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Jina Talang, Ex-Catholic, Philippines
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Description: How she found a pure and beautiful new life style.
By Jina Talang
Published on 01 Jun 2009 - Last modified on 01 Jun 2009
Viewed: 5147 (daily average: 4) - Rating: 4.8 out of 5 - Rated by: 16
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Category: Articles
> Stories of New Muslims
> Women
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Introduction
Revealing to you my story is not that easy for me to
do. Because, it hurts me so much to recall my past life. But having Allah in
my life, gave me courage to do it. To begin …………………
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most
Merciful.
All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all Words, the
Most Merciful, the Beneficent, and the Master of the Day of Judgment. Peace
and blessings be upon Muhammad, the masters of all prophets and messengers, and
on his family, companions all and whoever follows his path till the Day of
Resurrection.
Where I am from?
In a small town in Philippines, Rizal, Cagayan. I was
raised by a parents of different religion. My father was a “Roman Catholic”,
while my mother was a “Protestant”. As for me, I prefer my father’s religion.
But I’d never been that religious, because there’s a lot of question in my mind
such as:
·
Why do I have to confess to a priest and let him be
the one to ask for God’s forgiveness of whatever I’d done wrong?
·
Why do I need to pray to saints and not direct to
God?
·
Where is God? Does he exists like human?
·
Was Jesus really the son of God?
·
Why is there a lot of bible version?
·
What is possibly waiting for me after death?
For such a longtime, I felt like that I was just wasting
my time. I wanted to know the truth and what is the right way of life ( a life
with God loving presence).
When I was twelve years old, my father was arrested and
accused of killing his uncle (my grandfather’s brother) because of their
ancestral ownership. As far as I know my father, I know he didn’t do it. They
simply don’t want my father to inherit anything from their wealth.
Because we can’t afford to pay for an attorney, my
father was convicted seven years imprisonment. And because he behaved well in
jail, they released him after five years of imprisonment. During his years in
jail, raising us became a burden to my mother. Luckily, we had good people
around us (my mater uncle and my aunt) who very supportive to us.
By the way, we were five siblings (4 girls and a boy)
and I am the third among them. But due to money shortage I only finished high
school (grade ten). After I graduated, my uncle (father’s brother) brought me
to Manila to find a job. By God’s favor, I quickly find a job in a bookshop.
Part of my earnings, I sent it to my mother. A year and half later, one of my
friends encouraged me to work abroad.
A week after, she introduce me to the agency. They told
me to submit my credentials. So, I gathered all the documents they required me
of. After a month, they informed me that I needed to take a medical
examination. By God’s love and mercy, I passed the examination. And in two
weeks time I departed to Kuwait.
I heartedly thank God for having an employer who was
kind and considerate. Three years later, I ask for an increase salary. But my
madam said that she coudn’t afford it. So, I asked them to give me release so
that I cant find work outside. Luckily, they not deprive me of their favor.
I then found a work at a billiard hall somewhere in
Khaitan. And there I met an Indonesian believer of Allah (swt). She had a
very strong faith (IMAN). Her way of belief made me like reading books about
Islam.
How am I (in times of my Ignorance of Islam)?
I never thought that Islam was a religion worth
studying. Most of my friends were Christians. We use to go together and pray
in the church. In vain and in my heart, I felt nothing but the absence of
God. I realize that I’m totally “lost” which made me more desperate finding my
way to the right path. So, I bought myself a “Tagalog” translation of the
Qur’an, but I couldn’t go on reading more than two pages of it. So I decided
to keep it aside and buy more books and pamphlets about Islam. But I came to a
point that I gave up understanding it alone, so; I decided to go to IPC (Islam
Presentation Committee) in Rawda - Kuwait. They all (the sisters) welcomed me
warmly. It was my first encounter with a group of believing women in Islam.
By my surprise, I feel like a total stranger to them. It was then I started to
attend Islamic classes. Every minute of the lecture and every pages of the
book seemed like a revelation to me. It gave me a great spiritual satisfaction
which I never felt before, but still I hadn’t decided embracing Islam.
When did I embraced Islam?
On June 6, 2004, I decided to embraced Islam. I did
perform my testimony of faith (Shahadah) in court. It was a real great
experience for me. Every single Muslim at the court, embraced me with both
hands tightly. I knew then that I was guided to the right path. And I had
made best decision in life. After two years of embracing Islam, I went back to
Philippines, to attend my sisters wedding.
How was I (when I became a Muslim)?
Being far from any other Muslims, living in that place
(where I’ve grown up) was a big trial for me. I had to control my desire of
wearing my clothes before such as mini-skirts and half sleeves blouses. As
Allah (swt) forbid us (Muslims) to disclose the beauty of our body except for
our husband (at home particularly) without the presence of anyone whom can be a
“Mahram” to you (us women).
In three months time, in that isolated place (far from
any other Muslims) was that really hard to stand firm on our religion. So, I
hurried back to Kuwait ; to study more about Islam.
What did I benefited in Islam?
Islam made me understand the importance of wearing hijab
and dressing Islamicly. Though at first, I feel uncomfortable doing it. As
days passed by, I got use to it. I even wear Abaya (jilbab) by now.
Islam decreased my desire of putting make-up every time
I go out, neither with my family nor with my friends.
Islam thought me how to safeguard myself and how to
prevent evil actions (fitnah).
Islam thought me the real meaning of sisterhood and
brotherhood.
Islam made me more careful of my actions and thoughts.
Final Thoughts
A believing woman wearing hijjab and Islamic clothes is
a beautiful as an Angel. What you keep something secret for the sake of Allah
(swt), increases its value. In other words… Keeping womans body secret,
increases its charm in the eyes of a believing man.
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