All the Prophets from the first man, Adam, up until the last messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) have preached the message of the One Almighty Creator and obedience to Him. Their message of Islam has changed the lives and will continue to change the lives of people around the world for the better.
A person who accepted Islam during the time of the Prophets was likely to have come from a life or society where indulgence in sin was normal. As would be the previous life of people today who have become Muslims. Alcohol, drugs, fornication, theft, violence, indecency and other evils are all around us every day. As young people it is known that we are tempted by this now more than any other time in our lives. Islam provides the protection from falling into these evils and also has the solution to the many problems these evils can create.
Through this article I would like to show you how Islam has changed the lives of 2 generations of Australians. Both became Muslim at a young age, but during different eras, yet Islam has benefited them in similar ways.
Musa (Arabic for Moses) chose Islam as his way of life almost 30 years ago when he was 22 years old.
Michelle became a Muslim almost 3 years ago when she was 18 years old.
What was your impression of Islam before you became a Muslim?
Musa: “I knew nothing about Islam. I thought Muslims were similar to Hindus and Buddhists. I worked with a few Muslims but they didn’t tell me about Islam. All I knew was that they didn’t drink alcohol.”
Michelle: “I guess I would say I thought Islam was strange. I didn’t hate Islam or Muslims but I thought it was a foreign religion, certainly not one that a westerner would ever follow.”
What made you realise that Islam was the truth?
Musa: “I was working with a Muslim woman (who later became my wife) and she used to give me books on Islam which I read and I would ask her questions. The simple belief in one God and that Jesus was His messenger made sense to me. I was brought up as a Catholic and many of my questions were never answered. I can remember when I was about 13 years old at school and I would question our religious instructor and he’d tell me not to question and to just “believe.” Islam had all the answers that made sense and were logical and rational.”
Michelle:” I read a lot about Islam before becoming a Muslim. Most of the books I read were about the scientific facts that the Quran contained. I asked myself, how can a book that has been around for over 1400 years, contain scientific facts that humans have only just discovered within the last 200? To me it was amazing!
What was the best thing about being a young Muslim?
Musa: “The best thing is that you can live a happy, clean, healthy and good lifestyle where you know what to expect when you die. So you can spend your life working towards a purpose – Paradise. Being a young Muslim kept me away from alcohol, drugs, clubs and other social evils at a time when I would have been drowning in it because I knew that I was accountable and had to choose right from wrong. Mixing with people who were Muslim also helped me to stay away from the bad habits I previously indulged in.”
Michelle:” The fact that how you look and what clothes you wear and all those other trivial things that young girls have to go through are not your number one priority, the fact that there’s more to life.
What was the hardest thing about being a young Muslim?
Musa: “It was really difficult at first to break away from my friends and habits and struggling not to go back to the old ways. It’s not easy going against the flow of what everyone else is doing and there weren’t many Muslims around back then to hang around with instead.”
Michelle: I would have to say not being able to go clubbing etc! In the beginning that was really hard, now in hindsight none of those things make you truly happy anyway….and there’s other ways to have fun!
How has Islam changed your life?
Musa: “Islam has given me a purpose, a reason for being, I know with certainty where life is going to end up (heaven or hell), I have a positive outlook to deal with life’s issues because Muslims believe that whatever happens in life good or bad it is a test and we have to deal with it in the best way. A few of the friends from before I became Muslim are now dead from alcoholism or drugs. One of my old mates had a heart attack and died at a poker machine. I can only imagine how empty and miserable my life would be and I am so grateful that Islam has saved me from a life of self destruction.”
Michelle: “Islam has changed my life for the better in so many ways; it’s hard to sum it up in one sentence. Among many other things I would say Islam has made me feel content and complete inside.”
What advice would you give to someone who is looking into Islam?
Musa: “Read the Quran and learn about what the Prophet Muhammad was like. Find a practicing Muslim to learn from and always make sure that what you learn is from either the Quran or Prophet Muhammad’s example and not just someone’s culture or customs.”
Michelle:”Take your time. And don’t ever judge Islam by the people who claim to follow it!”
Whether a person in the world became Muslim 500 years ago or someone in the future becomes a Muslim 100 years from now, Islam will provide for them the very same contentment and guidance in life.
Before he became a Muslim Musa was living the fast life as a young and reckless surfer, biker and outdoorsman. While, yes he is now a Muslim and is no longer young and reckless, he is still the same true blue Aussie. He still surfs, still rides a motorbike and still loves the outdoors.
Michelle feels that although she’s always felt that she was a good person, being Muslim has helped to improve her character and how she treats other people.
Islam is for all time. No matter what your circumstances are or what state the world is in, you can change your life for the better if you choose to let Islam become your leading light.
“And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) a revelation and mercy of Our command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Quran) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding mankind to the straight path.” (Quran Chapter 42:52)
