Dear Simon A.Caraballo / (Muhammad Bin Abdullah Caraballo),
I am a born Catholic and my love for Jesus has led me to embrace Islam, however I find it hard to explain to my family. What can I do to convince them that I haven't turned my back on them and that on the contrary I came to know them better.
Answer
To be a Muslim, you must believe in all the Prophets. Jesus (AS) is one of the prophets and not believing in him means that our faith is not complete. In Islam, in the Qur'an, Jesus is mentioned 25 times. While Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is not mentioned as much. Prophet Muhammad said All the Prophets are brothers. Therefore you can tell this to your family
Name
amal
- Spain
Profession
Question
Asalamu Alaikom wa Rahmatu Lah....I would be interested in knowing how Jesus(peace be upon him)led you to Islam.
If I may say-what christian "representation" of Jesus (as there are in Christianity many different interpretations and references to what Jesus did and said, and even to whom he was-i.e.Some consider him as a prophet and others view it in a totally different way.)
I mean was it by reading the Bible-if so, which part in particular-,or through listening to a preacher or something else. Thank you very much for answering, wasalamu alaikum.
Answer
`Alaykum assalaam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. From childhood, I was taught traditionally that Jesus was crucified. Seeing his image in blood in the cross and his suffering shocked me. I could not stand the movie. I was traumatized and could not bear in my mind how this mighty Prophet of Allah could be so easily hanged and killed, with all the powers and miracles that he had made. I did not believe that this was possible. Hence my mind was set for a future message that Allah sent to me in the Holy Qur’an when I was 19 years old. He revealed that he was not killed nor crucified. This turned me to Islam. Because the Qur’an is the untouched word of Allah.
Name
Mustacq Abdullah
- South Africa
Profession
Businessman
Question
Shaihk Muhammad, I am aware that many Spanish speaking people are reverting to Islam in the Califonia region, especially the upper mosque of the city where a former South African Imaam is presiding. Would you be so kind to consider makeing a trip there to motivate the new and those potential reverts, Insha-Allah?
Answer
Jazaka Allahu Khairan. Insha Allah I will be travelling to Mexico in the next few months, invited by the Imaam of Mexico City and plans to go to Venezuela as well. I will consider USA in my future plans, Insha Allah.
Name
íÞíä
- Bahrain
Profession
ØÇáÈÉ
Question
What made you choose Islam as a religion? Do you feel comfort after having this step? What did you like in Islam?
Answer
As I said before, only knowing that "they killed him not nor did they crucify him (Jesus)" was Allah's revelation was more than enough to convince me that this religion was true. And I promised Allah that I would study it. Therefore, in the process of my studies, I found revelations that strengthened my faith much more.
Name
Kabir
- Nigeria
Profession
Question
Do you think that going deeply into studying the Bible with all critical analysis will give one a proper understanding of Jesus (A.S) and accepts Islam? How?
Answer
I rely on the last revelation of Allah. The Bible has been altered too much and it is difficult to assure that some statement really belongs to Allah or to Jesus. For example, in one version of the Bible, Jesus is said to have been raised to Heaven, and in another version, this statement was removed. For 20 years, any Christian who read it believed so. Thereafter this statement was reincorporated by men. So how can I analyze the proper Jesus in such confusing versions ? Hence I rely on the Qur’an where his birth and life has been clearly preserved for more than 1400 years.
Name
Omar
-
Profession
Question
assalam Alykum.....
what is the best answer to answer someone, when they say Jesus(Peace be upon Him)died for our sins, but in the same time you don't see them doing good deeds thinking that they will go to Heaven even without working for it?
jazakum Allah Khayran
Answer
`Alaykum assalaam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. This statement was not made by Jesus. This was made by Paul, who is not a Prophet of Allah. He made himself a Prophet, so anyone who says that Jesus died for his sins is actually following Paul not Jesus. Paul changed the original teachings of Jesus (AS), and he made his own religious veredicts. Today, most Christians and Catholics are following Paul, not Jesus. When Jesus returns and people call him he will not recognize them.
Name
Amani
-
Profession
graduating student
Question
Assalamu 'alaykum. I want to know how prophet Jesus' (peace be upon him)love led you to islam?
Also I want to invite my dear friend to Islam.what is the best way to invite a Christian freind to islam? Thanks for your answer.
Answer
`Alaykum assalam. As I said before "From childhood, I was taught traditionally that Jesus was crucified. Seeing his image in blood in the cross and his suffering shocked me. I could not stand the movie. I was traumatized and could not bear in my mind how this mighty Prophet of Allah could be so easily hanged and killed" after having made so many miracles. So the best way to invite a Christian to Islam is as Allah said with nice words and beautiful speech, showing him a comparison between what has been said in the Bible about God, and what has been said in the Qur’an. Soon, he or she will realize that the descriptions attributed to God in the Bible tend to portray Him as any other human being. For example, God using a razor for shaving His own legs. Adam and Eve hiding from the sight of God. Obviously this is not the God who created the Universe and everything else.
Name
Noora
-
Profession
Question
What was the turning point that made you think of choosing another religion?
Answer
The non-crucifixion of Jesus (AS) because this is the foundation of Christianity and Catholicism. Without his crucifixion, Christianity and Catholicism cannot exist. Think about it for a while. If Paul had not made himself a Prophet between Jesus and Muhammad, the true followers of Jesus would have readily embraced Islam, as the Unitarians did once they knew about the advent of the advent of Prophet Muhammad
Name
Peter
- Canada
Profession
Question
Hello Simon,
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah,
I am a revert to Islam and it is a very difficult change, especially in this political climate and because I am white and was born and raised in North America. I was never religious before but Jesus (pbuh) was all around my life -churches all over the place, Christmas, Easter, and you heard of the guy throughout one's life living here. In a way Jesus (pbuh)is in my psyche and perhaps in all who live in North/South to some degree. My question is, do you ever wonder for a split second if Jesus will show up after your death and say "you didn't believe in me so goodbye"...I mean, isn't hard not to just for a second wonder if Jesus's is god because of all the influences in our culture? Perhaps a strange question overall, but sometimes even though I love Islam and am trying hard to improve my deen the character of Jesus does at times occupy my mind.
Answer
Thank you very much, When I turned to Islam, the same thing happened. However, I started to read about the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We as Catholics and Christians have been programmed to think one way. So we have to change the program once we are shown the truth. You cannot love someone that you do not know. For this reason, I know we are taught to love Jesus (AS) and we love him as Muslims, but we do not believe he is God. That is the difference.
Name
Zack
- United States
Profession
Question
Why did you change your name? I believe there was nothing wrong with your original name. Maybe you were just excited when you embraced Islam.
Anyway, why do you think Christians accept the trinity when the very idea is beyond human understanding and some would say illogical?
Answer
My original name remains as such in my passport, but all my brothers call me Muhammad and I like the name.
All of this has to do with the program during childhood, which is difficult to change as we enter adulthood. If there is an alternative, and the environment is changed, many people will change, because Trinity is not a very easy concept to explain, reasonably and logically.
Name
Emina
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Profession
student
Question
Selam
What did you know about islam before you reverted?did you have any negative thougts about islam or muslims?
Answer
I challenged my classmates in Seattle, Washington, about the origin of religions. Some of them were Muslims. I knew nothing about Islam and Muslims. They invited me to the Masjid (mosque) where I received the comparative study between Islam and Christianity. So I was neutral, Alhamdullillah. But I got good feelings about the style of life of the Muslims in the school.
Name
ahmed
- Spain
Profession
sales man
Question
Assalamu `alaykum Mr. Carballo.
Sometime I argue with people and when I tell them that I believe in Jesus, they just seem they haven't heard it. What can be said to them more than that just to clarify things better? Thank you
Answer
`Alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah. You can cite Surat Al-`Imran and Surat Maryam, where the stories of Jesus and his mother are well-explained. This, remember, made the King of Abyssinia cry and he turned to Islam. This is the best approach. Let the word of Allah impact in their hearts. If they are true Christians they will be touched by it. Also, Surat Al-`Imran from Verses 190-200, where the true Christians are mentioned. And there are, certainly, among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), those who believe in Allah and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before Allah. They do not sell the Verses of Allah for a little price, for them is a reward with their Lord. Surely, Allah is Swift in account.
Name
salim
-
Profession
Question
Salam. What do you beleive happened to Jesus (as) do you beleive in was taken up to heaven, or he survived the crucifiction and died later or was taken up to heaven later I have read conflicting opinions. Thank you.
Answer
There are differences of opinion of course. Allah is Great. If you want to prove to a Christian by the Bible that Jesus was not crucified, you might say that he survived the crucifixion, in other words he did not die in the cross. By this approach Christianity and Catholicism will collapse. On the other hand, if we use the last revelation of Allah the Qur’an, then it is said that he was taken to Heaven as another miracle from Allah, which makes sense after so many other miracles performed before the last moments of Jesus on earth. We as Muslims accept the last Revelation as it is. If there is no detail on his taking up to Heaven, that is what we accept. Allah has His own way to achieve things, "Kun Fayakun" (Be and it is)
Name
Hassan
- United States
Profession
management
Question
Asalaamu `Alaykum brother. In your travels throughout Central and South America have you seen a growing curiosity about Islam? How can a person make connections to the Muslims in those regions?
Answer
`Alaykum assalam. Yes, there is a sense of more awareness about Islam and if any Muslim travels Christian lands wearing traditional Muslim clothing, now more than ever people recognize him or her as a Muslim. While many years ago they only look at them as Arabs. We have to be proactive. My approach is to invite them to my lectures which I make in tents, hotel auditoriums, masjids (mosques), and residential areas. This I have been doing for the last 12 years and it works, Alhamdullillah. Many Christians have embraced Islam on the spot. I advertise in the local newspapers and distribute flyers.
Name
Mariam
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Dear Mohammad Ben Abdullah Carabello.
I am a new Muslim, but I still don't know enough about Islam. Would you give me a list of books to read or scholars to pay attention to. Literary support would help me a lot in convincing my family about Islam.
Answer
Alaykum Salaam. Please I encourage you to find Saheeh Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim to start with. This will open the door to knowledge. Thereafter there are many sites on Internet which I could suggest in the future. Step-by-step and a good translation of the Qur’an.
Of course, being in touch with scholars to clarify your doubts is very important. I am myself at your service in this address simon_ha53@hotmail.com
Name
Maha
-
Profession
Question
How did your family react to your embracing Islam and did their reaction affect your resolve?
Answer
Having been away from my country for 4 years and 2 months helped me to reunite with my family in Venezuela without problem. When they saw me praying they did not criticize me. Their love prevailed.
