Listen to the testimonial:
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP9780sOD4o
"..... I thought I would send a brief testimonial to say Jazak Allahu Khayr! I'll start from the beginning. I have never been a particularly religious person, even though my extended family are devout Christians and my wife and in-laws are devout catholic Christians (there is a difference).
At the end of last year a number of life changing events took place, back to back, causing me to go off the rails completely. I was doing a lot of bad things - a lot! But throughout all of that, I was 'talking' to God to show me the reason for my life. I was begging for some sort of 'sign' that there was more to life than how I was living. My wife suggested that I started to go to church with her Sundays. I thought I would give it a try.
On the way to the church in Slough I saw a Qur'an Project billboard advert about a free Qur'an but didn't do anything. Every day I saw that sign for weeks brother! Still I just carried on sinning and 'talking' to God.
Anyway, my wife and I were in in Slough town one day and she decided to buy me a bible. We went into the shop and I spent nearly an hour trying to decide which version to choose - King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version etc etc etc. I didn't realise or understand why there were so many versions. In the end I settled for the New International Version.
I got home, flicked through it and started reading randomly, only to notice that a verse was missing from the chapter I was reading (I can't remember which chapter and verse now). I checked why it was not included and found out it was because it 'was not in the original manuscript of the text'. All these questions popped up immediately... Why was it moved? When was it moved? Who moved it? Suddenly I felt like I couldn't completely trust this book in this form.
The day after I saw that billboard for the Qur'an Project (again) and ordered a free copy.
Brother, as soon as I received it... Al-hamdu lilāh! I bursted into tears and I cried because I knew! (I'm crying now remembering it). I knew this was what I was praying for. I couldn't put it down.
It was written in plain English, it had the history behind the revelation, it had introductory chapters for further reading. It had everything I needed to get me started in understanding Islam.
After reading it for a while, I found a masjid near me. I wanted to ask the imam some more questions before taking any steps, so I just went without an appointment. My brother, as soon as I walked in, all of my questions were answered at once without asking anything verbally - it's difficult to describe.
Al-hamdu lilāh I took my shahada on that day - The 14th March 2014 - and my life has never been the same since!
I am more at peace than I ever have been. I have a newfound purpose for my life. My faith has never been stronger. I understand how to really pray in submission to The Almighty.
My family didn't take things very well but, have noticed the positive changes I'm making so they are slowly coming to terms with it. They have days where they are very understanding of my reversion and other days where it is more of a challenge for them. I pray for them daily and have patience.
Sorry, I didn't realise I would write so much! I just think it's sometimes hard to understand how big a change is without looking at what was before it.
I pray Allah blesses the work you are doing. I pray Allah rewards handsomely for the lives He saves through your work.
Jazak Allahu Khayr!
Speak Soon Insha Allah
Jason
July 2014.
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP9780sOD4o
"..... I thought I would send a brief testimonial to say Jazak Allahu Khayr! I'll start from the beginning. I have never been a particularly religious person, even though my extended family are devout Christians and my wife and in-laws are devout catholic Christians (there is a difference).
At the end of last year a number of life changing events took place, back to back, causing me to go off the rails completely. I was doing a lot of bad things - a lot! But throughout all of that, I was 'talking' to God to show me the reason for my life. I was begging for some sort of 'sign' that there was more to life than how I was living. My wife suggested that I started to go to church with her Sundays. I thought I would give it a try.
On the way to the church in Slough I saw a Qur'an Project billboard advert about a free Qur'an but didn't do anything. Every day I saw that sign for weeks brother! Still I just carried on sinning and 'talking' to God.
Anyway, my wife and I were in in Slough town one day and she decided to buy me a bible. We went into the shop and I spent nearly an hour trying to decide which version to choose - King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version etc etc etc. I didn't realise or understand why there were so many versions. In the end I settled for the New International Version.
I got home, flicked through it and started reading randomly, only to notice that a verse was missing from the chapter I was reading (I can't remember which chapter and verse now). I checked why it was not included and found out it was because it 'was not in the original manuscript of the text'. All these questions popped up immediately... Why was it moved? When was it moved? Who moved it? Suddenly I felt like I couldn't completely trust this book in this form.
The day after I saw that billboard for the Qur'an Project (again) and ordered a free copy.
Brother, as soon as I received it... Al-hamdu lilāh! I bursted into tears and I cried because I knew! (I'm crying now remembering it). I knew this was what I was praying for. I couldn't put it down.
It was written in plain English, it had the history behind the revelation, it had introductory chapters for further reading. It had everything I needed to get me started in understanding Islam.
After reading it for a while, I found a masjid near me. I wanted to ask the imam some more questions before taking any steps, so I just went without an appointment. My brother, as soon as I walked in, all of my questions were answered at once without asking anything verbally - it's difficult to describe.
Al-hamdu lilāh I took my shahada on that day - The 14th March 2014 - and my life has never been the same since!
I am more at peace than I ever have been. I have a newfound purpose for my life. My faith has never been stronger. I understand how to really pray in submission to The Almighty.
My family didn't take things very well but, have noticed the positive changes I'm making so they are slowly coming to terms with it. They have days where they are very understanding of my reversion and other days where it is more of a challenge for them. I pray for them daily and have patience.
Sorry, I didn't realise I would write so much! I just think it's sometimes hard to understand how big a change is without looking at what was before it.
I pray Allah blesses the work you are doing. I pray Allah rewards handsomely for the lives He saves through your work.
Jazak Allahu Khayr!
Speak Soon Insha Allah
Jason
July 2014.