--- Begin Message ---
Was Salaamu 'alaykum wa Rahmaatullaah Sister Suraya,
Al hamdu Lillaah, I am happy that you had the pleasure of meeting my beloved
wife, Erica, whom I affectionately call Bibi. She is a true blessing in my
life. Being raised in a Black ghetto in the US, I knew nothing of Chinese
people before my adulthood. She has helped me understand them and through her,
love their good qualities and see the opportunity for dawah to them. Everyone
knows that they make very sincere Muslims once converted.
Just so you will know something of my life, both in jahaliyyah and in the
Nur, I'll briefly introduce myself. I am 56 years by the CE calendar and 57 by
the Hijrah calendar. I was born on the 26th day of Muharram, 1370 H.E. I am
of mixed races. My mother was English/Scotish and my father was a mixture of
American Indian (Chotaw Tribe) and African slaves. I was raised in Ohio, in a
Black ghetto, where I lived the early years of my life learning to play all
sports for which African Americans are famous, i.e. American football, boxing,
baseball and basketball. At the age of four (4) I was separated from my
natural mother, and given to my father, who was married to another Caucasian
American of German/Irish ethnicity. She was the greatest blessing in my life.
My father left her shortly thereafter and bi idhn Allaah, she raised me with
great love and affection as she was barren and could not have children. She
taught 3 things that I have never forgotten: (1) to
believe in God; (2) to get an education for it will improve my life; and (3)
to know that there are good and bad people in every race. These are also very
strong principles in Islaam. Although she never formally took Shahadah, when
she died, I found in her wallet ayat from Qur'an and on her death bed I
exhorted her to give her heart and her soul to Almighty Allaah. The Angel of
Death took her soul at a Jewish nursing home one evening in Ramadhan. I set
next to her death bed and recited Qur'an. When I left to break my fast, the
Angel of Death came. I still carry in my wallet a parchment that I also found
in her wallet. It reads: "Freedom is not being free to do as man wants, but
to do as he ought."
By the age of 16 I was already in trouble with law enforcement. I attended
Catholic schools through the 12th grade. I remember being taken to the Rectory
of the priest at a small Catholic school when I was 5 or 6. At that time,
African American children were not allowed to attend just any Catholic school.
They were generally only allowed to attend so-called "missionary" schools,
which were all Black deteriorated facilities. My mother advocated for me to be
allowed to attend St. Teresa's Elementary school as she knew the missionary
schools were inadequate. After visiting many schools, and being denied
admission, the priest at St. Teresa agreed to allow me to attend. His name was
Father Brady. The first thing he did was give me an idol, a small statue of
'Isa, AS.
On nearly my first visit to the Catholic church we were being taught a
Catholic prayer called the "Hail Mary." That prayer goes: Hail Mary full of
grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God... I don't remember what comes after
this part, as even at age 6, when I was being taught this prayer, I sensed the
Angels admonishing me not to say this and I would keep my mouth closed and
watch the other children. It was as if they were speaking in slow motion and I
was in another time and place. Later in religion class the priest quoted the
New Testament of their Book and said that Jesus was the Alpha and the
Omega...the First and the Last. I asked the priest if he was the first, how
could he have a mother. The priest had no answer and refused to answer anymore
of my questions. I knew then that there was no basis for the Trinity.
When I became a young man, I was lost and used drugs to ease the pain in my
heart and soul. Finally, when a close friend died from an overdose of drugs,
my pain and suffering was too great and turned to God. I read the Torah and
found where Nabi Dawud had erred and turn to God by falling upon his knees and
crying. So, I fell upon my knees and cried and begged God for help and
guidance. The next day, a Muslim knocked on my door and sold me a newspaper.
The Black Muslim leader Elijah Muhammad had died and his son, Wallace Muhammad
had become the leader. I paid 25 cents for the newspaper and I read it from
front to back. Wallace was trying to lead the group to Sunni Islaam and I
sensed truth in his words. A few evenings later, I was walking a friend to the
store to buy cigarettes. The police attacked us, but did not arrest us. We
then proceeded and in front of the store was a small Muslim brother named Abdul
Karim Muhammad. He had a business called the Traveling
Book Nook. One of his books was the first English translation in North
America of the Qur'an. It was a very big book; so I noticed it right away. I
asked what it was and he said Qur'an. I asked what is Qur'an. He said the
last revelation to mankind from God. I said "oh." He sensed it did not
register, so he said it was the Book that changed Malcolm X's life. That
registerd since Malcolm had been a criminal as a young man and I had as well.
I bought the Book and did not buy the cigarettes. I will make a long story
short by saying that all I knew of Islaam, as many do, is that we Muslims can
have more than one wife. The Qur'an then, and today, in English has an index.
I looked up Wives. Wa Allaahi!!! The ayats in Suratul Nisa'a relating to
having 2, 3 or 4 wives in that particular Book were missing!!! I called Br.
Muhammad and he said it was impossible. But I insisted and he came and
replaced it, but left scratching his head as to how that could happen. I
understood that My Lord was giving me a sign to know that I should not come to
Islaam for wives. I then looked in the index for the word Jesus, AS, and once
I read the ayat regarding him I knew that I had found the way and that Allaah
Ta'alaa had answered my cry and supplication with Islaam. I called Br.
Muhammad and he told me where to go for Shahadah. I did and I am.
I was 25 years old when I embraced Islaam. It took me nearly 15 years to
get a correct understanding of our Aqidah. I have now been Muslim for over
half of my life. Al hamdu Lillah. When I became Muslim, I lost every friend I
had. I lost connection with my entire family except my mothers and one of my
aunts. My father rejected my new found Faith and could only see the err of the
Black Muslim sect. It was only when he was dying that he accepted my Faith.
So, I understand the journey of converts very well. It is full of trials,
but nonetheless, a magnificent journey, full of far more blessings than trials.
Once I became Muslim, I soared to my B.S. in Business Education, MBA in
Accounting/Finance, obtained my Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license,
entered law school, graduated, passed the California Bar Exam, became a
licensed Attorney at Law and also got my LL.M. in Tax Law with an emphasis in
international tax. I have 10 children, all of whom are Muslim, and I am sure
you have seen my babies, who I have the highest of hopes for and whom I intend
to keep in Malaysia until they are young men. In 2002, shortly after 911, I
made Hijrah to Malaysia for Ridwan Allaah, the Pleasure of Allaah. My niyyat
was to save my family and myself from a Fire that burns the fuel of men and
stones (idols). In 2004, I was detained by the US government for supporting
Islamic charities in the US and having formed a number of them,
including The Holy Land Foundation. I was jailed for the entire month of
Ramadhan in 2004 during which time my family became freightened and came back
to the US from Malaysia. Upon my release, my passport was held, but I started
to send my family back to Malaysia one by one. My wife, Maryam, has been
denied permanent resident status here. My son who was attending UIA has
remained here. And although my passport has been returned, I am under constant
surveillance and I cannot leave the country with notifying the government of
the length of my leave. I was forced to take a lie detector test in order to
prove I am not a terrorist and I am interviewed periodically by the FBI as an
ongoing potential threat to the country.
That is a little about my life. I hope it helps you understand me better.
Please feel free to share it with your husband and if there is anything I can
do to help Darul Fitrah, you, your husband or Dr. Omar, please let me know. I
would be happy to review Dr. Omar's book, Trinity, and to assist in any way
feasible.
Trust that I understand clearly the roles of the greater and lesser Jihad. I
also understand clearly the fitnah that plagues the Muslims today and our lack
of Wala towards one another. Indeed, no soul bears the burden of another and
each Muslim must look into their own soul and heart and strive to live a truly
Islamic life. It is no sufficient to simply say we are Muslim and to expect
that all else is halal. We must obey our Lord and practice what He has given
us in the Hidayyah of Qur'an and Sunnah and be truthful and just, even if
against our ownselves. For it is closer to Allaah Ta'alaa to be thusly.
May He help us in all of our righteous affairs and may we trust in Him, for
surely He loves those who place their trust in Him. Amin.
Faithfully
Br. Mace
surayati othman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Assalamualaikum Brother Abdullah,
I am happy to write to you with encouragement from Sister Khatijah who happen
to know your lovely wife Erica.. By now my husband Muhammad Azneill may have
written to you too.
By the way I like very much to let you know a little of our background before
anything else. I am Suraya Othman 52 years old and my husband is 58 years. We
were married in May 2005 in Malaysia after his reversion (conversion) with my
husband setting his right foot to take a flight that took him 25,000 miles away
leaving his beloved childrens, family, siblings, friends, home sweet home,
church and his nation.......all for an Akidah that is importantly and most
meaningful in his life!
Amazingly without any slightest hesitation, doubt or prejudice against
anything about Islam that has brought him the peace and belief that he has
now. Alhamdulillah.
Yes Alhamdulillah for Allah SWT give guidance whom He wished and not even
whom we loved.... and Allah knows who has gone astray from His path....
Two years almost and we have tried many attempts to initiate possible
relocation and try his hand in things within his capalities to be of
resourceful to our society of majority Muslims brotherhood here... but none has
so far strike any prospect yet...sad to say
My husband went back to US once before in the midst last year and realised
that he should try another chance to come back to join me to see of any luck
but to no avail as yet. Perhaps Allah knows better the reasons for him being
here is more of a divine purpose than anything else for that matter.
That was when we started to see some greater picture that lays ahead of us.
The book "Trinity" which was written by our brother Doc Omar Zaid that we have
not been trying hard enough to promote to the world may have the answer to that!
So then we started to see the light of it. Let the hand of the whiteman do
the Tarbiyyah to the whiteman of their own People of the Books! The Believers
are unfortunately being busy tested with civil war and jihad without much
wisdom as in the middle east in recent politic-geographical scenario.
Let's then,the Pen "Iqraq" Bismirabbikal lazi khalaq" does that by their own
very people themselves. Let's get busy with Jihad the Intellectual strategic
way of Peace does it. Talk the talk and walk the walk its way. Inshaallah -
"Read! in the name of Thy Lord!" Not by the name of any people, man or creature
on earth...
We have tried to approach our circle member of Muslim organisations and
individuals for a sponsorship but so far we have not really get any party that
truelly see our critical mission to dakwah in the message of defending Tawhid
and monothism to the world's of ignorant, paganism, Christianism, Agnostism,
Judaism etc etc.
I do not wish to elaborate for something that most Muslims who must
understand the role as Khalifah on the earth universally. But just to make you
understand our appeal as Brother in Islam and in the spirit of Ukhwah I wish to
forward you some attachments of profile and informations that will hopefully
convey our sincere intention and explains our means to seek your group support
in this mission. My prayer is also for my husband and Brother Omar Zaid to be
given the moral and spiritual support in view of their budding iman to be rest
sustained till hereafter. It is my duty as a Muslim wife.... Inshaallah.
May Allah bless us all and families wherever we are in this world. Amin
Tender salam and regards
Jazakallah khairan khatiran
Suraya
P.s Attached is a only a comment by the intended publisher. Please let me
know if you wish to have the synopsis or the manuscript of the book for your
information.tq
Suriati Othman
---------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos.
---------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
--- End Message ---
