“Inspired by Islam”

During the ‘madness’ called youth and those tumultous teenage years, we find ourselves constantly searching. Searching for happiness, love and affirmation; searching for direction and purpose; undoubtedly searching for inspiration. How fortunate are those who find all that they are searching for in the haven called Islam! How blessed are those who experience the inspiration of Islam. In this month’s article in the series In The Embrace of Islam, a young Irish sister shares her story of reversion and of simply being…inspired by Islam.

“Assalaamualaikum. Bismillahirahmaniraheem. Praise be to ALLAH, the Lord of the worlds and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad sallallahualaiwassallam. I was born in the UK, to a Catholic family originally from Ireland. I was an only child and during my childhood and youth, I preferred not to intermingle with the opposite sex as well as preferring to stay away from alcohol, smoking and going to nightclubs as was the way of my friends and classmates.

However, I never really thought about religion or even the purpose of life. The first time that I came across Islam was during a World Religions class at the age of sixteen. I studied all the religions but the only religion that captured my heart was Islam. First I studied and learnt about the basics of Islam. For example the five pillars of Islam: praying salaah five times a day; fasting in Ramadaan; giving zakaah and supporting the needy; going for pilgrimage to Makkah and the testimony of faith.

There were a few aspects that truly inspired and drew me to Islam. Firstly, that all our bad and evil deeds are forgiven upon embracing Islam and becoming a Muslim; emigrating for the sake of ALLAH and doing the pilgrimage of Hajj. Secondly, was the belief in One God, Who has no partners as well as belief in all the Messengers including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed (Peace be upon them all). ALLAH says in the Holy Quraan, “Do not worship anyone but me.” And the final thing which truly inspired me was the fact that most Muslims come across as very devoted to their Lord, completely submitting themselves to their Creator by not only praying five times a day but also by utilising every second to please Almighty ALLAH.

Even the Prophet sallallahualaiwassallam said, “The least amount of faith is to remove an obstacle from the road.” So I became a Muslim at the age of seventeen and I have been inspired by the discovery that Islam is the straight path; a religion of truth, logic and reason. In Islam I could find answers to all my questions. I learnt that on the Day of Judgement we all have to answer to ALLAH concerning the record of our deeds. No matter what anybody does, we will not be able escape that day. Becoming a Muslim is thus a salvation for us and In Shaa ALLAH we will be rewarded for our good deeds.

When I found Islam, I acknowledged that this was the truth; the straight path and I shared this with my mum and uncle who too accepted Islam, Alhamdulillah. Now they also lead good Muslim lives.

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some information about Islam. Islam means peace and the word Islam originates from the root word salaam, which means peace. Islam also means to peacefully submit to Almighty ALLAH’s Will. Throughout the history of man, prophets have come to each nation to encourage people to worship ALLAH alone and not to associate partners with Him.

To become a Muslim, all you have to utter with your tongue and believe in your heart is the shahadah. That is, to bear witness that there is no God but ALLAH and that Muhammad sallallahualaiwassallam is His final servant and Messenger.

Islam is not a new religion. Every messenger came with this very same message. If it was the time of Abraham, we would have obeyed him; if it was the time of Moses, we would have obeyed him; if it was the time of Jesus, we would have obeyed him. The only way for salvation is to obey the Prophet of our time, Muhammad sallallahualaiwassallam, who was the final Messenger as there is no Prophet to come after him. This too has been mentioned in the Holy Quraan, which firmly remains a guidance for mankind till the Day of Judgement and will be preserved by ALLAH SWT without a single change.

I would like to conclude by sharing that it is three years since I have become a Muslim and embraced Islam. I absolutely love to wear the Islamic type of dressing and have become particular about halaal food. Alhamdulillah, I have recently married a Muslim brother and I fervently wish to dedicate my life for the sake of ALLAH by spreading the message of truth and justice; by spreading the religion of Islam.”

Like this young sister, many people, whether confronted by the searching period of their youth or the reflective moments of their latter years, have been deeply inspired by the world and way called Islam.

Extracted from the column in the series In The Embrace of Islam
With intent on aspiring and inspiring towards the ‎​L♥√ع and Pleasure of ALLAH subhanawa’ta’ala,
Rehana Shah-Bulbulia, the author of ‘Falling In Love With Muhammad SAW’, blogs at
https://muslimahatpeace.wordpress.com
And tweets as @muslimahatpeace

“Touched by The Adhaan in the Land of Senegal”

A scent and a sound has the ability to evoke much…Sometimes all it takes to urge on a memory or promote a change is a subtle scent and a sweet sound. When the words of the adhaan “ALLAHu Akbar…ALLAH is the Greatest” coincides with the whispered yearnings of the heart, it lays the foundations for change. And so was the case of an American brother, whose life’s journey changed its course through the sweet melody of the adhaan…

“Bismillahi Walhamdulillah, Assalaamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu. I begin in the Name of ALLAH. All Praise, bounteous Praise and never ending praise be for Him and may peace and blessings always be conveyed upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW. I would firstly like to begin by discussing the difference between being born a Muslim and reverting, that is, accepting Islam from your own free will. Reality is, we all are not born with personal values and morals. Our personal values and morals are developed by our guardians and parents. Taught to us by them and as such it becomes our foundation. In actuality, their values and morals become ours.

So if your parents raised you as a practicing Muslim, your morals and personal values are then beautifully structured by Islam. Islam becomes your foundation And in fact structures how you think, how you act, even your attitude and personality. For those non muslims like myself, who have investigated islam, we have found that Islam proves itself to be a light of guidance. I am also quite sure that you will all agree that Islam provides solutions to all of life’s questions, problems and differences. Now if you were born with this manual for your life and if you were raised as a practicing Muslim you probably wouldn’t know the issues or the doubts or the emptiness or hopelessness that those outside the fold of Islam deal with and we have always dealt with since we were born. We were not raised in a structured or proven lifestyle like Islam is. We were instead given the incorrect fundamentals by our parents, which we assumed were correct. And at the very least we thought that they were good enough to get by. So we were left with nothing more than what our parents taught us, to assist us in dealing with all that life threw at us. As for that emptiness and hopelessness, we learnt that it was a natural part of life and we learnt to suppress it and pretend it is not there.

Looking at children in today’s time, we observe that they they are so immersed in all the technological gadgets which western society provides like computers, electronic games, internet and cellphones that they don’t really have the inclination to look at the natural world that surrounds them and reflect on it. Similarly from the time we are young we fill our lives with all these activities, supressing those feelings of emptiness and those unanswered questions but as the years pass we realise that those feelings and that emptiness are still there. It is the memory of that life, a life of trial and error; a life of hopelessness and uncertainties; a life of confusion and doubt…that you leave behind when you grasp the strong handhold of Islam. No matter what age you embrace Islam, you finally find peace, purpose and meaning to your life. And it is never too late and you are never to old to investigate and discover Islam. Islam, which is indeed a detail map and manual for our lives and really how much easier is it to do things with a manual.

I, like so many others, was not born Muslim. In fact I was not born into any religion at all. I was born in a suburb of New Jersey and later we moved to a country or rural area just outside of the city of New York. In a place like this where we were raised without the television and computer games, we learnt to occupy ourselves as children. We would spend much time outdoors with nothing but nature to keep us busy and entertained. I believe that this had been the beginning of me contemplating my world and surroundings from a young age.

While I believe that these positive effects of my childhood weren’t completely lost, but the acts of youth, the teenage years and adolesence had covered up the light which ALLAH had put in my heart as a child. From the age of eighteen I pursued a number of varied lifestyles, I took up sky-diving, jumping out of a plane at high altitudes. I thought that the thrill of having near-death experiences might help me to ascertain my purpose in life. While trying to fit in with that crowd, I realised that this was not a lifestyle that had any truth to it and so I ventured through a few regular mundane jobs. Thereafter I joined the navy in the United States.

Still dissatisfied and searching, I moved back to New York and became involved with a small group of African musicians from Senegal. At the core of the lifestyle of these musicians was the drug marijuana. As weeks and months became years I became very addicted to this drug. Amidst this mental confusion and fog I had the opportunity to travel to the land of Senegal. And one of the first mornings that I was there, about five in the morning, I heard, “ALLAHU Akbar, ALLAHuakbar!”, which of course is the adhaan and that moment was a life-changing one. For as you can imagine, my searching heart was greatly touched by it.

So when I returned to America, I was intrigued by what I ignorantly perceived to be Senegalese customs but were in fact a part of Islam. I started researching and investigating and discovered that I was in fact becoming magnetically drawn to Islam. Coming across a book of Islamic invocations, I memorised it. And as time passed, even though I wasn’t yet a Muslim, I would read the English translation of the Quraan and pray what I had memorised. Then I decided to embark on a spiritual and physical cleansing for ten days. So I stopped eating pork; I stopped drinking, smoking and taking drugs, Alhamdulillah. After the fourth day of changing my lifestyle completely, again even though I was not yet a Muslim, I now found myself saying the shahadah.

However, because I had no contact with any Muslims and knew of no masjids, I took the shahadah with just ALLAH as my witness and just endeavoured to live the best Islamic lifestyle that I could live for the next couple of months. I then had the opportunity to fly to the capital of the island of Bahamas which had one Mosque and about twenty Muslims. I took the shahadah again at this Mosque and actually took shahadah and made nikah on the same day. I married another revert who had also taken the shahadah at this very same Mosque in the Bahamas. ‎​Alhamdulillah, we have lived as practising Muslims and have been blessed with a child.

I believe that when you can revert to Islam in the middle of nowhere, on an island and without being in contact with other Muslims, it is only by the Will of ALLAH. It proves that ALLAH chooses you for Islam. I strongly assert that Islam has all the solutions from personal hygiene to how you treat your parents. Personally my parents have no problem with me being a Muslim. They have witnessed first hand what it means to be a Muslim child…to treat your parents correctly, with the dignity and respect they deserve; it means you love them more because you have motivation to and you maintain family ties because Alhamdulillah, it is an opportunity to give them dawah too.

Islam is a light that diffuses all darkness and depression, bringing with it tangible peace…it is as simple as that, SubhanALLAH!” ‎​

Extracted from the column in the series In The Embrace of Islam
With intent on aspiring and inspiring towards the ‎​L♥√ع and Pleasure of ALLAH subhanawa’ta’ala, this is the blog of
Rehana Shah-Bulbulia, the author of ‘Falling In Love With Muhammad SAW’, who tweets as @muslimahatpeace.

In the Embrace of Islam “From Monk to Muslim”

In the voyage across the ocean of life, everything may be perceived as relative. Like the morning ocean breeze, carries and dissipates droplets of salt water to those in its vicinity, so too do the winds of guidance dissipate truth and faith to those who are in search of it.

Encounter a man who studied and searched for the Almighty to such a degree that his entire life centred around serving Him and His creation. So while, even though his course was not the right and required route, his intent of purpose was so sincere, that eventually he was guided to the reality of his true goal and objective. This is his story of reversion; from Monk to Muslim…

“Assalaamualaikum and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I was born and brought up in Malaysia. I accepted Islam in 1978. But before that I was a monk for twelve years. From an early age I would attend Church quite regularly with my parents, every Sunday, as the religious and practicing Christians would. As I grew up, I realised that I wanted to become a priest, so that I could help many people, those who were poor and those who were suffering. So when I completed school in 1954, I began my studies and work as a Roman Catholic Monk.

Throughout the course of it, I travelled to many countries and my parents were very proud of me. I received a scholarship from the German government, in West Germany for theological studies. After completion of training in 1971, I became a chaplain for the hospital that I was attached to. I was also given the power to forgive sins. In fact I was given the title and vocation of being an international forgiver of sins. This work of mines took me throughout the world, from South America, to Asia and Africa.

During this period I met many Muslim people. Wonderful and practicing Muslims, who would pray five times a day, not drink alcohol and even fast the way the Holy Bible described all the Prophets’ manner of fasting. I would often wonder and find myself plagued by the thought, “How come they are not going to Heaven just because they have not been baptised? But we Christians would be entitled to Heaven simply because we had been baptised.”

I would always have in my possession the Holy Water to baptise and absolve the repentant Christians. So while I worked in the hospitals, I would request the nurses that they inform and call for me whenever any of the patients were nearing death, be they Christian or not and no matter what their religion, so that I may baptise them before their death so that they would now have a hope of entering Heaven. And of course, for the Christians I was their international forgiver of sins and would assist them by forgiving them at this vital moment. This was important for me because I was trying to find a way to help these Muslims get to Heaven.

Also because my homeland was Malaysia, filled with many Muslims, I wanted and needed to know more about Islam so that I could revert them as this was my desire. Contacting my superiors, I informed them of my eagerness to study comparative religion between Islam and Christianity and also shared my purpose for wanting to do this. They agreed and sent me to London to acquire this degree. In London I met many Muslims and had been given much Islamic literature. One of these works was the translation of the Quran by Mohammed Marmeduke Pickthall. I read it froms start to finish, searching for errors and faults, but I could find none. The more I read, the more I realised what a good book it was and that even the Bible was not as good.

That’s when I started praying to God for guidance, to enlighten my heart and convey to me the Truth. Thereafter I wrote to my superiors sharing with them my deep desire to now become a Muslim. They immediately recalled me to Germany and were in fact quite angry and disappointed, especially after all they had invested in educating me for the efforts of the Christian missionary work. They angrily stated that they would take a picture of a mock grave with my name on it and send it to my family and people in Malaysia informing them that I had met with a terrible accident and had passed away.
Of course, I became terribly afraid and decided that perhaps I had studied too much and was now confused. I shared this with them and worriedly enquired if there were any other options left for me. They suggested that I repent and that perhaps I did need help of some sort and sent me to a mental institute for three months.

At this institute I met a famous writer and theologian, who had many works on the divinity of Christ. Hoping to make sense of it all, while my heart still found itself attached to Islam, I asked him , “Do you really think Jesus Christ is God?” His reply left me without any further doubts, “No, I just use the concept to write my books and make money.” Now I was in a hurry to become a Muslim. However, I knew that I had no proper vocation to return to other than being a monk and a forgiver of sins, so I approached my superiors and explained to them that I had been confused about wanting to be a Muslim and that I wanted to continue my missionary efforts at the hospitals and thought that I also needed to do a three medical lab training course for this. My hope was to be sent back to Malaysia.

However, my superiors decided on sending me to South America, a continent filled with mainly Christians. I then started praying fervently to God, even though I didn’t even know the Fatiha-Opening chapter. It just happened, by the great Will of God, that the monk at the lab in Malaysia fell and broke his arm and they needed to replace him within forty-eight hours. My prayers had been answered, I was to return to Malaysia, a land filled with mostly Muslims. In Malaysia, I met the German Writer Johannes Snyman, who too had accepted Islam and changed his name to Yahya Snyman. Whilst in Malaysia I wrote to my superiors and asked for them to release me from all the vows that I had taken as a monk and from the monastry as well. Reiterating that I wanted to become a Muslim. Again they reacted as before, threatening me now with no compensation.

Without money this time and no airfare and plane as the manner I was usually accustomed to when visiting my parents, I had to take a train. When I reached my home and met my mother, I immediately told her of my reversion to Islam. Normally a loving mother to me, she became very angry and accused me of wanting to be like the Malays. The Muslims of Malaysia were known as Malays and most of those whom my parents knew were not good examples of Muslims and Islam. Sadly, my mother kicked me out and told me that she used to be so proud of me and my international missionary efforts but now I was no longer her son.

I then went to Kuala Lampur to stay with my elder brother. He kept me for two weeks with him, but stated quite emphatically that I was not to share or display my Islam, as his in laws were strict Catholics and he didn’t want to encounter any unneccessary problems. It was at this point that I was notified of a world health six month counseling course on family planning in Australia. I decided that this would be my best bet considering the current circumstances. While I was there I was on the lookout for job opportunities in the Arab countries. I came across a position in Jeddah. After applying and being interviewed my application was accepted.

Before commencing my new life and job in Jeddah, I returned to Malaysia where I met Dr Johannes/Yahya Snyman and with his assistance finally officially took the Shahaadah and accepted Islam on the fourth of September 1978, even though my heart had embraced Islam a long time ago.”

Witnessing such an extreme change of circumstance and life condition, from being a Monk to being a Muslim, we take cognisance of the fact that when there exists such a strong desire for Guidance and Truth, the ocean of life will bring one to the sanctified shores of Islam, through the Will and Plan of ALLAH.

Extracted from the column In The Embrace of Islam from the South African based print magazine_ The Muslim Woman…With intent on aspiring and inspiring towards the ‎​L♥√ع and Pleasure of ALLAH subhanawa’ta’ala,
Rehana Shah-Bulbulia, the author of ‘Falling In Love With Muhammad SAW’, tweets as @muslimahatpeace

Let His Love lead the way…in the Blessings of ALLAH endeavour to live your day! RSB
@muslimahatpeace

Attracted to Islam…Captivated By It’s Morals & Disciplines

Like a precious pearl in the oyster of the clam; like a glint of gold in a treasure box…one solitary glimpse and the eye and mind is attracted and held captive to the endless possibilties. Similarly, for those who have cast that first solitary glance at the precious dimensions of Islam and have glimpsed the tempting treasures within, they would agree that their hearts and souls have been attracted and captivated…by all that is Islam.

Being the human beings that we are, comprised of a mind, body, heart and most importantly, a soul, we find that we are naturally inclined and attracted to all that is good, all that is pure. Our hearts recognise it; our souls yearn for it; even if our minds are not yet ready to embrace it. But there are always those who courageously journey towards what their hearts have recognised and their souls have yearned for. Encounter brother Hendrik Van Dyk’s attraction to Islam, it’s morals and disciplines and his courageous choice of embracing that which his heart had recognised and his soul had yearned for, SubhanALLAH!

“Bismillah hirahmaan Nirraheem. While I have taken the Muslim name Ridhwan, my birth name is Hendrik Van Dyk. I grew up in an Afrikaans Christian family and we attended the Dutch Reformed Church commonly known amongst Afrikaners as the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk. I was your typical Afrikaner boy in a small town wherein friends, braai and socialising was the ultimate goal. I was comfortable at that time with being Christian and it was by chance that I met a few Muslim people via social networking and later became good friends. I was very attracted to their moral values and discipline, like the praying, not drinking and abstaining from sex etc.

However, I often wondered how is it possible that Muslims live the way that a Christian is supposed to live, yet according to Christian belief only Christians would go to Heaven. This thought, that how could a loving God send my Muslim friends to Hell and I to Heaven, especially if I was not such a religious practicing person, gnawed at my conscience. The more I thought of it, the more questions arose that needed to be answered and I just had to know. I was very eager to know more. One of my friends, now my wife, Alhamdulillah, sent me an English translation of the Holy Quraan and some booklets that made for easy reading. This was during 2008.

The Quraan translation was very clear about belief, that is, Allah being One and Only. However, while reading the translation I was constantly looking for debatable points, this due to the fact that I was used to discovering the many gaps in Christianity. I wanted to find something wrong in the Quraan. But I never could! Alhamdulillah.

The Islamic booklets raised many more questions and I approached a few churches and pastors in town to help find some answers. The answers were not satisfactory at all. I then asked around and discovered a few Muslim families residing in my town. I approached the haafidh of the local Jamaat Khana, who gave me extra reading material as well as DVD’s by Sheikh Ahmed Deedat. At this juncture Allah in His Infinite Mercy and Wisdom was already lifting the veil from my eyes and heart. During December of 2009 I knew that I wanted to be Muslim. However, I was just so scared about what my family and friends would think and say. The Muslim brothers I spoke to gave me the confidence and courage to take that first step and in January of 2010 I took the Shahaadah before the maghrib salaah.”

After sharing his amazing discovery and journey to Islam, brother Ridhwan conveyed the effect his reversion had on his close family and friends, “Most of my family knew of my spiritual journey because they were also questioned during my research. I tried to use the best approach when I told my family about my reversion. Even though they suspected that I might revert they were still very shocked by the news. We have our fair share of debates but we also have a mutual respect for one other and they have accepted who I am as a Muslim.”

Discussing the challenges of reverting, he stated, “Alhamdulillah Allah has blessed me and made it easy for me in so many ways. But let it be known that being a young new revert has its challenges. For me the biggest challenge was trying to inculcate and live a halaal lifestyle in a very non-halaal environment. And with that I’ve ‘lost’ ‘friends’. I reiterate that Allah has really blessed me and given me the strength to overcome these challenges.”

Looking through the eyes of a revert, enables us to deeply comprehend and realise the beauty of our faith, especially when they share what they love about Islam, as Brother Ridhwan has, “My favourite aspects about being a Muslim are: the God consciousness, hearing the Adhaan, the brotherhood and Jumuah!”

Sharing his message to Muslims and non-Muslims, he said, “You are really blessed by being born a Muslim, don’t take it for granted. We should be strong and be proud to be Muslims and try to educate others with our character. It you are a non-Muslim and you’re reading The Muslim Woman Magazine, then what are you waiting for?! Build up your courage and say the shahaadah before it is too late. May ALLAH guide you and make it easy for In Sha ALLAH.

Conveying his concluding sentiments, Brother Ridhwan’s heartfelt advices were, “Death is inevitable, therefore let us try to live as Allah has commanded us to. We are only here to be tested in order to obtain the best in the Hereafter. Live and do for the Pleasure of ALLAH only. And remember, if ALLAH is with you nobody can stand against you. Also Jazakallahu khair for this opportunity to share my story. In Sha ALLAH, I hope that it will serve as a means to encourage and assist someone in a similar situation. Please remember my family and me in your special duas.”

With a powerful magnetic force, Islam continues to attract the multitude of searching souls through many of its dimensions, morals and disciplines…to all that is Islam, SubhanALLAH!

Extracted from my article, from the SA print mag- The Muslim Woman Magazine.

With intent on aspiring and inspiring towards the ‎​L♥√ع and Pleasure of ALLAH subhanawa’ta’ala,
Rehana Shah-Bulbulia, the author of ‘Falling In Love With Muhammad SAW’, tweets as @muslimahatpeace

Let His Love lead the way…in the Blessings of ALLAH endeavour to live your day! RSB
@muslimahatpeace

In the Service of Humanity…a Stone Creating Ripples

Rarely does reading a newspaper leave one with a positive feeling and state of mind. Reports of every feasible crime, perpertrated by fellow homosapiens are enough to incite one’s last meal to threaten abandonment and also enough to limit the intake of reading or listening to the news. However, there are times when one is pleasantly surprised and fortunate to encounter a captivating story of goodwill, compassion and hope. “Unity In Diversity” reported by Faatima Mahomed of the Rising Sun-Lenasia, proved itself to be one such story and served as my introduction to a truly inspiring group of young humanitarians and their very intriguing project.

When encountering such dynamic initiatives at ground level, one finds the conscience positively re-asserting, “Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love. For I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples,” as said Mother Theresa. This story conveys just that: a somewhat unique project in the service of humanity…a stone creating ripples.

What makes this project unique? I hear you ask. Encounter the members of this diverse team and you will comprehend the certainty of its uniqueness. A uniqueness that through its objective finds the opportunity to challenge the dictates of society, change perceptions and bridge gaps, all in the service of humanity. Over a year ago, the project BABY-Bara Alliance of Blessed Youth was born. With project members comprising physiotherapist Marilyn Bassin and her students, as well as teacher Moulana Riaz Simjee and his students…Jewish and Muslim students.

As to the birth of their project as well as the initial stages of its implementation, Moulana Simjee generously shared, “To be honest the project started by chance. I was attending a meeting and met Marilyn Bassin, a physiotherapist who has founded her own NGO, the BOIKANYO-Dion Herson Foundation, and was involved in an effort to raise funds in order to supply ‘Shona’ buggies for Cerebal Palsy children. I approached her, not knowing at the time that she was Jewish, but with the sole intent of my students and I being a part of such noble community efforts. She informed us that we could meet her and her students at the Baragwanath hospital every Friday afternoon. So, the following Friday we met at Bara, each of us accompanied by four of our students. It was at this, our first meeting, that we actually discovered that we would be working with Jewish students. The greatest part was when our Muslim students met up with these Jewish students, none of them turned away from the other. Religion came under discussion when I raised it and an interesting conversation broke out. Though, we have always steered clear of politics.”

Marilyn enthusiastically affirmed and shared, “I don’t think Moulana or I realised the effective change such a project would bring. At the hospital, we decided to pair the kids up, each pair being a Muslim and Jewish student who would pursue their objective for that afternoon in bringing cheer to those special, challenged, maimed or abused children; those children who never receive visitors. And in the interim of this project, a community outreach project, in which our kids from private schools and privileged backgrounds have the opportunity to give back to their community and society, we have watched in awe a seed of a different nature germinating. We have witnessed a comraderie and friendship founded on the desire of a common goal in serving humanity. This project opened their minds to the prejudices of media and society and enlightened them to the fact that there is another side to every story. If these kids of ours can grow up not being brainwashed by the media and not allowing the media and society to dictate to them, we have the opportunity of our youth getting right, what the adults could not; an opportunity to serve humanity in a greater way.”

With Marilyn working in the community for over twenty years and at the Baragwanath Hospital for the past four years, the project BABY, named by the students themselves, has received an overwhelmingly positive response from both the students and parents. As Moulana Simjee stated, “Parents from both the parties have no issue with the idea that their kids are working alongside Jewish or Muslim children for the betterment of the larger community.”
One of the parents, a teacher herself, Saudah Mayet positively re-inforced, “This project has been amazing for my daughter in a sense that she has had the opportunity to make a difference to these special kids as well as nurturing her ability to display compassion. I have always felt that all mothers are a community and this project has intrigued us for we have witnessed something phenomenal, our younger generation coming together for a common cause in serving humanity.”

Speaking to the students themselves, one cannot help but notice their fulfilment and enjoyment in this project. A Muslim student, Rumaanah Mayet aged 13, explained what the project has meant to her, “It has been a really good experience. By spending time with these underprivileged children, we feel like we have accomplished something good. It has also taught us to be unselfish and also it has opened for us a means to communicate with other people, teaching us that everything is not as it seems.” Gina Bassin, a 16 year old Jewish student shared her sentiments,”
It has been very fulfilling to brighten up these kids’ week. But I think one of the best parts of the project was the opportunity to work alongside Muslims of the same age group. We have never, like, been exposed to such an idea before and it was amazing. It has really changed the way we look at things.”

When questioning both Marilyn and Moulana Simjee, regarding any challenges that they have faced to date, they both concur, “There have been none, other than the hospital itself.”
Moulana Simjee further expounded, “Well, the project went from strength to strength, resulting in the first child from the Tembelilhle informal settlement, who was discharged with tracheostomy (a hole in her neck through which she breathed), being operated on in a private hospital, Netcare-The Park Lane Clinic. And thus soon after, the child was discharged. At eleven years old and unable to speak, burnt and disfigured, such efforts proved to be the humane thing to do. Alhamdulillah, it was successful. This child, who for three years could only make click noises to communicate, began to talk. This was followed shortly thereafter by another similar burnt child who is currently undergoing numerous procedures to close her tracheostomy too.
Inexplicably, last month the hospital PRO, for no given reason, contacted us, and by the time we received the email regarding the interview with the Muslim Woman Magazine, we had been instructed not to continue our efforts at the hospital and quite simply asked not to return. However, we have enlisted assistance in solving our current dilemma.” And as Marilyn passionately stated, “We won’t rest until we have come to some solution. For we have witnessed the difference it has made to these kids lives, who come charging and running towards us when we enter their wards. Not to mention, how this project has revolutionised the thinking of our kids from these private sector schools, allowing them the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and be unique in their peer groups.”

While, the immediate future of this project at Bara remains unknown, Moulana Simjee shared, “We are going to continue working together, in other projects, mainly in the outlying areas but we shall continue to keep in contact and work together in serving our community.”

In concluding both Marilyn and Moulana Simjee expressed their final sentiments. Marilyn stated, “”This project has been life changing for both the students and special children involved. While it may seem co-incidental that we were grouped together, ultimately we chose to continue together. Sadly, it was the most simplest of things and yet, had not transpired before. Hopefully, this seed will have the opportunity to blossom into a most beautiful plant. Changing and harmonising the future of our community, society and humanity at large.”

Moulana Simjee’s message was heartfelt, “I believe that, while we as Muslims, acknowledge that Islam is the best way of life, it needs to be exposed to the world. We need to understand that the beauty of Islam needs to be expressed more than it needs to be documented. Enough is written about our Islam, however, we as Muslims have forgotten how to practise on this beautiful religion. So while we do not expect the entire Ummah to join in our project, but we do expect them to be ambassadors of our beautiful religion; always exhibiting exemplary character, beautiful words and ways in their interaction with non Muslims, as was the example of our beloved Nabi Muhammad sallallahualaihiwassallam. I pray that the Almighty, Allah SWT guide us, bless us, have mercy upon us and accept our weak efforts in serving the Ummah of Muhammad sallallahualaihiwassallam and humanity at large.”

As the Prophet Muhammad sallallahualaiwassallam urged, “Be kind to those who are in this world and the One in the Heavens will show Kindness to you. For the main part of wisdom after religion is love for mankind and doing good to everyone.” (Mishkaat Al Masabih Vol1)

So as this unique group continues to create ripples through their service of humanity, we ponder the reality of such efforts, “In recognising the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” Thurgood Marshall

Extracted from my article, from the SA print mag- The Muslim Woman Magazine.

With intent on aspiring and inspiring towards the ‎​L♥√ع and Pleasure of ALLAH subhanawa’ta’ala,
Rehana Shah-Bulbulia, the author of ‘Falling In Love With Muhammad SAW’, tweets as @muslimahatpeace

Let His Love lead the way…in the Blessings of ALLAH endeavour to live your day! RSB
@muslimahatpeace

Islam…Her Sweet Secret

Sometimes in life we have the honour of witnessing the beauty of a sweet secret: Be it a fleeting moment or a life’s legacy. Yet many a time we wish to share or divulge such a secret to those closest to us, those whom we love. In fact that is exactly how Islam began: as a sweet secret shared for three years between the Noble Prophet Muhammad sallallahualaiwassallam, those closest to him and those who eagerly sought guidance by being of the first to enter the fold of Islam.

In this month series In The Embrace of Islam, we encounter the inspiring tale of reversion of Sister Aisha who hails from the lush green rolling hills of Scotland and the beauty of her sweet secret…Islam.

Enlightening us as to her life prior to Islam, Sister Aisha shared, “My own parents and siblings were not overly religious but were Christian in their outlook.  I also married at the tender age of eighteen to a non religious man, which meant that I could never really discuss religion and faith with anyone. Yet this did not decrease my faith in God.  I have lived through many trials but have been brought up with the principle that a woman’s place is with her husband. So divorce has never been an option.  As such, my life has had lots of ups and downs over the years. However, it may be best that I don’t expand on things in that area.”
  
Conveying to us her journey to Islam, Sister Aisha said, “It may seem a little odd but I became curious about Islam because of the negative press around it. I could not believe that any religion would condone what was being said in the media.  So from there it transpired that every opportunity I had to talk to any muslim at work, I would ask the occasional question. The more I asked the more I wanted to know. However, being in an area where there are so few muslims whom I had contact with, I found it difficult to know where to start reading and learning. This went on for several years.  During a particularly difficult time in my life someone from the middle east was seconded to my company for a working period.  Eventually we started talking and we would discuss religion. He would share with me about Islam and I would share information regarding Christianity.  The more we spoke the more I realised that Islam answered many of the questions I had in a way that Christianity never could. 
 
There were two key factors that lead me to accept Islam: Firstly, knowing that the Quran has been unchanged from the moment it was originally dictated by the Angel Gabriel (this was something that always troubled me about the Bible.). Secondly, after reading a book concerning science in Islam, I knew immediately that it was the right and only true religion.”
 
Regarding her family’s reaction and the challenges she faces, Sister ‘Aisha conveyed on a note of sadness,
“Sadly because of my husband’s feelings, he will not allow me to practice my religion so I have to practice secretly therefore only a few close people know my secret. My daughter and her husband think it’s fantastic, I quote “you seem to glow with happiness when you discuss Islam.” We even have discussions about the hijab and which colours I should wear with what. Her husband also joins in with these discussions!  They are simply wonderful.  Only a few others know but they realise I’m still me and support me as they realise that being a Muslim makes me deeply happy. The biggest challenge I face as a Muslim is that I am unable to practice my religion openly. Only with a few people am I free to display and discuss my Islam. These moments fill me with much happiness, because when I am in their company I can be me.”
 
Concerning her favourite aspects of being a Muslim, Sister Aisha said,
“I love the feeling that I have truly found the right path; the connection and closeness of the Muslim Ummah (in my case my Muslim twitter family)and the way fellow Muslims support one another. It’s truly wonderful.”

On a somewhat lighter note Sister Aisha shared her ‘first outing with hijab’ story which she had previously shared on twitter:
 “I still remember the first time I wore the hijab out of my home. I’d worn it on and off for a few weeks around the house to get used to it.  Finally I took a deep breath and stepped out of the house, I practically ran to the car! When I got in I sighed with relief, I remember saying to myself ‘Ok you’ve made it this far.’  I drove to the shops and sat in the car park for a few minutes, gathering my courage and making duaa.  Eventually I got out of the car and headed to the supermarket.  I walked with a confidence that I really wasn’t feeling. My legs were shaking and my heart was racing, but I kept my eyes lowered and kept on walking.  I felt that everyone must be staring at me, but to be honest they weren’t. Yes, I drew some glances but that’s because there are no hijabis in the town I was shopping in.  I, then, in my determination not to attract attention to myself, actually knocked over a display in the supermarket aisle!  Hilarious when I look back now, in fact I laughed then too. 
 
Do people look at me or treat me differently when I wear hijab? Yes they do. It may be because I don’t live in an area where there are many Muslims, or that I have fair skin and they can’t quite work out why I am wearing the hijab.  I’ve also found that people are more polite and respectful in their dealings with me. 
 
To my fellow sisters I say, ‘Give it a go, you may be surprised at how protected and close to Allah you feel, and unlike my first outing In sha Allah you won’t knock over any supermarket displays!”

I have found through my regular interaction with so many beautiful reverts, that they have beneficial advices and messages to share to Muslims and non Muslims alike. Sister Aisha conveyed hers, “Islam is the most beautiful religion. There are so many people like myself who are rather shy to ask, but share with them the beauty and peace that Islam teaches; show them that it is the right path to follow; include them in your activities and help open their eyes.
 
And to non Muslims, I urge you not to be afraid to ask about Islam; don’t listen to the negative press and don’t believe all that you hear. Learn about Islam for yourself and you will understand what it is all about, In Sha ALLAH.
 
Regarding the reception she receives in her hometown in Scotland, she said, “I live in a rural community where there are very few Muslims.  But when I wear my hijab people treat me differently, more respectfully and it is heartwarming.”
 
Sister Aisha eloquently conveyed her  concluding sentiments and thoughts,
 “Share the knowledge of Islam with those around you.  Each day I thank Allah for bringing someone into my life to show me the way to Him. Trust in ALLAH and turn to Him in your times of need, He will answer. But don’t forget to thank Him for all that He has already blessed you with.  I have also realised that every challenging period in my life, ihas undoubtedly made me stronger and for that I say, Alhamdullilah.”

Dear readers, each story of reversion leaves us reflecting over the multitude of blessings we have…by just being Muslim. We pray that our Kind ALLAH grant each of us the sweetness of Imaan as He has blessed Sister Aisha with the sweetness of Islam and we fervently invoke ALLAH that He grant her and all muslims and believers throughout the world the ease, blessing and opportunity to display their Imaan and Islam openly, ameen Ya Rabbal ‘aalimeen!

Extracted from my column, In The Embrace of Islam from the SA print mag- The Muslim Woman Magazine, Volume 13, Edition 8
Rehana Shah Bulbulia Twitter account- @muslimahatpeace

Let His Love lead the way…in the Blessings of ALLAH endeavour to live your day! RSB
@muslimahatpeace

“I Was Blind but…ALLAH Opened My Eyes”

Each morning, each dawn when the sun rises and dissipates the darkness of night, we don’t only SEE the light as it surrounds us, we FEEL it too. For the quality of light is that it covers and enshrouds. In a similitude, as the beckoning light of a new day is so all encompassing, so too is the Light of Imaan/Faith. It not only enlightens the vision of a believer but even moreso the believer’s mind, heart and soul. And contrastly without the light of Imaan/Faith, it can only be darkness and ignorance that fills the vision, mind, heart and soul. As ALLAH states in the Glorious Quran, ” There are the ones who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce does not prosper and neither are they guided. They are like the ones who kindle a fire, and when it sheds its light around them ALLAH takes away their light and leaves them in darkness, where they cannot see. Deaf, dumb and blind. (Surah Baqarah 2: 16-18)

Many a revert will share and attest to the wondrous feelings of light, peace and happiness that fills their minds, hearts and souls the very moment that they take shahaadah, bring Imaan and accept Islam. From being one who used to be antagonistic towards Islam and attacking it, Sister Zahra now spends her time and efforts defending and spreading Islam, Alhamdulillah.
Sister Zahra aka Ruby, a South African Afrikaner shares her beautiful story of reversion.

“I came to Islam via the internet but first before I learnt about Islam I had a vision from God. I didn’t understand it and so I left it alone. Then later on I used to speak to many Muslims on the Internet. We discussed a great deal of things regarding religion and I wanted to teach them about the Bible. Like this we exchanged lots of information.”

“On one occasion we were talking about signs and I started telling this Muslim man about the signs in the Bible. And how these signs were indicative of certain things. I was quite convinced that I was going to make him a Christian. But then he in turn began telling me about certain signs of the Last Day/Qiyamah. I was amazed for while he didn’t know, he was actually telling me about my vision or dream that I had had months before. Intrigued, I asked him, “Where did you get all of this information from?”. To which he replied, ” No, no. All of this is from our Quraan, our Holy Book or Bible. I was very surprised and remarked,”There is only one Bible. Where did you get this Quran from? ”

He then explained to me about the Quran and how it was revealed on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fourteen hundred years ago. He further shared how not a single verse in the Quran had been changed in all this time.”

“At first I couldn’t and infact didn’t accept what I was hearing. There was a six month period before I embraced Islam. I spent much time researching through different avenues like the Internet, library and engaging with other Muslims. Quite honestly my approach was very harsh. For I did not want to change my religion, and so I fought it. I guess that I didn’t want to see the truth. My eyes were very closed and I was very blind but Almighty God opened my eyes. I thank ALLAH for having showed me the Truth and for having chosen me for Islam and Islam for me.”

Undoubtedly, changing one’s religion and way of life can be fraught with many difficulties and challenges. Sister Zahra shared some of hers, “My family are very much against Islam. Their reasons may be many but amongst them is that now we don’t share the same holidays and religious rituals. But truly ALLAH has made it so easy for me. I feel very lucky that ALLAH has chosen me to be close to Him and a part of the Muslim ummah. I am still learning and have so much more to learn. However, I find that I just want to share it all.
I have discovered that Islam is the true religion. Infact I have had three visions/dreams confirming that it is and that I have made the right decision.”

Sister Zahra beautifully explains how she felt when she finally took the shahadah, ” I felt great joy and I really felt a deep sense of peace for the first time in my life. I am much more at peace now and ‎Alhamdulillah I am very very happy.”

Our Beloved Nabi sallallahualaiwassallam has said, “Aslim, taslim”. That is, whoever accepts and submits to ALLAH’s Will, will indeed find and feel peace. And of course as ALLAH states in the Noble Quran, “By ALLAH, the goal to which Islam leads is peace.”(10:25)

Sister Zahra aka Ruby conveyed her final sentiments as well as message to non Muslims, ” We should not feel that it is wrong to change our religion to Islam. For if we really want to get closer to Almighty God/ALLAH, Islam is the way. Don’t stop trying to find God and the Truth. Research Islam for yourself, via the internet or library. Engage with Muslims, speak to them and ask lots of questions. You will find all the answers once you learn the truth of Islam. And I can tell you this it will bring you peace. It is so wonderful to learn more and more and you only get closer and closer to your Creator, your God, your ALLAH.”

SubhanALLAH, from every story of reversion there is much inspiration to be treasured. From Sister Zahra’s amazing story we witness that the beauty of Imaan/Faith is indeed a light that fills the vision and sight…of the mind, heart and soul.

Extracted from my column, In The Embrace of Islam from the SA print mag- The Muslim Woman Magazine.

Twitter account- @muslimahatpeace

Hijaab…The Healer of Her Faith

Beneath layers of sand and stone, precious metals are found…we dig, we mine, we excavate. Many would argue how can such precious gems and metals be found under all those layers of grainy sand but undoubtedly the truth lay in its discovery. Indeed a part of the system of the Creator-ALLAH. Likewise many of us born as Muslims or Non Muslims sometimes get lost in the overwhelming grainy sand of Ad Dunya. Yet time and time again ALLAH proves us to be precious by assisting us in finding ourselves and ultimately finding Him, SubhanALLAH.

The story of young Sister Aurora from London proves as magical and inspirational as her name. Witnessing her attestation of the beautiful shahaadah over the twitteruniverse was a moving experience, and interviewing and networking with her even moreso. May ALLAH truly bless her for sharing the triumphs and challenges of reverting and returning to deenul Islam. This is young Sister Aurora Kaloshi’s compelling tale…

“I am originally from Albania, I moved to England 12 years ago. I am now 20 years old. I grew up saying I was a Muslim. However, in all honesty we were anything but. As a family we all drank alcohol, ate pork, we never prayed and never really fasted during Ramadaan. The Islam that my parents and the vast majority of my country practised, was distorted through time and culture. My family chose to take the good things from the Quran, such as being a good person, offering charity etc but those things that they didn’t like such as covering and abstaining from drink, they chose to ignore. They would say that “people made it up so that they can control the population”. When I got into college I met more practising Muslim girls. They covered, they prayed and they didn’t drink. This made me feel really bad and I realised that I couldn’t call myself a Muslim because I did nothing that displayed my Islam. From that day I chose to stop saying I was a Muslim, but just a person that believes in God.

I struggled for two years with God and religion.I really wanted to believe in God and have a religion, but through many talks with my dad, I became an atheist. I didn’t see the point in religion. All it brought was conflict, but I also thought religion was too controlling, telling me what I should eat, how I should dress and how I should speak. I didn’t become a bad person when I became an atheist. I’ve always wanted to help people and I’ve always been a good person, I’d like to think so anyway. However, I have perpetually felt incomplete. Like there was something missing from me, a part of me that I needed for my survival. On the 16th of October of 2011, I got dressed to go out, and as I was looking at myself in the mirror, all of a sudden I felt compelled to put on a scarf. So I did. I cannot express fully in words, how happy and content I felt, with my scarf on. From that moment on, I couldn’t stop thinking about Islam and God. While I already knew a lot about Islam, I still needed to learn more. I told a few of my friends that I was interested, and mashaAllah they gave me a lot of information, which was really helpful. It made me see how beautiful Islam was. I found out things that I didn’t know. I remember reading an excerpt about changing your name when reverting, only if it has a bad meaning or if it is a name of an idol.

I recall reading that Allah does not desire hardship for us, He desires ease and that just made me breakdown and cry. How beautiful is that?!!
A few days after that, I found myself saying the Shahada in my head, I didn’t even realise I was doing it. The moment the realisation dawned on me, I knew that I was ready to take my Shahada. I booked an appointment with an Imam at my nearest Mosque and on the 25th of October 2011 I took my Shahada, Alhamdulillah.
I kept repeating the Shahada in my mind and that’s when I knew it was the right thing to do. I felt like I really needed to become a Muslim. I know that sounds weird but I have been trying to find God and religion for so long. So when I finally found that happiness and contentment through Islam, I knew it was the right thing to do.

SubhanALLAH…what courage Sister Aurora has been blessed with. Interviewing and networking with reverts on a regular basis, I find that they all share this awesome passion for Islam, which proves to be so inspiring. I asked Sister Aurora to share with us her emotions, goals and objectives as a Muslim. She enlightened…
“Islam is truly beautiful, when I read about things that are in the Quran it makes me so shocked at the perfection of it all. I’ve heard the saying “Islam is not a religion, it is a way of life.” Only now do I understand the true meaning of this. Everything that we need to know that benefits us in this world and the hereafter is written in the Quran. No other religion will tell you how to clean yourself and be healthy. I find this really amazing because it makes sense. I see things on the advertisements on television that the western world claims to have invented, and I think “BUT that’s been in the Quran for hundreds of years!”

I would love for my belief to strengthen. I desire to be a much better Muslim and practise the true Islam properly. I started wearing the Hijab full time from the 5th of November. I was going to wait for a year or so, but before I went out that day, I had a massive urge to wear the Hijab. Almost as if I didn’t wear it I was going to die or something! And honestly it’s been great. Who could have thought that covering and being modest could bring such happiness to a girl’s life. I’ve never been much of a confident person, but now that I cover, I value, respect and love my body so much more.

‎​In sha Allah in the near future my parents and my extended family will accept me as a Muslim, but at the moment, I’m going through a great amount of struggle. My parents think that I have been oppressed and forced into becoming a Muslim. They don’t understand that Allah has finally made me see the truth, and that I am incredibly happy.
I’ve been getting calls from my aunt in Italy, who constantly repeats that I’m bringing shame to the family and that I should stop wearing the Hijab or else she will stop talking to me. My other extended family members still don’t know that I’ve reverted, but I’m sure their reactions will be the same as my aunt from Italy.

My brother who is 17 has been very supportive with my decision because he knows it makes me happy. My parents have been arguing with me since I reverted. To the point that they have even kicked me out. Time and time again I’ve tried to explain to them how I feel but they don’t understand, they are so consumed by the western world that no other way exists for them.I spend most of my time locked in my room, because as soon as I bump into them, they tell me what a horrible person I am; how I’ve embarrassed them; how stupid and ugly I look with my Hijab on and many more things. Some which are too horrible to even mention.

I must say I love the Hijab. It has brought a great deal of happiness to me. I also notice that men respect me. They do not shout out obscene and suggestive remarks to me. Or stare at me as if I’m a piece of meat. Before I reverted I got a lot of attention from men, and I thought it was ok and normal, only now do I understand how pathetic I was in thinking that way, because they have no respect for me when they look at me like that. I also don’t find it comfortable if a man looked at me in a lustful way.

Sister Aurora enthusiastically shared all those aspects she loves as a Muslim as well as her message to Muslims and non Muslims..”I love meeting Muslim sisters, because I hear them talk about Islam and Allah and I find it so inspirational. I hope to be like that one day. I love the respect and support I receive from other Muslims, it is truly amazing. I love being part of this big family of Islam. I love the fact that Islam has brought reason and purpose to my life. I know what I am aiming for now. Whereas before I was totally lost.

To other Muslims I would just like to say that, it is important that we behave and act appropriately. That is, in the way that Muslims should. For example recently I read an article about four Muslim girls in England who got drunk and brutally attacked a white woman, just because she was white. Every action has a consequence and once the media found out what happened many newspaper headlines read “Muslim girl gang attack white woman.” The western media craves stories such as these, where they can publish in big bold writing that the ‘criminals’ were in fact Muslims. We need to understand that people will judge Islam by the actions of the Muslims.

Also if you are going to practise Islam, then do it right please. I see so many girls abusing the Hijab and wearing their scarfs loosely so their hair shows, or wearing really tight clothes with their Hijabs. This is not the essence of hijab in Islam, which is modesty. Let not time and culture distort the pure true Islam.

To non-Muslims I would just like to say say, put aside all the negative things that you have heard about Islam, go to your nearest Mosque and ask for some information on Islam. Read for yourself what true Islam entails and then form an opinion.
I get stared at alot because of my Hijab and it seems as if people feel oppressed for me. Next time you see someone wearing a Hijab just ask them why they wear it or even ask them abit about Islam. In researching Islam with an open mind you are bound to observe its beauty. I would also take the opportunity to urge you not to judge Islam by the people, because we are only human and we make mistakes. However, if you judge Islam by the Quran you will realise that it is perfect because it is the true religion of God. Truly there is nothing like it.

Sister Aurora’s final sentiment for our interview was, “I would just like to say that our stay in this world is not long and we should do everything possible in completing this test successfully. It is very hard to disconnect yourself from the values of this world (I’m still trying) but once we all do this, life will be perfect. If we all followed Islam properly, we will never need to struggle, we will never feel pain or hardship, but sadly many people are misguided.As Muslims, we should endeavour to read and centre our lives around the Quran, as it will not only be a means of deep guidance for us but it will also bring so much ease to our lives, In Sha ALLAH.”

Undoubtedly Sister Aurora’s story serves as beautiful inspiration for us to live, love and serve Islam. Not forgetting the valuable lesson of holding onto the fundamental aspects of Islam, like the hijaab. Which proved in her circumstance to be… the healer of her faith.

Article extracted from one of my columns-In The Embrace of Islam from the South African based print-mag, The Muslim Woman Magazine, January 2012 edition.