A Different Religion?
“My father owned a large area of fertile land. One
day, while busy with his construction, he told me to go to his land and fulfill
some chores he desired. On my way to his land, I came across a Christian
church. I heard the sound of people praying inside. I did not know how people
lived outside, for my father kept me confined to his house! So when I came
across those people [of the church] and I heard their voices, I went inside to
watch what they were doing.”
Interest Arises
“When I saw them, I liked their prayers and became
interested in their matter [i.e., religion]. I said [to myself], ‘By Allah,
this religion is better than that of ours.’ ”
Salman kept an open mind, free from blind
imitation.
“By Allah, I did not leave them until sunset. I did
not go to my father’s Land.”
Salman
gave himself the time to contemplate this religion which he, at that point,
thought was the correct belief. A perceptive
and kind heart charged with patience are virtues which are necessary to free
oneself from being confined to a thought such as, “O well! I will try to find
out, but I’m too busy now,” etc. Death may knock at the door sooner than one
may hope.
“I asked [i.e., the people of the church]. ‘From
where did this religion originate?’ ”
Seeking
the ‘origin’ is a guide for those in search of the true religion. The ‘origin’
and ‘essence’ are essential terms that help in the search process. What is the
‘origin’ of Islam and what is its essence? Islam came from Allah, the Creator,
the True God, and its essence is submission to Him I.[1]
“They said, ‘In ash-Shaam.’[2] I returned to my father who had become worried and sent [someone]
after me. Upon my arrival, he said, ‘O son! Where have you been? Didn’t I
entrust you with an assignment?’ I said, ‘O my father, I came across some
people praying in their church and I liked their religion. By Allah I stayed
with them until sunset.’ ”
This
is amazing honesty shown by a person who knows well his father’s commitment to his religion. This
is the kind of openness which one who is in search for the truth must have.
The Opposition
“My father said, ‘O Son! There is no good in that
religion, the religion of you and your forefathers’ is better.’ ”
This
is the theme of all those who blindly follow others in matters of faith. It
reminds us of the saying of Allah,
“And those who disbelieve say, ‘Do not listen to this Qur'aan, rather speak noisily during [the recitation of] it, that perhaps you will overcome.’ ”
[Surah
al-Fussilat (41):26]
“We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and
we guide ourselves by their footsteps.”
[Surah
al-Zukhruf (43):22]
“Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers
(following)…”
[Surah
Luqman:(31):21]
“Never did we hear of this among our fathers of the old.”
[Surah
al-Mu'minoon (23):24]
Many
times, when you talk to people who have converted to Islam from other religions, they say that
they heard the same arguments which Allah mentioned of the disbelievers. The
issue is the same. It comes in the form of, “Do you want to leave the religion
of your fathers and forefathers?” Not only that, but the parents and the family
at large may take a stand against the convert.
The magnitude of this opposition may range from actual life threatening
situations to strong boycotting. This is the general trend, but there are,
however, cases of minor opposition and neutrality.
“I said, ‘No, by Allah, it is better than our
religion.’ ”
He
loved his father, but he did not flatter him. He didn’t compromise about what
he felt at that time as the truth. What was his father’s response?
Salman said, “He threatened me, chained me by my
feet and kept me confined to his home.”
A
father torturing his beloved son to sway him away from exploring the truth!
Many prophets were opposed, accused, and ill-treated by members of their own
families because of their opposition to ‘known tradition’! Did Salman stop
there?
[1]
This symbol represents the phrase ‘Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa’ which means: May
Allah be exalted from what the disbelievers associate with Him. Out of respect,
Muslims state this phrase after mentioning the Name of Allah.
[2]
Ash-Shaam: The Levant. It encompasses the areas known
today as Lebanon, Syria,
Palestine, and Jordan.
