The Trinity Led Me to Islam
An Irish Dentist Embraces Islam
My name is Roger Hadden, and I am originally from Dungannon in
Northern Ireland. I am a dentist currently working in England. I
have lived in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and I am now based in
England. I was raised as a Christian, and my parents are born-again
Christians.
Although I was raised with the teachings of the Bible, I did not
particularly adhere to its principles. I suppose I was like most
British youth, in that I liked to have fun but maybe didn't know
where the limits were set.
While I did not practice any religion, I always believed that there
was a God. I was scientifically minded, but realized that
acknowledging there was a Big Bang did not necessarily rule out the
possibility of there being a God who controlled and planned this
event.
We could not have come out of nothing, and we did not create
ourselves, so we must have been created. I thought about God from
time to time, but it never had a real impact on my heart. My first
encounter with Islam I suppose was the media, but I tend not to
judge people or things until I see or find out about them myself
and hear both sides of the story.
When I went to university I met many Muslims. At that time we
discussed religion a little, but I was not seriously thinking about
becoming religious. My desires were too strong, so I just wanted to
enjoy myself.
At that time, I knew that at some stage I would want to change my
ways and become a Christian. I then would also want to find out
about other religions and understand what makes people believe in
them. When I was in final year at university, I made plans to
reform myself and become as my parents, a "born-again Christian".
So I started my research with reading the Bible.
The concept of the Trinity always bothered me, and it was my main
aim to understand it. I remember as a child wanting to ask God for
something. I was not sure whether to pray to God or to pray to
Jesus. I decided to pray to God as I knew if He created everything,
then He will hear me and help me.
I spoke to some ministers, and several attempts were made to
explain the Trinity. None of them convinced me. I continued to read
the Bible, searching for the truth.
Obviously I am not a scholar in the Christian religion but the
Trinity issue bugged me. Why did the Old Testament prophets all
pray to God and do righteous acts hoping for God's forgiveness? Who
did Jesus pray to?
There was no mention of the Trinity in the Old Testament, and many
argue none in the New Testament. I knew God did not change, so
there was a problem somewhere. I spoke to my friends at University.
Some were Sikhs, Catholics, atheists, and some were Muslims.
My conversion changed my life completely, and looking back I know I
made the correct decision
When I found out that Islam commands the worship of One God, and
not to make any partners with Him, I was very interested. I
continued reading the Bible and Christian sources but also started
reading some Islamic books.
I read that Muslims believe that God sent his message to mankind
through different prophets since Adam the first man. All the
prophets believed in only One God and they also believed that there
was going to be a day of reckoning when everyone will be raised and
judged.
I realized that this is what I believe, and what I thought the
Bible was saying to me. I discussed things with my parents, and
they were not too impressed. Within a couple of months by the grace
of God I became a Muslim.
My conversion changed my life completely, and looking back, I know
I made the correct decision, thank God. Instead of living my life
in a selfish way pleasing my desires, I try now to help others and
please my Lord. I have now been a Muslim for five years and I am
still learning new and amazing things about the religion.
Every time I hear something "negative" about the religion, I get
the issue explained to me and it turns out to be a very positive
and beautiful thing. I am continuing to learn Arabic and the
Quran.
In my career it has made me much more focused, and I now desire to
do everything to my best ability. My friends at university are
often surprised with regards to my change, especially relating to
dentistry.
My parents believed I was brainwashed, and many of my friends
thought, and still think, it is just a phase. As it has been over
five years now, my parents know it is not just a phase.
I first told my parents that I was thinking of becoming a Muslim,
and they told me that it was a "hate religion" and that I should
not do it. We talked about it for a while, and as I was convinced,
I was sure I had to do it. I did not want to be punished in the
next life.
A few months later I took the best step and embraced Islam. The
same day my Dad bought me a car, not as a conversion gift, rather,
it was his kindness and it just happened to be on the same
day.
Since university, I have always lived away from my parents but I
try to visit them a couple of times a year. Overall though, I feel
my relationship with my parents has improved, as I try to be good
to them as God commands in the Quran.
I have moved on from university and lost contact with many of my
friends, some I speak to now and again, but as with life, we keep
moving on and old friends we see less of and new friends are
made.
I am currently working as a dentist in the UK. I am working and
doing a part time masters program. I am learning Arabic, and I
regularly attend Islamic talks and seminars in order to increase my
knowledge.
I am married to a very special lady and we have, by the grace of
God a beautiful 1-year-
old boy named Ismael (Ishmael from the Bible). We are trying to
improve as Muslims, and we would like to travel abroad to a Muslim
country. Ideally we would both love to study Islam to a higher
level, so we are looking for opportunities to fulfill this
dream.
By Roger Hadden
readingislam.com
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