Converts' Stories: Testimony of Hydadura Francis Mendes (Mohammed)

Testimony of Hydadura Francis Mendes (Mohammed)

My name is Hydadura Francis Mendes, Mohammed in Islam, Sri Lankan by nationality and former Christian by Faith.

Q - Why did you embrace Islam?

A - I embrace the Islamic Faith for seeveral reasons, first being a Christian we used to pray in the Church every Sunday only. Communications between the members of the Christian society is among the problems confronted by them due to limited moral and spiritual interactions. Teachings of the Bible expresses in different terms and interpretations in which sometimes creates greater doubts and confusions in our minds due to uncertainty of its meaning, messages with contradicting verses. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Holy Spirit and the God Himself being the God Incarnate however we are being told that our creed is Monotheism because we believe in the unity of three gods in one God. Furthermore, several times mentioned in the Bible that Jesus is a Messenger of God particularly to the lost shepherd of the House of Israel and never accepted to be the son of God thus create confusion to the authenticity of his personality, is he a Messenger of God or the God himself? if yes then how ? I made several inquiries to satisfy these doubts but to no avail. Secondly, when I was given a chance to work abroad and while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia I got amazed the way the Muslims worshipped their God. I became so curious about this kind of Faith so secretly I researched for the meaning of this kind of religion. Alhamdulillah, to my great surprise, all those doubts bothering my belief got an answer through this Islamic Religion. I learned from their teachings that God is only One, The Omnipotent without partner and associates, that He was not born nor have a son, that He is the creator of everything in this world and the universe as a whole. That He is Allah, The Almighty and Most Merciful who gives us our daily sustenance and has the control of everything. To Him alone we worship by day and night, that through prayers we attain purity of body, soul and mind and directly communicating with Him. That He is the God of Prophets Jesus, Moses, Abraham and Muhammad. That the Holy Qur'an, His word was revealed to Prophet Muhammad containing true guidance for all mankind.

Q - From the past few months you have embrraced Islam, How do you feel for your life ?

A - Alhamdulillah, I found many changees beneficial to my new life. I felt an easy life in my day to day living. My new life in Islam saved me from being too problematic and materialistic guy. Daily prayers of not less than five times daily becomes my hobby thus expecting every now and then the times of prayer, the time that I will be directly communicating with my Lord. Through prayers and reading most often times the Holy Qur'an and other Islamic reading materials help me understand the true life in this world and the Hereafter and brings me away too far from committing sin thus bringing me closer relationship with the brotherhood of the Islamic Ummah while we were praying in the Mosques. It promotes me more love and affections to my loved ones and learned the value of true love to parents, wife, children, relatives and friends.