Last Thursday we had Idris Tawfiq giving his talk entitled "Muslims, Islam and Real Jesus" here in Galway. He didn't really stick to this title however but instead ended up telling us his remarkable journey of becoming a true Moslem which I found inspiring. He as well added in his borderless knowledge on religions and I have to say that his confidence in Islam very much amazed me that it kept my eyes wide opened throughout the talk.By the by have you any idea who on earth Idris Tawfiq is? You can look up for his details here but as a ground knowledge Idris Tawfiq is an extraordinary man who used to works as a Catholic priest but now has reverted to Islam after finding the true light hidden behind the name of the religion. The more he read about Islam the more he became confident with it that he traveled all over the world to spread the words of Islam. He began his journey from Vatican to Al-Azhar seeking knowledge about Islam.
He wasn't here to convert people into Islam. His intention was just to deliver a few messages that he reckon useful and imperative for Moslems to bear in mind and put into practice. I'll list down the points that I grasped after listening to his about-2-hour talk okay.
Dear Moslems;
1) Don't simply shout to non-Moslems that they're going to hell, because you might be going yourself if you don't comply to Islam's teachings.
2) Be a good example of Moslem 'cause the world looks at you as a symbol of Islam.
3) Yes Islam is the most rapidly growing religion nowadays but mind you the most precious treasure that we have is not just the number etc but the quality of a good Moslem which is hard to find.
4) Don't let the teachings of Islam become merely a ritual. Don't let your prayers become something that you perform without sincerity. You can teach a parrot to recite Syahadah but it'll make no difference as it doesn't come from one's heart. It's through submission to Allah that we shall find peace insyaAllah.
5) Whenever you feel down, whenever you feel dejected always remind yourself that Allah is in charge. For instance it's not that Allah didn't see how much Moslems in other places have suffered, how much you hope for sth that didn't appear the way you wanted it to be but hold fast within yourself that every cloud must have a silver lining. He's watching and He knows best.
6) Just to clear the air, Moslems worship Allah not Prophet pbuh. When the Prophet pbuh passed away it was hard for Umar to accept that fact for that he couldn't believe such a great man would ever die. It was Abu Bakr who adviced the companions of the Prophet to calm down and bear in mind that Muhammad pbuh was just a human being, a creature created by Allah The Greatest. It's Him whom we worship, whom we put our utmost hope to.
Wallahu'alam.
