Abdul Raheem
Introduction
As salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuh Alhumdulillah subhanAllah my name is Abdul Raheem.
Life before Islam.
I was born and raised Christian, but during my teenage years, I didn’t follow the religion.
I didn’t have the best head start in life. I grew up around domestic violence, drugs, alcohol etc.
I had to learn how to survive and hustle from a young age.
I experienced many trials and tribulations and didn’t see any future where I was, so made the move to Melbourne from NSW to better my life and change my environment Alhamdulillah.
My first encounter with a Muslim.
The first memory I have of Islam is 9/11. I remember coming into primary school the day it happened, and all the parents and teachers saying Muslims are trying to kill us.
I remember for a while we were taught that Islam was from the devil and all Muslims wanted to harm us.
How wrong they all were SubhanAllah.
My Conversion.
During COVID I lost my job and had a lot of time on my hands and with that time I started to look into different religions and spiritual practices.
I was browsing through YouTube and I came across the Athan and one of the Surahs. On hearing them I was overwhelmed with emotion and started tearing up.
I ordered an English version of the Quran and became intrigued with Islam, although I was still looking at other religions.
I began listening to the Quran when I was stressed and I found that listening to it had a good effect on me and helped ease my mind and calmed me.
I went through a lot at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021.
On the 30th of March 2021, I decided to go to the nearest Mosque which is Maidstone. I took my shahada and was welcomed into Islam by the brothers at my Masjid Alhumdulillah.
What do I love about Islam?
The peace and calmness of the mind, body and soul.
The brotherhood.
Learning about why things should and shouldn’t be done.
The truth, about our beloved Prophet pbh.
The sense of community of the Ummah when going to the Masjid.
Most importantly serving the one true God the correct way SubhanAllah.
How has Islam improved me as a person?
It’s given me purpose and drive to become the best possible version of myself, not just for me but so I can best serve Allah and have a positive impact on the people in my life and my community.
I stopped drinking which was always a big problem for me.
I stopped going out and putting myself in situations where something haram could happen. Nowadays I prefer to spend my spare time at the Masjid, rather than unsavoury places.
My family likes my changes.
My family initially mocked me but they are happy for me.
The best way I can prove to them that Islam is a good thing is how I act and how I am from now on Alhumdulillah.
As a Maori Polynesian Muslim, what challenges have I faced?
There have been some setbacks. I feel I lost a job due to becoming a Muslim.
I was told they had “no work at the moment gone quiet” whilst my colleagues were still working and my employer hired new workers.
I made my first dua to find a job where I can make salah on time Alhumdulillah.
I’m now able to pray at my new job.
Things are working out how they should, sometimes Allah swt will close one door just to open an even better one SubhanAllah.