MY JOURNEY TO ISLAM
By Maya Crizel Dorado
Assalamu alaykum! My name is Maya, 25 years old and here’s my story on how I
became a Muslim.
This story is basically divided into three parts:
(1)My life before Islam
(2) How I became a Muslim
(3) My life as a Muslim
I’ve written this with the intention of inspiring other people and somehow be a
way of calling our not-yet-Muslim brothers and sisters to check out this beautiful
religion, Islam.
My Life before Islam
I was brought up as a catholic, though my immediate family are not active on
church and religious activities. Coming from a humble background, we are not
very fortunate to have everything we want growing up, but Alhamdulillah (all
praise be to Allah) with my parent’s help and by working at McDonalds for quite
some time, I was able to finish my Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science
(2008).
Typical girl on her early 20s who is socially active was rarely home, I only gave
credit to myself, it was all about me me me. I was ungrateful; I would always
want more, never contented.
My life was just about having fun, I always love my family but I didn’t care about
them enough, more so ever since my dad died (2008). I was all over the place! I
have a job but my life has no clear direction.
Also in 2008, when I was working for a research company, I had quite a lot of
born-again Christian friends and I got exposed to their beliefs and eventually in
2010, I accepted Christianity as my religion.
However, the strange thing was, subhanAllah even when I accepted Christianity
and that pretty much equates accepting Jesus as my savior, for some reason, I
never really prayed to Jesus, ever. I remember when I was praying at that time, I
always prayed to God, one God (not with Jesus in it, not with the trinity god).
Don’t get me wrong, I love Jesus, even more now.
I practiced being a born-again Christian for like two or three months, I think. I
would always go to church on Sunday, attend some group for sharing and bible
reading, I lessened drinking and refrained from partying. However, that didn’t last
because I still don’t feel complete deep down. don’t really grasp what it means. It
made me even more confused. So I stopped practicing and went back to my old
self.
Islam never really crossed my mind at that time. But I think I suffered from this
terrible disease called Islamophobia back then , because every time I saw
Muslims, I felt uneasy and confused believing what the media said about them.
How I became a Muslim
I met a Muslim crowd who were not practicing one of them was talkative and we
became friends, he had a good character and values. I frequently saw him pray,
he sometimes read Qu’ran, and listens to a lot of lectures on youtube. I remember
he would always listen to Sh. Ahmed Deedat (may Allah grant him Jannah),
sometimes he invites me to join him to listen so I did. I find it interesting and
thought provoking. MashaAllah.
One day we had a conversation, It was about Jesus (peace be upon him) He
asked me about Jesus. I explained it to him with my Christian point of view. Then
he asked me if I really believe that he is God. I couldn’t immediately say ‘yes’
because I know deep inside me, I don’t really feel it. But being me, with my pride
and all that, and just for the sake of argument I said “Yes. I believe that Jesus is
god”. Then he calmly explained to me who Jesus is in Islam and why he can’t be
God…
SubhanAllah! There was something about the way he explained it… I didn’t even
know him to be that articulate!!! But right then and there, everything he said went
straight to my heart like a sharp arrow. JESUS IS NOT GOD! Those are just words
but the effect of it on me that time was too heavy… I was stunned. I froze and
somewhat irritated, I felt cheated and fooled because I believed in this all my life!
My initial reaction was to deny everything that he was saying. I kept on reasoning
and rejecting even though I know that my heart and my brain wholeheartedly
accepted it. It was just my ego that was so stubborn.
I think that conversation was my turning point. After that, I started reading,
watching and researching more about Islam on my own. I’m working as a
researcher so it was easy for me to dig more, though he was still helping me. He
set up an appointment for me to meet a person with more knowledge about Islam
around his area so I can ask some questions, so I did and Alhamdulillah I was
satisfied with the answers, it got me more and more inclined to this ‘new’ faith
mashaAllah.
Then months passed, he had to go back to his country and he advised me to
continue learning about Islam. That was the time when I was fully convinced that
Islam is the truth, though I was still asking for a sign. I knew that our relationship
was haram, and I also want to prove to myself that I am not embracing Islam for
him, that he had nothing to do with it. I came to a point where I asked Allah to
and give me inner peace and that would be enough sign for me. And
subhanAllah!!!! I felt better and relaxed although I lost a great friend.
The 29th of December 2012, I called the couple who helped me on learning Islam,
mashaAllah they helped me with a lot of things all throughout my search (may
Allah bless their family). They took me to a masjid in Sucat, that was after Isha
time when I read my shahadah (declaration of faith).
“La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah (There is absolutely no deity worthy of
worship except Allah, and Muhammad peace be upon him is His messenger.)”
I couldn’t even say the words right, tears kept on gushing from my eyes, I can
also see my friends crying out of joy. Allahu Akbar! I feel light, like I can fly… No
exaggeration but it was a surreal moment. I felt loved, blessed and the mercy of
The Creator is just undeniable at that very moment, words just can’t explain how
I felt at that time.
My life as a Muslim
This is where the real journey begins…
So I embraced Islam as my religion and way of life, I am a Muslim and I am not a
terrorist. I think that was the best thing that ever happened to me, the most
valuable gift that I have ever received from The Creator. It was the true ‘born-
again’ feeling. All my sins from before was erased and I started all over again
with a clean slate. Not just able to start a new chapter, but a completely new
book.
Slowly slowly, I started to learn the basics… First, the Salah (prayer) which took
me few weeks to memorize and understand. That same couple thought me,
alhamdulillah now everytime I pray, they get some reward from Allah(swt)
MashaAllah!
My family has always been supporting me. Before I embraced Islam, I told my
Mom (actually just the night before my shahadah) that I will be embracing Islam.
Ofcourse her initial reaction was negative, then I explained that I was sure and
that I have been looking at it for quite some time, so she just trusted me and let
me be. When I came home after the shahadah, I was wearing the headscarf and
they said “So you were serious about it, huh?” I said “Yes! This is not just a
fashion statement!”. I know it was not easy for them to accept it and get used to
it as it was hard for me, but by the help of Allah, everything went well after some
time. Actually now, my Mom thinks that all the change was for the better because
I totally stopped drinking and partying, I frequently go home and spend quality
time with them, I told them this is because of me being a Muslim, this is what
Islam requires us to do. To always be a good person. They respect my newly
embraced belief. They don’t eat or cook pork when I am there, and my Mom even
prepared my Sahoor and Iftar when I spent Ramadan at home. I can feel their
support, I am so blessed and in sha Allah, hidayah (guidance) from Allah will also
reach their hearts. That is my ultimate duaa (prayer).
My friends, I also told them about my plan to embrace Islam and Alhamdulillah,
they were all very supportive and understanding. I lost some friends too but, it’s
okay. That’s when I realized that when we give something up for the sake of
Allah, He will help us and make things easy for us, everything we lost will be
replaced with something soooo much better. We just have to submit and trust
Him subhanahu wa ta’ala. True enough, at that time I made a duaa to Allah to
bless me with more friends that has the same beliefs and goals as I have and
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin!!! Now I have a looooot of sisters and brothers (not
just friends, but family and there are over 1.7billion of us!) who are helping me to
practice better and supporting me with everything! I can’t be grateful enough to
have people around me who also strives to be better and keeps on reminding
each other about Allah and our real destination. May Allah protect us, make it
easy for us, and guide our family and friends to the right path. Ameen.
I am currently working as a Lead Generation Researcher in Alabang and I think,
Allah being Al-Kareem (The Generous) has blessed me with the best employer,
Alhamdulillah. When I embraced Islam, I immediately told my bosses and I
informed them that few things will change and I asked their permission if I can
pray somewhere in the office… Allahu Akbar! They gave me permission to pray at
the server room!!!! Even until now, I can’t thank them enough for the kindness and
support that they are showing me, may Allah make the company proper, may
Allah increase us in knowledge and give us proper understanding. Ameen.
Allah grant me courage to immediately put on a head scarf just right after my
shahadah. Allhamdulillah. I know a lot of sisters are still struggling to put/keep it
on. One of my advocacies is to support our not-yet-hijabi sisters and try to
inspire them to wear a hijab by trying to be a good example. Let them take their
time. Each of us has different struggles, let us try not to judge but motivate each
other with kind words and actions.
SubhanAllah, just recently, I was asked to be a part of an organization which has
a mission that’s really close to my heart, the New Muslim Care Philippines. We
are an organization focused on providing support services to Filipino individuals
who have newly accepted Islam. May Allah bless us and inspire us to play our
part in such a way that will benefit then ummah. Answered prayer indeed.
ISLAM gave me REAL freedom by worshipping The One True God, our Creator, no
partners, no son, Sufficient and in no need of any help. The only One worthy of
our worship and submission, He is ALLAH. He is The Master, I am His slave and
that is the highest and most honorable position one can ever achieve, ever.
To all my not-yet-Muslim brothers and sisters who might end up reading this, I
invite you all to check out Islam. Just like the first revelation that came to the
prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Angel Gabriel, he said “Read.”
Read and search about the Qur’an. Don’t just rely on what the media and the
society is teaching you. Don’t be afraid, there is nothing to lose but so much to
gain. In sha Allah.
I pray that Allah accept all our efforts and that He give us more beneficial
knowledge. I also pray that He inspire us to strive more and follow the Qur’an
and the sunnah.
May Allah guide us all to the straight path. Ameen.
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SubhanAllah!!! I'm touched.

harbiola1: SubhanAllah!!! I'm touched.

partial tears in my eyes. Is there a better reward in this life greater than ISLAM

Alhamdullilah!!!

FRONT PAGE THINGS.....IF THEY WONT BE BIAS

very touching

Very nice story.