Ibrahim Rajab once viewed Islam as a bad religion. He believed it was a religion of war and could not understand why Muslim women wore hijab even during hot weather. Because of these misconceptions, he often argued with Muslims about their faith. One day, while debating with a Muslim friend, Ibrahim mocked Muslims by saying that they touched waste when they cleaned themselves after using the toilet. His Muslim friend calmly explained that it was not about touching waste, but about maintaining cleanliness. He told Ibrahim that Islam teaches believers to clean themselves properly and remain pure at all times.
Although Ibrahim did not pay much attention to the explanation at the time, the conversation remained in his mind. Later, an iERA dawah team visited his village and invited people to attend Islamic classes. Ibrahim decided to attend the lessons. During one of the classes, the teachers spoke about the importance of cleanliness in Islam. Immediately, he remembered what his Muslim friend had told him years before. He began to think deeply and asked himself, “If Islam teaches people to be clean and live good lives, how can it be the bad religion I always thought it was?” As he continued attending the classes, many of his misconceptions disappeared, and he came to appreciate the beauty of Islam.
After understanding the teachings of Islam, Ibrahim willingly embraced Islam and took his Shahadah. However, his parents were unhappy with his decision and chased him away from home. During this difficult period, he stayed with friends while continuing to practice and learn about his new faith. Despite the challenges he faced, he remained patient and steadfast, hoping that one day his parents would understand Islam as he had.
Eventually, Ibrahim decided to return home and share the message of Islam with his parents. They welcomed him, and he explained the teachings he had learned through the iERA dawah classes. He encouraged them not to judge Islam based on misconceptions but to learn about it for themselves. Through the little knowledge he had gained and the discussions they shared, his parents began to understand the teachings of Islam. Alhamdulillah, after learning more about the faith, both of his parents embraced Islam and took their Shahadah.
