Journey of An American Muslim
An Epic Journey Uncompromising in its Authenticity and Honesty
by
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Chapter 3: Coming Into Al-Islam
I recall being drawn to the Holy Qur'an and feeling as though I had to read it. Recall, I had previously exposed myself to the Christian faith. I was raised Christian. As a teenager and college student, I attended many different types of Christian churches: Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Holiness, Pentecostal and Lutheran. I studied the Bible intently during my “searching” for a religion (or more appropriately stated, religious sincerity and understanding) phase in college. I mentioned previously that I was somewhat disappointed in the lack of sincerity I discovered in the religious experience (it was more a production like experience) in particular the African American churches. Also, I didn't get basic questions answered to my satisfaction by reading the Bible (I'll admit, I didn't read it from cover to cover) and from the teachings or preaching in the church. Finally, I was never fully comfortable with the concept of someone dying for my sins who didn't know me from a “hole in the ground;” or the idea of the crucifixion of Jesus and definitely the idea of the Trinity.
Out of spiritual necessity, I purchased and began reading the Holy Qur'an. It didn't take long for me to be very favorably impressed with this Holy Scripture. I found it very easy to read (mind you, I was reading the English translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali). The language was simple and straight forward for the most part. There was allegory in the Holy Qur'an, but it was kept to a minimum. Basic questions were squarely addressed such as: 1. What is the purpose of human life? 2. What is my true relationship to God, the Creator? 3. Who and what is God? 4. What is the nature of God and how does He deal with humanity? 5. Was Jesus the Son of God? 6. Was Jesus crucified, resurrected? 7. What about the Trinity? 8. What is the connection to Al-Islam and other world religions?
9. What is the connection of the Prophets and the message they brought?
There are many, many more questions that were answered for me. It wasn't long after exposure to the Holy Qur'an that my movement towards Al-Islam picked up speed and momentum. It was during 1979 or 1980 as a college pre-junior (3
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About the Book
Journey of an American Muslim is an epic journey into the life of the author. It's a biography that is uncompromising in its authenticity and honesty. Muslims and non-Muslims will appreciate its candor as the author shares his experiences in the four phases of his development into his life as a Muslim in America. In this book you will discover: -The major influences that encouraged the Author to study and later become a Muslim. -How the Author transitioned from being a very "zealous" Muslim in the beginning; to discovering "spirituality" while taking more risks in his practice of the Muslim life; to becoming an open minded "truth seeker" who happens to be Muslim. -In candid detail how the Author survived multiple marriages (learning experiences), the loss of two good paying professional jobs, foreclosure of his home and working at Wal-Mart for 3 1/2 years earning what he considers "survival income." Journey of an American Muslim is a personal journey and an odyssey of major proportions for any human being. Muslim or non-Muslim, to have to experience. One wonders how one could survive such a personal drama, financial upheaval and professional setbacks. This author not only experienced the epic journey, but lived to tell about it.
About the Author
Andre' Masud is an accomplished writer and has been published numerous times in the Muslim Journal Weekly newspaper and featured at least once. He has been a Muslim for 30 years and has been an active member of the Muslim community in the association of Imam W. Deen Mohammed in Schenectady, NY, Newport News, VA, Harvey, IL and Newark, NJ. Mr. Masud is married, a father of three children and currently resides in Newark, NJ.