<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, especially their misunderstanding of who Jesus was.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh my God! I\u2019ve been deceived! Really, I feel religiously raped.\u00a0 I have been fooled simply because I followed blindly the religion that I was born with and didn\u2019t take care to investigate it thoroughly.\u00a0 But still inside me there is something holding me back from accepting Islam, even though Islam is clearly the True Religion.<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your last comment shows that you are a Muslim not a Christian and if you really love God and His Messenger Jesus you will follow Islam and Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him.\u00a0 Break this barrier inside you and come back to the way of your ancestors.\u00a0 You are now free because you are looking for the Truth and our great Prophet Jesus, told us that we should look for the Truth and the Truth will set us free.\u00a0 So you will be a free man as soon as you accept it.\u00a0 Be strong enough to accept Islam as the Truth, without any hesitation on your part and you will taste real freedom and real happiness that you have never tasted before.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frankly, I am concerned about the negative way Islam and Muslims are shown in the media.\u00a0 In the West, there is a stigma attached to being a Muslim and I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m ready to live with that stigma.<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is why I have chosen to tell people about the right<\/p>\n
picture of Islam.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then, what is the right picture of Islam?<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The right picture of Islam is conveyed in the Quran which is exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.\u00a0 The reality is that it is not fair to judge a religion by the actions of its followers alone, because there are good and bad followers in every religion.\u00a0 The correct thing to do is to judge a religion by its documented revelation from God and the Prophet who brought that revelation.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I see.\u00a0 I agree with you, but I\u2019m still concerned about the reaction of my family and friends if they know that I am a Muslim.<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brother, on Judgment Day, no one will be able to help you, not even\u00a0 your father, mother or any of your friends (see Quran 31:33).\u00a0 So if you believe that Islam is the true religion, you should embrace it and live your life to please the One Who created you.\u00a0 Be an illuminating torch for them.\u00a0 Do not delay your coming to Islam.\u00a0 If you die before becoming a Muslim, then it\u2019s too late (see\u00a0 Quran 2:132, 3:102, 3:85).\u00a0 So grab this opportunity now.\u00a0 You can only remedy this pain inside you by becoming a Muslim and being able in the future, God willing, to come and perform pilgrimage (Hajj).<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You are very wise man.\u00a0 I want to say that when I sometimes see on the satellite, especially in the season of Hajj, people of different colors and different races sitting side by side and praying to God, I feel a pain deep inside my heart and I feel something urging me to talk with someone to know more about that great religion that can gather all the races in the same place.\u00a0 Thanks to you, I have found that person. So please help me become a Muslim!<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brother, let us take it step by step.\u00a0 First, enter Islam by saying: I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except God (Allah), and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger.\u00a0 I bear witness that Jesus is His Prophet and Messenger. Let us say this again: I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except God (Allah), and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger.\u00a0 I bear witness that Jesus is His Prophet and Messenger.<\/i><\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except God (Allah), and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger.\u00a0 I bear witness that Jesus is His Prophet and Messenger<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By the way, Jesus\u2019 name is not Jesus.\u00a0 It is a Latinized name.\u00a0 His real name is \u2018Eesaa.\u00a0 Now you will say the same thing in Arabic, the language of the Quran.\u00a0 I will transliterate for you: Ash\u2019hadu an laa ilaahaa illAllah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna Muhammadun rasoolullaah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna \u2018Eesaa \u2018abdullaahi wa rasooluhu.<\/i><\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ash\u2019hadu an laa ilaahaa illAllah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna muhammadun rasoolullaah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna \u2018Eesaa \u2018abdullaahi wa rasooluhu.<\/i><\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brother, say God is the greatest because you are a Muslim now.\u00a0 You are not a Christian anymore.\u00a0 You are in the House of Islam.\u00a0 If I were with you, I would hug you as my brother in Islam. How do you feel now? A burden has been removed from you and you feel like you are so light. Isn\u2019t this right?<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you were with me now,\u00a0 you would have seen my tears reaching my neck.\u00a0 You are a great brother. \u00a0I feel that I have just come to life.\u00a0 This is exactly how I feel from now.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have to listen to the words of the priests in the church, who knowingly or unknowingly lead people astray.\u00a0 I hope to be a good servant of God.<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You know what came out of you was disbelief and it was replaced by belief.\u00a0 You are so clean now, because when someone embraces Islam sincerely, God forgives all of his past sins.\u00a0 So, go to an Islamic center that has Muslims from all over the world and announce your Islam there and continue to learn more about Islam from them.\u00a0 In addition, find a book on prayer in Islam and practice it.\u00a0 This is essential.\u00a0 Now after you are through with me, you must take a shower to purify yourself from previous wrong beliefs.\u00a0 Remember to stay away from bad company and be with righteous Muslim people.\u00a0 Also, beware of those so-called Muslims who call to nationalistic ideas or racial thoughts, which are rejected in Islam.\u00a0 I love you as a brother in Islam and I hope one day I will see you and hear your voice.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I will for sure do what you have asked.\u00a0 And tomorrow I will go to the Islamic center.\u00a0 Thank you for showing me the Truth.\u00a0 I will do my best to meet people who know about Islam for sure.\u00a0 May God help you guide more and more people to the true word of God.\u00a0 There is no god but God (Allah) and Muhammad is his Messenger. Well it is as difficult for me as it is for you to leave you.<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well brother, you will not leave me for a long time.\u00a0 I will soon be with you through my supplications, God willing.\u00a0 Pray for me, brother.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, I thank you, I love you although I do not know you yet. But it is enough for me to remember that one day, a very dear man has picked me up from the mud of life.\u00a0 Please teach me another Islamic word in Arabic so as to make use of it in the Islamic center.<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As-Salaamu \u2018Alaykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh<\/i><\/p>\n
and Astaghfirullaah<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What do they mean?<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 May the Peace, Mercy and Blessing of God be upon you.\u00a0 This is used as a greeting to all Muslims.\u00a0 The last word means, God forgive me.\u00a0 Well,\u00a0 I have to leave you now but be sure it will not be for long.<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assalaamu \u2018Alaykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh and Astaghfirullaah for being astray from the Truth all those years.\u00a0 May God bless you.\u00a0 You have occupied a great place in my heart and I will never forget you.\u00a0 Bye and talk to you later.\u00a0 Your brother in Islam, Derek<\/b>, but I will call myself \u2018Eesaa from now on.<\/p>\n
Abdullah<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O.K. \u2018Eesaa.\u00a0 I will leave you some final words of inspiration.\u00a0 Certainly, the ultimate goal of every individual is to be in Paradise forever.\u00a0 This reward of Paradise is too great to not have a price.\u00a0 That price is true faith, which is proven obedience to God and following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. This is the road to Paradise. Let\u2019s stay in touch!\u00a0 Assalamu Alaykum!<\/p>\n
Derek<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O.K. Assalaamu Alaykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.<\/p>\n
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Abdullah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, especially their misunderstanding of who Jesus was. Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh my God! I\u2019ve been deceived! Really, I feel religiously raped.\u00a0 I have been fooled simply because I followed blindly the religion that I was born with and didn\u2019t take care to investigate it thoroughly.\u00a0 But still inside me there is something holding me back […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-3903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3903"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3903\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3903"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whyislam.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=3903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}