Muhammad Ishaaq, formerly Girish KS Udupa, an upper caste Hindu, narrates his story about his conversion to Islam. In this second part, he says how he found answers to all his questions in the Holy Qur’an.
I began reading the Qur’an with the intention to find fault in it but amazingly started to get answers to my questions one by one as if the Qur’an is answering and clearing all my doubts. Although I decided to read at least four pages every day and to complete it quickly, but to the shock of my life, I could barely read more than half a page daily. As I moved on, I started getting answers to all my queries; why I am here, why I was created, what is the purpose of life, and by the Grace of Almighty Allah I was getting closer to Qur’an and my Creator.
The brother who gave the Qur’an would call and ask whether I am reading the Qur’an. One day he asked me to perform Salah (prayer) with him and I refused. However, we started meeting very often to discuss over coffee/juice on Islam. One day while having juice, he asked me a question; if he dies now, before completely drinking the juice, he might enter paradise because he is a Muslim as he tried to follow the commandments of Allah. What would I do if I die before I finish my juice, because, there is no guarantee of life span for any one. I was shocked for a while and could not drink the juice and felt as if I am going to die any moment. I went home, sincerely prayed to Almighty Allah for the first time in my life that if I die today please forgive my sins and slept. When I got up in the morning I was afresh and deciding not to waste more time, called the brother and informed him that I would like to accept Islam. In fact with the discussion of previous evening, Allah opened my heart to truth and thought that accepting Islam would be a big function like in Hinduism. The brother called me to the center and in front of two people, asked me to declare in Arabic and English the “Shahada” — La ilaha illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah. “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Prophet Muhammad is his Messenger (peace be upon him)”. I swear by Allah that when I took the Shahada, I felt an amazing sensation, as if a huge, physical weight had just been lifted off my chest; I gasped for breath as if I was breathing for the first time in my life. Alhamdulillah, by reverting to Islam, my journey to find the true religion ended with immense pleasure, happiness and utmost satisfaction.
I want to convey one humble message to all those who are looking for a true God and religion. It is only when you take the pain of learning about all religions, you will know the beauty of Islam. Message of Oneness of God Almighty in its Purity and the way of life taught and practiced by Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) as Islam is the only way of life which could keep you pleased with your existence as human being.
Life is a total waste without Islam as the way of life.
Alhamdulillah, Allah had given me a new life, a clean slate and a chance for Jannah, and I pray that I live the rest of my life dedicated to spreading the message of Islam and to die as a Muslim. Aameen.
—Concluded
How I converted to Islam
