Basic HTML Version
The Islamic Bulletin
Volume X No. 23
Page 10
could it be that something like this could be so easy to
preserve and to recite from cover to cover.
The Catholic Priest Converts to Islam
Anyway, one day the priest asked Mohamed if he might
accompany him to the mosque to see what it was like there.
They came back talking about their experience there and we
could not wait to ask the priest what it was like and what
types of ceremonies they performed. He said they didn’t really
‘do’ anything. They just came and prayed and left. I said:
“They left? Without any speeches or singing?” He said that was
right. A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked
Mohamed if he might join him again for a trip to the mosque
which they did. But this time it was different. They did not
come back for a very long time. It became dark and we
worried that something might have happened to them. Finally
they arrived and when they came in the door I immediately
recognized Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him?
Someone wearing a white robe and a white cap. Hold on a
minute! It was the priest. I said to him: “Pete? — Did you
become a ‘Moslem?’ He said that he had entered into Islam
that very day. THE PRIEST BECAME A MUSLIM!! What next?
(You’ll see).
I Follow Him and Submit Myself to God
So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk
to my wife about the whole subject. She then told me that she
too was going to enter into Islam, because she knew it was the
truth. I was really shocked now. I went downstairs and woke
up Mohamed and asked him to come outside with me for a
discussion. We walked and talked that whole night through. By
the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the
Muslims) I knew that the truth had come at last and now it
was up to me to do my part. I went out back behind my
father’s house and found an old piece of plywood lying under
an overhang and right there I put my head down on the
ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a
day.
Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the
plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: “O God. If you
are there, guide me, guide me.” And then after a while I
raised up my head and I noticed something. No, I didn’t see
birds or angels coming out of the sky nor did I hear voices or
music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes. What I did notice
was a change inside of me. I was aware now more than ever
before that it was time for me to stop lying and cheating and
doing sneaky business deals. It was time that I really work at
being an honest and upright man. I knew now what I had to
do. So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea
that I was ‘washing’ away the sinful old person that I had
become over the years. And I was now coming into a new,
fresh life. A life based on truth and proof.
Around 11:00 A.M. that morning, I stood before two
witnesses, one the ex-priest, formerly known as Father Peter
Jacob’s, and the other Mohamed Abel Rehman and announced
my ‘shahadah’ (open testimony to the Oneness of God and
the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him).
My Wife and My Father Follow and Convert to Islam
A few minutes later, my wife follows along and gave the same
testimony. But hers was in front of 3 witnesses (me being the
third).
My father was a bit more reserved on the subject and waited a
few more months before he made his shahadah (public
testimony). But he did finally commit to Islam and began
offering prayers right along with me and the other Muslims in
the local masjid (mosque).
The children were taken out of the Christian school and placed
in Muslim schools. And now ten years later, they are
memorizing much of the Quran and the teachings of Islam.
My father’s wife was the last of all to acknowledge that Jesus
could not be a son of God and that he must have been a mighty
prophet of God, but not God.
Now stop and think. A whole entire household of people from
varying backgrounds and ethnic groups coming together in truth
to learn how to know and worship the Creator and Sustainer of
the Universe. Think. A Catholic priest. A minister of music and
preacher. An ordained minister and builder of Christian schools.
And they all come into Islam! Only by His Mercy were we all
guided to see the real truth of Islam without any blinders on
their eyes any longer.
Phenomenon of Priests Converting to Islam
If I were to stop right here, I’m sure that you would have to
admit that at least, this is an amazing story, right? After all, three
religious leaders of three separate denominations all going into
one very opposite belief at the same time and then soon after
the rest of the household?
But that is not all. There is more! The same year, while I was in
Grand Prairie, Texas (near Dallas) I met a Baptist seminary
student from Tennessee named Joe, who also came to Islam
after reading the Holy Quran while in BAPTIST SEMINARY
COLLEGE!
There are others as well. I recall the case of the Catholic priest
in a college town who talked about the good things in Islam so
much that I was forced to ask him why he didn’t enter Islam. He
replied: “What? And lose my job?” His name is Father John and
there is still hope for him yet.
More? Yes. The very next year I met a former Catholic priest
who had been a missionary for 8 years in Africa. He learned
about Islam while he was there and entered into Islam. He then
changed his name to Omar and moved to Dallas Texas.
Any more? Again, yes. Two years later, while in San Antonio,
Texas I was introduced to a former Arch Bishop of the Orthodox
Church of Russia who learned about Islam and gave up his
position to enter Islam.
And since my own entrance into Islam and becoming a chaplain
to the Muslims throughout the country and around the world, I
have encountered many more individuals who were leaders,
teachers and scholars in other religions who learned about Islam
and entered into it. They came from Hindus, Jews, Catholics,
Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Greek and Russian Orthodox,
Coptic Christians from Egypt, non-denominational churches and
even scientists who had been atheists. Why? Good question.
Advice Regarding Seeking the Truth
May I suggest to the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS
for purification of the mind:
1. Clean their mind, their heart and their soul real good.
2. Clear away all the prejudices and biases.
3. Read a good translation of the meaning of the Holy Quran in
a language that they can understand best.
4. Take some time.
5. Read and reflect.
6. Think and pray.
7. And keep on asking the One who created you in the first
place, to guide you to the truth.
8. Keep this up for a few months. And be regular in it.
9. Above all, do not let others who are poisoned in their thinking
influence you while your are in this state of “rebirth of the soul.”
The rest is between you and the Almighty Lord of the Universe.
If you truly love Him, then He already knows it and He will deal
with each of us according to our hearts.
Peace to you and Guidance from Allah the One Almighty God,
Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.
.