During worship services as my Christian church, I have always felt such a strong urge to bow down to God. Sometimes I do this even though it is very unusual. Sometimes I feel the presence of God so strongly that I have to fall to my knees with my head on the floor and give honor to the Creator of Heaven and Earth -- the God of everything -- the One God -- the Only God. And I sing -- THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU.
In the US, we have been shielded from Islam for many generations. Until now, people like me have grown up all their lives without knowing a THING about Islam other than the lies we are told. But you can't always blame the people who tell the lies because they are only repeating lies that were told to them as truth and they now believe they are telling the truth -- they are only ignorant, not necessarily evil.
Most of us have grown up not knowing anything about Islam, usually not even really knowing the difference between Islam, Muslim, Hindu, Buddist, etc... It's true -- most of us don't know a single thing about any of these other religions other than the fact that they are NOT Christian, which in this culture, pretty much amounts to being evil tools of the devil.
I don't say that to stir up contention -- only to explain.
Most of us learn to fear anything that is different than what we've been taught. We learn that different beliefs are very dangerous and that they will slip into your spirit and take you over and the next thing you know you'll be burning in a devil's hell for being deceived by false religion.
So we are not only shielded form information about non-Christian religions, we are taught to fear the very act of even questioning or investigating other religions. We are taught that to open a sacred text other than the Bible is opening yourself up to infectious ideas that will trap you like drugs and drag you into deception. We are taught that it is only safe to blind yourself from any information about other religions, particularly Islam.
But God will come to those he chooses, regardless of the barriers that ignorant men have built up around them.
I started thinking about Islam from many directions. First, I wondered about the people our government was demonizing and what purpose they had in doing that. Then in reading and researching the Middle East on topics of politics and culture I learned more about Islam.
What is Islam? I wondered. So I looked at some videos and took out a copy of the Qu'ran I had in my library and read some passages in it. I was very surprised to find that Allah was not a false god but that he was the ONE God -- the God of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Jacob, Jesus. Then I researched Israel and the history of Zionism.
I began to see that Muslims were the seed of Abraham and that Islam was the only truly mono-theistic religion and that Muslims were a people under attack from all sides.
At the same time, I was full of despair from living in the pornographic West. Even though I seemed alone in my beliefs I was deeply offended by the immodesty of our culture and the behavior of a society immersed in deviant sexuality. I couldn't understand how people were able to accept things as common place that were so blatantly, disgustingly perverted. Everywhere you go there are unclothed women and young girls deliberately acting in ways designed specifically to seduce men... not just one man -- any man. Clothing that was designed by prostitutes for one purpose -- to illicit sexual arousal in any and every man they pass by. And the whole society laughing and making jokes about it.. laughing and making jokes about adultry and infidelity and deceit. While my entire society had embraced these things I was profoundly offended by them.
And so I searched for a style of clothing that allowed me to respect myself as a Godly woman and yet was beautiful. I became interested in Middle Eastern clothing and first bought a sari. Then I shopped online and found a salwar kameez. After that, I bought a pantsuit with longer top. Then I bought a jilbab.
That day I felt truly at ease and beautiful, not only in the eyes of my husband but in the eyes of God.
Meanwhile I read more about Islam. But I didn't know much about Muhammed until just the other day when I started watching the documentary "The Prophet Muhammed." That's when I felt things changing in my heart.
I have already said that I believe God is the one God, the only God and that there is no God but God. I believe that God is Allah, the God of Abraham. I also believe that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary by a miracle wrought by the hands of God. Whether or not that makes him a "son" is sort of a technicality. And now I am seeing what a beautiful human being that Muhammed was and also that the message he brought was from God.
I also have a hard time going to the Christian church of which I am a member. I feel very lonely there and it is difficult for me to overlook the hypocrisy of present day 'Christianity.' I know there are many very sincere individuals in the faith and they are ignorant of the horrendous uses of what is now called Christianity. They don't know that their government uses their platform to gain the power they need to continue the mass atrocities presently occurring around the world, especially in Muslim countries. But I know. And because I know it is difficult for me to sit quietly.
And then I find that the Prophet Muhammed was very clear about our obligation to speak out against injustice when we see it. He was clear about charity and helping others.
I have been a humanitarian worker in social justice for years. My husband and I have a humanitarian project where we work with one of the poorest communities in the world.
What I'm starting to realize is that, even though I am a member of a Christian church and have not made a public stand otherwise, that I am a Muslim in my heart. And I am starting to realize that I have been a Muslim in many ways for a long time and just did not know it.
Yes, I am a Muslim.
NOW WHAT DO I DO?
My husband is a Christian minister. He does not really know the extent that my faith has changed. But I know he is drawn to Islam as well. He loves the dishdasha I bought for him and has asked me to get him the head covering as well. He loves the book I have here called "Caravan of Deams" by Idries Shah. He loves the modest clothing I wear and he cries whenever we watch videos showing the persecution of Muslim people.
I have ordered the documentary on the Prophet Muhammed that I am watching on youtube so that my husband and I can sit down and watch it all together in it's entirety.
I am kind of scared of how this will all work out. It's such a major step -- such a huge change. Especially when our entire lives have been lived pretty much in the Christian community.
I wish I had more posts here so I could correspond with someone on a more regular basis.
I really wouldn't mind getting email so if anyone feels led to write to me, my address is: Removed -email address, use send email on profile
Salaam,
caroline -- just another slave of Allah
Last edited by Woodrow; 12-17-2007 at 04:59 AM.
Reason: removed email
Salaam
My name is Hussain by reading your story i give you credit from all directions and to your husband. Ive come across so many reverts but your story or should i say a big change in life has to be the best out of them all. This was written for you before you was even born or should i say before we were even created. Let me tell you one thing i know it is hard for you to expose what is in you hearts but when you have faith in the One and Only Allah nothing can harm you.Accept islam fully and openly before it is too late because you dont no when death can come it could be just round the corner. I dont need to tell you how beautifull Islam is you no that yourself. If your Husband is still in two minds or has doubts about coming into islam tell him to research on Dr Zakir Naik. Thats as much as i can say at the moment just keep praying to Allah the One and Only because everyting happens from his permission.
I feel so hurt right now. I just watched some videos by Dr. Zakir Naik and some of the things he said were very disturbing. He said that he thought Osama Bin Laden right as long as he is terrorizing the terrorists and that he is following the Qu`ran by doing so. Then he said that every Muslim should be a terrorist because the Qu`ran demands it. I also read that he believes that apostates should be executed.
This hurts me.
Then I find out that female adulterers are also executed. But what about male adulterers -- are they executed as well?
Sr.Caroline,
Dr.Zakir Naik debates (focussing more on inter faith discussions), and thats what he does. I don't think you should be listening to such lectures, if you want to learn islam. Personally I have never heard Dr.Zakir Naik say anything like that explicitly. Perhaps you misinterpreted it.
If you want to learn islam, I would suggest you to first start with the Qur'an. Everything else is just a commentary on Qur'an.
I also have been sharing more with my husband. He is really scared, I can see that. He is so sure about things then when he looks in the Bible to find it and it's not there he gets such a confused look on his face.
Then he turns on his gospel music to sooth him and last night I thought about our conversations about music and suddenly saw how the music played on our emotions and swayed us in one direction...
Hmmm...
Excuse me if this sounds ignorant. Based on your above statement, I would conclude that if there is something missing in you, turning to music relieves you. Perhaps thats why its recommended not to turn to music in Islam, but rather turn to the one Allah.
Thank you. I agree that he is not someone I can listen to. Perhaps I did misunderstand him but I don't think so. For now I will say that I might have misunderstood him.
Honestly, the first time I heard that music was, how do you say, haraam? I thought, "Oh that's crazy." I have praised God with music all my life. But I do now see that music can sway someone by their emotions and that it's not good to make decisions based on emotions. I understand the thought. I will probably continue to be a musician, using it for the glory of God, but I will be a lot more sensitive about the power of music and the responsibility that goes along with it. Of course, if God speaks to my heart I will give it up to Him.
Meanwhile I think I will stop watching those videos. It's just like watching any religious speakers, you get so many different ideas and... well, it's just not good.
The truth is that I want to be Muslim. And I'm probably trying really hard to find the things I want to hear. I want to make sure that I'm not doing this out of infatuation with what I think Islam is, but that it is truly where God is leading me.
One other thing -- prayer. I pray very spontaneously to God and sing to Him a lot. Is this allowed or encouraged in Islam? I know you are expected to follow a certain form during prayer times but, can you pray with your own words from you own heart during those times as well? I often talk to God the same as I am talking now. I want to always have a close personal relationship with him. I do not dishonor him... I worship him with all my heart and soul, often on my face before him (I have even done this in Christian churches). But I do talk to him as an advisor, a guide, the one I love and live for.
I guess to some extent I can understand that music is something that can lead someone towards the destination, but music by itself isnt the one.
I guess you are going a little fast lol. You should perhaps slow down a bit and start with the basics. I strongly suggest that you read the english translation of Qur'an. You should also read the stories of Jesus (as) and Muhammad(saws) from an islamic standpoint. That would help clear up so many things. Please PLEASE have a look at www.anwary-islam.com . They have brief version of the stories of the different prophets in Islam and also the companions and wives of Muhammad(saws)
To answer your question about prayer, there are 2 different things in Islam, one is SALAT (which translates to the 5 daily prayers) and the other one is DUA (which translates to supplication). While there are specific rules on how to do Salat, there is nothing for Dua. Dua can be in your own language (there are some in arabic too, which people memorize) and can be done anywhere and anytime, like while driving, eating and even before using the bathroom!
As far as salat is concerned, it has different steps that needs to be followed in a particular order. Having said that, I know some new muslims who tend to say their salat in english translation until they learn arabic.
As per my understanding, the reason that Salat is made compulsory for every human is because humans tend to forget to pray (or even God) while everything is fine. They only turn to God when something bad happens. Even with salat made compulsory, there are quite a lot of muslims who dont pray regularly sadly.
try learning the meaning of our salah (prayer) recitation...and you will understand how beautiful is our salah is
25:36 And the true servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk the earth with humility and when the ignorant address them, they respond with words of peace.
Then I find out that female adulterers are also executed. But what about male adulterers -- are they executed as well? oh:
I'm always really perplexed about this emphasis on the female. It's always talked about 'female adulterers' when Islam actually makes no distinction between male and female in punishment. I remember reading an article by a westerner who went to Saudi and wrote about how 'women are not allowed to sit next to men on the bus' and 'women are not allowed to shake men's hands'. If you think about that for a moment, the reality is that men and women occupy separate sections of the bus, and that the opposite sexes don't shake hands. But they have to put it in a way that makes it seem it's because Muslims hate women.
Anyway, it is true that in the prophetic tradition, although not in the qur'an, the punishment of adultery is death. There are extremely stringent conditions though, for example that the act must be witnessed by four reliable Muslims, and when I say 'the act' I don't mean that the witnesses can testify that two naked people were rolling around the floor. I mean that they must swear that they witnessed penetration. Forgive my bluntness. In reality, this is almost impossible unless the unhappy couple chose to do their dirty business in public. [Islamically we are warned against snooping or spying on people, and never to go looking in windows or open doorways. Indeed, it is the practice of my Muslim friends that when they knock on the door they stand to one side so that when I open it they don't see inside.] If anyone should testify that they witnessed an act of adultery and this is not backed up by other witnesses or a confession, that person should be flogged and their testimony disregarded ever after. So you can see it is not a light matter in Islam.
Furthermore, there are hadiths of the Prophet pbuh which show that adultery was not a charge that was pursued relentlessly like we get the impression it is in countries like Iran and Saudi these days. If one should suspect a fellow Muslim of adultery or fornication, it is absolutely forbidden to mention it to anyone as this is counted as backbiting. [Backbiting is an extremely grave matter in Islam, it is warned against in the quran and also hadith literature, and is compared to 'eating the flesh of your dead brother'.] When a person came to the Prophet pbuh and made a confession of adultery, the Prophet pbuh turned away from him and refused to listen, and then gave the man lots of opportunities to excuse himself, like asking 'maybe you weren't of sound mind at the time? maybe you didn't go all the way?' etc., until the man insisted he had committed adultery and wanted the punishment. So they took him away, and later a companion came back to the Prophet pbuh and said 'he ran away while being stoned but we chased him and brought him back'. The Prophet pbuh said 'you should have let him go.'
... Then he turns on his gospel music to sooth him and last night I thought about our conversations about music and suddenly saw how the music played on our emotions and swayed us in one direction...
Hmmm...
One thing that I remember about my becoming a Christian and then my experiences as such, that it was all very emotional. I grew up as a Baptist and I remember the fire-and-brimstone sermons and being reminded of my sins and imperfection as a human. When I realized (as a teenager) that my sins distanced me from the Glory of God and that there was no other way for forgiveness of those sins but to believe that Jesus (as) was the Son of God, that he lived a blemish-free life and that he died a horrible death on the cross, then for my redemption I accepted Jesus (as) as my personal Lord and Savior.
... and, yes, I remember the deeply moving Gospel songs such as "Amazing Grace", "Mansion on a Hilltop", "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder", "Have Thine Own Way", "How Great Thou Art", "I'll Fly Away", "Washed in the Blood" and "The Old Rugged Cross". Singing each of these songs was such a powerful emotional experience for me.
I also remeber partaking of communion and the grief that I felt that Jesus (as) had to die such a demeaning death for lowly me. When I ate the unleavened bread, I rememberd the beatings, the crown of thorns and the nails being driven through his hands and feet. When I drank the grape juice, I rememberd the blood and water that flowed when the soldier pierced his side. The object of my worship as a Christian was clearly on Jesus.
Then 26 years ago as a senior in college (had a Muslim dorm mate) I read the protions of the Qur'an that related to Jesus (as), Mary, and other people from the Bible such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Zachariah (peace be upon them all). At first I strongly objected to what I was reading as being different from my existing beliefs, but as I read more I gradually gained the sense that what the Qur'an was saying made more sense than my previous Christian beliefs. The simplicity of the concept of Allah (swt) being One with no sons, daughters, father or mother appealed to me in contrast with the Trinity doctrine of Christianity and with Hebrews 7:1-3. Upon returning to college from Christmas break, I said my shahada.
My experiences as a Muslim have not been easy. Over the next several years I received a lot of flak from family and co-workers about Islam. They always associated Islam with the terrorism and suicide bombings that was in the media. I had trouble identifying with other Muslims because of the racial and cultural differences and I was also unable to find a Muslim wife. After only five years, I stopped practicing Islam and married a Christian. Then in June 2001, I decided to practice my innermost faith, Islam, regardless of what people thought and the consequences of doing so. I remember thinking that one day I will have to stand before Allah and give an account for my life. I knew that I could not use the excuse that I did not offer salah and fast because some Muslims in Palestine were blowing themselves up along with innocent women and children. It was a concious decision on my part as a result of Allah's (swt) guidance back to the Truth. What have I ever done to deserve such mercy of guidance - twice in one lifetime?
My experience as a Muslim is clearly less emotional. Our congregational worship on Fiday is quite "dry". We go to the masjid, offer Sunnah salah individually, sit on the floor, listen to a sermon by the imam, offer 2 rakat (units) of congregational salah, and then offer another individual Sunnah salah before leaving. We have no songs or music. Rather than relying upon the blood of the Lamb to cleanse me of me sins, I go directly to Allah (swt) and ask for His forgiveness.
We Muslims have no mental image of Allah, the One we worship, other than Qur'an 24:35 Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of this light is a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp in a glass, the glass like a glittering star, kindled from a blessed olive tree, an olive that is neither of the east nor the west, the oil of which could shine without being touched by fire. Light upon light; Allah guides whom He please. The focus of my worship is on Allah, the unseen and incomprehensible. For me, it is difficult to stay focused during salah when I have no clear mental image of who it is I am worshipping, yet I try to focus on the Arabic words and their meaning in English. I try to remember that Allah (swt) sees me, even though I don't see Him.
One of the beauties of Islam, is that I believe that I offer salah and fast exactly in the manner that is acceptable to Allah (swt) as indicated by being revealed through His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (saaws). I have no reason not to believe that Muhammad (saaws) would recognize my salah as being consistent with how he prayed. I believe that he would also understand my recitation of al-Fatiha, even with my Southern USA drawl. We Muslims strive to worship none other than Allah (swt) exactly as Muhammad (saaws) demonstrated and taught. Furthermore, we strive to pattern our entire lives after his Sunnah, for example I eat and drink with my right hand, I refuse to shake hands with women, I cleanse myself after using the restroom, I have a full beard, I color the gray in my beard, I greet Muslims with "Assalamu alaikum," etc.
Although we pattern our lives after him, we do not in any way, shape, or form worship Muhammad (saaws). In contrast, the focus in Christianity is clearly on Jesus as demonstrated by the afore mentioned songs and communion. Just this weekend, my father-in-law blessed the food by praying to Jesus (not the Father) and in his name (not in the name of "your Son"). Christians equate Jesus with God. Although I personally equate the "Father" with Allah (swt) because that is Who Jesus (as) prayed to (as demonstrated by the Lord's Prayer and by his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane), I have major diffulties with the term "Father" because it directly implies having offspring which I staunchly deny of Allah (swt).
It doesn't behove the Majesty of Allah (swt) that He should have a son or that He has a need to become Man and to die on a cross for the forgiveness of the sins of His creation. There is nothing that I can do that will in any way harm Allah (swt) such that he cannot forgive it. Likewise, there is nothing that I can do that will benefit Him (swt) such that He (swt) is obligated to reward me. I rely upon the Grace of Allah (swt) to forgive me and to grant me Paradise by His Mercy. I bring nothing other than my testimony that, "There is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad was His Messenger and Servant" and my efforts to worship Him (swt) according to the Sunnah of Muhammad (saaws).
I really recommend you get a hold of this english translation of the Quran, It is supposed to be the best translation around by Dr Muhsin Khan, the next best is probably by Pickthall
I have this one and alot of my querys are cleared up by justreading through. Just read through it and hopefully it will answer all your questions, some of the more complex verses are accompanied by a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad to help you understand
I really recommend this one
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. [Quran {33:43}] www.QuranicAudio.com www.Quran.com
The Quran that I read upon my reversion was, "The Meaning of the Holy Quran" by Abdullah Yusuf Ali with an extensive commentary, or explanation.
I find the interjected commentary of "The Noble Quran" by Al-Hilali and Muhsin Khan to be accurate, but also disruptive to following the continuity of thought.
Last edited by MustafaMc; 12-24-2007 at 04:27 PM.
Reason: edit link
I have a copy of the Quran in English translated by someone named J.M.Rodwell from Oxford Oriental Institute. It's a copy someone gave my husband a while back. Then I have another one that is part of a set of sacred texts from the world's major religions and that one is "A contemporary traslation by Ahmed Ali."
The one by Ahmed Ali is bigger and has the Arabic beside the English, which does nothing for me except make me admire how beautiful Arabic writing is.
I have a copy of the Quran in English translated by someone named J.M.Rodwell from Oxford Oriental Institute. It's a copy someone gave my husband a while back. Then I have another one that is part of a set of sacred texts from the world's major religions and that one is "A contemporary traslation by Ahmed Ali."
The one by Ahmed Ali is bigger and has the Arabic beside the English, which does nothing for me except make me admire how beautiful Arabic writing is.
I guess I'll just start at the beginning...
peace to you
according to a reliable Islamic website, Soundvision.com, the Rodwell translation is extremely problematical. This is what they have to say on the matter:
Dissatisfied with Sale's work, J.M. Rodwell, Rector of St. Ethelberga, London, produced his translation entitled The Koran (London, 1861). Apart from hurling all sorts of wild and nasty allegations against the Prophet and the Qur'an in the Preface, Rodwell is guilty of having invented the so-called chronological Sura order of the Qur'an. Nor is his translation free from grave mistakes of translation and his own fanciful interpretations in the notes.
The very fact that he is a Christian minister surely marks him out as singularly unqualified to translate and explain the qur'an. I would stick to the Ahmed Ali translation insha'Allah.
I have a copy of the Quran in English translated by someone named J.M.Rodwell from Oxford Oriental Institute. It's a copy someone gave my husband a while back. Then I have another one that is part of a set of sacred texts from the world's major religions and that one is "A contemporary traslation by Ahmed Ali."
The one by Ahmed Ali is bigger and has the Arabic beside the English, which does nothing for me except make me admire how beautiful Arabic writing is.
I guess I'll just start at the beginning...
I am not familiar with either of these translations, but SoundVision did a comparison of translations as noted above by Sr. Ummzayd.
"Dissatisfied with Sale's work, J.M. Rodwell, Rector of St. Ethelberga, London, produced his translation entitled The Koran (London, 1861). Apart from hurling all sorts of wild and nasty allegations against the Prophet and the Qur'an in the Preface, Rodwell is guilty of having invented the so-called chronological Sura order of the Qur'an. Nor is his translation free from grave mistakes of translation and his own fanciful interpretations in the notes." http://www.soundvision.com/Info/quran/english.asp
Regarding Ahmed Ali's Contemporary "Despite its accessibility to non-Muslim and academic readers due to its recent Princeton University Press publication, many Muslim scholars have criticized the translation because of the liberties it takes with the text. Future editions are unlikely." http://www.meforum.org/article/717
With that said, I recommed the short surahs in the back along with Surahs #19 "Maryam" and #3 "Family of Imran" and of course "The Opening", or Al-Fatiha - which is the essence of the Quran. Al-Fatiha is roughly equivalent to the Lord's Prayer and is recited in every rakat (unit) of salah.
Caroline,
I want to ask how come you believe that nothing like God and you still believe he has a Son!!
What does the word Son mean to you? Do you mean slave? then all people are slaves of God! Do you mean a son like when people have sons?
I cant really get the picture in ur mind altogether!!
Well, because I am still seeking. I am starting to think that the use of the word "son" in the Bible is meant more like we say "brother" and "sister" -- in a figurative sense referring to the spiritual/emotional part of a relationship. Not a physical kinship as much as a social/emotional/spiritual kinship. The more I read the Bible the more I see the use of this term for a figurative kinship. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus refers to God as "your" father in Heaven many times. Jesus also calls himself the Son of Man. He refers to God as "the" father many times.
All these things are leading me to believe that the use of the term "son" is not meant to be taken literally. The New Testament refers to all those who believe and follow Jesus as "sons" of God.
But because I am still seeking I am not sure. I trust God to reveal to me what He will according to His purpose. I know that I am created to worship Him and give him Glory and Praise. For that reason, He's put a great love for Himself in my heart.
Of that I am sure.
All the other details are a learning process.
Don't you think that if you seek God with your heart, sincerely, that He will put a desire in your heart for the truth? Do you think he will guide you to Him in spirit and in truth?
I found a copy of "The Nobel Quran" at amazon.com. It even has a nice leather cover with a zipper!
Hello Caroline,
Try getting translations by renowed scholars. I had a copy of the Holy Quraan, accompanied by a translation by Abdullahi Yusuf Ali, I think, it was in really hard English. So I asked my Dad to get a copy of the Noble Quraan that has a glossary of terms, hadeeths by Sahih Bukhari, and translations by a very renowed Sheikh, unfortunately I forgot his name though.
Anyway, the gist of what I'm trying to say is, get a copy that you will understand easily.
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