According to rahyafte (the missionaries and converts website):Ice Man, a well-known user on Google Plus who is currently studying in the United States, shares an intriguing encounter he had with a new Muslim.
Today, I came across an American at a religious gathering, who was evidently not Iranian or of Iranian descent. After a brief conversation, it became clear that he was not born a Muslim; he had converted. Furthermore, all of his ancestors were American for at least a few generations. Let’s suppose his name was Michael, which he changed to Ahmed after embracing Islam (names have been altered to respect privacy). Here is what I remember from our conversation:
Ice Man: How long have you been a Muslim?
Michael Ahmed: It’s been about twenty years.
See the Persian text here
Ice Man: That’s a significant amount of time. How did you become a Muslim?
Michael Ahmed: My journey to Islam was a process that spanned several years. I was born into a devout Christian family. We attended church as a family twice a week. Moreover, we had family sessions at home where we studied the Holy Bible. Thus, before embracing Islam, I was already religiously inclined and had a yearning for a connection with God.
During high school, through Muslim friends in my class, I got introduced to Islam. Some of them invited me to a mosque, and gradually, I became more familiar with Islam. As I delved into Islam and its concept of monotheism, I began to doubt certain Christian beliefs of mine, such as the Trinity. This eventually led me to feel a lack of serenity during church services and a sense of guilt due to my doubts. When high school was over, I realized that I needed to address these doubts. I started studying, and over time, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), I embraced Islam.
Ice Man: How did your parents react?
Michael Ahmed: Well, they were upset, and our relationship was strained. Both of them are devoted Christians. However, they didn’t disown me. This might seem strange, but considering my Muslim-born friends, I faced less resistance from them regarding my conversion. Some of them had non-religious backgrounds and were opposed to their children adopting a religion.
Ice Man: Were you able to maintain a good relationship with your parents? You know that Islam has certain instructions regarding parents that should be followed regardless of their religion or faith.
Michael Ahmed: I’ve always tried to respect them and maintain a harmonious relationship. I can say now they have accepted my choice, but they are still somewhat upset. However, as Muslims, we would also be upset if our children converted to Christianity, wouldn’t we?
Ice Man: Have you ever thought that maybe another religion, like Baha’i Faith, could be more comprehensive than Islam? Maybe there’s something better?
Michael Ahmed: No! I have found contentment and peace, and I no longer feel a void that drives me to seek another faith.
Ice Man: Considering Western culture, do you find all the instructions of Islam acceptable? For example, in Islam, the punishment for adultery is execution. While in Western culture, it is prevalent (for instance, even Trump was involved in adultery and divorced his first wife after betraying her. There’s even a website in the West that encourages such relationships). Does such a punishment seem logical to you?
Michael Ahmed: It’s completely logical! A society is not an individual; it’s a family. If we don’t hold it together firmly, society will crumble, just like the current situation in America. Moreover, culture is a dynamic matter, and you cannot necessarily adopt religious instructions based on culture. For instance, twenty years ago, if you had asked about same-sex marriage in America, most people would have considered it wrong. However, due to a change in culture, it has become legal. Therefore, we cannot reject religious instructions based on culture. Of course, it’s not necessary to live by every religious instruction
based on a deep understanding of the reasons behind them. For instance, considering my background, it’s not easy for me to shake hands with my female cousin or embrace her in family gatherings, but it’s a religious command, and I don’t need to understand the rationale behind every command.
Ice Man: Why do you think others don’t lean towards Islam? If Islam is so logical, why do the majority of born Muslims continue to be Muslim, inheriting their faith from their parents?
Michael Ahmed: I attribute my guidance to the Lord, but I think if someone is not a Muslim, they won’t achieve the peace and tranquility. I’ve experienced this, and I say so. Living in America means being exposed to different religions and beliefs. I grew up in a multicultural society and am familiar with various religions, customs, and nationalities. I myself was raised in a Christian household. With this experience, I don’t beli
