“You are the sha’itans, not me,” red-faced, he screamed at
those in the mosque who were pointing fingers at him. “I am a new Muslim. You
should teach me not to ridicule and call me names.” The Indians in the Jama’a
tried to calm him down.
I didn’t hear the story firsthand, but I doubled over laughing
when his wife told me the story.
“Next time, you pray in another mosque,” his wife told him.
In Saudi Arabia, we call the places where car repair shops are concentrated “Industrial areas.” You find small mosques in such areas.
He was not adequately instructed on what to do when praying in a group (Jama’). Because he is still in the process of memorizing the prayers in Arabic, he was very slow. So, in the mosque, while everybody was in Sujjod (bowing/prostrating)…he was still standing, LOL!
Because I am not getting younger, I made an appointment to
visit friends and relatives if and when I get the chance. My uncle must be no
less than 80 years of age, one of two of my mother’s many siblings still around.
Some say he is senile and bedridden, but guess what? I found him sitting in bed.
Mounted a few meters away on top of an old closet was a small 12” Television. If
he can hear and see that far and understands what he watches; he is not senile.
He is in full command of his intelligence.
“These Muslim converts know more about Islam than most
people I know,” said he. I smiled. He was watching a Muslim convert lecture on Islam (cable TV), and yes, the lecture was in Cebuano/Visayan, meaning my uncle is sane, not senile: December 26, 2013.
If there is one factor that has the light of Islam shine
brightly in a way that is profoundly far-reaching, it’s the World Wide Web…the
internet. Although the net is a two-bladed sword, it has delivered the message
of Islam in a positive light more than it has hurt the faith. The more Islam’s
detractors attack it in the net, the more Islam gets adherents. It seems like
the trick is to get your attention for whatever reason, and then you get hooked…the
truth grabs you.
Not all convert to Islam though are genuine. Some did it for
reasons of their own that has nothing to do with true belief. I remember back
in the early 80s when I was new in KSA. Our hospital had a big party for 8
Filipinos who converted to Islam. Someone told them that they will get 4,000
Riyals from the government if they convert to Islam. Tents were set up around
the hospital with special guests from the Ministry of Health. It’s sad to say
that none of them really adhered to the faith. I have seen the likes of them
come and go but not many of them hang on to it but those who did become almost
fanatic. You see them on televisions. You find them debating the unbelievers in
the streets. You hear them deliver the message to invisible audiences on the
radio. They are in the mosques not only to pray but more often than not; to
deliver the qut’ba (sermon). They lead the prayers. They are the new guardians
of Islam; the new messengers of the faith.
My friend’s experience in the mosque was not the end of it.
Because he has been here in Saudi Arabia for a long time, he saw Muslims pray
anywhere when the A’than is called. He parked his car on the side of the road, and after ablution, he spread his carpet and started praying. Saudis driving by
stoned him, with some making a hit. His handler at the Abha Da’awa Center told
him to get the plate number of the car next time anyone does. In the early days
of the Prophet’s ministry, he was stoned by the unbelievers in Taif.
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