Imam Ghazali

When we talk about islamic scholars, Imam Ghazali is one of them that comes in our mind. Depiste that when we ask the same question amongst the youth very few people would even know him despite his enormous contribution to islam. Imam Ghazali was born in 450 AH in the village of Taberan in Persia and his name is Abu Hamid Muhammad. His tittle is Hujjatul Islam or proof of Islam and his dynastic title is Ghazzali. Ghazzal is said to be the name of a village in the district of Taus in the province of Khorasan in Persia. According to Maulana Shibli Nomani, his ancestors had the businss of weaving ( Ghazzal) and therefore he retained his family title Ghazzali ( weaver). The books of Imam Ghazzali was so much accepted and honoured in Europe that they preserved them in many libraries. But they did not receive so much attention in Muslim countries. Some Muslims learned men even did not open their eyes to see them , but rather prohibited the people to read them. For this reason his books are rarely found in the libraries of Muslim countries. This website will be posting most of the articles from the book of Imam Ghazali " IHYA ULUM ID DIN". By : Ramsha Amir.

Common Mistakes During Ramadhan

Some Common Mistakes during Ramadhan

1) Focusing on food; to the extent that people begin to worry about eating more then actually fasting. This also goes along with spending tons of money on Iftaars even though a person does not need to eat that much food.

2) Making Suhr way before Fajr. Some people eat Suhr a few hours after Taraweeh or Isha Salah, this is wrong. It should be eaten closer to the time of Fajr.

3) People don't make Niyyah (intentions) to fast for Ramadhan. This is something in the heart and does not need to be verbal. Also it only needs to be done once, at the beginning of Ramadhan and not every single day.

4) If you find out late that Ramadhan started, you should stop eating and fast for that day, making that day up after Ramadhan/Eid ends.

5) Many people don't think you pray Taraweeh on the first night of Ramadhan (such as tonight). They believe you pray it after the first day you actually fast. They forget that the Islamic calender runs on the moon, maghrib is the start of the new day.

6) Many people believe if you eat or drink on accident this breaks your fast. This is false, if you do this on accident then you continue fasting and do not need to make up the day.

7) Some people take the opinion that if they see someone eating or drinking they should not remind the person that he/she is fasting. According to many ulama , this is incorrect and it is an order from Allah for us to ordain the good and forbid the evil. Thus we tell the person, because we are forbidding the evil this way.

8)Many sisters believe they cannot use Hennah while fasting. This is incorrect, they are allowed to use it during Ramadhan.

9) You can use  miswak, you can not use tooth paste. The use of tooth paste is makruh and if the tooth paste enters the throat then fast becomes void so tooth paste cannot be used.

10) Some people make the Fajr Adhan early. They do this so people will stop eating before Fajr and not invalidate their fast. This is wrong and something we should not do.

11) Some people make the Maghrib Adhan late. They do this so people will start eating late, just incase Maghrib has not come in yet. Thsi too is wrong and we should not do this.

12) Many many people believe you cannot have intercourse with your spouse during the whole month of Ramadhan. This is false, you cannot do this only during the times when you are fasting. Between Maghrib and Fajr it is permissable to do.

13) Many women believe that if their period has just ended and they did not make ghusl, they cannot fast that day (considering their period ended at night, and they went to bed without Ghusl, waking up without having a chance to make it). This is incorrect, if a women has not made Ghusl she can still fast.

14) Many men believe that if he has had intercourse with his wife and did not make ghusl (similar to the above) then he cannot fast the next morning. This is also incorrect, for he can fast even if he has not made Ghusl.

15) Some people pray Dhur and Asr prayers together during Ramadhan. (mainly in Arab countries) This is incorrect and should be avoided.

16) Some people believe you cannot eat until the Muadthin is done calling the Maghrib Adthan. This is incorrect, as soon as he starts a person can break their fast.

17) Many people don't take advantage of making dua before they break their fast. This is one of the three times when Allah accepts a person dua.

18) Many people make the mistake of spending the later part of Ramadhan prepairing for Eid, neglecting Ramadhan. This is incorrect and these people lose the concept of what Ramadhan is about.

19) Many parents do not let their children fast during Ramadhan (young children). This is somehting counter productive to a child. By allowing him to fast he will grow up to know he must do this act.

20) Many people think Ramadhan is just about not eating and forget about controling their tempers and watching what they say. In actuality we are supposed to control our tempers and mouthes even more during Ramadhan.

21) People often waste their time during Ramadhan. They go to sleep during the day and get nothing done. We should be taking advantage of this blessed month by doing extra Ibaadat.

22) Some people don't go on trips or travel during Ramadhan. They think they have to break their fast when traveling. This is actually optional, if you want to break your fast while traveling you can (with making it up later), and if you don't you can continue fasting.

23) Many people who are able don't make Itikaaf at the masjid. We should take advantage of our good health and spend lots of time at the Masjid, expecially the last 10 days of Ramadhan.

24) Some people believe they cannot cut their hair or nails during Ramadhan. This is also false.

25) Some people say you cannot swallow your spit during Ramadhan. This too is false. However you cannot swallor mucus that has entered your mouth.

26) Some people say you cannot use scented oils or perfumes during Ramadhan. This too is false.

27) Some people believe bleeding breaks the fast. This is not true.

28) Some people believe if you throw up on accident it breaks your fast. This is not true, however if you do it intentionally it does.

29) Some people think you cannot put water in your nose and mouth during wuduh in Ramadhan. This too is incorrect

***The list was taken from Sheikh Ahmad Musa Jibril's Fiqh of Ramadhan class.

By Jahanzaib Jamshed

YUSUF ESTES

Many people ask me how a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam, especially considering all the negative things that we hear about Islam and Muslims everyday.  Some people are simply curious, while others take a profound exception to my “conversion” to Islam.  Some have asked how I could have turned my back on Jesus, or if I truly understood the Holy Ghost, and some even questioned whether or not I considered myself as “born again” or had ever really been saved at all.  These are good questions to which I will offer answers to at the end of this writing.  I would like to thank everyone for their interest and offer my humble story, God Willing.

One very nice Christian gentleman asked me in email why and how I left Christianity for Islam.  This is more or less a copy of the letter I sent to him.

Introduction

My name is Yusuf Estes now, but in years past my friends used to call me Skip.  I have preached Christianity and worked in the entertainment and music industry since I was a boy in the 1950’s.  My father and I have established music stores, TV and radio programs and outdoor entertainment for fun (and profit).  I was a music minister and even used a pony ride and entertained the children as “Skippy the Clown.”

Once, I have served as Delegate to the United Nations Peace Conference for Religious Leaders.  Now I am a retired former Muslim Chaplain for United States Bureau of Prisons, Washington, DC.  and I join alongside many American Muslims, working with Muslim students and youth organizations as well as schools for Muslim children.  As such, I travel around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam.  We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere.  Some of our work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons.  Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are.  Although Islam has grown now to nearly tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of “Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God” [Arabic = ‘Islam’]

Dear me, I am afraid that I got a bit ahead of myself.  I was trying to give a bit of background of our work perhaps to see if it would in anyway benefit those who may being going through what I experienced while trying to resolve some of the issues of Christianity.

How It Happened

This may seem quite strange, while we perhaps may share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophethood, sin and salvation.  But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as many folks are today.  Really, I was.  Let me explain.

Born a Strong Christian

I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest.  Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place.  While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I’m old).  We attended church regularly, and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas.  As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs.  The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more.  I developed quite a thirst for the “Gospel” or as we say; “Good News.” My research into religion did not stop with Christianity.  Not at all.  Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies.  Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was “Islam”.  Why? Good question.

Music Minister

Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially Gospel and Classical.  Because my whole family was religious and musical, it followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas.  All this set me for the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated with over the years.  I started teaching keyboard instruments in 1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called “Estes Music Studios.”

Business Projects in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida

Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business projects.  We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions.  We opened piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida.  We had earned millions of dollars during those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan of salvation.  I’m sure you have asked yourself the question; “Why did God create me?”  or “What is it that God wants me to do?”  or “Exactly who is God, anyway?”  “Why do we believe in ‘original sin?” and “Why would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his ‘sins’ and then as a result be punished forever.”  But if you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a ‘mystery’ and you shouldn’t ask - “Just have faith, brother.”

Trinity Concept

Strangely enough, the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible.  And it has been a concern for religious scholars as early as 200 years after Jesus was raised up by Almighty God.  I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how ‘one’ could figure out to become ‘three’ or how God Himself, Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people’s sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people; keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the universe as we know it.  They never seemed to be able to come up with anything other than opinions or strange analogies.

Father - Ordained Non-Denominational Minister

My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church school programs.  He became and ordained minister in the 1970s.  He and his wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the “Prayer Tower” in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Baker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat Robertson.

Distributing “Praise” Tapes for Jesus

During the early 1980’s my Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in recording “Praise” tapes and distributing them for free to people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the elderly.  We were really “winning souls to the Lord - for Jesus” day after day.

Met a Man from Egypt

It was early in 1991 when my father began doing business with a man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him.  This idea appealed to me when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor.  You know, the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that.

He Was a “Mozlem”

Hijackers; Kidnappers; Bombers, Terrorists - and who knows what else?  Then my father mentioned that this man was a ‘Moslem.’ First, I hated the idea of meeting an “infidel, hijacker, kidnapper, bomber, terrorist, non-believer.”  Any normal person would be repulsed at the idea.  I couldn’t believe my ears.  A ‘Moslem?’  No way!  I reminded my dad of the various different things that we had heard about these people.

Lies Against Muslims & Islam - They Told Us, Muslims:

They don’t even believe in God.  They worship a black box in the desert.   And they kiss the ground five times a day.   No Way!  I Did Not Want to Meet Him!  I did not want to meet this ‘Moslem’ man.  No way!  My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person.  This was too much for me.  Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and Islam very much.  They even said things that were not true to make people afraid of Islam.  So, why would I want anything to do with these people?

Idea - “Change Him to Christian”

Then an idea came to me, “We can change this man to Christian.”  So, I gave in and agreed to the meeting, but on my terms.  Met Him With A Bible, Cross and Cap with “Jesus Is Lord!” on it.  I agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in good standing with the Lord.  I would be carrying my Bible under my arm as usual.  I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on my cap which says: “Jesus is Lord” right across the front.  My wife and two young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with the ‘Moslems.’

Where Is He?

When I came into the shop and asked my father where the ‘Moslem’ was, he pointed and said: “He’s right over there.”  I was confused.  That couldn’t be the Moslem.  No way.

Turban & Beard?

I’m looking for a huge man with flowing robes, a big turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all the way across his forehead with a sword or a bomb under his coat.

No Turban - No Beard - [No Hair at All!]

This man had no beard.  In fact, he didn’t even have any hair on his head at all.  He was nearly bald.  Best of all, he was very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake.  This didn’t make sense.  I thought they are terrorists and bombers.  What is this all about?

He Needs Jesus

Never mind.  I’ll get right to work on this guy.  He needs to be ‘saved’ in the ‘Name of Jesus’, and me and the Lord are going to do it.

Introduction & Interrogation

After a quick introduction, I asked him:

“Do you believe in God?”

He said:“Yes.” - (Good!)

Then I said: “Do you believe in Adam and Eve?”

He said: “Yes.” - (Very Good!)

I said: “What about Abraham?  You believe in him and how he tried to sacrifice his son for God?”

He said: “Yes.” - (Even better!)

Then I asked: “What about Moses?  Ten Commandments?  Parting the Red Sea?”

Again he said: “Yes.” - (Better still!)

Then: “What about the other prophets, David, Solomon and John the Baptist?”

He said:

“Yes.” - (Great!)

I asked: “Do you believe in the Bible?”

Again, he said: “Yes.” - (OK!)

So, now it was time for the big question: “Do you believe in Jesus?  That he was the Messiah (Christ) of God?”

Again the said: “Yes.” - (Fantastic!)

Well now - This was going to be easier than I had thought. He was just about ready to be baptized, only he didn’t know it. And I was just the one to do it, too.

Shocking Knowledge - Muslims Believe in the Bible?

One day in the Spring of 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in the Bible.  I was shocked.  How could this be?  But that’s not all, they believe in Jesus as:

* A true messenger of God;

* Prophet of God;

* Miracle birth without human intervention;

* He was the ‘Christ’ or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;

* He is with God now and most important;

* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the ‘Antichrist.’

After “winning souls to the Lord for Jesus” day after day, this would be a big achievement for me, to catch one of these ‘Moslems’ and ‘convert’ him to Christianity.

Cup of Tea - Discuss Beliefs

I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did.  So off we went to a little shop in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs.  While we sat in that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy.  He listened attentively to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time.  I liked this man’s way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good Christian. - Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of my eyes.

Agreed to Do Business

First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my business trips across the northern part of Texas.  Day after day, we would ride together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people have.  And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor individual.  We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His Will to mankind.  We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as well.

Moved to Our Home

One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he had been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time.  I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us.  After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses, and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around.  My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.

Continued Ministry & Preaching

Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas.  One of them lived on the Texas-Mexico border, and another lived near lived the Oklahoma border.  One preacher liked to carry a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car.  He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross.  People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.

Preacher Has Heart Attack

One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the Veteran’s Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while.  I used to visit him in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and religions.  My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did not want to know anything about Islam.  Then one day a man who was sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his wheelchair.  I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn’t matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the planet Jupiter.  I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.

Man in Wheelchair - Needed the Lord

I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life.  So, I began to ‘witness’ to him about the Lord.  I read to him out of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament.  I shared the story of the prophet Jonah who had been sent by the Lord to call his people to the correct way.  Jonah had left his people and escaped by boat to leave his city and head out to sea.  A storm came up and the ship almost capsized and the people on board threw Jonah over the side of the ship.  A whale came up to the surface and grabbed Jonah, swallowed him and then went down to the bottom of the sea, where he stayed for 3 days and 3 nights.  Yet because of God’s Mercy, He caused the whale to rise to the surface and then spit Jonah out to return back home safely to his city of Nineveh.  And the idea was that we can’t really run away from our problems because we always know what we have done.  And what is more, God also always knows what we have done.

Catholic Priest

After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and me and apologized.  He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that he had experienced some real serious problems recently.  Then he said that he wanted to confess something to me.  And I said that I was not a Catholic priest and I don’t handle confessions.  He replied back to me that he knew that.  In fact, he said: “I am a Catholic priest.”

I was shocked.  Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest.  What in the world was happening here?

Priest in Latin America

The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen.  When he was released from the hospital he needed a place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us in the country along with our families and Mohamed.  It was agreed by all that he would so, he moved out right away.

Priests Must Study ISLAM? - YES!

During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the concepts of beliefs in Islam, and to my surprise he agreed and then shared even more about this with me.  I was shocked when he told me that Catholic priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors degrees in this subject.  This was all very enlightening to me.  But there was still a lot more to come.

Different Versions of the Bible

After settling in, we all began to gather around the kitchen table after dinner every night to discuss religion.  My father would bring his King James Version of the Bible, I would bring out my Revised Standard Version of the Bible, my wife had another version of the Bible (maybe something like Jimmy Swaggart’s Good News for Modern Man.  The priest of course, had the Catholic Bible which has 7 more books in it that the Protestant Bible.  So we spent more time talking about which Bible was the right one or the most correct one, than we did trying to convince Mohamed about becoming a Christian.

Quran Has Only ONE Version - In Arabic - And Still Exists

At one point I recall asking him about the Quran and how many versions of it there were in the last 1,400 years.  He told me that there was only ONE QURAN.  And that it had never been changed.  Yet he let me know that the Quran had been memorized by hundreds of thousands of people in its entirety, and were scattered about the earth in many different countries.  Over the centuries since the Quran was revealed, millions have memorized it completely and have taught it to others who have memorized it completely, from cover to cover, letter perfect without mistakes.  Today, over 9 million Muslims have memorized the entire Quran from cover to cover.

How Could This Be?

This did not seem possible to me.  After all, the original languages of the Bible have all been dead languages for centuries, and the documents themselves have been lost in their originals for hundreds and thousands of years.  So, how could it be that something like this could be so easy to preserve and to recite from cover to cover.

Priest Goes to the Mosque

Anyway, one day the priest asked the Mohamed if he might accompany him to the mosque to see what it was like there.  They came back talking about their experience there and we could not wait to ask the priest what it was like and what all types of ceremonies they performed.  He said they didn’t really do anything.  They just came and prayed and left.  I said: They left? Without any speeches or singing?  “He said that was right.”

Priest Enters Islam!

A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked Mohamed if he might join him again for a trip to the mosque which they did.  But this time it was different.  They did not come back for a very long time.  It became dark and we worried that something might have happened to them.  Finally they arrived and when they came in the door I immediately recognized Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him? Someone wearing a white robe and a white cap.  Hold on a minute!  It was the priest.  I said to him: Pete? -- Did you become a ‘Moslem?’

He said that he had entered into Islam that very day.  THE PRIEST BECAME A MUSLIM!!  What next? (You’ll see).

My Wife Announces Her Islam!

So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk to my wife about the whole subject.  She then told me that she too was going to enter into Islam, because she knew it was the truth.

Shocked!

I was really shocked now.  I went downstairs and woke up Mohamed and asked him to come outside with me for a discussion.  We walked and talked that whole night through.

Truth Had Come!

By the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the Muslims) I knew that the truth had come at last and now it was up to me to do my part.  I went out back behind my father’s house and found an old piece of plywood lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.

Guide Me!  O God!  Guide Me!

Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: “O God.  If you are there, guide me, guide me.”

Sign Inside of Me

And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something.  No, I didn’t see birds or angels coming out of the sky, nor did I hear voices or music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes.  What I did notice was a change inside of me.  I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me to stop any lying and doing anything sneaky.  It was time that I really work at being an honest and upright man.  I knew now what I had to do.

Wash Away the “OLD”

So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was ‘washing’ away the sinful old person that I had become over the years.  And I was now coming into a new, fresh life.  A life based on truth and proof.

And Become New!

Around 11:00 A.M.  that morning, I stood before two witnesses, one the ex-priest, formerly known as Father Peter Jacob’s, and the other Mohamed Abel Rehman, and announced my ‘shahadah’ (open testimony to the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him).

“I bear witness, there is no deity to worship, except Almighty God, alone and He has no partners and I bear witness that Mohammad is His messenger and servant.”

My Wife Was Next

A few minutes later, my wife followed along and gave the same testimony.  But hers was in front of 3 witnesses (me being the third).

Then My Father

My father was a bit more reserved on the subject and waited a few more months before he made his shahadah (public testimony).  But he did finally commit to Islam and began offering prayers right along with me and the other Muslims in the local masjid (mosque).

Children Too!

The children were taken out of the Christian school and placed in Muslim schools.  And now ten years later, they are memorizing much of the Quran and the teachings of Islam.

Father’s Wife (Stepmother) Next

My father’s wife finally acknowledged, before she died, that Jesus could not be a son of God and that he must have been a mighty prophet of God, but not God.  She passed away within a few months of this statement at age 86.  May God accept her statement of faith, ameen.

Houseful of New Muslims - What’s next?

Now stop and think.  A whole entire household of people from varying backgrounds and ethnic groups coming together in truth to learn how to know and worship the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.  Think.  A Catholic priest; a minister of music and preacher of the Gospel; an ordained minister and builder of Christian schools; and the children, even a great-grandmother - they all come into Islam!

His Mercy and Guidance

Only by His Mercy were we all guided to see the real truth of Islam, by removing the coverings over our ears and the blinders on our eyes, no longer having seals over our hearts - He was Guiding us now.

So, now you have the introduction to the story of my coming into Islam and becoming Muslim.  There is more on the Internet about this story and there are more pictures there as well.  Please take the time to visit it and then please take the time to email me, and let us come together to share in all truths based on proofs for understanding our origins and our purpose and goals in this life and the Next Life.

Now since writing my story and publishing here on the internet many other websites have picked up this story and it had become a famous example of how “Priest and Preachers Are Coming to Islam.”

Again, I thank you for visiting.  And I thank our Christian friend for his email.  If he hadn’t sent it, I probably would still not have completed this task of putting down the story once and for all of how my family, friends and myself all came to Islam.

Please feel free to share this story with others.  You should print it out and make copies for everyone.  Give them our links, add our story to your website or blog page, and send out emails to everyone you know.  Maybe it could make a difference for others like us, God Willing.

May God guide you on your journey to all truth.  Ameen.  And May He open your heart and your mind to the reality of this world and the purpose of this life, ameen.

Peace to you and Guidance from God the One Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.

 Ramsha Amir.

Jermaine Jackson's story

It was way back in 1989 when I, along with my sister, conducted a tour to some of the countries of Middle East.  During our stay in Bahrain, we were accorded warm welcome.  There I happened to meet some children and had a light chitchat with them.  I put certain questions to them and they flung at me their innocent queries.  During the course of this interaction, they inquired about my religion.  I told them, “I am a Christian.”  I asked them, as to what was their religion. A wave of serenity took over them.  They replied in one voice : Islam.  Their enthusiastic answer really shook me from within.  Then they started telling me about Islam.  They were giving me information, much in piece with their age.  The pitch of their voice would reveal that they were highly proud of Islam.  This is how I paced toward Islam.

A very short interaction with a group of children ultimately led me to have long discourses about Islam with Muslim scholars.  A great ripple had taken place in my thought.  I made failing attempt to console myself that nothing had happened but I could not conceal this fact any longer from myself that at heart I had converted to Islam.  This I disclosed first to my family friend, Qunber Ali.  The same Qunber Ali managed to take me to Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia.  Till that time, I did not know much about Islam.  From there, in the company of a Saudi family, I proceeded for Mecca for the performance of “Umrah” [A lesser type of pilgrimage performed to Mecca].  There I made public for the first time that I had become Muslim.

What were your feelings after you proclaimed that you were a Muslim?

Having embraced Islam, I felt as if I were born again.  I found in Islam the answers to those queries which I had failed to find in Christianity.  Particularly, it was only Islam that provided satisfactory answer to the question relating to the birth of Christ.  For the first time I was convinced about the religion itself.  I pray my family members might appreciate these facts.  My family is the follower of that cult of Christianity, which is known as AVENDANCE of JEHOVA (Jehovah’s Witness).  According to its creeds, only 144,000 men would finally qualify to enter into paradise.  How come?  It remained always a perplexing creed for me.  I was surprised to know that Bible was compiled by so many men, particularly about a volume scripted by King James.  I wondered if a man compiles a directory and then ascribes it to God, but he does not fully comply with these directions.  During my stay in Saudi Arabia, I have had the opportunity to buy a cassette released by the erstwhile British pop-singer and the present Muslim preacher, Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens).  I learnt a lot from this as well.

What happened when you got back to the US after embracing Islam?

When I returned to USA, American media orchestrated heinous propaganda against Islam and the Muslims.  The gossips were let loose on me which really disturbed my peace of mind.  The Hollywood was hell-bent upon maligning the Muslims.  They were being projected as terrorists.  There are many things where there is consensus between Christianity and Islam, and Quran presents Holy Christ as a virtuous Prophet.  Then, I wondered, why Christian America levels baseless allegations against Muslims?

This made me gloomy.  I made up my mind that I would do my best to dispel the wrong image of Muslims, portrayed by the American media.  I had not the slightest idea that American media would not digest the news of my accepting Islam and raise such a great hue and cry.  It was virtually acting against all its tall and much-publicized claims about the freedom of expression and the freedom of conscience.  So the hypocrisy of American society came to surface and lay uncovered before me.  Islam unknotted many complications for me.  As a matter of fact, I came to think of myself as a complete human being, in the literal sense of the word.  After becoming Muslim, I felt a tremendous change in me.  I discarded all thing prohibited in Islam.  This made things difficult for my family too.  In short, the Jackson family tumbled altogether.  Threatening letters poured in, which further intensified the worries of my family.

What sort of threats?

Well, they would tell me that I had nurtured the animosity of American society and culture, by entering into the laps of Islam, you have deprived yourself of the right to live with others.  WE would make life unbearable for you in America so on, so forth.  But I confess that my family is broadminded.  We have held all religions in esteem.  Our parents have trained and groomed us in that way.  Therefore, I may say that the Jackson family enjoys friendly relation with people belonging to almost all religions.  This is the result of that training that I am being tolerated by them so far.

What was the reaction of your brother Michael Jackson?

On my way back to America, I brought a number of books from Saudi Arabia.  Michael Jackson asked me himself for some of these books for study.  Before this, his opinion was influenced by the propaganda of American media against Islam and the Muslims.  He was not inimical towards Islam, but he was not favorably disposed towards Muslims either.  But after reading these books, he would keep mum and not say anything against Muslims.  I think perhaps this is the impact of the study of Islam that he diverted his business interests towards Muslim traders.  Now, he has equal shares with the Saudi billionaire prince Waleed bin Talal in his multi-national company.

It was said earlier that Michael Jackson was against Muslims, then there are rumors that he had become Muslim.  What is the real story?

I testify this fact, at least there is nothing in my knowledge that Michael Jackson ever said anything derogatory against Muslims.  His songs, too, give message of love for others.  We have learnt from our parents to love others.  Only those who have their own ax to grind hurl allegations on him.  When there can be a nasty uproar against me when I became Muslim, why can it not be so against Michael Jackson.  But, so far, media has not subjected him to scathing criticism, although he is threatened for his getting somewhat closer to Islam.  But who knows what would it look like when Michael Jackson embraces Islam.

What are the views of the rest of the members of your family about you?

When I returned to America, my mother had already heard the news of my conversion to Islam.  My mother is a religious and civilized woman.  When I reached home, she put forth only one question, “you have taken this decision all of a sudden, or is it the outcome of some deep and long thinking behind it?“  “I have decided after a lot of thinking about it,“ I replied, let me say we are known as a religious family.  Whatever we possess, is due to the blessing of God.  Then why we should not be grateful to Him?  This is why we actively participate in the charity institutions.  We dispatched medicines to the poor African countries through special aircraft.  During Bosnian war, our aircraft were engaged in supplying aids to the [affected].  We are sensitive to such things because we have witnessed abject poverty.  We used to live in a house which was hardly a few square meters capacious.

Did you ever discuss about Islam with your sister pop star Janet Jackson?

Like other members of my family, my sudden conversion to Islam was a great surprise for her.  In the beginning, she was worried.  She has stashed into her head only one thing that Muslims are polygamous, they do have as much as four wives.  When I explained this permission granted by Islam with reference to the state of the present American society, she was satisfied.  This is fact that promiscuity and infidelity is very common in the western society.  In spite of the fact that they are married, western men enjoy extramarital relations with a number of women.  This has caused devastating moral decay in that society.  Islam safeguards the social fabric from this destruction.

As per Islamic teachings, if a man is emotionally attracted towards a woman, he should honorably give this relation a legal shape otherwise he must be contented with only one wife.  On the other hand, Islam has laid down so much conditions for second marriage that I do not think that an ordinary Muslim can afford to meet these conditions financially.  There is hardly one percent Muslims in the Islamic world who have more than one wife.  To my view, the women in an Islamic society is just like a well-protected flower which is safe from the stray penetrating looks of the viewers.  Whereas western society is devoid of the vision to appreciate this wisdom and philosophy.

What are your spontaneous feelings when you look at the Muslim society?

For the larger interest of humanity, Islamic society presents the safest place on this planet.  For instance, take the example of women.  American women are clad in their out-fit in such a manner that gives temptation to the male for harassment.  But this is unthinkable in an Islamic society.  Besides, the prevalent sins and vices have disfigured the moral fabric of western society.  I believe if there is any place left where the humanity is still visible, it can not be anywhere else than in an Islamic society.  Time would come when the world would be obliged to accept this reality.

What is your candid opinion about the American media?

American media is suffering from self-contradictions.  Take the example of Hollywood.  The status of an artist is measured here keeping in view the model of his car, the standard of this restaurant that he visits, etc.  This is the media that raises someone from the dust to the skies.  They do not consider the artist as a human being.  But I have met so many artists in the Middle East.  They have no misplaced arrogance in them.

Just look at the CNN, they do that much exaggeration about some news that it appears that nothing else has happened except that event in the world.  The news of fire in the forests of Florida was given such a wide coverage as it gave the impression that the whole globe has caught fire.  In fact, it was a small area, which was affected by that fire.

I was in Africa, when the bomb-blast took place in Oklahoma City.  The Media, without any proof, started hinting at the involvement of Muslims in that blast.  Later on the Saboteur turned out to be a CHRISTIAN!!!  We may term this attitude of American media as its willful ignorance.

Can you maintain a Linkage between your Islamic personality and the culture of your family?

Why not?  This linkage can be kept up for the achievement of good things.

After becoming Muslim, did you ever happen to see Muhammad Ali?

Muhammad Ali is our family friend.  I have met him a number of times, after embracing Islam.  He has provided useful guidance about Islam.

Have you visited Shah Faisal mosque in Los Angeles city?

Yes, of course!  This is a beautiful mosque.  I am myself interested to construct a similar mosque in Falise area because there is no mosques in this area and the Muslim community is not resourceful enough purchase a piece of land for a mosque in such a posh area.  God willing, I would do it.

Who is ignorant of the services of Saudi Arabia for the glorious cause of Islam?

No doubt it has leisurely financed the projects for mosques.  But this American media even does not spare Saudi Arabia; it spreads quite strange news about this country.  When I first visited Saudi Arabia, I had the impression that there would be muddy housed and a very poor communication network.  But when I reached there, to my great surprise, I found it culturally the most beautiful country of the world.

Who has influenced you, so far as Islam is concerned?

Many persons have impressed me.  But the fact is that first I turn to the Holy Quran, therefore I do not run a risk of getting strayed on the way.  However, there are many Islamic scholars that one can be duly proud of.  God willing, I plan to go to Saudi Arabia with my family to perform Umrah.

Your wife and children are Muslims too?

I have seven sons and two daughter who, like me, are fully Islamic-oriented.  My wife is still studying Islam.  She insists on going over to Saudi Arabia.  I trust InshaAllah [God-Willing], she would sooner join Islam.  May God Almighty give us the courage and perseverance to remain on this true religion, Islam.  (Ameen)

Ramsha Amir

In search for truth ( Sataesh Khan).

About 10 years ago when my parents split up. I had this urge to have a perfect family ever since. I grew up learning from the circumstances, from people around me, from places I traveled and lived. I had a sister who died of Hepatitis at the age of 17 and I was only 11, my younger brother was 9 and elder one was 13. We had never heard of any sort of disease nor had we known that people can die so young. My family needed a strong leader to help fill the void left by the death of my sister.

It wasn’t just the pain of seeing my family break down in front of me and the shattering of the image of my father whom I idolized, nor was it the traumatizing loss of my amazing elder sister who I deeply loved, depended on and looked up to, but it was a loss of my innocence, of my vanished childhood and the resulting shattered belief in life. Inwardly I felt fate had abandoned me and taken away all that I held so dear. I would never let my pain be known and carried on with an outwardly smile.

When I was 18 I started working as an Actress and made some really good and bad friends. My co-Actors Sarah Chaudhry, Mariam Ali, Affan Waheed, Jamal Shah, Layela Zuberi were like a second family. And every time we’d sit together onthe sets we’d talk about GOD and His creation. How we fit together in this world and It’s system. I could totally be myself with them. I haven’t had very good experiences with people in this industry but somehow I had managed these relations al-right. I was a total misfit to this unknown glamour world (I couldn’t fake myself).

I was blessed with being a Muslim. I used to pray, keep Roza’s and give charity (had fear of Allah). I have also read Qur’an just like any other normal growing up Muslim. Everytime I’d find myself in trouble I’d pray and I knew Allah helps me. The only thing I held onto real strong was ‘Ayat ul Kursi’ [Surah al-Baqarah (2):255]

Sarah Chaudhry my co-actor that I mentioned earlier before was as close to me as a real sister. She had left Showbiz and called it Haraam & what not. She moved to Abu Dhabi with her husband and turned all ninja (Naqabi). Definitely left me with too many questions. Once she was online and she said to me I have a question to ask from the youth, She said "We know everything, somewhere back of our heads, we can differentiate the wrong and the right without getting confused. Then I fail to understand, WHY don’t we follow it" from an Islamic prospective. I began to think about it. The Question that shook me was "Why? Why have I ruined myself ? I’m so caughtup inthis world that I had forgotten the reality. When did I become so ignorant and busy that I don’t even have time for my own mother any more. Everybody has to face Allah. What would I say to Him ?"

And I’m sure many of you out there reading this can relate to my situation. You know that’s the problem with our youth that we’re too lazy in religion and way too active in worldly activities. I 　started asking for help from "ALLAH".

Was it Satan that took control over me? Or was it me, myself? One by one I started to quit and eliminate the bad things and people from my life. I needed good influences. I needed motivation to stand up for the "Truth". I didn’t really know what to do but I kind of knew that I’m not too far from the reality. I never stopped praying. I was optimistic.

End of 2011, I find out that Sarah is coming back to Pakistan. I used to runaway from her but she invited me to this event, where she’s giving a speech and some other scholars & researchers are attending too. I and Mariam (My friend) had planned to go see her to Islamabad. As we reached to the venue, Faisal Mosque, my heart sank. The first tear dropped by just looking at this beautiful Masjid (Mosque) it looked so spiritual and peaceful. I saw it that close for the first time. We walked across the corridor and I see book stalls left & right. Boys and girls are standing smiling selling Islamic books. They were so welcoming unconditionally Alhamdulillah that I almost forgot that this is the same world we live in. I was really excited for the Islamic seminar.

The very first hall we went to, there were all girls sitting inside and a fashion show was going on. Lol, before you jump into any conclusions this was an ISLAMIC fashion show of Abaya’s (veils, hijab) and appropriate dresses for Muslim women. But I was probably expecting a little too much so for me it was almost inappropriate fashion show. As all the girls were screaming out loud and they played this ugly music for the runway. Anyway after the show this lady walked up on stage, she was wearing a Hijab, and looked absolutely gorgeous. As she started to talk, She said "Assalam o Alaikum, with the name of GOD here I am today to talk about the most important thing that our youth (especially girls) go through "The void". Instantly my jaw dropped and I thought for the first time in my life and I MEAN IT (the first time) I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I felt like GOD is communication with me directly. All these years the questions I had on my mind. She had answered so easily in 20 minutes.

I and Mariam were in tears. As she kept giving examples of Hazrat Mariam R.A (Merry) Hazrat Ai’shah R.A (Aisha) Hazrat Khateeja R.A Hazrat Fatimah RA. Everytime She says Mariam, she’d say ‘Listen to me carefully’ I would look at my friend and we just didn’t know what was happening to us. That feeling can’t be described in words. That woman said this repeatedly ‘Build your connection, build your connection, depend on ALLAH, rely on ALLAH’.

You see, we assume that celebrities commit super duper sins and when someone repents, we say "OMG! how bad that person would’ve been and what would he have done, to repent, look he’s gone from one extreme to another". Do you realize the amount of sins you commit sitting in your homes, each day ? I’m talking about normal people, not public figures. No, you don’t realize that’s the problem and when someone realizes, you accuse them for things and you mock them. For that you need deep studies on Islam. Only that will show you, your real face.

Anyway when we walked the second hallway I see this man preaching onthe stage. He is a researcher named Adnan Rashid from (iERA UK). He was talking about women in Islam. For an hour, I was listening to him. I was so involved that I didn’t know where I was and who were with me. I was in a state of shock and couldn’t see him clearly; he was a blur as tears wouldn’t stop rolling down my cheeks. My shawl was gone wet.

When he was done talking, he walked off saying one last thing to wind up "Look what we have and how we waste it, look who we are and how we deny it. We’re following west, poor confused people who don’t even have family values. We have given them the way of life, we have given them the freedom and we sold them Our Religion, and yet knowing how consistent our Religion is, we have left it on a side. Wake up People, Wake Up".

January 9th 2012 I found the purpose of my life. The whole prospective towards this world had changed. I walked out of that place promising to myself that I will bring the Revolution. I will be the motivation and I will inspire people. I had found my identity, I had found myself. All this long these people had made my religion so complicated for me. And yet, Allah made it so easy for me to accept it

The fact that is undeniable is that we’ll have to face ALLAH subhana Wa talla one day, whether it be today, tomorrow or after a few years. He definitely does not need worshipers but HE’s our creator right? And HIS (swt) love for us is more than 70 times than a mother, Imagine that passion of love and imagine its ‘unconditional’. Imagine if HE (swt) loved me even after I neglected HIM (swt) so much. HE loved our Atheists, Jews and Christian brothers and sisters that they’re reverting to ISLAM every single minute of the day and they’re becoming better Muslims than us!!!

Ask yourself why ? I did, and I found the answers.

WALLAHI we can’t even imagine the amount of Love that ALLAH has for us. Tears wouldn’t stop falling down my cheeks as I get flash backs of my life. I’ve wasted so much of my time. I’ve been neglectful and lazy. If I had known what I know now, by Allah I would have been a different person.

I prayed properly with my heart and soul after 6 months and I cried like a baby. I remember the last time I cried like that on my sister’s funeral. I found the connection back. I’ve Quit Acting to practice Islam properly. I cover and I feel awesome. I respect relations more. I respect my mother more. I worry about my hereafter. I’m glad to be where I am today. Some of you would call me crazy and think that I’ve lost it but brothers and sisters, True love is not something that comes every day. You find Allah when you seek for HIM. I’ve been hungry for years and that’s why I’m blessed with Hidayah (Guidance)May Allah guide us all. This story of my life is for you to get a lesson from.

Remember me in your prayers & make lots of Dua’s 　for yourself n your family.

"Nothing is hard, as long as you’re truly making an effort for it."

Courtesy : Hassan Khan Rao

Special Thanks to Sataesh khan( all duas for her=D)