Why Did They Become Muslims

my head. O my Allah! Right behind me was the entire
congregation, running hard, trying to catch me. And catch they
did. Some of them were holding me, hugging me, some were trying
to kiss my hand, and others were begging me to invoke a blessing
on them. And I was begging, “O my Allah, do not let an incapable
born slave like me to appear as an exalted personage in their
eyes!” I was so embarrassed that I felt as if I had stolen something
from these pure Muslims, or as if I had betrayed them. That same
day I realized that being a popular politician meant possessing
immense power. Misusing such power given by the people of a
country would lead the country to total destruction.
That day, I told my brothers that I was an incapable born slave,
and went back home. But their friendliness and love and the
respect they showed to me lasted for weeks. They showed so much
love to me that its effects will be adequate for me till the end of my
life.
32
T.H. Mc. BARKLIE
(Irish)
Although I was Irish and most of the Irish people were
adherent to the Catholic church, I was raised with a Protestant
education. However, I was only a child when I took a hearty dislike
to the Christian tenets I was being taught and began to maintain a
healthy skepticism about them. By the time I reached the
university level of education, which subsequently added quite a
few novelties to my knowledge, my skepticism had already
developed into judgement. The Christian religion would give me
nothing. Then, I began to feel deep repugnance towards it, which,
by and by, unfolded itself in a form of categorical denial. So
urgently did I feel the need to find “a guide to lead me to the right
way” that I had to improvise a credo whereby to satisfy myself pro
tem. For a considerable period of time I had to do with this
complicated mood. One day I came across a book entitled ‘Islam
and Civilization’. As soon as I read it, I saw in great amazement
and joy that all the hopes I had been cherishing, all the questions
that had been gnawing at my mind, and their answers as well, were
contained in the book. In contrast with the reciprocal acts of
cruelty and oppression among the Christian sects, Islam’s peaceful
and lively principles had been guiding humanity on the lightsome
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