From the Blog

What Drew Me to Islam:One man’s anger leads him to Islam

The world’s attention had turned to London where bombings on the public transportation system had just occurred.

As I watched the news accounts, I again heard a conflicting message. On one hand, I heard a response from the Muslim world condemning the bombings and stating that Islam is a peaceful religion. On the other hand, it was reported that the bombings were carried out by Muslims.

I did not believe the Muslim response condemning the bombings. I felt they were merely empty words.

A few weeks later, I decided to confirm for myself what Islam truly stood for. I realized my Internet searches about the religion were biased; I had already formed a negative opinion and was looking for support for it. So, I went to Barnes and Noble where I purchased a Qur’an.

I was angry, and I was certain that I would find more than enough in the Qur’an to justify my anger toward its followers and prove to myself that Islam is not the beautiful, peaceful religion its followers claimed it to be.

I did not want to talk to anyone about Islam. I wanted to know what the Qur’an would say to me. I began to read.

Immediately, I was surprised. The "Fatiha" or opening chapter of the Qur’an, was not threatening. In fact, its message felt really natural to me.

Every morning, I spent 10 minutes reading the Qur’an in the parking lot at work before going in. I spent most of my lunch hour sitting in my car reading the Qur’an.

My anger vanished.

As I continued to read, another brick in my wall of ignorance toward Islam was removed. I admit I did not understand all that I was reading, but I also found answers to questions that had troubled me for such a long time. That excited me and motivated me to keep reading.

Once I had finished reading the Qur’an, I felt I had a better and more personal understanding for myself of Allah’s message. However, I still did not know much about our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, at this point.

I would walk by the dawah (outreach) table at San Diego State University and casually pick up a pamphlet from the table and quickly walk to my car to read it. I was still not ready to talk to anyone. I believed in the message contained in the Qur’an, but thought that perhaps these pamphlets would distort what I had understood in the Qur’an.

I was happy to read that the pamphlets only served to strengthen and clarify what I had read.

One day I noticed a flyer posted in the library on campus. The Muslim Students Association at SDSU was hosting a series of lectures on the prophets.

I decided to attend as it would be an excellent opportunity to learn more. At the completion of the lectures series, I was thoroughly convinced not only about the Qur’an, but now also about the prophet Muhammad and Islam’s followers.

Brad took his shahadah in front of the president of the SDSU MSA in April 2006.
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If you are new to Islam,send us your thoughts on what attracted you to Islam in 500 words. Please submit it via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , with the subject "What Drew Me to Islam." Include your name, when and where you took the shahadah.