A homeless man took SHAHADAH after studying the QURAN

Masha'Allaah!
A homeless man took SHAHADAH after studying the QURAN.
He had met some brothers (Dawah carriers) before and had discussed about Islam. He asked questions and took the Quran, sat down and read it for long.

He spoke to them again and said he felt very comfortable and amazed at the brotherhood and caring nature of Muslims.
He was astonished at the 5 pillars of Islam which are all focused at God’s obedience and ultimately creates brotherhood for humans with no borders and leaves no room for racism.

Finally he embraced Islam, Alhamdulillah, all praise to Allaah! May Allaah strengthen our dawah carriers words and keep the brother firm on this path to Allaah! Aameen.
(The brothers, Dawah carriers) have offered assistance to help him, teach him and live with him as brothers. Alhamdulillah!

How I began my journey into Islam.

I started to realize that I was being pushed in a certain direction, so I prayed over and over to my Creator to surrender my will to His. I felt that my prayer was being answered; I went home and laid in bed and at that moment I realized that I needed to pray like never before. I sat up in bed and cried, ‘Jesus, God, Buddha, whoever You are, please, please guide me, I need You! I have done so much evil in my life and I need Your help. If Christianity is the correct way then make me strong, and if it is Islam, then bring me to it!’ I stopped praying and the tears went away and deep within my soul I felt calm, I knew what the answer was. I went to work the next day and said to the Muslim brother “how do I say ‘hi’ to you?” He asked me what I meant and I said, “I wanted to become a Muslim”. He looked at me and said “Allahu Akbar!” We hugged for a good minute or so and I thanked him for everything and I began my journey into Islam.

I look back at all the events that happened in my life over time, and I realize that I was being prepared to become a Muslim. I was shown so much mercy from God. Out of all that happened in my life, there was something to learn. I learned the beauty of the Islamic prohibition of intoxicants, the prohibition of illegal sex, and the need for the Hijab. I am finally on an even keel, no more am I too much in one direction; I am living a moderate life, and doing my best to be a decent Muslim.

There are always challenges, as I am sure many of you have felt, as have I. But through these challenges, through these emotional pains, we become stronger; we learn and, I hope, turn to God. For those of us who have accepted Islam at some point in our lives, we truly are blessed and fortunate. We have been given the chance, a chance for the greatest mercy! Mercy which we don’t deserve, but still will God willing be given on the Day of Resurrection. I have reconciled with my family and have started looking to start my own God willing. Islam truly is a way of life, and even if we suffer poor treatment by fellow Muslims or non Muslims, we must always remember to be patient and turn only to God.

Abdullah Al-Kanadi. I was born in Vancouver, Canada.

Coming from the country side in Australia, I was never exposed to Islam

Coming from the country side in Australia, I was never exposed to Islam. I knew nothing about it. I thought of it as an oppressive religion, whenever I heard about it. It wasn't until I went to Malaysia, that God guided me in ways I never expected, Subhan'Allah.

I learned that Muslim women also have rights, which were legally given even before the West did. Meeting impressive women like Sisters in Islam and Marina Mahathir, also inspired me to divulge into Islam more. I found that I could have a career and be a Muslim. However it wasn't until a year later, I reverted, Alhamdulillah.

Islam is a beautiful way of life to praise and worship Allah as One God every single day. While it is not easy to explain to friends and family, I wouldn't have it any other way. I did a lot of research and interviewed many Muslim and even non-Muslim women on why women choose to cover up. I also learned a lot from my Imam and his wife, who taught me it is for women to be recognized more for their intelligence, not be as exposed, to this sometimes, overly sexual world and to keep your beauty for your husband.

I've met many wonderful, intelligent women who chose to wear Hijab, which is her right. Dressing more modestly came naturally after reverting. I hope to one day wear Hijab every single day, In'sha'Allah. God truly is the Turner of Hearts – I never in my wildest dreams thought I would become a Muslim, yet, He opened my heart and has blessed me in more ways than I could ever imagine or repay Him for.

That's why I know Allah is Love and Mercy, and I want to worship Him better every day for as long as He gives me life. My favorite quote is ‘فَاصْبِرْ صَبْرًا جَمِيلًا’ – 'So endure patiently, with a beautiful patience.'" -Sarah (Australia)

By:
worldhijabday.com

I just want to share a story based on real life,

"I just want to share a story based on real life, I got stabbed on August 13th last year. I am 22 years old but it feels like my life started on that day. It was a miracle that Allah Azzawajal brought me back for a reason alhamdulilah. I got stabbed by a friend, he stabbed me in the back and the knife came out of my belly subhanAllah, the doctors said that my heart stopped for 3 minutes and 17 seconds. They tried over and over again to bring me back yet I wasn't. They announced that I died and put the sheets over my head, as they were walking away from my bedside to inform my family and friends that they tried their best and they couldn't bring me back...with the power of Allah Azzawajal he brought me back and this was a miracle for everyone in that room including the doctor. He was in his late 40's and he never believed in God, but witnessing this made him look into the Deen Alhamdulilah! I am alive and well all thanks to Allah. I suffer from nerve damage and have a "stomach bag" as I can not attend to the toilet due to the damage of the stabbing. Just always remember that after hardship comes ease by the will of Allah. I have met my wife, she supports me in every way possible and yet she doesn't feel uncomfortable with me having a "stoma bag." I always had faith in Allah but I lost hope. It's like Allah Azzawajal sent her on a mission to put hope back into my heart Alhamdulilah. May Allah grant her the highest level of Jannah."

Ayman | A Muslim brother living in London.

THE LAST SERMON OF THE HOLY PROPHET OF ISLAM

(Peace and Love of Allaah may eternally descend upon Him and His Pious Family and Companions)

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H.
in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' (in Mecca).

After praising, and thanking Allah, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said "O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Al-Abbas ibn Abd’el Muttalib shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people."

Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:

"…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…" (Quran 5:3)

Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) is passed to every Muslim in every corner of the world through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in Mosques and in lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights Allah has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts. http://youtu.be/L19x1At7bvw

http://youtu.be/L19x1At7bvw

French Director Finds Islam After Charlie Attacks!!

French director Isabelle Matic has announced her decision to revert to Islam on her FaceBook account, making the unexpected announcement only a few days after Charlie Hebdo Paris attacks. “Today, I passed through the first pillar of Islam. There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Prophet,” Matic said in a message posted on her Facebook page on January 11.

She followed her announcement with a series of posts in which shethanked Moroccan actor Hicham Bahloul for announcing her decision on Moroccan papers. In another message, she described how she took the decision and its effect on her beliefs in freedom of expression. “Between the massacre at the premises of Charlie Hebdo and other event that have followed: I became a Muslim,” Matic wrote. “Am I still for freedom of expression for all and Charlie Hebdo in particular?! Yes,” Matic wrote yesterday. “With regard to my position towards the caricatures of the Prophet, I will write you the text of the SMS that I received this morning from a mosque which agreed quite well with my thoughts since the beginning of the cartoons, well before I became a Muslim,” she added “They are making fun of Muhammad and do not harm Muhammad.

They are making fun of a character that they have imagined and to whom they have given a name. This man is not our Prophet,” she wrote. The new Muslim referred to the early life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when non- believers rejected his calls to Islam. “The Makkans laughed at Muhammad (worthy of praise) in the appellant Modamam (worthy of name calling).

The prophet peace be upon him was smiling. Yes, he was smiling! And he said: They are making fun of Modamam and not me,” Matic wrote. “The wisdom is the answer to provocations. And this is what our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be with him) has taught us. “So when Charlie Hebdo will be published insha'Allah (God willing), do not pay attention. Do not respond to the provocation. And do not give them of importance,” she added. In its Wednesday’s edition, Charlie Hebdo magazine features a cartoon of a man they claim to be the prophet of Islam on the cover. The cover depicts Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) with a tear falling from his cheek, holding a sign that says, "Je suis Charlie” under the headline "All Is Forgiven." The edition is the first after two gunmen attacked the magazine’s headquarters in Paris, killing 10 journalists and two policemen. Two of the dead were Muslims, an editor and a police cop. It culminates the magazine’s long history of offending millions of Muslims worldwide.

3 vicars convert to Islam in Saudi They hail from US, Philippines and Kenya

Three Christian vicars from the United States, Philippines and Kenya converted to Islam after they attended lectures by key scholars in the Gulf kingdom.

Newspapers said the three went together to an Islamic guidance centre in the capital Riyadh and embraced the new religion.

“I have been a vicar since 2002 and I have offered my life to the church…but I now feel that I want to change my life and get out of the vicious cycle….can you help me,” ‘Sabq’ newspaper quoted the unnamed US vicar as telling a Saudi scholar.

Source:http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/3-vicars-convert-to-islam-in-saudi-2015-01-10-1.576043

Nine new Muslim reverts of different nationalities honored in Jeddah

Nine new Muslim reverts of different nationalities were honored at a reception at the Maulana Hifzur Rehman Seoharvi Academy, an organization that aims to spread Islam.
One of the reverts hailed from India, and the other eight from the Philippines, while the two guests of honor, Mariam Sani (formerly known as Pauttine Thomas) and Mariya Attarji (Lisa Quiroga), were born in the UK and the US respectively.
Some of the women reverted recently, while others entered the faith over a year ago. During the ceremony, in which they were showered with gifts, the women recounted their journey into Islam and the obstacles they faced.
“I must say that it was my destiny to choose the right path,” Nureman, one of new Muslim women, told the audience at the ceremony. “Finding a job here in Saudi Arabia was the first step of my journey toward Islam, since it was here where I started reading books about the religion without actually really thinking of converting. But the more I read, the more interested I was, and now I am properly studying Islam at a dawa center.”
Sheikh Fatima, another new revert, explained that she was born into a Christian family. When her brother and his friend came to Saudi Arabia, they reverted to Islam and tried to convince her to do so as well upon their return to India.
“My brother told me that if I wanted to come here I had to accept Islam which I did, thinking that in order to come to Saudi Arabia it was a requirement. At first, I didn’t accept Islam in my heart,” she said.
But a traumatic experience related to her one-year-old daughter made her change her mind about the religion.
“Since then I have accepted Islam from the bottom of my heart and I practice it every day, even my family back in India knows that I am Muslim now,” she said. 
Other new reverts also shared stories about their religious journey, and how their families turned their back on them after accepting Islam.
Mariam Sani, the British convert, said that it was Allah’s will that she turned from being a Christian missionary to a Muslim convert. She wanted to spread Christianity’s teachings around the world but found out she was spreading the wrong religion after learning about other faiths.
“My first books were Mohammed in the Bible and Jesus in the Qur’an, and after that I was researching more about Islam. While doing so, I unintentionally got closer to Islam, and one day I found myself accepting the faith,” she said.
Umme Fakeha Zinjani, in charge of the academy’s women’s wing, presented the vote of thanks.



http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/688251

HOMELESS MAN RACIALLY ABUSES A MUSLIM MAN, HE RESPONDS BY FINDING HIM A JOB AND A HOME

Aminur Chowdhury from Bradford, England was racially abused by homeless man Ben Gallon but rather than throw insults back, Aminur decided to engage in conversation with him and invited him to have a drink.

Aminur says: “Initially I turned the other cheek but then I was challenging Ben about what he had said to me, I stopped and had a chat with him for about 15 minutes.”

After speaking to Ben, Aminur said he can help him find a job and the pair exchanged contact details. Initially Ben thought he was only being polite about the job offer but he says he got a call from him the next day with a job interview at his friend’s business.

“The next day he gave me a call, said ‘can I come pick you up Ben, I’ve got an interview for you’. That same day, he came round to get me, drove me down to the place on Canal Road and then within ten minutes I had been offered the job.”

Aminur didn’t stop there, he also helped him find an apartment to rent in Bradford.

Ben, now regretting his actions says:
“There was no justification for me using those words.. Kudos to him for forgiving me, I regret it. A positive thing has happened out of this situation.”

“I’ve learned my lesson. What I said was completely out of character for me, I’m not a racist.”

“Things are starting to look up for me. I’ve started the job and it’s fantastic.”

Aminur explains what motivated him to respond the way he did:
“I was targeted for racist abuse but a great way of overcoming racism is to show some tolerance…I realise I can’t put the world to rights but I can try to educate people.”

“This is a great way of teaching Asian people across Bradford of how to respond to racism. The more love you show, the more endeared they will be to you,”.

Some of the worst racially aggravated riots took place in Bradford in 2001 between the large and growing British Asian communities and the city’s white majority, which resulted in 300 police officers being hurt and 297 arrests being made. Both men now hope this positive story helps improves the relations of different races and people of religions in the community.

This story is indeed a great lesson for us all and highlights the best way of winning people’s hearts – good character.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also won people over with his good character and many people went onto embrace Islam because of that.

A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume

On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari رضي الله عنه the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

"A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace."
Bukhari and Muslim.

An-Nawawi, rahimahullah, said “There is a desirable quality in associating with righteous people, (that possess with them) integrity, decency, piety, knowledge, and good manners. Likewise, there is a prohibition of associating with people of wickedness, innovations (in the religion), (likewise) people who backbite others, people (who are known) to commit a shameful amount of sins, and people with plenty of free time.”

This hadith encourages the companionship of the righteous and warns against the companionship of the wicked! The Messenger of Allaah, (salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam), used these two examples (i.e. the carrier of misk and a blacksmith) in order to clarify (for us) the clear distinction between the two.

Russian Model Masha Alalykina Converts to Islam

She was never a religious person and even in a million years she would have never thought about converting to Islam “ It did not even cross my mind that I might perform the pilgrimage and drink the best water – the water of Zamzam” she says.

One day she got a phone call where they tell her, that her best friend in another city was in coma-no one really knew if she would survive or not! Being helpless and unable to do anything to help her friend, she thought to pray and ask God to help her friend.
The next day her friend calls her and says : “I saw you when I was unconscious and you helped me a lot.” She start crying and realized that she have never asked God for anything and when she prayed with all her heart and put the faith in it, the prayer was heard.

She now works as a Language Teacher in Russian University and says she is studying Arabic language-and although at first it was hard, the Arabic language fascinates her.

After being asked to why she choose Islam and not other religions she said that Islam is the religion that has the strongest foundation, and that if all the Islamic rules are being applied in real life-that’s when you can achieve success.

After being asked how she feels about her exotic modeling pictures being seen by everyone on the internet, she says that she doesn’t see any problem with that as she is not that person anymore, she feels born again and that her pictures and her story can help other people around the world to find the right path.

This is her message to non-believers: I am hopeful for people who have yet to become Muslims to come to themselves and to think beyond all the trash that is presented to them in this age.

'It really makes me think about becoming a Muslim': Liam Neeson considers converting to Islam following trip to Istanbul - Turkish Restaurant

He may have been named after the local priest in his Irish hometown but Liam Neeson could be leaving his Roman Catholic beliefs behind.

The 59-year-old actor is said to be considering converting to Islam following a working trip to Istanbul.

According to The Sun, Neeson admitted that Islamic prayer 'got into his spirit' while he was filming in Turkey.

The call to prayer happens five times a day, and for the first week, it drives you crazy, and then it just gets into your spirit, and it's the most beautiful, beautiful thing,' he said.

'There are 4,000 mosques in the city. Some are just stunning, and it really makes me think about becoming a Muslim.'

Neeson was raised in Northern Ireland as a devout Roman Catholic due to his parents beliefs.

Christian brother from Jordan send us his revert story ...

I was a Christian and I've reverted to the religion of Islam In 2007

In 2005 my mom had a dream (Ro'ia) she saw a woman with a white veil and white mantle or it's called an Islamic dress.. She told my mom one sentence (accept the religion of Islam and don't fear of that) she said that sentence in Arabic language(أسلمي ولا تخافي) she repeated that sentence three times... After two years I knew that mom was a muslim she told us (me and my three sisters) about that vision (Ro'ia)..I was surprised from that.. My mom told us that she was praying and do fasting in Ramadan month privately... In the beginning I was tough and angry.. I asked myself why my mom saw that and what's Islam... Is my religion true or not... What's Quran.... etc.... In 2007 during this year I have started to read about the religion of Islam I have read the Holy Quran, it's a great wonderful book..it talks about Allah.. Some prophets... One of them the prophet Jesus -peace be upon him -and the mother of Jesus, too. There is a whole chapter about the mother of Jesus.. Chapter 19.
It talks about Jannah (Paradise) and about Jahannam (Hell).... I knew after reading this book why Allah created us... I knew what will happen after death... What's the day of judgment, too.

After that I have studied the Bibles, the old testament and the new testament.. I found many many contradictions, many mistakes..in translation, in events...
I knew that Jews have distorted the bible and they have made a lot of mistakes in it..
(There are a thousands of examples).
One of them the trinity.

Now I am very happy because I am muslim.. I have announced my conversion to Islam in 26/November /2013.Me and my family
My mom and my three sisters wear the Islamic dress (the hijab and my three sisters wear the hijab and the julbab(the Islamic dress).

I want to to say that the religion of Islam is religion of mercy,of grace of Allah to all mankinds and worlds.

I love the Holy Quran and the sayings of prophet Mohammed peace be upon him, especially the scientific precisions about the facts like the verses and sayings about the universe, About the creation of human.. etc.
I have known alot of them by the books of Prof.Dr Zaghloul El-Naggar.
I have meet him in his house in 5/August /2014.

In this photo.. Me and Prof.Dr Zaghloul El-Naggar.

14 years old’s conversion story: Islam saved my life!

"Something that amazed me was that Muslim women covered themselves... They were gorgeous, but In a way that did not promote the western idea that a girl who is so skinny that her bones stick out and has nearly every inch of skin showing... No, these woman were a kind of beautiful that was natural, not plastered on like the woman seen on billboards everywhere."

About six months ago, I was suffering from severe depression and an eating disorder. I was absolutely convinced that I was worthless and that no one would ever love me unless I reached some unattainable goal of a tiny, malnourished, and unhealthy body. All the light seemed to be gone from the world. I had no hope of ever recovering from the disorder. As my issues worsened I became suicidal. I felt like I deserved to die, and that no one would care when that happened. I was fighting with my parents who could see my condition deteriorating day by day. I began to fail in school. All in all, nothing in my life was positive.

Then one day I was sitting in a class, barely paying attention when I heard one of my fellow students begin talking. He was doing a presentation on Islam. He spoke very briefly on the basic principles of Islam, barely scratching the surface of a beautiful Religion I would come to know as close as my family. But with that little bit of information, I was fascinated. That very day I began reading the Qur’an and researching and everything I could find out about Islam. I was amazed at the devotion of a whole people to one All Mighty God whom they called Allaah.

There is a feeling that you get when you know you are doing something right. A sort of swelling, happiness that seems to fill you up from head to toe. That is what I felt when I began to study Islam. The happiness was foreign to me as I had been in a state of depression for nearly two years. When you live in the dark, the light may hurt your eyes but it is light nonetheless.

Something that amazed me was that Muslim women covered themselves. Now, that may seem like something rather silly or obvious but to me it was extraordinary. I lived in a state of obsession with being thin. And yet, in the world I saw that there were women who wore loose clothing, and covered their hair. They were gorgeous, but In a way that did not promote the western idea that a girl who is so skinny that her bones stick out and has nearly every inch of skin showing is an ideal of beauty that every woman should strive for. No, these woman were a kind of beautiful that was natural, not plastered on like the woman seen on billboards everywhere. And then I realized something, these women were what I ought to aspire to not deathly thin models.

I learned how to pray, and began to pray regularly. It didn’t happen overnight, but through my learning I became a believer. I came to know that Allaah The Beneficent, The Merciful, had a plan for me. I realized that there was more to life than counting calories and crying all of the time. I knew again that there was light and beauty in the world, in all of His creations.

All of these things, inspired me to want to get better. So, I began the long and hard road of recovery. It’s not like people assume. My discovery of Islam may have brought a ray of light in, but I still had to get out of the dark place I was in.

It has been a long and slow journey, which I am still on but all throughout there has been one constant thing.The Worship of Allaah
I can now say with all conviction that without Islam and the support of my family I would most likely be dead.

I am still recovering, and it takes bravery on my part every day to wake up in the morning and tell myself that I am beautiful and that I deserve food and happiness.

When you are in the darkest of places, when you feel like there is nothing left, turn to Allaah. That is the message I have to the world.

MUHAMMAD ALI'S ADVICE TO HIS DAUGHTER

An incident transpired when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were quite revealing.

Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:

“When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.

Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected.

Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.

Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them.”

He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

Allahu Akbar!

Davide Mastracci, embraced Islam in 2014

Davide Mastracci, embraced Islam in 2014. Allaahu Akbar!

"Want to know the "best thing ever" one could be blessed with?
Being guided to Islam, then being guided to Sunnah, then being granted with steadfastness upon the two, till your last breath."

Davide Mastracci is a journalist currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from McGill University. Davide was formerly a columnist for the McGill Daily, and currently works as a copy editor for the McGill Daily. Davide has contributed articles to the National Post and Montreal Gazette. He has also appeared on CBC Radio.

May Allaah make him steadfast on the Deen. Aameen!
~via Sheikh Abdul Raouf Kabbar

anish Scholar reverts to Islam

" I had come to this experience with complete certainty of the One and only God.The entrance to Islam was only to confirm what I already knew for certain to be true. There was no choice; my heart did not lie in what it now perceived in front of it. The door was open and I took the first blessed step inside. After entering I realized that this is not only what I had always been looking for, but it was also what I, in reality, already was. I had always been a Muslim in my heart. I am and will always be grateful for being able to be gifted with this path and having certainty of the ever-flowing generosity of my Lord." Allahu Akbar!

From Catholicism to Islam

The Roman Catholic religion is a ritualistic, secular, and political faith. It is dictated by the pope from the top down to the priests at the bottom. If a Muslim were to walk into a Catholic church it would be like walking into a different world. He would find row on row of pews where worshipers sit, stained glass windows with perhaps scenes of the last supper or the messiah carrying a cross and so on. On the front wall in all churches is the messiah on a cross and below an altar where the priest delivers his Sunday sermon. In some older churches you may even find magnificent statue figures of Jesus, saints, Mary the mother of Jesus and so on. Church services are mainly repetitive rituals, singing, and prayers to Jesus or Mary or God and sometimes to saints. This is the type of world I lived and grew up in most of my life.

If you were to ask me why I converted to Islam my answer would be endless. However, if you were to ask me what lead me to Islam I would have to say, now looking back, that it was my first encounter reading the Bible at the age of about ten. I used to sit bewildered reading the Bible into a tape recorder. After I had finished, I would play the tape back in hopes of grasping the meaning of what I had just read. No such luck. So on Sundays I watched sermons on television, ordered free Bibles, and donated as much as I could (which could not have been much for a boy of ten). I received letters of gratitude and blessings and that made me feel good. This continued for a year or so until finally I became too frustrated, lost, and honestly bored with the whole thing. So in result I tucked the Bible away in my dresser drawer. I would only refer to it occasionally throughout my inquisitive childhood and teens. I accepted the fact that I would never truly understand that Bible. That is, ironically, until later when I became Muslim. Only then did I begin to gain a complete understanding of the Bible.

What had confused me reading the Bible then was the contradiction between the book and what I had been taught all my life by priests and religion teachers. I found that almost every aspect of my belief was challenged or did not make sense at all upon referring to the Bible. The very core of my faith, I had learned, was false. This brought me to the point in my life where I was pessimistic and cynical toward religion. I mocked my religion in my teens by going to church chewing gum and partially participating in services. I would grunt at the mere mention of God or Jesus. I did not know what I believed anymore. The only thing I was sure of was that there was a God. What I did not realize then, that I realize now, is in all my confusion and enlightenment starting from the age of ten would trigger my quest for truth and finally lead me to the religion called Islam.

My first encounter with Muslim people was through business dealings. Their warm and generous hospitality won my heart. Their loyal remembrance of Allah (SWT) intrigued me in phrases like, ' Al Hamdu Lilla ' or ' Inshallah '. I have never come upon people in a state of such strong faith forever uttering remembrance of Allah (SWT). Their kindness, generosity, and compassionate nature, I would discover later, were all part of being a Muslim. I wanted to be like them. Muslims should know that it is extremely crucial when in contact with non-Muslims to remember how we should be as Muslims and act as such. The saying, ' actions speak louder than words ' is so true. This is what attracts people in wonder to Islam. This is what attracted me. I began to learn a little about Islam. The more I learned the more I wanted to know. Before long I was studying Islam through books written by Muslims and the Holy Qur'an. Not a soul knew, but maybe a select few, that I was studying Islam nor did they know that I was remotely interested in it. I did not wish any interference from Muslims and especially from my Christian and Jewish friends. I knew that if anyone was going to guide and aid me in my quest for truth it would be Allah (SWT).

As time past my knowledge expanded into realms of truth unbeknown to me. Islam became a powerful force like a one ton magnet drawing me closer and closer to it. What I discovered and the thought of Allah (SWT) was the only thing on my mind during the day, as I drifted to sleep, and the first though when I awoke. Islam appealed to my intellect as well as my heart so my passion grew for it. I eventually learned Surat Al-Ikhlas and, although I was not yet Muslim, I began to teach myself to pray using a book and reciting the only Surah I knew. I felt an overwhelming need to prostrate in reverence to the All Mighty to ask for forgiveness and guidance in the way that made most sense to me.

Shortly, thereafter, I departed on a holiday taking the Qur'an with me. Four days later, alone in a foreign country, I became seriously ill. I was bed stricken for a month each day loosing a pound. In my agony I remember pleading to Allah (SWT) not to let me die incomplete. I had not yet converted but I knew in my heart I wanted to be a Muslim. I was procrastinating trying to learn everything humanly possible. I now believe that this was my ' wake up call ' from the Most Merciful. That is to say that life is too short to put things off that you want to do. You never know if tomorrow will ever come. Two weeks after my return to Canada, Al Hamdu Lilla, I converted to Islam. Al Hamdu Lilla I did not die before saying the Shahadah. Allah (SWT) is ever so Merciful. He gives people many chances and signs. The part that is difficult is not so much recognizing them but acting on them with all your heart.

Islam is like a medicine. It changes deviant behavior and soothes the sobbing soul. Islam is the religion of truth and the Qur'an the guide for all aspects of life. The Qur'an gave me all the answers to my questions. It alleviated my confusion and turned it into clarity and understanding. Never did I know that there is a religion that is absolute truth in its' purest form. If all mankind only realized that this truth is the religion of Islam.

I am very happy in my new faith, and proclaim once again: "I bear witness that there is but One God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is God's servant and Messenger."

I pray to Allah (SWT) to guide us and the non-Muslims to the straight path. The path of Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon all). Ameen.

Shopkeeper Gave Practical Lesson about Islam.

Abdullah's Journey To Islam (former christian name not given)

Written by El-Hageen (Published: 04 November 2012)

Abdullah was a young man with basic high school education. He was on active duty in the U.S. Army for a few years where he learned some technical skills. At present he earns his living by repairing photocopy and fax machines.

How he accepted Islam is interesting. Yet, it is more fascinating to know how he went through the Islamization process. During the Gulf War between the United Forces and Iraq he was posted in Saudi Arabia. Abdullah was shopping in a Saudi market. He picked up an item from the shop and agreed to pay its price to the shopkeeper. However, when he was about to pay for the article, the call for prayer was heard from a nearby mosque. The shopkeeper said, “That’s it,” and refused to do any business until after the prayer was over. He then closed his shop and hurriedly went to the mosque. Abdullah was stunned and wondered about this incident. Why did this man not take the money when there was a mutual agreement on the price? Abdullah never knew of anyone in his life who refused to take money. Usually in business, everybody runs after money one way or another. What kind of person was this shopkeeper? What kind of religion was it that had so much priority in the eyes of this shopkeeper? Abdullah was very inquisitive and wanted to know more about this religion. He read more and more about it and finally decided to embrace Islam after his return to America. In New York he had some good teachers who gave him basic Islamic education and taught him how to read the Quran. Abdullah became a very strict practicing Muslim.

I came to know Abdullah only when he moved to Detroit. He decided to reside near the Tawheed Center of Detroit and offered most of his prayers in this mosque. I happened to be voluntarily running the affairs of this mosque. Conducting the affairs of an Islamic organization can be a challenging task. Many things happened between brother Abdullah and me, which created some temporary problems between us. We were both sincere in our own ways. Our differences totally disappeared in the course of time. It is, however, a great test of patience to have differences with someone whom you meet several times a day in the house of Allah. Let me mention a few of them here.

Since brother Abdullah was very regular in all the prayers, I wished to have his participation in some activities of the mosque. One day I asked him to call the Adhan. He said he would do it outside the mosque on the main road. I informed him that we were presently going through the licensing process of the building with the local fire department and City of Detroit. The City of Detroit was holding a public hearing about it. But, my words did not concern him. I had to tell him firmly that I had to face the public, the attorney, the Zoning Commission and the City Planning Department. I said, “You guys come, pray and leave the mosque. You do not have any idea of the difficulties faced by us at City Hall. Some wisdom and caution should be observed in our Islamic practice. Why should we annoy and excite our non-Muslim neighbors? Furthermore, we should concentrate on reviving faith in Muslims rather than creating problems with our non-Muslim neighbors.” My words did not budge him at all. He refused to make the Adhan in the mosque. I, may Allah forgive me, had to ask someone else to make the Adhan.

Brother Abdullah had memorized a considerable part of the Quran. His recitation was very charming and effective. I asked him to lead the Isha prayer daily. He was memorizing more and more Quran every day. He loved every new surah(chapter) he memorized and preferred to recite it whilst leading the prayer. There were always some mistakes in his newly learned surahs. This made many Muslims uneasy.

I talked to Abdullah about it. I suggested to him that he should recite only those surahs which he had mastered and that he should recite them in front of me a few times one day in advance. He liked my suggestion. Thus he improved and understood my point of view. The mistakes in recitation totally disappeared and our teamwork and co-operative attitude helped us to reconcile.

We faced another problem with brother Abdullah. He used to recite a long surah followed by Surah Ikhlas in each rakat(a unit of prayer). Thus, prayers took a long time. Sometimes the night prayer took twenty minutes. People did not have this kind of commitment and patience. I communicated these feelings of the people to brother Abdullah. He said he liked to recite the way one companion of the Holy Prophet(pbuh) did. He recited Surah Ikhlas in all his offerings of prayer. I told him, “As far as I recall, Surah Ikhlas was recited only in the second rakat.” Brother Abdullah said, “He read in a Hadith that it was in both rakats.” Hence, nobody could stop brother Abdullah reciting a long surah followed by Surah Ikhlas.

One day I saw him lying on the floor of the mosque on his right side with his arm under his head waiting for the time of Fajr Prayer. I got worried and approached him and asked him if there was something wrong. He said he was fine and that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to take brief rest like this, as he was doing. Abdullah would try to practice anything he read from the Quran or Hadith without being shy.

His family life was remarkable. His wife and his sister-in-law accepted Islam through his efforts. His in-laws also accepted Islam. He had many children. All were very good in the recitation of the Quran. His oldest son was about seven years old and had memorized a considerable part of the Quran under his father’s supervision. His son regularly came to the mosque to offer prayer with the congregation, even in Fajr Prayer. I do not know anybody who would bring his seven-year-old son regularly to Fajr Prayer, even during severe cold, snow or storm. Brother Abdullah used to teach his son Quran after Fajr Prayer in the mosque. His son’s Islamic knowledge, practice and behavior were superb. His recitation of Quran was excellent like his father. He behaved like a thirty-year-old mature person. He would be a good Imam of mosque.

Later brother Abdullah not only had the key to the mosque, but he was also made responsible for conducting the prayers in the mosque. I thought Abdullah was also ready to deliver the Juma’ Khutbas (Friday Sermons). He reluctantly accepted one. He did extremely well. He was, therefore, assigned one Juma’ Khutba at the Tawheed Center of Detroit and one at the Tawheed Center of Farmington Hills, Michigan each month. He was voluntarily carrying out his assignments extremely well.

Without exaggeration many people came to me from both the mosques requesting that he be the Khateeb(the person who gives the Friday Sermon) permanently. They loved to hear his recitation of the Quran as well. Truly speaking, we collected more donations for each mosque whenever brother Abdullah delivered the Friday Sermon in Salatul Juma.

One day brother Abdullah came to the Tawheed Center of Detroit with another local Muslim brother. Fajr Prayer was over and everyone had left the mosque. I was reciting the Quran when both these brothers entered the mosque. They offered their prayers. I welcomed both of them since they had just returned from Hajj. I insisted on taking them to my house for breakfast. Brother Abdullah declined, telling me he had not yet gone to his house. He was coming directly to the mosque from Hajj. He told me that Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) used to go to mosque upon his return from a journey before going home and meeting with his family. I wonder how many born Muslims follow this practice.

Brother Abdullah now laughs on his past rigid behavior. He now accepts variation in Islamic practice. He even started calling the Adhah inside the mosque.

After his first Juma’ Khutba I introduced him to the audience. While introducing him I mentioned how he accepted Islam and how his son is proud to be in Fajr Prayer daily. After this introduction he was anxious to know how his khutbah was. I told him that it was excellent, so much so that he finished on time which happened to be a problem with other Khateebs. He left quietly. After Isha Prayer brother Hani wanted to talk to me. He said, “Brother Abdullah is upset. He feels that by praising him in his presence, it was like cutting his neck, as mentioned in a Hadith.” I told him that you should see another Hadith also, which instructs us to give due respect and credit to whosoever deserves it. Prophet Shuaib(pbuh) also insisted that his people not belittle credit if it is due. It is also mentioned in the Quran in many places. Some people focus only on one Hadith and draw their own conclusions. Thank God I did not exaggerate anything in the introduction. Furthermore, people should know all about the new Khateeb. I expressed my opinion to brother Abdullah the next day. He was satisfied with my explanation.

Brother Abdullah and brother Hani are now responsible for the mosque in my absence. Both are handling their responsibility and authority superbly well.

Brother Abdullah attended some Arabic classes in the local community college offered by Dr. Sheikh Ali Suleiman. Now he speaks Arabic, understands some grammar and recites and memorizes surahs of Quran. He also learns new Ahadith, delivers the Friday Sermons and guides many disbelievers to the light of Islam. A high school graduate with sincerity and commitment can do all these wonderful things and introduce and propagate Islam amongst people of other faiths.

Brother Abdullah is the by-product of the Gulf War. Many other soldiers accepted Islam after visiting Saudi Arabia.

Bill Cosby: We Should All Be More Like Muslims.

"I’m a Christian. But Muslims are misunderstood. Intentionally misunderstood. We should all be more like them. They make sense, especially with their children. There is no other group like the Black Muslims, who put so much effort into teaching children the right things, they don’t smoke, they don’t drink or overindulge in alcohol, they protect their women, they command respect. And what do these other people do? They complain about them, they criticize them. We’d be a better world if we emulated them. We don’t have to become black Muslims, but we can embrace the things that work."

Alisa: "When people first see me they think hmmm Turkish,

Alisa: "When people first see me they think hmmm Turkish, Lebanese or a mix of both - and when I say "no I'm Australian" they tend to gasp. I was born in Melbourne to an Australian mother and an almost Aussie dad (he came to Australia from Bosnia at the age of 7).

I started wearing the Hijab at 16 years of age and have never regretted my decision. I feel as though it empowers me and it gives me strength to overcome so many obstacles....do you feel a knot
in your stomach when you go out for the first time after making a drastic change i.e. shaving your hair or wearing a bold outfit? And when you conquer that feeling you feel amazing and like you can do anything! That's how it is for me.

Through all my experiences I have never felt that my hijab holds me back - I have been hired, I have been interviewed, I have been smiled at, etc etc. Despite what some people have said - hijab will ruin my young life - I, through the grace of God have been married now for almost 8 years and have 2 wonderful children. The only negative about the hijab that I've experienced is awkward tan lines hehe.

Australia is a great country with great people. We truly are lucky and blessed to be living here regardless of what our cultural backgrounds or heritages are. I stand proud to say that I am an Australian Muslim and want to thank all the true Aussies out there that show and continue to support the Muslim community in the name of peace and progress. That is what Australia is all about smile emoticon "

This 39-year-old Muslim convert was born Paul Steven Mellor in Cheshire.

And just a few short years ago he was serving Queen and country as a Lance Corporal in the elite Irish Guards regiment .

The former Church of England Sunday school boy claims he guarded the royal palaces and marched in the Trooping the Colour in red tunic and bearskin during his nine-year Army career.

He changed his name to Jibreel and the dad-of-three told The Sun:
“I was a soldier of the Queen, now I’m a soldier of Allah. I was on sentry duty at Buckingham Palace, I did Trooping the Colour. Now I’m against democracy. The system stinks.

He is campaigning for Sharia law and self-governing Muslim “states” to be established in Britain.

Jibreel, a one-time Liverpool fan who says he has burnt all photos from his Army days, said: “I used to have a pint when I was in the Army but I don’t think it’s excessive to lash drinkers.”

Jibreel left the Army in February 1997 and became a labourer in a relative’s building firm but couldn’t get used to civvy street.

When his half-brother, Ian, committed suicide aged 20, Jibreel turned to drinking.

He said: “I was mixed up with alcohol. I was going down a slippery slope.

“One night I came out of a nightclub in Stoke-on-Trent and I was stumbling all over the place. A Muslim taxi driver approached me and started talking about Islam.

“I wasn’t looking for Islam but it found me at the right time. It just made sense to me, a brotherhood that would always stick together. It was overnight, basically.” Alhamdulillah for Islam!

ifferences were about how they see Jesus. Which wasn’t a big deal to me,

EX-CHRISTIAN BROTHER MUSA ABDUL HADI’S JOURNEY TO ISLAM (FROM U.S DALLAS,TEXAS)

I start by saying praise and glory to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta ala), to whom all thanks belongs. And Allah guided those who believed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.

I was born and raised in Dallas Texas of the United States.
My parents separated when I was 5 and I spent most of my time growing up living with my mom, 2 brothers and 1 sister with my grandparents. It was a very religious Christian home.

My grandma was a Sunday school teacher, and my grandfather and her never missed a Sunday in church. With that being said I learned a lot about the Bible from a young age, and I took an interest in God from a very young age. But my family pretty much took it as I just wanted to show off to my grandparents who were active in church, which was an initial shock to me that even my Christian family would take my religious seriousness as a joke. After brushing that off I quickly realized, still at a young age, that Christians were mean people in general.

At some point in elementary school my grandmother passed away, and a few years later my grandfather. Without them there my mom got away from church, and I eventually formed an atheist point of view by high school. But even before I considered my self as complete atheist, I had serious doubts in religion from my experiences at church.

But once I hit high school I turned more rebellious and spent a lot of time making some big mistakes, and spent the majority of my years between 15 and 18 in and out of jail. At 18 I moved from Dallas to California and pretty much kept my self out of trouble from that point on, but other than that my choices weren’t much better, and as the years went on, the further and further I was from any form of truth. Eventually I found my way to Pennsylvania when I was 19, and ended up being with a girl that I have been with ever since and ended up getting engaged to. I started to grow more and more in my hatred of religion in general, I felt religion was only something people used to make them selves feel better than others.

In 2008 for some reason I just completely changed, and out of no where felt the urge to get closer to God and get my life on a better path. I started with reading the Bible, because I wanted to know what God wanted before I started looking into churches. I quickly realized that no church practices what the Bible teaches, but I felt God changing me and knew it was important I learned, so I just stuck with the Bible which is what I had. The changes I was making so quickly were a complete shock to my girlfriend I was living with at the time, and we ended up splitting up, because for our whole relationship I taught her why religion was wrong, and now I’m changing and trying to teach her why religion is important, and it was too much.

So we split up and I moved back to California, during that time I studied the Bible, and visited church one time during that point. I was looking into the Jehovah Witnesses because they seemed to hold more truth than any other Christian group. I went to church there once and really liked it, was considering becoming a Jehovah Witness myself, until my mom showed me some history of theirs that made me change my mind. Eventually me and my girlfriend that I moved away from in Pennsylvania started talking again, and she decided she realized she needed to be more religious too, and we wanted to work things out so I moved back.

We got engaged immediately after I got back, and I was pretty quickly falling off my changes I had made. She got pregnant shortly, and life got busier, all the while I was falling further and further from my relationship with Allah. The whole time I realized I was making bad decisions, and knew my life was miserable like this, but I couldn’t figure out how to change. Reading the Bible was not enough, and I had no one I trusted to guide me. Me and my fiancé started fighting worse than ever, and by the time our daughter was born we were on the edge of splitting up again. I ended up getting a really bad drug addiction, and I felt all this pressure to fix my relationship with my fiancé because now we have a daughter, but everyday it just got worse. I knew I needed Allah… But had no idea how to get close to him from the point I was at… Between the time my daughter was born and when she was 6 months old was the darkest time of my life, between the drugs and the fighting the new baby and everything falling apart, I was lost and confused. Eventually I gave up the drugs because of the damage I was doing to my loved ones, but it was too late and the relationship with my fiancée was too damaged.

At some point in that time, (which was during Ramadan 2011, but I had no idea because I never even knew one Muslim at this point) during a normal night for me, I was at home in my room, late at night. My fiancée was asleep on the couch, which had become normal because of all the fighting, so I’m sitting there trying to not think about my problems. I ended up deciding to look into what Muslims believed.

I started out looking up the differences between Christians and Muslims, and found out the only real differences were about how they see Jesus. Which wasn’t a big deal to me, because I was starting to get uncomfortable with some of the beliefs Christians held about Jesus, but I still believed he was Allah’s son (Astaghfirullah) and still believed you needed him for removal of sins and to get to heaven (Astaghfirullah). So this was enough for me to look into the Quran, I wanted to see what actually inspired Muslim beliefs.

So I goggled the Quran and found an English translation and started reading. I read up to the point in Baqarah where it talks about the blessings of Ramadan and the Quran being sent down in Ramadan, and already with the power of the Quran it felt special that I was there in that moment reading it. So I went back to Google out of curiosity to see when Ramadan was, and found out I was in it. The whole situation blew me away, it felt very relevant that I was there at that time reading this Powerful Book, filled with an amazing guidance and light. I continued reading and felt my problems leaving.

I felt this was it, the answer to all my problems, the peace and guidance I needed. I thought every problem would go away, I knew I wasn’t ready to be Muslim but I knew I wanted to learn this book and model my life after it. As soon as my fiancée woke up (I stayed up all night reading Baqarah) I had to tell her about it, I was so excited, I wasn’t too surprised when she thought I was crazy, but I wanted to keep trying to talk to her about it over the next few days. Unlike how I thought, my problems far from went away, my life was getting darker quicker, and the fighting worse. In my mind, I knew the Quran was true… But kept remembering how surah Baqarah states how Allah causes those to stray who He wishes, I felt positive I messed my life up too much and Allah just showed me the Quran to show me how bad I messed up. Me and Tori ended up splitting up and I moved back to California, which was devastating to me at first, because of my daughter. But I ended up getting over it.

I was staying with my mom in Cali, and I spent a lot of time reading Quran on my phone, I eventually ordered a physical copy at one point. And slowly life started to look brighter and I felt Allah guiding me again, which is all that mattered to me at the time. Around the time I was coming close to finishing the Quran my Imaan was getting higher and I decided I should tell my mom that I want to be Muslim. Like I expected she completely flipped out and tried to do all she could to talk me out of it, but at this point I had no doubts about my choice, Allah already taught me the truth about Jesus in His Quran at that point, and I already had gotten over my doubts before I even told her. Fighting between me and my mom ended up getting really bad now, she didn’t want to stop bringing it up and it would always turn into a very nasty debate.

But the whole time I was learning Quran I was also trying to explain it to my ex fiancé when I would call to see how my daughter was doing. She thought I was crazy at first but slowly started to see the truth in it. And eventually as tensions rose between me and my mom I decided to go back to Pennsylvania with my family, because my fiancé wanted to learn about Islam. Eventually in January 2012, I took my Shahada, and in July 2012 she took hers, and we are both students of Islam and in sha Allah

My apologies for this being so long dear brothers and sisters.

Asalamu alaikum wa rahmatoulah