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" Today an old Muslim is taking an oath of allegiance to a new Muslim."

A true story...
Shahid Raza hailed from a far-flung village in District Khoshab. It was somewhere in the 1980's when everyone was parotting "Go to America" and the craze of going to America was its peak. Shahid Raza also opted to see the outside world and through an agent he managed to reach New York where after some time he joined a restaurant at Cony Island.

Later on the advice of a friend he moved to Philadelphia where he got a job at a Casino. For Shahid Raza, this was absolutely a new world - freedom from paternal bonds; abundance of dollar and obscenity. Like many others, he was also impressed by the liberal society and ignored all religious obligations. He turned his life against Shariah and adopted the culture he had never thought of. In the beginning of 1990's, Shahid Raza had become "Sheed", This was his new name and with this he became a complete American. Now he had forgotten Khoshab, his native village in Pakistan. He was not in the habit of writing to his family in Pakistan. Later he also stopped telephoning, hence breaking off all contacts with his family totally. Now,his life was revolving around casinos and weekend activities. In the meantime, he became a drug addict.

However, one day his life took another turn and 'Sheed' once again became Shahid Raza. He restored his contact with Khoshab and wiped off all anti-social and anti-Islamic activities. The change in his life sent a wave of wonder to his Pakistani and American friends who saw him in white Shalwar-Qamees sporting a beard and a cap(topee) on his head. Everyone was astonished except for Muhammad Asad.

Asad was a Palestinian Muslim and he owned a shop of religious books in New Jersey . One day Shahid Raza went to Asad's shop to find out the address of another Palestinian Muslim. A fair, tall and good looking man was standing along with Asad. This man was in Islamic dress and a fine turban on the head. Seeing Shahid Raza, Asad expressed his great joy and introduced him with the man in Islamic dress, as Muhammad Yousuf. Asad said to Shahid, " Yousuf was an American Christian but last month, he embraced Islam. He has learnt three "Kalimahs" and is trying to learn the fourth Kalimah. You please teach him the fourth 'Kalimah'. In the meantime, I am going to the bank and will come back in a few minutes." 'Sheed' was wondering while Asad jumped out of his counter and left for the bank in a hurry, leaving these two in the shop." As soon as Asad left, Yousuf put a book 'Aaaiye Islam Seekhiye'(Let's learn Islam) before 'Sheed'. Shahid Raza's Islam, when he was in his own country could not reach beyond the second 'Kalimah' and now he was asked to teach the fourth Kalimah and that too, to a newly converted Muslim. Shahid Raza(Sheed) was trying to give some reasons but Yousuf was persistent: " You are a Muslim, so teach me the fourth Kalimah." When Yousuf's demand rose even further; Sheed had to tell him that, he did not know the fourth Kalimah. This revelation of Sheed sent a shockwave to Yousuf. He looked at Sheed and said, " It is so regrettable that William, a son of an American woman, is going towards Islam, but the son of a Muslim woman is going away from his religion and forgetting even the Kalima."

These remarks of Yousuf slipped deep into Sheed's heart and at that very moment Sheed became Shahid Raza once again. He took out a handerkerchief from his pocket, put it on his head, held the hand of Yousuf, kissed it and said, " Today an old Muslim is taking an oath of allegiance to a new Muslim." Since that day Shahid Raza has made a concerted effort to learn more of Islam. Yousuf and Shahid Raza, now propagate Islam together. They visit each and every corner of the streets of United States and give the Message of Islam to the people.
Author: Yasir Muhammad Khan
Excerpt from: Islam has become the second biggest religion in America.
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A Muslim is not influenced by the world around him; instead, he commands enough respect in the society to influence the events around him. He does this first by becoming a practising Muslim and then through a process of following the Sunnah and the injunctions laid in the Qur'an; he becomes a role model to others in society. The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said, "A Believer is a mirror to his brother." (Muslim and Abu Dawud).

A Muslim follows this statement by striving to make the people around him to follow him in his good deeds, share his good qualities. He keeps his faults (If any) well hidden so that the others around him are not influenced by them.

The Muslim corrects all deviations in an Islamic society by offering good advice as enjoined on him by his religion. He is obligated by the Religion of Islam to do so, for Allah Ta'ala has stated in the Holy Qur'an, "So remind, if the reminder should benefit; He who fears Allah will be reminded. But the wretched one will avoid it." [87:9-11]

As Muslims, we are required to enjoin on what is right and forbid what is wrong in the light of the Religion of Islam. If one falls short in his Islamic requirements, he should advise him for the sake of Allah. He offers Islamic advice for he loves other Muslims for the sake of Allah, and he seeks their welfare for the Hereafter.

Hazrat Muawiya(R.A.) reported that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said- when Allah intends to do good to anyone, He gives him the understanding of faith. (BUKHARI, MUSLIM)
" Verily We have created man in the best of mould but by their own deeds they descend to the lowest depth of degradation, except those who believe in Allah and do righteous deeds, for them is unmeasured recompense......" (Qur'an 95: 3-6)
".....Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall have no fear on them, nor shall they grieve." (Al Baqarah 2:38)
"Let there arise a group inviting to all that is good" (Quran 3:104)
"Invite all to the way of your Lord with Wisdom and beautiful Preaching" (Quran 16:125)
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud(R.A.) reported that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that the greatest and most exalted charity is that a Muslim after acquiring knowledge teaches it to his Muslim brother.(IBN MAJAH)
Hazrat Umar-bin-Khattab(R.A.) reported that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: Actions are to be judged by intention. There is surely for man what he intends. So whosoever's emigration is to Allah and His Apostle, his emigration is to Allah and His Apostle; and whosoever's emigration is to the world which he seeks....his emigration is to that for which he emigrated for.

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