Why I Embraced Islam
Al-Risala (English), October-November 1992, p. 21
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Why I Embraced Islam
1992 10-11 October-November 21-22 Why I Embraced Islam (741) By Syed Mahmood Akhtar Saudi Arabia being a country where people of all religions converge from all over the world to earn their livelihood, the Government has set up Islamic Centres in nearly every big city in the Kingdom, where not only is there abundance of Islamic literature freely available, but also many religious Scholars and other learned professionals working assiduously to carry the message of Islam to non-Muslims. They extend their activities by forming deputations which visit different companies for the purpose of conveying the word of God to the officials and employees working there. This modus operandi has had very encouraging results in that many non-Muslims are turning to Islam.
In the same field, the services of the Rab-tai-’ Alam-i-Islami are praiseworthy. It publishes translations of a number of Islamic books in different languages of the world. It also holds weekly lectures on Islam, to which non-Muslims are regularly invited. At present the Philippinos constitute the bulk of the new converts.
Recently, in the City of AI-Kharj, adjacent to Riyadh, an Indian Hindu intellectual, Dr Mahinder Singh, Ph.D., and two Philippinos embraced Islam. The Pakistan Muslim League, AI-Kharf, held an enthusiastic reception in their honour. Mr Sulayman ‘Abdullah, Director of the Islamic Centre, was the guest of honour, and the function was chaired by Mr Abdul Hammed Abu Farooq, convener of the Muslim League.’
While addressing the participants, Mr. Sulayman ‘Abdullah paid a tribute to the new converts and whole-heartedly welcomed them to the fold of Islam; He said that Islam was the only religion which, if rightly acted upon, could guarantee peace and prosperity in this world and salvation in the Hereafter. He advised the new converts to follow Islam as a way of life.’
Dr Mahinder Singh, whose Islamic name is now Dr Muhammed Mustafa, said that he had been attached to the department of education for the last 25 years. He was thankful to God, who had blessed him and guided him into accepting Islam, thus bestowing upon him the opportunity to die as a Muslim.
Describing his family background, Dr Mustafa said that there were four temples near his house in India. One day he asked his father, who was then 82 years of age, why it was that although he professed Hinduism, he was never to be seen going to worship in the temple. His father replied, ‘0 my son! There is a god in every temple. I do not know whom to worship.’ While still a Hindu, Dr Mustafa” asked his father why he did not accept Islam. His father replied that as a Muslim he would not have the courage to face Society. Dr Mustafa told the audience that on many occasions he had seen his father reciting Qur’an Majeed. He said, moreover, that during the course of his studies in America he had made a thorough study of Christianity and the Bible. However, certain questions relating to them had caused doubts to arise in his mind. He put these questions to the priests, but they could not give him any suitable answers except that, according to Christianity, he might commit any sin, and be forgiven for it, provided he sacrificed an animal.
Dr. Muhammed Mustafa explained that after completing his education in America, he had returned to India and that now, for the last five years, he had been in Saudi Arabia, where he had studied Islam in the proper way. The questions which had previously baffled him had all been answered to his full satisfaction in the second chapter of the Qur’an.
Before embracing Islam, he consulted his wife in India in the telephone. She advised him to wait for another five years until their children were all married. He replied that it was already too late for him – he was now 56 years of age – and that the span of his life was not at all certain. Who knew if he could stay alive for another five years? He was, therefore, entrusting his affairs to God Almighty, who would surely solve all his problems.
And thus Dr Mahinder Singh embraced the faith of Islam and became Dr Muhammed Mustafa. He said that his house in India was situated near a Masjid (mosque) but that he preferred to take the opportunity of accepting Islam in Saudi Arabia. He added that he had done his Ph.D. - but to no avail. He would prefer to memorise the Qur’an Majeed in its stead.
(Courtesy: Jang, Karachi)
