Who here are converts/reverts to Islam?

[AmusedII]

I am curious who here are converts/reverts to Islam and who was born into a Muslim Family.

Please , if your a convert/revert please tell your story, what brought you to Islam, what made up your mind, how did your family and friends handle it.....

I know a few such as Rukaya and DeRae Mustafa have told their stories but I would like to hear from all who are willing to share them.

[pinwheel]

I had a spiritual experience 25 years ago that started me on the path I walk today.

I am grateful that today there are people to assist me along this path whereas 25 years ago I had no one and so followed my husband's advice to study my own religion of catholicism.

I had learned obedience as a catholic and trusted him. I have been married to him now for 28 years and we have eleven children. All of these children reared as catholics.

My awakening to the grace Allah sent 25 years ago came after many years of struggle.

Even though I count myself as a Muslimah, my mother has told me that I am not a real Muslimah until I divorce my husband and marry a Muslim. I do not really know whether my mother is correct or not, although I have been told that I must leave my husband and children because he refuses to revert.
He has not done anything to interfer with my living my religion, in fact, he has been supportive.

Anyway, when I read your question I wanted to affirm the grace Allah has so generously given to me by answering as well as voting.

I have originally logged on as abdamary. I was kindly corrected by a fellow Muslim about the name I had chosen and so I registered again with a new nickname and e-mail.

I think the hardest thing about my reversion is the questions Muslims ask me. The questions come across as challenges and it frightens me because I am so young in this way of life as well as so far from constant contact with Muslims.

Yet, Allah is the One Whom carries me and so I wait patiently for Him to bring me to the next place He wants me to be.

I am grateful to Allah for this forum and this opportunity to share my story of His grace to me.

[basictruth]

My Journey to Islam
Yvonne Ridley

[Courtesy of Q-News]

Islam is by far the most misunderstood religion in the world today thanks to centuries of medieval-style propaganda successfully peddled by bigots and Christian zealots. So I should not have been entirely surprised by the almost hysterical reaction in the mainstream media to news that I am considering becoming a Muslim. Some of the comments were *****y and snide, other journalists asked me stupid questions showing a distinct lack of research or understanding. One even accused me of suffering from Stockholm Syndrome as a result of spending ten days in the hands of the Taliban!

My spiritual journey, like that for many converts/reverts, was meant to be a personal affair between myself and God. Sadly it has now become a very public issue and so I have decided to share with Q-News readers my feelings and thoughts on Islam to prevent any more misunderstandings or misconceptions.

Yes, my journey did begin in the unlikely surrounds of an Afghan prison where I was being held by the Taliban facing charges of entering their country illegally disguised in the all-enveloping burqa. One day, during my captivity I was visited by a religious cleric who asked me what I thought of Islam and if I would like to convert. I was terrified. For five days I had managed to avoid the subject of religion in a country led by Islamic extremists. If I gave the wrong response, I had convinced myself I would be stoned to death. After careful thought I thanked the cleric for his generous offer and said it was difficult for me to make such a life-changing decision while I was in prison. However, I did make a promise that if I was released I would study Islam on my return to London. My reward for such a reply was being sent to a ghastly jail in Kabul where I was locked up with six Christian fanatics who faced charges of trying to convert Muslims to their faith. (After being bombarded with their bible readings, happy-clappy Christian songs and prayers twice a day, I think we can discount the accusations of Stockholm Syndrome.

Several days later I was released unharmed on humanitarian grounds on the orders of Mullah Omar, the Taliban's one- eyed spiritual leader. My captors had treated me with courtesy and respect and so, in turn, I kept my word and set out to study their religion. It was supposed to be an academic study but as I became more engrossed with each page I turned so I became more impressed with what I read. I turned to several eminent Islamic academics, including Dr Zaki Badawi, for advice and instruction. I was even given several books by the notorious Sheikh Abu Hamza AI-Masri whom I spoke to after sharing a platform at an Oxford Union debate. This latter snippet was seized upon by some sections of the media in such a ridiculous fashion that outsiders might have thought I was going to e open a madrassa for AI-Qaeda recruits from my flat in Soho!

Thankfully the support and understanding I have been given from my brothers and sisters (for I regard them as that) has been a unstinting and comforting. Not one of them has put pressure on me to become a Muslim and every convert/revert I've spoken to has told me to take my time. One of the big turning points for me happened earlier this year when the Israelis began shelling The Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, one of the most precious monuments for Christians. Every year thousands of school children re-enact the Nativity at Christmas time, a potent symbol of Christianity. Yet, not one Church of England leader publicly denounced the Israelis for their attack. Our Prime Minister Tony Blair, who loves to be pictured coming out of church surrounded a by his family, espousing Christian values, was silent. Only the Pope had the guts to condemn this atrocity. I was shocked and saddened and felt there was no backbone in my religious leaders. At least with Islam I need no mediator or conduit to rely upon, I can have a direct line with God anytime want.

While I feel under no pressure to convert/revert by Muslims, the real pressure to walk away from Islam has come from some friends and journalists who like to think they're cynical, hard-bitten, hard-drinking, observers of the world. Religion of any form makes them feel uneasy, but Islam, well that's something even worse. You'd think I had made a pact with the devil or wanted to become a grand wizard in the Ku Klux Klan.

Others feared I was being brainwashed and that I would soon be back in my burqa, silenced forever like all Muslim women. This, of course, is nonsense. I have never met so many well-educated, opinionated, -outspoken, intelligent, politically aware women in the Muslim groups I have visited throughout the UK. Feminism pales into insignificance when it comes to the sister- hood, which has a strong identity and a loud voice in this country. Yes, it is true that many Muslim women around the world are subjugated, but this has only come about through other cultures hijacking and misinterpreting the Quran. (Saudis take note).

I wish I had this knowledge (and I'm still very much a novice) when I was captured by the Taliban because I would have asked them why they treated their own women so badly. The Quran makes it crystal clear that all Muslims, men and women are entirely equal in worth, spirituality and responsibility. Allah ordained equality and fairness for women in education and opportunity. Fair property law and divorce settlements were introduced for Muslim women 1500 years ago; may be this is where Californian divorce lawyers got their inspiration from in recent years! The Quran could have been written yesterday for today. It could sit very easily with any Green Party manifesto, it is is environmentally friendly and it is a true le inspiration for the 21st century, yet not one word has changed since the day it was written unlike other religious tomes. "It's more punk than punk," musician Aki Nawaz of the band Fun-da-Mental recently told me. And, of course he is right.

Yvonne Ridley

[basictruth]

Challenging Ignorance on Islam:
a Ten-Point Primer for Americans
by Gary Leupp

"We should invade [Muslim] countries, kill their leaders and convert
them to Christianity."
Columnist Ann Coulter,
National Review Online, Sept. 13, 2001

"Just turn [the sheriff] loose and have him arrest every Muslim that
crosses the state line."
Rep. C. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA),
chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland
security and Senate candidate, to Georgia law officers, November
2001
"Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die
for him. Christianity is a faith where God sent his Son to die for you."
Attorney General John Ashcroft,
interview on Cal Thomas radio, November 2001
"(Islam) is a very evil and wicked religion wicked, violent and not of
the same god (as Christianity)."
Rev. Franklin Graham, head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association, November 2001.
"Islam is Evil,Christ is King."
Allegedly written in marker by law enforcement agents on a Muslim
prayer calendar in the home of a Muslim being investigated by police
in Dearborn, Michigan, July 2002.
People with power and influence in the U.S. have been saying some
very stupid things about Islam and about Muslims since September
11. Some of it is rooted in conscious malice, and ethnic prejudice that
spills over into religious bigotry. But some is rooted in sheer historical
and geographical ignorance. This is a country, after all, in which only
a small minority of high school students can readily locate
Afghanistan on the map, or are aware that Iranians and Pakistanis are
not Arabs. As an educator, in Asian Studies, at a fairly elite university,
I am painfully aware of this ignorance. But I realize it serves a
purpose. It is highly useful to a power structure that banks on
knee-jerk popular support whenever it embarks on a new military
venture, at some far-off venue, on false pretexts immediately
discernable to the better educated, but lost on the general public. The
generally malleable mainstream press takes care of the rest.
I don't mean to suggest that the academic cognosenti, as a "class,"
habitually counter this ignorance and protest the imperialist
interventions that Washington routinely undertakes. Some of them
may indeed support the venture, cynically asserting that the
advertised pretext fulfills some sort of valid function, regardless of the
lies and distortions that surround it. (I think of the depiction in the
media of the "Rambouillet Accords" concerning Yugoslavia in 1999 as
"the will of the international community," when one Contact Group
member, Russia, rejected the U.S.-dictated plan for Kosovo outright,
and several European states only signed on after their arms were
twisted nearly out of their sockets. I think of the calculated, extreme
exaggeration of the number of Kosovar victims of Serbian forces as
the bombing of Yugoslavia began. The lies surrounding that bombing
were obvious to anyone studying the situation, but even some rather
progressive academics were all for "Operation Allied Force.") American
academe is---unfortunately--- whatever its right-wing critics may
contend, not particularly left or anti-imperialist. In any case, such
ignorance is not just a national embarrassment; it's really dangerous.
Raw material for a made-in-USA version of fascism.
To understand the contemporary world, we all need to know
something about Islam-beyond the inane contribution of the Attorney
General cited above. So I have prepared this little primer on Islam for
Americans (suitable for ages 13 and above, so appropriate for high
school use), dealing not with its theology so much as its general
character as an important force in the world, presently encountering
unprecedented, unprincipled attack from various quarters. (Oh, and
by the way, I'm not a Muslim, but what those on the Christian right
revile as a "secular humanist.")
1. Islam has been around for approximately 1400 years. Established
on the west coast of Arabia 900 years before European settlement in
America, and spreading rapidly throughout Southwest Asia and North
Africa soon thereafter, it was not designed as an anti-U.S.
movement!
The basic teachings or requirements of Islam are not difficult to grasp.
They constitute the "Five Pillars of Islam": (1) profession that there is
no God but God ("Allah," in Arabic), and his Prophet (the last of the
prophets, the "seal of the prophets") is Muhammad; (2) daily prayer;
(3) fasting during the month of Ramadan; (4) charity; and (5) the
pilgrimage to Mecca. Whatever you may think of this package, it's not
terribly threatening to the non-Muslim.
2. Islam's teachings are contained in a fairly compact book, the
Qur'an, which Muslims believe was dictated to the Prophet Muhammad
by the archangel Gabriel. They believe of it precisely what Jews and
Christians believe of their scriptures: that is, it's the Word of God.
This book, like the Bible, demands belief in monotheism; refers to
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jesus, etc. (far more space is given to Mary,
mother of Jesus, in the Qur'an than in the New Testament); has a
substantial legalistic component reminiscent of the Old Testament
Book of Leviticus, and poetic content as beautifully uplifting as the
Book of Psalms. For religious and secular scholars alike, it is
absolutely clear that Islam stems from the Judeo-Christian
tradition. Indeed, we should think in terms of the
"Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition."
(Some fundamentalist Christians, of course, see Islam as the work of
Satan, and medieval Christians in Europe saw it as a heresy rather
than as "paganism. The point is---for better or worse---Muslims have
a whole lot more in common with the dominant religious trends in the
U.S. than do, say, Buddhists or Hindus.)
3. Muslims are about 20% of the world's population; Christians, about
30%. (The U.S. Muslim population is estimated between 5 and 8
million; U.S. Jews between 5 and 6 million). The global Jewish
population is statistically quite small, so one can say the
Judeo-Christian-Islamic population is roughly half the world's
total. The consequences of a protracted religious war, pitting
Christians and Jews against Muslims, are highly unpleasant to
consider.
4. The Qur'an depicts Jews and Christians as "People of the Book,"
meaning that they have their own scriptures bestowed upon them by
God (Allah is simply the Arabic world for God, related to the Hebrew
Elohim; we should see it as analogous to the German word Gott, the
French Dieu, or the Spanish Dios. It's not the personal name of a deity
within a pantheon, like Thor, Aphrodite or Siva.)
Muslim scripture counsels respect for these communities, and indeed,
in the history of Islam, within Islamic societies Jews and
Christians have fared FAR better than non-Christians in
Christendom. Muslims ruled all or part of Spain from around 800 to
the late 15th century, when Columbus' great patrons, King Ferdinand
and Queen Isabella "drove the Moors (Muslims) out of Spain," forced
everybody to embrace Catholic Christianity (or be killed), and
promoted the exquisite Christian tortures of the Inquisition. Under
Muslim rule, Christian and Jewish communities generally flourished
from Spain to Iraq. On the other hand, until recent times, Christian
intolerance prevailed throughout Europe.
5. The Qu'ran does NOT call upon Muslims to KILL all
non-Muslims. It calls for the destruction of "infidels," meaning
principally Arabs who, during the time of Muhammad, practiced
idolatry and polytheism. Again: this is a seventh-century book,
produced in a specific historical context! It, and the Muslim religion,
should be studied and understood objectively, dispassionately. Islam
emerged very quickly, and within decades united under its banner-the
banner of monotheism---the various tribes of Arabia. Its violent
rejection of idolatry, however offensive to the modern, secular,
humanist mind, is hardly unique. It can be compared to the ferocious
suppression in Christian Europe of paganism (often associated with
witchcraft).
And for perspective, while the Qu'ran does call for the extermination
of "infidels," the Old Testament is replete with its own exhortations to
genocide. According to the Biblical narrative (of dubious historicity,
but believed by hundreds of millions), the Hebrews under Joshua's
leadership, invading Canaan from Egypt, killed twelve thousand "men
and women together" in the town of Ai-because God wanted them to
(Joshua 8:25). The Hebrews put all the people of Hazor to the sword
(they "wiped them all out; they did not leave one living soul." Judges
11:14). The poetics of hatred are as conspicuous in the Bible as in the
Qu'ran. A personal favorite of mine, from Psalm 137, refers to the
Babylonians: "A blessing on him who takes and dashes your babies
against the rock!" Such references are characteristic of
Judeo-Christian-Islamic literature, and are best examined in historical
perspective.
6. Islamic "fundamentalism" is not a species apart from other
fundamentalisms, including the Christian, Jewish, and Hindu
varieties. They are all anti-modern, anti-science, anti-intellectual,
rarely harmless and potentially (if not necessarily) fascistic. They
demand belief in received dogma, inscribed in texts, rather than
open-ended scientific inquiry. They either legitimate the existing
order, or call for a return to a past social order in which class and
gender relations were properly sorted out in line with the Divine Will.
Some (including non-religious people in or from Muslim countries)
criticize Islam (appropriately, in my view) for what they consider
backward and reactionary features. This is not the place to deal with
such criticisms, nor am I the right person to do it. I will merely
observe what many others have observed: Christendom underwent
the Enlightenment-an evolution towards secularism, rationalism, and
scientific thought in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries-which
the Islamic world, in general, has not yet experienced. To become
"modern" (more specifically, to become capitalist), the West had to
become more ideologically tolerant (i.e., less religious), and allow a
freer market in ideas than had been possible when the Church
monopolized learning. If mullahs monopolize education in much of the
Muslim world, they serve a function identical with that of Europe's
medieval Catholic clergy.
But our own Enlightenment is not irreversible. Top U.S. officials reject
the theory of evolution in favor of the ludicrous "theory" of
"creationism," and seek to criminalize abortion on the grounds that a
fetus is a human being created by God. Recent changes in U.S. law
(allowing the use of vouchers to support religious schools at
taxpayer's expense), and the failure of the courts to prosecute
behavior which plainly violates the constitutional separation of church
and state, demonstrate that medieval thinking and fundamentalism
retain a strong hold in sections of U.S. society, and are well
represented in the Bush administration. The American people are, I
submit, far more threatened by Christian fundamentalism than its
Islamic counterpart. And for a Pentecostalist Christian like John
Ashcroft, who believes every word of the Bible literally, to inveigh
against Islam (as he has) is (to use the English proverb) the "pot
calling the kettle black."
7. Islamic fundamentalism (or what some, including CNN
Moneyline's Lou Dobbs calls "Islamism," meaning a specifically
political Islam) has NOT, historically, posed a great threat to
Western interests (by which I mean corporate, oil, and
geopolitical interests) but rather been exploited to SERVE those
interests. Remember Lawrence of Arabia? What was his objective
other than to forge a British alliance with the Hashemites, who would
certainly qualify as "Islamists" by Lou Dobb's standards, during World
War I? Later, the British boosted the Saudi royal family (patrons of
the Wahhabi school of Islam, usually described as among the most
conservative, embraced by Osama bin Laden as well as the Saudis in
general) into power. The U.S. inherited Saudi Arabia as a client state
after World War II, and we all know how well U.S. oil companies have
done there ever since. (Aramco alone, prior to its nationalization in
the mid-1980s, yielded some $ 3 trillion from the Arabian reserves.)
The U.S. helped create, recruit, and finance the fundamentalist
Mujahadeen, including some 30,000 young volunteers who came from
throughout the Muslim world to fight "godless Communism" in
Afghanistan in the 1980s. The U.S. encouraged them to view their war
as a jihad (in the sense of a "Holy War," a meaning the term usually
does NOT carry), and put many in contact with young Osama bin
Laden, then an ally. The Reagan administration was in love with
fundamentalist Islam, so long as it served its purposes.
The California-based company Unocal was cordially negotiating right
up to Sept. 11 with Afghanistan's Taliban for an oil pipeline through
Afghan territory, State Department official and oilman Zalmay
Khalilzad was arguing up through 1998 that the Taliban were friendly,
potential business partners who did "not practice the anti-U.S. style of
fundamentalism practiced in Iran."
8. Muslims of the world have many thoroughly LEGITIMATE
reasons to resent U.S. policy. Nearly absolute support for the
settler state of Israel in its relationship with the indigenous
Palestinian people. Imposition of brutal sanctions on Iraq, contrary to
logic and morality. Maintenance of bases throughout the Persian Gulf,
in defiance of local sensibilities and interests. Support for brutal
regimes, including that of the Shah of Iran and that of Indonesia's
Suharto (who unquestionably has more blood on his hands than even
that arch-villain and former U.S. buddy Saddam Hussein).
9. Muslims typically DO NOT hate the U.S. as an abstract
concept, reject U.S. culture in toto, or seek the destruction of
American civilization. Many are, indeed, uncomfortable with some
aspects of American behavior, as are most people in the world, from
Central America to Japan. But a Zogby International poll, released
June 11 of this year, shows that in nine Muslim countries, including
Bangladesh and Malaysia, the most admired foreign country is the
U.S.
10. Muslims and Jews in Palestine/Israel have NOT always
hated one another, and the current Middle East conflict does
NOT go back many centuries. Rather, it began with the influx of
foreign Jews into the region after World War I, which became a flood
as a result of the Holocaust, and with international support resulted in
the formation of Israel as a specifically Jewish state in 1948. Jewish
settlement and terrorism (well-documented by the Jewish Israeli
historian Ilan Pappe) resulted in the displacement of 750,000
Palestinian Arabs (including both Christians and Muslims). The
Arab-Israeli conflict is not, fundamentally, about Islam, or a clash
between Islam and other faiths, but about this-worldly land grabbing,
settlement, dispossession and oppression that has enraged the Muslim
world, as it should enrage any thinking, moral human being.
Unfortunately, fundamentalist Christians in this country tend to depict
this history of injustice as the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, and
they will brook no dissent when it comes to the Zionist cause that
they have embraced as their own. ("God gave them the land, so don't
bother me with historical details. End of discussion.") Hard to imagine
a delusion more injurious to world peace and to the cause of justice.
Finally: In understanding Islam, Americans should give some thought
to one of the pivotal episodes in world history, the Crusades, or Wars
of the Cross, that ripped up the Holy Land between 1096 and 1291.
During these two centuries, European Christians seeking to "win back
for Christendom" territory that had fallen to the Muslim Turks-territory
that had been ruled by Muslims since the early seventh century
anyway, on terms generally agreeable to Jews and Christians as well
as Muslims-committed unspeakable atrocities. In July 1099 Jerusalem
was conquered, the Roman Catholic soldiers massacring all the
Muslim and Jewish inhabitants, including women and children. Nor
was the Crusaders' zeal exhausted upon non-Christians; frustrated at
lack of success in Palestine in 1204, they instead sacked
Constantinople (modern Istanbul), then the center of Eastern
Orthodoxy. In comparison, the behavior of the Muslim armies was
chivalrous, the twelfth-century Kurdish leader Saladin in particular
winning high praise from Christians and Muslims alike for his
humanity.
The Islamic world remembers the Crusades; George Bush, like many
Americans, is clueless about them. Hence his amazingly dim-witted
reference to the "War on Terrorism" as a "Crusade" last September
16-a statement that produced immediate, widespread outrage in the
Muslim world. No offense intended, no doubt. But such ignorance, in
action, in a world where religious prejudice generates idiotic action
from Belfast, to the Balkans, to Gujarat, to the Moluccas, is perilous
ignorance indeed.
Gary Leupp is an an associate professor, Department of History,
Tufts University and coordinator, Asian Studies Program

__________________________________________________ ______

To see very enlightened disscussion on Islam GO TO:

http://www.wefound.org/ParticipantsFeedbacks.htm

[basictruth]

To see some opinions of non Muslims about on Islam GO TO:

http://www.wefound.org/ParticipantsFeedbacks.htm

ALSO here is one article that will show any rational reader the injust animosity toward Islam and how peaceful and true Islam is.

By the way these articles are written by an ex-non Muslims, may be? Just may be, you will be very lucky and your heart will be enlightened?.

Truly I bid you peace and safty on your life journey.

1-------

Islâm: The Only True Religion for the Whole Mankind
(Especially for Non-Muslim Readers)
By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

Islâm, which means peaceful and complete submission to the Will of
Allâh I and obedience to His Law, is the divine religion for all
mankind. It is Allâh's chosen religion for the entire humanity. If
you are not aware of the universality and true teachings of Islâm,
then this article is for you. I invite you to accept Islâm based on
concrete proofs from the Qur'ân and the Sunnah (Traditions and
Practices, which include the Ahadîth or Sayings of Prophet Muhammad
r).

You should believe that Islâm is the only religion for all mankind,
because Allâh I is the One and Only God of all mankind; Prophet
Muhammadr is the Universal Messenger of Allâh I to all mankind; and
that, the Qur'ân is Allâh's Book of Guidance to all mankind. We
read in the Qur'ân:

"Say: `I seek refuge with the Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and
Sustainer) of mankind, the King (or Ruler) of mankind, the God (or
Judge) of mankind ¾ from the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil),
who withdraws (after his whisper) (the same) who whispers in the
hearts of mankind, of the jinn and of mankind.'" (Qur'an 114:1-6)

"We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but as a (Messenger) to all
mankind, giving glad tidings, and warning them (against) sin, but
most men know not." (34:28)

Allâh! There is no god but He the Living the Self-Subsisting
Eternal. It is He Who sent down to you (step by step) in truth the
Book (the Qur'ân) confirming what went before it. And He sent down
Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this as a guide to
mankind and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and
wrong). Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allâh will suffer
the severest penalty and Allâh is Exalted in Might Rabb of
Retribution. (3:2-4)

The Qur'ân is Allâh's guide to all mankind. The following are some
selections from the Qur'ân, which show how Allâh addresses all
mankind. Contemplate upon them and see how universal Islâm is:

"O mankind! Worship your Rabb, Who created you and those who came
before you that you may become righteous; Who has made the earth
your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the
heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; then
set not up rivals unto Allâh when you know (the truth)." (2:21-22)

"O mankind! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not
follow the footsteps of Satan for he is to you an avowed enemy. For
he commands you what is evil and shameful, and that you should say of
Allâh that of which you have no knowledge." (2:168-169)

"O mankind! Reverence your Rabb Who created you from a single person
and from him created his mate and from them created many men and
women. Be conscious of your duty to Allâh through Whom you demand
your mutual (rights) and (be dutiful to) the wombs (that bore you).
Verily, Allâh ever watches over you." (4:1)

"O mankind! The Messenger has come to you in truth from Allâh:
believe in him: it is best for you. But if you reject faith, to
Allâh belong all things in the heavens and on earth: and Allâh is All
Knowing, All-Wise." (4:170)

"O mankind! Verily there has come to you a convincing proof from
your Rabb: for We have sent unto you a light (that is) manifest."
(4:174)

"Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning therefrom, and
let them know that He is (no other than) One Allâh: Let men of
understanding take heed." (14:52)

"O mankind! Fear your Rabb for the convulsion of the Hour (of
Judgment) will be a thing terrible!" (22:1)

O mankind! If you have a doubt about the Resurrection; (consider)
that We created you out of dust then out of sperm then out of a leech-
like clot then out a morsel of flesh partly formed and partly
unformed in order that We may manifest (Our Power) to you.... This is
so because Allâh is the Reality: it is He Who gives life to the dead
and it is He Who has power over all things. (22:5-6)

O mankind! Remember the Grace of Allâh upon you! Is there a Creator
other than Allâh to give you Sustenance from heaven or earth? There
is no god but He: how then are you deluded away from the Truth?
(35:3)

O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allâh is true. So let not the
chief deceiver (Satan) deceives you about Allâh." (35:5)

"O mankind! It is you that have need of Allâh: but Allâh is the One
Free of all wants, Worthy of all praise." (35:15)

"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a
female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each
other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honored
of you in the sight of Allâh is (he who is) the most righteous of
you. Verily, Allâh has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with
all things)." (49:13)

I invite you also to reflect upon the following authentic Ahadîth[5].
Notice, how Prophet Muhammad r makes it clear that he is the
Messenger of Allâh I to all mankind; and subsequently, shows concern
for all mankind:

Jabir Bin Abdullah t narrated that Allâh's Messengerr said, "I have
been given five things, which were not given to any amongst the
Prophets before me. These are: (1.) Allâh made me victorious by awe
(by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's
journey. (2.) The earth has been made for me (and for my followers)
a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum. Therefore my
followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due. (3.) The
booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me (and was not made so for
anyone else). (4.) Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation
exclusively but I have been sent to all mankind. (5) I have been
given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).
(Bukhari 1/429)

Abu Hurairaht narrated that Allâh's Messenger r said: "I have been
given superiority over the other prophets in six respects: I have
been given words, which are concise but comprehensive in meaning. I
have been helped by terror (in the hearts of enemies). Spoils have
been made lawful to me. The earth has been made for me, clean and a
place of worship. I have been sent to all mankind. And the line of
prophets is closed with me." (Muslim, 1062)

Anas Bin Malik t narrated: "While we were sitting with the Prophet r
in the mosque, a man came riding on a camel. He made his camel kneel
down in the mosque, tied its foreleg and then said: "Who amongst you
is Muhammad?" At that time the Prophet r was sitting amongst us (his
companions) leaning on his arm. We replied, "This white man reclining
on his arm." The man then addressed him, "O Son of 'Abdul Muttalib."
The Prophet r said, "I am here to answer your questions." The man
said to the Prophet, "I want to ask you something and will be hard in
questioning. So do not get angry." The Prophet r said, "Ask whatever
you want." The man said, "I ask you by your Rabb, and the Rabb of
those who were before you, has Allâh sent you as a Messenger to all
the mankind?" The Prophet r replied, "By Allâh, yes." The man further
said, "I ask you by Allâh. Has Allâh ordered you to offer five
prayers in a day and night (24 hours)? He replied, "By Allâh, Yes."
The man further said, "I ask you by Allâh! Has Allâh ordered you to
observe fasts during this month of the year (i.e. Ramadan)?" He
replied, "By Allâh, Yes." The man further said, "I ask you by Allâh.
Has Allâh ordered you to take Zakat (obligatory charity) from our
rich people and distribute it amongst our poor people?" The Prophet r
replied, "By Allâh, yes." Thereupon that man said, "I have believed
in all that with which you have been sent, and I have been sent by my
people as a messenger, and I am Dimam bin Tha'laba from the brothers
of Bani Sa'd bin Bakr." (Bukhari 1/63)

Jabir Bin Abdullah t narrated that Allâh's Messenger r said, "Allâh
will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind."
(Bukhari 9/473)

Abu Huraira t narrated: Allâh's Messengers r said, "The worst of all
mankind is the double-faced one, who comes to some people with one
countenance and to others, with another countenance." (Bukhari,
9/290)

Abu Said Al Khudri t narrated that a Bedouin came to the Prophet r
and said, "O Allâh's Messenger r! Who is the best of mankind!" The
Prophet r said, "A man who strives for Allâh's Cause with his life
and property, and also a man who lives (all alone) in a mountain path
among the mountain paths to worship his Rabb and save the people from
his evil." (Bukhari 8/501)

Allâh I, the universal God of all, is the Rabb of Grace, Abounding
(57:29). He listens to those who believe and do deeds of
righteousness and gives them an increase of His Bounty (42:26). He
is Most Gracious, Most Merciful. He grants the need of every
creature (55:29). His bounties are not closed to any one (17:20). He
is full of grace to all mankind: yet most of them are ungrateful to
Him:

"But verily your Rabb is full of grace to mankind: yet most of them
are ungrateful." (27:73)

One chapter of the Qur'ân, Chapter 55: Ar Rahman (The Most Gracious)
enumerates some of the countless favors that Allâh I has given to all
mankind. The following are some of the verses of the whole chapter,
which you should reflect on so you may be among the grateful
creatures of Allâh I:

(Allâh) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught the Qur'ân. He has
created man: He has taught him speech (and intelligence). The sun
and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; and the herbs and the
trees-both (alike) bow in adoration. And the Firmament has He raised
high and He has set up the balance (of Justice) in order that you may
not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and
fall not short in the balance. It is He Who has spread out the earth
for (His) creatures. Therein are fruits, date palms producing sheeted
fruit-stalks and also corn with its leaves and stalk for fodder, and
sweet-scented plants. .Then which of the favors of your Rabb will you
deny? He created man from sounding clay like unto pottery. And He
created Jinn from fire free of smoke. Then which of the favors of
your Rabb will you deny? (He is the) Rabb of the two Easts and Rabb
of the two Wests. Then which of the favors of your Rabb will you
deny? (55:1-18)

It is for your benefit that you should always be grateful to Allâh I.
Allâh the Almighty says:

"And remember! Your Rabb caused to be declared (publicly): `If you
are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; but if you show
ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.'" (14:7)

"...And if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his
own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Rabb is free of all
needs, Supreme in Honor!" (27:40)

"...Show (your) gratitude to Allâh. Any who is (so) grateful does so
to the profit of his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, verily Allâh
is free of all wants, worthy of all praise." (31:12)

We, mankind, must be grateful to Allâh I for, indeed, He is the One
Who provides us the good things for our sustenance. He is the One
Who gives us life, Who causes us to die and will give us life again.
For your enlightenment, read the following verses and think for
yourself, is there any one, other than the True God and Creator of
the whole mankind has ever told us the following absolute words?

"O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for
you and be grateful to Allah, if He is the One you worship." (2:172)

"It is He (Allah) Who gave you life, will cause you to die, and will
again give you life. Truly man is a most ungrateful creature!"
(22:66)

We should think of all the blessings that Allâh I has given us. We
should be grateful to Him because He does not love those who are
ungrateful and wicked (2:276). We should not follow the Evil One
who is ungrateful to Allâh I (17:27). We have to demonstrate our
gratitude to Allâh I by worshipping Him Alone. We have to remember
that the very reason why He has created us is for us to worship Him
(51:56-58) all throughout our lives (15:98-99). It is for our own
benefit that we must worship Allâh alone as He is our Creator. He I
has commanded us to worship Him alone in order to be righteous. He I
says:

"O mankind! Worship your Guardian Rabb, Who created you and those
who came before you that you may become righteous; Who has made the
earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain
from the heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your
sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allâh when you know (the
truth)." (2:21-22)

For your divine guidance, accept Islâm as your religion and way of
life. Verily, it is the only religion for all mankind. Allâh the
Almighty makes it clear that Islâm is the only religion acceptable to
Him. Our Creator I tells us:

"Truly the Religion before Allâh is Islâm (submission to His Will):
Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy
of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any denies
the Signs of Allâh, Allâh is swift in calling to account." (3:19)

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islâm (submission to Allâh),
never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in
the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good)." (3:85)
__________________
Suratush Shams

[7] By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it;

[8] And its enlightenment as to its wrong and its right;

[9] Truly he succeeds that purifies it,

[10] And he fails that corrupts it!
______________________________________

[Peace]

what an interesting story - thank you :)

I was wondering why your mum said what she said - is she a muslim also?

if you want to ask any questions or just chat u can email me at hassanradwan@yahoo.com

hassan (who is struggling to type with a baby on his knee - an i think she's done a poo - gg!)

[Raven]

and i think she's done a poo - gg!

TMI, my freind, TMI (too much information).
lol

[Khawlah]

Well, I reverted to islam nearly 6 years ago when I was just 18. I'm afraid my "conversion story" is not as interested as many! I was basically searching for the truth at that time, I was very in to books about enlightenment and the soul and then I stumbled across an islamic book called the path to enlightenment (I had no idea it was islamic when I bought it!) and when I read it, it made so much sense. There were references to the Quran in that book which led me to go and read the quran. A little while after, i embraced islam. Alhamdulillah! I am so glad that Allah guided me to the true path and I pray that i will always be rightly guided inshaallah.

Life just makes so much sense when you live according to the way of islam, the way of our Creator. And just like the famous hadith, I would rather be thrown into the fire than revert to disbelief.

[Kaiser]

I converted because it gave me hope that there is something better to come after this life.(which is a real pain to me).

[Peace]

Originally posted by Raven
TMI, my freind, TMI (too much information).
lol

LOL... Awwww wait till u have kids Raven (I'm assuming u don't - of course I could b wrong)

[Peace]

Originally posted by Khawlah
then I stumbled across an islamic book called the path to enlightenment (I had no idea it was islamic when I bought it!) and when I read it, it made so much sense. There were references to the Quran in that book which led me to go and read the quran. A little while after, i embraced islam.

Just out of interest, can remember the author and exact name of the book? It sounds very much like a Sufi book. I am a great admirer of many of the great Sufi writers and thinkers.

It is interesting how many converts embrace Islam through Sufism.

Hassan

[Khawlah]

Salaam alaikum Hassan,

You are right, it was a sufi book, I'm sorry I don't have the author to hand. But, alhamdulillah I later realised that the way of the extreme sufis is not the correct way and the only correct way is the way of the Quran, Muhammad (sws) and the pious predecessors. I have nothing wrong with sufis who stick to quran and sunnah but if they stick to quran and sunnah why call themselves "sufi"?

[Peace]

Originally posted by Khawlah
Salaam alaikum Hassan,

You are right, it was a sufi book, I'm sorry I don't have the author to hand. But, alhamdulillah I later realised that the way of the extreme sufis is not the correct way and the only correct way is the way of the Quran, Muhammad (sws) and the pious predecessors. I have nothing wrong with sufis who stick to quran and sunnah but if they stick to quran and sunnah why call themselves "sufi"?

ASsalamu-Alaykum Khawlah,

I agree entirely :) But you know by far the majority of Sufis, throughout the Muslim world are the ones that you mention, who stick to Qur'an and Sunnah.

Interesting though that many converts become interested through Sufi literature or Da'wa work. Perhaps their emphasis on the "Spiritual Search for closeness to God" strikes a chord with many Europeans and Americans, who are dissatisfied with the lack of spirituality in their own societies.

But like you, many then "move on" to a more 'orthodox' form of Islam.

Just wondering though, whether you follow any particular Mathhab or group i.e. the Salafis? And what influenced your decision?

Hassan

[salim]

I am a convert/revert to Islam.

I found Allaah at the age of 17 after a mystical experience on LSD.

[Peace]

Originally posted by Gnostic
I am a convert/revert to Islam.

I found Allaah at the age of 17 after a mystical experience on LSD.

WOW! How long have you been a Muslim now and do you follow any particualr view of Islam?

Hassan

[salim]

ASA, hassan.

I have been a Muslim for nearly four years now. :)

The viewpoint of religion I follow is overwhelmingly moderate. I am an Islamic Gnostic (mystic, sufi), and have been since I reverted - my interpretation of Islam is not something I picked up from believing men before me, rather its foundation is structured by gnosis, or 'inner knowledge' that was obtained through mystical self-exploration.

[Peace]

Originally posted by Gnostic
ASA, hassan.

I have been a Muslim for nearly four years now. :)

The viewpoint of religion I follow is overwhelmingly moderate. I am an Islamic Gnostic (mystic, sufi), and have been since I reverted - my interpretation of Islam is not something I picked up from believing men before me, rather its foundation is structured by gnosis, or 'inner knowledge' that was obtained through mystical self-exploration.

ASA

Good for you! It is hard to follow your inner light as a Muslim these days - with so many people telling you what you 'should' and 'shouldn't' think.

Hassan.

[DietChoke]

I found Allaah at the age of 17 after a mystical experience on LSD
===

Ya know...I've read alot of testimonials...

but I do believe this is the first time I've heard anybody say that they found Allah on drugs.

[Songbird]

Originally posted by hassanradwan
what an interesting story - thank you :)

I was wondering why your mum said what she said - is she a muslim also?

if you want to ask any questions or just chat u can email me at hassanradwan@yahoo.com



Dear Hassanradwan (hassanradwan@yahoo.com),

For your next birthday, I'm gonna give you something you've never received before. Yup, thass right akhi, it's called an imagination! :)

Me thinks someone could use one. Oh wait, let me guess what your AIM nick is...no, don't tell me...I'll get it in a minute...hang on...almost got it... :p

[salim]

Originally posted by DietChoke
I found Allaah at the age of 17 after a mystical experience on LSD
===

Ya know...I've read alot of testimonials...

but I do believe this is the first time I've heard anybody say that they found Allah on drugs.

"Drugs"? Heh. Technically LSD is a psychoactive drug; but to label it in the same category with everything else (pot, junk, you name it.) is usually done out of lack of knowledge about the substance. While I condemn (as a Muslim of course) the use of intoxicants, there is a completely different world within the perils of psychedelic use. I do admit kids abuse the sacred "gates" (hallucinogenic chemicals) in today's world; but the actual spiritual usage of LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline is often over-looked when you hear stories of some young punk who thought he could fly - this is accompanied by rumors that psychedelics are dangerous to the mind, etc. I did find God on an acid trip several years ago - the experience ultimately changed my life. Since then I have been overly interested in the relationship between my own religion, the other two Abrahamic faiths, and psychedelic drugs. While it's difficult to convince a brother or sister to drop a 5-hit-strip and pray/meditate constantly for nine hours, I have manged to open the eyes of one Muslim friend and a Christian friend to the world of psychedelic faith-stance; to the inner knowledge from Allaah (swt).

[Usmanb]

Sallaam

Gnostic, you still claim that the drugs that you are using are not harmful and dangerous? Your overly optimistic outlook on the impact of such drugs is astonishing. There is so much research gone into the negative effetcs of these drugs that regarding them as safe or otherwise is really hard to believe. However, it is good that you found Allah though.

Allah Hafiz

Usmanb (anti-drugs)

[Peace]

Originally posted by Songbird
Dear Hassanradwan (hassanradwan@yahoo.com),

For your next birthday, I'm gonna give you something you've never received before. Yup, thass right akhi, it's called an imagination! :)

Me thinks someone could use one. Oh wait, let me guess what your AIM nick is...no, don't tell me...I'll get it in a minute...hang on...almost got it... :p


LOL... Well it's my name! I don't know why everyone has to use nick-names?

Hassan - as in hassanradwan ;)

[Songbird]

Originally posted by hassanradwan
LOL... Well it's my name! I don't know why everyone has to use nick-names?

Hassan - as in hassanradwan ;)

Well duh, as if we haven't figured that out, Mr-No-Frills-What's an imagination-Screw The-Subterfuge-Mystery's overrated-I'm-Me-HassanRadwan!

:)

[Peace]

Originally posted by Songbird
Well duh, as if we haven't figured that out, Mr-No-Frills-What's an imagination-Screw The-Subterfuge-Mystery's overrated-I'm-Me-HassanRadwan!

:)

LOL... Well as they say WYSIWYG with me, no more no less :)

[hen]

Originally posted by Gnostic
"Drugs"? Heh. Technically LSD is a psychoactive drug; but to label it in the same category with everything else (pot, junk, you name it.) is usually done out of lack of knowledge about the substance. While I condemn (as a Muslim of course) the use of intoxicants, there is a completely different world within the perils of psychedelic use. I do admit kids abuse the sacred "gates" (hallucinogenic chemicals) in today's world; but the actual spiritual usage of LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline is often over-looked when you hear stories of some young punk who thought he could fly - this is accompanied by rumors that psychedelics are dangerous to the mind, etc. I did find God on an acid trip several years ago - the experience ultimately changed my life. Since then I have been overly interested in the relationship between my own religion, the other two Abrahamic faiths, and psychedelic drugs. While it's difficult to convince a brother or sister to drop a 5-hit-strip and pray/meditate constantly for nine hours, I have manged to open the eyes of one Muslim friend and a Christian friend to the world of psychedelic faith-stance; to the inner knowledge from Allaah (swt).

:rolleyes:


Hen

[Khawlah]

Salaam Hassan,

"Perhaps their emphasis on the "Spiritual Search for closeness to God" strikes a chord with many Europeans and Americans, who are dissatisfied with the lack of spirituality in their own societies. " - Hassan that is very true.

I don't like to catagorise myself as salafi, I think to do so would be quite arrogant-I just try my best to follow the path of the salaf-as-salih. I don't agree with some salafis as individuals (one's that go on and on criticising others) but i guess we are only human and you find ill behaviour everywhere.

And you Hassan? I'm guessing you're slightly sufi, so to say. :)

[Peace]

Originally posted by Khawlah
And you Hassan? I'm guessing you're slightly sufi, so to say. :)

Salaams Khawlah,

I certainly do admire some of the great Sufi writers, but I wouldn't say I am a Sufi at all. I admire all the great scholars of Islam, including Ibn Taymiyya and many others too. I follow the Shafi Mathhab but I am not a strict follower of "Taqleed" either.

I have never followed any one particular group, but take on board the good things I find in all.

Hassan

[salim]

Originally posted by Usmanb
Sallaam

Gnostic, you still claim that the drugs that you are using are not harmful and dangerous? Your overly optimistic outlook on the impact of such drugs is astonishing. There is so much research gone into the negative effetcs of these drugs that regarding them as safe or otherwise is really hard to believe. However, it is good that you found Allah though.

Allah Hafiz

Usmanb (anti-drugs)

Salaam,

Much of the research done on LSD/Psilocybin was done throughout the 1960's in both the U.S. and Canada - in fact, the neighboring province next to mine conducted several scientific projects with LSD; curing anything from alcoholism to paraphilias. Most drugs that are obviously harmful are of hedonistic nature - they specifically allow a large amount of dopamine to pass through pleasure receptors in the brain. Under normal circumstances, dopamine will naturually be released once in awhile causing pleasure-feelings - the trigger could be anything from food to intimate relations. Unfortunately stimulants and opiates alike send dopamine into overdrive, and thus addiction normally developes in the brain. The result of abusing these drugs can be very bad. Psychedelics and other tryptamines alike act in a completely different manner though - in your brain their is a naturually occuring chemical called serotonin that is associated with feelings, emotions, etc.; the psychoactive chemical in psychedelics has a nearly identical chemical compound structure - so identical that it attempts to completely mimic the natural serotonin in the brain. The result is a psychedelic trip. It's more than safe (proven by the chemist who discovered LSD, Dr. Albert Hoffman), it's benevolent to both the soul and mind.

[Usmanb]

Sallaam

Gnostic, man are you on a trip when you type these responses? You mentioned that serotonin and psychodelic drugs are of similar chemical nature and thus act in a similar way by effecting emotions etc. However, what you did not mention is the fact that prolonged used of serotinin can cause up and down regulation of receptors within the brain, thus causing permanent changes within the brain. Youo also forgot to mention the fact that when taken in large quantaties that serotonin is bad for you. Oh, and the effect of serotonin on the HPA axis? Next time you do research make sure you read it all and take the research as a whole, not just some points which reinforce your views.

Allah Hafiz

Usmanb (more anti drugs)

[salim]

Salaam,

Perhaps you read too fast, and misunderstood. Psychedelic/tryptamine chemicals are no way of "similiar chemical nature", these chemicals don't even act as serotonin in the brain; rather they only attempt to mimic what the serotonin is doing. Not a heck of alot is known about the sciences behind tripping. What is known though, is that LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, alike completely leave the body system within 48 hours to a week - their effects are rather limited; the miracle of psychedelics is that they are mind manifesting not mind altering. I have been researching psychedelics and their unique nature for several years, and I am more than aware how these chemicals operate within me. The notion that psychedelics are more harmful than good is a myth itself. Inasmuch, the information about psychedelics released by the U.S. and Canadian government is absurdly inaccurate. There is an entirely different degree of psychoactivity when you take a low dose of a non-toxic chemical that mimics serotonin, compared to taking a large dose of Paxil, an entirely different chemical to increase serotonin levels. Come on, people find God (and I do mean the One God, not some pantheist ideal) in the perils of such experiences brought on by psychedelics. I am not denying that acute/chronic use of LSD can cause some neurological damage - it obviously will have some ill effects that might remain for several months if you are abusing it by tripping every weekend, for example. Want my advice? Use it only once or twice a year - and get the book From Chocolate to Morphine by Andrew Weil. :)

Originally posted by Usmanb
Sallaam

Gnostic, man are you on a trip when you type these responses? You mentioned that serotonin and psychodelic drugs are of similar chemical nature and thus act in a similar way by effecting emotions etc. However, what you did not mention is the fact that prolonged used of serotinin can cause up and down regulation of receptors within the brain, thus causing permanent changes within the brain. Youo also forgot to mention the fact that when taken in large quantaties that serotonin is bad for you. Oh, and the effect of serotonin on the HPA axis? Next time you do research make sure you read it all and take the research as a whole, not just some points which reinforce your views.

Allah Hafiz

Usmanb (more anti drugs)

[Usmanb]

Sallaam

"Not a heck of alot is known about the sciences behind tripping...their effects are rather limited"?

How can you say that not a lot it known about sequences behind tripping and then go on to say that they're effetcs are quite limited? If not a lot is known then how can you come to this conclusion? What my friend, you are trying to do i defend the use of drugs in a recreational manner. Drugs per se have harmful effetcs regardless of calls on how safe they are. Our body has its own supply of drugs which it utilises, however at times not to the full capabilities. Yet when you add any form of drud it alters the homestatic balance in your body, thus having an effect not forseen.
You say take a trip like once or twice a year, what days are those Both Eid's?

Allah Hafiz

Usmanb (still anti drugs)

[salim]

You do not seem to understand the nature of LSD and other psychedelics (not other psychoactives). The nature of psychedelics is mind manifesting, not mind altering as I have just said. I am promoting the religious use of psychedelics, not the recreational use of drugs in general. In-fact, I condemn any use of drugs. In respect to psychedelics, they should only be used for religious/spiritual purposes only. Feel free to generalize all you want, my advice still stands; read the book I recommended written by Andrew Weil. I do not like running around in circles, you are obviously limited in knowledge about the subject - Good night.

Originally posted by Usmanb
Sallaam

"Not a heck of alot is known about the sciences behind tripping...their effects are rather limited"?

How can you say that not a lot it known about sequences behind tripping and then go on to say that they're effetcs are quite limited? If not a lot is known then how can you come to this conclusion? What my friend, you are trying to do i defend the use of drugs in a recreational manner. Drugs per se have harmful effetcs regardless of calls on how safe they are. Our body has its own supply of drugs which it utilises, however at times not to the full capabilities. Yet when you add any form of drud it alters the homestatic balance in your body, thus having an effect not forseen.
You say take a trip like once or twice a year, what days are those Both Eid's?

Allah Hafiz

Usmanb (still anti drugs)

[jamila]

ASA,
I reverted simply by reading the Qur'an. Before doing so I had hardly any opinion concerning Islam, and thought of the Muslims as the antithesis of Western Judeo/Chriistian belief. I actually thought their religion was a kind of mishmash of Hindu polytheism and transposed Christianity (with Muhammad, saaws, as a warrior Christ figure).

Boy! Was I surprised when I read the actual scripture and found it penetrating my heart with its obvious and painful (to me, at the time) TRUTH.

I think I actually reverted in my heart the first day I began reading it. It took me 11 days to take the plunge and declare my shahada.

Jamila :)

[Songbird]

Originally posted by jamila


I think I actually reverted in my heart the first day I began reading it. It took me 11 days to take the plunge and declare my shahada.

Jamila :)

MashaAllah ukhti,

I'm always in awe of your knowledge...I had NO idea you were a revert though! :)

But I shouldn't be surprised...I have a friend in my tafsir class...a Greek sister who is like you...soooo knowledgeable and yet was not born into Islam, per se.

May I ask what age you were when you embraced Islam, and how you came to be in Riyadh?

Oh and one more (personal) one: were you the sis that once had a cute avatar of some lil' munchkin perched on someone's shoulder? If so, is she your daughter? Either way, as I recall, she was adorable, mashaAllah! :)

You may pm me if you prefer not to disclose this info on the main :)

[Peace]

Originally posted by jamila
I actually thought their religion was a kind of mishmash of Hindu polytheism and transposed Christianity

ASA Sis,

You know sometimes I think all the distortions that the media gives aboutb Islam and Muslims works in our favour when people find the truth. They then start realising that all they have heard about us is not true - and they begin to question a media/establishment that does this.

Whenever we get visitors at Islamia School, they always come away very impressed and even a little shocked.

I think they expect us ull to be teaching the children how to make an explosive device or snatch a hostage! LOL

Hassan.

ps we have had loads of visitors... including Prince Charles, and several top govt. ministers.

pps - here is a picture of Prince Charles in my classroom - I'm on the far right of the picture

http://www.radwan.cwc.net/pcsml.jpg

[Songbird]

Originally posted by hassanradwan


pps - here is a picture of Prince Charles in my classroom - I'm on the far right of the picture

http://www.radwan.cwc.net/pcsml.jpg

Akhi salam,

I was perusin' the pages of a typically girly women's magazine last week and came across an article/interview on Yusuf Islam (heavy sigh...) and amongst the many pictures was one of Charley at your school with the esteemed Mr Islam in the background.

But guess who else was stood in the back ground? A bearded young(ish) man in a suit (oh how dapper he looked).

So um...can l like have your autograph akhi? You iz kinda famous me thinks! :)

[Songbird]

Originally posted by hassanradwan


pps - here is a picture of Prince Charles in my classroom - I'm on the far right of the picture

http://www.radwan.cwc.net/pcsml.jpg


Oh how silly she be... :)

That was the picture as I recall...just downloaded it!

Songbird (must remember to read posts in their entirety before submittin' a reply :p

[jamila]

Originally posted by Songbird
MashaAllah ukhti,

I'm always in awe of your knowledge...I had NO idea you were a revert though! :)

But I shouldn't be surprised...I have a friend in my tafsir class...a Greek sister who is like you...soooo knowledgeable and yet was not born into Islam, per se.

May I ask what age you were when you embraced Islam, and how you came to be in Riyadh?

Oh and one more (personal) one: were you the sis that once had a cute avatar of some lil' munchkin perched on someone's shoulder? If so, is she your daughter? Either way, as I recall, she was adorable, mashaAllah! :)

You may pm me if you prefer not to disclose this info on the main :)

ASA Akhti,

1. 44
2. Came to work here before embracing Islam.
3. My daughter standing on a wall behind me (the year before embracing Islam, again)

WS

Jamila :)

[Peace]

Originally posted by Songbird
came across an article/interview on Yusuf Islam (heavy sigh...) and amongst the many pictures was one of Charley at your school with the esteemed Mr Islam in the background.

But guess who else was stood in the back ground? A bearded young(ish) man in a suit (oh how dapper he looked)

Yes dear ol' Charlie Boy (as I like to call him ;) ) is a good mate of mine... heh, heh.

I met Muhammad Ali too - a really wonderful guy - his Nur shines from his face.

Hassan

[Songbird]

Originally posted by hassanradwan
Yes dear ol' Charlie Boy (as I like to call him ;) ) is a good mate of mine... heh, heh.

I met Muhammad Ali too - a really wonderful guy - his Nur shines from his face.

Hassan

Yeah? And Genghis Khan's me forefather....not bad eh?

Re Mr Ali, yeah I agree...love his cheekiness too...despite the crippling disease which has afflicted him, he still hasn't lost that inimitable humour... :)

[DietChoke]

Heh, my hat's off to a most entertaining thread...

Gnostic - My bro, look, I'm happy you found Allah. I'm just gonna say it straight, taking artificial stuff to stimulate spiritual feelings is just NOT the way to do things.

There are benefits to pretty much every narcotic out there. Sick people smoke weed to produce an appetite and make themselves better, they make tea out of it to take the edge off the pain from Cancer, AIDS and arthritis. Heroin is an offshoot of Morphine, which doctors have used for thousands of years as a general all-around pain killer. Before Prozac, people in severe depression had alcohol to take the edge off their emotional pain.

The point I'm trying to make is that medicine is a CRUTCH. It's meant to get you over a hurdle you otherwise might not be able to survive.

If you're so deeply depressed that alcohol is the only thing that gets you through the day, then Prozac can help. But if you're happy you don't take Prozac to make you MORE happy.

The body is a system, an intricate organic system that we haven't fully figured out yet. It has its own defenses, mechanisms and bodily chemicals that makes us who we are. Using "stuff" to enhance feelings you should already is likely to throw your organism off on tangents that you never took into consideration.

Now I'm not a doctor. But I've watched enough discovery channel to know that everything has a purpose.

Pain exists to inform you of injury. Spiritual feelings of solidarity with Allah exist to reinforce the conscience that all people naturally have to various degrees. Boredom exists to get you to move. All these emotional feelings are natural senses that serve you and council you.

We live in a very antisocial world, where natural tribal instincts are discouraged, where people are encouraged to only look after themselves.

You could trip over someone's foot in downtown Manhatten and break your nose, and NOBODY will stop to help you up.

There are homeless people all over the city, and nobody gives a flying crap.

In another world, in another time, if you saw your tribesman on the floor in a drunken stupor, you might take him to your house and just talk to him like a human being, let him share his sorrows and maybe show solidarity.

See people are social animals. They were never MEANT to live alone in one room bachelor pads subsisting on cable TV for social interaction, or to work in impersonal little cubicles going without natural sunlight for 8 hours at a shot.

Half my co-workers are middle-aged, divorced and on Prozac.

Hey man I've BEEN there. I was once drinking a liter of vodka a day just to keep my sanity and crying every night. I went through a year like that and nobody gave a rat's ass as long as the bills were paid. There were times I wished I was dead, and times I doubted my sanity.

So there I was one night...drunk, crying and feeling sorry for myself.

I started soul searching, for reasons.

I discovered that my depression was simply a symptom and not a disease. It was a symptom of how I had been living.

My life was hollow. I was grossing well over 100k a year...but all I did was work and sleep.

In my drunken stupor I decided to go for a walk.

As I walked through my neighborhood I discovered little things I had never noticed before. Little birds chirping, the trees swaying and how beautiful the night sky was...

I got back to my apartment still pondering the natural wonders, and my rational mind kicked in...

I needed help.

Not having ever been particularly religious, I wasn't even sure HOW to pray. Oh I had always known there was an entity, a being, a living force. People called it God, Lord, Allah. He's been described as a glowing figure on a throne, or simply light.

I wasn't sure if it was an "it" or a "he" or a "we" and I wasn't sure how to talk to him or it.

On instinct I got on my knees and bowed to my creator. My head touched the cold wooden floor and I knew I was in the presence of God. I admitted that I was unworthy, prayed for forgiveness, begged for his help and vowed to serve him forever.

Then I lay on my couch and wept, fell asleep there and woke up 14 hours later.

I awoke with a clear head.

My first decision was that I never wanted to work inside an office again. The money was good but when you feel physically sick coming to work, it's time to change your mode of employment.

I didn't know what else to do so I got a license to drive a taxi, quit my job, and started doing that.

My second decision was to call my girlfriend and tell her I didn't want to see her anymore. Then I dumped my phonebook in the trash.

Over the course of the next year and a half, I read the Quran online, quit drinking, quit womanizing, found myself enjoying my work, and started making an effort to help other people.

I pray once a day, don't eat pork, still smoke, still driving my cab and enjoying it, and developing a second career in real estate (no, it doesn't involve working in an office.)

Now...what this all has to do with psychadelic drugs, I'm not sure, but if you make the connection, let me know. In the meantime I hope my testimonial didn't bore anybody to sleep.

Good Day

[Usmanb]

Sallaam

DC, that was really interesting. Man you really have experienced the highs and lows of life. It is true what you have said, and Alhumdulilah, you found the right path. I hope that this Taxi business goes well for you and same as the real estate direction.
Gnostic, i still stand by my words, Drugs are bad full stop and to use them the euphoria or to forget life doesn't make them any better.

Allah Hafiz

Usmanb (not bored by DC's story :D))

[Peace]

Originally posted by DietChoke
Hey man I've BEEN there. I was once drinking a liter of vodka a day just to keep my sanity and crying every night. I went through a year like that and nobody gave a rat's ass as long as the bills were paid. There were times I wished I was dead, and times I doubted my sanity.

So there I was one night...drunk, crying and feeling sorry for myself.

I started soul searching, for reasons.

I discovered that my depression was simply a symptom and not a disease. It was a symptom of how I had been living.

My life was hollow. I was grossing well over 100k a year...but all I did was work and sleep.

In my drunken stupor I decided to go for a walk.

As I walked through my neighborhood I discovered little things I had never noticed before. Little birds chirping, the trees swaying and how beautiful the night sky was...

I got back to my apartment still pondering the natural wonders, and my rational mind kicked in...

I needed help.

Not having ever been particularly religious, I wasn't even sure HOW to pray. Oh I had always known there was an entity, a being, a living force. People called it God, Lord, Allah. He's been described as a glowing figure on a throne, or simply light.

I wasn't sure if it was an "it" or a "he" or a "we" and I wasn't sure how to talk to him or it.

On instinct I got on my knees and bowed to my creator. My head touched the cold wooden floor and I knew I was in the presence of God. I admitted that I was unworthy, prayed for forgiveness, begged for his help and vowed to serve him forever.

Then I lay on my couch and wept, fell asleep there and woke up 14 hours later.

I awoke with a clear head.

My first decision was that I never wanted to work inside an office again. The money was good but when you feel physically sick coming to work, it's time to change your mode of employment.

I didn't know what else to do so I got a license to drive a taxi, quit my job, and started doing that.

My second decision was to call my girlfriend and tell her I didn't want to see her anymore. Then I dumped my phonebook in the trash.

Over the course of the next year and a half, I read the Quran online, quit drinking, quit womanizing, found myself enjoying my work, and started making an effort to help other people.

I pray once a day, don't eat pork, still smoke, still driving my cab and enjoying it, and developing a second career in real estate (no, it doesn't involve working in an office.)

ASA Diet

Thank you for that very interesting story :)

You are quite right, drugs of any sort are a crutch and the aim is to live one's life without crutches.

God bless you and help you on your spiritual journey :)

Hassan.

ps - I remember seeing you post a link to a "Submitters" site and so I thought you were a Submitter - my apologies if you are not - but are you?

[afnugal]

Originally posted by pinwheel
Even though I count myself as a Muslimah, my mother has told me that I am not a real Muslimah until I divorce my husband and marry a Muslim..

I think your mother has point A Muslim women CAN NOT marry a non-muslim men. YOu may ask in this website

http://www.al-manhaj.com/cgi-bin/postings.cgi?action=newtopic&number=7&forum=Questions+|AMP|+Answers+on+Manhaj&DaysPrune=365&LastLogin=
http://www.al-manhaj.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Questions+|AMP|+Answers+on+Manhaj&number=7&DaysPrune=365&LastLogin=

[.: Anna :.]

salaam

yeah I am a convert/revert....
this might sound weird but I dont remember exactly how I started getting interested in Islam :confused: I just remember that the more I heard about it the more it made sense to me. I started learning more about it when I started goin 2 arabic school 2 learn arabic. I don't remember the exact point when I decided I wanted to be muslim either....I think I knew from early on when I started learning about it that I would become one.
I was about 13 when I first started finding out more about it I think. Sometimes I feel like I have just grown up as a muslim tho because I've been one since I was quite young.

[Ammarah]

wow subhanAllah. For me it was ten years ago when i was 16, and i thought that was young!
So how did your family react?

[.: Anna :.]

Originally posted by Ammarah
wow subhanAllah. For me it was ten years ago when i was 16, and i thought that was young!
So how did your family react?
16 is still pretty young I think. Thats how old I am now.
Anyway, my family never really had a problem with it, hamdulillah. they just accepted it and now they are used to it and they pay for me to go to arabic school and everything. they dont really have a problem because they see how good it is for me :D because I am alot happier now than I used to be before I was muslim....
I wish that my family would convert aswell tho, insha allah...

[Ammarah]

Inshaa Allah sis, I will make dua for them...
SubhanAllah it's cool they accept though! Wow, alhamdulillah... may Allah Ta'ala guide them closer to His obedience.
I went to my pakistani friends wedding two weeks ago and she was marrying a welsh convert. Mashaa Allah all his family were there, and he was in jibiyah and imaama and they seemed so proud of him... Gosh my family would be "paki this, and paki that!" and "where's the party at? Bring out the booze.."
But my dad did convert before he passed away alhamdulillah.. a few months after I converted he did, and was Muslim for 7 months...
The rest of the family though...! They think it was them who disowned me ? ! ? ! :rotfl:

[.: Anna :.]

Originally posted by Ammarah
Inshaa Allah sis, I will make dua for them...
SubhanAllah it's cool they accept though! Wow, alhamdulillah... may Allah Ta'ala guide them closer to His obedience.
I went to my pakistani friends wedding two weeks ago and she was marrying a welsh convert. Mashaa Allah all his family were there, and he was in jibiyah and imaama and they seemed so proud of him... Gosh my family would be "paki this, and paki that!" and "where's the party at? Bring out the booze.."
But my dad did convert before he passed away alhamdulillah.. a few months after I converted he did, and was Muslim for 7 months...
The rest of the family though...! They think they disowned me ? ! ? ! :rotfl: masha allah, thats great that your dad converted aswell. insha allah my family would in the future, you never know :D thats really nice how the welsh person's family were so proud of him aswell. Mine are more like that than like "paki this paki that booze bla bla", alhamdulillah :D
anyway....I have to go now to do something for my dad, so I'll ttyl insha allah. nice talkin 2 ya

[reachin'out]

This poll sure is different from canute's. There, its about 2-1 mostly born-muslims, but this one's almost even stevens.

[Abdullah al-Muhajir]

Very refreshing to see more and more Muslim converts ruling the land :).

I shall pray for both the families of my good sisters who have been rewarded by Allah (SWT), may you all be united in the greatest realms of Paradise :up:!

[Khuzamah]

Originally posted by Xaxerian
Very refreshing to see more and more Muslim converts ruling the land :).

I shall pray for both the families of my good sisters who have been rewarded by Allah (SWT), may you all be united in the greatest realms of Paradise :up:! ameen :D

[Wolfn]

I converted in May, alhumdillah

[Khadija222333]

Masha Allah! :up:

[aisha2007]

Asalaam Alaikum

Alhamdulillah I have been a REVERT for 5 years now.
It started with a colleague at work. This was a sister, and I already had a faith, I was sure there was only one God, knew of all of the prophets up to Isa but didnt believe he was the son of God, nor was he God.

All I knew at that time of Islam was oppressed women and terrorists.... complete media hype.
We used to have some great discussions about religion. I began reading the Q'oran and searching Islamic sites so I had ammunition to throw to tell this lady that this religion was false.

Alhamdulillah Allah showed me things that I was shocked...suprised and amazed at.
The more I read the more I became engrosssed!!!!!

The sister took me to the masjid just to see how salat was performed.... and I was home. Even as I tell you this I can feel tears again. Soppy as that probably sounds.

I told my family I was going to take shahadah, and to my amazment my mum just said 'as long as you are happy'.

I prepared myself for Jummah, placed my hijab on my head and went to the masjid and took shahadah!!

Now I am fiercely protective of my faith, of my brothers and sisters, of my deen. I am proud to be muslimah, and Alhamdulillah not once have I looked back.

[sunrise]

Asalaam Alaikum

Alhamdulillah I have been a REVERT for 5 years now.
It started with a colleague at work. This was a sister, and I already had a faith, I was sure there was only one God, knew of all of the prophets up to Isa but didnt believe he was the son of God, nor was he God.

All I knew at that time of Islam was oppressed women and terrorists.... complete media hype.
We used to have some great discussions about religion. I began reading the Q'oran and searching Islamic sites so I had ammunition to throw to tell this lady that this religion was false.

Alhamdulillah Allah showed me things that I was shocked...suprised and amazed at.
The more I read the more I became engrosssed!!!!!

The sister took me to the masjid just to see how salat was performed.... and I was home. Even as I tell you this I can feel tears again. Soppy as that probably sounds.

I told my family I was going to take shahadah, and to my amazment my mum just said 'as long as you are happy'.

I prepared myself for Jummah, placed my hijab on my head and went to the masjid and took shahadah!!

Now I am fiercely protective of my faith, of my brothers and sisters, of my deen. I am proud to be muslimah, and Alhamdulillah not once have I looked back.


Alhamdulilah oukthi that Allah (swt) has given you hadaya...

Alhamdulilah and may Allah always guide you and keep you strong inshAllah

[`asiya]

:lailah:

Asalaam Alaikum

Alhamdulillah I have been a REVERT for 5 years now.
It started with a colleague at work. This was a sister, and I already had a faith, I was sure there was only one God, knew of all of the prophets up to Isa but didnt believe he was the son of God, nor was he God.

All I knew at that time of Islam was oppressed women and terrorists.... complete media hype.
We used to have some great discussions about religion. I began reading the Q'oran and searching Islamic sites so I had ammunition to throw to tell this lady that this religion was false.

Alhamdulillah Allah showed me things that I was shocked...suprised and amazed at.
The more I read the more I became engrosssed!!!!!

The sister took me to the masjid just to see how salat was performed.... and I was home. Even as I tell you this I can feel tears again. Soppy as that probably sounds.

I told my family I was going to take shahadah, and to my amazment my mum just said 'as long as you are happy'.

I prepared myself for Jummah, placed my hijab on my head and went to the masjid and took shahadah!!

Now I am fiercely protective of my faith, of my brothers and sisters, of my deen. I am proud to be muslimah, and Alhamdulillah not once have I looked back.


subhanAllah mashaAllah ukhti may Allah continue to guide and bless u with the haq amin :love: subhanAllah :lailah:

( im a revert too masha Allah alhamdulillah)

[.: Anna :.]

Alhamdulilah oukthi that Allah (swt) has given you hadaya...

Alhamdulilah and may Allah always guide you and keep you strong inshAllahaameen

masha allah :up:

[aisha2007]

Ameen

[Muslimah2468]

Masha Allah sis Anna, Aisha, and Asiya. :love: May Allah reward all of you and keep you on the straight path. Ameen. I love reverts. :inlove:

[Veiled Salafiya]

Assalaamu alaikum,
I am a revert to Islam and you can read my full "reversion" story here (http://invitetoislam.proboards66.com/index.cgi?board=reverts&action=display&thread=1185388379) inshallah.

[hammerofthehuns]

mashaAllah, very similar to how i came 2 look at Islam, the more the hawks tried to justify going 2 war, the more i felt drawn 2 the muslims and started chatting 2 a brother across the road, alhamdulillah been muslim 4 years now mashaAllah.

[brjimc]

Revert representin':afro:

[Pro_Candy]

Revert here. Born into a somewhat Christian family. Went to a Southern Baptist church on occasion. Mom found Jesus when I was young, became Pentacostal. Didn't like it, understand it, or agree with it. Found Islam with a teen, alhamdulillah.

[Pro_Candy]

Revert here. Born into a somewhat Christian family. Went to a Southern Baptist church on occasion. Mom found Jesus when I was young, became Pentacostal. Didn't like it, understand it, or agree with it. Found Islam AS a teen, alhamdulillah.

Where's my edit button? Found Islam AS a teen. Not with a teen. :o lol

Yeah NOW my edit button shows up :p

[Bubble]

Salam

I was born as a muslim, but I absolutely admire reverts, I would marry one if I could :(. Allhamdu lillah :) to the revert brothers and sisters and may Allah keep you and all the muslim the brothers and sisters on the straight path. And keep more reverts comming insha allah

[stephenoskie]

Im a revert to isla, i reverted last year. I was just drawen into by asking general questions, and thn when i found out the answers i got more and more intrested then my mate couldnt supply all the answers so she took me to the masjid, that was the first time I wore a hijaab. also i went to a convention, were i just bought some hijaabs and i didnt have enough money so the lady told me to take the hijaabs and send the money to her and i was like woah she doesnt even know me.

one of the thinsg which attracted me to islam was the kindest and humbleness of muslims, so i got uintresed and i decided to take my shahadah, so thats what got me about islam is the way it is peaceful and calm !!

The truth Islam :D

Allahu Akbar :inlove:

[`asiya]

Im a revert to isla, i reverted last year. I was just drawen into by asking general questions, and thn when i found out the answers i got more and more intrested then my mate couldnt supply all the answers so she took me to the masjid, that was the first time I wore a hijaab. also i went to a convention, were i just bought some hijaabs and i didnt have enough money so the lady told me to take the hijaabs and send the money to her and i was like woah she doesnt even know me.

one of the thinsg which attracted me to islam was the kindest and humbleness of muslims, so i got uintresed and i decided to take my shahadah, so thats what got me about islam is the way it is peaceful and calm !!

The truth Islam :D

Allahu Akbar :inlove:

:ahb: ! masha Allah ukhti thats beautiful alhamdulillah, may Allah ta ala keep u on the straight path and guide us all on knowledge and understanding of the deen amin

[elji]

Revert here. Born into a somewhat Christian family. Went to a Southern Baptist church on occasion. Mom found Jesus when I was young, became Pentacostal. Didn't like it, understand it, or agree with it. Found Islam with a teen, alhamdulillah.

:rotfl:

[Pro_Candy]

:rotfl:

:spunch:

Wouldn't let me correct it by the time I saw it :P