SHAHADA - THE REVERT STORY FINALE

Progressing through sixth form was all a learning curve, entering into a new realm, becoming a young adult. I went onto university, but I didn't last very long. Approximately 4 months. I rushed into something my body wasn't ready for, I became fatigued and left. Having missed so many years of my life I would always try and make the most of things forgetting I needed to rest. My body eventually caught up with me. Returning home, I went onto completing an apprenticeship in fitness and personal training in Birmingham. The thought process being, to educate myself on the body and how to strengthen it. During this period I shifted away from the research, distracted by life and all.

Completing my apprenticeship I landed a job in Pure Gym. It was very exciting as the gym became a very big part of my life [I'm fat now though, sad times]. My first very shift I stumbled across a very old friend. He use to live on my street. His family knew mine. He also use to work in the gym, so practically we saw each other everyday. He saw from my social media I had a great interest in Islam. Coincidentally, he also had the same interest. We were at a very similar stage and we would share our thoughts. It was nice having someone in the same boat. It gave us confidence to express our feelings with one another. Our research became very deep, looking into the Qur'an specifically, its context, miracles and history. Tawheed was an importance aspect. Learning about Muhammad ﷺ was inspirational, gave us the push in the right direction and understanding of the religion. The final and last Prophet. It felt so right. We would unexpectedly introduce some of the practises of Islam into our lives, it became natural. Embedded with no effort or thought. Leaving off haraam meat, removing alcohol from our life style, giving salaam and so on. What amazes me is I don't know where the turning point was, it just happened. When you're so engrossed with something, you generally follow through with action. I was convinced Islam is the truth. I would ask for guidance and my heart only became closer to the deen. I also noticed Islam is heavily attacked and this was something that brought me closer to the religion. I only found goodness. A religion for people with intellect. A deen which must manifest through the limbs. Mere belief in the heart is not enough.

There was a member of the gym who gave us dawah and cleared many misconceptions. I remember the three of us sat around a table and this individual mentioned that we would take our shahada, one of us next week and the other the week after. And that's what exactly happened. Once I took the shahada, there was this free feeling. When I look back at my story, there are some things which I can't explain. The way I became close with deen even before the shahada, I had implemented some action.

I took my shahada in 2012 and I left my job at Pure Gym not long after. I decided I wanted to go back to university so I enrolled onto a business course in college for one year to refresh my brain. I went onto study in Nottingham Trent University, became the vice president of the Islamic society in my final year and graduated in 2018 with a 2:1 in business.

Currently living in Manchester and I've become very close with my local masjid. The masjid decided to make me a member of the youth committee. The main purpose it to bring the youth and especially those on the streets to the masjid, to educate them upon the deen and to involve them in productive and fun activities.

It's been a very long journey, filled with many lessons. However, the real story began when I took my shahada.

Thanks for reading.

Ayaan.