Bible and Quran
My quest for truth started with reading all the gospels in the Bible. I spent several hours every weekend just to learn about this by myself. As time went by I found more and more signs and the Bible slowly but surely lost all credibility as the words inspired by God. After one month I got hold of a Norwegian translation of the Quran— definitely my best buy ever! I was absolutely amazed at the first words I read:
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah— Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them, And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful. [Quran 2:2-5]
The fact that I had read a little in the Bible already made it even stronger, because it was such a huge difference. The Quran was just straight to the point and incredibly informing in a very few sentences. Subhanallah!
Maturity and Knowledge of Islam
In March I was taking an online course called Understanding Islam. I had already been reading a lot of small articles about the religion on thedeenshow.com, but now I was finally shown the big picture of Islam. My conviction just grew stronger stronger as I learned more. Islam was something truly amazing, and very different from what I had imagined before.
Besides the course, school work, and other commitments, I was constantly reading the Quran. The story of Yusuf (as) really touched my heart. One verse especially made my tears flow like crazy: And when Joseph reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good. [Quran 12:22]
I was reading the verse totally out of context, and just looked at my own situation. I was 18 years old, I had just reached maturity (according to the society), and all of a sudden I was getting all this knowledge about Islam.
Deep Sincerity
I also came across a lot of amazing convert stories. Even though the stories were unique and very different from each other, I noticed one common thing about all the converts: they had this deep sincerity and an intense wish to understand the truth, or God, or the purpose of life. I found myself in exactly the same situation.
Since I didn’t know of any Muslims except my one Muslim friend, these stories were of great value to me. It was wonderful to see that there actually existed people who accepted Islam. The fact that even a lot of Christian pastors and priests accepted Islam made the religion even more interesting.
The story of Yusuf Estes (famous imam, former priest) was just heart-warming. And I still remember a woman’s description of her way to Islam: “I was reading the Quran and I kept looking for the mistake that made Islam ‘just another man-made religion’. Muslim was the last thing I wanted to become! But I couldn’t find it.”
Impossible to turn away
I was also very scared of Islam in the beginning. But after my first introduction to the religion, it was impossible for me to turn away and act as if the message had never reached me. Especially after reading the following verse; it wasn’t even a question if I should continue seeking knowledge– it was a must.
So there has [now] come to you a clear evidence from your Lord and a guidance and mercy. Then who is more unjust than one who denies the verses of Allah and turns away from them? We will recompense those who turn away from Our verses with the worst of punishment for their having turned away.” [Quran 6:157]
Credibility, Then Obstacle, Then Peace of Heart
In addition to all of this, the science of the Quran was of great importance in helping me accept Islam. Everybody knows that at some point science and Christianity parted and went their separate ways, kind of. Of course many Christians will claim that they are not contradicting each other, rather they are explaining the gaps of the other.
But with Islam and Quran, it is a whole different matter. Both the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw), goes hand in hand with science. The things discovered by science today– or the last few centuries – were already stated by the Quran 1400 years ago. How amazing is that? Allah (swt) asks: Then will you not reason? [Quran 21:12]
One of my greatest obstacles regarding accepting Islam was that from the start I wished to “do everything right”. I was thinking I should at least be able to pray properly before becoming Muslim. Luckily I heard an imam explain that the Quran was sent down over a period of 23 years.
In this is a sign for us; Allah (swt) could have sent down the complete Book at once. But in His Wisdom and Mercy, He didn’t. From this we can learn that change takes time, and we that are supposed to develop step by step. I was also told: “If you believe in one God, Allah (swt), and that Muhammed (saw) is His Messenger, then you’re Muslim”. It’s as simple as that. So after completing the translation of the Quran, I had no more reason to wait.
I made my shahada on June 17th 2011. Alhamdulillah! I have never looked back. The more I learn, the happier I get. A great benefit of Islam is that it doesn’t ask us to suppress intellect, reason, or logic. Rather, we’re supposed to think, reflect, and use our reason actively. The only times my heart isn’t at ease is when I don’t remember Allah (swt) and obey Him enough.
I can testify to the truth of these words: Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest. [Quran 13:28]
Lot of thanks for this story which add a big quantity of Iman bil Allah Islam His Prophet.Jazakomullah chair. Aameen.
syukur, alhamdulillah. May ALLAH give you the whole lot of sweetness in your life when you finally find ISLAM and IMAN. We are all belong to HIM. The world is nothing, our life is very very short compare with what are awaiting for us at the END. Our body is only the vessel for his SOUL to the rightful path to endless AKHIRAT. Hopefully all of us will gain the jihhad way to meet our ALLAH, our creator…AMIN.
syukur, alhamdulillah. May ALLAH give you the whole lot of sweetness in your life when you finally find ISLAM and IMAN. We are all belong to HIM. The world is nothing, our life is very very short compare with what are awaiting for us at the END. Our body is only the vessel for his SOUL to the rightful path to endless AKHIRAT. Hopefully all of us will gain the jihhad way to meet our ALLAH, our creator…AMIN.
My greatly hon’ble daughter Tonje Hagen,
As-Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
ALLAH AZ-ZAWWAJJAL will make you a light for the whole of your country. In sha ALLAH, I will always beg to ALLAH AZ-ZAWWAJJAL to bless you with unlimited resources to distribute AL-QUR’AN and life of Rasool ALLAH, salle ALLAHU alayhi wa sallam, in
all of Scandinavia, aammeeeeen.
Your Uncle Ahsan
ahsanknf@gmail.com
Subhanallah , this makes our imam stinger and stronger . May Allah ( swt ) guide everyone to the straight path , Ameen !!!!
mashallah you understood islam, first and then entered ,thats very good .let every body understand the quran.and except islam, ameen
jazakAllah khayr for sharing such a beautiful experience.May Allah bless you always and raise our level of iman day by day and make us his pious and righteous servants.
subhanalla Allah guides whom he wishes……
you take one step towards Allah he takes so many steps towards you,. may you inspire many more brothers and siaters to follow the correct path ameen
let every body understand islam and quran and accept islam. ameen . it is accept islam [ not except sorry]
Alhamdulillah , its really very touching. So we muslims should also ponder and reflect on the verses of Quraan.
Mashaallah, pls get this best example and understand it well.
All praises belong to Allah(SWT). Tonje’s
story is encouraging for all humans. May Allah (SWT) guide her and us all the way. I lived many years in Sweden and people there in general know very little about Islam. Currently in America I have some very good friends who converted to Islam after extensive studies of the religion. I think my converted friends are better practitioners of Islam than me.
…..So do not weaken and do not grieve, for you will indeed be superior if you are truly believers……(Al-Imran 3:139).
Alhamdulillah, very inspiring article. I am curious, is the video you referenced about Muslims following Christ more than Christians on youtube? Is it the “Deen Show” video or was it another one??? JZK
mashaAllah beautiful story.
subhan allah..ur blessed sister Allah(swt) guided you at such a young age .. n u said u wer questioning ur self at age of 11..this was just shocking.. insha allah… may allah help u and us to adhere towards our deen and be steadfast in all phase of life ..ameen
Dear sister,
assalamualaikum. Jazakallah for your inspirational and wonderful piece of writing. May Allah accept us as His slaves and admit us into His Mercy.
what does kuran say about ladies. Do they need to be put behind purdah and their freedom should be curtailed? just like the ladies in saudi who are not even allowed to show even their hands or to go out roam freely without a male companion? Again.. just curious…
Assalamu alaykum wr wb dear brother.
Among scholars there is a wide range of opinion on these questions. We don’t usually comment on rulings because this is beyond the realm of our expertise. If we answer, we will only be giving our opinions, and there are others much more qualified to comment on these things than we are. We encourage and support the study the Quran, salat and dua so that in shaa Allah in time the truth will become clear to you.
Jazaka Allah khayran,
Warda Krimi, Content Manager, UQA
Also.. does Islam believe in reincarnation or rebirth?
Salam, brother.
No, to reincarnation. As to rebirth, on Judgment Day those who’ve died will all be awakened to face judgment. It’s not technically a rebirth although some describe it as such.
Warda
What a wonderful continuation. May Allah (swt) keep you steadfast on the deen. All of these parts have brought tears to my eyes. It’s like renewing my shahadah all over again! Masha’Allah xxx
nice story Allah is one.
Salam dear sister Tonje Hagen
I don't know you but your story made me cry much. Simply heart warming…the Ayahs which left an impact in you, made me think and reflect much.
I make dua that Allah gives you and all of us steadfastness till our last breath.
If we don't meet here, may our paths cross in Jannah dear sister Tonje Hagen. Ameen.
I always believe that if one objectively studies Islam and other religions. Islam is the most rational and practical.
Tonje hagen,
Assalamu alikum.
Subhan Allah . Wonderful story . That’s why
We are chosen one . Most lucky person is the one whom Allah guides. Thanks a lot for sharing u story .
As-Salamu Alaykum wa Rahma to the Curious Guy.
If you are a male member, you are like my son and if you are a female member, you are like my daughter.
Your observation and true and honest, 100 percent.
Present day Muslims, in general, DO NOT KNOW, even three to five percent of the lines of AL-QUR’AN.
There are 6,236 Sentences in complete QU’RAN.
Muslims call these sentences AYAT. AYAT means
sign. These are signs from our CREATOR, ONE &
ONLY. After 100 years from today, another set of our grand children will carry on this world. We do not know our coming generations nor do we know our ancestors. But, if we truly find out WHO created us & WHY created us – that is ultimate triumph of success.
Dr Lawrence B. Brown, american opthomologist of a very high calibre is available for every truth seeker on you tube, to take an advantage from. Taxen brother
Yusuf Estes is also available on you tube. Please remember, we cannot afford to let people fall in hell-fire. If we honestly search ONE TRUE GOD, HIS help is always there to guide us to PARADISE. Please my dear curious person, please read the
last book AL-QU’RAN. Thank you so much.
ahsanknf@gmail.com
Tonje this is so beautiful, my eyes filled with tears at parts 1, 2 and 3. May Allah protect you, you’re such a beautiful person and i’m so grateful to have met you <3. Masha'Allah <3