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Something happened in my life in which the
little faith I did have decreased to all but nothing. My search came to a stop.
I no longer searched within myself, the Bible, or church. I had given up for a
while. I was a very bitter parson until one day a friend gave me a book. It
was called “The Muslim-Christian Dialogue.”
I took the book and read it. I am ashamed to
say that during my searching never did I once consider another religion. Christianity
was all I knew, and I never thought about leaving it. My knowledge of Islam
was very minimal. In fact, it was mainly filled with misconception and
stereotypes. The book surprised me. I found that I was not the only one who
believed there was a simply a God. I asked for more books. I received them as
well as pamphlets.
I learned about Islam from an intellectual aspect.
I had a close friend who was Muslim and I often asked her questions about the
practices. Never did I once consider Islam as my faith. Many things about
Islam alienated me.
After a couple months of reading, the month of
Ramadan began. Every Friday, I could I joined the local Muslim community for
the breaking of the fast and the reciting of the Quran. I posed questions that
I may have come across to the Muslim girls. I was in awe at how someone could
have so much certainty in what they believed and followed. I felt myself drawn
to the religion that alienated me.
Having believed for so long that I was alone,
Islam did comfort me in many ways. Islam was brought as a reminder to the
world. It was brought to lead the people back to the right path.
Beliefs were not the only thing important to me.
I wanted a discipline to pattern my life by. I did not just want to believe
someone was my savior and through this I held the ticket to Heaven. I wanted
to know how to act to receive the approval of God. I wanted a closeness to God.
I wanted to be God-conscious. Most of all I wanted a chance for heaven. I
began to feel that Christianity did not give this to me, but Islam did.
I continued learning more. I went to the Eid
celebration (the celebrative day following the fast of Ramadan and the rite of
Hajj) and [Friday] and weekly classes with my friends.
Through religion one receives peace of mind. A
calmness about them. This I had off and on for about three years. During the
off times I was more susceptible to the temptations of Satan. In early
February of 1997, I came to the realization that Islam was right and true. However,
I did not want to make any hasty decisions. I did decide to wait.
Within this duration, the temptations of Satan
increased. I can recollect two dreams in which he was a presence. Satan was
calling me to him. After I awoke from these nightmares I found solace in Islam.
I found myself repeating the Shahadah. These dreams almost made me change my
mind. I confided them in my Muslim friend. She suggested that maybe Satan was
there to lead me from the truth. I never thought of it that way.
On March 19, 1997 after returning from a weekly
class, I recited the Shahadah to myself. Then on March 26, I recited it before
witnesses and became an official Muslim.
I cannot express the joy I felt. I cannot
express the weight that was lifted from my shoulders. I had finally received
my peace of mind.
...
It has been about five months since I recited
the Shahadah. Islam has made me a better person. I am stronger now and
understand things more. My life has changed significantly. I now have purpose.
My purpose is to prove myself worthy of eternal life in Heaven. I have my long
sought after faith. Religion is a part of me all the time. I am striving
everyday to become the best Muslim I can be.
People are often amazed at how a fifteen year
old can make such an important decision in life. I am grateful that God
blessed me with my state of mind that I was able to find it so young.
Striving to be a good Muslim in a Christian
dominated society is hard. Living with a Christian family is even harder. However,
I do not try to get discouraged. I do not wish to dwell on my present
predicament, but I believe that my jihad is simply making me stronger. Someone
once told me that I am better off than some people who were born into Islam, in
that I had to find, experience, and realize the greatness and mercy of God. I
have acquired the reasoning that seventy years of life on earth is nothing
compared to eternal life in Paradise.
I must admit that I lack the aptitude to express
the greatness, mercy, and glory of God. I hope my account helped others who
may feel the way I felt or struggle the way I struggled.
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