''My Muslim Friend Was Praying Like Jesus!'' - Incredible Revert Story of Gabriel Al Romaani

Summary

In this compelling interview, a Romanian-born man shares his transformative journey from a devout Christian upbringing to embracing Islam. Raised in a mixed Christian family and deeply influenced by his grandmother’s Catholic faith, he faced deep personal and theological doubts about Christianity. His encounter with a Muslim friend, combined with intellectual curiosity and powerful dreams, led him to Islam. He discusses the challenges of conversion, his family’s reaction, and the profound spiritual growth he experienced. Today, he focuses on educational and counseling projects, aiming to guide others towards understanding Islam and its role in solving global issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 The individual was born into a mixed Christian family in Romania and raised with a strong Catholic influence, particularly through their grandmother's devout practices.
• 😀 Early faith was deeply rooted in Christianity, with the individual actively practicing and even considering becoming a priest due to their dedication to the Bible and religious duties.
• 😀 The individual began to question their beliefs after a discussion with a Bosnian friend, Kamal, about the divinity of Jesus, which led to significant doubts regarding Christianity.
• 😀 The turning point in questioning Christianity occurred after observing Kamal’s committed prayers and realizing that Jesus in the Bible was depicted praying in a similar manner.
• 😀 The individual had a powerful dream involving a life-or-death situation, which intensified their feelings that God was calling them to change direction, even though the dream wasn't the sole factor in their conversion.
• 😀 The individual felt an overwhelming pull towards Islam after being exposed to its teachings, particularly resonating with the idea of Islam as a continuation of the Abrahamic faiths, rather than something entirely new.
• 😀 The person’s curiosity and exploration into Islam were driven by intellectual and emotional connections with the Qur'an, including feelings of direct guidance while reading it.
• 😀 The final push toward conversion came after a deeply emotional encounter with Kamal, who helped the individual formally embrace Islam after years of searching for meaning.
• 😀 The family initially reacted with concern, skepticism, and even anger, but over time, the individual’s mother converted to Islam as well, while the father and grandmother had mixed reactions.
• 😀 The individual found discipline and structure in Islam, which helped them adapt to new practices such as regular prayer (Salah) and fasting, while also navigating the challenges of support, intellectual growth, and relationship issues post-conversion.
• 😀 The person is currently focused on two major projects: education and counseling, particularly in Romania, where they are working to translate Islamic literature and promote Islam to both Muslims and non-Muslims through educational outreach and community engagement.

Q & A

What were the key influences on the speaker's early belief system?

The speaker's early belief system was largely influenced by his grandmother, who was a devout Catholic. He regularly attended church with her, prayed, and was deeply involved in religious practices from a young age.

What caused the speaker to question his Christian beliefs?

The speaker began to question his Christian beliefs after a conversation with a Bosnian friend, Kamal, who challenged his belief in Jesus as the Son of God. This moment sparked doubt in the speaker's heart, leading him to explore further and ultimately leave Christianity.

What role did Kamal's religious practices play in the speaker's journey to Islam?

Kamal's unwavering commitment to prayer, even in non-religious settings, and his explanation of the proper connection to God made the speaker reflect on his own faith. Kamal's dedication, along with the realization that Jesus' prayer in the Bible resembled Islamic prayer, played a significant role in the speaker's shift toward Islam.

How did the speaker's dream contribute to his conversion to Islam?

The speaker's dream, where he felt intense pain after being stabbed and experienced a profound moment of clarity, was interpreted as a spiritual sign from God. This led to a deep emotional and existential awakening, pushing the speaker to search for a new direction in life and ultimately embrace Islam.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the Quran, and how did it influence his journey?

The speaker found the Quran fascinating and deeply moving even though he did not understand Arabic at the time. The Quran's recitation resonated with him on a spiritual level, and as he began to understand its message, he felt that Islam was not something new but a continuation of the same divine truth he had encountered in Christianity.

How did the speaker describe his final decision to convert to Islam?

The speaker's final decision to convert to Islam came after a period of intense personal reflection and study. After discussing his decision with his friend Kamal and feeling spiritually moved, he took the Shahada with Kamal's help, marking a profound transformation in his life.

What challenges did the speaker face after his conversion to Islam?

The three biggest challenges the speaker faced were: 1) The lack of support from family and community, which made him feel isolated. 2) The need for continued spiritual and intellectual development after conversion. 3) The difficulty in navigating marriage and companionship in a way that aligned with Islamic teachings.

How did the speaker's family react to his conversion to Islam?

Initially, the speaker's family, including his mother, brother, and grandmother, had varying degrees of concern and resistance. His mother was initially upset but later became curious and eventually converted to Islam herself. His brother was angry and dismissive, while his grandmother struggled with accepting his decision but acknowledged the wisdom in the teachings of Islam.

What was the most impressive trait of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that the speaker admired?

The speaker admired Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) ability to adapt his behavior and communication to suit the needs and understanding of different people. Whether speaking to a child, a scholar, or a Bedouin, the Prophet adjusted his speech and actions to effectively convey the message and help the listener understand.

What is one important aspect of Islam that the speaker wants non-Muslims to understand?

The speaker emphasizes that Islam is not just a religion but a way of life. It provides solutions to life's problems, ranging from personal struggles to societal issues like racism, corruption, and promiscuity. He believes that Islam offers answers to existential questions and provides a comprehensive approach to living a fulfilling life.