{"id":3253,"date":"2021-09-29T12:15:01","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T10:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/?p=3253"},"modified":"2021-09-29T12:15:01","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T10:15:01","slug":"the-tears-of-finding-the-truth-through-the-internet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/?p=3253","title":{"rendered":"The tears of finding the truth through the Internet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/u>:<\/p>\n

The following story occurred on the Internet through one of the chat programs (Freetel) in January 1999.\u00a0 It is a real dialogue between a Christian and a Muslim.\u00a0 The story centers on Derek\u2019s realization of today\u2019s Christianity and his subsequent conversion to Islam.\u00a0 This Christian-Muslim dialogue has been edited for readability and for the clarity of its message.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hello there!\u00a0 How are you man?<\/div>\n
Derek: Hello! Well, how are you?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m fine and you?<\/div>\n
Derek: I\u2019m fine, thanks.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where are you from?<\/div>\n
Derek: I\u2019m from L.A. (Los Angeles).<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The land of Hollywood!<\/div>\n
Derek: Well, that\u2019s right.\u00a0 Have you ever been to L.A?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No, never. Why are you calling yourself \u2018Black Magic\u2019?<\/div>\n
Derek: It\u2019s just a nickname, man!<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I see.<\/div>\n
Derek: Where are you from? Are you an Arab?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, I am from Saudi Arabia but I\u2019m in Qatar now.\u00a0 What is your name?<\/div>\n
Derek: My name is Derek.\u00a0 What\u2019s your name?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My name is \u2019Abdullaah.<\/div>\n
Derek: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What does \u2019Abdullaah mean?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2019Abdullaah means the servant of Allah and it is the function of each individual on the face of the earth to serve Allah according to what Allah wants from us.\u00a0 By the way, Allah is the proper name of God.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How do we know what God or Allah wants from us?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All of this is outlined in the Quran and the\u00a0Sunnah\u00a0<\/i>(traditions and approved actions of Prophet Muhammad,\u00a0\"\u00a0<\/i>(may Allah exalt his mention).\u00a0 These are the two major sources of guidance in Islam.\u00a0 Could you please tell me more about yourself?\u00a0 How old are you?<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am 19 years old, black and very much interested in knowing more about Islam.\u00a0 First of all, what should a person do or believe in, to become a Muslim?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Very easy brother, you just say that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, and you become Muslim.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You mean Muhammad is his apostle?\u00a0 But as a Christian or non-Muslim, this sentence is not enough to make it clear to me.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O.K. Allah sent Muhammad,\u00a0\"\u00a0<\/i>as His last Prophet and Messenger and revealed the Quran to him as the final revelation to mankind.\u00a0 Allah said that He perfected His religion and called it Islam (see Quran 5:3).\u00a0 Islam means peaceful submission to the Will of Allah.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I see.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, and unfortunately, most Christians don\u2019t know or they deny that the coming of Prophet Muhammad,\u00a0\"\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0is foretold in their scriptures (See Deuteronomy 18:18; 21:21; Psalms 118: 22-23; Isaiah 42:1-13; Habakuk 3:3-4; Matthew 21:42-43; John 14:12-17, 15:26,27; 16:5-16).\u00a0 Muslim theologians have stated that the person who is described by Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, to come after him (in the above verses) is Muhammad,\u00a0\".<\/i><\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O.K.\u00a0 Fine, but why was there a need for another Prophet after Jesus and another revelation after the Bible?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All of the Prophets came to teach their peoples the Oneness of God.\u00a0 In the case of Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, he was only sent as Messenger to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (see Matt. 15:24).\u00a0 What happened was that all of these Prophets were not well received by the majority of the people.\u00a0 For instance, they started tampering with the teachings of Moses and Jesus, may Allah exalt their mention (see Quran 2:79).\u00a0 That is why Allah sent Muhammad,\u00a0\"\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0with the last Message, (i.e., the Quran), to bring all of mankind back to the belief in and worship of One God, without partners or intermediaries.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is the Quran similar to the Bible?\u00a0 I mean, what is it composed of?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Quran came as the last code emphasizing the same pure monotheistic teachings of Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, defending all the previous pure teachings of monotheistic beliefs and clarifying who Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, was and who his mother was, showing that they were no more than great people.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O.K then, how can we be sure that the Quran has remained the same since the time of Prophet Muhammad,\u00a0\"<\/i>?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Allah Himself has guaranteed that He would guard the Quran and keep it free from corruption (see Quran 15:9).\u00a0 Hence, the real and pure words of Allah are found in the Quran which was revealed in Arabic, the language of the people of Muhammad,\u00a0\"<\/i>.\u00a0 Since then, not an iota has changed.\u00a0 This is unlike what has happened in the other religions.\u00a0 For example, if you look at the Bible you find a lot of versions; the name Bible itself is indicative of those changes because Bible means a collection of books from different writers.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But didn\u2019t God call it the Bible?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God calls the Scripture revealed to Jesus \u201cInjeel\u201d in the Quran, for which the closest name in the Bible would be the word Gospel.\u00a0 The Bible was written many years after the time of Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, \u00a0in a language that was alien to Jesus — it was Latin Vulgate, a language that he never spoke.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t this strange?\u00a0 Interestingly, most of what was written in the New Testament was authored by Paul, who, according to James, the brother of Jesus in the Bible, had a polluted mind because he changed and contradicted most of the teachings of Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I think you know more about Christianity than the Pope does!<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You are wrong by saying that I know more than the Pope. I have simply investigated the Bible with an inquiring mind, which is something that all Christians should do.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is there any English version of the Holy Quran?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There are many translations of the meanings of the Quran.\u00a0 The Quran was revealed in Arabic, which means that the words of Allah are in Arabic.\u00a0 The translations are the words of human beings relating to the meanings of the Quran to the non-Arabic speaking masses.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How does the Quran define God to mankind or how does the Muslim perceive God?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God is the One and Only True God, and the Creator of all.\u00a0 He does not beget nor is He begotten.\u00a0 He is unlike His creation in every respect.\u00a0 He is the All-Knowing, The Powerful, The Merciful, The Irresistible, and The King of kings.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But it is somehow difficult for me to perceive God as being the same as His creatures.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You are absolutely right to have difficulty perceiving this, because human beings have a limited capacity.\u00a0 This is why Allah sent revelations to His Prophets and Messengers to tell us who He is.\u00a0 So if you want to know who God is, just read the Quran.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Christians believe that Jesus was sent for the salvation of all mankind. If this is not true, then the foundation of Christianity is faulty.\u00a0 Right? What do you think?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s correct.\u00a0 The Christians of today are following what Paul taught and also tend to follow what the priests tell them to do instead of following what Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, said.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kindly explain the concept of salvation through the crucifixion of Jesus.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In Christianity, the Doctrine of Original Sin is the reason that there is a need for salvation through Jesus\u2019 crucifixion.\u00a0 However, this doctrine was invented by Paul and it is strongly negated in the Old Testament (see Ezekiel 18:20, Jeremiah 31:30, Deut. 24:16).\u00a0 This doctrine is an attempt to escape the responsibility of righteousness with the belief that punishment is given to someone else to release us from our burden of sins (see Ephesians 1:7, Romans 4:25, 10:9,Corinthians 15:21). In the Quran, every soul is responsible for its own deeds, good or bad (see Quran 74:38, 41:46, 3:25, 6:154).<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What about the crucifixion itself?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Bible says Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, cried out in a loud voice beseeching God for help on the cross: \u201cMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?\u201d (Matt. 27:46) Does that sound like Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, to you?<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No, then what about Jesus\u2019 appearance to his disciples after the crucifixion?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus didn\u2019t die on the cross nor was he resurrected.\u00a0 If he were resurrected, then he would have come to his disciples in a spiritual body.\u00a0 As shown in Luke 24:36-43, he met them with his physical body after the event of his alleged crucifixion.\u00a0 In the Quran, it says that Jesus was not crucified, but it was someone else who was made to look like him (see Quran 4:15,58).<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How did the story of the crucifixion of Jesus get into the Bible then?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Once again, Paul was responsible (see Timothy 2:8 and Romans 5:10).<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, I very deep in my heart, believe that God can never look like His creation nor does He do what they do.\u00a0 What I believe is that God is the Perfect One who is very much different from everything we see or touch.\u00a0 In other words, I think the writer can never look like his book.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You are right.\u00a0 There is nothing comparable to Allah (see Quran 112:4).\u00a0 The Prophets came with a very clear message to worship God alone, without any partners or intercessors.\u00a0 However, Paul took pagan beliefs and practices from the Romans and mixed them with the teachings of Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention.\u00a0\u00a0 Consequently, Paul was mostly responsible for elevating Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, to the status of Son of God (see Acts. 9:20) and god.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Now I remember.\u00a0 The first Commandments is: \u201cHear, O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord.\u201d<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re right.\u00a0 That\u2019s in Mark 12:29. Moreover, the Quran confirms that God is One (which means):\u00a0\u201cSay He is Allah, the One and Only (God).\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b>[Quran 112:1]<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What you are saying makes perfect sense.\u00a0 This is just incredible! You mean that for almost 2000 years what the Christians have been following is wrong?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, especially their misunderstanding of who Jesus was.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh my God! I\u2019ve been deceived! Really, I feel religiously raped.\u00a0 I have been fooled simply because I followed blindly the religion that I was born with and didn\u2019t take care to investigate it thoroughly.\u00a0 But still inside me there is something holding me back from accepting Islam, even though Islam is clearly the True Religion.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your last comment shows that you are a Muslim not a Christian and if you really love God and His Messenger Jesus, may Allah exalt his mention, you will follow Islam and Prophet Muhammad,\u00a0\"<\/i>.\u00a0 Break this barrier inside you and come back to the way of your ancestors.\u00a0 You are now free because you are looking for the Truth and our great Prophet Jesus,\u00a0 may Allah exalt his mention, told us that we should look for the Truth and the Truth will set us free.\u00a0 So you will be a free man as soon as you accept it.\u00a0 Be strong enough to accept Islam as the Truth, without any hesitation on your part and you will taste real freedom and real happiness that you have never tasted before.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frankly, I am concerned about the negative way Islam and Muslims are shown in the media.\u00a0 In the West, there is a stigma attached to being a Muslim and I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m ready to live with that stigma.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is why I have chosen to tell people about the right picture of Islam.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then, what is the right picture of Islam?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The right picture of Islam is conveyed in the Quran which is exemplified by Prophet Muhammad,\u00a0\"<\/i>.\u00a0 The reality is that it is not fair to judge a religion by the actions of its followers alone, because there are good and bad followers in every religion.\u00a0 The correct thing to do is to judge a religion by its documented revelation from God and the Prophet who brought that revelation.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I see.\u00a0 I agree with you, but I\u2019m still concerned about the reaction of my family and friends if they know that I am a Muslim.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brother, on Judgment Day, no one will be able to help you, not even\u00a0 your father, mother or any of your friends (see Quran 31:33).\u00a0 So if you believe that Islam is the true religion, you should embrace it and live your life to please the One Who created you.\u00a0 Be an illuminating torch for them.\u00a0 Do not delay your coming to Islam.\u00a0 If you die before becoming a Muslim, then it\u2019s too late (see\u00a0 Quran 2:132, 3:102, 3:85).\u00a0 So grab this opportunity now.\u00a0 You can only remedy this pain inside you by becoming a Muslim and being able in the future, God willing, to come and perform pilgrimage (Hajj).<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You are very wise man.\u00a0 I want to say that when I sometimes see on the satellite, especially in the season of Hajj, people of different colors and different races sitting side by side and praying to God, I feel a pain deep inside my heart and I feel something urging me to talk with someone to know more about that great religion that can gather all the races in the same place.\u00a0 Thanks to you, I have found that person. So please help me become a Muslim!<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brother, let us take it step by step.\u00a0 First, enter Islam by saying:\u00a0I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger.<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0I bear witness that Jesus is His Prophet and Messenger<\/i><\/b>. Let us say this again:\u00a0I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger.<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0I bear witness that Jesus is His Prophet and Messenger<\/i><\/b>.<\/div>\n
Derek\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger.<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0I bear witness that Jesus is His Prophet and Messenger<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By the way, Jesus\u2019 name is not Jesus.\u00a0 It is a Latinized name.\u00a0 His real name is \u2018Eesaa.\u00a0 Now you will say the same thing in Arabic, the language of the Quran.\u00a0 I will transliterate for you:\u00a0Ash\u2019hadu an laa ilaahaa illallaah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna Muhammadun rasoolullaah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna \u2018Eesaa \u2018abdullaahi wa rasooluhu.<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ash\u2019hadu an laa ilaahaa illallaah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna muhammadun rasoolullaah, wa ash\u2019hadu anna \u2018Eesaa \u2018abdullaahi wa rasooluhu.<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brother, say Allah is the greatest because you are a Muslim now.\u00a0 You are not a Christian anymore.\u00a0 You are in the House of Islam.\u00a0 If I were with you, I would hug you as my brother in Islam. How do you feel now? A burden has been removed from you and you feel like you are so light. Isn\u2019t this right?<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you were with me now,\u00a0 you would have seen my tears reaching my neck.\u00a0 You are a great brother.\u00a0 I feel that I have just come to life.\u00a0 This is exactly how I feel from now.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have to listen to the words of the priests in the church, who knowingly or unknowingly lead people astray.\u00a0 I hope to be a good servant of \u00a0Allah.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You know what came out of you was disbelief and it was replaced by belief.\u00a0 You are so clean now, because when someone embraces Islam sincerely, Allah forgives all of his past sins.\u00a0 So, go to an Islamic center that has Muslims from all over the world and announce your Islam there and continue to learn more about Islam from them.\u00a0 In addition, find a book on prayer in Islam and practice it.\u00a0 This is essential.\u00a0 Now after you are through with me, you must take a shower to purify yourself from previous wrong beliefs.\u00a0 Remember to stay away from bad company and be with righteous Muslim people.\u00a0 Also, beware of those so-called Muslims who call to nationalistic ideas or racial thoughts, which are rejected in Islam.\u00a0 I love you as a brother in Islam and I hope one day I will see you and hear your voice.<\/div>\n
Derek: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I will for sure do what you have asked.\u00a0 And tomorrow I will go to the Islamic center.\u00a0 Thank you for showing me the Truth.\u00a0 I will do my best to meet people who know about Islam for sure.\u00a0 May God help you guide more and more people to the true word of God.\u00a0 There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Apostle \u2026 Well it is as difficult for me as it is for you to leave you.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well brother, you will not leave me for a long time.\u00a0 I will soon be with you through my supplications, God willing.\u00a0 Pray for me, brother.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, I thank you, I love you although I do not know you yet. But it is enough for me to remember that one day, a very dear man has picked me up from the mud of life.\u00a0 Please teach me another Islamic word in Arabic so as to make use of it in the Islamic center.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As-Salaamu \u2018Alaykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh<\/i><\/div>\n
and Astaghfirullaah.<\/i><\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What do they mean?<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 May the Peace, Mercy and Blessing of Allah be upon you.\u00a0 This is used as a greeting to all Muslims.\u00a0 The last word means, Allah forgive me.\u00a0 Well,\u00a0 I have to leave you now but be sure it will not be for long.<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assalaamu \u2018Alaykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh and Astaghfirullaah for being astray from the Truth all those years.\u00a0 May God bless you.\u00a0 You have occupied a great place in my heart and I will never forget you.\u00a0 Bye and talk to you later.\u00a0 Your brother in Islam, Derek, but I will call myself \u2018Eesaa from now on.<\/div>\n
‘Abdullaah:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O.K. \u2018Eesaa.\u00a0 I will leave you some final words of inspiration.\u00a0 Certainly, the ultimate goal of every individual is to be in Paradise forever.\u00a0 This reward of Paradise is too great to not have a price.\u00a0 That price is true faith, which is proven obedience to Allah and following the\u00a0Sunnah<\/i>\u00a0of Prophet Muhammad,\u00a0\"<\/i>. This is the road to Paradise. Let\u2019s stay in touch!\u00a0 Assalamu Alaykum!<\/div>\n
Derek:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O.K. Assalaamu Alaykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction: The following story occurred on the Internet through one of the chat programs (Freetel) in January 1999.\u00a0 It is a real dialogue between a Christian and a Muslim.\u00a0 The story centers on Derek\u2019s...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,4,10,380],"tags":[13,379],"class_list":["post-3253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-topics","category-about-islam","category-new-muslim","category-revert-stories","tag-islam-2","tag-revert-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3253"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3254,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3253\/revisions\/3254"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}