Many people go through religious experiences that change their lives. The pop star formally known as Cat Stevens said that a small wave pushed him towards Islam... literally!
The story goes like this...
The then “Cat Stevens” said he got caught in a current off Malibu beach in California in 1975. And being the smart guy he is, he called for help...from God!
"Suddenly I was petrified. I thought this might be it," he said. "I said, 'God, if you save me, I'll work for you.' "
You might not know this guy since he was a hit way before my time even, but one small sentence will ring a bell in anyone's mind:
"Oh baby baby it's a wild world!"
Yep, this is the guy!
Apparently, he read a copy of the Koran given to him by his brother. Two years later he converted to Islam, changed his name to Yusuf Islam and ended his career as a pop singer.
"And then a little wave, you know, came behind me," he said. "It wasn't very big. But it was that miraculous moment when suddenly the tide was going in my favor."
I met Yusuf Islam's daughters at a wedding or an engagement party or whatever it was. Even saw the Cat in the flesh whilst he was chatting away, he gave me and 2 other girls a very humble 'I’m proud of u' fatherly kind of smile. I think he read the Qur'an whilst he was in Turkey so his presence in an Islamic country must have affected him somewhat. His wife is Turkish too.
But you guys should read how Malcolm X came to Islam or was re-educated about true Islam after 'The Nation of Islam'. His speeches are AMAZING and timeless. They really apply for today’s chaotic political scandals and racial affairs and all sorts.
And look up the former priest Yusuf Estes- pure magic I loveeeee him. And Bilal Philips who a lot of u already probably know, but he's just so in touch with reality; expressive in a logical manner. Also if u all recall the newspaper journalist lady held hostage in Afghanistan w kolo 3amal hayagan about her...Yvonne Ridley, I'm sure u're all aware that she converted to Islam a few years back. She left her newspaper job & is now like a da3aya for Islam masha'allah. Also Hamza Yusuf a former advisor of Muslims/Islamic regions to Bill Clinton...complete gentleman. He converted very young apparently, about 19 I think. There is an English boy who attended my High school who converted at 17. I'm gob smacked by most of all those below 25 who convert, incredible & puts us 2 shame.
There’s an Electrician who lives just across the road who I never ran into until the neighbours right opposite recommended him. He’s originally from the West Indies but he’s also a convert as is his wife. And they both met after converting to Islam amazingly so their arrival to Islam wasn’t the same journey for them. And his sister is a Muslim.
I met a Jewish lady who converted to Islam and that woman was INSPIRING- she stated whilst she was in tears that her only 'regret was that she had not found Islam earlier'. She was only in her 50's and that is young in my impression. There was also a former Sikh girl who I encountered who thought her religion didn't make any sense and she tried going through all the other religions with reluctance to Islam. She even had a go at Satanism before Islam with her parents blessing. When she felt hopeless at long last she completed reading the Quran and converted before u can say super kala fraga listic expealadotious and got married, obviously her parents were in fury...the irony. I've met and read about tonnes of converts illhamdulil'allah. And you guys should look up some of the Scientists who have converted because they are at the top of the league in terms of Science in scriptures and holy books etc, there’s even a Lord or two of the houses of parliament who have converted. Hundreds of priests globally have converted...I mean u name it, we are in a very lucky position to have people with variety, education and status converting and not just limited to those in 3rd world countries or to the working class. It's an honour either way but it just goes to show that Islam drawers people from all walks of life and with all kinds of backgrounds...tra la la la la. I’m so proud. Me finished.
Cat Stevens/Yousef Islam is a great person. His catchy voice, especially after he converted. I love his song I look I see. Very cute, for kids, and I love the arabee pt Salat oo al
Jermaine Jackson (aka Michael's bro) is an obvious one; an Italian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Torquato Cardeilli; remember that story in the news? I'm sure u do! There’s also another Italian ambassador to Saudi that converted before in the 90's sometime called Mario Scialoja and he's like head of the Muslim league in Italy now I believe...There's literally absolutely millions and by no means am I exaggerating. I did work experience also for a German Geologist convert working in a petroleum company who reminded me of Clint Eastwood funnily enough...really nice man, tight as anything like most Germans but totally cool person.
wow thanks for the speech sam..some of these people i never actually knew converted to islam.im orthodox and i would love to learn more about islam but over in my hometown in syria and venezuela, people are so secular and conservative when it comes to religion they feel shamed if someone converts.
someone th other day told me 'if it wasnt for christianity..we'd all be taken over by islam'...that offended me so much but i kept quiet.what should i have said guys?
As a secular Christian, I can readily accept that all books, Torah, Bible and Qu'ran, were written by men and may be flawed. I can also accept that the Bible has many historical references that may not hold true today or hold up to modern science. Under these circumstances, it does not negate my belief in God, but allows me to continue to believe without appearing foolish or ignoring modern science as opposed to Islam which states "accept no innovations" (ie, no change) because whatever ever the Qu'ran says is true, even if it said the sky was green and the grass was pink (which it doesn't because I am exaggerating).
The point here, probably unacceptable to Muslims and orthodox Christians and Jews, is that Islam must adapt itself to the modern world and not the other way around. It either adapts or becomes extinct. Of course, as I've pointed out in other secular discussions regarding our current terrorist issue, the reason that fundamental Islam is seeing such a revival is that it, Islam, is under attack by the modern world. Not purposefully or deliberately seeking to destroy it, but because it is now a very small world. When a blind person is given new eyes and then the bandages are removed too quickly in glaring light and color of a bright morning sun, it can have some very scary and negative impact on the newly sighted. Which is pretty much what is occurring in Islam today.
The same process that Christianity was exposed to during the Renaissance, in which science deposed the views of the church and proved some things to be impossible. For instance, Galileo was jailed when he confronted the church (Roman Catholic) with the idea that the Earth spun around the Sun and not the other way around. His views were not widely accepted until the renaissance age, in which case, forward thinking Popes of the time quickly jumped on the band wagon to insure that their religion did not sink into irrelevancy in the face of modern science.
What is not glaringly apparent yet is a large scale movement of Islam towards this same idea. Rather, it takes the road that these things are scary blasphemies against the truth set forth by Allah and given to Mohammed. I actually read a site recently which claimed that the Qu'ran was scientifically correct. If you want some humor with your studies, read this site: Illustrated Guide to Islam - Scientific Miracles
There's a lot of reading, but if you want to understand how someone could read from a book, dismiss the book(s) from which it copies and then tell the world that they are heretics or "kuffir" [unbelievers] because they believe in these books or none of them and accept that it is ok to kill the unbelievers but "God" forbid that you do the same to a Muslim, you had best read up on it.
President Bush continues to indicate that this is not a war on Religion. It isn't. There are certain things in this religion that our enemy has decided to focus on and use has his personal doctrine for politics, government and war. We had best know what those doctrines are if we are to counter them. The first of which is that Islam, regardless of Mohammed's fierce defense, is not the "original" religion, anymore than Judaism or Christianity, but is certainly a conglomerate of religions, pagan in particular, that was molded and reformed many times to fit the needs of the populace at that time.
As these religions, including Islam if it wants to survive, will be molded and reformed until it fits within today's world.
marina,
'President Bush continues to indicate that this is not a war on Religion. It isn't. '
--> I agree with you on that, the current war is about natural resources and influence and also fear from certain countries which are using Islam to achieve their own personal goals ...
'Islam, .... is not the "original" religion''
--> Its not if you just read how others are explaining it or by just observing how many Islamic supposedly countries reflect Islam ... thats why you need to read the Quran by yourself regardless of your own beliefs...
'...but allows me to continue to believe without appearing foolish or ignoring modern science as opposed to Islam which states "accept no innovations...'
--> Not Islam but today's many Muslims ... Islam religion has nothing to do with what millions of Muslims nowadays believe or practice ... The good thing is that Quran - if you read it by yourself without referring to different explanations - is a prove that Islam is the ONLY religion that ACCEPT innovations and changes...
One last thing Allah is the Arabic word for GOD!
(Arab Christians use the word Allah not GOD)
In regards to other religions, we always take what we think we know as a given. Instead of bashing Islam or any other religion, why not take some steps in the shoes of muslims and walk that mile in trying to probe deeper into their beliefs. I as many people also do find it hard to find what to say in regards to a sentsitive topic such as this. Therefore euphomisms are spoken and metaphors are given instead of direct explanation.
I refer to myself as a nonconformist Christain, but how can you be a Christain and not conform to its beliefs? I have not seen the inside of a church since my sister's wedding and I was standing next to her at the altar counting how many flowers were there to pass the time. I do believe I use the label "Christains" because otherwise how would I refer to myself?.
It is nice to have faith and it takes a very courageous person to convert. However I admit that I never understood the need to convert. All religions are the same, albeit with few differences and different prophets. How can the worship of "the one and only God differ" from one religion to another?
We have a copy of the Quran at our home but I have to admit I did not actually read it. I always mean to but have not gotten to it yet.
I have researched a bit about the Talmud online and I have to admit I found a few parts of it shocking, how could a religious text contain such disdain for another religion?
*find it hard to know what to say
*sensitive
*"the one and only God" differ
It does no make sense as it is without mistakes. It does to me though and that is enough in my world:)
*find it hard to know what to say
*sensitive
*"the one and only God" differ
It does not make sense as it is without mistakes. It does to me though and that is enough in my world:)
which parts of the quran where shocking?i find it annoyingly disturbing how you have the intolerant,hypocritical capability to diss the quran but at the same time tell us not to bash a religion and take some steps in the shoes of muslims.
Ameena my dear calmez vous, no body dissed the Quran. Read the last paragraph of sms's first post again. The Talmud is Hebrew therefore nothing 2 do with the Quran or it being shocking & tab3an sms hasn't said anything hypocritical. I think you already understand but the Talmud relates to Judaism.
It's a debate afterall even if u do get offended u do have to answer with reason.
LOL, thanks Sam.
I find it funny how this turned from this guy switching to islam to a converstaion on the pros,cons,rumors,and misunderstandings about religions. The complete point is that no matter how much you read your certain religious book, no one will ever fully understand it. And though we stand by what we do understand (cuz i know i for sure do) We shouldnt bring down any other religions for it. But, i do think its great that everyone has a religion and a God to look forward to for help~ Its heartwarming. I know this was random but i felt like sayin it anyways.
(is it me or is practically every religion the almost the same besides our Messenger and certain holidays? It seems to me we all belive in one God, but some belive in Jesus, some Mohammad, etc etc.? i dont know, felt like pointing that out.)
No offense to anyone else, but go Orthodox whoo!
Much luff
~Adam = <33
Oh God im sorry SMS,i think i misunderstood reading your post.really i am.
Adam,dont orthodox christians believe in jesus?i thought they are..so what are you all hyped about?
hey i think what Marina wrote was pretty interesting..not that i agree with her or anything.
marina,you are stereotyping islam to some extremists who dont choose to be a part of this developing world.billions of muslims are also fitting into the developed world however is it wrong to celebrate tarditional ceremonies in religion..is it wrong to preserve these traditions?personally,i dont think so.if you're going to have to disagree with this then you're going to have to face some facts about christianity being in the same situation.
my goodness,that is a sensitive issue you brought up marina.
hey i love yusuf islam's voice...epecially in the song "Father And Son" With Ronan Keating...it's really god u should hear it.
A MUSLIM cannot play music for god sake how man y times i been saying it.
Idiot these peple
You are the Idiot ahmed ... A MUSLIM can sing and play music and enjoy life ... a disturbed wash brained calling himself Muslim is the real IDIOT!!!
God i hate these prototypes of Muslims who are ruining the image of Islam ...!! DAMN! go to the desert and enjoy sand and leave people live their lives the way they want it ...
It's great to know that no matter how much the media insults our religion, it doesn't stop others converting into it. It's all about their will and desire of being part of Islam.
Great Stuff!!!
Respect this guy and anyone else who converts into Islam.
And if I dare say, Good Choice! :)