In my last blog I told the story of how I came to Islam. In it I gave a snapshot of my spiritual walk, from childhood through accepting Islam. It contained bits and pieces of how I felt and what I experienced. What I did not include was a plethora of scripture, scholarly references, historical facts, scientific proofs, or, well, any sort of validation for my beliefs. Certainly I can, and perhaps as time goes on, I will. Insha Allah (if God wills) I will move from the emotional and experiential into the rational and logical. That, however, is a delicate tightrope to walk as people not only have differing understandings of which texts they consider scripture, but also how to interpret it. Many people see my transition into Islam as being a monumental misunderstanding. It’s not that my intentions are bad, they think, it’s just that I do not have the “proper” understanding of scripture. It then becomes difficult to truly open up and tell my story without getting caught up in discussion over specific verses or being challenged to offer explanations, and so, as you can imagine, I have begun collecting my own anecdotal stories of seemingly fruitless debates and sometimes heartbreaking encounters.
As I previously alluded to, I had come to the conclusion that all the major religions stemmed from Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala but that all, in their unique ways, were flawed. So, why leave one imperfect, albeit beautiful religion for another? Islam, from my perspective, had fit into the same category as all the other religions: Good, beautiful, imperfect. That is, until I came to know what Islam actually is. I knew, even then, I could embrace aspects of one faith or another without embracing the religion as a whole. I believe it even now. Truth can be found all over and for us to recognize that is a gift from Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala. If, however, I was going to completely and fully embrace any faith, why, oh why, would I pick the one faith that seems so controversial in today’s world? How did I, a red-headed, freckle faced, all-American gal who’s roots go back to the Declaration of Independence, discovered the beauty and grace of the Qur’an, Allah’s guidance and promise for us?
Why Islam?
Many times, when I am asked that question, it is followed up with, “well, what about this or that verse in the Bible?” I find myself hopping down this rabbit hole in which I am explaining said verses, offering others to support my argument, discussing the history of the Bible and Christianity, and so on, right away from the path of why I really became a Muslim and down a path of defending my beliefs on Christianity. I know what you’re thinking… Christianity? I thought the question was about Islam. Right? I’m right there with you. In the beginning I found myself trying to use such questions as bridges between the questioners faith and my own, but what I found was that I would be pulled deeper and deeper into a seemingly endless debate. All the while I’m both growing frustrated and watching this person get more and more frustrated with my explanations. Meanwhile, I am thinking, when are we going to start talking about Islam? When do we get to the part where I get to share my love and excitement with you?
In those instances (let me reassure you here they are the exception, not the norm), it boils down to two problems. First, there was never any intention to hear why I really love Islam, only the intention to find out my problem with Christianity so I can be corrected and brought back into the light. I do not blame those few individuals for their efforts. In fact, it is a very humbling experience. I have learned many things through such encounters, including how to see the pain behind their intentions and not to blame them for the pain they cause in return. When you approach religion from the perspective that to deny Jesus’ godhood means eternal damnation truly you want to see everyone embrace the belief so they may be saved from the punishment. While my views on salvation are quite different, I understand. I empathize.
Second, it was not the verses in the Bible that brought me to Islam. It was the verses in the Qur’an. I could tell you the Bible led me to Islam with verses like Matthew 26:39, “going a little farther, he (Jesus) fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” A beautiful example of Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, falling in prostration before his Lord and submitting his will to that of our Creator. Or I could quote John 5:30, “by myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” A verse wherein Jesus, peace be upon him, teaches that he seeks only to serve The One who sent him. But honestly, none of those verses were on my mind when I discovered that I am a Muslim. When I opened up the Qur’an and read the words, I found I was home. When I learn about our beloved prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, my heart swells and I fall in love. Over and over again. When I recite the words of the Qur’an (though I’m not claiming to do it well) I am reciting a love song to Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala.
How in one blog post is one to explain the beauty of the Qur’an? How does one show the non-believer how Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala teaches us through it as a loving parent does, with guidance and patience? “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah -” Surat Al-Bakarah 2:2. Throughout the Qur’an, Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala guides us through our daily struggles, both internal and external. The Qur’an is concrete, addressing the reality of this world without hyperbole or idealism. It is historical. It is scientific. It is poetic. It is visual.
When I first began reading the Qur’an, I was awestruck throughout the whole experience of how Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala chooses revelation that speaks directly to the people of the time about a specific instance or event and yet it so perfectly continues to apply to today’s society. Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala, through the Qur’an, meets people where they are and guides them closer to Him. Allah SubHanallahu wa ta'ala does not wait until we are perfect to accept us. He does not set an expectation so high we turn away in dismay, wondering how we will ever be “good enough” to “earn” His grace. He expects us to mess up. That’s part of the beauty of this world. The Qur’an reminds us that Allah subHanahu wa ta’ala created us purposefully, as we are, flaws and all and that He loves us.
You see, for me, it is not an internal struggle between whether the Bible is the word of God or the Qur’an. The Qur’an is a stunning, beautiful, artistic collection of the words of Allah SubHanallahu wa ta'ala that does not need to be “held up” against the Bible or any other scripture to determine it’s authenticity.
Until we meet again, as-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu!
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