To start off, we requested from Emad to briefly narrate his story about how he became a Muslim. He started off by saying:

ruly, all praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, we seek aid and guidance from Him, and we seek refuge in Him from the evils of ourselves and from our bad deeds. Whosoever Allah guides shall never be misguided, and whosoever He misguides shall never be guided. I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah, who is unique and has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His apostle.

The bounty of being Muslim is so great a bounty that if one were to prostrate to Allah, thanking him, until one dies, one would not have fulfilled the gratitude due to Allah. A Muslim who adheres to the teachings of Islam possesses a great bounty, which is Islam itself, and nobody experiences the sweetness of this bounty except those who were firstly deprived of it and were later guided to it.

Dear reader, I must first narrate my story before I talk about this bounty, Islam, which Allah has guided me to, having in mind that you may be asking, "What was your family like prior to embracing Islam?"
Before I embraced Islam, my family consisted of four individuals: My sister, mother, father and I. We were a Christian family, similar to all religious Christian families which attend Church regularly and observe attending the Mass held every Sunday and Friday, and which fulfils all the rites related to it such as confession, Eucharist and prayer. Confession is that one confesses the sins one committed throughout the week before a priest. This ritual is compulsory upon everyone attending Church. Each person has the freedom to choose a priest, who then becomes that person's "spiritual father". Confession is one of the seven sacraments of the Church, some of which are:

1. The sacrament of Baptism.
2. The sacrament of Eucharist.
3. The sacrament of Chrismation.
4. The sacrament of Matrimony.
5. The sacrament of Holy Orders.

I shall limit myself to explaining Confession and the Eucharist in order not to divert from the essence of this article. Confession is followed by the Eucharist, in which the priest reads some liturgical words upon red wine, which is a type of intoxicant, for over an hour and a half. According to Christian beliefs they say that the wine transforms into the blood of Christ. Then each person who had confessed before the priest swallows a spoonful of that wine. Having opened this subject, I have the urge to describe what Mass is like in Church. Mass is the rituals conducted on Friday morning and Sunday morning. (Coptic) Christians believe that Mass is the zenith of worship. In it, some rituals are fulfilled using ancient Coptic language, and most of those praying behind the priest understand not a word. These seven sacraments are nothing but a way of associating partners with Allah, namely polytheism, such as the belief in the hypostatic nature of the father, the son and the holy spirit, which leads them to consider Christ as a god besides Allah, thus Christ is glorified on that basis.

I used to go to Church on Friday mornings and on Sundays. Such a terrifying place it was, filled with incense throughout the Church, to an extent that one cannot see one's own hand from the intense smoke. Add to that, there was nothing therein which charged my spirituality as everything the priest said during Mass was in Coptic. However, during Sunday school , competitions were held and prizes were distributed, which encouraged children to attend Church.

Parent's Professions

My father used to sell grain while my mother was a nurse. I always used to love to be with my father at his store, where I would even commerce. There was also a large store selling grain which was owned by my greater family: my grandfather, grandmother, uncles and aunts. I had a special place in my grandfather's heart in spite of the fact my cousin peers were many. I also had an uncle who greatly adored me, for he used to say, "I consider you my son, and I am sure that your father doesn't realise how valuable you are as much as I do."
Praise be to Allah, I was skilful at trade and knew how to deal with people well. I was also known of having good manners, dealing with people well, and being truthful. My manners were appealing to all people, as that is my innate nature and what I was brought up to do.


A Flash of Light

The light of Islam first entered our house when my caring mother started to become attracted towards Islam. No need to be surprised, for the heart (i.e. one's creed) is in Allah's control, as he directs it as he wills. I found my mother distancing from Christianity to the extent that she stopped attending Church while she began to draw nearer to Islam. During that period, the month of Ramadan and Christian fasting occurred simultaneously. The Muslims would break their fast at sunset while the Christians would break their fast when the stars first appeared in the sky, which is prior to sunset. The stars would appear in the sky before the Muslim call of prayer (adhân), yet my mother would wait until she heard the Muslim call of prayer, which astonished me. Once I asked her, "Mum, what's going on? I never see you breaking your fast when the stars appear in the sky as we do; instead you break your fast when the call for sunset prayer is heard, as the Muslims do. What is going on?! Honestly tell me what the matter is."
She would then say, "Emad, Emad, take it easy."
I understood later that her actions indicated that she was heading towards Islam and that she was fasting the month of Ramadan, and was not observing the fast of Virgin Mary. I concluded that because the fast of Virgin Mary is only fifteen days while my mother fasted thirty days. In other words, till the end of Ramadan. Many other incidents occurred, for instance shaikh Sha`râwî's lectures were and still are broadcasted on television after Friday prayers. It is known amongst (Coptic) Christians that whenever Sha`râwî is broadcasted on television they consider it an hour of bad luck. To the contrary, my mother would sit silent in front of the television, as if she were a child before its father or a student before its tutor, to the extent that she would not reply back if you spoke to her because she would be paying so much attention to shaikh Sha‘râwî's lectures. Also at that time my mother would watch another program called "Opinion Forum " which was hosted by a number of (Muslim) scholars, and she would strongly pay attention to the scholars' replies.

During this period, all these changes were apparent. When my mother thought about declaring that she had embraced Islam, she sat with me and said, "Emad, you're my only son so I won't find anyone to conceal my secret other than you."
The tone of my mother's voice was wavering, indicating that she was afraid of something. I responded to her, saying, "It ought to be good, dear mum."
However, she was still hesitating while she spoke. Then she said, "No, no, you're my oldest son and may first joy in this life. You cannot think for a moment about harming your mother."
These words made me feel horrified: "I'm afraid... You cannot think for a moment about harming your mother... No, no, you're my only son..."
These words could suggest numerous interpretations, making them surrounded by great ambiguity. In the midst of these instant impressions, I asked my mother, "Why are you vacillating? What's happened and what's going to happen? Mother, soothe yourself, and soothe me too."
But, as it is said, mothers are mothers. She went on saying, "What would you do if they attempted to kill me?"
I exclaimed, "Kill you?! Who's going to kill you?!"
She replied, "My brothers, your father, and the whole family."
I asked, "Why would they do that? You are their best sister and they all love you."
I glanced at her eyes filled with tears, and she said, "What would you do if I became a Muslim?! Would you detest me, like they would?"
I said to her, "Whatever the situation is, you still remain my mother..."
Just then, I was overcome by crying and we both embraced one another. She then said, "Keep this matter a secret between you and me."
This incident emotionally shook me. A lot of conflicting questions were concealed within me, and many thought caused me anxiety, and many horrendous ideas almost tore my heart, and I was in a state of bewilderment which I could not escape!

The First Impact

A few days had passed by since that incident. I had arrived home from school but I could not find my mother, nor did I find her clothes, nor did I find anyone at home. At that moment, I felt a strong feeling of loneliness, and a strange feeling generated by my dear mother's absence. I was struck with depression and I was encompassed by fear from what would happen. I wished that it were all a dream far from reality. I instantly went to my father's store and told him, "Father, I returned home but did not find mother at home."
He replied, saying, "Perhaps she's with one of her friends..."
I replied, "Father, even her clothes I couldn't find in the closet."
My father reacted, saying, "Emad, what did you just say?!"
My father grew more and more astonished, and he got up and went instantly home with me. It was such an impact. He exclaimed, "Where's your mother? Where? Where?"
He swore that he did not upset her and that nothing that leads to conflict or anger took place between them. The rest of the family were also shocked. It became known later that she had embraced Islam and had declared such before the authorities and thus she would never return home. The whole family became hysterical and they started to use all types of swear words against Islam and Muslims. All, including my father and my uncles from both sides, were in a very tense atmosphere, and were very emotionally driven, even amongst themselves. They considered it a disaster, and a degradation of the family honour which had befallen all members of the family. One of the trials I was facing was that my mother was being cursed at and sworn at with the ugliest of words by the closest of relatives. They would say that she always did resemble Muslims in regards to so and so. Some would say, "She's the daughter of a...! She abandoned her children for Islam."
I would hear and see such while I was unable to respond or defend her. However, my uncle would visit her at the authorities to sign over and over again a statement which guarantees that they would not harm her. When he visited her he would attempt to arouse her sympathy so she would return to her two children who were both in dire need for her. However, my mother strongly refused his plea, having experienced the sweet taste of Faith, thus she was now a Muslim, All praise is due to Allah, and she had left us as a trust with the One with Whom trusts are never neglected, i.e. with Allah, Most High He is, the Best of protectors and Best of supporters, and He is the Most Merciful.

The Stance of the church

I would frequently visit the church and attend all the lectures, especially those held on Tuesdays. It was well know and the priest himself would deliver the lecture which would be about general topics, dealing with numerous matters, especially political matters. He would speak and express his opinions freely without anyone to monitor him. During one of the Tuesday lectures, he spoke about my mother, as it was the matter of the hour and everyone was talking about it at church. The priest said, "Do you all remember so and so", mentioning her name. He said, "She had surrendered to Satan and declared her embracement of Islam, and thus betrayed Christ and Christianity. She also traded with her children, and sold herself to the Muslims. She broke her purity and indulged in... "

{كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةً تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ إِنْ يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًا } [الكهف: 5].
{No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. It is a grievous thing that issues from their mouths as a saying what they say is nothing but falsehood!} 18:5

A Mark of Disgrace

He continued the lecture, saying, "This woman, who abandoned Christ, the Lord and Saviour of this universe, was to be exploited by Christ himself after she had betrayed the Church. She is now thrown away in prison as result of a crime related to morality."
At that point, I was really astonished as the looks of those attending church almost killed me, as if I had committed the most grave of crimes related to morality; as if I had committed adultery.
I said to myself, "Is it possible? My mother is taking the risk of abandoning her religion and worshiping Christ and has left me and my sister here to face this ordeal though we are innocent..."
I began to hate myself, and at every moment I wished that death would befall me. I left the Church and nobody save Allah knows that I was in a state which made walking down the street a great task for me, for I could hardly pay attention to anyone. While I was in this state of depression and grief, I heard a voice calling, "Emad!", and just then I noticed my mother. She used to carefully walk near to our house so she may have a glance of me and my sister, as she would send one of our neighbours to have a look out for us. She found out that I was at the church and that I would be returning home, therefore she decided to wait for me to return so she may rejoice at seeing me. At that moment I experienced an internal conflict: She is my dear mother... but she is the one who discarded Christ therefore I must take revenge from her. In the midst of such thought, I was unable to hear a single word she uttered as a result of my tremendous astonishment. I turned towards her and asked, "When did you get out of prison?"
She had a few colleague nurses with her and a crowd of Muslim neighbours and they all said, "What prison? Your mother preferred the hereafter over this life."
My mother said, "Umda , my dear son, did I not tell you that they would accuse me falsely. Take this paper – my address is written on it – and you must promise me that you will give it to nobody."
I said goodbye to her and kissed her. Amongst those who were present was a bearded man with his wife who was veiled. He said to me, "May Allah guide you", placing his hand on my shoulder. However I fiercely pushed it away and I left my mother and headed to my dull home. I looked at my sister Hiba, who was too young to understand what was happening, and said, "What sin do we bear for what our parents do?"
It was a phrase which I heard a Christian teacher say, who had commented on this matter.

Before me was a difficult task; which was visiting my mother at her residence. Six days had passed since I met her and since she gave me her address. The time was just before sunset. It was on this day that the lights of Faith penetrated into my heart. That afternoon I went to visit my mother at her residence. She received me with enthusiasm. I sat there, glaring at her humble house which only had a small amount of furniture. Just then, the Muslim call of prayer could be heard: Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar ...etc. I swear by Allah that it was as if I had only just heard such words for the first time in my life, in spite of the fact that I've heard them hundreds of times, but this specific call of prayer at this specific time made a great impact on my heart, an impact which I had never experienced before. At that moment, my mother instantly jumped up, made ablution, and then began to pray the Maghrib prayer and recite Qur'an out aloud. It was the first time I heard the Qur'an being recited by my mother. It was the chapter called Al-Ikhlâś. It was an indescribable experience. It gave me good feelings. I wished that I would just sit on the ground and kiss my mother's feet while she was praying. I felt as if something were purifying my heart. I felt pure and I was encompassed by love. A very strange feeling it was; It was a new spirit flowing into my body. It was as if the beams of light had intersected at my soul and it felt like the dawn of a new day which follows the darkness of a pitch-black night. I was overcome by tears over what that priest had unjustly accused her of during the lecture last Tuesday. I was eager to see that priest so I may give him what he deserves for having slandered my mother. He did that with no evidence; why does he want to defame her? Is that justice? Is that what Christ enjoined? Isn't that the very same priest before whom the sinners confess their sins? It that the good exemplar for the Christian society? All these questions were in need of answers. I sat with my mother that day for an hour and a half. She brought food and we ate together. It was all like a lovely dream. I can hardly believe that such took place and that it was so effective.

Debate with the Priest

I left my mother's residence with an assured heart and I headed home. The next day I went to the church to attend the weekly lecture which is held every Tuesday. The same priest was delivering the lecture, and during the lecture he attempted to finish off his filthy slander against my precious mother, my pure, innocent mother. The priest said, "As for so and so, I was visiting her yesterday and I told her, 'My girl, your children are in dire need for you.', but alas she is still in prison. It was very difficult to talk with her extensively, because you know what prisons are like... anyway, that's the fate of those who discard Christ and are traitors."
At that moment, I saw everyone in the church looking at me in a strange manner. I was unable to restrain myself, so I stood up before the oppressor, addressing him with a stentorian voice. I began by saying, "Abûnâ , that's enough!"
Then I faced the attendants and said, "People, I was at my mother's yesterday. She was not imprisoned, as you heard and thought, and this man is a liar. It's all the opposite of what this priest said."
Everyone's attention was driven towards me, trying to calm me down with all methods and reminding me of the revered status of the priest.
The priest replied, saying, "What's with you, Emad? Shame on you. Quiet, boy. What's with you? What's the matter?"
I said, "You are a liar!"

Everyone went silent, so I turned towards the attendants and said, "People, I was just at my mother's residence yesterday, and she is not in prison. When my mother heard the Muslim call of prayer, she rose, made ablution and prayed. I swear by Allah that her face seemed to me to be at the peak of beauty. People, my mother is not in prison as Abûnâ claims. Here is the address for whoever wants to visit her. I swear to you all that when I heard the verses of the Qur'an being recited by my mother, the verses were purifying me within..."
The priest interrupted me, saying, "Quite, boy, or I'll kick you out of the church. You father failed to bring you up properly, you unmannered person."
Then I said, "Let me ask you a question, Abûnâ. Do you purify yourself by ablution before prayer as the Muslims do? "
At that moment, everyone, young and old, became furious, and their faces changed. One would say, "Silent! You've crossed the boundaries!"
Another would say, "You have no manners!"
Others started to pound me. As for the priest, his face and mood had changed, and his hands shuddered, and confusion, defeat and shame were written on his face. He said his last words, which revealed his defeat. He said, "Leave the boy, his mother has brainwashed him."
I left the church with peace of mind, although I was afraid of what might follow. I began to weep until I reached one of my best friend's house; a friend who I have a strong relationship with and who I am sure about his fidelity. However, I did not find him there. His mother saw the state I was in and she felt sorry for me, so she said, "May God avenge from your mother. It's her fault. May He avenge from her."
Just as I heard what that woman had said, I wanted to attack her and strangle her along with that mendacious priest. I held myself back and said, "Perhaps all this anger is the result of challenging the priest and disrespecting his authority. I will revert to the Gospel, so I may find tranquillity, guidance and peace."
I lifted the Gospel, hoping that I find something which would remove the ordeal and depression, but I rationally thought to myself, "Is this really the book of God to which one may revert?"

But I went back to reading the Gospel and proceeded while my grief and sadness grew. Many questions arose and I began to feel, or actually believe, that it is an ordinary book similar to a book which narrates the story of a person who ate, drank and slept and done some miracles. Then I asked myself, "Who's the narrator of all this? Who wrote these accounts after the ascension of Christ? Why are there numerous accounts each of which differ from the other and sometimes contradict one another? And why is there so much superstition therein?"
I began to experience great boredom from reading the Gospel, while more and more questions appeared. However, my eagerness to reach to the Truth incited me to conduct some research so I went on to read the Gospel again.

A few days later I attended Mass on Friday morning. When my turn had come to confess before the priest I said unto him, "There are many questions about which I am in need for answers. There are question which arise from within the Gospel and I find nobody to answer them."
He replied, saying, "I promise you, Emad, that we shall sit together and I shall answer all your questions."

After that he recited some words upon me, words which are familiar to [Coptic] Christians. After a few days the priest sent me a present. It was a cross made of pure gold with a necklace chain. I notice that his attitude towards me had totally changed. He began to treat me in the best of manners. One day, he surprised me when he said to me, "I'm sorry, son of Christ, when I mentioned your mother in such a way that annoyed you, as you are the son of Christ, and we all love you, and also Christ loves you."
I did not realise that that mean priest was brewing up a plot to revenge from me. He said to me, "Emad, tell your father and uncle to come to me. I want them for an important matter, a matter which will please you a lot and will bring you comfort."
I did not know that this mean person was potting against me and that wanting to see my father and uncle was part of that plot. That very day I told my father, "The priest wants you for an important matter."
He asked, "Why?"

I replied, "I do not know. He also wants my uncle."
My father replied, saying, "We shall go to see him on Friday."
So on Friday my father, my uncle and I all went together to attend Friday Mass. After the Mass, my father and my uncle went to meet the priest. I was just about to enter with them when the priest stopped me and asked me to wait outside, because what he was about to talk to my father and my uncle about was very important and confidential. They remained inside for around an hour. Both my father and my uncle came out seeming very sad. When I asked my father, "What happened?", he replied saying, "Nothing."
At home, he said to me, "He (i.e. the priest) wants you and your sister to spend three nights at the monastery with him. My spirits grew high over hearing such, knowing the lofty status that monastery has and the esteemed position of its Abba to Coptic Christians and all the miracles which occurred within that monastery .
I asked my father, "[We'll be spending] three days there?"
He replied, "Yes."
At that, I agreed. He then asked me and my sister to prepare our belongings within two days. During that time my father was unusually upset. Two days had passed and the time had come.

The Conspiracy

My father began to help me pack my belongings. It surprised me when I found him packing all of my clothes and all of my sister's clothes. I asked him, "Father, why are you packing all my clothes? It's only for three days."
My father said, "Emad, son, you shall find out everything."
We went to the diocese of Cairo where I found my father indulged in carrying out some procedures. Then we headed to Bani Suwayf. On the way, I asked him, "Where are we going? Who are we staying with? We've got no relatives at Bani Suwayf!"
He said, "There you will be just fine and you'll find peace of mind. I'll join you a week later so you may be just happy."
Suddenly, my father started to cry and hugged my younger sister. When his sorrow intensified he said, "May God avenge from your mother, may God avenge from her. It's her fault."
We arrived at the diocese of Bani Suwayf and there my father was talking to the bishop. Then he took us to a place called "The Deacons’ Home", which was an old building facing the arts palace. The head of that home was a priest, a man from southern Egypt who had a thick beard. At that point, my father said goodbye to me and entrusted me to take care of my sister, and then he left. My sister was taken to a building adjacent to the diocese, which was a girls' home. I became acquainted with the youths dwelling at the home. The supervisor directed me to my room. The place seemed unpleasant, as each room was similar to a prison cell; each room having bunk-beds and being overcrowded with dwellers wearing patched uniforms. The dwellers’ attitudes were rotten, as they would insult and call one another names. It was a tough situation for me as the acquaintances were not friendly. A few days later I asked the supervisor, "Until when will I be staying here? When will I return to home?"
His reply was so wicked. That day was so hard for me, for I was a mockery for all. While I was there, I memorised some things from the priest and followed all the instructions of the priests and supervisors. Everyone used to say, "This lad's got a bright future in debating."
Eventually I was anointed as a deacon at Bani Suwayf. During the ceremony my hair was cut in the shape of a cross, the bishop of Bani Suwayf mumbled some words, then he said to me, "May you become a priest!"
From that moment on I held the honour of being a deacon. Days went by and I became acquainted with the youth of the home. I was well respected for my good attitude towards them. I became bored from life at the home due to the teachings of Christianity which were imposed unto us without explanation. I started to write letters to my father, explaining the pain, sorrow and profound loneliness I was experiencing. However, all the messages I sent from Bani Suwayf were left without a response!

Resolution of the Administration

The diocese of Bani Suwayf issued a resolution which entailed that my sister and I be transferred to Bani Mazar in El Minya, without an explanation. One of the priests came from El Minya especially to ask for my sister and me. This was the first time I met my sister in six months. We embraced one another and I wept out of joy. I asked her about her news. She told me that it was the toughest time she ever experienced, as the supervisor there used to beat them. The priest who was sent informed us that the administration at Bani Mazar got news via the Abba, Bishop of Bani Suwayf, that my sister and I were not comfortable at Bani Suwayf. We were instantly transferred to Baytu ‘lni‘ma, meaning the house of grace. On the way the priest asked me about my mother, however I was left with no answer to say. After a while, I told him, "Believe it or not, I've even forgotten what she looks like."
The priest laughed, and said, "You're better off that way, what do you want from them (i.e. Muslims) anyway? You're now here with us, and one day you shall become a priest with a lofty status in society and of high class. You'll have a better life than now, Christ willing."
I asked him, "When will I return to my father?"
He said, "I think it is very shameful for you to view this life with such a perspective, having been placed with those who shall be trained to become priests."
I then asked, "What about my sister, Hiba?"
He said, "Your sister... in a few years time she'll be married to a good-hearted priest like me."
At that moment, I felt as if my sister and I had been sentenced to life in prison. We arrived at the [new] home, which is also known as The Coptic Non-segregated Primary School. In the northern corner of the school compound there is a three-storey building which is the Baytu ‘lni‘ma. A lady came to greet us and she took us to the priest who was the supervisor of the home. He greeted us and told the wicked woman, "Prepare food and the best of clothes for the children. Take Hiba to her room along with her peers. As for Emad, he is to stay at the ground floor with Ameer, Sameh and Ra'oof."
To be frank, this home was much better than the one at Bani Suwayf as each had their own bed and wardrobe. The lady-supervisor brought some new clothes while I became acquainted with this trio. They were very well-mannered and respectable. Ameer and Sameh were brothers while Ra'oof was not related to them. I really liked them. Everybody was terrified from that elderly lady-supervisor who didn't have a speck of grace nor manner. She truly was formidable. I experienced all sorts of distress and lived the highest degrees of patience because of that woman, to an extent that I started to call that home the house of grief instead of the house of grace. The days I spent in Bani Suwayf seemed to be a blessing compared to this. This lady would use a whip, as if she were somebody at a circus! One day she revealed her hidden feelings by saying, "That's the only way to educate those animals!"
She would observe us while we were having our meals, and it was no unusual for her to command one of us to leave one's meal while one would still be hungry, as a way of humiliation in front of one's peers.

As for my sister, they cut her hair short and told her that once she reaches fifteen years she'll be instantly married. Once the priest came to see how our matters were like. He asked me, "How are you getting on? It's better here than Bani Suwayf, isn't it?"
I told him, "Bani Suwayf was much better than here."
He asked in astonishment, "Why?!"
I told him, "It's this woman's fault; she treats us like animals and only solves matters with a stick!"
The priest turned towards her, looking disappointed, and asked, "It that true?"
She said, "You know, children do lie..."
He said, "No!"
After that incident she dealt with us in a very good manner for around a week. However, after the priest went back to El Minya, she became worse than ever.

I was unable to escape from the home because the security was tight. I had no way other than writing letters to my father, through which I explained the matter and tried to arouse his sympathy so he may come and save me and my sister from this great distress. During that period I was struck with illness and fatigue. Months felt like years. Five more months had passed at Bani Mazar. A time came when that supervisor talked to us harshly. I was unable to restrain myself so I said to her, "May the Lord avenge from you."
I said such because she had wronged one of my peers. Instantly she brought her stick and gave me a deadly flogging.

That very day after I had a flogging the doorkeeper, uncle Fahmi, hastened towards me around dusk calling, "Emad! Emad!"
I asked, "What's happened uncle Fahmi?"
He replied, "You're father's outside... he has come to see you and your sister."
I raised my voice, saying, "Allah! Allah! Are you sure?"
The doorkeeper rejoiced and said, "Your father, son, I swear."
I rushed outside towards the door. There stood my father. I could not restrain myself from embracing him and weeping fiercely. I said, "That's what you've done to us, Papa? What ill have we done to you?"
My father wept, looked at me, and asked, "Where's your sister?"
I said, "I don't know."
He said in astonishment, "How come? And why are you so fragile? Are you ill?"
I look at him in disappointment and said not a word. The marks of floggings, which were the result of the supervisor having flogged me in the morning, were still on my body. When my father saw those marks, he exclaimed, "It cannot be human that did this to you."
He stormed to the supervisor and said, "Where's Abûnâ so and so?"
She replied, "He's in El Minya."
My father said, "If you don't mind, bring him now, it's urgent."
She replied, "He's busy, you may see your boy and the leave, and have a nice day."
My father [furiously] said, "I do not want to hear your voice. You are a merciless woman!"
She interrupted my father, saying, "How dare you address me like that."
Then my father interrupted her, saying, "Just bring Priest so and so instantly, and I don't want to hear a word from you. I'm staying here and won't leave till I see Abûnâ!!"
At that, the lady instantly went to phone up the priest. He told her, "Let him stay in Emad's room and I'll be there in the morning."
The priest arrived early in the morning and even brought breakfast for me and my father. After breakfast, my father told the priest, "I want to take my children back home."
The priest said, "Sorry, we don't need to discuss this topic."
At that moment, my father made an oath that if we weren't allowed to return the home would be torn down to pieces. He threatened the priest, saying, "Just to tell you, I'll go straight to the mayor of El Minya to exploit you in front of the Muslims. Add to that, Sir Priest, if you escape from this home in one piece that would be a miracle!"
It was over. The priest called on the supervisor to bring my clothes and my sister's clothes at once. When my father saw her, he sarcastically said, "I'll ask you angles of mercy a question: Did Christ enjoin abuse of children... in this disgusting way by this woman?"
The priest seemed astonished, and said to the supervisor, "Did I not tell you not to flog the children in this manner?"
My father, my sister and I all left that prison after I had sorrowfully said farewell to Ameer, Sameh and Ra'oof, who were left behind in that ghastly prison. I cannot forget the last words they said to me, "You're going away and leaving us in this ordeal with the rock-hearted woman?"

A Great Shock

On the way home, I asked my father about my mother. He replied, saying, "Emad, forget about it. Dear, your mother died around six months ago in a car accident. Your uncle bashed into her."
That caused a great psychological impact within me. I was struck by astonishment, and said to my father, "Then why should we go back home?"
It was like we were going in circles. I kept on uttering, "Mum's dead, mum's dead..."
I began to cry so my father said, "It's shameful to start crying. You're going back to your family. It's shameful to start crying. You've still got a long life before you."

New Hope

It was the will of Allah that after forty days had passed while I was alone in my father's store I suddenly heard my mother's voice calling, "Emad... Emad."
I remained hugging her for half an hour saying, "Mum's still alive?"
I was sure then that my father had concealed the truth so I would stop thinking about her. I took her address. Hope had returned. A few days later I paid her a visit and I later took my sister with me so she may also spend time with her. I discovered then that we were sent to Bani Suwayf as a result of a plot brewed up by the priest.

Message from the Church

The very priest who plotted against us sent a message to me which read: Come to church to pursue your duties as deacon. This was the request of everybody; every time I encountered one of my relatives they would say, "Why aren't you doing your church duties?"
I attended nine Masses. I didn't enjoy the job at all. I was also requested to be a Sunday school teacher but I refused.

After I spent time reading the Bible I had this conversation with a group of young men. I sat with more than twenty of them inside the church. It was prior to my embracement of Islam by around sixteen months. I said to one youth, "What's your stance towards a man who committed adultery with his own daughters?"
One said, "An apostate!"
Another said, "Son of a... !"
I said, "And what would the case be if the perpetrator were an apostle? Such an incident is mentioned in the Bible."
One of the guys shouted at my face, saying, "It's a lie and slander against the Holy Bible!"
Another said, "Cite the verse if you are truthful."
I replied, "This is the evidence; open up to Genesis 19:33-35:

19:33. And they made their father drink wine that night: and the elder went in, and lay with her father: but he perceived not, neither when his daughter lay down, nor when she rose up.
19:34. And the next day the elder said to the younger: Behold I lay last night with my father, let us make him drink wine also to night, and thou shalt lie with him, that we may save seed of our father.
19:35. They made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in, and lay with him: and neither then did he perceive when she lay down, nor when she rose up.
19:36. So the two daughters of Lot were with child by their father.

I asked the young men, "O you educated people! What do you think about Noah?"
They said, "He is one of God's apostles and he is dear to God."
I asked, "Do you know what the Holy Bible says about him?"
All were silent and did not say a word. I recited from Genesis 9:20-21:

9:20. And Noe a husbandman began to till the ground, and planted a vineyard.
9:21. And drinking of the wine was made drunk, and was uncovered in his tent.

All remained silent without commenting.

Cut It Out

A few days later I asked the priest in front of the guys in a humorous manner, "Can anyone see God?"
He instantly replied, "No man hath seen God at any time... "
I then said, "If the Holy Bible says that 'No man hath seen God at any time...' then the very same Bible says in Exodus 33:11:

33:11. And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man is wont to speak to his friend.

"Cut it out Emad!", exclaimed the priest.

Another time, when I was exiting the church I heard the lady who teaches the children at Sunday school raising her voice loud. I told her, "Miss, lower your voice."
She replied, saying, "Why should I? Is it prohibited for a woman to talk in the church?"
She then raised her voice louder and chuckled. I answered back, saying, "Yes, it is prohibited for a woman to raise her voice or to talk in church."
She then chuckled and said, "Give us your verdict, lawmaker!"
I recited:

14:34. Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak but to be subject, as also the law saith.
14:35. But if they would learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.

Her reply was, "Those who said you're fit to be a priest were correct."
Then she said in a voice filled with mockery, "Thanks Abûnâ!"

Tit-for-tat Conspiracy

My father found out that I visit my mother from time to time. He called for me and asked, "You're visiting your mother again?"
I replied, "Yes."
My father was puzzled and asked, "Why?"
I asked, "Was it not her fault for what happened to us in Bani Suwayf and El Minya and for what befell you?"
He said, "Yes, God avenge from her, she was."
I said, "Therefore I visit her so I can revenge from her as she has betrayed Christ."
He asked, "How will you do that?"
I answered, "Be patient and you'll see."
He said, "May the Lord give you guidance, beware from her though."
When he (i.e. the priest) asked me about the matter I gave him the same reply I gave to my father. He was very pleased with me and said, "Well done, there's a priest who says that he can see a bright future for you in the Orthodox Church."
It pleased me a lot that they thought in such a manner, thus I started to openly visit my mother.

I spent a long time at my mother's learning about Islam and all that is related to it and studying the Qur'an. There was a mosque adjacent to the house. I became acquainted with the imam of that mosque, known as Abû Ahmad, a fine man who reflects the morals taught by the religion of Islam in all his dealings. I considered him my older, caring brother. I learnt much from him and he is the one who encouraged me to conduct sermons. May Allah bless him and his children and may he be guided to pure sincerity and win the heavenly reward for his deeds. I became acquainted with the basics of Islam and gained some general knowledge about the religion in order to respond to any comments related to Islam. At that stage I said to my mother, "It's time for me to declare that I'm a Muslim."
Her advice was wise – May Allah bless her. She said, "Let your sister embrace Islam before you do, because if you do you will not persevere, as you would face intolerance and distress."
These words made me fear for my sister and drove me to protect her.

My Sister Embraces Islam

Not long after that conversation with my mother I was at home when suddenly my sister came back with a picture she brought from the church. At that time she was no older than twelve years old. I asked her, "Hiba, what's that picture?"
She said, "It's a picture of Christ when he was a baby in a barn."
I asked, "And what are those around Christ?"
She said, "Animals."
I then asked, "Is it befitting to say that Christ was born amongst animals? Would it not be more sublime that we say he was born in, for instance, a modest house, if we are to assume that Christ was born in a modest manner?"
I rejoiced over hearing my sister say, "I'm also unconvinced with the Christian way of thinking. I also want to embrace Islam along with you."
She instantly embraced Islam, uttering the Testimony (Shahâda):

“There is no deity but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger”

At that, I was content – All praise is due to Allah.

End of the Journey

After this long, tough journey we went to declare before the authorities that we had embraced Islam. I experienced great distress from the extended interrogation of the authorities, and the counter-pressure from Christians was immense. The Churches of our local city were all in turmoil, and many could not believe that Emad, who was expected to become a priest, had embraced Islam. However, Allah has power over all things; whenever He wishes to guide one of his servants His will is fulfilled, for He makes whosoever He wills of the guided and whosoever He wills of the misguided. He said:

{Those whom God (in His plan) willeth to guide,- He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying,- He maketh their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth God (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe.} 5:125

We declared our embracement of Islam in the midst of a warm welcoming from our fellow Muslims. My father remained with his new wife who he had married after our return from Bani Mazar. I started to pay him visits while he started to scold me time after time, but eventually I became the dearest thing to his heart. He stopped attending church and no longer fasts according to Christian rites. He seldom speaks with the Christians. He became ascetic and doesn't even attend to his store. I am still striving to convince him to embrace Islam. With the will of Allah, Most High, I shall find the first traces of Islam in his heart. I am in dire need for the dear readers to supplicate to Allah that his mind and heart see the light. I also beseech Allah to guide him, for He is the One able to fulfil such.

Narrator: I noticed that you paused many times while you were narrating your story and that at some points you would cry. How come?

Emad: It is as if I could see the incidents before me; a deep wound and harsh memories they are. It is simple for one to adjust one's style of clothes or the types of food and beverages one consumes. However, it is not easy for one to change one's religion, unless one is truly convinced.

Narrator: Did you have any discussions with Christians after you embraced Islam?

Emad: I had many – all praise is due to Allah – about the trinity, the crucifixion, and the divinity of Christ, and many other topics. There's too many of such discussions to mention in one session. There were though a few rare brief incidents; one which I remember is this: One day I was with a group of Muslim youth after I had embraced Islam. Suddenly the priest who had slandered my mother appeared, the very priest who had plotted to have me sent to Bani Suwayf. He was there walking along the street with a group of Christian youth, some of which were familiar to me. I drew near to the priest and greeted him. He enthusiastically said, "Welcome, lost son of Christ!"
I said, "Enough superstition, think about everything around you. Don't you know that you are lost?"
The priest said, "You sold yourself to those Muslims, Emad, in exchange for some aliment."
I said, "Did you know that the Pope's... got married?!"
"The Pope does not marry!", he instantly snapped.
I said, "Strange it is; the Pope does not marry, however God marries and begets a son! How strange you are; you consider it prohibited for the Pope to marry while you believe that God did."
Both Muslims and Christians burst out laughing, while the priest's face went sour.
Some other incidents were: there was a high school teacher I knew well. His job is to teach the children at church and program them to grow up and detest anything relate to the dear prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and to detest his companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. I called on him, saying, "Sir!"
He replied, "Yes, Judas Iscariot ?"
I asked him, "Why did Christ offer himself as atonement for the sin of Adam instead of Adam himself? Why was Christ specifically responsible for the sin of Adam? Where does personal responsibility fit in? Does not its absence indicate to the absence of justice? Another question: Who resurrected Christ after he had died? It was not Christ himself, was it? Again; who was crying on the cross, 'Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?' , meaning 'My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?'"
The teacher heard all I said, and he responded not.

You may contact Emad Al-Mahdi via:
Email: emadelmahdy_info@yahoo.com
Phone: +20123552410 (Egypt)



This article has been translated with slight modifications to the original text. Quotations are not accurate. Translations of Qur'anic verses were quoted from the Yusuf Ali translation. The hadeeths have been freehandly translated. Biblical texts were excerpted from http://www.newadvent.org/bible/

Original text from http://www.55a.net/firas/arabic/print_details.php?page=show_det&id=1243