| 14 March 2010
Brother Andre Hassan Philips is from the U.K. Born in London, his family is from Jamaica and he has embraced Islam at the age of barely 16. Having graduated with a degree in Business administration, he owns Arabian Luxuries, specializing in Arabian health and beauty products. He loves to do Dawa as much as possible and has succeeded in calling at least seven people to Islam by the will of Allah. In February 2010 he shared his story with Iesha Javed.
Iesha Javed: You have said that you embraced Islam at the age of barely sixteen, which is amazing as one is at that stage more involved in the Duniya. How did the people around you respond to it; did they encourage you or were you criticized for your choice?
A. Hassan: Alhamdulillah that’s a good question. In my early childhood I did not have much contact with Islam and probably did not know a thing about it. I just thought that it was the religion of the Somalians in that area. I was just happy in the religion of my parents. I used to be involved in a lot of mischief and so were my friends and there was nothing much productive we did. I was fairly good at school getting decent results, but I preferred to do mischief (laughs). That took me away from anything positive in terms of seeking knowledge or coming close to Islam. The Dawa first reached me at the age of fourteen; from my maternal uncle who had embraced Islam seven years prior. He would visit me and talk about Al-Islam and I was more or less not interested; I said I was fine with my religion; Christianity having got almost no rules, and not demanding doing much except going to church maybe once a week or once a month. It was the following two years with my uncle following back and forth that I asked Christians questions that seemed impossible to answer and when I asked my uncle he gave me answers that were very fascinating. Until slowly, but surely I realized that he was on the Haqq (Truth).
With regards to how my family reacted; my uncle had already been giving them the Dawa for seven years and they were almost expecting it from me. They didn’t give me a hard time and in fact they said: 'We don’t agree with your decision however we like it because it has brought to us rights as we get the rights of the parents, which we weren’t getting that from you before'.
At school after my shahadah they used to give me a hard time, they would call me names and pick on me; they would ask me to say things in Arabic and then would laugh at me. So, because I was such a popular person it became too hard to express my Islam at such a young and tender age. At that time though I had embraced Islam and would declare I am a Muslim; I wasn’t strong enough and wasn’t proud to be Muslim.
Iesha Javed: What has been the attitude of Muslims towards you before and after your reversion; did you get the help and support you needed from them?
A. Hassan: Now, one of the most fascinating and fantastic things I have ever experienced; one of the greatest of the beautiful things about Al-Islam is the brotherhood. You can actually experience it for yourself; once you become a Muslim the brothers embrace you, they rush to give you books, they rush to aid you and provide you the food; they are very welcoming. Whereas in Christianity you would have a church for White people, a Church for black people, a Church for Asian people, a Church for Greek people; and so there is no interaction, everyone being with their own kind.
On coming to Islam everyone was happy and pleased and very welcoming; they would even say things like: ‘MashaAllah, you're better than us’, although I wasn’t! They would say it as I had left the batil for the Haqq and wanted to encourage me. I wish to experience it again but its only one time per person!
Iesha Javed: How did it feel when you finally took your shahada? It must have brought about some drastic changes in you. Share with us some of the memories of the period after you embraced Islam.
A. Hassan: Wallahi, there is nothing greater than coming to Islam. Even though I have been blessed with many good things from Allah, the best of those has to be the permission to enter Islam. Well, at first there was this beautiful feeling… But it wasn’t something dramatic; rainbows in the sky or birds making signs; no, it was just like I had reached the stop and I was ready to take my Shahadah. I said it while my uncle was there and also a Muslim witness. Thereafter my uncle had to go and I was more or less by myself. It took me at least five years to get my faith firm, to leave the people of batil and to start seeking knowledge and acting on it and leaving the Jahilliayah(ignorance). As I did so, the lighter my heart became, the happier and clearer I became about what I was doing and what my purpose was.
Iesha Javed: Since you live in U.K. how is it like to be a Muslim in the west? Is it a different experience altogether?
A. Hassan: Well, it is. The sad thing is that as compared to the Muslims in the East, the Muslims in the west strive harder. I think it is just a little bit of complacency; it's not that the Muslims in the west are better, but definitely Muslims in the West are implementing more. As I have travelled to Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, when I travel I notice a very relaxed form of Ibadah. While for us it is a challenge as the prophet SAW said were "holding onto a hot coal" and it’s a struggle to hold onto it and we are committed; we do as much as we can. In the U.K. we don’t get much oppression by the Government regarding practicing Islam; they leave us to do what we wish to do. Alhamdulillah.
Iesha Javed: Since you are actively involved in Dawa, online and otherwise, could you tell us about some of your encounters in this journey of Dawa; how have the Non-Muslims generally reacted to your invitation?
A. Hassan: Dawa in the west, especially U.K. depends on the approach; people are willing to listen just based on your approach. And also, you should be calling to Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and that you should be displaying good manners. Generally people will listen. But sometimes the problem comes when they see people in places like Somalia or countries enveloped in fighting and causing mayhem or the terrorist activities; and they start looking at the Muslims and saying; 'These are your people? This is what you are calling us to? We're not interested'. However most people are more open minded. And as I have myself helped in the Shahadah of seven people, by the will of Allah, it really does boost your eman seeing someone take Shahadah in front of you upon your Dawa. And it depends on the way Islam is presented; it is not so difficult to attract someone to Islam and everyone should make an effort, InshaAllah
Iesha Javed: As you said, the approach is very important and often we have seen that some Muslims in an effort to do Dawa, bring much harm to Islam than bringing benefit to it as they often resort to racial slurs and use a very cold and confrontational approach with Non-Muslims. Don’t you think Muslims need to be much more compassionate in their approach and try and understand the psyche of the people not yet Muslim?
A. Hassan: Absolutely and definitely! And this is why seeking knowledge so important because if you go out without knowledge, you are bound to cause more harm than benefit. Yes, we love for the sake of Allah and hate for the sake of Allah, and we do not take the Non-Muslims to be our close intimate trusted friends, however, we have to be compassionate with them, we have to be demonstrate to them, otherwise who are they going to take Islam from? We can't be forceful. Some people, they just say to them 'There's One God, Allah and the prophet SAW is his messenger; Accept Islam today!' It doesn't work like that! Sometimes it takes years for a person to leave their religion; sometimes it takes days; but as Allah said "There is no compulsion in religion" and you can't force them. So, definitely brothers and sisters need to use their Hikmah (wisdom) and to build relations, as Allah says "come to common terms". First let us come on the common ground then we can tell them about Al-Islam and they’ll be able to accept it.
But going the harsh way round it is not what we need. The Kuffar over here are afraid of those who say 'we are here to establish Shariah, to establish the Islamic state'; That’s what scares them. We're not here to do that; that’s not true. We are here to call to Al-Islam and call to the Haq. We are here to do dawa and call to the things that will benefit you in the hereafter. We're not here to take over your land, we're not here to take over your government; were not interested! We are just bringing you a good word from Allah. And this is what brothers and sisters need to focus on- The Tawheed and nothing other than the Tawheed, with knowledge that will bring better results InshaAllah.
Iesha Javed: Brother, you describe your self as a Muslim who does not affiliate to any sect; only the way of the Asalaf-as-Saleh (Righteous Predecessors). Could you throw some light on it and your understanding of the salafi methodology.
A. Hassan: Yes, I do ascribe myself to the Dawat-e-Salafiyah; InshaAllah I am a Salafi.(no one can confirm that). Which is: (We take our religion only from) The understanding of the prophet, His companions and the two generations that followed; the tabioon and taba'itabioon, we do not take our religion from anyone else unless they quote these generations, because these are the true Ahl-as-Sunnah Wa Al Jama'ah. This is indicated in a lot of the Hadeeth since the prophet SAW himself said that the best of generations is his generations, the one after that, then the one after that. We do not need anything from anyone else; we have it all here preserved. Wallahi Billahi, over here the most effective Dawa is from the people following the Salafi manhaaj so much so that the police love them and invite them to open mosques in their area as the crime rate goes down. However when other groups who are calling to things other than Tawheed establish such places, it is not effective. Hence what is crucial is calling to Tawheed and having the correct aqeedah and correct Manhaaj; which is there for anybody who wishes to find it.
Iesha Javed: It is apparent from your schedule that you ascribe a lot of importance to gaining Islamic knowledge. What is your methodology and broadly what are the kind of avenues available in the west to Muslim like yourself to gain Islamic knowledge?
A. Hassan: A scholar once told me: 'Bani Adam was created to seek knowledge and the best of knowledge is the knowledge of Allah'. Personally, I try to attend as many classes as possible; it’s a tight schedule but its worth it and once you start something you should always see it to its end. I take an Aqeeda (creed) class, fiqh (jurisprudence) class, a class on the major sins ie Al Kabair and I'm trying to start a Qur'an class in the future. There is nothing more important than seeking knowledge. I have a decent sized library so I have access to different books, the internet is also a very rich resource and finding the right people is most important. Beneficial knowledge is what we are looking for, so being with right people is a must. I would urge brothers and sisters to seek knowledge of Allah- there is nothing better you can do in life. Though there's nothing wrong with the knowledge of Duniya, it is the knowledge of Allah that will save you and benefit you on the day of judgment and ease your life in his world. There are many avenues to seek knowledge and it is not something that people should put aside lightly.
Iesha Javed: You have had the opportunity to do Umrah in last Ramadhan. How was your experience on this spiritual journey?
A. Hassan: SubhanAllah that was the best and most fascinating event. In fact it is beyond description; anyone who has been there knows exactly what I am talking about. I can't quote words on that experience; it was amazing, truly amazing. The brothers I met there, the feeling that I got, and being fortunate enough to kiss the black stone, even though it is just Sunnah but it was such a beautiful achievement and I felt so much peace in myself.
And to actually realise that this is where the prophet SAW walked, this is where it all started, this the Ka'aba- The House of Allah! That is something really spiritually refreshing- an eman booster Subhan Allah. Wallahi there's nothing like it! And I plan to go again as soon as possible, inshaAllah.
Iesha Javed: People often have a problem in trying to reconcile the concepts of the Duniya (Preset Life) and Akhirah (Life Hereafter); as soon as someone starts practicing Islam or gaining Islamic knowledge, he is labeled a recluse or a hermit having nothing to do with this world. How should one strike a balance?
A. Hassan: It’s a tough road to tread; striving for the knowledge of Al-Islam. A person who wants to seek knowledge and practice Islam, will definitely find obstacles. Allah says in the Quran that don’t think that once you enter Islam We aren’t going to test you. And that is the truth; you are going to be tested from all sides- front, back, left and right; your colleagues, your family, your job all are going to be tests for you. And I heard someone report from a scholar that when you begin to seek knowledge on a deep level, everyone in going to forsake you, your family and friends and the people who respected you are going to leave you. But, once you've gained a lot of knowledge, you find everyone is back and now you have even more; more friends, more supporters and your family loves you because you are guiding to what is good and are calling to a beautiful word.
Alhamdulillah for myself, it is something I have to be very careful about. I have to give time to each issue and it is always a "balancing act". Sometimes you need to stay at work a bit late as you have to bring the hizq home for your family, sometimes you need to stay longer with your family as you want to see into the affairs of the house while sometimes you need to spend more time in your study as you need to understand issues in their entirety. So, it is a balancing act and just try to be just in your time and Allah knows best.
Iesha Javed: Any advice to the Muslims regarding the use of the social networking sites like FACEBOOK, or even the internet in general?
A. Hassan: The internet is a device that can be beneficial and can also be harmful; so if you were to seek the harmful from it, you will receive just that and if you were to seek the benefit you will receive the benefit, just based on your intentions. I don’t say that it is Haraam but it is something that can be definitely haraam if you use it the wrong way as most people are doing. Alhamdulillah it is something that has a lot of benefit such are listening to lectures, doing dawa and I even promote my business on the internet. Alhamdulillah you can derive much benefit from it however our youngsters should be careful as it is very easy to fall into one of the webs of sheytaan; before you know it, you involve yourself in something that is completely haraam. May Allah protect us from all that is harmful and enlighten us with all that is good.
Iesha Javed: Having seen Islam from the eyes of a revert, you must really treasure Islam. What would you say of those who are brought up Muslim and who take Islam for granted; failing to realize this treasure that Allah has bestowed them with.
A.Hassan: There's something relating to it in Surah Al Hujurat that I really enjoy reading…..In Ayah 17-18 Allah says: "They act as though they have done a favour by embracing Islam. Say to them, O Muhammad, count not your Islam as a favour upon me. No, Allah has conferred a favour upon you that He has guided you to faith if you be true and sincere."
The general instruction is Don’t take your Islam for granted; don’t think you are doing Allah a favour because I am a Muslim or I am doing Islam a favour coz I'm Muslim; No, you aren’t doing any favours to anyone but yourself! As Allah has reminded us, He has done a favour unto you and you were born in the house of a Muslim, got a Muslim name and grew up in a Muslim environment with all the opportunities to learn Quran and to learn the deen, to learn the Fiqh and the Seerah and also to have the Aqeedah- this has all been given to you. And I personally envy that, for I wish I would have had that opportunity as I could read the Arabic clearly and I could know more than what I know today and I could have avoided all my years of Jahiliyyah. I just wish…
I find at times the brothers are a little bit complacent. She wants to be like the west, she takes off her hijab. He wants to be like the west, he shaves off his beard or dosent come to the Jumah and just because they say 'we are Muslim' they feel it is enough to save them on yawm ul Qiyamah, but brothers and sisters it's NOT! We are going to be asked the same questions; were going to be asked about our prayer and our intentions and our work and our time and what we did with it. So, I ask the brothers and the sisters to fear Allah and to be grateful for all that He has bestowed you with because He has given you Al Islam and there's nothing greater than that!
We, the reverts or converts, we look upto you as well! We look upto those who are born Muslim as people whom Allah has blessed and these are the people who should be implementing it correctly. With regards to Muslim lands, the culture and Al Islam should be something separate; the culture in itself should be Islam. If something in the culture is compatible with Islam we take it, if it isn’t we leave it. Due to too much of a fusion Between Islam and culture reflected in the practices of our brothers and sisters from Muslim lands; it gives a bad name for them when we try to do Dawa here.
I know maybe they aren’t thinking about giving Dawa and its not their main concern but still your own self and your Akhirah should be your main concern. And we ask you to enjoin what is good and to forbid what is evil, InshaAllah.