In Islam, ignorance (jahiliyya) is more than just the absence of knowledge — it is a spiritual veil, a barrier to truth, and often a seed of misguidance.
The Qur’an repeatedly warns against following assumptions, cultural pressure, or rituals divorced from understanding.
“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—about all those [one] will be questioned.”
(Qur’an 17:36)
“They follow nothing but assumptions and do nothing but lie.”
(Qur’an 6:116)
This is the backdrop to the story of Issa, a young man whose first encounter with Islam revealed more about the dangers of ignorance than the beauty of the faith — at first.
A Lonely Beginning
When Issa first embraced Islam, he did so with sincerity and hope. He chose his name — Issa, the Arabic name for Jesus (peace be upon him) — as a symbol of his reverence for the Prophets and his newfound devotion to the One God.
But his early steps into the Muslim community were not what he expected.
After moving to a new city, Issa walked into mosques and Muslim spaces with excitement, expecting warmth, brotherhood, and support. Instead, he was met with coldness, distance, and judgmental stares. No one asked about his journey, no one welcomed him in — and no one seemed to care.
He began to wonder:
“Is it because I don’t have a beard? Is that why they don’t accept me?”
His heart, still tender in faith, grew heavy. The absence of compassion in his surroundings made him feel like an outsider in the very faith he had chosen. Disheartened and spiritually wounded, Issa eventually left Islam and returned to his former way of life.
A Second Chance
But Allah ﷻ does not abandon those who seek Him sincerely.
One day, Issa met the du’āt (callers to Islam) from the iERA team. They welcomed him with open hearts, and more importantly, with listening ears. As he poured out his story — the pain, the alienation, the sense of rejection — the du’āt didn’t judge him. They simply reminded him of one fundamental truth:
“The beard is not Islam. Faith is.”
They explained that Iman (faith) begins in the heart. That Islam is not about appearances but about submission, sincerity, and seeking knowledge. They shared the stories of the early Muslims, who struggled, fell, and got back up — all because of their connection to Allah and their growing understanding of His message.
Issa realized then that he had misunderstood Islam not because of his own fault, but because he had encountered ignorance in others, not in the religion itself.
That realization opened his heart again.
With tears and gratitude, Issa took his shahada once more — this time with knowledge, clarity, and genuine support. He stepped forward not as someone trying to “look” Muslim, but as someone striving to be Muslim — in heart, mind, and action.
Blossoming in Faith
Today, Issa is thriving in his faith. He studies the Qur’an, attends classes with the iERA team, and mentors others who are new to Islam. His past struggles have become his strength — he knows how it feels to be ignored, and he never lets another soul feel the same.
Issa’s story is a reminder that true dawah begins with compassion. That ignorance, even among Muslims, can push hearts away — but that knowledge, kindness, and sincere guidance can bring them back.
The Lessons of Issa’s Journey
- Islam is not a costume — it is a conviction.
- Welcoming new Muslims is a duty, not a courtesy.
- Judgment repels; compassion invites.
- The first sunnah is to smile, not to scrutinize.
- Guidance belongs to Allah, but we can be the reason hearts are opened or shut.
May Allah bless Issa, the iERA team, and all those who light the way for others with sincerity and wisdom. And may He protect us from ignorance — not just in knowledge, but in character.
Ameen.
