DEALING WITH NEW REVERTS

By

A. Haroun 

(Abu Imraan)

During my NYSC, as the MCAN Da'wah Chairman for the state, some people came to the MCAN Headquarters and accepted Islam. I felt so happy that this happened during my tenure! So they complained of their condition and on friday I spoke to the congregation and we contributed some money for them.

A few weeks later another two came and accepted Islam. They also complained of their condition and we raised funds for them. I became suspicious and traced the first set to know their condition, only to realise they had gone back to their former religion (that is if they ever truly became muslims). So we temporarily halted raising funds for any one who came in like manner, and afterwards no one else came to accept Islām till I left the State.

Let me state categorically here that this post is not meant to cast aspersion or encourage unnecesary suspicion on new reverts. As a matter of fact, we have no right to question the sincerity of whoever comes to accept Islām. We are not mind readers, we only deal with what is apparent. However, we should also try to follow up their affairs after they accept Islaam and ensure they are enrolled in educative classes and by all means assist them where we can.

Dear Reverts, may Allaah increase you in sincerity and steadfastness. We welcome you wholeheartedly to the fold of Islām. We however feel the need to hint you ahead that your becoming a muslim is at first for your own benefit. Allaah says "Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another....." Q 17:15. Whether you will be of benefit to Islām is entirely up to you. Quantity without Quality makes no difference.

More so, becoming a muslim is not an express ticket to ease. Some of us have been muslims all our life and life isn't always rosy for us. Aishah, the wife of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) once told Urwah, she would witness three new moons (two months) and fire will not be kindled (food is not cooked) in the house of the prophet. So if you are here for material gains then you are probably in the wrong place as Islām is not centred around prosperity alone. 

In thesame vein, from among the companions of the prophet are the likes of Abdulrahman ibn Awf, who died with an estimated worth of 527 billion USD and thousands of Horses and Livestock (Wikipedia)! Allaah grants wealth to whom He pleases without measure irrespective of religious affiliations or piety levels!

Dear Muslims, is it not unfortunate that we now have large numbers that are most times useless! Quantity without quality! There were fewer than 400 muslims at the battle of badr, and they fought against about 1000 disbelievers and won! Today we rejoice that there are over a billion muslims, do we feel the impact of this great number? Because many of them are just 'proud to be muslims' but Islām is not proud they are muslims!

Wherever you are, do not just add up to the number of muslims, add to the quality of Islām! But how do we add to the quality of Islām when we do not even know Islām! Learn, dear muslims! Learn about your deen, and fly the flag of Islām  high wherever you are!

Baarakallaahu feekum