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Allahu Akbar wa Lelahe el hamd.
Assalamu Alikom brothers and sisters, below is anothre example for Non-Muslims who discovered that Islam is the true religion. Al hamdu lelah... I requested from me to post her story it might help others. Inshaa Allah. wel_mel
Note: her email address is johban@hotmail.com in case anyone want to contact her directly.
WHY I EMBRACED ISLAM?
My only answer to this question is the Almighty Allah with His Divine guidance directed me to know the truth, the right path and the true religion. Everything is in the hands of Allah, the Almighty. Maybe this answer would not satisfy most of you unless I will relate the story how I became a Muslim. Then, I am obliged to do so. Before coming to Jeddah I only knew Muslim but not Islam.
I was born a Roman Catholic from the Philippines. I was teaching Math & Physics for eight (8) years in college level and went to Japan for 1 ½ years as a recipient of a scholarship grant as a teacher trainee in “Physics Education in Japan”, a program of the Japanese Ministry of Education. Here in Jeddah, usually people who do not know me thought I am an Indonesian because I am wearing "Tarha", as we know, very seldom we can see Filipinos wearing "Tarha" properly (not just hanging on the head or shoulders).
I consider my previous religion as a traditional religion, that we only go to church because it was a part of our tradition, which was handed over to us by our ancestors. The concept of worship was not clear & concrete. Besides, doing & following or otherwise don't matter. There was no sense of obligation & responsibility to God. I even tried attending a lot of services of different religions in my country like Mormons, Seventh Day Adventist, Iglesia ni Kristo(Phil.origin), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Protestant Churches, etc… I didn’t know why I did this…Now I realized that I was looking for something concrete. It was more than a year during my college days that I’ve been attending a Bible Study in “Iglesia ni Kristo” but of no avail because at first “I never like it” and when I ask questions, I never satisfied with the answers, it's like something was missing.
When I went to Japan, there was a Jehovah’s witnesses Japanese couple who were very patient visiting me at least twice a week for more than a year sharing their concept of their religion. In Japan, I was exposed with the Buddhist way of life, although Japanese are not really religious as compared to other nationalities, most of them only visit their Temples during weddings & funerals.
My first year in Saudi Arabia did not encourage me to know about Islam because I did not have any chance to do so. Instead, I started attending a Bible Study organized by my colleagues, at least twice a week. It was at this time that I became aware of my religion and began asking questions about it. In my study, I felt more confused because nobody had given satisfactory answers to my questions especially regarding trinity & divinity of Jesus, which were so vague to me that I could not accept. Then, I stopped attending and live as nothing…I mean no religion because I was so confused.
Actually, my husband who was reverted to Islam 2 months before me, tried to convince me before but I was so negative about it because I see Muslims here as Muslims with negative attitudes, although I see them praying but there were still questions like ‘why they are like as what I see them’, then I told to myself ‘why should I be one of them?’ Gradually, I realized that I should not look at Muslim but look at Islam itself and apply. Two years passed and nothing happened until one day I had a feeling of eagerness to know about religion and its importance in the life of man and a question, "What is the true religion?" Since all religions & sects claim its truthfulness, then which is which? Until somebody gave me a pamphlet about the general information about Islam and for curiosity sake, I did read it.
This was the start of my search and I have read all of the Islamic books available in our house which were given to my husband before by his friends. I didn’t stop reading & reading until I’ve got the idea and great feeling of becoming a Muslim.
When I had this sincere desire to be a Muslim, I didn’t know what to do and didn’t know anybody who can help me. My conversion was delayed for 3 months until my husband’s Saudi friend, Mr. Mohammed Mabrouk Al-Nowaiser convinced him to accept Islam. He was the one who introduced us to the Islamic Center in Al-Hamra and gave us a lot of reading materials in Islam & Holy Qur’an. It was summer vacation then, August ‘95, we decided to take a month vacation but we didn’t go back home to the Phil. Instead we had an intensive study for one month in Al-Hamra, 5 days a week. Thanks to all the people who have helped us in any way.
My brother arrived here in October ’95 and we immediately convinced him and introduced to the center then Alhamdulillah, he embraced Islam after 2 months and followed by my brother-in-law. Then some few friends who were reverted through our little sharing and let them attend the class in the center. Followed by my sister-in-law, before her marriage to my brother. Last year, my sister, my brother, my nieces all embraced Islam through our encouragement and setting as an example. Also few friends embraced Islam after our sharing & presentation of the good things in Islam. Alhamdulillah, these are all with the divine guidance & graces of Allah.
Now, I consider myself blessed because at last I am on the right path, believing in the oneness of Allah, with concrete knowledge about my creator & the reason of my existence. To be a Muslim is a great opportunity and advantage in the hereafter. Now I know that our life here on earth is but just temporary and it is our chance to prepare ourselves for the judgment & hereafter. Life for me now is new and had a wider meaning. Since I became a Muslim, there is a great joy in my heart because I came to recognize that Islam is the true religion of Allah, the Qur’an as the last testament and Prophet Muhammad as the final messenger and the seal of the prophets. Also, I have found the full satisfaction, faith and peace in practicing the teachings of Islam.
JOHARA P. BANAAG
July 2003
ISLAMIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION / CENTERS are the right places for us especially NEW MUSLIMS to gain proper knowledge about the teachings of Islam and also to correct the misconceptions about Islam. I’ve been attending IEF-Al-Hamra District & IEF-Mushrifah District since I was reverted to Islam and I found these centers very helpful in my Islamic growth. Now, I decided to attend in this center to gain more knowledge.
EDUCATION is the most important factor in maintaining or increasing our faith, without the right knowledge, our faith would only be superficial, thus very easy to forget and gradually will be taken for granted or might totally forgotten. Personally, I believe that proper Islamic education will be my only weapon to be a TRUE MUSLIM or shall I say a PRACTICING MUSLIM.
Since I learned about Islam I always see to it that I am learning something new about it. I really wanted to learn more & more. After gaining this knowledge then Insh a Allah I could share this to others especially to my family, relatives, friends and neighborhood when I go back home to the Philippines. We know that we cannot give what we do not have and cannot teach what we do not know.
TO GAIN MORE KNOWLEDGE - TO SHARE - TO PRACTICE - TO MAINTAIN OR INCREASE FAITH - TO ENCOURAGE OR MOTIVATE OTHERS TO EMBRACE ISLAM WITH THE PROPER PRESENTATION & EXPLANATION - TO GAIN MORE REWARDS FROM ALLAH, INSHA ALLAH!
JOHARA
Q1. After you accepted Islam what was the reaction of your family and your friends?
A: There was no serious problem about my family regarding my conversion. Actually, I tried to share my Islamic knowledge to my mother, (my father died already), my brothers & sisters through letters. I didn’t find any negative response from my brothers & sisters, so I had the feeling that I can convince them easily with the right & clear presentation and explanations. I have a little problem with my mother, but Inshaallah when I’m back home I can convince her too. My friends, I didn’t consider it as a problem because it doesn’t matter to me whether they understand my conversion or not.
Q2. Did you face any difficulty or embarrassment after you accepted Islam?
A: Both Muslims & non-Muslims of little knowledge and narrow-minded were the only people who created some problems with me, but Alhamdulillah, Allah had given me enough courage to show them that I was not mistaken in accepting Islam.
Q3. After accepting Islam to what extent did you acquire knowledge?
A: Islamic Education Foundation is a center which was very helpful to me and the other new Muslims. Acquiring a lot of books and by reading & applying them. Also, watching some video tapes about Islam, reading some articles from the newspapers & other journals. I am glad that my employer allowed me at least to attend a class on Mondays in IEF-Musrifah Dist. On Fridays I attend in IEF-Al-Hamra Dist.
Q4. In your opinion what is the method of propagating & spreading Islam?
A: First, the acquisition of enough knowledge because we cannot teach what we do not know and we cannot share what we do not have. To know the right way on how to make Dawah, it is not just a matter of sharing & teaching something, we have to consider a lot of factors. We need to know how to consider the individuality of a person. We have what we call as ‘individual differences’, with different personalities, background, way of life, outlook in life, principles, etc. Then when we are ready with the help & guidance of Allah, we can propagate Islam. This is actually my prime objective that’s why I am trying to learn & learn as much as I can because I am facing a great challenge when I go back home Insh a Allah, first how to convince my family, relatives & friends.
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