Why did I Embrace Islam

Why did I Embrace Islam

1991 9 September 16-17 Why did I Embrace Islam (454) By Al-Haaj Lord Headley al-Farooq (U.K.)

It is possible some of my friends may imagine that I have been influenced by Muhammadans; but this is not the case, for my present convictions are solely the outcome of many years of thought. My actual conversations with educated Muslims on the subject of religion only commenced a few weeks ago, and need I say that I am overjoyed to find that all my theories and conclusions are entirely in accord with Islam.

Conversions according to the Qur’an should come out of free choice and spontaneous judgement, and never be attained by means of compulsion. I have known very many instances of zealous protestants who have thought it their duty to visit Roman Catholic homes in order to make ‘converts’ of the inmates. I am sorry to think that Christian missionaries have also tried these methods with their Muslim brethren, though I am at a loss to conceive, why should they try to convert those who are already better Christians than they are themselves? I say ‘better Christians’ advisedly, because charity, tolerance and broad mindedness in the Muslim faith come nearer to what Christ himself taught than do the somewhat narrow tenet of the various Christian churches .

.... As I have often said before, Islam and Christianity, as taught by Christ himself, are sister religions, only held apart by dogmas and technicalities which might very well be dispensed with.

In the present day men are prone to become atheists when asked to subscribe to dogmatic and intolerant beliefs, and there is doubtless a craving for a religion appealing to the sentiments of men. Whoever heard of a Muslim turning atheist? There may have been some cases, but I very much doubt it.

There are thousands of men-and women, too, I believe who are at heart Muslims, but convention, fear of adverse comments, and desire to avoid any worry or change, conspire to keep them from openly admitting the fact. I have taken the step, though I am quite aware that many friends, and relatives now look upon me as a lost soul and past praying for. And yet I am just the same in my beliefs as I was twenty years ago; it is the outspoken utterance which has lost me their good opinion.

Having briefly given some of the reasons for adopting the teachings of Islam, and having explained that I consider myself by that very act of a far better Christian than I was before, I can only hope that others will follow the example – which I honestly believe is a good one – which will bring happiness to anyone looking upon the step as one in advance rather than one any way hostile to true Christianity.

(Courtesy: Yaqeen International. Karachi)