I had decided at the age of about 14 (1991) that there were more important things in life than worldly progress. I thought that whatever I achieved would be largely the result of my God given abilities. This is something that no-one has any control over, so how meritorious is it really to have become a doctor, a professor etc..etc? Anyone given the opportunity and God given ability could achieve it. Achieving high morals on the other hand was something that was drastically needed, and was a worthy goal. So I set myself this goal, only concentrating on 2 aspects.
(i) to be compassionate
(ii) to be true
I tried to help people worse off than me in different ways, and I tried to accept truth when it came.
I went to university (1995) with these goals, and I thought I would find like minded people, but I found that I was pretty much alone, and it was very depressing. I despaired of life. The life full of falsehood and selfishness was worthless, and University was full of this. I was in quite a desperate situation, tired and angry with the ways of the world, and I was willing to look at anything that claimed it was the truth. I became politically active (1996-7) joining the Socialist Workers Party, which campaigned for a fairer distribution of wealth across society along the lines of Socialism. I joined because I could not counter their arguments and was impressed with their aims, but when I realised that the members of this group were motivated by jealousy and envy, I left.
All this time I had an Ahmadi friend, Imran, who saw my predicament and recommended Ahmadiyyat to me, as it was what I was looking for. He told me that Ahmadiyyat has been founded by the 2nd Coming of Jesus (as), which, as a Christian interested me. He also told me about Hazoor and about his mother who saw 'dreams'. I didn't follow up the interest immediately.
Imran was and is a really great friend with no hidden agenda. We agreed to go on holiday together after we graduated - back-packing around Europe. Thus, Imran invited me to Jalsa to meet his family, immediately after which, we would start our trip.
I went to Jalsa because Imran had affectively made it part of our trip, so looking back, I really had no choice! I was happy to go since I was curious and quite fearless when it came to the truth, but I did not expect anything to happen…I was thinking about back-packing around Europe!
I arrived at Jalsa on the Saturday and stayed one night with Imran’s family. Lo and behold, Imran’s mother had a dream which she (against Imran's 'orders') told me about. In the dream she was showing me photographs of the Promised Messiah (as). Some had long hair, some short, some had short beards, some long etc..etc.. In the dream, Imran's mother explained to me that Ahmadi's were not all the same, they were different. Some were better than others. In my eleven years in the jamaat, I have certainly found that to be true.
This dream convinced her that I would become an Ahmadi. I took it as a compliment and thanked her. She said 'Don't thank me, this is what God has said'. I was very impressed by this answer.
After this, I went to the Jalsa wondering what would happen. I knew that if I was confronted with arguments that I could not answer, I would convert. After talking to Ahmadis from all over the world, particularly an old convert from America and a new one from France, I received those arguments, and agreed to convert.
I remember that after getting a bai'at form, I went to sit in the Jalsa Gah were Pasha Danial, Sabahus Salaam, and Kashif Javaid (all from Glasgow) were sitting. They had also just converted. Sabah turned and congratulated me. That was the first time I met him.
2. What were you perceptions of Islam before you accepted Islam and how have those changed since?
Long before I knew of Ahmadiyyat, I had noted the similarity of what I came to know as non-Ahmadi 'mullahs' to the Jewish scholarly opponents of Jesus(as) in his time. Thus I mistrusted them straight away. Ahmadiyyat changed my view of Islam, and made me understand that the non- Ahmadi mullahs had fallen into the same trap as the Jewish mullahs, by rejecting their Messiah. Ahmadiyyat was simply the only way to follow Jesus (as) or any other prophet in these modern times.
Since then, I have read quite a few books of the Promised Messiah (as), and got involved with the jamaat as much as I could. As a result, my love of the Holy Prophet has developed greatly, as had my relationship with God. Ahmadiyyat is the real deal.
3. How has accepting Islam changed your life and what benefits have you gained?
The peace of mind I craved as a young man I now have. I have a relationship with God (although it needs a lot more work). There are worldly benefits as well which I believe were granted to me by God's Grace. I did not seek them exclusively. Allah the Kind simply gave them to me:- Career, Marriage, a son and Independence.
When I became Ahmadi, I had none of the above and did not know how I would get them. Khalifatul Masih 1st used to quote a verse of the Holy Quran, the gist of which reads “If you worry about God's things, then he will take care of your needs in such a way as you will not comprehend.”
One of the conditions of bai'at is to give precedence to faith over world objects. I have always tried to give faith its due station in my life. I have never worried overly about any worldly aspect of my life. In fact, I wanted to give up my education (as I was disillusioned with it) and become a missionary, but Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) refused me, and told me to complete my studies. So I pursued my career, by the Grace of Allah as I was commanded by Hazoor, and I think I have been very much blessed, and continue to be blessed because of that, and it happened (from a worldly point of view) by accident. This is Allah's Kindness. The truth is, if I knew then what I know now, I would not have applied to be a missionary. Allah's jamaat did me a great favour.
Also, reading the books of the Promised Messiah (as) has had a 're-programming' effect on my mind. As my thinking has become more in step with that of the attitudes and ideas expressed in the Promised Messiah's writings, and the instructions of the Khulafah, I found that not only was the kind of spiritual advancement, that is not possible in other religions now open to me (confirmed by my discussions with those of other faiths), but worldly advancement also. In my professional life, I have (since becoming Ahmadi) impressed many colleagues at work, in education and social circles with my ideas and thoughts (without trying to do so). This kind of supremacy, and much more (Professor Abdus Salaam, Muhammad Zafrullah Khan) is granted to those who follow the Promised Messiah with sincerity. I know that many other Ahmadi's experience the same thing.
4. What challenges have you faced as a convert to Islam and how did you overcome them?
The friction with my parents was the main issue, which grew worse when I started preaching openly in the Croydon town centre (where everyone used to know each other). It grew much worse when I decided to go to Pakistan to get married (because of dreams that I, my wife and others had). I did all these things because I wanted to follow the way of God. I believe that God would help me, and would improve my life. Examples such as Ibrahim Noonan were in front of me. In fact all the while, people like Ibrahim Noonan, Hafiz Fazle Rabbi, Khalil Miyan, Nasir Orchard and other members of Norbury jamaat, as well as Imran and his family, were always there to help me and guide me.
5. What has been the reaction of your friends and family to your conversion?
They were angry and confused at first but now they see the positive effect it has had and simply accept it now. They love their Grandson of course! Of course being Ghanaian, my parents knew of Ahmadiyyat without knowing/understanding what it is. They didn't want to know and still don't.
6. How has being a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community helped?
Members of the jamaat in general did not really understand what I was going through in this country. The main support I received was from other converts, but even our experiences as converts are not really the same. Ibrahim was a person whose experience had been similar to mine. One thing about Ibrahim is that his relationship with God is much stronger than any of his world relationships. This is the only way because human beings cannot help despite their best efforts. Among other things watching him, I believed that Allah would help me because my intentions were pure, and He did not let me down. He never lets you down.
7. How have you found integration into the Community?
Coming from a multicultural background, I believe I have found it easier then most. The same human frailties are there. No-one should expect to find angels when they join the jamaat, neither should they expect that they will immediately become angles on joining the jamaat. It is a long process and often I feel that I have made no progress at all!
8. What events or activities would you like to see taking place?
New Ahmadi Ijtemas as they have in Germany
9. What advice would you have for your fellow new converts into Islam?
Remember that your covenant is with the Promised Messiah at the hand of the Khalifa and no one else. It is a relationship with God. You owe no one else anything, and no one owes you anything. If you act like this, God The Powerful and the Extremely Kind, will take responsibility for you.
Also, read the books of the Promised Messiah deeply and follow the Khilafa. His orders, his desires, his intentions, his prayers, his likes and dislikes. Make a point of listening to his sermons regularly. Do not be worried that others around you are not listening to him and not following him. One of the orders of the Khalifa, is to read the Qur'an every day. This should also be done along with all the directions in Islam and Ahmadiyyat. Try to train yourself to seek help only from God, because He is really there, and He really Listens and Helps. After 11 years in this jamaat, I need to follow this advice myself more than ever.
10. Finally, as someone who has found Truth, what advice would you have for any seeker after Truth?
Be totally honest with yourself (or with God if you currently believe in God). If you are not honest with yourself, how can you expect to be successful? I met a woman the other day who was upset because her son had become a Muslim. I asked her if she knew anything about Islam. She answered, 'yes but not from my son, from Christians'. I told her that she should read about it for herself, but she answered 'I don't want to become Muslim'. From this it’s clear that she had her own desires which were more important to her than the truth!
Truth is very valuable. Religious history tells us that it can’t be attained unless a person is willing to pay a high price.
May Allah give us all the courage to follow only truth. Ameen. Once you find the truth, then the real work begins (May Allah give us the strength. Ameen).
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