The Right Path
A few days ago, I got an email from an anonymous source. I read the message and personally found it to be quite a touching message. Its obvious to us all that the rate of conversion to Islam is on the raise but I always want to hear the stories behind the conversions. They make me realize how much we have been blessed by Almighty Allah to be part of this perfected religion. It makes me proud to be Muslim. Alhamdulilah. I want us to read this, and reflect on how lucky we are to be Muslims. ************************
As-salaamu alaykum brothers and sisters, I trust your ramadan is going on fine. I know sometimes fasting and other acts of the deen may seem a little bit difficult that we probably feel like giving up, but we have to keep on pushing (feesabillilah) may Allah make His deen easy for us.
I write this because I want to share a short story and I hope it would encourage us and we would all be able to gain a thing or two from it.
It seems just like yesterday when I took the shahadah, but its been six years Ma Sha Allah. They say curiosity killed the cat, but mine has put me on the path to Jannah. I was raised in a christian home, I was a fervent church goer and very active in sunday school. I grew up to hate muslims, I regarded them as fetish, dirty people who were all going to burn in hell (astaghfirullah). As I grew older, I started losing interest in christianity, I got more interested in the islamic dress code and the arabic letters. I stumbled upon an english Quran not long afterwards and I read a certain verse verse which put fear into my heart. It goes thus:
"The Jews say "The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they [both] recite the Scripture. Thus the polytheists speak the same as their words. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ." (Quran 2:113)
I got frightened and did not want God to judge me, neither did I want to be in between. I wanted to play it safe and be on the straight and sure path, so I became a muslim. One would have thought that I would be strong in the deen after my change, but that wasn't the case. It took me five years to retrace my steps and be firmly established on what I have chosen. I have had my ups and downs, made graves mistakes and wobbled out of them. Alhamdulillah, last year, I finally became steady in the Deen.
Quite recently my mother who is a christian got to know about my choice of religion. I was confronted with, guilt , hurt and dissapointment, that I dared to choose a religion different from what I was born into. She told me to renounce Islam so that she could be pleased with me but alhamdulilah, I stood my ground and decided that I'd rather have Allah pleased with me. I want to also add that I’ve made conscious efforts not to pick fights with her but when I have held my tongue rather than argue, when I have walked away from a potential fight, or gone out of my way to be nice, it has been because I am remembering the words of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as recorded by Bukhari:
A man came to Muhammad (SAW) and said, “O Messenger of God! Who is entitled to be treated with the most kindness?” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Your mother.” The man said. “Who is next?” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Your mother.” The man further said, “Who is next?” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Your mother.” The man asked for the fourth time, “Who is next?” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Your father.”
I took a major step and started wearing the hijab (though a very small one). Constantly, I am addressed and regarded as the black sheep and my hijab is a major source of embarrassment in my family but then it is feesabilillah. I know My journey has only begun. In Sha Allah, I am planning to step up my game and lenghten my Hijab, may Allah make it easy for me. My major battle has been with my soul, in deciding who I want to please more, and who I should fear the most. Mankind and Allah. I think we all know the answer to that.
This is my first official Ramadan, alhamdulillah, I'm pulling through. I know I still have a lot of hurdles to cross (very with every difficulty there is relief). Therefore, If you are born a muslim, its one of the greatest and most beautiful things Ma Sha Allah, be greatful and use the opportunity wisely, and If you are a revert like me, Ma Sha Allah the struggle continues. Let us not give up on our strifes, Our ultimate goal is Al-Jannah, let's focus on it. May our minute Jihads open the path to jannah for us, Islam is indeed beautiful and it is MY CHOICE.
From Anonymous.
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Alhamdulilah. I hope this message had the same effect on u as I did on me. Let us never forget how blessed we are to be Muslims. Let us make the most of the opportunity.