Brother Yusuf

Brother Yusuf
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Since I was a little boy (I am 31 now) I was always very Christian. Although my family were torn apart with sectarianism since my Mother was of an Irish Catholic family and my Father of Scottish/Irish orange Lodge Protestant.
They fought so much over religion that my brother was baptised protestant and I was baptised Catholic. This caused a great divide because it meant we went to separate schools - we were even given different names since my Father declared that any son of his who was Catholic could never have his name - therefore I was given my Mother’s maiden name as my surname.

When I was older I joined a monastery and trained to be a Catholic Monk (a Priest) and lived in Dublin Ireland for three years. The Monks are very strict and we were not allowed to leave, in fact it was so strict that mirrors were banned and we dug our graves with a spoon, a little every day to teach us humility. We could only speak half an hour each day and had no access to the outside world, even our mail was censored. They say that austerity is a way to God and although I do not agree with this way of life - it does make you more spiritual and has certain benefits.

Because these days people of this generation do not join these monasteries, they gave the younger people a few concessions. We could leave for half days once a month but only to go to certain places with our leaders. So I was taken to the Mosque in 1999 to try and talk to the Muslims into becoming Christian but they immediately invited us for dinner and were so very kind and gave me a Koran and other books. This started my interest.

Later that year I became Muslim and left the monastery, with no job, no place to live, nothing. When living there, I had to take a vow of poverty so they owned everything I had. They even assigned my Pension benefits to them! Eventually I came back to the UK and am happy here living near London, in Berkshire (but could be much happier). I’m finding it hard to settle because I’m working in the Finance world which I feel I was never meant to do but Alhamdulilah.

I only found Shia Islam recently and this was through a very kind brother and Sister at the website convertstoislam.com. I was never told about Shia before in fact most Muslims I knew became angry at the name even. I am happier and much more contented and peaceful the Shia way and feel much more satisfied generally. Alhamidilah all is well with me and Allah has been very kind to me.

I know I have a long way to go and much to learn but Inshallah Allah will make it easy for me.

I am a bit worried about the Sunni brothers and the really deep hatred they have for shias in fact I’m really scared to tell them! They are so kind yet this word “shia” makes them like savages - it brings up such conflict, the like of which I have not seen since I was a child - with Protestants and Catholics.

I don’t know much about politics but I know a lot of the nature of God thanks to my time as a Christian.

Inshallah, may Allah bless you all.


Sura 13 - Ar-Rad [The Thunder] Verse 1-1:
1. المر تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ وَالَّذِي أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ الْحَقُّ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ


Sura 13 - Ar-Rad [The Thunder] Verse 1-1:
1. Alif, Lam, Mim, Rar. These are the signs (or verses) of the Book: that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth; but most men believe not.