Why Islam?

Why Islam?

Why Islam? I frequently encounter this question, and if I were to be honest with you, it somewhat annoys me. Why does anyone choose to follow a particular faith? It’s because they believe in it, and it resonates with their hearts. I embraced Islam after a thorough study, as it seemed to make the most sense to me. I grew up in a world that harbored a strong bias against Islam. I heard numerous negative things about it, to the extent that I had never even once considered it during my youth.

What Changed?

I’d like to say that I had some profound revelation, but that simply wouldn’t be true. The truth is, I stumbled upon a Muslim couple on TikTok. This couple was explaining the distinctions between Arabic culture and Islam, emphasizing that the two were not synonymous. For the first time, I paid attention and decided to fact-check their claims. Repeatedly, the information I found confirmed their assertions. I realized that all the negative things I’d heard were simply unfounded. Armed with this newfound knowledge, I delved deeper into the study of Islam. It was then that I found myself caught in a cycle; the more I learned, the more I grew to love it.

Why Islam instead of Christianity?

My family consists entirely of Christians, and they were devastated by my conversion to Islam. They believe that I am destined for hell as a nonbeliever (kafir). The interesting thing is that Allah (swt) is the same God as in the Bible, the very God they themselves worship. Unfortunately, some of my friends and family don’t believe it. So, the question arises: why? Why would I choose Islam over Christianity, the very faith I studied to become a priest in?

The first answer lies in the countless times the Bible has undergone changes throughout history. For instance, there have been numerous editions and revisions of the Bible, where scholars and theologians have worked to refine the text based on available manuscripts and linguistic understanding. Notable revisions include the King James Version (1611), the Revised Standard Version (1952), and the New International Version (1973).

Moreover, several books have been removed from the Bible, including Tobit, Judith, Sirach, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and the Book of Jubilees, just to name a few. For me, there have simply been too many alterations, changes, omitted books, and words altered from their original meanings. In contrast, the Quran remains untouched and unchanged, with the added benefit of a chain of narration which the Bible simply does not have.

There’s another reason as well. When I look at Christianity, I feel it lacks discipline. I see how its religious leaders often appear weak when facing challenges from the LGBTQIA+ community. They allow rainbow flags and rainbow-colored attire in their churches. In contrast, when I look at Islam, I see a steadfast adherence to the values that Allah (swt) has established. They do not compromise their principles for political ideology.

Furthermore, Islam has clear requirements and structures that its followers must abide by, mirroring the expectations we encounter in the world. Our parents, teachers, bosses, spouses, and children all have expectations of us. Allah (swt) requires us to pray five times a day, just as your boss demands that you fulfill your work responsibilities. In the Bible, God is often portrayed as having little to no expectations, with worship and prayer left to whenever one chooses. This does not align with the reality of the structured world that He created. I believe that Allah designed a world with rules and order.