How I Embraced Islam Why Islam? By Sr. Amirah Many people, Muslim and Christian alike have asked me, “why Islam”? What was it that made a young Southern woman leave the only religion she knew and had been taught for over 20 years and choose Islam? The answer, for me is very simple. The “Bible” itself convinced me of the purity and truthfulness of Islam. Since my reversion to Islam over four years ago, I have tried adamantly to focus more on the similarities between Islam and Christianity rather than the differences. We are told in the Holy Qur’an: ‘Say, “O people of the book (a term which particularly refers to Jews and Christians) come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him (in His powers and divine attributes); that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah.’ If then they turn back say you “Bear witness that we are Muslims, (bowing to the will of God).” (Translation of Surah Al-Imran 3:64) In doing da’wah, (which all Muslims are commanded to do) (“convey my message, even one ayah.”) it is imperative that respect be shown one to another. However, this is not to mean that we have to agree with each other. Islam does not teach that heated debates and hate filled arguments are the means to be used in the education of non-Muslims. Rather, we are told in the Holy Qur’an: “Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation and argue with them in ways that are best.” (Translation of Surah An-Nahl 16:125) Therefore it is not my intention in this writing to further the gap between Muslims and Christians, but to only briefly explain on a personal scale why I chose Islam based on my studies of what the Christians believe to be the divine word of God, the “Bible”. To give you a short insight to my upbringing, I can assure you that I have never once regretted being raised as a Christian (Southern Baptist). Perhaps some will not understand this, but true Christianity teaches a way of living by honor, solid morals and values as well as a deep commitment to family and God. As a young child I sat almost every night listening to my father read to my mother and I from the Bible. Sundays and Wednesdays were spent at church practically from dawn to dusk since my father was the preacher. Many nights were spent holding Bible studies in our home. As I grew older and continued to study my religion and read the Bible with a better understanding, many questions, and doubts began to arise in my mind. However, I was taught that a true believer never questions the word of God (Bible) so these doubts and questions were kept hidden deep inside. I can not begin to recount all of the doubts and questions I had, so I will try and recall those that are foremost in my memory. The Original Sin The Bible teaches first in Genesis 2:15-16 and Genesis 3:16-19, that all mankind would suffer due to the disobedience (sins) of Adam and Eve. I did not understand this as a child and it was even harder for me to comprehend as a young adult. Imagine, if you will, my confusion when I read in Deuteronomy 24:16 where Moses (pbuh) says: “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor shall the children be put to death for the fathers; every man will be judged and put to death according to his own sin.” Also, in Ezekiel 18:19-20 the Bible says: “Yet you say, Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity (sin) of the father? When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall not suffer for the iniquity (sin) of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Just from those two verses alone it is obvious that there are contradictions to the doctrine of the “original sin”, so allow me to explain. Christians believe that the Old Testament (where both of the above verses were taken from) and its laws were destroyed when Jesus (pbuh) arrived. However, in the New Testament (where today’s Christians places its emphasis) in Matthew 5:17 Jesus (pbuh) says: “think not that I come to destroy the laws or the prophets before me: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Studying further, in John 9:1-3 Jesus (pbuh) himself said: “As Jesus passed by, he (Jesus) saw a man blind from his birth, (2) and his (Jesus) disciples asked, “Master, who did sin? This man, or his parents, that he was born blind? (3) Jesus answered, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God be manifest in him”. As you can see for yourself in the above verses there are many contradictions to man’s doctrine of “The Original Sin” both in the Old and New Testament. Thereby, the seed of doubt and confusion was planted in my mind. Doctrine of Atonement & The Trinity Christians also believe and teach what is known as the “Doctrine of Atonement”. In layman’s terms it simply means that God was sent to earth in human form (Jesus), He died on the cross and was resurrected thereby; cleansing us of our sins and “saving” us from eternal death in hell. The Doctrine of Atonement was accepted by the Church almost four centuries after Jesus left the earth. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth (have faith) in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace and faith ye are saved”. Ephesians 2:5 “For by grace are ye saved through faith in Jesus Christ and not works”. Ephesians 2:8 So if a person would just say the words “I ask Jesus Christ into my heart as my personal Lord and savior”, you were “saved”. This alone was a disturbing thought. It was as though I could commit murder or any other heinous crime and provided I had faith I would go to heaven? Was I the only one that had seen something wrong with these teachings? When you logically look at this doctrine no one can deduce that Allah (swt) Almighty, All Merciful, All Knowing, was in need of assistance to “save” His own creations. If you read Romans 6:23 it says: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus did not tell the people that! This verse came about from a letter written by Paul to the people of the Church of Corinth. Then later I read: “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead being by itself.” James 2:17 So which was it, faith or works that was our promised path to heaven? Was I dead, or was I alive? Was I still paying for Adam and Eve’s sins? The confusion mounted. Jesus And God Are One? From the time Jesus was a small boy he told the people what his mission was. “I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me scripture and has made me a Prophet. He has blessed me wherever I may be and has made prayer and charity my duty as long as I live.” (Translation of Surah Maryam 19:30-31)
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