The dust of the unpaved village road kicked up in soft golden clouds under the afternoon sun. For the iERA da’ees, this was familiar terrain. Day after day, they carried the timeless prophetic mission to the quiet corners of the countryside, sitting under mango trees and walking down winding paths to share the message of Islam. Their work had already left a deep footprint across the region, seen in the growing number of open hearts turning to the faith.
To amplify this impact, leadership had decided to step right into the trenches. On this particular day, the iERA District Head joined the field team on their jaula—a dedicated walking outreach through the village. Leading from the front, he walked shoulder-to-shoulder with the local da’ees, sharing stories, listening to villagers, and offering warm invitations to explore the truth of Islam.
As the team moved down a quiet path lined with mud-brick homes and lush green foliage, they came across a man named Godfrey, who was busy taking a break from his daily chores.
The District Head greeted him with a warm smile, stepping forward to open the conversation. Sensing the sincerity and gentle demeanor of the group, Godfrey paused and listened as the team shared the core message of Islam—the pure, uncompromising belief in One Creator and the peace that comes with submitting to Him.
When asked about his own faith, Godfrey smiled respectfully. “I am a Christian,” he replied.
“And if you found that Islam is the truth,” one of the da’ees asked gently, “would you be willing to become a Muslim?”
To their delight, Godfrey didn’t hesitate. “Yes,” he said, curious to learn more.
The District Head then took the lead in the conversation, explaining a beautiful truth that often surprises many.
“Islam is not a completely new religion,” the District Head explained, his voice calm and engaging. “Unlike what many people think, Muslims follow the teachings and actions of all the noble Prophets—from Adam, Abraham, and Moses, all the way to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them all. And most importantly, Islam honors and loves Jesus. We recognize him as a great, beloved Messenger of God.”
Godfrey’s eyes widened with genuine wonder. He had always believed in Jesus, but he had never realized that believing in Jesus as a mighty messenger of God was an essential pillar of being a Muslim. The realization struck a deep chord—Islam wasn’t asking him to abandon the love he held for God’s prophet, but rather to honor him in his true, elevated status.
The truth felt natural, simple, and deeply clear.
Standing there on the dusty village path, surrounded by the iERA team, Godfrey felt a profound peace settle in his heart. “I am ready,” he said.
With the District Head guiding him, Godfrey raised his finger and repeated the words of the Shahada (declaration of faith), taking his first steps into Islam:
“I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”
Smiles broke out across the group, and warmth filled the air as the brothers embraced their new brother in faith. Choosing a name that reflected his new journey, Godfrey chose the name Sulaiman.
