From Hinduism to Islam

Once upon a time, in a land far away, I was a Hindu.

Among the bonuses of being a revert to Islam (inshaAllah going to Heaven is a bit handy) is the conversation starter. Even the least practicing Muslims seem to smile when someone takes their shahada.

I had always considered myself to be a fairly religious Hindu. Many of my ancestors were Hindu priests, I was a strict vegetarian, never drank alcohol, was known to pray and sit up with my mum until the early hours of the morning discussing my favourite chapter of the Gita. I was not looking for another religion.

For a few months, and by some accounts for many years, a story had been developing in France. The wearing of "religious symbols" was being banned in French schools, with the primary focus being the Muslim hijab. It wasn't until February 2004 that I first took notice of it while walking through University. Some students had organised an event discussing the ramifications of the ban, and I decided to attend.

The audience were a mixture of Muslims, non-Muslims, and some students from France, all unified on wanting to learn more about the political situation. We all listened to the young speaker eloquently describe the Islamic position. I had already assumed that Muslims would want the ban stopped, but I had never heard anyone describe it in quite this way: so far, on TV and newspapers, Muslims had always been describing it as their choice to wear the hijab. It was their right to choose, and they freely chose. However, we were now being told by this speaker that it was in fact not their choice. Indeed, he said, Islam makes it an obligation for Muslim women to wear the hijab. He then stated that ideas like freedom of choice were un-Islamic.

I was shocked!

I had heard people argue from various points of view - Conservative, Labour, Democrat, Republican, Socialist - but never had I heard anyone claim that they didn't believe in freedom.

Time was up... the lecture room had to be cleared for the next session. I could not believe what I had heard. Surely he was mistaken. What sane person doesn't believe in liberty? As I left I spoke to the speaker and he arranged for me to meet with his colleague the next week. Little did I know that I was going to meet someone who would literally change my life.

I arrived in the canteen the next week, a little lost, not really remembering what the person I was going to meet looked like. I took a chance and walked over to a group of guys, a few of whom had beards. They were very friendly and it wasn't long before I had spoken to just about everyone, but still hadn't heard an answer to my question about freedom. It wasn't until a couple of weeks later that I happened to bump into one of the people I had met in the canteen.

India vs. Pakistan

I have never been a huge cricket fan, but with all the commotion, I went along with some of the people from my class to the Student Union to watch the match. The room was clearly divided into two groups, with flags flying and people cheering or jeering as the match progressed. I was just about to walk in and try to find a seat when I saw the brother from the canteen. He asked if I was going in, and I admitted that I really wasn't so interested in the game. So he and I grabbed some food and took a walk, ending up at the nearby park. We sat there on the grass, eating and chatting about the reason that he wasn't watching the match. He said it was because the people watching were bonded by nationalism. Now, ordinarily, I would have argued with him, perhaps even just for the purpose of an argument, but he went on to explain the Islamic point of view, and it was hard to disagree.

We continued to meet after that day and then the day came when I came home and said to my mum:

"Guess what! Someone at Uni just proved to me that God exists." "Proof! Really?", she replied, clearly surprised. "To be honest, I can't remember specifically what he said, but I'm gonna ask him again."

Within a few months, I was ready to declare my faith in Islam. He had proved to me that the Creator exists, the same way that you know that you exist, and that the screen in front of you exists. Definite proof. He went on to prove that the Qur'an is the literal word of this creator, and it was a proof like nothing I had ever experienced. It wasn't emotional, it wasn't based on "blind faith", it wasn't even because the Qur'an contained proven predictions or amazing scientific facts. It was definite, proven fact.

What's more, alhamdulillah, I could prove it too!
With a small gathering of brothers, I slowly said the words:

"ash hadu allaa ilaha illallahu wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh"

followed by a chorus of takbir, hugs and handshakes. As one brother aptly pointed out, these people, who I'd only known for a matter of months, were willing to give their lives up to save mine. I had become a part of the Ummah of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

That declaration was only the first step in what I have since realised is a journey towards seeking the pleasure of my Creator, inshaAllah. It has affected the way that I make every decision, and has immeasurably changed my life and my akhirah for the better inshaAllah.

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (20) add comment

Subscribe to this comment's feed

worldcivilization_designer said:

	subhanalloh, be sure my brothers n my sisters, islam will dominate the world.. it is a truly wonderful story!!!
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 28, 2009
Votes: -2

syed zahid ali said:

Dear sis diya,
This is my humble way to explain thw why of your question.
Islams' main belief starts with the proclamation of belief in one God. Allah. He is the creator, sustainer of the entire universe. Allah has created his best creation human being. He has also given the handbook as a guidance manual to the humans how they should behave in this world.
from Adam(pbuh) to last prophet Mohammed swt. Allah has sent down prophets to each and every nations with His guidance book for the benefits of the people in the respective languages of nations on whom prophets were sent. After the death of those prophets, As the time progress kings and the clergy/pundits/ preist use to indulge in alteration in the guidance books to suit there ulterior objectives so much so that there were less of the original content and lots of falsifications which they ascribe towards God. To stop this creator use to send again His messenger / Prophet to get the people to the right paths. Of the Four books mentioned in Quran, Torah was reveiled to Prophet Muses (Pbuh), Zaboor(Palsms) to prophet Dawood/David (Pbuh), Bible/Injeel to Prophet Isa/Jesus(Pbuh) and lastly Holy Quran to seal of prophethood and last Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh). there were sahifas that were given to many prophets for the guidence of the people in whom they were sent. AsTorah was altered therefore zaboor was given to provide correct guidence to the people. later zaboor was altered therefore Bible was given as guide to prophet Isa. when Bible was altered Quran was revealed as last and final guidence till the day of judgement. now the present state of the Torah, Palsms with jews are altered and manipulated scripture. same with the bible.(refer the talks of Br. Ahmed Deedat for the mistakes in bible in youtube). vedas are oldest of them all hence greater corruption in the concept of god and other aspects)lots of false with less of truth. HOW CAN THERE BE 5 CRORE GODS. there are definately matter in vedas that are similar to Quranic concepts but also has concept that negates them. thats truth with false.
Holy Quran is for entire universe. people have to follow this book. We are born in different places in different environs. since the truth is already there, its the responsibility of person to search for the truth. For all the practicle purposes we tend to enquire about the authenticity of the source. if we want to go to college or select a course or selecting our spouse we make all possible enquiries so that we make no mistakes with regards to them. though we had our fathers profession at our sight but want better. select a profession which is the hot and happening. college where your father has already studied but will opt for the best in the country and the world. there is a decent girl.boy next door but will go places to get the perfect match.
Alas! in religion, there is no need ?we can't question? we can even think of it? how dare anyone question? are you out of your mind? we have to follow the scriptures followed by their forefathers. NO! WE HAVE TO SEEK THE TRUTH. DO COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS. SE THE LOGIC.
QURAN RECOMMENDS PEOPLE TO THINK AND PONDER HOW THE MAN IS CREATED. TO PONDER UPON THE CREATIONS TO UNDERSTAND THE CREATOR. QURAN IS NOT A RELIGION IN THE COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD JARGON, IT GIVES YOU A WAY OF LIFE BY THE CREATOR.
I AGREE WITH YOUR BELOW COMMENT."Rather than follwing something which is imposed on you by your ancestors/community/society, you can yourself get into the research and widen your perspective to feel the existence of the Creator and His Creations. God has given us all the most powerful tool which is our own mind. Use it please."
WASSALAM

report abuse

vote down

vote up

April 10, 2009
Votes: +3

Diya said:

Hello everybody,

I believe, to know God and to surreder completely, religion could not be a hindarance. I strongly believe the Creator is One and the same for everyone/everything in this universe. But I really wonder why did'nt He give the same to all the founders of various religions. Hindus believe that Vedas and Bhagwat Gita were the words of God Himself and Muslims believe that Quran was given by Allah directly throught the Prohphet (SAW). Why did'nt He give the same version to all.
Two different communities fighting to prove the truth of their religions will never get the Godly vision, rather an Atheist who believe in love and peace and who treats all beings one and the same and egoless and who is in search of God have chances of getting the vision.
Rather than follwing something which is imposed on you by your ancestors/community/society, you can yourself get into the research and widen your perspective to feel the existence of the Creator and His Creations. God has given us all the most powerful tool which is our own mind. Use it please.

Allah Hafiz

report abuse

vote down

vote up

March 23, 2009
Votes: +2

zakir said:

	THE WORD CONVERSION IS MUCH MALIGNED .BE WITH A COMPASSIONATE HEART .BELIEVE ALL OF US ARE CHILDREN OF ONE FAMILY .IF ONE SUFFERS ALL MUST FEEL THE PAIN .WORK WITH THE INTENTION OF SAVING ALL FROM THE PERSECUTION OF MAN- IF A TABLE OR CHAIR CANNOT CREATE ITSELF HOW CAN MAN AND THIS UNIVERSE COME ABOUT WITHOUT A CREATOR!!!! THINK MAN THINK!!
	report abuse vote down vote up

March 02, 2009
Votes: +1

Ameer abu ibn Ameer said:

Dearest doesitmatter,

I assure you that I do exist, and that this message did not sprout out of thin air :o) This comment and the story above are the product of its creator. Of course, you knew that already, since you're a rational human being.

Does God exist?

Please note that I'm not asking you about your beliefs. I'm not asking about your emotions. I'm not asking about your traditions. I'm asking a simple question about existence. Sadly when it comes to "religion", I find that people fall back onto some of these alternatives rather than serious thought. For the sake of clarity, let us first remove the word "god" from the discussion.

Rather, let me ask: Does the chair that you are seated on exist? Does the moon exist? Does your home exist?

If you and I were to assess the answer to these questions, our natural and immediate inclination would be to simply look at the book/table/house/whatever, and determine that indeed it does exist. There would be no need for debate since the proof would be apparent. We would not find ourselves in a discussion about feelings or belief, or "religion". The object exists, based on verifiable proof. Plain and simple.

We ought to take the same approach to discussing the existence of anything. The existence of the Creator is not a special case that requires us to turn off our minds. Rather, given the ramifications, it behooves us to be completely rational and to reject all else.

I think your choice of name is most telling: "Does it matter?". Certainly I would not accept a lie, nor would I be satisfied with no answer, and in any "normal" circumstance, neither would you.

There is rational proof that a Creator exists, and that His message is the Qur'an. You need not believe me; you can test this for yourself. The beautiful thing about this proof is that is can be known by anyone, at any time. This proof is compelling, satisfies the mind, and subsequently changes a persons life. Alhamdulillahi rabil 'alamin.

Ameer abu ibn Ameer.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

March 01, 2009
Votes: +11

doesitmatter said:

what to say?.........i only say that every religion has been made to develop humanity, and spread brotherhood.Humanity is the ultimate religion.I donno if Allah exists or Bhagwaan.I donno whether it is Islam which is great or Hinduism or Christianity.Because I feel and I know that there is only religion.......religion of HUMANITY, where the only motive is to spread HAPINESS, where the only sacrifice is SELF-SACRIFICE towards the need of others, where the only God is PEACE and only prophet is LOVE, because it is only he that provides everything, love, satisfaction , happiness and development.Because I know, if i was born, i would of the same religion as that of my parents.then probably i would understand hinduism, islam or christianity as the best, but if i was born just as a human being (as i have been) i would just be a human.
Alhamdulillah,
i donno if you really exist (neither do you know if i am what i am) but let me repeat it once again, if your self is not strong, you will have to transform your religion again and again, try to know every religion and you will know that all spread common message of brotherhood and brother, if you have any(.....just think at heart and say......you just feel free to feel your heart....) dillema about anything, just practice the religion of humanity and love your fellowmates, you will attain heaven, and for this small thing you will not have to die even.
for myself, i am from India.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

March 01, 2009
Votes: +0

Jid said:

	Subhanallah.. May you hold on to HIM no matter what...in every split second of your life
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 28, 2009
Votes: +0

Munawar said:

	Assalamalikum Subhanallah, Mashallah May Allah give you strength and sabar. Mubarak for joining the Ummah of Mohammed s.a.w. Inshallah hope to meet you in this world or in Jannah inshallah. Allah guide us to the path of Mohammed s.a.w. assalamalikum
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 26, 2009
Votes: +0

Khalifa said:

	Alhamdulillah! jazakallah khair
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 24, 2009
Votes: +1

asif said:

	jazakallah khair, really it is the glory of islam that it maks people thinking.hope others will also be able to realize the truth abt Islam.
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 23, 2009
Votes: +0

Tariq said:

	Alhamdulillah! Please accept my heartiest congratuation for joinging the family of 1.5bn members. My Allah (swt) help you and give you ISTIQAMAT to continue your juerney on SIRATul MUSTAQEEEM.... Wasalam
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 23, 2009
Votes: +1

kiran sis said:

	its a very nice decision taken by da bro.inshallah ur iman`l b mr strngr n u can wrk mr efficiently for our deen.inshallah we all`l achieve our jannah.
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 22, 2009
Votes: +0

Nida said:

	SUBHANALLAH "........those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft Forgiving , Most Merciful" [Al-Quran 25:70]
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 20, 2009
Votes: +0

turkish mughal said:

Hamdolilah

In hindu scriptures itself its wriiten to beleive in one god...and there is NO worship of idols.

The upanishads are considered sacred scriptures by the Hindus.

i) Ekam evaditiyam
"He is One only without a second"
[Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1]1

ii)Na casya kasuj janita na cadhipah.
"Of Him there are neither parents nor Lord"
[Svetasavatara Upanishad 6,9] [ 2part II page 263.]

iii)Na tasya pratima asti
(There is no likeness of Him.)
[Svetasvatara Upanishad chapter 4:19]

Nainam urdhvam na tiryancam na madhye na parijagrabhat
na tasy pratime asti yasya nama mahad yasah.3
"There is no likeness of Him whose name is great glory".3
[The principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan pg 736 & 737]

[Sacred Books of the East, volume 15, the Upanishad part II page no 253]

Even Mohammed saws is prophecied in Vedas and Puranas.

MOHAMMAD IN VEDAS:

"Inda jana up shrut narashans ratvishyate !!
Shashthi sehstra navanti cha coram aarushmeshu!
Dehmhi !! ushtra yasya pravahini vadhumanto !!
Dwardash ! vershma rathasyani jihindate diw irshmana !!
Upsparsha: !!ev RISHYE MAMAHE shanta nishkan !!
Dash sraja: troni shatanyavatan sehstra dash gonam !! "-- [Ahtharva Veda,Kanda-20,sukta-127, mantras 1-3 ]

" O people, listen this emphatically ! The man of praise [Mohammad] will be raised among the people. We take the emigrant in our shelter from sixty thousand and ninety enimies- whose conveyances are twenty camels and she-camels, whose loftiness of position touches the heaven and lowers it. He gave to " MAMAHE RISHI " hundreds of gold coins, ten circles, three hundred Arab horses and ten thousand cows. "

In Puranas...Mohammed (saws) is mentioned by the name Mahammed.

The translation of Verses 5-27 (Sanskrit text of the Puranas, Prati Sarg Parv III: 3, 3) is presented below from the work of Dr. Vidyarthi.

“A malechha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking foreign language) spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mahamad. Raja (Bhoj) after giving this Mahadev Arab (of angelic disposition) a bath in the 'Panchgavya' and the Ganges water, (i.e. purging him of all sins) offered him the presents of his sincere devotion and showing him all reverence said, 'I make obeisance to thee.' 'O Ye! the pride of mankind, the dweller in Arabia, Ye have collected a great force to kill the Devil and you yourself have been protected from the malechha opponents (idol worshipers, pagans).' ‘O Ye! the image of the Most Pious God the biggest Lord, I am a slave to thee, take me as one lying on thy feet.'
“The Malechhas have spoiled the well-known land of the Arabs. Arya Dharma is not to be found in that country. Before also there appeared a misguided fiend whom I had killed [note: e.g., Abraha Al-Ashram, the Abyssinian viceroy of Yemen, who attacked Mecca]; he has now again appeared being sent by a powerful enemy. To show these enemies the right path and to give them guidance the well-known Mahamad (Mohammad), who has been given by me the epithet of Brahma is busy in bringing the Pishachas to the right path. O Raja! You need not go to the land of the foolish Pishachas, you will be purified through my kindness even where you are. At night, he of the angelic disposition, the shrewd man, in the guise of a Pishacha said to Raja Bhoj, "O Raja! Your Arya Dharma has been made to prevail over all religions, but according to the commandments of ‘Ashwar Parmatma (God, Supreme Spirit), I shall enforce the strong creed of the meat-eaters. My follower will be a man circumcised, without a tail (on his head), keeping beard, creating a revolution, announcing call for prayer and will be eating all lawful things. He will eat all sorts of animals except swine. They will not seek purification from the holy shrubs, but will be purified through warfare. Because of their fighting the irreligious nations, they will be known as Musalmans (Muslims). I shall be the originator of this religion of the meat-eating nation."

report abuse

vote down

vote up

February 19, 2009
Votes: +1

akhter said:

	A truly wonderful story,i wish you all the best ,please let us know what your family feels toward you especialy you wonderful mother, i hope you will with Allah,s help will guide them toward light, Ameen.
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 19, 2009
Votes: +1

Yuma Heksa said:

subhanallah ...
I dropped my tears as i was reading the story. Alhamdulillah He has shown you to the right path, Islam.
It reminds me to my past xperience -how I firstly got understanding bout Islam comprehensively-
(eventhough I m born-muslim)
It was begun also by a discussion/dialogue. Islam has satisfied my mind ...
"There are three things whoever obtains them he will experience the sweetness of belief - that Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than anything else; that he loves a man only for the sake of Allah; and that he dislikes the thought of reverting to disbelief as much as he would dislike being cast into the Fire."

report abuse

vote down

vote up

February 18, 2009
Votes: +3

mohammad malaysia said:

	Subhanallah brother, may Allah the AlMighty reward you with Jannah. Now is the time for u to hold and grab the Islam even tough you lost your life. This was happened to the Sahabah in the early period of Islam. Be patience with all the obstacles, InshaAllah you'll be rewarded Jannah.
	report abuse vote down vote up