Why and How Non Muslims convert to Islam

[alitheislamian]

How I came to Islam - by Yusuf Islam
From Musician to Muslim by Allah's Will

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All I have to say is all what you know already, to confirm what you already know, the message of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as given by God - the Religion of Truth. As human beings we are given a consciousness and a duty that has placed us at the top of creation. Man is created to be God's deputy on earth, and it is important to realize the obligation to rid ourselves of all illusions and to make our lives a preparation for the next life. Anybody who misses this chance is not likely to be given another, to be brought back again and again, because it says in Qur'an Majeed that when man is brought to account, he will say, "O Lord, send us back and give us another chance." The Lord will say, "If I send you back you will do the same."

MY EARLY RELIGIOUS UPBRINGING
I was brought up in the modern world of all the luxury and the high life of show business. I was born in a Christian home, but we know that every child is born in his original nature - it is only his parents that turn him to this or that religion. I was given this religion (Christianity) and thought this way. I was taught that God exists, but there was no direct contact with God, so we had to make contact with Him through Jesus - he was in fact the door to God. This was more or less accepted by me, but I did not swallow it all.

I looked at some of the statues of Jesus; they were just stones with no life. And when they said that God is three, I was puzzled even more but could not argue. I more or less believed it, because I had to have respect for the faith of my parents.

POP STAR
Gradually I became alienated from this religious upbringing. I started making music. I wanted to be a big star. All those things I saw in the films and on the media took hold of me, and perhaps I thought this was my God, the goal of making money. I had an uncle who had a beautiful car. "Well," I said, "he has it made. He has a lot of money." The people around me influenced me to think that this was it; this world was their God.

I decided then that this was the life for me; to make a lot of money, have a 'great life.' Now my examples were the pop stars. I started making songs, but deep down I had a feeling for humanity, a feeling that if I became rich I would help the needy. (It says in the Qur'an, we make a promise, but when we make something, we want to hold onto it and become greedy.)

So what happened was that I became very famous. I was still a teenager, my name and photo were splashed in all the media. They made me larger than life, so I wanted to live larger than life and the only way to do that was to be intoxicated (with liquor and drugs).

IN HOSPITAL
After a year of financial success and 'high' living, I became very ill, contracted TB and had to be hospitalized. It was then that I started to think: What was to happen to me? Was I just a body, and my goal in life was merely to satisfy this body? I realized now that this calamity was a blessing given to me by Allah, a chance to open my eyes - "Why am I here? Why am I in bed?" - and I started looking for some of the answers. At that time there was great interest in the Eastern mysticism. I began reading, and the first thing I began to become aware of was death, and that the soul moves on; it does not stop. I felt I was taking the road to bliss and high accomplishment. I started meditating and even became a vegetarian. I now believed in 'peace and flower power,' and this was the general trend. But what I did believe in particular was that I was not just a body. This awareness came to me at the hospital.

One day when I was walking and I was caught in the rain, I began running to the shelter and then I realized, 'Wait a minute, my body is getting wet, my body is telling me I am getting wet.' This made me think of a saying that the body is like a donkey, and it has to be trained where it has to go. Otherwise, the donkey will lead you where it wants to go.

Then I realized I had a will, a God-given gift: follow the will of God. I was fascinated by the new terminology I was learning in the Eastern religion. By now I was fed up with Christianity. I started making music again and this time I started reflecting my own thoughts. I remember the lyric of one of my songs. It goes like this: "I wish I knew, I wish I knew what makes the Heaven, what makes the Hell. Do I get to know You in my bed or some dusty cell while others reach the big hotel?" and I knew I was on the Path.

I also wrote another song, "The Way to Find God Out." I became even more famous in the world of music. I really had a difficult time because I was getting rich and famous, and at the same time, I was sincerely searching for the Truth. Then I came to a stage where I decided that Buddhism is all right and noble, but I was not ready to leave the world. I was too attached to the world and was not prepared to become a monk and to isolate myself from society.

I tried Zen and Ching, numerology, tarot cards and astrology. I tried to look back into the Bible and could not find anything. At this time I did not know anything about Islam, and then, what I regarded as a miracle occurred. My brother had visited the mosque in Jerusalem and was greatly impressed that while on the one hand it throbbed with life (unlike the churches and synagogues which were empty), on the other hand, an atmosphere of peace and tranquility prevailed.

THE QUR'AN
When he came to London he brought back a translation of the Qur'an, which he gave to me. He did not become a Muslim, but he felt something in this religion, and thought I might find something in it also.

And when I received the book, a guidance that would explain everything to me - who I was; what was the purpose of life; what was the reality and what would be the reality; and where I came from - I realized that this was the true religion; religion not in the sense the West understands it, not the type for only your old age. In the West, whoever wishes to embrace a religion and make it his only way of life is deemed a fanatic. I was not a fanatic, I was at first confused between the body and the soul. Then I realized that the body and soul are not apart and you don't have to go to the mountain to be religious. We must follow the will of God. Then we can rise higher than the angels. The first thing I wanted to do now was to be a Muslim.

I realized that everything belongs to God, that slumber does not overtake Him. He created everything. At this point I began to lose the pride in me, because hereto I had thought the reason I was here was because of my own greatness. But I realized that I did not create myself, and the whole purpose of my being here was to submit to the teaching that has been perfected by the religion we know as Al-Islam. At this point I started discovering my faith. I felt I was a Muslim. On reading the Qur'an, I now realized that all the Prophets sent by God brought the same message. Why then were the Jews and Christians different? I know now how the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah and that they had changed His Word. Even the Christians misunderstand God's Word and called Jesus the son of God. Everything made so much sense. This is the beauty of the Qur'an; it asks you to reflect and reason, and not to worship the sun or moon but the One Who has created everything. The Qur'an asks man to reflect upon the sun and moon and God's creation in general. Do you realize how different the sun is from the moon? They are at varying distances from the earth, yet appear the same size to us; at times one seems to overlap the other.

Even when many of the astronauts go to space, they see the insignificant size of the earth and vastness of space. They become very religious, because they have seen the Signs of Allah.

When I read the Qur'an further, it talked about prayer, kindness and charity. I was not a Muslim yet, but I felt that the only answer for me was the Qur'an, and God had sent it to me, and I kept it a secret. But the Qur'an also speaks on different levels. I began to understand it on another level, where the Qur'an says,

"Those who believe do not take disbelievers for friends and the believers are brothers."
Thus at this point I wished to meet my Muslim brothers.


CONVERSION
Then I decided to journey to Jerusalem (as my brother had done). At Jerusalem, I went to the mosque and sat down. A man asked me what I wanted. I told him I was a Muslim. He asked what was my name. I told him, "Stevens." He was confused. I then joined the prayer, though not so successfully. Back in London, I met a sister called Nafisa. I told her I wanted to embrace Islam and she directed me to the New Regent Mosque. This was in 1977, about one and a half years after I received the Qur'an. Now I realized that I must get rid of my pride, get rid of Iblis, and face one direction. So on a Friday, after Jummah' I went to the Imam and declared my faith (the Kalimah) at this hands. You have before you someone who had achieved fame and fortune. But guidance was something that eluded me, no matter how hard I tried, until I was shown the Qur'an. Now I realize I can get in direct contact with God, unlike Christianity or any other religion. As one Hindu lady told me, "You don't understand the Hindus. We believe in one God; we use these objects (idols) to merely concentrate." What she was saying was that in order to reach God, one has to create associates, that are idols for the purpose. But Islam removes all these barriers. The only thing that moves the believers from the disbelievers is the salat. This is the process of purification.

Finally I wish to say that everything I do is for the pleasure of Allah and pray that you gain some inspirations from my experiences. Furthermore, I would like to stress that I did not come into contact with any Muslim before I embraced Islam. I read the Qur'an first and realized that no person is perfect. Islam is perfect, and if we imitate the conduct of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) we will be successful. May Allah give us guidance to follow the path of the ummah of Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Ameen!

-- Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens)

[alitheislamian]

"Why Do Priests & Preachers Enter ISLAM?"
Many people ask me how a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam, especially considering all the negative things that we hear about Islam and Muslims everyday. Some people are simply curious, while others take a profound exception to my "conversion" to Islam. Some have asked how I could have turned my back on Jesus, or if I truly understood the Holy Ghost and some even questioned whether or not I considered myself as "born again" or had ever really been saved at all. These are good questions to which I will offer answers to at the end of this writing. I would like to thank everyone for their interest and offer my humble story, God Willing.

One very nice Christian gentleman asked me in email why and how I left Christianity for Islam. This is more or less a copy of the letter I sent to him.

Introduction
My name is Yusuf Estes now, but in years past my friends used to call me Skip. I have preached Christianity and worked in the entertainment and music industry since I was a boy in the 1950's. My father and I have established music stores, TV and radio programs and outdoor entertainment for fun (and profit). I was a music minister and even used a pony ride and entertained the children as "Skippy the Clown."

Once, I have served as Delegate to the United Nations Peace Conference for Religious Leaders. Now I am a retired former Muslim Chaplain for United States Bureau of Prisons, Washington, DC. and I join alongside many American Muslims, working with Muslim student and youth organizations as well as schools for Muslim children. As such, I travel around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam. We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere. Some of our work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons. Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are. Although Islam has grown now to nearly tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims, that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of "Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God" [Arabic = 'Islam']

Dear me, I am afraid that I got a bit ahead of myself. I was trying to give a bit of background of our work perhaps to see if it would in anyway benefit those who may being going through what I experienced while trying to resolve some of the issues of Christianity.


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How It Happened
This may seem quite strange, while we perhaps may share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophethood, sin and salvation. But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as many folks are today. Really, I was. Let me explain.

Born A Strong Christian
I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest. Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place. While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I'm old). We attended church regularly and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas. As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs. The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more. I developed quite a thirst for the "Gospel" or as we say; "Good News." My research into religion did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was "Islam". Why? Good question.


Music Minister
Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially Gospel and Classical. Because my whole family was religious and musical it followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas. All this set me for the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated with over the years. I started teaching keyboard instruments in 1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called "Estes Music Studios."


Business Projects In Texas, Oklahoma and Florida
Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business projects. We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions. We opened piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida. We had earned millions of dollars during those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan of salvation. I'm sure you have asked yourself the question; "Why did God create me?" or "What is it that God wants me to do?" or "Exactly who is God, anyway?" "Why do we believe in 'original sin?" and "Why would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his 'sins' and then as a result be punished forever." But if you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a 'mystery' and you shouldn't ask - "Just have faith, brother."

Trinity Concept
Strangely enough, the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible. And it has been a concern for religious scholars as early as 200 years after Jesus was raised up by Almighty God. I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how 'one' could figure out to become 'three' or how God Himself, Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people's sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people; keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the universe as we know it. They never seemed to be able to come up with anything other than opinions or strange analogies.

Father - Ordained Non-Denominational Minister
My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church school programs. He became and ordained minister in the 1970s. He and his wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the "Prayer Tower" in Tulsa, OK. They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat Robertson.

Distributing "Praise" Tapes for Jesus
During the early 1980's my Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in recording "Praise" tapes and distributing them for free to people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the elderly. We were really "winning souls to the Lord - for Jesus" day after day.

Met A Man From Egypt
It was early in 1991 when my father began doing business with a man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him. This idea appealed to me when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor. You know, the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that.

He Was A "Mozlem"

Hijackers; Kidnappers; Bombers, Terrorists - and who knows what else?
Then my father mentioned that this man was a 'Moslem.' First, I hated the idea of meeting an "infidel, hijacker, kidnapper, bomber, terrorist, non-believer." Any normal person would be repulsed at the idea. I couldn't believe my ears. A 'Moslem?' No way! I reminded my dad of the various different things that we had heard about these people.

Lies Against Muslims & Islam - They Told Us, Muslims:

They don't even believe in God
They worship a black box in the desert.
And They kiss the ground five times a day.
No Way! I Did Not Want to Meet Him!
I did not want to meet this 'Moslem' man. No way! My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person. This was too much for me. Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and Islam very much. They even said things that were not true to make people afraid of Islam. So, why would I want anything to do with these people?

Idea - "Change Him To Christian"
Then an idea came to me, "We can change this man to Christian." So, I gave in and agreed to the meeting. But on my terms.

Met Him With A Bible, Cross and Cap with "Jesus Is Lord!" on it.
I agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in good standing with the Lord. I would be carrying my Bible under my arm as usual. I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on my cap which says: "Jesus is Lord" right across the front. My wife and two young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with the 'Moslems.'

Where Is He?
When I came into the shop and asked my father where the 'Moslem' was, he pointed and said: "He's right over there."
I was confused. That couldn't be the Moslem. No way.

Turban & Beard?
I'm looking for a huge man with flowing robes, a big turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all the way across his forehead with a sword or a bomb under his coat.

No Turban - No Beard - [No Hair at All!]
This man had no beard. In fact, he didn't even have any hair on his head at all. He was nearly bald. Best of all, he was very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake. This didn't make sense. I thought they are terrorists and bombers. What is this all about?

He Needs Jesus
Never mind. I'll get right to work on this guy. He needs to be 'saved' in the 'Name of Jesus' and me and the Lord are going to do it.

Introduction & Interrogation
After a quick introduction, I asked him:

"Do you believe in God?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Good!)

Then I said:
"Do you believe in Adam and Eve?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Very Good!)

I said: "What about Abraham? You believe in him and how he tried to sacrifice his son for God?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Even better!)

Then I asked:
"What about Moses?"
"Ten Commandments?"
"Parting the Red Sea?"
Again he said:
"Yes." - (Better still!)

Then:
"What about the other prophets, David, Solomon and John the Baptist?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Great!)

I asked:
"Do you believe in the Bible?"
Again, he said:
"Yes." - (OK!)

So, now it was time for the big question:
"Do you believe in Jesus? That he was the Messiah (Christ) of God?"
Again the said:
"Yes." - (Fantastic!)

Well now - "This was going to be easier than I had thought."
He was just about ready to be baptized only he didn't know it.
And I was just the one to do it, too.

Shocking Knowledge - Muslims Believe in the Bible?
One day in the Spring of 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in the Bible. I was shocked. How could this be? But that's not all, they believe in Jesus as:

* A true messenger of God;
* Prophet of God;
* Miracle birth without human intervention;
* He was the 'Christ' or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;
* He is with God now and most important;
* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the 'Antichrist.'

After "winning souls to the Lord for Jesus" day after day, this would be a big achievement for me, to catch one of these 'Moslems' and 'convert' him to Christianity.

Cup of Tea - Discuss Beliefs
I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did. So off we went to a little shop in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs. While we sat in that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy. He listened attentively to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time. I liked this man's way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good Christian. - Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of my eyes.

Agreed to Do Business
First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my business trips across the northern part of Texas. Day after day we would ride together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people have. And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor individual. We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His Will to mankind. We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as well.

Moved to Our Home
One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he have been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time. I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us. After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around. My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.

Continued Ministry & Preaching
Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas. One of them lived on the Texas -- Mexico border and another lived near lived Oklahoma border. One preacher liked to a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car. He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross. People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.

Preacher Has Heart Attack
One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the Veterans Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while. I used to visit him in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and religions. My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did not want to know anything about Islam. Then one day a man who was sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his wheelchair. I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn't matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the planet Jupiter. I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.

Man in Wheelchair - Needed the Lord
I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life. So, I began to 'witness' to him about the Lord. I read to him out of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. I shared the story of the prophet Jonah who had been sent by the Lord to call his people to the correct way. Jonah had left his people and escaped by boat to leave his city and head out to sea. A storm came up and the ship almost capsized and the people on board threw Jonah over the side of the ship. A whale came up to the surface and grabbed Jonah, swallowed him and then went down to the bottom of the sea, where he stayed for 3 days and 3 nights. Yet because of God's Mercy, He caused the whale to rise to the surface and then spit Jonah out to return back home safely to his city of Nineveh. And the idea was that we can't really run away from our problems because we always know what we have done. And what is more, God also always knows what we have done.

Catholic Priest
After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and me and apologized. He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that he had experienced some real serious problems recently. Then he said that he wanted to confess something to me. And I said that I was not a Catholic priest and I don't handle confessions. He replied back to me that he knew that. In fact, he said: "I am a Catholic priest."
I was shocked. Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest. What in the world was happening here?

Priest in Latin America
The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New York's 'Hell's Kitchen.' When he was released from the hospital he needed a place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us in the country along with our families and Mohamed. It was agreed by all that he would so, he moved out right away.

Priests Must Study ISLAM? - YES!
During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the concepts of beliefs in Islam and to my surprise he agreed and then shared even more about this with me. I was shocked when he told me that Catholic priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors degrees in this subject. This was all very enlightening to me. But there was still a lot more to come.

Different Versions of the Bible
After settling in, we all began to gather around the kitchen table after dinner every night to discuss religion. My father would bring his King James Version of the Bible, I would bring out my Revised Standard Version of the Bible, my wife had another version of the Bible (maybe something like Jimmy Swaggart's 'Good News For Modern Man." The priest of course, had the Catholic Bible which has 7 more books in it that the Protestant Bible. So we spent more time talking about which Bible was the right one or the most correct one, than we did trying to convince Mohamed about becoming a Christian.

Quran Has Only ONE Version - In Arabic - And Still Exists
At one point I recall asking him about the Quran and how many versions of it there were in the last 1,400 years. He told me that there was only ONE QURAN. And that it had never been changed. Yet he let me know that the Quran had been memorized by hundreds of thousands of people, in it's entirety and were scattered about the earth in many different countries. Over the centuries since the Quran was revealed millions have memorized it completely and have taught it to others who have memorized it completely, from cover to cover, letter perfect without mistakes. Today, over 9 million Muslims have memorized the entire Quran from cover to cover.

How Could This Be?
This did not seem possible to me. After all, the original languages of the Bible have all been dead languages for centuries and the documents themselves have been lost in their originals for hundreds and thousands of years. So, how could it be that something like this could be so easy to preserve and to recite from cover to cover.

Priest Goes to the Mosque
Anyway, one day the priest asked the Mohamed if he might accompany him to the mosque to see what it was like there. They came back talking about their experience there and we could not wait to ask the priest what it was like and what all types of ceremonies they performed. He said they didn't really 'do' anything. They just came and prayed and left. I said: "They left? Without any speeches or singing?" He said that was right.

Priest Enters Islam!
A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked Mohamed if he might join him again for a trip to the mosque which they did. But this time it was different. They did not come back for a very long time. It became dark and we worried that something might have happened to them. Finally they arrived and when they came in the door I immediately recognized Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him? Someone wearing a white robe and a white cap. Hold on a minute! It was the priest. I said to him: "Pete? -- Did you become a 'Moslem?'
He said that he had entered into Islam that very day. THE PRIEST BECAME A MUSLIM!! What next? (You'll see).

My Wife Announces Her Islam!
So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk to my wife about the whole subject. She then told me that she too was going to enter into Islam, because she knew it was the truth.

Shocked!
I was really shocked now. I went downstairs and woke up Mohamed and asked him to come outside with me for a discussion. We walked and talked that whole night through.

Truth Had Come!
By the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the Muslims) I knew that the truth had come at last and now it was up to me to do my part. I went out back behind my father's house and found an old piece of plywood lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.

Guide Me! O God! Guide Me!
Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: "O God. If you are there, guide me, guide me."

Sign Inside of Me
And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something. No, I didn't see birds or angels coming out of the sky nor did I hear voices or music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes. What I did notice was a change inside of me. I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me to stop any lying and doing anything sneaky. It was time that I really work at being an honest and upright man. I knew now what I had to do.

Wash Away the "OLD"
So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was 'washing' away the sinful old person that I had become over the years. And I was now coming into a new, fresh life. A life based on truth and proof.

- And Become New!
Around 11:00 A.M. that morning, I stood before two witnesses, one the ex-priest, formerly known as Father Peter Jacob's, and the other Mohamed Abel Rehman and announced my 'shahadah' (open testimony to the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him).

"I bear witness, there is no deity to worship, except Almighty Allah, alone and He has no partners and I bear witness that Mohammad is His messenger and servant."

My Wife Was Next
A few minutes later, my wife follow along and gave the same testimony. But hers was in front of 3 witnesses (me being the third).

Then My Father
My father was a bit more reserved on the subject and waited a few more months before he made his shahadah (public testimony). But he did finally commit to Islam and began offering prayers right along with me and the other Muslims in the local masjid (mosque).

Children Too!
The children were taken out of the Christian school and placed in Muslim schools. And now ten years later, they are memorizing much of the Quran and the teachings of Islam.

Father's Wife (Stepmother) Next
My father's wife finally acknowledged, before she died, that Jesus could not be a son of God and that he must have been a mighty prophet of God, but not God. She passed away within a few months of this statement at age 86. May Allah accept her statement of faith, ameen.

Houseful of New Muslims - What's Next?
Now stop and think. A whole entire household of people from varying backgrounds and ethnic groups coming together in truth to learn how to know and worship the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Think. A Catholic priest; a minister of music and preacher of the Gospel; an ordained minister and builder of Christian schools; and the children, even a great-grandmother - they all come into Islam!

His Mercy and Guidance
Only by His Mercy were we all guided to see the real truth of Islam, by removing the coverings over our ears and the blinders on our eyes, no longer having seals over our hearts - He was Guiding us now.

Amazing Story - Family and Friends Entering Islam - From One Man
If I were to stop right here, I'm sure that you would have to admit that at least, this is an amazing story, right? After all, three religious leaders of three separate denominations all going into one very opposite belief at the same time and then soon after the rest of the household.

More? - Yes! Baptist Seminary Student Reads Quran - Accepts Islam
But that is not all. There is more! The same year, while I was in Grand Prairie, Texas (near Dallas) I met a Baptist seminary student from Tennessee named Joe, who also came to Islam after reading the Holy Quran while in BAPTIST SEMINARY COLLEGE!


More? Yes. Catholic Priest Loves Islam - But Needs His Job!
There are others as well. I recall the case of the Catholic priest in a college town who talked about the good things in Islam so much that I was forced to ask him why he didn't enter Islam. He replied: "What? And loose my job?" - His name is Father John and we still pray for Allah to Guide Him.

Another Catholic Priest Makes Shahadah
The very next year I met a former Catholic priest who had been a missionary for 8 years in Africa. He learned about Islam while he was there and entered into Islam. He then changed his name to Omar and moved to Dallas Texas.

Any more? Again - Yes! Orthodox Arch Bishop leaves church for Islam
Two years later, while in San Antonio, Texas I was introduced to a former Arch Bishop of the Orthodox Church of Russia who learned about Islam and gave up his position to enter Islam.

Daughter of Hindu Pundit (Religious Leader) - Accepts Islam - Helping thousands to Islam
I met a woman in New York who wanted to make our CDs about "What Is Islam?" After giving her permission several years ago, I have learned she has produced and distributed over 600 thousand of these to the non-Muslims in America. May Allah reward her and keep her strong in her efforts, ameen.

Hundreds - Thousands - Still Coming
And since my own entrance into Islam and becoming a chaplain to the Muslims throughout the country and around the world, I have encountered many more individuals who were leaders, teachers and scholars in other religions who learned about Islam and entered into it. They came from Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Greek and Russian Orthodox, Coptic Christians from Egypt, non-denominational churches and even scientists who had been atheists.

Why? Good question.
The combination always seems to be the same; people are sincerely seeking the truth and are willing to put their different prejudices and biases out of their minds and begin to ask God for His Guidance in their lives.

So, now you have the introduction to the story of my coming into Islam and becoming Muslim. There is more on the Internet about this story and there are more pictures there as well. Please take the time to visit it and then please take the time to email me and let us come together to share in all truths based on proofs for understanding our origins and our purpose and goals in this life and the Next Life.



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9 Steps to Purify the Heart
May I suggest to the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS to purification of the heart?

Clean - your mind, your heart & soul - remove all prejudices & biases.
Thank God - for what you have - every moment of every day.
Read - a good translation of the meaning of the Holy Quran in a language that they can understand best. (http://islamtomorrow.com/downloads/noblequran.exe)
Reflect on the meanings & consider the bounties of your Lord.
Seek - Forgiveness From God & Learn to Forgive others.
Ask - in your heart for Guidance from Above.
Open - your heart and mind.
Continue - to do this up for a few months. And be regular in it.
Avoid - the poison of evil while your heart is opening for the "rebirth of your soul."
Remember: Clean; Thank; Read; Reflect - then:
"Seek, and ye shall find. Ask, and it shall be given thee. Knock, and it shall be opened."
Then: Continue & Avoid

The rest is between you and the Almighty Lord of the Universe. If you truly love Him, then He already Knows it and He will deal with each of us according to our hearts.


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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

Now as I promised here are the answers to the questions many have asked me connected with my choice of Islam:

1. "How could you have turned your back on the perfect plan of salvation of Jesus Christ on the cross for you sins?"

Answer: Your question implies you have not considered the similarities and teachings of the Bible and the Quran.

"ISLAM" means - "Surrender, submit and obey your Lord in sincerity and peace." Whoever is trying to do this, is a "MUSLIM." If someone believes in Almighty God as One God and One Lord and wants to commit their life to serving Him and obeying His Commandments, then that person will be in the right way and they will be "saved" according to God's Mercy. No one can take the sins of another and the guilty must stand accused for what they have done. It will be up to Almighty God to Forgive or Punish according to His Judgment on that Day.

According to the remains of the translations of the Bible [see: "Bible, A Closer Look"] Jesus, peace be upon him, did not preach a message of salvation by worshipping him. This was something added later by Saul (who later became Paul). We find clear statements indicating salvation would come only through acknowledging Almighty God as One God and worshipping Him with all the heart, mind and strength. Jesus, peace be upon him, taught his followers to worship "My God and your God, My Lord and your Lord."

Again, according to the remains of the English translation of the Bible, we see the one on the cross crying out a very blasphemous statement, "Eli! Eli! Lama sabachthani?" (Which being translated means, "My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?") This statement on the cross clearly indicates the one on the cross is not pleased with the situation nor does he consider it right or just. Therefore, one would have to conclude this was not something Jesus approved of nor did he accept, or else someone else was on the cross in his place. Either way you look at it, the one on the cross did not accept this as a plan of salvation.

The Quran is absolutely in agreement with these teachings and Muslims do worship the same God and Lord of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and Adam, peace be upon them all. The Quran states in many places, no one will be taken to task for the sins of another, nor can anyone carry the burden of another. We will all be on our own on that Day. And I ask Allah to have Mercy and Forgiveness for all those who believe in Him, ameen.

I consider that I have not left the teachings of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. On the contrary, I feel much closer to Jesus, peace be upon him, and I look forward to His return on earth more than ever before. Now I am worshipping the same God he worships and I serve the same Lord he serves, in the very same way he does. Jesus prayed to Almighty God and taught his followers to do the same. I am simply doing what he commanded to the best of my ability and ask Almighty God to accept it.

2. "Do you consider you were really "saved" and that you had in fact, been "born again?"

Answer: The Baptists have a statement, "Once saved, always saved." I asked one of them about this and he agreed it was true. Then I mentioned at one time I had become a Baptist (in my teen years) but now I was a Muslim. I had also been "saved" and baptized at the age of 12. I had accepted the very statement of Jesus being the way, the light and the truth and no man coming on to the Father except by him. I understood these statements to mean I must follow Jesus and his teachings. Therefore, I read the Bible for myself and did not let others tell me what to think about what I was reading.

The Bible states that Jesus prayed for salvation for himself in the garden of Gethsemane in this way, "Let this cup pass from me, even so, Thy Will be done." This prayer was repeated by Jesus, peace be upon him, a number of times and it is mentioned in more than one Gospel. Yet, according to Biblical accounts, the cup did not pass from him and his prayers were NOT ANSWERED. Islam teaches us his prayers were answered and he did not have to endure the cruel treatment and death on the cross, but rather he was taken up while still alive and is with Almighty God even now and ready to return in the Last Days to bring victory to the believers.

Additionally, we find Jesus, peace be upon him, teaching his disciples to pray like this, "Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and Glory, forever and ever, ameen." Every Muslim I have met accepts every single word of this pray with the exception of calling "Allah" our "Father." Muslims consider it better to call on Almighty God by His Names, which we do consider to be "Hallowed."

3. "How did your family respond to your conversion?"

Answer: This is always difficult for families to adjust to and it usually takes time. My family was no exception. Although my wife, children entered into Islam and eventually my father came to declare Islam to be the way of salvation for himself, still my own mother and many others in my family resented our going to Islam at first. Eventually, things became more normalized and we do stay in touch, although they are all still very much involved in Christianity.

Allah promises to test those who declare their faith in Him with many types of difficulties and family is one of those mentioned as a test in the Quran. I do pray for them and ask Allah to guide them to the very best in this life and the very best in the Next Life. But it is up to Allah if He wants them to be in Submission to Him (Islam means, submission to Allah) or not.

4. "How about your congregation? What did they say?"

Answer: I never had my own church. I was a music minister in the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana branch) in Texas and did my preaching to businessmen and informal gatherings. Those who knew me for the most part did not object and some even came to Islam, but there were a few who felt very upset and accused me of "Turing my back on Jesus, peace be upon him." No matter what I tried to say or do, these particular individuals would not listen nor did they want to learn anything about Islam.

5. "Did you experience a lot of difficulties in changing religions?"

Answer: Certainly anyone who wants to consider Islam in these times, just as in times gone by, will have to recognize there will be certain difficulties and tests along the way. The followers of Jesus, peace be upon him, were highly criticized and persecuted even until death (read what Paul said he used to do to them in the Bible; Book of Acts of the Apostles). Those who followed Muhammad, peace be upon him, suffered at the hands of their very own tribes, yet they were determined to continue to worship Almighty God Alone, without partners and submit to His Will.

The biggest problem with non-Muslims, is their lack of understanding and lack of knowledge as to what Islam is really all about and who the Muslims are supposed to be. I pray for them all and ask Allah to forgive the Muslims for not showing a better picture to everyone.

6. "Who was responsible for converting you?"

Answer: As Muslims we believe that it is only Allah who guides the people and whoever He guides will not be misguided and whomever He lets go astray none will be able to guide them. As such, it means we don't believe anyone really can "convert" someone else.

Also, we accept that all children are born in the natural state of submission to Almighty God and as such that means they are Muslims. Should a child die he or she would go to Heaven as they are not responsible for what they do not understand.

7. "Don't you ever think about coming back to being a Christian?"

Answer: "Christian" indicates a follower of Christ. When Jesus, peace be upon him, returns to earth in the Last Days, all the Muslims will be obliged to follow him. But we would not call ourselves "Christians" anymore than he would. He never called himself or his companions "Christians." The Bible tells us they were never even called "Christians" until Paul was preaching his message in Antioch.

8. "Doesn't it bother you to have left the way of peace, justice and love for a religion of hatred, violence and oppression toward women and others?"

Answer: All the prophets, peace be upon them all, called the people to worship Almighty God as One God and One Lord. As such, those who did not want to submit to Almighty God would combat them and treat them with hostilities, even unto death, as Paul had done while still being a Pharisee. The prophets, peace be upon them all, did encourage their followers to live in peace and deal with people in justice and certainly love is the highest form of emotion a human can have for another human being.

Yet at the same time, believers have to defend themselves, their families and the religion itself, lest those who are not believers should remove belief from the very face of the earth. Islam, like Christianity preaches a message of peace and tolerance - to a point. But when this is no longer possible without totally compromising and loosing one's way of life and belief system, then there is no alternative except to engage in open combat against those who are combating against the believers.

Jesus called upon his followers to sell their coats and buy swords. He explained that he did not come with peace, but rather a sword. He and his companions were engaged in mortal combat with their enemies, the Pharisees when one of the priests slaves had his ear cut by the sword. Jesus then told them to put down their swords. This is mentioned in the Bible.

The word "sword" appears over 200 times in the Bible - but even though the Arabic language has more than a dozen words for sword, there is not a single occurrence of any of these words anywhere in the Quran.

Combat is ordered in the Quran, only under very specific and limited conditions and it is nothing more than what we would today call "The War on Terrorism." Fighting against all acts of organized aggression, oppression, persecution and terrorism is an obligation on all believers. But it certainly has limits and women, children, elderly and any innocents are not to killed or injured during such occasions. Treatment of prisoners is not to be humiliating or torture of any kind. Even the dead of the enemy are to be buried with dignity and respect.


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Now since writing my story and publishing here on the internet many other websites have picked up this story and it had become a famous example of how "Priest and Preachers Are Coming to Islam."

Again, I thank you for visiting. And I thank our Christian friend for his email. If he hadn't sent it, I probably would still not have completed this task of putting down the story once and for all of how my family, friends and myself all came to Islam.

Please feel free to share this story with others. You should print it out and make copies for everyone. Give them our links, add our story to your website or blog page, and send out emails to everyone you know. Maybe it could make a difference for others like us, God Willing.

May Allah guide you on your journey to all truth. Ameen. And May He open your heart and your mind to the reality of this world and the purpose of this life, ameen.

Peace to you and Guidance from Allah the One Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.
Your friend,

Yusuf Estes
Chaplain Yusuf Estes

[alitheislamian]

Could I Deal with God Directly?
By Hayat Anne Collins Osman
I was raised in a religious Christian family. At that time, Americans were more religious than they are now—most families went to church every Sunday, for example. My parents were involved in the church community. We often had ministers (Protestant “priests”) in the house. My mother taught in Sunday school, and I helped her.
I must have been more religious than other children, although I don’t remember being so. For one birthday, my aunt gave me a Bible, and my sister a doll. Another time, I asked my parents for a prayer book, and I read it daily for many years.
When I was in junior high school (middle school), I attended a Bible study program for two years. Up to this point, I had read some parts of the Bible, but had not understood them very well. Now was my chance to learn. Unfortunately, we studied many passages in the Old and New Testaments that I found inexplicable, even bizarre.
For example, the Bible teaches an idea called Original Sin, which means that humans are all born sinful. I had a baby brother, and I knew that babies were not sinful.
The Bible has very strange and disturbing stories about Prophet Abraham and Prophet David, for example. I couldn’t understand how Prophets could behave the way the Bible says they did.
There were many, many other things that puzzled me about the Bible, but I didn't ask questions. I was afraid to ask—I wanted to me known as a “good girl.”
Al-Hamdulillah, there was a boy who asked, and kept asking.
The most critical matter was the notion of Trinity. I couldn’t get it. How could God have three parts, one of which was human? Having studied Greek and Roman mythology at school, I thought the idea of the Trinity and powerful human saints very similar to the Greek and Roman ideas of having different so-called “gods” that were in charge of different aspects of life (Astaghfir-Ullah!). The boy who asked, asked many questions about Trinity, received many answers, and was never satisfied. Neither was I. Finally, our teacher, a University of Michigan Professor of Theology, told him to pray for faith.
I prayed.
When I was in high school, I secretly wanted to be a nun. I was drawn to the pattern of offering devotions at set times of day, of a life devoted entirely to God, and of dressing in a way that declared my religious lifestyle. An obstacle to this ambition, though, was that I wasn’t Catholic. I lived in a Midwestern town where Catholics were a distinct and unpopular minority! Furthermore, my protestant upbringing had instilled in me distaste for religious statuary, and a healthy disbelief that dead saints had the ability to help me.
In college, I continued to think and pray. Students often talk and argue about religion, and I heard many different ideas. Like Yusuf Islam, I studied the Eastern so-called religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism. No help there.
I met a Muslim from Libya, who told me a little about Islam and the Holy Qur’an. He told me that Islam is the modern, most up-to-date form of revealed religion. Because I thought of Africa and the Middle East as backwards places, I couldn’t see Islam as modern.
My family took this Libyan brother to a Christmas church service. The service was breathtakingly beautiful, but at the end, he asked, “Who made up this procedure? Who taught you when to stand and bow and kneel? Who taught you how to pray?” I told him about early Church history, but his question made me angry at first, and later made me think.
Had the people who designed the worship service really been qualified to do so? How had they known the form that worship should take? Had they had divine instruction?
I knew that I did not believe in many of the teachings of Christianity, but continued to attend church. When the congregation recited pieces I believed to be blasphemous, such as the Nicene Creed, I was silent—I didn’t recite them. I felt almost alien in church, almost a stranger.
A shocker! Someone very close to me, having dire marital problems, went to a curate of our church for advice. Taking advantage of her pain and self-loathing, he took her to a motel and seduced her.
Up to this point, I had not considered carefully the role of the clergy in Christian life. Now I had to. Most Christians believe that forgiveness comes through the “Holy Communion” service, and that an ordained priest or minister must conduct the service. No minister, no absolution.
I went to church again, and sat and looked at the ministers in front. They were no better than the congregation—some of them were worse. How could it be true that the agency of a man, of any human being, was necessary for communion with God? Why couldn’t I deal with God directly, and receive His absolution directly?
Soon after this, I found a translation of the meaning of the Qur’an in a bookstore, bought it, and started to read it. I read it, off and on, for eight years. During this time, I continued to investigate other religions.
I grew increasingly aware of and afraid of my sins. How could I know whether God would forgive me? I no longer believed that the Christian model, the Christian way of being forgiven, would work. My sins weighed heavily on me, and I didn’t know how to escape the burden of them. I longed for forgiveness. I read in the Qur’an,
“…Nearest among them in love to the Believers you will find those who say, ‘We are Christian’: Because amongst them are Men devoted to learning, and men who have renounced the world and are not arrogant.
“And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth. They pray, ‘Our Lord! We believe. Write us down among the witnesses.
[And what (reason) have we that we should not believe in Allah and in the truth that has come to us, while we earnestly desire that our Lord should cause us to enter with the good people?] (Al-Ma’idah 5:84)
I began to hope that Islam held the answer. How could I find out for sure?
I saw Muslims praying on the TV news, and knew that they had a special way of praying. I found a book (by a non-Muslim) that described it, and I tried to do it myself (I knew nothing of Taharah, and did not pray correctly). I prayed that way, secretly and alone, for several years.
Finally, about eight years after first buying my Qur’an, I read:
[This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor for you, and chosen Islam as your religion.] (Al-Ma’idah 5:3)
I wept for joy, because I knew that, way back in time, before the creation of the Earth, Allah had written this Qur’an for me. Allah had known that Anne Collins, in Cheektowaga, NY, USA, would read this verse of the Qur’an in May 1986, and be saved.
Now, I knew that there were many things I had to learn, for example, how to pray properly, which the Qur’an does not describe in detail. The problem was that I didn’t know any Muslims.
Muslims are much more visible in the US now than they were then. I didn’t know where to find them. I found the phone number of the Islamic Society in the phone book, and dialed it, but when a man answered, I panicked and hung up. What was I going to say? How would they answer me? Would they be suspicious? Why would they want me, when they had each other and their Islam?
In the next couple of months, I called the mosque a number of times, and each time panicked and hung up. Finally, I did the cowardly thing: I wrote a letter asking for information. The kindly, patient brother at the mosque phoned me, and then started sending me pamphlets about Islam. I told him I wanted to be Muslim, but he told me, “Wait until your are sure.” It upset me that he told me to wait, but I knew he was right, that I had to be sure because, once I had accepted Islam, nothing would ever be the same again.
I became obsessed with Islam. I thought about it, day and night. On several occasions, I drove to the mosque (at that time, it was in an old converted house) and circled it many times, hoping to see a Muslim, wondering what it was like inside.
Finally, one day in early November 1986, as I was working in the kitchen, I suddenly knew, knew that I was Muslim. Still a coward, I sent the mosque a letter. It said, “I believe in Allah, the One True God, I believe that Muhammad was his Messenger, and I want to be counted among the witnesses.”
The brother called me on the phone the next day, and I said my shahadah* on the phone to him. He told me then that Allah had forgiven all my sins at that moment, and that I was as pure as a newborn baby.
I felt the burden of sin slip off my shoulders, and wept for joy. I slept little that night, weeping, and repeating Allah’s name. Forgiveness had been granted. Alhamdulillah.
*The statement a person makes when accepting Islam (and many times a day thereafter: I testify that there is no deity other than Allah, and I testify that Muhammad (SAAWS) was a Messenger of Allah.
Visit Sr. Hayat’s website: http://www.geocities.com/hayatanneosman

[alitheislamian]

The Website from which I have pasted these r
http://islamtomorrow.com/converts.asp
Visit it for more Stories

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[Halima]

Assalaam Alykum and welcome to the forum.

I hope that you have a great stay here. Jazakhllah Khair for posting these nice inspirational articles. Surely they make difference in many a muslim lives.

Wa'saalaam.

[alitheislamian]

:sl: Sister,
Inshallah they'll make difference in many Muslim and Non-Muslim lives.
But If Allah wants because Only Allah Rahmat Can put a person to the right path. Humans can only advise but the main thing is Allah's Rahmat, If Allah wants any thing can happen.
I have only copied and pasted these articles, May Allah Bless the original Writters. Inshallah

The web page is
http://islamtomorrow.com/converts.asp
Also this is an audio story of a new Muslim Listen to it
http://media.islamway.com/lessons/en...green/islam.rm
May Allah Bless all Muslims and Non-Muslims. :brother:

[alitheislamian]

[

"Priests & Preachers Enter Islam?"
Chaplain Yusuf Estes


My ethnic background is English-Native American, Irish and German. I was what they called a "WASP" (white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant). My family moved to Texas in 1949 while I was still in grade school, so my accent changed from "Yankee" to "Texan" real quick. We learned how to say "Ya'll" instead of "youse guys" and "Howz ever thaang?" instead of "Waz up?" We also learned how to eat "Corn bread 'n bains" instead of "Johnny cakes and beans."
I was born in Ohio, raised and educated in Texas and was a successful marketing entrepreneur and preacher of Christianity. I grew up in a religious home. My parents and their relatives were all 'good Christians.' Basically that means that you never drink alcohol, except on very special occasions and never gamble expect Bingo at the church. Religion was a real part of my life. I believed very much in God and the Bible as His Word. While other children were playing 'school' and 'cops and robbers' I would sometimes play the 'Preacher.' I can still remember my first sermon, standing on the ground in Doug Hideman's backyard: "We must learn the Way of God! And then stay on that Way." (That's all I said. I couldn't think of anything else)
My whole family on both my mother's and father's sides were very active members of the same denomination of Protestant Christianity. We all loved to go to church on Sunday mornings for Sunday school and sermon (well maybe we didn't all love the long sermons). Then of course, special activities and holidays such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween and parties were always a part of our lives in my early years. Our church was originally called only "Christian Church." It wasn't until I turned 10 or 12 years old that the church 'split' into two different groups that we started calling ourselves "Disciples of Christ."
My father was an ordained minister and also very active in church work, as a Sunday school minister and fund raiser for Christian schools. He was the 'expert' in the Bible and its translations. It was through my father that I came to know about the various versions, translations and editions of the Bible as well as the introduction of pagan worship to Christianity about the time of the Emperor Constantine (325 C.E.). He, like many preachers would answer the question: "Did God actually write the Bible?" by saying: "The Bible is the Inspired Word of Man FROM GOD." Basically, it means that humans (inspired humans, but humans just the same) wrote the Bible. That quickly explains the errors, mistakes, deletions and additions which have crept in and fell out over the years. He would add: "But it is still the Word of God, as inspired to man."
God was always on my mind. I was 'baptized' into the 'Spirit' at age 12 and surprised even the minister (an ex-Jew who accepted Jesus) by my seriousness and intent on being a 'full real follower of Christ." I would think about Him and what He wanted us to do and why He created us in the first place, very often. Many times I would be caught 'day dreaming' about God when I was supposed to be paying attention to other things, like watching the pots boil over on the stove or not listen to the teachers at school. Sometimes I would rest my head on my arms on the top of my desk and try to imagine: "What will happen when we die?" and "What will Heaven be like?" or "Can we ever see God's angels or the devil?"
My mind was frequently preoccupied with these types of thoughts as a child. But then as with most youth, I became distracted from my pursuit and began to be influenced by my peers. Other children would make fun of me if I talked about these questions and thoughts, so it seemed like a good idea to keep it to myself. No problem. I like to be alone with my thoughts of God anyway.
After growing up and owning many business, I realized that I did not want to be a 'preacher.' I was too afraid that I might be a hypocrite or call people to something that I myself didn't truly understand. After all, I had 'accepted the Lord' and considered myself a true Christian, but at the same time I could not resolve the idea of God being One and at the same time He is 'Three.' And if He is the 'Father', how could He also be the 'Son?' And then what about the 'Holy Ghost?' (later they changed that to 'Spirit'). But my big question was always the same: "How does three equal one?"
Over the years I had tried to 'find' God in many different ways. I checked out Buddhism, Hinduism, metaphysics, Taoism, different forms of Christianity and Judaism. The one most attractive to me was a combination of Gnosticism (Christian mysticism) and Cabalism (Jewish mysticism) and metaphysics. This actually is a form of pantheism (God being throughout His creation) and is similar to some of the 'Sufi' mystics of today. But this concept in its entirety repulsed me because I did not want to imagine myself as being a 'part of God.'
God is Pure! God is Perfect! God is All Knowing and All Aware of all things! So, how can I come along and say things like I was hearing from the other preachers: "In a way, we are all gods." Read the Bible:
"You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like men, and fall like any prince." (quoted from the Old Testament; Psalms [82:6]) & "I said, you are gods." (New Testament John 10:34)
The rationalization which comes about in the books attributed to the Apostle Saul (changed his name to Paul), are full of statements which basically cancel the Torah or Law of the Old Testament. He makes it a matter of how you 'understand' something that makes it 'permissible' or 'forbidden.' As an example in the English Revised Standard Version which I have carried with me since 1953, it says in Paul's letter to the Romans:
"I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean."
[Rom 14:14]
And again, in the same letter:
"So do not let what is good to you be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God does not mean food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
[Rom 14:16]
By these types of statements, Paul pretty much destroys the entire Old Testament Commandments. Yet at the same time, in the same English version of the Bible in the first book of the New Testament, we are told that Jesus preached a message which was exactly the opposite of St. Paul:
"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth shall pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
[Mt. 5:17-20]
So according the St. Paul's own testimony in his letter to the new Roman Christians, he is relaxing not just the least of these commandments, but basically all of these commandments. And he justifies everything with his rationalization that if you don't think it's bad, then it's not!
I just felt that something was wrong in this message and decided to try to uphold the Commandments according to the Old Testament as much as I could. That would mean: No Pork; circumcision; no sex outside of marriage; no adultery; worship on Saturday (not Sunday) and most important of all: No worship of anything which is in the creation. This is in direct line with the verse which says:
"You shall have no other gods before (besides) me. You shall not make yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands who love me and keep my commandments."
[Ex 20:3-6]
It seemed reasonable to me, that there should only be One God. He should be All in Charge and without any partners. Reason also would demand that only He should be given any worship because He Alone deserves it. And as God, He should be the One to set the rules and give the orders. Then it would be clear who really loved Him and who was following His Commandments.
I had tried not to deal with these issues for many years. But now I was getting close to fifty years old and needed to do something for the Lord. After all, had done everything for me. So, it was time for me to get serious about my religion and make some head way for the Lord. I decided to join in with some of my friends who were evangelists and preachers who preached in various parts of the country and even in Mexico. We traveled together and praised the Lord together and shared in 'the spirit' and went where the 'spirit lead us.' One of them use to carry a huge cross on his shoulders and drag it down the highway and give out little 'mini-Bibles' to those who cared to stop and visit. It was enjoyable to go to those who had given up hope or had no money or jobs and give them food, money, assistance and at the same time call them to the message of Christianity. I took my Bible everywhere and was very fast to whip it out and begin to 'preach the message.'
I was 'born again.' I needed to 'be in the light of Christ.' I needed to share the 'message.' There was only one problem:
"What is the message?"
Oh sure, I know what some of the 'born again's are saying as they read this:
"The message of salvation of Jesus Christ!" - "He died for your sins!" - "He paid the price of redemption." - "He is the Risen Son of God!" - "Jesus is LORD!"
Right. - I got that.
I preached that message myself and thought I understood it as well as anyone else did. The problem is that one time I heard another preacher say: "Don't leave your brain in the parking lot with your car."
Then it hit me to start thinking about the very serious problems and real facts about my religion. Then came:
THE QUESTIONS NOBODY WANTS TO ANSWER -

What about the Bible? Who actually wrote it?
What was the original language of the Bible? (Hebrew? Aramaic? Koine Greek?)
NOTE: - The Bible was never in English during the time of any prophet (not even Muhammad) - because English did not exist until after 1066 AD!
Does the Bible exist in the original form anywhere on earth? (No)
Why does the Catholic Bible has seven (7) more books than the Protestant Bible?
Why do these two Bibles have different versions of the same books?
Why are there so many mistakes and errors are from the very first verse right up to the very last verse?
Why do 'Born Again Christians' teach concepts that are not from the Bible?
There is no word "Trinity" in the Bible in any version of any language
The oldest forms of Christianity do not support the 'born again' beliefs
Jesus of the English Bible complains about the 'crucifixion'
("Eli! Eli! Lama sabachthani? - My God! My God! Why have You forsaken me?") [Mk 15:34]
How can Jesus be the "Only Begotten Son" of John 3:16? When in Psalms 2:7 David is God's "Begotten Son?"
Would a 'Just' God, a 'Fair' God, a 'Loving' God -- punish Jesus for the sins of the people that he called to follow him?
What happens to people who died before Jesus came?
What happens to those who never hear this message?
What about innocent children who die although their parents are not Christian?
Didn't God create Adam from dirt? -- So, why does he need Mary to make Jesus?
And what about God?
How can God create Himself?
How can God be a man?
How can a man be a God?
How can God have a son?
The Bible says "Seth (is) the son of Adam" and that"Adam is the son of God." [Lk 3:36]
Can't God just forgive us and not have to kill Jesus?
And what about Jesus?
Jesus did not even carry the cross -- Simon Cyre'ne, a passerby did! [Mk 15:21]
Jesus of the Bible was NOT on the cross for longer than six (6) hours -- NOT three days -- (from the 3rd to the 9th hour) [Mk 15:25 & 15:33]
Jesus of the Bible did not spend three days and nights in the tomb -- Friday night - until Sunday before dawn -- is not 3 days and nights!
Jesus DID NOT claim to be God - or even equal to God!

My friend with the huge cross became tired of trying to answer all of my questions and in desperation one day, he told me to read the story of Abraham in Genesis in the Old Testament. Especially the part of sacrificing his son for the sake of God. He seemed to feel that this was going to explain the whole concept of sacrifice and obedience to God.
I read it.
But instead of convincing me that this was the meaning of punishing the good so the bad do not have to suffer, I saw a totally different message here.
Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son on the alter for the sake of Almighty God, if that was what God wanted from him. But God did not really want to take the life of an innocent boy for sins that Abraham committed. That was not even the story here. And as far as replacing his son with the ram for sacrifice, this also does not match the story of Jesus on the cross.
Stop. Think.
Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son to test the loyalty of Abraham. He did not withhold his son from God, so God's angels ordered him to offer a ram in place of his son. God was pleased with his total submission and as a result, God Blessed him and his offspring.
[Gen. 22:9-18]
Now think about the New Testament story of 'salvation.'
Jesus asked God NOT to put him through this ordeal.
"Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done." [Luke 22:42]
Notice in the next verse, an angel from heaven also appears to Jesus to "strengthen him."
Abraham's angel comes to offer a ram as a sacrifice instead of the son.
The next verse [22:44] Jesus is in AGONY as he prays "more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground."
Then I looked to the account of the story in the Book of Mark [14:32-39].
Jesus goes to the garden of Gethsemane and his soul is "very sorrowful, even to death." And "... going a little farther, he fell on the ground prayer that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." Meaning that somehow when the time came for the event to take place he could escape it. This is NOT the submissive attitude of Abraham.
Next I noticed in verse 36, Jesus says: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt." And then he goes to his disciples and wakes them up and then returns to pray "... saying the same words."
This whole concept was so totally different than the one from Genesis talking about Abraham and his son.
I asked questions and delved into 'those kind of stories' the more I would like to facilitate the truth. Many strange things began to happen. Very strange.
Things began to happen in my life. Things that would change many concepts and beliefs that I had been burdened with for many years. Solutions and answers started coming in very strange and wonder ways.
First, my father started doing business with a man from Egypt. After introducing me to him, my father noticed right away that I was trying to convert the man to Christianity and asked me not to do so in a rude manner. I heard the man say he was ready to come to my religion if my religion was better than his religion. But there was a condition, he said he wanted proof. I told him religion is not about proof. It is about faith. He then said something that really made me think. He told me in his religion there was both faith and proof. Strange, I thought. How could there be any proof about God or religion?
Next, I was to meet a Catholic priest who would enlighten us all on the true history of the church and what was really going on in the cathedrals and the Vatican. His name was Father Peter Jacobs. His experiences throughout Central and South America, Mexico and the United States would prove to be very enlightening. But most of all was his deep understanding of the Bible and the scrolls. He brought to the table many interesting and amazing facts about Christianity and the organized religion of Catholicism.
Both the priest and the Muslim from Egypt came to live with us in our home in the country near Dallas, Texas. Then things really started getting strange.
I would love to share the details of this story of how so many preachers and priests are coming to Islam. Please visit our website to get the whole story at:
www.IslamTomorrow.com/yusuf/

[alitheislamian]

THE QUESTIONS NOBODY WANTS TO ANSWER -
Chaplain Yusuf Estes
What about the Bible? Who actually wrote it?
What was the original language of the Bible? (Hebrew? Aramaic? Koine Greek?)
NOTE: - The Bible was never in English during the time of any prophet (not even Muhammad) - because English did not exist until after 1066 AD!
Does the Bible exist in the original form anywhere on earth? (No)
Why does the Catholic Bible has seven (7) more books than the Protestant Bible?
Why do these two Bibles have different versions of the same books?
Why are there so many mistakes and errors are from the very first verse right up to the very last verse?
Why do 'Born Again Christians' teach concepts that are not from the Bible?
There is no word "Trinity" in the Bible in any version of any language
The oldest forms of Christianity do not support the 'born again' beliefs
Jesus of the English Bible complains about the 'crucifixion'
("Eli! Eli! Lama sabachthani? - My God! My God! Why have You forsaken me?") [Mk 15:34]
How can Jesus be the "Only Begotten Son" of John 3:16? When in Psalms 2:7 David is God's "Begotten Son?"
Would a 'Just' God, a 'Fair' God, a 'Loving' God -- punish Jesus for the sins of the people that he called to follow him?
What happens to people who died before Jesus came?
What happens to those who never hear this message?
What about innocent children who die although their parents are not Christian?
Didn't God create Adam from dirt? -- So, why does he need Mary to make Jesus?
And what about God?
How can God create Himself?
How can God be a man?
How can a man be a God?
How can God have a son?
The Bible says "Seth (is) the son of Adam" and that"Adam is the son of God." [Lk 3:36]
Can't God just forgive us and not have to kill Jesus?
And what about Jesus?
Jesus did not even carry the cross -- Simon Cyre'ne, a passerby did! [Mk 15:21]
Jesus of the Bible was NOT on the cross for longer than six (6) hours -- NOT three days -- (from the 3rd to the 9th hour) [Mk 15:25 & 15:33]
Jesus of the Bible did not spend three days and nights in the tomb -- Friday night - until Sunday before dawn -- is not 3 days and nights!
Jesus DID NOT claim to be God - or even equal to God!

[Rabi'ya]

MashAllah Yusuf Estes is truly inspriational to us all. We can learn a lot from him

:w:

Rabi'ya:rose:

[alitheislamian]

Listen or dowload the audio story of Abdur-Raheem Green.

http://media.islamway.com/lessons/en...green/islam.rm

[Tilmeez]

Moving.......

[nurul3eyn]

:sl: Sister,
Inshallah they'll make difference in many Muslim and Non-Muslim lives.
But If Allah wants because Only Allah Rahmat Can put a person to the right path. Humans can only advise but the main thing is Allah's Rahmat, If Allah wants any thing can happen.
I have only copied and pasted these articles, May Allah Bless the original Writters. Inshallah

The web page is
http://islamtomorrow.com/converts.asp
Also this is an audio story of a new Muslim Listen to it
http://media.islamway.com/lessons/en...green/islam.rm
May Allah Bless all Muslims and Non-Muslims. :brother:

welcome to the forum bro,,,
Ameen,May Allah bless you and your family too :):):)

[mizan_aliashraf]

Salam
I know Br. Abdur-Rahmeen Green personally. He does a lot of Da'wah for the ICC.
Mashallah, hes a good brother.
Wassalam

[alitheislamian]

Brother What does icc stands for?

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

This is a forum (meaning a place where you discuss) on comparative religion, not an Islamic-Awareness like site!

While the forum is called comparative religion, this forum is also used to handle issues of introducing Islam to people and stories of converts who accepted Islam.

[POBook]

...

[alitheislamian]

Becoming Muslim
True Life Story - "Young Man Travels the World to Find Himself - In Prison"
Yusuf Muhammad Ansari
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assalaamu'alaikum! I am posting this story on behalf of a brother who is now serving his term in a prison in Scotland and hence has no access to the internet. He is a brother who takes his belief very seriously and looks forward to correspond with other brothers and sisters for discussions, exchange opinions and ideas. I hope this story would attract attention of visitors of your web site to befriend this sincere brother.
- Jamaludin Yaakob
MY JOURNEY TO ISLAM

In September 4 1993 I began a journey that was a childhood dream. I left my home city of Aberdeen, Scotland at 4.10 p.m. with the intention of driving my camper van all the way to Goa, India, and back. Before I undertook this journey I spent a lot of time reading on the countries, customs, peoples and religions which at the very least could give me a basic understanding of the how I should re-act when arriving upon each place.

Although the diversity of the peoples was a task to take on board, it was the diversity of religions that stuck most in my mind. There seemed to be for me an excitement about Islamic countries, which kept coming to my thought.

The journey went well with the exception of a few mechanical problems throughout Eastern Europe. The first Islamic country I was to reach was Turkey. Although I had been there before, I had never been to Istanbul.

I was tired and needed rest. As one would do, I left my camper in a campsite and spent the next three weeks ad-hoc traveling through the center of the city to see the sites. On what was to be my last day in Istanbul I visited the Blue Mosque and the Pink Mosque [probably the Aya Sofia -MSA-USC.]. This, my brothers and sisters, was to be my introduction to the one and true religion of Al-Islam. It was a Friday, and as I recall during 'Asr prayer no one (from the tourists) was allowed in the Pink Mosque. Due to my inquisitiveness I got firstly lost inside the mosque and secondly found myself locked in standing at the back watching the wonderful event of 'Asr prayer unfolding before my eyes. I feel I can never quite express clearly what happened next except to say that I felt drawn, numb and very hot all at the same time. Unwittingly I remembered thinking that this was really for me without questioning why or what this religion was all about. I knew the basic belief was that there was only one God. I believed that all my life anyway. The prayer had finished and all were on their way out. A brother approached me. I felt embarrassed as I apologized for being there when I should not. He smiled and assured me that it was all right.

After leaving the mosque, I went on a walk about heading towards the harbour area. I was standing looking in a window when I felt a presence behind me. I turned around to see the same man I met in the mosque; again he smiled. He told me to wait a moment as he went downstairs in the shop. When he appeared again a few moments later, he handed me a plastic bag and said "Is this what you have been looking for brother?" As I looked in the bag there was a translation of the Holy Qur'an in English. This was when an amazing thing happened. I looked up to thank him but he was gone. The strange thing was that there was no side road, alley or lane for him to simply disappear. Until this day I have never figured out where he had gone.

The journey re-commenced the next day, heading towards Eastern Turkey. I began to read the Qur'an in the evening and felt drawn to visit mosques route. Every time I met Muslim people they were forever inviting me to their homes for meals, etc. Their politeness and good character was what I have encountered before. My head was full of emptiness waiting to be filled with knowledge and I constantly asked questions about Islam. I somehow felt that I had found something that was always there but did not know how to find it and what it was.

Iran was to be the same. The more I traveled the more I felt drawn to the mosques and the company of the people. There was something distinctive about how the people were. At first I couldn't put my finger on it. I came from the West where I had been nurtured into a set of beliefs, values and attitude. The attitude seemed hard to shake off. The attitude that I matter, I am indispensable, I will stand on who I need to, so I may get to the top. Who is God? Does it matter? Money and prestige is more important, is it not? I felt a constant battle as I came from there, but I somehow felt I belonged here.

All the way through Iran I never felt intimidated, in fact, quite the opposite. If I had taken all the many offers of meals, accommodation, etc., I fear that I would still be there, and I would have gotten into trouble with the authorities. My visa was for one week only.

The next country was Pakistan. Here was where things got even better. The people were quite at ease and seemed happy to answer my non-stop questions on Islam. I visited more mosques. I was in more houses in Pakistan than I had probably ever been at home.

Another thing that I have always believed in before embracing Islam was pre-destination. Others may call it fate. This had led me to the next encounter of life with the Muslim people. My windscreen had broken and I ended up searching Quetta for a new one. I was directed to Tradesmen Street. There was where I met Muhammad, a motor body repairer. He kindly let me stay in his lock-up yard for five days until he could locate a windscreen. Everyday without fail he I ate at his house or he brought me food. He took me to meet the headmasters of both a public and a private school. He refused point blank that I should put my hand in my pocket to buy anything. He told me stories of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and other Islamic issues. At times I found it difficult to contain my emotions. I could not believe the hospitality I was receiving.

One occasion sticks in my mind which left me in tears and astounded. I was in Muhammad's house for lunch. There was his family there including around thirteen children. While I taught them a Scottish nursery rhyme Muhammad videotaped us together. Within minute the children who spoke no English, mastered it. When I was entering my van I heard some commotion at the end of the street. There, there were around one hundred children running towards me singing the Scottish nursery rhyme. I was surrounded as the tears ran from my cheeks with joy. It was so beautiful. Here was a stranger in a strange land and they wanted nothing from me except just to stay a little bit longer. I had to go. The following day I visited the local mosque and said my good bye with regret.

On the road to the Pakistani/Indian border I continued to read the Qur'an and still question why these people were being so nice to me but wanted nothing in return. Strange indeed.

As I said before, I was coming from the West where, in the material sense, they have everything. There was me traveling through a land with a house on wheels while around me so many people were living in squalor. If you have never had nothing you do not know what it's like, or, from my point of view, I had never experienced nothing.

My next encounter showed me the simplicity of man in relation to our Creator, Allah (s.w.t.). As I drove the Sindh region in the desert I began to become anxious to find a place off the road to park for the evening. Suddenly I came upon a simple house of clay in the middle of nowhere. I approached the house and knocked on the door. An old man answered. I said "As salaam Alaykum", he replied in kind. I asked if it was ok to park for the night? He spoke no English but acknowledged what I meant.

He invited me for tea. Immediately I became consciously aware of the simplicity of his dwelling. There was nothing which did not have a use, and everything was to a bare minimum. As I recalled the items, there was a staff carpet, a copy of al-Qur'an, a pot and a water skin. We sat on the carpet and drank tea. As he moved to the window, he left without warning with the water skin and a mat in hand. After a good five minutes had passed, I went outside. What I saw next I could only describe as 'the day the world stopped.' As the sun dropped out of the sky below the horizon, there was complete silence. The man in front of me dropped to his knees in total obedient worship to our Creator, a memory that lasts with me until this day.

I made it to India, visited more mosques and made it all the way back unscathed. I thought the people back home had changed, they had not, but I had.

It is so easy to allow yourself to be consumed by the method rather than being the method. Please allow me to elaborate. While in the East, I had accommodation, money and for once in my life, simplicity, empathy and understanding. It is not that I don't have them now. It's simply a different game with different rules and players. I tend to call it the reverse process. In simple terms, to the wonderful creations in the East, God is the important factor. It was to be my downfall back here in the West, trading god for money, or you may call it materialism. It seems easy to say now but for me anything with the word 'ISM' attached should be avoided at all costs.

No! I still had not embraced Islam. Although conscious of what I had learned, I put it on the back burner. The quest for me, which seemed more important, was accommodation, job, flat, and car. All of these don't grow on trees and, really how money becomes available never really mattered. I couldn't find a proper job. My wife who had been my constant traveling partner became just as disillusioned as I did. We had only been married a short time and even getting married to each other was ever shorter on three and a half-month. We couldn't get work; we were tired of travel and extremely tired of each other.

As things got progressively worse as we could not find work or accommodation, things were getting desperate. My wife found an advertisement in the local paper asking for a sauna receptionist. In our naiveté we both believed that a Sauna was in fact a Sauna. At the same time she got the job, I got offered some work dealing and running drugs. The sauna turned out to be a front for prostitution and it was not long before my wife decided to swap answering the telephone for the red light. We both loved the money, we both became drugs users and all seemed fantastic.

This was to be short lived. It tore us apart. We were in a web where there seemed no way out. On the one hand we needed the money to feed our cocaine habit. On the other hand, I got sick of drugs, money, prostitution, in fact, everything. We kept the company of like-minded characters that helped feed the desire for self-gratification. I tried so hard to get off the drugs. In the mean time I tried to get my wife off the prostitution. She seemed by now to love the money more than me. I would sit for many hours staring at this accumulating amount of money before my eyes with total disdain. Little did I realize that all was about to change - first for the worst.

Two weeks before 15 April 1996 two things happened simultaneously. The first thing happened after an encounter to the library. I took a book out on loan called "The Basics of Islam". Inside I found what one says when taking the Shahadah. I was lonely, desperate and searching for the right way. I had no one in this strange city to witness me taking the Shahadah. I therefore had no choice. I took my Shahadah bearing witness to Allah (s.w.t.) four times. I took the piles of money and put it in a jack in a cupboard. I flushed the remaining drugs in the toilet. I felt alive for the first time in a long time, although short lived.

My wife who had become a stranger to me arrived back that evening. I told her of the day's events. This was to be the final acclaim. We spoke little over the next two weeks. I had my plan set that I was going back east. In all this confusion we both plotted a terrible crime and the end result would be we would go together east. Everybody says I am innocent. I was set up, etc. etc. I am not going to say this at all: I am guilty of committing a horrible crime and the consequence of my action has led me serving a life sentence. My wife? She got off and now we are divorced, thank God!

I have now served three years of my sentence and expect to serve a further seven or eight years. You may well remember earlier that I said everything is pre-ordained. I have questioned on many occasions as to how did I end up here. The story says it all. Nevertheless, brothers and sisters, everything has a reason. One might ask what have you done with your time in prison? What is the future of your life? What are your hopes, dreams and aspirations?

Well, I think it goes like this. No man can run riot through the land without taking responsibility for his actions and I feel it is better to be punished in this life than in the hereafter.

When I first came to prison I was in Stoughton Jail, Edinburgh. After being processed where all details were asked for, one of the questions was what religion are you? I replied Islam. I was immediately given a Muslim diet and allowed to go to the Muslim meetings where brothers from outside came to the prison fortnightly. I recalled the first meeting as I walked into the room I held my head in shame. I couldn't stop saying why did I do that. I wept as the brothers gave me support. I by my actions created not just one victim but so many. My victim's family, friends, work associates, etc. have all been affected by my thoughtless actions. I have seen my father turned gray, my mother on anti-depression tablets and my brother too.

I will probably never ever know the real impact of my crime upon my victim, nor do I ever expect forgiveness. I am deeply sorry and ashamed of my actions.

One of the brothers in Edinburgh said to me 'you can't change the past, you can only hope to attain to be a better person in the future.' I took my Shahadah again that evening this time in front of witnesses, back in 1996.

The easy part, which may seem the hardest part, is getting accustomed to nothingness and solitude. That is one thing prison does for a man. It gives you time, plenty of it, to think. My first reaction was to think of what I had lost; not only family, friends, my respect and all of that "ISM' materialism.

Soon I lost the need for materialism. As I sit here now in the concrete tomb, I exchange my coat of materialism for spiritualism. I have embraced Islam fully, slowly, but surely. I am building up a new set of moral and ethical values. I pray five times daily as prescribed in Islam and beg Allah (s.w.t.) for forgiveness.

What have I done with my time you may ask? I have undertaken a home study course in Islamic Studies which consists of twenty booklets on various Islamic subjects, which on completion leads to five O' grades or GCSES. I have undertaken the first year of a degree course in Arabic and Islamic Studies. I read the Qur'an and the Ahadeeth of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) daily. I get immeasurable support from regular visits from the brothers from the Aberdeen Mosque. Why all these you may ask? Well, I believe in Allah (s.w.t.), I believe that good can overrule bad and only through the straight path of Islam can this be achieved.

I want to be an asset to society when I eventually leave the prison, inshallah. I hope that I may have obtained my degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies by then so as I may undertake da'awah work and hopefully get a job teaching Islamic subjects.

My short-term objective is that I may be able to obtain some correspondence with Muslims world wide in the hope that I may be able to give support and hopefully receive some too. My final hope is that I may be able to get another chance of marriage. So, if any of you out there would be interested in correspondence and/or marriage, you can contact me at the following address.

Yusuf Muhammad Ansari
Reg. No 26202
H.M. Prison
Peterhead AB42 6YY
Scotland

May Allah (s.w.t.) grant you all success in this life and in the life Hereafter, Ameen.

My short resume:



Name : Yusuf Muhammad Ansari
Age : 38
Height : 5' 7"
Weight : 11.7 stone
Appearance : Round face, beard, short hair
Current Status : Life sentence prison
Qualifications : English GCSE, Information Technology 1 + 2,
Word Processing, Math, 5 GCSE Islamic Studies,
currently undertaking Degree course in Arabic
and Islamic Studies.
Nationality : British
Caucasian : White
Marital Status : Divorced
Children : 1 daughter (no access or visiting right)
Previous
Employment : Oil rigs offshore (6 & 1/2 years)
: Helicopter landing officer
: Derrick man
: Self employed house restorer (5 years)




Sincerely yours

Yusuf Muhammad Ansari

Aug. 3rd, 1999

[cool_jannah]

Subhanallah!
Allah guides whom He wants!
Thats how people come into Islam
really the kuffar are deprived of this beautiful religion of Islam...
May Allah always keep us on this religion of Haq...and let us die in the state of Islam

[khadijah06]

When we say Allah guides whom he wants we mean that Allah opens up your eyes and allows you to see the truth. Not everyone will be guided because some people do not want to accept the truth. It may be staring them in the face and yet people come up with every excuse in the book not to accept Islam.

[HeiGou]

When we say Allah guides whom he wants we mean that Allah opens up your eyes and allows you to see the truth. Not everyone will be guided because some people do not want to accept the truth. It may be staring them in the face and yet people come up with every excuse in the book not to accept Islam.

Hmm, yes. But it is a little more confusing for Kafirs. After all Allah knew at the moment of Creation whether I would become a Muslim or not. He created the situation I am in, the people I have met and the arguments I have heard because that is the way He wanted it. As part of His plan He has decided if I will become a Muslim or not. And He did so several billion years ago.

So it looks as if I have a choice, but of course I do not. God has decided and only God knows. So the only question left for a kafir like me is whether God has decided to make me a Muslim or not.

[khadijah06]

Yes but you have free choice. If you would of told me 3 years ago that i would be a Muslim i would have never of believed you. I can not answer why you are not muslim because only Allah knows BUT you have the ability to find out and learn about Islam now, as you never know what tomorrow may bring.
You have the choice to say, yes I'm going to be muslim, or no i dont believe in God. Of course Allah knows what decision you will make but at the end of the day you still have that choice.

[Duhaa]

What do you mean?
No offence but I dont understand the point you made.

[Nσσя'υℓ Jαииαн]

Whatever decision you make, or whatever path you take, Allah knows the outcomes of them. Allah does not guide those who do not wish to be guided, I think.

Massalaaama

[Hemoo]

:sl: brothers and sisters

check out these stories of people converts to islam

here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5K9_639nrc

you will find more than a 10 videos concerning this issue

and here is an european Scientist converts to islam (note that he used to be an atheist)

Media Tags are no longer supported

[ranma1/2]

IM sure that the reasons why someone converts to islam are similar to why the deconvert or perhaps convert to christianity, or buddhism, or atheism, or agnostism, or bahai, or hinduism etc...

Of course why someone starts off in a particular area is usually related to what their family is, where they live, social background, upbringing among other things.

[khushnood]

These Stories Are Really Very Inspiring,mashallah,thanks For Posting.

[Hemoo]

you will see that it is really a big difference when you listen to those people converted to islam

they are talking with real emotions and the faith has entered deep in their hearts.

i know that the more that you learn about islam the more you love it and be convinced with it.

and if you are not a muslim then the more you learn about your false faith the more you will know you are wrong.

that is the big difference between the truth and falseness

[Hemoo]

Video

Jewish family in occupied Palestine converts to Islam

Audio

Jewish women is talking about her feelings after she converted to Islam

[Mustafa Sharif]

:sl:
I choose all because i like al of it .. and i would have choosen Yusuf Islam..
But Thanks 4 that.. Idear..

[Hemoo]

brothers and sisters watch this video

it made my tears come down because of the tone of sincerity on this new brother's voice.

note that you must go to the youtube site to be able to watch this video, to do so click the download video or here

Media Tags are no longer supported

[ibrarfaiz]

there are many other who have a story to tell of converting to islam who are even bigger celebrties but very faithful

For example, jermaine jackson who took the masala with him to the big brother house and read all 5 of his namaaz

Also danny williams a heavy weight champion boxer who is now a faithful muslim who was seen praying in his locker room for 7 hours straight

[shania13]

find stories of convets here http://wiki.islamedia.ws/index.php?t...egory:Converts

[yahia12]

non of them.

Michael jaksons brother jeramaine jackson is good story :)

[Hemoo]

brothers and sisters, check this

islam is really reaching every where in the world as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) predicted.

TV Report: 4000 Germans Converted To ISLAM in 2006

note that the video is in German language.

Media Tags are no longer supported

[adeel]

Yusuf Islam's story is quite similar to Babal Ali from Ummah Film.

[Kittygyal]

Salamualikum.
Well to the thread title i would answer as i am a revert to Islam, i would highly state how and why i reverted in short inshallah.
I reverted because i found Islam the correct religion for me and to ease my pains and difficulty away, To find the love which i was trying to grasp and to have someone there with me at all times. I reverted by reciting the Shadah.
I am a muslim now and i am happy i am a muslim. I love allah subhwnatallah ALOT it's hard to say within words but it's all in heart! Subhnallah.
Ma'assalama

[BanGuLLy]

WHAT ABOUT KHALID YASIN...he's my favourite..

[khairullah]

Why and How Non Muslims convert to Islam?

Allah (SWT) will answer this question:

"When comes the Help of God, and Victory, you will see the people enter God's Religion (ISLAM) in crowds..." [110:1:2]

[khairullah]

Why and How Non Muslims convert to Islam

Allah (SWT) will answer you:

"This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds," And ye shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while."

[038:087-088]

[khairullah]

When comes the Help of God, and Victory, you will see the people enter God's Religion (ISLAM) in crowds, [110:1:2]

[Ali.]

Wow, these stories are very interesting!
My Dad told me about Cat Stephens a while ago, and when I saw his pictures, I was like :O!
Islam is the way to go, in my school when they teach Islam in my class, some non-Muslims or Christians or whatever get quite interested in it. The media makes it harder for them to convert in my opinion, they take us as devils.
Allahu Ukbur!

[abdulmomin]

Assalamualekum,
I completely agree, it takes a lot of comittment and an inner drive for a person to take such a bold step, the only way it can be initiated is by making him/her face the absolute reality, making them realize that its NOT just another way to salvation or just another way to life. It is THE ONLY true path to identify and embrace! Praise be to Allah
http://www.quransharif.info

[sojourner]

brothers and sisters watch this video

it made my tears come down because of the tone of sincerity on this new brother's voice.

note that you must go to the youtube site to be able to watch this video, to do so click the download video or here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cdQNTnjDWw

This video is apparently no longer available...where can i find it?

[jouju]

thanks for these stories

[Rare Rose]

Allah bless them

[truemuslim]

Assalamu Alaikum, here is a story of some converts that hated islam and were preachers or preaches...lol... Mashallah, subhannallah, im so HAPPY!:D

here is the website, but the video doesnt work on mine, maybe it'll work on yours, if not, just read the thing under it... vvveerrryy looooong..but amazing, and it says how to purify the heart...lovely!!!

http://www.islamtomorrow.com/yusuf/p...ers.htm#9steps

:w: :sunny::sunny::sunny::D:D:D















mods, this may sound a bit against islam in the beginning, but read the rest...its not...:D

[Danah]

subhan allah, Allah guide whoever he want

jazak allah khari for the post

[Hamayun]

Salam
I know Br. Abdur-Rahmeen Green personally. He does a lot of Da'wah for the ICC.
Mashallah, hes a good brother.
Wassalam

Mashallah! I would love to meet Mr Green. Seen his speeches on Peace TV.

[czgibson]

Greetings,

I'm not sure how Yusuf Islam, whose occupation (musician) is directly concerned with haraam activity, can be held up as some sort of inspirational figure for Muslims.

Peace

[Uthman]

Greetings czgibson,

I'm not sure how Yusuf Islam, whose occupation (musician) is directly concerned with haraam activity, can be held up as some sort of inspirational figure for Muslims.

As far as I'm aware, he doesn't use musical instruments in his songs anymore. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. :)

[czgibson]

Greetings,

As far as I'm aware, he doesn't use musical instruments in his songs anymore. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. :)

This is no longer true. He did give up on instruments for a long time, but returned to them in 2006.

Here is a link to his website, where you can find out what he's up to now. It's also possible to find recent clips of him performing on YouTube. He has also written an article attempting to justify his use of instruments in the context of his belief in Islam. Let me know if it's OK to provide a link to that.

Peace

[Nick]

As a non-Muslim, reading these stories is inspiring. It seems that people from all walks of life are affected by Islam. What is it that draws so many to a religion they knew little about before they converted?

[Uthman]

Greetings,

This is no longer true. He did give up on instruments for a long time, but returned to them in 2006.

Here is a link to his website, where you can find out what he's up to now. It's also possible to find recent clips of him performing on YouTube. He has also written an article attempting to justify his use of instruments in the context of his belief in Islam. Let me know if it's OK to provide a link to that.

Hmmm...that's interesting. I never knew that. I would be interested in seeing that article. I don't think it would be against forum rules but it's your call. :)

Regards

[Uthman]

Greetings Nick,

As a non-Muslim, reading these stories is inspiring. It seems that people from all walks of life are affected by Islam. What is it that draws so many to a religion they knew little about before they converted?

That's a very interesting question. Many people who convert to Islam often describe a feeling of 'returning home', as though they have returned to the natural path. This is supported by the Islamic concept of Fitrah which states that everybody is born with belief in the oneness of God (Tawheed - the very root of Islam) but it is only afterwards that they deviate from this belief.

Regards

[seeker-of-light]

i want to say the shahadah soon so i can officialy convert to islam:)

[suffiyan007]

mashaallah....!

[Fishman]

mashaallah....!

:sl:
Eat your heart out Jurassic Park, this thread has been resurrected twice!
:w:

[Hamza Asadullah]

These are some Amazing clips from converts to Islam from around the world and their stories of their journeys to Islam and advice they give! Very interesting and thought provoking!!ENJOY!

Converts story: "I had NO choice except to convert to Islam"!!!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N48Ymn...eature=related

Amazing Convert Story (part 1 of 2)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CFFGYe...eature=related

Amazing Convert Story (part 2 of 2)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j9yaxD...eature=related

British Catholic Priest Converted To ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ATgemj...eature=related

Laura Jewish American Lady Converted To ISLAM.flv

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dw494n...eature=related

Jewish girl converts to islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=23Z1MH...eature=related

Jewish Convert To Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Lced3E...eature=related

Jews and Christians Convert to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rHhi5X...eature=related

Joseph Cohen Judaism to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2e7N2X...eature=related

Christian girl converted to ISLAM in Australia

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=E6SCIMCjf-0&NR=1

New sister from Australian Converted to ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9kzbZs...eature=related

Australian man talks about Accepting Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TpUMcN...eature=related

2 Australia Men & 1 lady Revert to Islam - Br. Khalid Yasin

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YHtvvO...eature=related

My Choice by 5 Australian Reverts 1 of 3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8xujvV...eature=related

My Choice by 5 Australian Reverts 2 of 3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nQlofi...eature=related

My Choice by 5 Australian Reverts 3 of 3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_CyHp1...eature=related

22 new Australians convert to Islam .. Live !

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RhULtH...eature=related

Why I chose to convert to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=x2XAq7...eature=related

British Judge Marlyn moringten converted to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eQGlqk...eature=related

Science students in america convert to islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HFfRSU...eature=related

White Lady from California converts to Islam and covers face

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AIin5w...eature=related

American Christian Converts to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wTYegp...eature=related

American girls Conversion to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BNrPS8...eature=related

US TV! CONVERT TO ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOpcj...eature=related

American teen reverted to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OPwV5O...eature=related

Choosing Islam - Converts Tell Their Stories 1/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GrM5VC...eature=related

Choosing Islam - Converts Tell Their Stories 2/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YotJlC...eature=channel

Choosing Islam - Converts Tell Their Stories 3/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=f-WG8a...eature=channel

Islam my choice Peace tv show (New revert muslim stories)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwKAX...eature=related

WHY I REVERTED TO ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ljxKyq...next=1&index=3

Why Rob Chose Islam?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Am0lYy...eature=channel

From Catholic to Atheist to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IHuiFW...eature=related

Isa Christian revert to Islam explains why he embraced Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=omEuV5...eature=related

Ex Racist Christian found the Beauty of ISLAM .. Part 1.flv

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0txOlg...eature=related

Ex Racist Christian found the Beauty of ISLAM .. Part 2.flv

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=73TAE_...eature=related

Fox News Youth Christian Americans Turning To ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jXuI5R...eature=related

Converted Muslims in the USA.Texas (englisch) 1

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1WT5e5...eature=related

Converted Muslims in the USA.Texas (englisch) 2

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=D5C3oV...eature=related

Some converted muslims in texas usa.part 3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FTcJEg...eature=related

CNN video 5 million converted to islam in usa

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=26jWX1...eature=related

Lisa from USA converted to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q5mqNI...eature=related

Islam & Latinos

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qG7hrl...eature=related

Thousands Hispanics converted to ISLAM in USA

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P9pru_...eature=related

(Spanish) Lia Rojas story of Islam (New Muslim)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-vDanz...eature=related

Latinos Leaving Church and Turnning to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PgS_ir...eature=related

Spanish Muslim women talks about Muslims women rights

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t_xiuv...eature=related

Mexican lady from christianity to islam - part 1/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=upUat7...eature=related

Mexican lady from christianity to islam - part 2/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7qwdBP...eature=related

Mexican lady from christianity to islam - part 3/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cfMYH2...eature=related

Mexican Lisa & Norma say Shahadah

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=avzMCY...eature=related

Colombian Turns to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cpalDv...eature=related

Shahada Sister Mariam in Colombia

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mxDXYR...eature=related

Maria(Colombian girl) became Muslim just by 1 conversation

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hG6Ocq...eature=related

Many Latinos Convert Daily To ISLAM .. Live From Venezuela !

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=onw80x...eature=related

LATIN AMERICAN WOMAN REVERTED TO ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SyRV3k...eature=related

CANADIAN GIRL REVERTED TO ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uHsUoF...eature=related

Nicole Queen: Converts after seeing Youtube videos on Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=khjtrI...eature=related

Michael Jackson has converted to Islam on 21st November 2008- (Secret behind)-Full story

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BD5tqR...eature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2aclDg...eature=related

Jermaine Jackson Talks about Islam 2/2

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8d8TzH...eature=related

Islam and NBA Superstar

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v7LeIn...eature=related

Napoleon from Outlawz accepts Islam!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uqkje...eature=related

Advice to the Muslims: Former "Napolean" from Outlawz

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nFRMi0...eature=related

Napolean: Darkness 2 Light

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8qJ4kr...eature=related

Mike Tyson interview about islam muslim

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-y6oO1...eature=related

Converted to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd0qh2yTx74&NR=1

An Interview with Muslim Revert Rapper - Tyson

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=x0zTyN...eature=related

Holland TV_ISLAM fastest spreading Faith among Youth Germans

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VDSTdy...eature=related

A whole German Family Reverts to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=h2aDDe...eature=related

German man converts islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t2f-DM...eature=related

Christian German converts to islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fVLiUR...eature=related

Germany converts to ISLAM with English subtitles

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ETYWFm...eature=related

"Suddenly I knew this is the Truth" German convert to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QewL6I...eature=related

Abdullah German: Convert to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcpbyL...eature=related

"JESUS was like a bridge" German convert to ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KjYwcb...eature=related

TV Report: 4000 Germans Converted To ISLAM Last Year!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=B310QU5gxlE

FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND DECIDE... - German convert to ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh5sDc...eature=related

ALLAH AKBAR a German Ex-Boxer convert to Islam - ENGLISH

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kAT6wA...eature=related

TV Report: French Muslims Growing in Number Rapidly

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OqOvtJ...eature=related

TV Report: More Christians Convert To ISLAM in France

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Sttxum...eature=related

Three French Ladies Convert To ISLAM .. Live !

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S57wn2...eature=related

Sister Tanya from Canada explains how she became Muslim

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bYJdkR...eature=related

Madelin from Canada converted to ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=b60yRx...eature=related

Canadian convert finds peace and logic in Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VbV4O4...eature=related


I am Free

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pB3Lqk...eature=related

Hijab and Update on my journey through islam!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8scGda...eature=related

Beauty behind hijab and being free

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xg-sg...eature=related

Rachel finds Islam, from Christianity to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8H9qBO...eature=related

British non muslim girl converted to islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=53xM0Z...eature=related

Christian British girl converts to Islam

Catholic american woman converted to Islam after sept 11

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJn47...eature=related

Six christian Ladies converting to Islam .. Live

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ82Ui...eature=related

A Group of Revert Sisters from Philadelphia

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nOXrl1...eature=related

How Noor Saadeh (Noorart) became Muslim 1/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=27XXbi...eature=related

How Noor Saadeh (Noorart) became Muslim 2/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SDfQAr...eature=related

How Noor Saadeh (Noorart) became Muslim 3/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp4TEg...eature=related

Christian Catholic Becoming Muslim

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lOsXV8...eature=related

Shannon Says her Shahada (New Muslim)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YwJnEE...eature=related

Revert Stories

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tD_rPa...eature=related

Rashidah Becomes Muslim After her Brother and Father

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-dJsJT...eature=related

Thousands of Danish convert to Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kru6XQ...eature=related

Danish Sister Louise Converts to Islam #7 part 1 of 3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2UT9F-...eature=related

irish american converted to islam.Part 1 Of 2

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eZwSzW...eature=related

Christian Professor Converts To ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rq57_k...eature=related

Finnish Science Researcher Converts To ISLAM in Dubai

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eesHQWGyXbk&NR=1

KATIA - RUSSIAN CONVERT TO ISLAM 1

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vUxefl...eature=related

Miraculous Islam Story of Alicia

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UuJafu...eature=related

A Whole family become Muslims

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A_8Z2d...eature=related

Hindu girl broke her God by hammer and converted to Islam!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4l6nFY...eature=related

Buddhist becomes Muslim

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LRKUGq...eature=related

English- Philippine Christian Zainab story of Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6w5PAb...eature=related

An African American becoming Muslim

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=y1EmJo...eature=related

TURNING TO ISLAM,MICKHAIL LONDON.(20/01/2008)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jmX1-u...eature=related

US Sergeant converts to Islam, Marries Iraqi woman

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2zRmRJ...eature=related

37 Korean Troops Convert To ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JjB2g8...eature=related

two koreans converted to islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4J0qQ...eature=related

Japanese Women Turning To ISLAM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L7PIOhK-SgA

6 people convert to islam CHECK THIS AMAZING VIDEO

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8wvK9...eature=related

british kids converted to Islam.Amazing! Part 1 of 10(download all 10 parts)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WT_0to...eature=related

Christian boy Henry (13 yrs old) embraces Islam

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjw3eo...eature=related


"JUST THE QUR'AN, this is what convinced me!"- ISLAM CONVERT

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0c4y8V...7C0CF8&index=2

[Intisar]

:sl: *Threads merged*

[NazariteofEhyah]

Shalama,

That's moving and good to hear. I myself am a Nazarite/Nazarene and am living and ever changing life!

[Woodrow]

It is often very surprisjng at how us Reverts found our way to Islam. It is very rarely because of the influence of Muslim friends. It can only be thought of as awakening from a deep sleep. I think the only things we have in common are a desire to serve Allaah(swt) and it also seems with most of us reading the Qur'an played an important part.

[Silver]

I think the only things we have in common are a desire to serve Allaah(swt) and it also seems with most of us reading the Qur'an played an important part.

Yes, reading the Quran plays an important part.

My grandfather told me a few days ago about a man he knew. The man was a lawyer and wanted to read the Quran because he thought it would improve his arabic and help him in court. After he finished reading, he converted to Islam.
Unfortunately, the maronite religious leaders of the area where he lived got so angrythat they accused him of committing crimes he did not do and he went to prison. (they can do that, religious leaders are very powerful in Lebanon)

[Tara x]

Converting to Islam depends on many factors I know of someone who converted to Islam after reading some books and attendin the masjid...
Mashallah :)

[Hamza Asadullah]

Watch these Amazing clips of Scientists talking about the Scientific Miracles of the Quran-meaning that god teaching us about his creations 1423 years ago which science has just discovered recently! ENJOY:

Prof. of Mathematics (Ex-Atheist) on Accepting Islam 1/3

Part 1



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z73ohM_Rjw

Part 2



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5P6iwgbey4

Part 3



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Ak-mNpF3Q

Christian Professor Converts To ISLAM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0SYAZhvNfo



Dr.Webber from England converts to ISLAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nmnCQ2wyMQ



Science students in america convert to islam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFfRSUZU5dU



Czech Scientist Reverts to Islam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-40BVvmOU



A German Physician and His Wife Converted to Islam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0z3yagVYqQ



The Scientific Precision of the Qur'an by Professor Z. Al Najjar speaking at lecture theatre at University Hospital Wales,UK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prNdIGq8gAU



Yusuf Estes - Science proves Quran is from Allah 1/7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_u5bkXHuJE



Yusuf Estes - Science proves Quran is from Allah 2/7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9OMQyBKp3M



Yusuf Estes - Science proves Quran is from Allah 3/7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j-OMyA7QzY



Yusuf Estes - Science proves Quran is from Allah 4/7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoBL874ttUI



Yusuf Estes - Science proves Quran is from Allah 5/7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-F_i4cU_H8



Yusuf Estes - Science proves Quran is from Allah 6/7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZHTUYz0DbQ



Yusuf Estes - Science proves Quran is from Allah 7/7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfI5mnGcdZM



The Qur'an Leads The Way To Science

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpwPBd9dmpk



One of the Miracles of the Quran explained by Yusuf Estes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcFIQgdFXEY



List of muslim scientists By Dr Zakir Naik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox2iZOKStCk



The Qur'an & The Modern Science - Dr. Maurice Bucaille (1/7)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaSfE1DW2-w



The Qur'an & The Modern Science - Dr. Maurice Bucaille (2/7)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0TnKrlHlN4



The Qur'an & The Modern Science - Dr. Maurice Bucaille (3/7)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl2Vt99Fvx4



The Qur'an & The Modern Science - Dr. Maurice Bucaille (4/7)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gy6h0r2C9s



The Qur'an & The Modern Science - Dr. Maurice Bucaille (5/7)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feUJolqCf7k



The Qur'an & The Modern Science - Dr. Maurice Bucaille (6/7)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIO_37yZeW8



The Qur'an & The Modern Science - Dr. Maurice Bucaille (7/7)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEkB2Pb_ZmI



The Amazing Miracles of the Quran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfRUItDYwD8



The Amazing Qur'an

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zATtBLSOpec



Layers of the Earth,Miracles of the Quran.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNSxQL_XUg



Miracles of Qur'an

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akdd0TNMCuA




Fingerprints- The Holy Qur'an & Science

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SusM5esmxn8



Discovery Channel Proves the Qur'an to be the word of God !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIslvqd6hlc



The Wonders of Islamic Science (1/2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUWyepfZ8EI



The Wonders of Islamic Science (2/2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLenAHYlvHQ



Science and the Koran: The Golden Age

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpRRnuuSBhw



Muslim Scientists

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI8r91TUIgs



Islam, Muslim Tech Contributions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILKt9EhlCS4



Miracle of The Qur'an- Mathematical discovery! must see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fZIQwnOMCM



What Scientists Said About Quran !!!A MUST SEE 4 EVERYONE!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUA_G5-2KVI



Ultimate Mathematics of the Quran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjtetxrvu18




Mathematical miracles in the Quran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdQ0t1wfSe4




How to derive Scientific Laws from The Quran? By Dr Zaid Kasim Mohammed Ghazawi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxEFofQtaJY



ISLAM MIRACLES- MUST SEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJFLxFBv9Ds



Islamic Miracle using Google Earth 1/2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1K4ItoJ3vw



Islamic Miracle using Google Earth 2/2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvt6ulCrQto



It will shock you one of the Quran miracles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86rRXyUMv9I



The concept of science based on the Qur'an

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVGEeUyNgK0



The Most Amazing Scientific Miracles Of Quran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHN4JqtWnss



Amazing Scientific Quran/Islamic Miracles(Real footages)&Understand Islam in Few Minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5W26PsSC3M



Science in Islamic History

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JQbXQB76Yw


Miracles of The Qur'an,THREE STAGES OF THE BABY IN THE WOMB.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic-7wJnXOu8


Miracles of the Quran, EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3qY1Avpg0



Science Miracles In The Quran A MUST SEE Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xharXBVmKcg



Science Miracles In The Quran A MUST SEE Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qgxseLrgm4


Prominent Scientists Testify To Scientific Facts in Quran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjZElaBLfa0


Mystery of Iron- The Holy Qur'an & Science

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOnBKQixodY



Quran, Science & the Last Day By Dr Munir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEJDViuV6KM


What Scientists Said About Quran !!!A MUST SEE 4 EVERYONE!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUA_G5-2KVI



British Catholic Priest Converted To ISLAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn0iPlWQNlI



Can God have a son? Yusuf Estes-convert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NB0n5nPP90



Old christian documents proof Jesus wasn't God but a prophet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjGNTayqz7w




Why ISLAM? The reasons for someone to accept ISLAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC3vEPJb8VI



Converts to Islam from all over the world - Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g73R8LRdtsU



Converts to Islam from all over the world - Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsCc0dHwlyE