Now have We brought them the Word in order that they may receive admonition. Those to whom We sent the Book before this, they do believe in this. And when it is recited to them they say, "We believe therein, for it is the Truth from our Lord. Indeed we have been Muslims from before this." (Qur'an 28:51-53)
This is the second part of a series on Americans becoming Muslims. Often we hear about their large numbers but seldom do we hear of their stories. Following is an interview with an American Muslim convert. We hope that this series of interviews will give us all some insight as to why so many Americans are becoming Muslims.
Malik Adib; Former born again Christian
Question: How long have you been a Muslim?
Answer: I've been a Muslim since birth, but I've only realized it for about 2 1/2 years. The reason I say this, is because we are all born as Muslims. The term Muslim is used to describe, one who submits to the will of Allah, and Islam means submission. All humans are born in a state of submission acting only on their instincts which were given to them by their Sustainer. There are certain universal laws that cannot be broken such as that of gravity. These are laws in which we have no choice, so in such cases we are submitting to Allah unwillingly by being subjected to His unbreakable laws. It is our parents who make us Jews, Christians, Buddhists, or whatever other religions that have been named after men. It is only when Allah chooses us and we recognize Allah as our Sustainer that we submit willingly to the commands as they are laid down in the Torah, Injeel, Zaboor, and the Qur'an. At this point we are reverts, not converts.
Question: What were you practicing before Islam?
Answer: I formerly practiced Christianity. I was first baptized at the age of 17 after my father's death. I later studied and practiced with the non-denominational born again Christians up until 1992.
Question: How did you come to Islam? Answer: First and foremost, I am only a Muslim because of the Mercy of Allah. Allah chooses whomsoever He pleases. I spent about six months in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War while serving in the Marine Corps. Though very minor, that was my first exposure to Islam. I remember passing by a Masjid (mosque) one day and seeing people on their knees. This was unusual because coming from a Baptist background, the only time the people got on their knees was when they became too tired from all the jumping and shouting. I also remember being awakened everyday in Saudi by this annoying singing every single morning without fail. I always wondered what this guy was singing about. Now they are some of the most beautiful words my ears could hear. He was reciting the Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer.
After I returning to the States and going through the usual routine of chasing women and alcohol, I then started on my search for Allah. Having only been exposed to Christianity, I started to study with the "born agains" and reaffirmed my belief in it. I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I knew that Allah was out there, so I thought that these Christians could guide me.
They only helped me realize what the truth was not. None of it made any kind of sense. For instance, once we were all standing in a circle holding hands and praying out loud. One by one each person got their chance to participate in the prayer while being overcome with what they thought was the "holy spirit" and talking in tongues. Well, when my turn came the holy spirit just passed me right by. I felt kind of stupid, as if something was wrong with me. Slowly I started drifting from church to church "fishing for religion." After that, I just stopped going all together.
While all of this was going, on a friend of mine loaned me a Qur'an, and I started reading. The first thing I did was read everything it said about Jesus, and it just made so much sense. In the beginning of the translation, the translator gave a summary of the evolution of religion. He spoke about how Islam (the submission to the one and only Creator of everything) has always existed, but people divided and broke up into sects and started creating their own religions, naming them after someone. Then, he mentioned how there were many Prophets sent to correct mankind and that the time had come for the last Prophet to come with the last Scripture - Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) with Al-Qur'an. That summary was like a sharp ray of light peeping into a big dark room. Then, when I read the Qur'an it was like stepping out into sunlight for the first time in 22 years.
Question: What was it about the Qur'an that had such an affect on you?
Answer: What I noticed right away in reading Qur'an was that it was much easier to understand than the Bible. Most of all, I was surprised to see that it answered so many of the questions that I had been asking for years. Unfortunately, when you ask a revered or a preacher hard questions about the Bible and Jesus, they usually tell you to just have faith. Well, in Islam faith comes through knowledge and questioning is actually encouraged by the Qur'an.
When you recite the Qur'an in it's original language and style, it's as if you have left the world, That's not to say that you can't read a translation, but to get a much clearer understanding, it has to be read in it's original language. This is the big advantage the Qur'an has over the Bible. Jesus didn't speak English, Greek or Latin, and there is nothing preserved from the New Testament in his original words or language. The Qur'an also speaks directly to the reader. It's like having a "one-on-one" conversation with the Creator of everything. Can you imagine such a thing? The Qur'an is not a book of stories, but actually a conversation between you and Allah. It's incredible!
Question: What did you learn about Allah from the Qur'an?
Answer: You could write volumes on this. While Christians claim that "God is love," the Bible claims God did not fogive Adam and his spouse for their sin, and that all of mankind was cursed. Then, in the New Testament one man (Jesus) is condemned for the sins of everybody! If thatÕs love, I would hate to see hate! In the Qur'an, 113 of it's 114 chapters starts with "In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.," Also it, tells us that Adam was forgiven because of the mercy of Allah. The biggest thing is the Oneness of Allah. Allah is absolutely One without exception. That's so much easier to understand than trying to turn 3 into 1 into 3. Christians don't understand the trinity, they just have faith in it, but there can be no faith without knowledge. Faith without knowledge means that I can tell you anything without you ever having to verify it. This is how cults begin.
Question: How has your life changed?
Answer: I have had a big shift in priorities. Many people go their whole life wondering what their purpose is. Well, mine is to worship Allah alone and work to the death to see "La Ilaha Illallah" (There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah) established in the earth. Life is also much easier now. I don't mean in a material sense which is difficult for most people to understand. You see, the guess work is over. While many people are running from death, Muslims are running to it. I'm not saying that we should all kill ourselves, that is a sin. What I mean is that most people are afraid of dying for fear of what's to come, but we actually look forward to it so that we can meet Allah.
Islam is like a treasure to me, and I would rather die a violent death
than to return to disbelief. This is why it angers me beyond description
to see Islam being abused by either non-Muslims or Muslims.