Motivated by Bus Stop Dawah
Bismillah.
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakathuh Ustaza.
Trust that you are in the best of health. May Allah SWT keep you in good health and bless you and your family, ameen. Alhamdulillahi ‘ala kullu haal, it is a desire of every online student to meet you, talk to and listen to you always. Allah knows what is best and Today He has given me the pleasure of writing to you, Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘alameen.
I wanted to share and amazing experience I had after reading and listening to sr.Farhiya’s bus stop da’wah. May Allah bless her and give her towfeeq to serve more in His path, ameen.
About six months ago,during the begining days of Ta’leem al Quran course 2009, I attended a function. I saw an unfamiliar face, have never seen her before but her dress code told me she is not a Muslim. I was eager to meet her but felt uncomfortable to introduce myself. I saw her talking to my friend, almost towards the end of the program just after dinner. This was my chance, I joined them and greeted my friend and then I turned to her and greeted her. No reply from her but she was smiling. It was then my friend told me that she is not a Muslim. Soon I left the conversation as I had to leave. As soon as I left she had inquired about me and my dress code (I was in Nikab). I was going around greeting sisters and I saw her eyes on me. I got an opportunity to talk to her again. She asked me, “Why are you covering your face?” I smilingly said, “To please my God.” And further said, “My beauty belongs to only one man and that is my husband. And that is what Islam teaches us. Women are protected and considered precious in Islam.” I wanted to explain more but I couldn’t as I was in a rush. The feeling of giving da’wah was soaring inside me but I did not have the courage to invite her to Islam. I decided to befriend her, and gave her my contact information. Every time we talk, we would have a conversation about Allah and Islam but I was a bit reluctant to invite her to Islam. The fear of what she will think stopped me. Alhamdulillah, Sr.Farhiya’s bus stop da’wah gave me a boost. It was like a spiritual Quwwah from Allah (swt). With out any further delay I called her.
Our conversation was going well and she just asked me, “Why don’t we talk more about Islam?” I realized this is my chance and I switched into Dawah mode!She once told me that her mom is a Buddhist, so keeping that in mind I started. I asked her, “what do you think about god?” She said, “I believe that, that there is only one god and I believe that he helps those who trust in him.” I added to it “yes true, I too believe that there is no god but Allah and He always helps those who trust him” we continued talking about the similarities in religions. Then she said ” I see some Muslims hanging out with guys and guys cheating girls, I thought Islam doesn’t allow all these.” I told her what Dr.Zakir Naik said, ” If you want to look at a religion don’t look at its people but at its Book and its Prophet.” This gave me an opportunity to introduce Quran and Prophet Muhammad sallahu ‘alaihi wassallam. I wish to share everything but it was a long conversation. I explained to her that Quran is the source of peace. Her reaction was, ” Wow, tell me more about peace.”
This lead us to the topic of peace, I said, “Did you know Islam means peace.” She was very interested in knowing more. She said, “Really? I haven’t heard this before, can you tell more about it?.” I explained to her that when one submits himself completely to Allah, He finds peace. She said, “How?” I further explained that when one submits himself to Allah, Allah is pleased with him and when Allah is pleased with him, He takes care of all his affairs and thus he finds peace. For example, how we offer help only to someone whom we are pleased with. She kept asking more and more about peace. Then I felt she has a thirst for peace. I asked her about her health and mind. She said that she feels terrible. This was the perfect chance for me to explain the Love and Mercy of Allah (swt), the Rabb of the world
I said, “Did you realize that Allah loves you?” She said, “why do you say that?” I replied, “I never planned to call you but Allah had planned it for you. He knew you are upset and need help, so He sent me to comfort you and to help you.” She was almost in to tears. This was her turning point. I offered her to come and join Taleem al Quran course, she was very pleased to hear that. But she couldn’t make it due to some personal difficulties.
We continued talking about Jesus (as), Moses (as) and the Books. I explained to her, How we believe in all the prophets and all the book but we follow only the final Messenger Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the final Book, the Quran. She said, “Wow, it makes sense.” She was sharing few stories from the Bible only after this conversation I got to know she is a christian and all this while I was preaching to her thinking she is a Buddhist. Subhan Allah, Allah (swt) is amazing. It was a beautiful feeling.
Furthermore she was sharing her personal experience with Muslims and she always managed to find a Muslim friend. I felt this is the Towfeeq from Allah (swt), the best time time to invite her to Islam. I just asked her, “Why don’t you accept Islam?” She was speechless for sometime. For a moment I thought it was not the right time. I was explaining to her how Allah had chosen her and how He has been preparing her. I forgot to mention. In one of our conversations she had mentioned that she had fasted twice before, this helped me to give her a better explanation. I was not happy with her response, she said, “I need some time.”
I invited her to an Islamic gathering, thinking we can met each other in person. She said, “ok.” This was our last conversation. No calls for 3 days. She was not answering my calls. This was worrying me but I kept calling her every day, still no response. So I decided to email her and Alhamdulillah I saw a reply from her.
I went out thinking I can meet her. Alhamdulillahi ‘ala kulli haal, It didnt happen as we planned because Allah (swt) had a better plan for us. She called me in the evening and I was out at that time. We couldn’t talk much but I felt she was upset about it. So I told her I’ll get back to her as soon as I reach home. I reached home only after 12 midnight, I dint want to disturb her, so called her next day morning at nine. No response and tried again at around 11. She was so upset at me for not ringing her. I apologized and consoled her, she was fine after a while. I felt she is trying to tell me something. She said, “I have not slept for the past 3 days, something is disturbing me and so many questions running in my mind” I said, “Why don’t you accept Islam, it will clear all your confusion and bring peace into your life?” She was so pleased to hear these words. She said, “she was waiting for this moment.” Allahu Akbar, Allah (swt) gave her the Hidaya and I pray that Allah (swt) guides her in every step and grant her Jannatul firdous, ameen.
I told her she must take the Ghusl bath and explained to her how it is done . She called me after approximately two hours. Before making her repeat the shahada, I asked her, “Do you believe that there is not god but Allah?” She said, “Yes.” I explained to her the shahada and the articles of faith and said, “We Muslims believe in all the prophets including Jesus, may peace be upon him. He is only a prophet of Allah not a SON, But we only follow the last and final Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (saw). And we believe that Bible is a holy Book, revealed to prophet Jesus, peace be upon him but we don’t follow it because we believe that it is changed. We follow the last and final Book, The Holy Quran and we believe that it will remain unchanged until last day, this is a promise of Allah (swt). We trust in Allah and His promises.” continued with angels, hereafter and the Qadr of Allah and said, “This completes the belief in Allah.” I don’t know how to express that moment Ustaza, I was too emotional. Alhamdulillah Allah (swt) gave me the Towfeeq and the courage to do teach her the shahada, Allahu Akbar. And Today, she believe in Allah. Allahu Akbar!
Subhan Allah Ustaza, now she wants to fast. She is very eager to seek more knowledge. I spoke to her yesterday, she was worried about losing all her files in her phone. I asked her, “Is it important files?” she said, “No, some music and pictures.” In return I said, “Allah is guiding you, It is like a blessing in disguise. Allah loves you.” Suprisingly she said, “Yes true, it was like a miracle. I thought someone had deleted it. Now I know, it is for my own good.” Every time I talk to her, I find something interesting in her life.
And Today I have realised the Importance giving Da’wah, Alhamdulillah. I appologize for the lengthy email.
My dearest Ustaza, Jazakallah Khairan Katheera for giving us this golden opportunity to study and understand Allah’s Kalam. I Pray to Allah that I can be a source of Sadaqah Jaariya to you and to My parents who supported me in every way (Living in Sri Lanka).May Allah Bless you and My parents with Jannathul Firdous, Ameen.I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Sr.Shireen who is a pillar for online students, my wonderful teachers, group in charges and my uncle and family with whom I live.May Allah continue to put Barakah in your lives and Bless Jannahthul Firdouse in the Hereafter, Ameen.
Jazakillah Khairan Katheera.
Wassalmu alaikum warahmathullah.
With love and Duas
Jamani.