridiculous ideology ?. I replied from the Sahih hadiths. Then we discussed the issue of hadiths and the correctness of the hadith books. I argued with him although I could not answer his questions at all. However, I wrote down all the points he mentioned and decided to go to my Wahabi/Salafi teacher and get a response.

I went to my Wahabi/Salafi teacher immediately and informed him of the discussion I had, and gave him the paper on which I wrote all the points. He promised me to give me a response the following day. So I went to him the next day and he recited the words of Ibn Tamiyah: The Shia are polytheist and are misguided and talking to them is dangerous. I said to him that I know that but I wanted a reply to convince my Shia friend and in a more general way it is important that when preaching I should show the people that I am on the true path and that the Shia are wrong. He said to me that if Allah (SWT) had wanted to guide my friend then he would have and no one can be Shia and be guided’.

This is the way in which Wahabis/Salafis run away from the truth- false accusations and never ever answering questions or points made to them that prove the Shia are on the right path. It is because the Wahabis/Salafis are based on a vicious falsehood, a lie, and they are truly misguided.

The Change

Abdullah recalls how he felt: €˜
For the first time I lost respect for this sect, Wahabism/Salafism, for it admits that it has no answer to reply the Shias, and that it does not know anything except saying that the Shias are misguided. Why? Just because Ibn Taymiyah said so. I took from my Wahabi/Salafi teacher a book about the Shia. He gave me a book called €˜The wide lines regarding the religion of Imamah’ so I took the book and went to my Shia converted relative Shekh Al-Herazi and I mentioned to him the accusations that the book made about the Shias, one after the other and he was very patient with me. The Shekh replied each one until I acknowledged with certainty that the Shias have not fabricated the Holy Quran, and the correctness of their beliefs regarding the companions of the Holy Prophet and his wives, and also the correctness of temporary marriage: mutaa.

Then we entered into a discussion about Islamic history after the death of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and we discussed the political system in Islam. We debated whether the Shura is a system of leadership or whether the Immamah is the system of leadership in Islam. We talked about how the Prophet clearly stated that Ali was the leader of the Ummah after him and how Abu Bakr usurped the Caliphate. After long discussions regarding these matters, the Shaykh gave me a book called €˜Al-Murajaat’ and this book just convinced me that the Shias are on the right and all my previous beliefs were ridiculous. After that, I learnt of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and I changed to a person who was on an enlightened path following the ways of the Prophet (SAW) and his Holy Infallible progeny (AS).

The Wahabis- troublemakers
The Wahabis/Salafis started making trouble for Abdullah. They caused fitnah and problems between him and his older brother and family. Furthermore, they turned everyone against him and started making more problems for him so that he did not get his wages(his salary).

However, Abdullah Ahmed Al- Osayri was never dissuaded and was patient. He preached the glorious path of Ahlulbayt so that his family, including his older brother, and his friends were all guided to the correct path of True Islam.
 

www.shiarightpath.com 

Me, my father and our conversion story

Written by H110
Since the age of 20, my father has been studying comparative religions such as Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism. Due to this, he had an extensive collection of various books from different faiths. I was shocked that my father kept a bible in our house, since it was a taboo for Muslim families to have a bible in their household then in Singapore. His readings about Islam led him into being a staunch Wahhabi.
He was attracted to their motto of having the “Quran and Sunnah” as their sole source of guidance. Which true Muslim would oppose the Qur’an and Sunnah?
His encounter with Shia Islam was like a rude awakening. Since the Shia population in Singapore is small he has never encounter Shias, and he did not seriously look into the belief of the Shias. One day in my father’s workplace he saw his friend Ishaq performing the zuhr (noon) prayers. My father noticed that he was praying without his arms folded, and there was a small piece of clay (turba) on the prayer mat. He waited for Ishaq to complete his prayer and approached his friend and inquired about his practice.
“Ishaq, my friend, I see that you pray with your hands down instead of folding. Is it not the sunnah of the Holy Prophet to pray with hands folded? We will get thawab if we follow the sunnah. And may I know why you are doing your sajdah on a stone? I have never seen anyone pray like this before.”
Ishaq smiled and asked my father, “Do you believe in hadith?”
“Yes, I believed in the Holy Quran and the hadith. Whatever I do, all are based from these two sources,” replied my father.
Ishaq asked him to recite the salawat. “Allahumma solli ala Muhammad wa ale Muhammad,” recited my father.
Ishaq asked him for the meaning of that phrase. “Allah send blessings on Muhammad and his family,” replied my father dutifully. He was curious of where this discussion was leading.
“You know about Muhammad, our Holy Prophet. However, do you know who is his family? Where is his family?” My father was flabbergasted. He has never seriously thought about who was implied by “his family” in the salawat. His mind started to race, he did not know how to answer.
Ishaq asked my father if he was aware of the Prophet Muhammad’s saying “Oh Ali you are to me like Harun was to Musa, except there will be no prophets after me.”
My father nodded. “Then where is Ali?” Once again my father was silent. “If the salawat was important that we have to recite in our solat as well as in our duas, wouldn’t it be very important to know who exactly these family members were?” inquired Ishaq. My father pondered again on the hadith and almost suddenly, it triggered him of the verse from the Holy Bible that says:
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
(Deutronomi 18:18)
He saw somewhat of a connection and he wants to find out more. My father was in a deep thought and Ishaq continued…
“You have to find out. Since you believed in hadith, you have to know which one is sahih, which one is hadith daef (weak) and so on. Because one false hadith can lead you astray.”
My father said that he would believe only if there is strong evidence. Ishaq gave him a book titled, “Saqifa Bani Saidah”. Upon reading that book, my father was shocked to learn that those whom he thought were close companions of the Holy prophet are the very ones who oppressed and hurt his family. It didn’t take a long time for my father to convince of the beliefs of the Shia, and he converted and Alhamduli’llah he brought us all into the light of the Ahlubayt.
At the time of my conversion, I was ten years old and I could see the minor and obvious differences between Sunni and Shia Islam. I noticed some changes of the things my father did the whole family to a place called Imambaragh, a Shia worshipping place. I was able to observe a lot, rather than understanding the reason behind the conversion. I didn’t know who or what are the Ahlubayt. I thought Ahlubayt was a title for us because people keep saying Ahlubayt out of admiration and I heard someone saying, “We are the followers of the Ahlubayt”. There was even a verse in sura al-ahzab (33:33) about it.
“Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O Folk of the Household, and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing.”
Witnessing the first majlis of Muharram was a new and emotional experience for me. I saw people weeping and beating their chests in grief when the speaker was narrating the events of Karbala and the sufferings of Imam Hussain and his followers. Most surprising for me was to see men cry, especially my dad. I have never seen my father cry before, and grew up believing that real men don’t cry.
Gradually I learn more about Shia by attending religious classes. I couldn’t eat my favorite barbeque crabs anymore because we can’t eat animals that lived in two worlds. (Crabs lived in water and land). I wasn’t really into religion until I reached the age of 16 where realization crept into my heart. I read the books from my father’s library and whenever I have doubts, I always asked my father who was ever so patient with me. By the time I was 18, I was more serious in studying religion. The lessons I attended during Muharram enlightened me so much that I was moved to tears. If for the past few years, my father has been spoon-feeding us, I want to ensure that I have not followed him blindly and that I am not just a Muslim by name. My heart was touched by a story I read in the book called “An enlightening commentary into the light of the Holy Quran” with the following verse:
“Our Lord! Lo! we have heard a crier calling unto Faith: "Believe ye in your Lord!" So we believed. Our Lord! Therefore forgive us our sins, and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die the death of the righteous.” (Holy Quran 3:193)
I have never cried so much in my life as when I studied about the Ahlubayt and what happened to them. It makes me feel more close to Allah and knowing Him better. My heart aches when I discover the many sacrifices they did in the name of Islam.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) lead his ummah for 23 years with love and patience seeking no rewards but love for his family, only to have people turn against him when he was on his deathbed and the cruel things they did to his family. Imam Ali (as), who was deprived of his caliphate for 25 years, chose not to rise up against the caliphs over seizing his rights back was martyred in such an honorable state which is prostration before Allah SWT in the holy month of Ramadhan. And Lady Fatima (as) who suffered a miscarriage of baby Mohsin whom she conceived, Imam Hasan who was poisoned and his blessed body was arrowed when the so-called Muslims prevented his body from being buried beside his grandfather and when Imam Husayn sacrificed his family and friends for the sake of Islam, the greatest sacrifice in history…
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajion.
Verily everything is from Allah, and to him we shall return ..
AlMujtaba Islamic Network

How I became a Muslim

In the Name of Allah, most Compassionate, most Merciful
Diana Beatty
I was raised in a moderately Christian home in Colorado. Religion was never much of an issue in my house. My father was raised as a Mormon, my mother as a Protestant. I can remember my parents dropping my brother off at Sunday School, but instead of going to church while we were in religious classes, they would go home.
As I grew to adolescence, I became curious about God, wondering whether He really existed and if so, what He wanted from us humans. I studied the Bible and other Christian literature earnestly. As a high school student, I was mature enough as a reader to notice apparent discrepancies in the Bible, particularly about the nature of Jesus (peace be upon him). In some places, the Bible seemed to indicate that Jesus was the Son of God, and in others, a man.
At that time, however, I did not believe that there was any problem with the Bible, I thought the problem was one of me being of limited capability to understand what I was reading. You see, as Christians we are taught that religion is somewhat mystical; religion does not have to make sense or be logical or stand up to reason because God can do things however He wants.
So, when things don't make sense, it is because we as humans are incapable of comprehending God's truth, and thus we must just accept on faith that which we cannot understand. Even so, I was unhappy with the way most Christians practiced their religion because it seemed like a mere pastime to me. I learned about a sect of Christianity called the Church of God through their literature, and I liked very much some of the things they did.
For instance, they abstain from eating pork because they are told to in the Bible, and they do not celebrate Christmas because it is not mentioned in the Bible. When I came to college at Colorado State University, I met a girl who attended this church and I went with her once, but I quickly became disinterested in the group.
The leaders of the church had recently divided and all its followers were arguing over which leaders to follow and I did not want to get involved in anything like that. So, I was back to being just a generic Christian again. I was involved in Bible Studies via Campus Crusade for Christ in my dormitory. At the studies, I was on a personal quest to figure out what the Bible was really saying, although at the time I didn't see that so clearly.
Also at that time, I met a Muslim man, the first Muslim I had ever met. I have always been attracted to people from different cultures, and we soon became good friends. Slowly, I became curious about Islam.
I wondered, “Why does he pray a certain way?” I wanted to know why he believed what he believed and why he did what he did. Christians do not pray in any particular way. As a Christian, I learned just to ask God for whatever I needed or wanted, and to do it in the name of Jesus (peace be upon him).
The concept of actual worship in prayer instead of just asking for your wants and needs is largely lacking in Christian prayer, although we are taught to thank Jesus (peace be upon him) for dying for our sins. I wanted my relationship with God to be more than just asking for things. So, in this state of curiosity and of searching, I started to read Pickthall's translation of Qu'ran.
When I first started to read it, I had a mixed reaction. On the one hand I was amazed that many of the same histories of the prophets of Christianity and Judaism were in Qu'ran. I never before realized that there was a relationship between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam; I had always thought of Islam as an Eastern religion, like Hinduism or Buddhism.
On the other hand, whenever I read verses about Jesus (peace be upon him) which clearly stated that he was not one of three, or the Son of God, I felt compelled to just shut the book. This went against everything I had ever heard, and yet everything else in the Qu'ran went along so well with everything I had learned. I began to question why I believed everything I had been taught about Christianity.
I asked the leader of my Bible study and the other members of that group to explain to me what verses in the Bible tell us that Jesus (peace be upon him) was God in the flesh come to save us from our sins, and that all we had to do to be saved was to believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) was the Son of God.
They all had answers, but for every answer they gave, I found a verse in the Bible which said the opposite. They told me we have to take it on faith, but I was now thinking that if God would give us a religion, it would be a logical religion that we could understand, so that we could do what He willed.
The leader of my Bible study had done missionary work to Muslims in Algeria, and I decided to talk to him because I thought he would know about Islam and could tell me what was wrong with it and right with Christianity.
First, I asked him what would happen to my Muslim friend, and he sighed and told me that he would undoubtedly go to hell unless he “accepted Jesus [peace be upon him] into his heart, but Muslims rarely do that.” I had trouble accepting this, because my Muslim friend seemed so much more pious and sincere in devotion to God than most Christians are, and I couldn't understand why someone like that would go to hell.
Then, I asked him how the Qu'ran could be so similar to the Bible and yet be totally rejected by Christians? He told me that the Qu'ran was sent by Satan to trick and deceive men into unbelief, and that its similarities to the Bible were part of the deception.
I was almost crying at this point, but then I asked him if he had read the Qur'an, because I wanted to ask him about some specific verses. I was shocked at his answer. He answered that he had briefly looked at parts of it, but couldn't continue because it made him sick to his stomach.
I left quickly, amazed at the realization that I, who had been reading Qur'an for only a few months, had studied more about Islam that my respected Bible study leader who had missionary work to Muslims in Algeria!
I realized that he could not correctly make such a judgment as he had made about the Qur'an if he had not even read it. I was so angry at him and at all the Christian religious leaders who told us all these things without study and without explanation. It was nothing more than heresy, yet it was being preached as divine doctrine.
This was a turning point for me, because at this point I concluded that I couldn't trust anyone to help me in my search, but that I had to do it within myself. Slowly, I found myself tearing down the belief that Jesus (peace be upon him ) was one of three or the Son of God. It was difficult, because always in the back of my mind was the thought that if I am wrong, I will go to hell.
Yet, I could not deny that Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) had to be the prophet of Allah, and that the Qur'an had to be the Word of Allah, and if the Qur'an were the Word of Allah, then what was in it had to be true. So, a few months after the talk with the leader of my Bible study, I became muslim.
That was a little more than a year ago as of today (2/14/96). Learning about Islam has not always been easy. That muslim man whom I met is now my mut'ah husband although we live in different states, and we hope for a permanent marriage when we are done with college. He is Shi'a, and so after several months I was to the point that I needed to learn the difference between Sunni and Shi'a.
I started by reading web pages, and I found the Shi'a Encyclopedia to be so helpful. I used to get so frustrated, though, because I would learn something and think that I knew it, and then someone who was Sunni would tell me something that I had no answer for, and so I was left wondering how I would ever find the truth when it seemed to be entangled in contradicting traditions.
Also, I wanted to be sure not to become Shi'a just for the sake of my mut'ah husband; I really needed to believe in its truth. But the Shi'a Encyclopedia convinced me, as did Tijani's books, by the Grace of Allah. Since then, I was introduced to the Ahlul-Bayt Discussion Group which has been very helpful. I have met some wonderful people who have helped me greatly, and they should get a good reward for all the help they have given me.
This semester, I started wearing hijab, and I am so glad that I did. I feel much better about myself, I feel more feminine and I think that God has helped me more than ever before since I decided to wear it. My non-muslim classmates and friends don't mind my hijab; some even like it. My family, however, hates it.
They have never understood or accepted my conversion, and they try to tell me that I converted only to please my husband and that I don't really believe in it, even if I can't see that now. They tell me I am going to hell. They tell me I am abandoning my American culture and trying to be something I'm not.
They tell me I am turning away from them, and that my wearing hijab is a slap in the face to them and is very disrespectful. My mother cries about me, my father doesn't like to talk to me. I know they are concerned for their daughter and that they mean well; I love them and only want to be kind to them and I hate to see them this way.
No matter what I say, they just don't understand me; logic doesn't work because emotions are too strong. Still, I think there is hope for our relationship, and I know that my conversion to Shi'a Islam is the best thing that ever could've happened to me.
Despite the little troubles I may have, I feel more complete as a person, more directed, and more at peace than any Christian on this earth could ever know. I wish more people on this earth could experience the revelation that I have experienced.
Looking back, I can't see anymore how Islam could ever have been so hard to understand or accept; it is so obviously the truth to me now that it practically screams it out.
Alhamdulil-Lah!

Imam Reza (A.S.) Network

Coming Home To Islam

Muhammad Beck Architect, Maryland
"I believe that a person\'s Islam changes all the time."
Early in my life I wanted to learn about Muslim culture and often visited my elementary school\'s library to read about Islam. I remember media coverage of the Iran-Iraq war, the Russians in Afghanistan and the siege of Beirut, all of which occurred in the early 1980\'s. I started to realize that the politics of the world were very much against the Muslim people of the Middle East and, as I would later learn, against Muslims everywhere.
In High School I wanted to visit Yugoslavia because I watched the Olympics and learned about this country where the people sounded like Russians but followed Islam. I studied Islam every chance I got and developed the habit of introducing myself to anyone I recognized as Muslim. I never drank alcohol nor indulged in illicit sex. I avoided drugs and gossip circles, that dominate so many schools. I knew that one day when I became a Muslim I would not be allowed to do those things, and recognized that such indulgences are not healthy, so I distanced myself from them.
When I enrolled in a local college I met Muslims from Pakistan who explained many things about Islam in a gentle, non-forceful way. This is a theme in Islam from the Holy Qur\'an: "There is no compulsion in faith." I enrolled at the University of Maryland after my parents refused my request to study Islamic and Arabic Science at the American University of Egypt. I was devastated, but realized that if I disrespect my parents my Islam would be incomplete, so I accepted their decision. The situation helped me realize that you do not have to be in another country to be Muslim, you do not have to be from a particular ethnic group or even a certain age. I then considered myself a Muslim regarding my relationship with Almighty Allah and I converted at age twenty-one.
I began a daily reading of the Qur\'an, studying how I was living my life and if my actions reflected this profound "message" from Allah (swt). I changed my dietary habits, the way I interacted with people and my basic views of life around me. I was "Islamisizing" myself.
I visited Islamic Centers around the Washington area and became active in an awareness campaign on the war in Bosnia. One day a brother called me to talk about the situations of the Bosnian Muslims and we made plans to go the offices of our Congressional Representatives. I had familiarized myself on the matter and thought that if we could change the American foreign policy on Bosnia that our effort would save innocent lives. Senator Barbara Mikulski was impressed with our presentation on Bosnian genocide, which totally changed her views. That cause was the start of my activism in Muslim politics. I began to write articles criticizing the aggressors in the conflict and demanding a halt to the Balkan holocaust.
I believe that a person\'s Islam is something that changes all the time. If you area good Muslim today you can not assume you always will be. One must continually work towards improving their submission to Almighty Allah. Life is full of challenges from Allah (swt) and there are many tests that we must pass. I try to promote peace and kindness in this world because here we are given a chance to submit ourselves in goodness.
Muhammad Amin Bootman Vice President, Bank of America
My wife and I converted to Islam a few years ago and, more recently, some of our older children have as well. Admittedly, our path to this religion has been traveled in slow motion. I had studied the ideas of George Gurdjieff for over 30 years, all of my adult life.
Here in California, where New Age religions and Eastern philosophies flourish, there has been a decided lack of popular interest in Islam. Negative press is certainly part of the reason, but at a personal level I can only say that Islam was simply invisible.
In this culture, everyone loves to shop. New malls, subcultures and belief systems seem to pop up overnight. Ironically, locked within the confines of the ultimate secular state, increasing numbers of people are shopping for religions.
As a convert, I can now see that it is a great pity that this religion is not at the top of the shopping list because, in some strange way, Islam includes everything else. As a newcomer it was something of a shock over the last few years to encounter the marked Islamic reverence for all the prophets of the Torah and the Gospels. There seems to be a lot more about Moses and Abraham in the Qur`an than the Prophet himself, (peace be upon all of them). When you think about it, such deference and innate modesty would, indeed, befit the bearer of God\'s final and perfected message to all of mankind. A faith such as Islam, which resolutely focuses on the unseen One, has an uphill battle to get noticed at all.
My hope at this point, as a husband and a father, is that Islam will provide a much-needed balance for my family. Children learn by example, and this religion presents a standard of behavior quite beyond anything I\'ve encountered in my own culture. This religion is imminently practical and yet profound. In fact, Islam seems to be constructed along the lines of a whole series of balances. It is direct and yet sophisticated.
Dr. Robert Crane Center For Public Policy Research, Washington, DC
And so I told him about this. And he said, "Oh, that\'s very simple. You experienced Allah."
I said, "Wow, you have a word for it!"
I studied and studied, and I spent years reading Saint Thomas Aquinas, all the great philosophers, and wanted to become...well actually, I wanted to become a Jesuit priest, and then I decided to become a Franciscan because the Franciscans had been commissioned by the Pope to convert Russia. I spent a year writing about the spiritual dimensions of resistance against a Totalitarian state, and I escaped from communist prisons twice.
I figured there must be a secret to opposing evil. The ones who continued and were successful were all spiritually very deep. I figured the Franciscans are not intellectual--I was much too intellectual. That\'s why I didn\'t become a Jesuit, as I thought, "This intellectuality isn\'t going to lead anywhere, so I\'d better become a Franciscan." And I did. As a matter of fact, because I\'ve never left the Order, I\'m--probably--the world\'s only Muslim Franciscan!
I was a Muslim, actually, because of a religious experience I had when I was 20 years old. I almost died. The doctors told me later that they assumed I was dying. It must have been a massive infestation of trichina worms, millions of them, all through my body. Every muscle of my body was full of little worms. Normally if you have an infestation like that you die. And I actually think I did. But then I had this religious experience, and I lived.
I didn\'t make shahada until 1980, until I was in Bahrain. I was doing some sight-seeing with my wife in Muharraq, which is the old merchant town, you know, winding alleys...we got lost and I met this old old man, the last of the pearl-diving captains. He loved me and he loved everybody--you know, a really remarkable person. And so I told him about this. And he said, "Oh, that\'s very simple. You experienced Allah." I said, "Wow, you have a word for it!"
Jennifer McLennan Former Marketing Officer, British Columbia
It happened so gradually that I didn\'t recognize what happened until I sat down to tell this story. I bought a computer with a free CD-Rom encyclopedia, and the first thing I did was look up "Islam." A colleague at work learned of my budding research and asked very casually if I\'d learned about the Sufis. He was from the South Pacific himself, but had read extensively about them. So off I went to the library and checked out all the books on Sufism. I didn\'t get very far, though I enrolled in a course on Islamic Art.
I was floored. The professor\'s approach was to teach the basic tenets of Islam before delving into the art. Since everything in Islam is done in the Name of God, I learned, it seemed to make sense.
It was like everything I had come to believe on my own--through informal explorations as a teenager, formal schooling as a university student, and self-analysis--was rolled up into a neat little package and handed to me. I had never felt so much like I belonged to something and that something was made for me. The Islamic concepts of God and angels, its recognition of all holy books, its respect for other religions and policy of tolerance for other religions, and many other truths rang true to me.
I went to my professor after the course was over and asked what I should do. At that moment she became the guiding light in my life that she remains today.
A few people questioned my conversion: they thought it too hasty and not well thought out, but most expressed their apprehensions, however gently, about the religion of Islam. The funny thing is, I didn\'t know what they were talking about. Born in 1975, I wasn\'t exposed to the fame Islam was subject to until the Gulf War. Even then I didn\'t understand enough of what was going on to develop prejudices against Islam. What I learned, I learned in my heart, and when I converted it was because my heart was telling me to, not because it made sense in any other way, because in the worldly sense, it didn\'t.
I know now that it was the greatest decision I have ever made--the first one I made for my heart and soul. And I know now that I was right to do so because the obstacles I might have expected to encounter early on this path have not appeared for me. My family and friends have been beyond supportive, and the Muslim community has been very open in welcoming me. Alhamdulillah.
Abdul Jalil Under-Grad Student
While living in Minneapolis, I had been attending martial arts classes for some time, when I came to learn that the instructor also led a small dhikr group. At the time I was around 16, and was interested in Malcolm X, revolution, poetry and, among other things, the religions of the East, although in reality, I knew very little about the religion of Islam.
I went to check out the group. Considering I knew next to nothing about their practices, but was full of zeal and interest in the subject, I came with an open mind and desire to learn. I was greatly moved by their practice of reciting the Qur`an and the names of Allah (swt) together in a harmonious, yet very simple and humble way. I was intrigued as they spoke of the careful succession of tradition from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (saws), and further so when they explained the principles upon which Islam was founded and the ideals which it encompasses, those of love, understanding, and peace.
The only definition of Islam I had previously known was "submission," although never fully explained as was the meaning they offered, that one achieves peace and balance in this world when one fully submits to the Divine Will that exists in all things. Needless to say, this peaked my fascination and drew me to return and learn more.
Without mentioning the details, as I learned more of the many scholars and saints that have lived over time, and their many inspiring stories and triumphs, I began to think that this was a religion I would want to follow. When I chose to accept Islam, I too accepted the belief that all the mystical, contemplative and enlightening aspects of all the religions of the East--and indeed, all religions of the world--were encompassed in this single, most perfect and most refined religion, Islam.
I found a place in which I was welcomed: as if it were a home built and waiting for me; or rather, it found me.
Jamaluddin Hoffman, Journalist Iman Meyer-Hoffman, Under-Graduate Student San Francisco East Bay Area
It has been just two years since my wife and I embraced Islam, and were embraced by it. But the change wrought in our lives by the utterance of one simple phrase—There is no God but God and Muhammad is his messenger--has been so profound and so all-encompassing that it is, at times, difficult to remember what it was like not to be Muslim. Our journey to Islam began long before we met.
Iman and I were both born into Christian families and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. However, neither of our families were anything resembling devout, so our religious training was informal, at best. We both developed a keen interest in the questions of faith at a rather young age.
By the time we were in high school, Iman and I had begun searching for alternatives to Christianity. We found many. While America has failed to realize its goal of becoming a racial and ethnic melting pot, it has succeeded in becoming a nation in which all of the world\'s faiths are blended to the point of absurdity. Iman and I plunged headlong into this confusing melange of religiosity. We tried everything, but ended up with nothing. I was the first to encounter Islam. There were many Muslim students at the university I attended, and we American leftists made common cause with them on the Palestinian and other issues.
As I got to know them, I was increasingly impressed by their sincerity, their sobriety, and their lack of hypocrisy. More than anything else, I was impressed by the way in which their religion was integrated into every facet of their lives. I sensed that they had found what I was looking for. My interest in Islam continued, but I found little to satisfy my curiosity in a country that has made the demonization of Islam a matter of foreign policy.
I may have been the first to encounter Islam, but Iman was the first to see it in our future. One night, as I was reading a verse from the Qur`an to her, Iman turned to me with a serious look in her eyes. "You are going to be a Muslim," she said. "I am certain of it."
One night, I had an inspiration. I ran into my office, turned on the computer, connected to the Internet, and typed in the word "Islam." In a matter of seconds, the names of dozens of Internet sites with information about Islam were flashing on the screen. On one specific website were volumes of writings by learned men of the faith. When I began to read what was there, I knew that I was approaching the end of my quest. Here was what I had been looking for. Here was Islam as presented by scholars who clearly penetrated the essence of this religion. Here was the missing piece of the puzzle, the key that unlocked the mystery of Islam for me. At that moment, my heart opened to Islam.
However, while Islam has proven the solution to the puzzle of faith that had confounded Iman and me for so long, our conversion has not always been easy. Wearing hijab (head scarf) was a challenge for Iman. "Today, I can\'t imagine not wearing it. It protects me, and it also continually makes me aware that I am a Muslim."
The path of Islam may be clear to those who have spent a lifetime walking it, but to newcomers like ourselves it often seems like a maze fraught with pitfalls and dead-ends. In this regard, Iman and I have been most fortunate. We have found sheiks to guide us, to illuminate our way with the light of their knowledge and understanding. With their help, and with the mercy of Allah (s.w.t.), we will continue our journey into Islam.
Jamila
A few years ago, I had the honor to meet with special beings who are beacons for mankind. I met the Sheikh and his wife at someone\'s home in Canada. I immediately felt attracted to both of them. The Sheikh with his turban and his wife\'s sweet smile seemed so familiar, as if my heart knew them though I could not place them in my memory. My feelings of love and trust toward them were instantaneous. Therefore, I took shahada at this first encounter.
There I was invited for dinner by an Eastern African family. I was surprised to see that the women of the household were served first--by the men, who then proceeded to clean the table and the dishes. I was flabbergasted and told the young leader of this family that I had never witnessed men behaving this way. He answered that the Prophet (saws) loved three things above all, "women, prayer, and perfume" and, therefore, women should be honored and treated kindly. Before then my only image of Islam was of political violence, appalling treatment of women and intolerance.
When I met my future husband, we decided to visit London during Ramadan where we could take shahada and get married by the Grand Mufti of Cyprus, Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani. At the time, I was aware of Sufis but thought they were a thing of the past that had thrived mostly in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. I had no idea that their teaching was alive today nor that it was thriving in North America.
It has always been our conviction that holy people exist on earth. We were blessed to have met holy people such as these.
It is not by the demonstration of their knowledge that we were attracted, but by their behavior. Our hearts knew them as saints. While they are still physically present in this world, their souls have reached heavenly stations.
But through the perfection of their manners and their deep sense of humanity, we were no longer repelled by Islam and the infamy it suffers in Western countries. Finally, it was in hopes of imitating them that we pledged to be Muslim and follow their path.
The Lutz Family of New Mexico
As narrated by Rahmah Lutz
We first encountered the teachings of Islam over twenty years ago when we were a young married couple with two beautiful children. We had sought a spiritual path for awhile and had met many good and sincere people from different disciplines. Every path had benefits that we enjoyed, but none of them "fit" comfortably. We were seeking the "Divine Order" for our own destiny.
We experienced a great attraction to the writings of Sufi masters, and had come to realize that these saints who had lived over the past centuries were all practicing Muslims. This led to a study of the teachings of Islam, and we began to repeat the key word that surfaced over and over: "Allah." We fasted during Ramadan although we still didn\'t understand the regulations of the fast, and we made simple attempts to pray as best we could.
At the time we were isolated in a small town in southern Colorado and had never met any Muslims. In the summer of 1977, I attended a Women\'s Weekend at Lama Foundation, a spiritual center located on a beautiful and remote mountain top in northern New Mexico. For the first time I prayed with Muslim women and asked questions about Islam. I returned home convinced that Islam was the "way of the family."
My husband, Abdur Rahim, then visited the Lama Foundation himself, and we were invited to spend the winter studying Islamic texts at the Intensive Study Center. There were available copies of Qur\'an al-Karim and collections of ahadith. Abdur Rahim accepted the invitation, came home, quit his job, packed up our family and we moved to the mountain.
We were directed to some young American Muslim families living in Santa Fe. When they discovered we were interested in Islam, they took us into their homes so we could pray with them and ask questions. Never once did they suggest we might be burdening them, although they were struggling to support their families on very little income. Never once did they suggest we should pay for spiritual instruction. They believed that Allah had sent us to their door and they opened their doors wide to receive us. We not only studied Islam from books; we directly experienced the way of Islam--the beauty of people striving to live a spiritual life, who share their knowledge, provision and blessings without question.
Eileen Rodan Psychotherapist, New Jersey
For most of my life, off and on, I was what some describe as a "seeker". I was particularly drawn to the mystical path. As a teen I would rush to chapel to pray before lunch and kneel in the dark by candlelight to pray, feeling much inner joy.
After years of agnosticism, I found God again through a twelve-step program, evolved through "new age" and meditated with Quakers until the day I was moved by God to take shahadah in 1995 during Ramadan. I, who usually talk a lot, felt total peace and wanted not to talk for weeks.
It had taken me a year of struggle to read an English translation of the Qur`an and to work through my typical Western stereotypes of Islam. I worked hard to reconcile my liberal feminism with Islam and was able to embrace my new faith wholeheartedly because it is pro-woman, and is based on equality, peace, justice and brotherhood.
Nevertheless, I was "turned off" by rigid, dogmatic Muslims who refused to acknowledge or respect differences in perspective and scholarship on various issues such as hijab, polygamy, obedience, male dominance, and sufism. I could not have become Muslim that day if it was not at a Sufi mosque. I read everything I could to find my way and place in this religion. Two years ago, I joined a local Muslim women\'s group in order to live my belief in tolerance, diversity, and unity.
For me, Sufism is the heart of Islam. My soul\'s journey is to reconcile my Islam with my life
as an active American woman.
I found love, but the rigid insistence on one perspective, and harsh judgments has caused me much pain. It has made me lose my serenity, become angry and, more than once, regret becoming a formal Muslim. I remember being told I could not associate with non-Muslims, and the Qur`an was actually used to bolster my opponent\'s debate. I read that I can\'t pray for the souls of my non-Muslim loved ones. I\'ve been told many things which may be majority teachings, but any scholarship regarding minority views are rejected, invalidated, and not permitted to be shared.
Once a friend of mine, a new shahadah, filled with love and joy in her new Islam, was immediately told she must not wear nail polish, must wear hijab, must remove all body hair, must this must that, must divorce her non-Muslim husband, and must learn Arabic so that God can understand her in Heaven. She lost all joy and seriously considered leaving Islam.
After a recent confrontation with some Muslims over the above issues, I came home in tears and said to my husband, who is a born-Muslim from the Middle East, "Why did I become a Muslim? I can\'t undo it but I am being pushed away from Islam."
My experience last summer at the International Islamic Unity Conference in Washington D.C. was like cool water in a desert. I found myself in a sea of love, joy, and tolerance. The focus was on Allah and self-purification. I was "high" for weeks. The recording of NAMIRA women\'s group from Indonesia (who performed at the conference) always brings me back to that tranquil state.
I look at my experience as a Muslim over these four years as like breaking in a new pair of shoes, nursing blisters and making the hard leather softer, until the foot and shoe find a comfortable accommodation to each other. For me, Sufism is the heart of Islam. My soul\'s journey is to reconcile my Islam with my life as an active American woman.
The Qur`an tells us not to associate with those who try to pull us from Islam. I believe we must also answer to Allah if we rigidly impose our practices, customs, and devotions--beyond the core requirements--on to new Muslims and potential Muslims, driving them away. We all have a duty to reflect the love, peace and brotherhood of Islam and attract others to the light of Allah reflected through these qualities.
Leonardo "Khalid bin Waleed" Stoute Martial Arts Master, Michigan
I got the first scent of Islam as a student of the greatest of martial arts, "Pencak Silat," which traces its lineage back to Sayiddina Ali (kw) through an unbroken chain of masters. My guru always began with Allah\'s name, but refrained from discussing Islam. The principles of the art, however, were full of Islamic references, including the spelling of kalimat ash-shahada in the well-rehearsed movements we practiced daily.
After many years, one of the students of my guru, a Muslim, said, "You must know that Pencak Silat has its spiritual roots in the Islamic tradition. Why don\'t you come with me to meet a spiritual teacher?" I didn\'t know what to say, so I accepted his invitation. Little did I know my whole life would be changed.
I entered the hall where the teacher met every Thursday night for Islamic remembrance of God, dhikrullah. Immediately I could sense the roots of the Silat tradition originated in this spiritual path. As the teacher spoke--about essential and deep concerns that were deeply rooted in my own heart, about God, and about man\'s relation with the Divine--I was overwhelmed. He had read me like an open book.
I said to the teacher, "Whatever it is you have, I must have. I am asking you to grant me that permission.\' He assembled those present and they all joined in helping me say the shahada. I always remember that night, because my watch stopped right at that moment--11:11pm.
The teacher never once pressured me to practice, but used to say, "Islam will grow on you, and you must always dress it like a suit of clothes. It must fit, and it must not be a suit tailored for any other person." With that kind advice I soon found myself drawn to the prayers. I gave up all kinds of vices and subhanallah, have never returned to them.
Ismaeel ZhulQarnain Computer Programmer, California
I embraced Islam while serving in the United States Navy. I was stationed on the small Aleutian island "Adak" near Alaska. My isolation offered a lot of time for reflection. I wanted to know who was God and what was the purpose of my life. And then it was that Allah (swt) brought Islam to my little-known outpost.
My spiritual journey started when a friend of mine, the most intelligent one in our company, traveled home on a military leave. Somehow he knew--even before he left the island--that he would return as a Muslim. The military personnel were both shocked and amazed over his conversion. And his change of character earned him the respect of those who new him and those who did not. I was very impressed, and asked him about Muslims. What do they do? As a recent convert he knew little, but the details he shared with me seemed like a deep fountain.
SubhanaAllah, how Allah (swt) places everything in its right time and place. We were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with very little outside contact with anyone. I was trying to decide if I could handle the conditions of becoming a Muslim, and my friend began to learn his new religion. Miraculously, an Egyptian contractor arrived on a temporary assignment, certainly not expecting to meet any Muslims. He placed an ad in the local newspaper for Muslims or anyone interested in learning about Islam to come to such-and-such building.
To his surprise, we joined him, and my conversion came shortly thereafter. As I look back, I remember that after my Shahadah everything seemed different: the air, the walls of the room, even people. After my Shahadah our prayer ranks grew five worshippers. We engaged in interfaith dialogue with the Church of the Base, which was a big success. All this, from the Blessings of Allah (swt).
Imam Reza (A.S.) Network

British Women Embracing

Richard Peppiatt
Record numbers of young, white British women are converting to Islam, yet many are reporting a lack of help as they get used to their new religion, according to several surveys.
As Muslims celebrate the start of the religious holiday of Eid today and hundreds of thousands from around the world converge on Mecca for the haj, it emerged that of the 5,200 Britons who converted to Islam last year, more than half are white and 75 per cent of them women.
In the past 10 years some 100,000 British people have converted to Islam, of whom some three-quarters are women, according to the latest statistics. This is a significant increase on the 60,000 Britons in the previous decade, according to researchers based at Swansea University.
While the number of UK converts accelerates, many of the British women who adopt Islam say they have a daily struggle to assimilate their new beliefs within a wider culture that both implicitly and explicitly positions them as outsiders, regardless of their Western upbringing.
More than three-quarters told researchers they had experienced high levels of confusion after conversion, due to the conflicting ways Islam was presented to them. While other major religions have established programmes for guiding new believers through the rigours of their faith, Islam still lacks any such network, especially outside the Muslim hubs of major cities.
Many mosques still bar women from worship or provide scant resources for their needs, forcing them to rely on competing cultural and ideological interpretations within books or the internet for religious support.
A recent study of converts in Leicester, for example, found that 93 per cent of mosques in the region recognised they lacked services for new Muslims, yet only 7 per cent said they were making efforts to address the shortfall.
Many of the young women – the average age of conversion is 27 – are also coming to terms with experiences of discrimination for the first time, despite the only visible difference being a headscarf. Yet few find easy sanctuary within the established Muslim population, with the majority forming their closest bonds with fellow converts rather than born Muslims.
Kevin Brice, author of the Swansea study A Minority Within a Minority, said to be the most comprehensive study of British Muslim converts, added: "White Muslim converts are caught between two increasingly distant camps. Their best relationships remain with other converts, because of their shared experiences, while there is very little difference between the quality of their relationship with other Muslims or non-Muslims.
"My research also found converts came in two types: some are converts of convenience, who adopt the religion because of a life situation such as meeting a Muslim man, although the religion has little discernible impact on their day-to-day lives. For others it is a conversion of conviction where they feel a calling and embrace the religion robustly.
"That's not to say the two are mutually exclusive – sometimes converts start out on their religious path through convenience and become converts of conviction later on."
Another finding revealed by the Leicester study was that despite Western portraits of Islam casting it as oppressive to women, a quarter of female converts were attracted to the religion precisely because of thestatus it affords them.
Some analysts have argued that dizzying social and cultural upheavals in Britain over the past decades have meant that far from adopting an alien way of life, some female Muslim converts are re-embracing certain aspects of mid-20th-century Britain, such as rigid gender demarcation, rather than feeling expected to juggle career and family.
The first established Muslim communities started in Britain in the 1860s, when Yemani sailors and Somali labourers settled around the ports of London, Cardiff, Liverpool and Hull. Many married local women who converted to Islam, often suffering widespread discrimination as a result.
They also acted as a bridge between the two cultures, encouraging understanding among indigenous dwellers and helping to integrate the Muslim community they had joined. Today, there is growing recognition among community leaders that the latest generation of female converts has an equally vital role to play in fostering dialogue between an increasingly secular British majority and a minority religion, as misunderstood as it is vilified.
Kristiane Backer, 45
Television presenter and author, London
I converted to Islam in 1995 after Imran Khan introduced me to the faith. At the time I was a presenter for MTV. I used to have all the trappings of success, yet I felt an inner emptiness and somewhat dissatisfied in my life.
The entertainment industry is very much about "if you've got it, flaunt it", which is the exact opposite to the more inward-oriented spiritual attitude of my new faith. My value system changed and God became the centre point of my life and what I was striving towards.
I recognise some new converts feel isolated but, despite there being even fewer resources when I converted than there are now, it isn't so much an issue I've faced. I've always felt welcomed and embraced by the Muslims I met and developed a circle of friends and teachers. It helps living in London, because there is so much to engage in as part of the Muslim community. Yet, even in the capital you can be stared at on the Tube for wearing a headscarf. I usually don't wear one in the West except when praying. I wear the scarf in front of my heart though!
I always try to explain to people that I've converted to Islam, not to any culture. Suppression of women, honour killings or forced marriages are all cultural aberrations, not Islamic ones. Islam is also about dignity and respect for yourself and your femininity. Even in the dating game, Muslim men are very respectful. Women are cherished as mothers, too – as a Muslim woman you are not expected to do it all."
Amy Sall, 28
Retail assistant, Middlesbrough
I'd say I'm still a bit of a party animal – but I'm also a Muslim. I do go out on the town with the girls and I don't normally wear my headscarf – I know I should do, but I like to do my hair and look nice! I know there are certain clothes I shouldn't wear either, even things that just show off your arms, but I still do. My husband would like me to be a better Muslim – he thinks drinking is evil – so it does cause rows.
I haven't worshipped in a mosque since I got married, I find it intimidating. I worry about doing something wrong; people whispering because they see my blonde hair and blue eyes. Middlesbrough is a difficult place to be a Muslim who isn't Asian – you tend to be treated like an outsider. Once, I was out wearing my headscarf and a local man shouted abuse. It was weird because I'm white and he was white, but all he saw was the scarf, I suppose. It did make me angry. My family were surprisingly fine with me converting, probably because they thought it would rein me in from being a bit wild.
Nicola Penty-Alvarez, 26
Full-time mother, Uxbridge
I was always interested in philosophy and the meaning of life and when I came across Islam it all just clicked. In the space of four or five months I went from going to raves to wearing a headscarf, praying five times a day and generally being quite pious – I did occasionally smoke though.
I felt very welcomed into the Muslim community, but it was a mainly white convert community. My impression of the Asian community in west London was that women felt sidelined and were encouraged to stay at home and look after the men rather than attend mosque. I think this was more a cultural than religious thing, though.
Non-Muslims certainly treat you differently when you're wearing a headscarf – they're less friendly and as a smiley person I found that hard. After a year-and-a-half of being a Muslim I stopped. I remember the moment perfectly. I was in a beautiful mosque in Morocco praying beside an old lady and something just came over me. I thought: 'What the hell am I doing? How have I got into this?' It just suddenly didn't feel right. Needless to say my husband, who was a fellow convert, wasn't impressed. He remained devout and it put a lot of strain on our relationship. We split up, but are on amicable terms now. I'm not really in contact with the Muslim friends I made – we drifted apart.
I don't regret the experience. There is so much that I learnt spiritually that I've kept and I haven't gone back to my hard partying ways.
Donna Tunkara
Warehouse operative, Middlesbrough
I was a bit of a tearaway growing up – drinking, smoking, running away from home and being disrespectful to my parents. I converted 10 years ago because I met a Muslim man but I've probably become more devout than him.
Sometimes, I miss going shopping for clothes to hit the town and then going home and getting ready with my mates, having a laugh. The thing is no one is forcing me not to – it's my choice.
It did come as a shock to my family, who are Christian. They've not rejected me, but they find it difficult to understand. I feel bad because I don't now attend weddings, funerals or christenings because they're often at pubs and clubs and I won't step inside.
There needs to be more resources for women who convert. I know some mosques that won't allow women in. But in the Koran there is an emphasis on women being educated. I've learnt about the religion through my husband's family and books – if you want support you have to look for it. It's taken time to regain an identity I'm comfortable with. Because I'm mixed race and a Muslim ,people don't see me as British – but what's important is that I know who I am.
Imam Reza (A.S.) Network

An Open Letter to My Family and Muslim Brethren

I am writing this for all my Muslim brothers and sisters who have converted (or reverted) to Islam, and have had the courage, against all odds, to stand firm on their beliefs -- no matter how great the cost. I want to convey the sorrow I share with many of my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam, that have had to distance themselves from their families, because of their acceptance of the religion of Islam. I want to first tell you, "I love you", you are my family, I have not forgotten you. It breaks my heart that if you do not agree with my life choice, that you have chosen to reject me. If you do not agree with me, then at least respect my decision.
If you only knew how difficult this decision was for me, how difficult it is to be a Muslim -- especially, a Muslim woman. Did you ever try to imagine what kind of commitment it takes to be a Muslim? It is not as easy as you may think.
I want to let you into my mind. I want you to look through my eyes, and just know -- if only for a moment -- how I have felt, what I have dealt with and what it is like to for me.
Think for one minute about something that means so much to you, something that you feel so strongly about, that you are willing to undergo losing your entire family and friends, as you know it. Becoming estranged to the same people that you have known all your living years.
All of a sudden, you are the outcast, the lost soul who does not have enough sense to know what you are doing, everyone is telling you that you are throwing your entire life away.
Think about how strong you must feel about the actions you are taking. Not just any actions -- mind you -- but actions that take sincerity and a firm belief. Actions that are not to be taken lightly.
Actions with consequences, which include: sacrifice, loss, humiliation, degradation and racism to name only a few. Continue to think about something in your life that means this much to you. Would you be willing to sacrifice you career? Money? Your new car? Your house?
Would it be easy for you to give up many of the pleasures that this life has to offer? Think about your family.
How would you handle losing your entire family for this \'something\' that means so much to you? No longer are you wanted to even talk for a while, for fear that you might mention this \'something\' that means so much to you. You mention it, why?
Because it is the \'something\' by which you base and dedicate your entire life to. Of course, if talking means to discuss the things that means so much to others, you should not be offended, you should only be quiet and listen.
After all, it is important to them. Maybe they might bring up the something they heard on the news, the \'something\' that you dedicate your entire life to, but do not disagree -- nor tell them what you know from hands-on research and personal experience -- only listen, because the TV knows more, and so do they.
You must realise, as well, that because of this \'something\' you have chosen, you know longer have a right to discuss or comment on any matter about the city, state or country you have spent your whole life in. If you do -- you now are told (instead being respected for an intelligent opinion) you should be expelled from the country.
Think about going to the store just to pick up some bread. As you get in your car and drive down the road, someone begins screaming curse words at the very sight of you, dressed according to this \'something\' that you believe so firmly about, probably they think that you do not understand them -- but you do, and all too well. Just get used to it, it happens quite often.
Also, remember that you are oppressed and you are looked at with pity and contempt, as an oppressed woman -- having no mind of her own. All this, even though this \'something\' is what you chose, what you live everyday -- not by force, but because you believe it is right.
Keep all of this in mind as you are driving in your car. Walking into the store, you feel all eyes are on you -- all of a sudden, you hear laughing -- you think to yourself, they are not laughing at me, are they? But of course, you know better, because every time you leave your house, people are constantly either making fun of you or cursing you, one of the two. All because of this \'something\' you love. At the bread aisle, you notice the grocery store security guard seems to be following you up and down each aisle in the store, when you look in his direction, he discreetly glares at the kitty litter boxes on sale, not wanting to give himself away.
As you get to the cashier, ready to check out -- you notice how courteous the cashier is to the woman in front of you. Don\'t get your hopes up, there will be none of that when it is your turn. They really don\'t care, \'How are you doing, today?\' They just take your money, and glare at you. Never mind, you are on your way home. In your car, you notice your gas guage and panic a little.
It is on empty, and you need some gas, but don\'t chance it, do not stop -- if you were to try to pay for the gas, even though you could be waving your money, they will most likely assume that you are there to rob them.
It is better for you straight to go to your home, home is comfortable. By the time you get home, hoping for relief, you notice a crowd of kids around your house, and wonder what they are up to.
After you get in the house, someone starts knocking at your door. You answer the door, but no one is there. You walk outside to get the mail, and the kids run from behind the corner of your house yelling, "You don\'t belong here!"
A while later, the teenagers in the neighbourhood decide to join in on the fun by standing in your driveway and cursing you, as you are standing inside your own home.
And this is only the beginning of the days in your life, but wait, there\'s so much more... Now stop and think. Is there anything that you love so much? Well, you may ask, \'Is it worth it?\' I will tell you without hesitation. Yes, it is. All that and many more.
Because of this \'something\' -- Islam -- is my way of life, my love, my peacefulness, and my hope. You may think, "That doesn\'t sound very peaceful, being harassed and all".
But it is. Not the harassment, of course, but the purpose behind it. The reasons that I dress as I dress, and I live in the manner I have chosen. And I want to say again, do not think for a second I take this lightly.
I believe and know this way of life to be right and true. If you cannot be happy for me, at least be content to know that you have raised someone that stands firm in what she believes.
Not just a blind follower, not just one of the crowd, not someone who will be swayed at the drop of a hat. If you cannot support me in my decision then be satisfied to respect me for my convictions, morals and values.
Not an immoral, vulgar and dishonourable life. Know that what I believe in, Islam, is not something I believe in because it is the popular thing to do, or that it the best way to \'gain friends and influence people\'. Realise, this is not a faze I am going through and I am not an over-zealous fanatic.
I am striving to be the best Muslim that I can be. That is something that is not easy, but I believe that it will lead me to Paradise if I strive hard enough, and stand firm on the beliefs that "There is nothing worthy of worship but Allah alone, associating no partner with Him".
Where was it that I learned that I should strive to be the best I can be, and to try my hardest to stand firm on the things that I believe are just and truthful? Hey, wasn\'t that you? Didn\'t you teach me that?
Imam Reza (A.S.) Network

A British Teacher Finds Islam in Ramadan

We can all look back at memorable times in our lives. People and places can have a special significance for us and we need to look back, from time to time, to see how the hand of Allah has been at work in our lives, even though we did not notice.
We are often too busy to see the pattern which our life has taken and which has led us to where we are today. By reflecting on what has been, we can learn to be grateful and learn to see all things as part of Almighty Allah\'s eternal plan for us.
I look back at my first Ramadan as a Muslim and ponder on all that has happened in my own life since then. That first Ramadan was very special. Before talking about that, though, I need to say something about the two Ramadans before it.
I was Head of Religious Education in a Boys\' School in South London and it was my responsibility to teach the pupils about the world\'s different religions. In English schools the pupils learn information about the six major world faiths: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism, although no preference is given to any.
Whilst providing information, it is supposed to be a way of encouraging tolerance and understanding in an increasingly multi-cultural world. It is one way, if handled sensitively, of counter-balancing the wrong ideas about Islam which British people get by the stories they see on the television news.
I had already visited Egypt and seen for myself how sweet and gentle Muslims can be. Now, though, I had to teach about Islam. Since I was not Muslim, reading about Islam was one of the ways I prepared for my lessons, learning as much myself as I would teach the pupils.
In schools in the UK, as in many non-Muslim nations, there is usually no allowance made for pupils of any religion who wish to pray. Many of the boys in this school where I taught were Muslim, and many of them were from the Arab world.
Just before the first Ramadan I was at the school, the pupils approached me and asked if they could use my classroom to pray, even though they knew I was not Muslim. Allah works in very extraordinary ways, using the simple things of life to work marvels in our lives.
My classroom was the only room in the school with a fitted carpet and a washbasin, essential for the prayers, so it was my classroom that was to be used. I agreed to their request, but the head teacher asked that a teacher be present to supervise the pupils. So, for the whole of Ramadan I sat at the back of the classroom every lunchtime, while the boys prayed the noon prayer and, on Fridays, the Friday congregational prayer.
By the end of that Ramadan I knew how Muslims prayed and I could recite the prayers to myself, even though I didn\'t know what they meant. After Ramadan we kept using the classroom at lunchtime for prayers, and this continued all year.
The following Ramadan, while still not a Muslim, I fasted along with the pupils, to show my solidarity with them. Not long after that, Al-hamdu lillah , I embraced Islam. But that is another story. The example of the students had led me to become Muslim. I then joined the pupils each day for prayers, the newest Muslim and the least knowledgeable of all.
My first Ramadan as a Muslim, then, was to be very special. At the end of the holy month the pupils and I organized a special iftar meal for ourselves. Iftar is quite literally the breakfast, when the fast is broken. To celebrate the blessed night of Laylat Al-Qadr, when Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) is received the first revelation of the holy Qur\'an, the boys stayed behind after school.
During the time between the end of lessons and the Call to Prayer we watched a film about the life of the Prophet. We then prayed the sunset prayer together, with the oldest boy leading the prayers and reciting the holy Qur\'an in a very beautiful voice.
As the sun was setting, gathered together in that simple classroom, it was as though an angel came down to visit us. After prayers we had an iftar party. Everyone had brought some food or drink, however little or how lavish, to share with the others and we had a splendid meal.
Although this took place after the events of September 11, 2001 when many in Britain were deeply suspicious about Islam and Muslims, many of the non-Muslim teachers came to congratulate us and to wish us a happy Ramadan.
The head teacher had to be in a meeting, but he took some dates with him to eat at the time we were going to break the fast. The headmaster had learned from us that the Prophet used to break the fast during Ramadan by eating some dates, and so he wanted to do this out of respect for what we believed.
In a Muslim country it is easy to take one\'s Muslim faith for granted. Friends and family are there to encourage us in our fasting. There are special programs on television to help us know more about Islam and to keep it constantly before our eyes.
Celebrating Ramadan in a country that is not Muslim, on the other hand, can be difficult. Often you can be the only one who is fasting. After breaking the fast there may not be anything special to do in the evening, especially if there is not a mosque nearby.
That evening of my first Ramadan as a Muslim was a very special evening that I will never forget. It gave witness to others about the message of Islam and, for those present, it was a real celebration of the joy and the brotherhood of Islam which touched all of our hearts. Al-hamdu lillah.
British writer who became Muslim a few years ago. Previously, he was head of religious education in different schools in the United Kingdom. Before embracing Islam, he was a Roman Catholic priest. He now lives in Egypt.
Imam Reza (A.S.) Network

The Personalities Who have Converted to Islam in France

Every day in France a number of women and men by western culture and Christian religion are being freely converted to the religion of Islam and among the huge masses who every day gather around one another to perform their praying we can witness the presence of a great number of people who perform their prayer along side the other Muslims in the regular lines. Every day considerable number of the French come to the great bureau of the Grand Mosque of Paris while calling the phrases of “there is no God except Allah” and “Mohammad is the holy prophet and messenger of Allah” are being converted into Islam as well as every day the New Muslim are being taught the teachings of holy Quran and they complete their awareness with regard to the religion of Islam.
It could be said that since today the world of west particularly France have never been so much the scene of inclination towards Islam. The new Muslim women of France have become duty-bound to the ideals of Islam with the purpose of seeking purity and neatness as well as the complete performance of the instructions and teachings of holy Quran mentally and spiritually. In the meantime they have completely turned away from the corruptions prevailing in the world of west.
It seems that in Paris every day 10 persons are being converted into Islam. So far at least 400/000 people there have been converted into Islam in France. One of the reasons of the infatuation of the French to Islam is moral seeking against fall of the western values, because Islam bestows a sacred meaning to the daily life and emerges such as a light of guidance.
Even though the French Muslims are in the minority but they have plentiful attractions so far a great number of the Christians there have been converted into Islam. The official number of the Christian that merely in France have been converted into Islam is estimated as 100/000 people.
The presence and the communication of the youths who are residing in the suburbs of the big cities and towns who most of them are Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, African and Laotians in the mosques and getting married with the Muslims is a reason of increasing the number of the French Muslims. In the meantime more important than all is their association and communication with the Muslim youths hence they become more inclined to Islam. Even though the French youth\'s inclination towards islam is owing to their social experiences but the role of the propagation organizations such as, the “Propagation Community” is very important.
It could be said that one of the most important Islamic influential personalities in France is Dalil Abubakr, head of the Islamic Institute as well as the Grand Mosque of Paris. He is the son of Hamzah Abubakr the famous Algerian Jurist who due to the Islamic activities also Translated the holy Quran into French language has acquired plentiful reputation.
Abubakr himself is physician as well as member of the Physicians Association of that country. Of course his political stance is the presentation of a kind of Islam on the basis of leniency that is acceptable and confirmed by French government and the west.
He says he will attempt to take away the Islamic Institute and the grand mosque of Paris from the influence of Algerian government and he has begun many activities in line with expansion of the opinions of Al-Azhar University particularly its Sheikh who in supporting the antiveil activities of French government against the Muslims does not have a clear record or evidence. In this respect he has had various visits with the dean of the university. Dalil Abubakr has French nationality.
One of the other great Islamic personalities in France is Roujé Garoudi who due to his Lectures and his scientific activities is famous and renowned among the French people and the world Muslims. This French thinker a few years ago established a great institute of Islamology in Spain and has concentrated his ministries there.
Roujé Garoudi was one of the members of the French Communist Party as well one of the most famous personalities who has been converted to Islam in France. Owing to his criticizing of the leader of the French communist party with respect to his secret support of the aggression of ex- Soviet Union to the ex- Czechoslovakia in 1968, initially at the beginning of 1970 was fired from the central committee of French communist party and after a few months from the party itself. In strife against Existentialism which after the end of the Second World War had taken root in France, Garoudi was the main upholder of the Marxism ideology. At the end of the decade of 1950, particularly with respect to the humanitarian view point in 1950, in the various books he promulgates a kind of the Marxist Humanism that not only allows the association with existentialism but also welcome Lommology as well as Neo-Tamisty Individualism.
After severance from French communist party that had constituted his thought for 3 decades, Garoudi increased much more of his exchange of opinions with the other ideological incidents. In the most of his writings such as the human speeches (1975), the project of hope (1976), and with the subsidiary interest title of the west is an accident (1977), the summon of the alives (1976) Garoudi emphasized upon this point that the west has been converted into a destructive machine that destructs the share of the other civilizations with respect to constructing the humanistic civilization. After wards, in 1981, coincidence with his nomination for the presidency, Garoudi was converted into Islam. This stage of his life has been recounted in the books such as the good news of Islam (1981), Islam embraces our future (1981) and biography of the twentieth century with subsidiary title of "the philosophical will of Roujé Garoudi. After converting of Garoudi to the new religion of Islam, he had been the popular guest of the Islamic countries. In 1983 he was invited to give lecture in the millennium ceremony of Al- Azhar University.
In 1939 he entered in the French military and in 1940 he was arrested by the Nazi soldiers and became captive of them for three years in the Algerian war camps that were under the surveillance of Nazi Forces.
In the years 1945 to 1958 Roujé Garoudi was the deputy of French Assembly and in the years 1952 to 1962 he was senator of French Senate. For a long time he was in the leadership position of French Communist Party. During this period of time Garoudi wrote the books such as the Marxist problems, The theory of Materialism and Lenin studies.
After a number of researches who carried out around Islam and, after many years of experiencing Christianity and Marxism, in the age of 70 he was converted into Islam. That time the Muslims became very happy that he had been converted into Islam, because he was reckoned as one of the distinguished writers, lecturers as well as the philosopher of French communist party.
He was so extravagantly welcomed that after his conversion into Islam no one pondered.
To know his opinions deeply, he wrote a number of books concerning Islam and against the civilization of west that among others he wrote the books such Islam the Future religion as well as Islam and the Future program.
Garoudi has compiled a famous book about usurper regime of Israel under the title of the File of Israel which its dissemination caused the stance taking and hard reaction of the cultural and political circles in Europe and the Zionist circles submitted a complaint to the court against him.
Certainly the trial of the French philosopher in the French court with the accusation of expressing his studies with regular to the commission of anti humanitarian crimes against Jews confirms one point and it means that “Freedom of Expression” when doesn\'t embody the world Zionist interests, is not more than a claim.
Another book of Garoud is "Palestine the land of prophets". Garoudi chose the Islamic title of Rejah for himself and he took a number of trips to the countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the other Islamic countries and has rendered lectures in the universities of the mentioned countries. Before and after the glorious Islamic revolution, Garoudi seven times has taken trip to Iran. In his recent trip to Iran he expressed that he wants to present New Face of Islam to the people.
He says that, he has not accepted Islam but he has come towards Islam. He says that by delving upon the verses of holy Quran he has realized that Islam is not a new religion. If Islam was a new religion it was in contradiction with the other religions. Islam was the summary and complementary of the previous religions. Because the principle of the religion is the same and difference existing is relevant to the approach of their presentation by the prophets (AS) to the people. Islam was emerged by Abraham, hence he is the first Muslim. He says: “when I was converted into Islam I started my path from the era of Abraham and used nothing except the Quranic verses. After my personal experience and paving a long way I was inclined towards Islam, I began from absolute philosophy and by passing from Christianity and Marxism I reached to Islam without leaving my previous opinions. My transfer into Islam does not mean that I have left my past but it is in the continuation of it. The religion that today I believe is a mixture of the previous religions. The religion of Abraham in its historical meaning is neither Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism nor Islam. I am also Muslim in its general meaning of the word which it is not in contradiction with my previous religious and philosophical thoughts because Islam invites the entire monotheists and the followers of the other religions to be gathered under its banner.
Professor Vansan Mansour Monti is also recounted as one of the Muslim luminaries in France. In addition there could also be reminded professor Abdul Halim Herbert that the three recent persons with the French origin who have been converted into the true religion of Islam. Among them Professor Abdulhalim Herbert has chosen the Islamic school of thought of Shia. This French professor previously used to teach in the universities of Saint Atin and Lyon as a specialist in the sociology courses who has taken several trips to the I.R of Iran so far.
It is to be mentioned that a group of French luminaries also have been converted into Islam, but owing to the various reasons inducing fear of dismissing there jobs, they don’t reveal their Islamic faith.
The ethos of Mourice Bejar who recently has been converted into Islam in France is that contrary to the most of the people who have been converted into Islam in France as Sunni he has become shia.
Also among the distinguished figures that in France have converted into Islam could be named the personalities such as Cood Kivij managing director of Soy Publication, as well as the translator of religious works of Amir Abdul Qader,or Lady Eva Devitrah Mirovic, the writer of various works in connection with mysticism who is also the professor of philosophy in the University of Sarbon. These two personalities have grown up in a catholic milieu.
Among the other persons who have been concreted into Islam in France, the personalities such as Mr Gharoo Borzh could be named who for many years have been under taking the directorate position of television of France and Mr. Christian Bono who has changed his name to Yahya Bono and he is one of the Muslim thinkers in France. Yahaya Bono has been studying philosophy under the teaching of the professors of Qum Theological Seminary such as Ayatollah Ashtiani, the student of the late Imam Khomeini, the great Founder of I.R of Iran. In the French University of Sorbonne he has gotten his doctorate degree in the field of late Imam Khomeini’s philosophy and mystic. He says: “Before my inverting into Islam even I was not a proper Christian such as those ordinary Europeans that most of them are infidel. I was also superficially a Christian. Even I didn’t know the difference between the mammary Christian religion and the real Christian religion. Among the oriental religions that were prevailing in France, there were much the religions such has Buddhism and Hinduism that when I became Muslim even I did not know what is the difference between Sunni and Shia. At the first year I became familiar with the books of martyr professor Motahhary who was student of Alameh Tabatabaiee that through those books I became familiar with Shia and I confess that at first I was Sunni.
Undoubtedly in France Islam has benefited from curiosity, but becoming a Muslim except in a few exceptions in France could not have been political aspect because inclination towards Islam in the most times has been the cones quince of aspectual research.
For a number of Catholics there exists only a stage of their converting into Islam that owing to it the numbers of Muslims in Europe are rapidly increasing. The main part of this growth is reckoned as the simple cones quince of the International Migration. Due to various reasons the persons come from Islamic countries with a religious background and there is a number of European who convert into the religion of these migrants. Even though they are insignificant in number but this also happen that they (by a curious mind with respect to their new religion) also bring with them the new interpretation of Islam. Thus they co-operate with respect to the constant evolution of Islam and its compatibility with the circumstances of the contemporary face of Europe.
Hence converting into Islam is not a new phenomenon. No one has definite information with respect to the number of Muslims in Europe. But perhaps it is a fact that we say that they constitute a top much more important role that the people imagine. For instance France has more than 6milion Muslims. Thus, if we consider protestant as an independent religion, Islam is recounted as the second religion in France. According to the official speaker of Muslims in Paris, based on the estimation, the number of the people who have converted into Islam are at least 400/000 people.
Even if we take into consideration the least statistics, again it constitutes a considerable number that are increasing extensively. Hence of it the journalists and the researchers have paid more and more attention to this phenomenon. The people who convert into Islam are not merely confined to the intelligentsia chains but Islam attracts its new followers from the entire strata of surety with the various spiritual and practical reasons. These intelligentsias who have been converted into Islam not only are found in France but also in the countries such as Switzerland, England, Belgium and the other points of Europe Continent.
Imam Reza (A.S.) Network