By Lorrie Chelfini

“And he who brings the Truth

and he who confirms (and supports) it—

such are the men who do right.

They shall have all that they wish for,

in the presence of their Lord:

Such is the reward of those who do good:

So that ALLAH will turn off from them

(even) the worst of their deeds and give them their reward

according to the best of what they have done.”

HOLY QUR’AN 39:33-35

I NEVER THOUGHT MY LIFE

would take the twists and turns that it has in the last four years.

My first memories of attending Bible class are of singing songs and learning about Joseph and the coat of many colors. I was raised in a small church, the Church of Christ. When I reached 10 years of age my father decided that he would become a preacher. I myself was baptized at the age of 11. I remember coming out of the water not feeling any different than when I went in.

All things of a preacher’s child were expected of me: good behavior, teaching Bible class to the children of the church, etc. I attended semi-monthly youth retreats and usually my father was key speaker. Christian summer camp was always a yearly treat. My parents never had to worry about my attending social functions. I never drank nor was I involved with boys. I enjoy reminding them of how lucky they were during my teen years. Really, I was the blessed one. My parents raised me well. Most of my behavior was out of fear of going to hell and I did not want to hurt my dad or tarnish his reputation. After all everyone has their eyes on the preacher’s family.

Later I attended Christian college, Northeastern Christian Junior College. I received my AA degree and then transferred to Abilene Christian University. During the first few months away at school I decided that my baptism was not valid. My reasoning at the time was that I did it because my friends were being baptized . I wanted that same attention they received. College was not really something I did for an education. I went for the social opportunity, to meet a Christian husband of the same background. I wasn't looking for just any Christian. I wanted to marry a preacher and live overseas as a missionary. Helping people love and serve God was very important to me. Not to mention my thirst for other languages and cultures. I was looking for a Spanish-speaking husband. I spoke Spanish very well at the time, and was frequently mistaken for a Spaniard. While at ACU I became involved with the mission department. I was participating in a mission training program that took me to Honduras for awhile. I thought that I could find the relationship with God in the mission field. After all, the missionaries that I knew were very spiritual. However, during the year at ACU I really began to question the scriptures and my personal basis for faith. No one could give me answers. The common response to any of my inquiries was that I simply needed to have faith. After a couple of question sessions with me the elders had threatened to “dis-fellowship” me. I felt doomed and very lonely. I finally left school not married and feeling like there was no basis for my faith. I still did not have any answers.

I wandered around to different denominations within Christianity and none satisfied me. I felt so empty—an incredible void in my soul. I never searched outside of Christianity until I moved to California. Once in California I got a little caught up in the New Age movement, I learned how to use my hands and energy to promote healing. I was also introduced to an East Indian master who taught about one on one communication with God. That made sense to me. The unity with God was what I had been searching for. I did not want a mediator, such as a priest or even Jesus (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). I became vegetarian for two years and read everything I could get my hands on. However, I could not swallow the concept of reincarnation. I never was initiated for that reason.

During my search for God I met an Algerian man at work. We started seeing each other and within a few months we were married. He was a non-practicing Muslim at the time except during the month of Ramadan. We didn't really talk too much about religion. He did however loan me a HOLY QUR’AN in English. I thumbed through it and told him it was similar to the Bible. After that we didn't discuss religion anymore. After all he did not practice and I was in limbo.

Later as our relationship hit bumps and I unexpectedly became pregnant, all the religious issues surfaced. I agreed that our children should be raised Muslim, but that was not good enough for my husband—he was so distraught over the baby. Unfortunately, actually a blessing from ALLAH, I lost the baby at 13 weeks. Within a couple of months my husband began going to the mosque on a regular basis. One day he brought home some flyers and booklets. Among those was The Embriology in the QUR’AN by Dr. Moore. I could not believe what I read. The descriptions in the QUR’AN of the baby’s conception and the development in the uterus fascinated me. I was so amazed with what I read I began to read everything that my husband brought home and left on the coffee table.

Finally my husband said, if you want more there is plenty information on the internet, that opened up a whole new world for me. Within a week of reading and printing material from the internet, and reading booklets from the mosque, I became very angry. I felt as though my father lied to me. I felt deceived. I finally found the answers within ISLAM to the questions I had all my life. Never once in my search did I consider searching within the realm of ISLAM—after all the media has portrayed Muslims as terrorists and wife beaters. How did it take me until the age of 29 to find the truth—I had to lose a baby and go through incredible physical and emotional pain. I believe ALLAH was in control and knew how to open my heart and mind. Not only was my heart opened but so was my husband’s. Alhamdulillah (All Praise to ALLAH).

During the entire time that I was reading and studying I was participating the best that I could in the fasting period of Ramadan. By the end of the month I could not think of any other questions or arguments to support a decision against ISLAM. I had no choice but to submit to the Will of ALLAH. Knowledge makes us accountable for our actions. I took the Shahada privately, I felt like I had to be in a closet for a while until I could be comfortable with this new religion. With the help of my internet sisters (and a few brothers) I began to understand more about my decision and all that it entailed.

Finally six weeks later on a Thursday my husband said that we would get married in the mosque on that coming Sunday. He also inquired as to my “readiness” to take the Shahada. I told him that I had already done that weeks ago. He then told me it was not the same and it was time to make it publicly. What better day to do it—take the Shahada and get married! I was elated!

I was nervous when that day arrived, yet I was sure of my decision¾ I knew that it was right. For the first time I had no doubt in my mind that this was truly the Will of ALLAH. My nervousness was due to the lack of knowledge of the etiquette of the mosque and what was expected of me. Nevertheless I put on my traditional Berber dress and a scarf to cover my head. Our arrival time was that of the evening prayer. I waited in the car for my husband to pray. When he came to get me he lead me into a room with a woman and her 11 year old daughter. They were sitting on the floor and staring at me. Finally the mother broke the ice “Assalaamu Alaikum”. I was able to utter the response “Wa alaikum assalaam”. Next they began chatting with me like I had been there for ages.

Then I was asked to sit in the circle of men on the floor next to my husband. The Imam then explained to me what I was about to do. I was to repeat each word one at a time of the Shadada after him:

Ash hadu al-la ilaha illALLAH,

wa Ashadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulu llah.

I bear witness that there is no God but ALLAH,

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of ALLAH.

A few verses of the QUR’AN were then read to marry my husband and I.

What a relief. I no longer had to rationalize the sonship of Jesus Christ (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). After all as a teenager I understood that ALLAH does not beget, nor is He begotten.

“Say, ‘Praise be to ALLAH,

Who begets no son, and has no partner in (His) dominion:

nor (needs) He any to protect Him from humiliation.

Yea, magnify Him for his Greatness and Glory.’”

HOLY QURAN 17:111

I was now ready to begin my “new life”. I am currently learning the five prayers (salat). I thought it would be difficult to learn, especially the Arabic, however it is really easy. I feel a satisfaction everyday in service to ALLAH, unlike before. My mind before had too many unanswered questions.

Now at this time, although my father, the Christian preacher, is 3000 miles away—I am sharing ISLAM with him. Insha ALLAH, (if ALLAH Wills) soon he will see the truth and “revert” back to ALLAH and see ALLAH as the only ONE God.

Please Continue . . .

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