Aminah Naila Johansen is a 49 year-old lady from Denmark, mother of 4 kids and her youngest child is a Muslim too. She got married to an Iraqi Shiite Muslim originally from Najef.
Aminah, please tell us the path to Islam you passed by.
Bismillah Rahmani Rahim
My journey into Islam began early back in 1995, where I began to seek for the meaning and truth in my life. It was a long journey wonderful as I found Islam. We had in our media at that time very much programs about Islam and the new people coming in my country, who where Muslims. It was something which made me investigate and search for understanding of it.
When I came finally to Islam I were merely just a Muslim on the sunni path but I wasn't finished in my search, it was not enough for me. So I met some Shiites and found that I needed to learn about them. That was my turning point to a so much better life within Islam.
I call it a Journey towards the Light. When I started to seek for the meaning and truth in my life the days were without any happiness, just filled with stress, and mean less things.
I was at a point in my life, which made me harsh and stubborn, and I was indeed in need, for putting myself together, as a complete person. To find yourself, and to figure out where to belong, was quite difficult. Our media was at that time beginning talking about Islam, and for me, well I found it interesting.
I had already a translation of the Holy Qur'an in my book shelter, but since I got it as a gift, I hadn't read or even looked inside the book.
But somehow, one day, I went and took the book, and began to read. I guess, I sat for hours, not even looking at the clock, I just read and read. Amazing, how time just went, and there were, at no time, any reaction towards stopping. I was surprised by my feelings, because each and every word was making sense to me. I wondered how it could be, that I hadn't discovered so much truth before this particular day. And in the same time, I got a feeling of peace, and being relaxed, more than I ever felt before in my life.
From that day, I began on a daily basis, to read little by little, and to discover things, which I didn't think about, or gave attention before, became so much clearer to me. Sure I believed in God, but in the same time, I didn't reflect on it, with any deeper meaning.
I was born and raised up in a Christian – catholic family, and had a much uncomplicated childhood, living in Denmark. My family was between being religious and non-religious. I was taught both towards Christian and Catholics believes, but was not attached to any of them in main. So when I began to mark the interest for Islam, it changed my viewpoint, to be much more open and clear. I searched for books, and began to read more often, even went to a Mosque, and was invited to come back as much I liked.
I found the Muslims there, to be very friendly, and helpful, and I even got new friends in some of them. I must say, my eyes were open and my mind was busy with the new things, which came towards me. An Imam, in the Mosque, became a very good help, and today, he is a close friend to me. He planted a seed inside me, which began to grow, and made me understand many things, that I stumbled over in my readings. With his books and talks, I learned so much and it increased my knowledge about Islam and Muslims.
During a couple of years, I did my study, and knew that I was on the way, into a new period of my life. There was so many reflections, and thoughts going through my mind, and questions to be asked. But each time, I always got the answers, from the Qur'an and from my new friends. When the time finally arrived, and I was ready, to pronounce my Shahada, really that was the best day ever in my life.
My journey went on, and within time I came to meet many different kinds of Muslims. Different viewpoints and practices, sects, and various kinds of ways, to understand Islam. For about 2 years, I was Sunni, but kept searching for the truth and found Shia. Then I began to practice and made my shahada as Shia pretty fast. I began with working with dawah(prayers) and other Islamic things, to teach others and to help the new, coming to Islam, with prayers and much more, I was making fundraising, site's on the net and translating books, even I made Islamic movies and traveled around talking about Islam in public.
Sure, I was, at a time, so very convinced, that being Sunni was the right way, and the right path. But deep inside, I had the doubt, and kept turning to the books for more knowledge. Because deep inside, I felt lost, which was right? In the end, I had to realize, that being Sunni was not the complete way of traveling towards Paradise. So after a long time, of thinking, and waving between the differences, I made the choice, to follow The Shia, as being righteous and best way to be a true and sincere Muslim. I know, that for many new comings to Islam, it is difficult, as today so much information is to find out there. But one should remain towards the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, and the Teachings of The Ahlulbayt (prophet of Islam’s progeny) then nothing can go wrong, and then you are on the right path.
I was reading about Ghadir Khumm and the incident was something that made things so clear and so right and today I still wonder what it is that makes Sunni Muslims so blind to the fact's and the truth in the text, verses and speeches from that time.
The Messenger of Allah [s] declared:
"It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious things and if you adhere to them both, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my Progeny, that is my Ahlul Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise)."
Hadith al-Thaqalayn
Then the Messenger of Allah continued:
"Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?" People cried and answered:
"Yes, O' Messenger of God."
Then followed the key sentence denoting the clear designation of 'Ali as the leader of the Muslim ummah. The Prophet [s] held up the hand of 'Ali and said:
"For whomever I am his Leader (mawla), 'Ali is his Leader (mawla)."
And I can go on and on with all the text from Ghadir khumm but one thing which also is so very clear is that the Oath of Allegiance which the Prophet (pbuh) asks the people to do is to indicate the truth so much and even Sunni Scholars acknowledged it.
After his speech, the Messenger of Allah [s] asked everybody to give the oath of allegiance to 'Ali [a] and congratulate him. Among those who did so was 'Umar b. al-Khattab, who said:"Well done Ibn Abi Talib! Today you became the Leader (mawla) of all believing men and women."
To try and explain, this text, well, when anyone reads it, the truth is already understood inside the mind. How can Sunni Muslims today oversee that the truth is just in front of them?
There are many examples inQuran where Allah states that He is the one who assigns a successor on theearth. Allah, Exalted He is, states in Quran:
"O' David, we assigned you as Caliph (successor) on the earth ..." (Quran 38:26)
He also states:
"... We have assigned you (Abraham) as Imam (leader) for people ..." (Quran 2:124)
I can go on with verses from Quran that gives us the truth, wondering why some people are so blind.
Aminah, what is your personal opinion about Shiism and Islam in general after conversion?
Coming back towards the light, is a journey, which took part over several years, and a lot of hard work on the way. To remember is that we all are born as Muslims. But as newborn, we are not cable of making our own choices. Some of us go in directions far from Islam, and some are raised up as Muslim from birth.
But do not fear, because as I mentioned, Allah has He's ways, to make everything, and let you, by your mind, choose your way back.
Just think about myself, my life before was not choices made by me, but by my parents. As I grow up, and began to understand, then it was up to me, to find my right place in this life. Al hamdulilAllah.
No matter, how dark, everything seems to be, the light is out there, and open for anyone, who has the heart, and mind, clear for understanding the signs, the real facts, and today:
I can proudly say: how lucky I am, because I am a Muslim.
How do you believe in Prophet of Islam and his progeny (Peace Be Upon them)?
When I look at my view upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammed (May Allah send His Blessing upon Him) I recall that I was very much in love with His way of teaching the Muslim Ummah. His devotion helped me to be strong and stronger each day.
What made me the person I am today was what I learned about Ahlulbayt. Imam Ali (as) was the one which made me understand who and what I was going to become. His teachings surrounded me totally and made me so very clear that the path I choose was the right one. I loved and even today I still read Nahjul Balaqha. One never gets tired of reading this wonderful piece of knowledge.
As a western citizen what defects do you see in western sociology that may help you move towards a new system like Islam?
As a western and living in a European country, it’s not always easy because you must always be careful of yourself, what you do and the people around you. Life is not always easy, but Islam is, and that is what makes one strong. For a new one to Islam it seems hard and the life around one does not always understand a Muslims thinking or way of life in common.
What Islam can give people in a time when the dominance systems and media giants have tried to promote atheism?
I work with new Muslims and with people interested in Islam on a daily basis and what I hear and see are people searching for meaning in their lives. What Islam gives to people is peace and human understanding, many of my students tell me that, as they get to know Islam, they suddenly see the meaning with why we as Muslim are so attached to Allah, they get a clear picture of our peace inside ourselves or ways to always give respect and being calm and helpful, and they begin to understand that having faith is something very important. All that is mostly in the time we are in very rare with non Muslims. And it is cause of a life without faith, and a life where many things is about drugs-alcohol and such things.
They get to know, that Islam has so much to offer them, that the way we live is not just about religion but also about human knowledge, love, devotion and sacrifice to Allah ,and to understand that by giving sacrifice they actually get so much more back from Allah.
Media propaganda against Islam has had many people criticize Islam. Any suggestion to these groups or individuals?
The people, who today fight against Islam and Muslims are so very blind. But we can if we want to rise up and shine among them just by being patient and by keeping the peace and calm and then keep spreading the Message of Islam, as we can and as good Human Beings. We here in Denmark, make alot of events out in public, on the streets, where we go to talk to people about our faith and religion, we serve a cup of tea, we give them pamphlets which we make ourselves, we go out and make happy events, with banners and so on.
To close with I would like to offer sincere hope to see one day the world changed and committed to a wonderful religion called Shia Islam.
Sister Aminah Naila Johansen.