Bismillah Rahmani Rahim

My journey into Islam began early back in 1995, where I began to seek for the meaning and truth in my life. It was a long journey wonderful as I found Islam. We had in our media at that time very much programs about Islam and the new people coming in my country, who where Muslims. It was something which made me investigate and search for understanding of it.

When I came finally to Islam I were merely just a Muslim on the sunni path but I wasn't finished in my search, it was not enough for me. So I met some Shiites and found that I needed to learn about them. That was my turning point to a so much better life within Islam.

I call it a Journey towards the Light. When I started to seek for the meaning and truth in my life the days were without any happiness, just filled with stress, and mean less things.

I was at a point in my life, which made me harsh and stubborn, and I was indeed in need, for putting myself together, as a complete person. To find yourself, and to figure out where to belong, was quite difficult. Our media was at that time beginning talking about Islam, and for me, well I found it interesting.

I had already a translation of the Holy Qur'an in my book shelter, but since I got it as a gift, I hadn't read or even looked inside the book.

But somehow, one day, I went and took the book, and began to read. I guess, I sat for hours, not even looking at the clock, I just read and read. Amazing, how time just went, and there were, at no time, any reaction towards stopping. I was surprised by my feelings, because each and every word was making sense to me. I wondered how it could be, that I hadn't discovered so much truth before this particular day. And in the same time, I got a feeling of peace, and being relaxed, more than I ever felt before in my life.

From that day, I began on a daily basis, to read little by little, and to discover things, which I didn't think about, or gave attention before, became so much clearer to me. Sure I believed in God, but in the same time, I didn't reflect on it, with any deeper meaning.

I was born and raised up in a Christian – catholic family, and had a much uncomplicated childhood, living in Denmark. My family was between being religious and non-religious. I was taught both towards Christian and Catholics believes, but was not attached to any of them in main. So when I began to mark the interest for Islam, it changed my viewpoint, to be much more open and clear. I searched for books, and began to read more often, even went to a Mosque, and was invited to come back as much I liked.

I found the Muslims there, to be very friendly, and helpful, and I even got new friends in some of them. I must say, my eyes were open and my mind was busy with the new things, which came towards me. An Imam, in the Mosque, became a very good help, and today, he is a close friend to me. He planted a seed inside me, which began to grow, and made me understand many things, that I stumbled over in my readings. With his books and talks, I learned so much and it increased my knowledge about Islam and Muslims.

During a couple of years, I did my study, and knew that I was on the way, into a new period of my life. There was so many reflections, and thoughts going through my mind, and questions to be asked. But each time, I always got the answers, from the Qur'an and from my new friends. When the time finally arrived, and I was ready, to pronounce my Shahada, really that was the best day ever in my life.

My journey went on, and within time I came to meet many different kinds of Muslims. Different viewpoints and practices, sects, and various kinds of ways, to understand Islam. For about 2 years, I was Sunni, but kept searching for the truth and found Shia. Then I began to practice and made my shahada as Shia pretty fast. I began with working with dawah(prayers) and other Islamic things, to teach others and to help the new, coming to Islam, with prayers and much more, I was making fundraising, site's on the net and translating books, even I made Islamic movies and traveled around talking about Islam in public.

Sure, I was, at a time, so very convinced, that being Sunni was the right way, and the right path. But deep inside, I had the doubt, and kept turning to the books for more knowledge. Because deep inside, I felt lost, which was right? In the end, I had to realize, that being Sunni was not the complete way of traveling towards Paradise. So after a long time, of thinking, and waving between the differences, I made the choice, to follow The Shia, as being righteous and best way to be a true and sincere Muslim. I know, that for many new comings to Islam, it is difficult, as today so much information is to find out there. But one should remain towards the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, and the Teachings of The Ahlulbayt (prophet of Islam’s progeny) then nothing can go wrong, and then you are on the right path.

I was reading about Ghadir Khumm and the incident was something that made things so clear and so right and today I still wonder what it is that makes Sunni Muslims so blind to the fact's and the truth in the text, verses and speeches from that time.

The Messenger of Allah [s] declared:

"It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious things and if you adhere to them both,  you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my Progeny, that is my Ahlul Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise)."

 Hadith al-Thaqalayn

Then the Messenger of Allah continued:

"Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?"  People cried and answered:

"Yes, O' Messenger of God."

Then followed the key sentence denoting the clear designation of 'Ali as the leader of the Muslim ummah.  The Prophet [s] held up the hand of 'Ali and said:

"For whomever I am his Leader (mawla), 'Ali is his Leader (mawla)."

And I can go on and on with all the text from Ghadir khumm but one thing which also is so very clear is that the Oath of Allegiance which the Prophet (pbuh) asks the people to do is to indicate the truth so much and even Sunni Scholars acknowledged it.

After his speech, the Messenger of Allah [s] asked everybody to give the oath of allegiance to 'Ali [a] and congratulate him. Among those who did so was 'Umar b. al-Khattab, who said:"Well done Ibn Abi Talib! Today you became the Leader (mawla) of all believing men and women."

To try and explain, this text, well, when anyone reads it, the truth is already understood inside the mind. How can Sunni Muslims today oversee that the truth is just in front of them?

There are many examples inQuran where Allah states that He is the one who assigns a successor on theearth. Allah, Exalted He is, states in Quran:

     "O' David, we assigned you as Caliph (successor) on the earth ..."     (Quran 38:26)

He also states:

     "... We have assigned you (Abraham) as Imam (leader) for people ..."     (Quran 2:124)

I can go on with verses from Quran that gives us the truth, wondering why some people are so blind.