AN INTELLECTUAL TRANSFORMATION

The Quran refuses to give its seal of approval to conversions, which are mere formalities and outlines the character of those who transform truly in the following manner: “When they listen to that which was revealed to the Messenger, you will see their eyes filled with tears as they recognize its truth. They say: ‘Lord, we believe. Count us among Your witnesses. Why should we not believe in God and in the truth that has come down to us? Why should we not hope for admission among the righteous?” (5: 83-84) Similarly, the Quran speaks of true believers “as those whose hearts tremble with awe at the mention of God, and whose faith grows stronger as they listen to His revelations. They are those who put their trust in their Lord, who pray regularly, and give in alms out of what We have provided for them. Such are the true believers. They have a high standing with their Lord, His forgiveness and an honourable provision made for them.” (8: 2-4) This shows that religious conversion in fact is the result of a realization. When the individual’s search for truth finds a convincing answer, it is such a profound experience that his heart is intensely moved. His eyes are filled with tears. His whole existence is moulded in the cast of truth. It is then that he emerges a new and altogether different person, having undergone a transformation. Those who enter the fold of Islam after being influenced by their study of the Quran have been thus described in the Quran: “Is then he who knows that what has been revealed to you by your Lord as the truth, like him who is blind? Truly, none will take heed but the wise.” (13: 19) According to this verse, the real conversion is one, which has taken place when the convert is aware that he has entered the phase of gnosis and has left behind the phase of ignorance. This same reality has been expressed in different ways in the Quran, for instance, by the simile of the earth. When the rains come, the fertile earth blooms, becoming green with vegetation. “Good soil yields fruit by God’s leave. But poor and scant are the fruits, which spring from barren soil. Thus we show our signs to those who render thanks.” (7: 58) Then there is the parable of the tree: “Do you not see how God compares a good word to a good tree whose root is firm with its branches in the Religious conversion in fact is the result of a realization. When the individual’s search for truth finds a convincing answer, it is such a profound experience that his heart is intensely moved.