Fun, friends and where the next party was, or to which pub we were going to, was the agenda for every weekend. Being cheeky & rebellious to my folks and only being friendly and nice when I wanted something was the way I treated them. I had debts that I had been blacklisted for due to my own irresponsibilities. I had nothing… I thought I had a life but now I know I had nothing… inside my soul, inside my heart. I was in darkness. Life is a lesson; mine was 12 years before I was given a new life, a new soul. I saw the light. This is my story…

My Dad always wanted a son after 2 daughters and well they said I just invited myself into the family and that I was not ‘planned’. My Dad cried when I was born and my Mother was overjoyed. Little did I know that I would cause my Dad to cry and hurt my Mother because of the way I was going to be towards them. I reached the age of sixteen, started losing interest in sport as friends took priority. At the age of seventeen, girls and friends took priority even over my families needs. My parents gave me my first car at the age of nineteen. I had to pay the monthly payments, though, to be taught responsibility. I was so respectful and kind towards them until I got it. I had an argument with my Dad one day and despite all the good he did for me and the love he showered upon me, I threw the keys into his lap and said that I did not want the car. The amount of hurt I saw on his face spoke volumes. It was as though it told me,” I helped you when you needed financial assistance and now you throw my help back into my face…’’ He took the car back despite the hurt he felt and paid for it. Note that money was not abundant in our house.

I continued with my rebellious escapades, drinking, smoking, taking drugs until one day everything was taken away from me just as quickly as it was given to me. I had an accident under the influence of alcohol and wrote my car off and injured the people in the other car. I was admitted to hospital.

I was unemployed for a long time and had accounts to pay including the car my mother signed surety for. When I got money it still went to fun and I ignored my financial responsibilities. I got blacklisted by two banks but for some reason was not blacklisted for the car I still owed money on. I just paid them R100 here, R50 there just so that they could see I was paying something as they knew I was unemployed. I was in darkness. Where is the light?

From the days of shoving my parents aside and having money, I was subjected to relying on them for money and comfort and reassurance that I would find a job again. A strange, but true turn of events.

I found a job at a company in JHB central and this is where my life began to change. I met a Muslim friend at this company. I played soccer for the company and did well. I joined Toastmasters, an institution which teaches one leadership, public speaking, listening and general communication skills. You get assigned a mentor and mine was this Muslim friend.

I started asking questions about Islam as there is no harm in that. I mean I was not going to convert or anything. I was given loads of information that I had to read and a lot of my questions were answered. I spoke to other Christians that had converted. I debated and argued but still I needed to know more.

I was taken to a Moulana in Mayfair in order to get my questions answered and to find out more. My first day was very informative. I learnt about history, The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Islam in general. My second lesson was the same until I went for the third. The Moulana opened a little book with lots of strange writing in with English translation. It had a picture of a roof held up by 5 pillars. He asked me if I was ready and if I wanted to be a Muslim and if I wanted more time to adjust. No way-there was no turning back now. There must be a reason why I was sitting there in the company of this man.

I recited after him the first Kalima, (There is none worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger). The second and then followed by the remaining three. I hugged him for a reason I know not and left the Madressa. I was now a Muslim and had started a new journey. A journey of truth. A journey of love. A journey of faith.

I started classes with a Moulana that was closer to home. Somebody tried to steal my car the first night that I was there. Satan was probably trying me, hanging on to me with his claws, trying not to let go of me. But I returned for more classes on how to read Quran and learn about Islam. My car was never touched again.

As time passed and I dedicated myself more and more to Allah and his perfect Deen, my problems started fading away quicker than I created them. The bankers called in connection with the car I wrote off. I still owed them + – R50 000.00 and I did not have that sort of money. They said that if I could not make a plan they would have to apply for a court order for my mothers belongings to be repossessed to pay for this car. I could not let them rip my parents apart and take away what they had worked so hard for.

I made Dua for many months and it was now time. The bank accepted my offer of R25 000.00. Where would I get this sort of money from? Allah took me away from the company I was working at and gave me another job where I was given a company car. I sold my car for R23 000.00 which I gave to the bank. Allahu-Akbar!

Alhamdulillah, my name will be clear from ITC in 12 days and I will have no further debt.

There are far more important things that I have gained by accepting Islam. Allah sorted my worldly problems out but there is something still far more important that he taught me and blessed me with.

I have Iman which I will not exchange for all the money in this world. A lot of people are worried that their money will disappear. That it will decrease. I am worried my Iman will disappear and decrease. Allah has fulfilled my emptiness with contentment, love and respect. I serve my mother more and respect my father more than I ever did and my father looks at me now with such love and appreciation. Above all that, Allah has given me the most important thing and that is the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful Deen. Allah’s helpers have taught me how to read Quran and read my Salaah in Arabic, which I now do with minimal help. Allah has given me new friends – true friends. Allah has given me a life, a new life. Allah is the light to my darkness, the shoulder I cry on. My Sustainer, cherisher, provider, listener, advisor.

I now think back on my life and see how Allah has planned my life before I even took my first breath. All the lessons I had to learn, all the tears I had to shed, all that I had to lose until Allah knew I was ready for Islam. In a span of three years Allah has given me more precious things than I have ever had in my entire lifetime.

Allah showed me the light.

I dedicate this to Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful and the people who have helped me along my journey.