Will's Account

I have always believed in God, but like many of my peers had left it in the back of my mind. It might have been because I saw Christianity - the religion I grew up with - having a few things that didn't add up. Over the period of my life I had been fortunate to have had some Muslim friends and so did not have any real prejudice towards the religion. However, nothing really changed until I went to university and started working part time as a ward house keeper in the General Infirmary. 

Working in the hospital really makes you think about everything. It introduced me to death; many patients were just waiting for the end wondering what is waiting for them and what they have sent forth and so what can I say I have sent forth when I reach their position?

A few of the staff I was working with were very disagreeable to me; they were arrogant, rude, shameless and proudly ignorant. They say your brother is a mirror of yourself; I saw in those people that which I hated in me. I needed to change, but how does one attain abstract qualities such as generosity and forbearance? 

Around the same period I had started reading the Qur’an and within it was the answer to my question and many others.  It understood human nature so well it was as if the creator of man had written it.  As I read more about Islam, I found the one who was said to be the walking Qur’an – the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – was of exemplary character.  Many see Islam as a harsh religion, but they have not gone beyond the first dimension.  It is a complete way of life that teaches you – among others – abstract noble characteristics through consistent tangible actions.  It’s a training regime for your soul.

I really thought it was the truth, but there were some things which weren’t so clear to me. There comes a point – as a non Muslim - where you can go no further.  It’s very difficult to comprehend something from the outside, it’s like with a foreign language; you really must submerge yourself in the language by visiting the respective country to grasp it properly.  So, I became a Muslim and haven’t looked back.

Someone asked me recently what I have found since converting, my answer was true freedom.  We are all slaves of something, be it our desires, our emotions or a person we respect.  Islam takes you away from serving the created to serving the creator.  For it is not the eye that sees it’s the heart.  Therefore, you must purify your heart to be able to see without prejudice and free your mind.  When you do, you see the universe for what it is: a sign of Gods attributes.

I have heard that it is best to end on a quote; to end strong because someone has already said it best so I take mine from the last paragraph of the book which is often recommended to people interested in Islam - The Autobiography of Malcolm X:

At the time, I worked with two Muslims. One was difficult and rough in his manners, the other was quiet and friendly and invited me to his home (this was a surprise since I thought a non-Muslim was not allowed to enter a Muslims home). There was a third Muslim who was not related through work, but a friend. Looking back, the two Muslims I briefly encountered never asked me about my beliefs or what I knew about Islam.

One of the many things about Islam that surprised me was the links it has with Christianity and Judaism. The Qur'an has many references to Jesus, Abraham, Mary, Adam, Moses and other "biblical" figures. My perception had always been that Islam is an "asian only" religion and consequently believed it was something I couldn't relate to.