Joseph, a 66-year-old man, sat resting at his home in Uganda when outreach specialists from iERA Uganda came to his door. They had a powerful message, the oneness of God, Tawhid.
As the specialists began to speak, Joseph listened, but he had a complicated story of his own. For years, he explained, he had been “possessed by the spirituals.” He claimed these spirits weren’t a curse, in fact, they had supposedly brought him a measure of “relative peace in the mind” during his long ordeal. He had turned to them for comfort and stability.
The specialists gently countered his belief. They explained the foundational truth of Islam, that God is the sole Creator of all things, including the very spirits Joseph spoke of, and that the Creator brought all into existence for one purpose to worship Him alone. They emphasized that people were created to worship God, not to turn to the worship or appeasement of other creations, whether they be spirits or anything else.
This truth, the clarity of worshipping a single, all-powerful Creator struck a chord within Joseph. It “resonated” deeply. If this God created everything, then surely He was more powerful than the spirits that held him captive.
A burning question followed: “How would Islam help me chase away the spirits from me if I converted?”
The du’āts offered a powerful, lasting solution, adhering to Islamic principles would bring him enduring relief and peace. Through sincere worship, prayer, remembrance of God (adhikar), and reliance on the Almighty.
Convinced by the logic and the promise of a direct relationship with his Creator, Joseph asked to be guided to Islam. The specialists led him in taking the Shahada and he chose the name Yusuf.
