Islam is Peace: A Personal Reflection on My Journey -By Seun Elere

Islam is peace, and those who genuinely follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will undoubtedly embody that peace. This realization has been central to my six-month journey as a Muslim. I have taken the time to study the entire Quran within these months, and in doing so, I have not encountered any verses that promise virgins for killing others or non-believers. Instead, Allah clearly warns against that and repeatedly told the prophet (pbuh) that he’s just a messenger and should not force anyone to believe. It is very important to emphasize that Islam is a religion of peace, and I do so to correct the misconception that many, including myself, once held.

In a previous article, I shared the reasons that led me to embrace Islam—reasons rooted in logic for those who are willing to engage their reasoning. In this piece, I want to retrace a more linear path of how I arrived at this decision, highlighting some of the observations I’ve made during my six months journey.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I believe opinions should not be rigid. They are dynamic and should evolve when confronted with new knowledge that challenges previously held beliefs.

Yes, I was born a Christian. I attended numerous Sunday school classes, led Bible studies, and served as a house fellowship leader at a time. I practiced Christianity from birth. But throughout this time, I always had questions. Why is it that so many pleasure and liquor stores are owned by Christians? Why is it so easy for Christians to move from church to beer parlors? The most of the people walking around naked or in seductive dresses are Christians, why. Why do we speak so much about God yet practice so little of what He ordained? Why do pastors own churches but still call them the “house of God”? Why do modern-day pastors care more about private jets and luxury cars, fancy schools than feeding the poor or saving lost souls—things clearly against the teachings of Jesus Christ they claim to follow? These questions, among others, often made me distance myself from church services and gatherings. There seemed to be a lot of show but little substance.

Once upon a time, I used to observe a supermarket in my local community and I noticed that regardless of how many customers were shopping at anytime, once it was time for prayer, the owners would close the store, send everyone out, and lock the doors. They would then go for prayer and return in less than 10 minutes. Despite this, the store kept growing. This routine, combined with the devotion to worship I saw in the store owners and other Muslims around me, piqued my interest in Islam.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to visit several northern states with large Muslim populations. I was struck by their humility and how easily they navigated life without the usual rush and hustle I had witnessed elsewhere in the south. My visits to and interactions with people in those northern States played a significant role in my journey toward Islam.

Perhaps the final turning point for me came when a friend told me that the Quran contains everything about Jesus Christ. This increased my curiosity about the religion and the Quran. Once I began reading it, I realized that Islam made far more sense. It was as if I was reading the Bible without the twists that pastors sometimes impose on it. The Quran seemed more logical and straightforward.

Around this time, the pastor of the church I had attended was asked to retire after reaching the age of 60. Another senior pastor who had devoted his life to the church was also asked to step down, while the founder of the church, who was much older, remained as the leader. This felt unjust to me, and it led me to question many things about Christianity. It became increasingly apparent to me that many churches are more like business enterprises than places of true worship. This realization became clearer when I visited a mosque for prayer. I could hear from the imam’s voice that he was quite old and he wasn’t forced to retire. The mosque was not owned by anyone, even though it may have been built by individuals. It was open to anyone, and anyone could lead prayers.

If you are seeking equality and humility, I encourage you to visit a mosque for prayer. Islam also promotes wealth redistribution, encouraging believers to give to others, whereas pastors often ask their congregations to give to the church.

In my six months as a Muslim, I have enjoyed a deeper and more intense spiritual relationship with the Almighty, especially during the Ramadan period, which involved long hours of prayers, including ten consecutive and intensive nights of vigil.

Unfortunately, many Muslims have mixed politics with religion, which has given others a distorted view of Islam. I am not saying all Muslim are saints but direct linkage to the Almighty God and devotion to Him alone that Islam offers is worth exploring.

May the Almighty God grant us the grace to see the obvious ray of light, even in the midst of darkness, and follow it.

Seun Elere