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The diversity in the type of people is very important because both are needed to create a balance.
There are bad people so that good people can distinguish themselves, and there are good people
so that they may be an example for the others. Good or bad, Islam emphasizes the utmost
importance of seeking knowledge, for men and women, from cradle to grave. Why? Can good
men become bad or bad men become good?
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By Allah’s will they routed them; and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him power and
wisdom and taught him whatever (else) He willed. And did not Allah check one set of
people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief: But Allah is full
of bounty to all the worlds.
[Surah Al-Baqrah (The Cow): 2: 251]
Many men and women have been touched by the logical, natural and balanced teachings
of the Qur’an. Some have been the worst enemies of Islam before they became the most pious of
the companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Some other were kafirs, then, they came to
understand the message of Islam and its truth and they became imams or great Islamic leaders.
Can you site some of them?
Best companions:
--‘Umar bin Al-Kattab,------------------
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Imams:
Yusuf Islam,
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Why don’t you start a personal research? Maybe there are converts around you. Why
did they choose Islam? If you do not know anybody, read articles and books where those people
are mentioned and tell why they chose Islam?
Interview them.
"Why did you chose Islam? Why did you revert?"
"Because
Why do we say "reverted" and not "converted"?
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ENTERING THE FOLD OF ISLAM
According to Islam, every child is born with the built-in ability to know and believe in his
Creator; he has the cognition that has been placed by Allãh in his nature (fitra). Allãh describes
the human soul in a very beautiful way. After swearing by the most majestic signs of His
creation, Allãh says:
...and by the soul and He who perfected it! Then He inspired to it
[the ability to understand] what is good for it and what is evil for it.
Successful is he who purifies it, and failure is he who corrupts it.
[Qur'an 91:1-10]
Allãh has made our souls such that we are able to distinguish what is good and what is evil. But
for a human soul to function on its fitra, there is a condition -- it must be kept pure, it must be
immunized against spiritual corruption. The soul is like a bulb which can give light, provided it
itself is not surrounded with a thick cover or dust; every human being has that light in his soul;
however, those who keep it pure can enlighten their path with it, while those who allow the
'spiritual dirt' to accumulate on it cannot see their path towards Allãh. (Incidentally, kufr literally
means a cover.) The Prophet of Islam (Peace be upon him) emphasized the same thing when he
said,
Every child is born with the believing nature (al-fitra),
it is his parents who make him into a Jew or a Christian.
Besides this fitra, Allãh has also provided us with various means to know Him and believe in
Him; He sent prophets and messengers, He sent books, and above all He created thousands of
signs in nature which remind us of Him.
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