“Car Accident Exposed My Islam”- Japanese Ateist Convert To Islam

Summary

A Japanese man shares his inspiring journey of converting to Islam at 21 after being raised as an atheist. Despite initial challenges, including keeping his faith secret from his family and facing misunderstandings, he found solace and truth in the teachings of Islam. After living in multiple Muslim countries and studying at the Islamic University of Medina, he became an imam. His story highlights the transformative power of faith, the challenges of reconciling cultural identity with religious beliefs, and the eventual acceptance from his family. His perseverance and commitment to spreading peace and kindness reflect his profound spiritual growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was born in Osaka, Japan, and converted to Islam at 21 years old after exploring different religions such as Buddhism and Christianity.
• 😀 He felt a deep sense of unity and peace when visiting the Kobe Muslim mosque, which led to his decision to take shahada on the same day.
• 😀 Initially, he kept his conversion to Islam secret from his family due to fear of their reaction, but an accident involving a car hit in front of the mosque revealed it to them.
• 😀 His father expelled him from the home after the accident, partly due to misunderstandings about his behavior, but he later reconciled with his family, especially his mother, who accepted his conversion.
• 😀 The speaker studied nursing before his conversion and later decided to pursue Islamic studies, eventually graduating from the Islamic University of Medina in July 2024.
• 😀 He faced challenges as a Muslim in Japan, particularly in navigating cultural differences with his family, such as understanding halal dietary restrictions and attending non-Muslim funerals.
• 😀 The speaker experienced bullying and negativity in his early life, but after embracing Islam, he became more positive, friendly, and open-minded.
• 😀 He went to Saudi Arabia to further his studies in Islamic law (Sharia) and learned Arabic, eventually becoming an imam at the Kobe Muslim mosque.
• 😀 The most significant characteristic he admires in Prophet Muhammad is his kindness, patience, and ability to maintain dignity and respect, even in adversity.
• 😀 His message to non-Muslims is that Islam is a peaceful religion, and he encourages them to research and understand the Quran and the teachings of Allah for themselves, beyond human actions and biases.

Q & A

What was the speaker's belief system before converting to Islam?

The speaker was an atheist and did not follow any religion, such as Buddhism or Shintoism, which are common in Japan.

What was the moment that inspired the speaker to embrace Islam?

The speaker was inspired when visiting the Kobe Muslim mosque, where they experienced a feeling of unity among people of different nationalities praying together. This sense of community led them to take the shahada (testimony of faith) the same day.

Why did the speaker initially keep their conversion to Islam a secret from their family?

The speaker was afraid of how their family, particularly their father, would react to their conversion. They kept it secret for about three months.

How did the speaker's family react when they found out about their conversion?

When the speaker had an accident near the mosque, the police informed the family. This led to a misunderstanding, and the father was angry and expelled the speaker from home. The speaker later moved in with Indonesian Muslim brothers in Osaka.

What was the hardest challenge the speaker faced after converting to Islam?

The hardest challenge was with their family, as they initially struggled to understand Islamic practices like halal food and the avoidance of alcohol and pork. Over time, they became more accepting.

How did the speaker's family change over time in terms of accepting Islam?

After 10 years, the speaker's father visited a mosque on his own, showing an openness to Islam that had not been present earlier.

What motivated the speaker to pursue further religious studies and become an imam?

The speaker's frustration with not being able to learn Islam in Japanese, coupled with a desire to serve their community better, motivated them to study in Saudi Arabia. They decided to leave nursing school to study at the Islamic University of Medina.

What is the significance of the speaker's graduation from the Islamic University of Medina?

The speaker graduated in July 2024 with a degree in Sharia from the Islamic University of Medina, becoming the fifth Japanese person ever to graduate from this institution.

How did the speaker describe the difference between their life before and after becoming Muslim?

Before becoming Muslim, the speaker was a very negative person, shaped by experiences of bullying and isolation. After embracing Islam, they became more positive, friendly, and open to different cultures, especially through interactions with fellow Muslims.

What characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) does the speaker admire most?

The speaker admires Prophet Muhammad’s kindness and patience, particularly his ability to remain calm and compassionate even in the face of adversity and battles.