"I became a Muslim because there are many good reasons, but most importantly, I want to be close to God and receive forgiveness and eternal salvation," wrote Ismail Abu Adam on his YouTube account. Yet long before declaring it, Ismail who initially devout Christian, wants to do evangelistic mission to the Muslim community during the time he thought it should be saved.
"I was born as a great Christian. But my base is Roman Catholic," said Ismail. "I always believe Jesus is God and I give my life to him," he said.
Ismail believes Jesus is the savior and he also believes the event of death, crucifixion to the resurrection of Jesus. "Also the concept of original sin, one hundred percent of that I believe to be the word of God," said Ismail.
As devout, he went to church every week and active in worship. In fact he often mengkotbahi her friends and invite them to different religious beliefs to believe that he embraced.
In the early 20s, Ismail became interested widen preaching to Muslims. "I grew up, lived in North America. There I very rarely met a Muslim, only Caucasian and Christian, so I want menyakskan Christians can spread to the Muslim community," he said.
Before you actually go to the field and in direct contact with Muslims, Ismail decided to start from the virtual world. He tried to find a gap of how Christians can spread through the media.
When you search the internet that he found and watched the video he find interesting; debate between a Muslim and evangelist. Muslims from South Africa named Ahmad Deedat. Through debate, Ismael realized when he is well aware of the gospel. "He always wins and was able to break and make telling refutation of the evangelists of every aspect," said Ishmael.
"He broke the argument that there is no original sin, that Christians are not the words of God, and show that Christianity is a false doctrine because the interpretation made by the skid, has experienced fabrication, modification plus and also reduced by the author," said Ismail again.
Dedat, according to Ismail, also alluded to the doctrine of the Trinity, resurrection, crucifixion. "It feels really arguments opponents (evangelist-red) are very weak and easily broken. I must admit, I honestly do not like Ahmad Deedat then," said Ismail.
He even frustrated by the speaker of the Christian camp. "He holds a PhD in Christian theology, but he could not break back Ahmad Deedat's argument that just talking to himself and only supported by the Qur'an."
When it Ismael think Deedat would use the Bible to refute the Christian doctrine. He was intrigued to learn more in the spirit of Christian later he will refute arguments Ahmad Deedat.
Ismael admitted to the type of person with a skeptical thinking. "I find it hard to believe and believe in something so I need to study and investigate for yourself to understand and believe in something," he said.
When deciding to learn more about Christianity he chose from the Islamic perspective. "Previously, I never do that, Christian studied from the perspective of other than Christian and Deedat really confront my understanding," said Ismail.
Ismail also examines the Gospel and the Christian doctrine of Islam. He studied immortality, the concept of the trinity, the crucifixion of Jesus, the concept of savior to the resurrection, original sin. "Is it true that the gospel is the word of God," he said.
When studying the Qur'an Ismail realize that Deedat argument was correct. "I suddenly felt like they were on the wrong path. Christianity is not the word of God. This is really a slap hard for me" said Ismail.
"I have embraced Christianity for many years, I was born as a Christian and being a Catholic for 20 years, suddenly all that I believe turned from top to bottom. Of course this is a big shock," he said.
When Ishmael was not the desire to become a Muslim. "What I want to know when it is fundamentally real truth," he said.
Islam began he learned. From there he understands Muslims only believe in one god in the concept called monotheism. Monotheism, that the conclusions which he obtained from the religion of Islam. "They call god with God, they believe Jesus was a prophet, a messiah who preach the truth when raised again, it's also a great confidence that I believe in," said Ismail.
Deeper analysis, Ismael find the concept of forgiveness and salvation of God. He understands forgiveness in Islam is obtained by faith in God, do His teachings and acts of kindness as a form of faith.
Ismail also know that Muslims believe no prophet after Jesus, Muhammad. "They believe it as the word of God and all there in the book of the Koran," he said. "It's something new for me. I never knew Islam, but not in detail."
At that time, Ismail said he began appearing affection towards Islam. "Muslims believe in the existence of Jesus. For me it is a link between Islam and Christianity and it makes me feel comfortable. I like finding a stepping stone," said Ishmael.
Once you know how Muslims believe in god, how the Prophet was sent to bring the message, Ishmael was born to believe it. He then decided to go to the mosque. "When I moved to a small town and in the city there is a mosque. I tap the door and said I wanted to talk with someone about Islam," said Ismail.
After the routine Ismail meyambangi the mosque every week to discuss with a priest there. The priest gave him reading books on Islam and also the biography of the prophet Muhammad. SAW. "He serve and answer all my questions," said Ismail.
Until one day, the priest said to him, "I do not want you to be a Muslim unless you are absolutely sure of this religion." Hearing that Ishmael was again admitted he was surprised. "As long as I became a Christian I have always met sermons and preaching to invite someone to be a Christian. Every Christian has always tried to influence a person becomes a Christian," he said. "Almost no Christian may say, 'I do not want you to be a Christian unless you are sure and come back to me if you've convinced'."
Ismail actually challenged by greeting the priest. Was this a real way? "It just tickles me to know what Islam is indeed true, that should be believed? Really nobody forced me to become a Muslim," he said. "I see in Islam is the truth and it is readily apparent as a way of life that God wants for me," he said.
When Ismail considering the Gospel back, instead he found the fact Jesus is believed to be a god never claimed himself as a god and called on his followers to worship him. Comparing furthermore, in the Qur'an, Ismail found the promise of forgiveness of God will be given to those who believe, but in the Bible, the word 'promise' is not there.
"Forgiveness and salvation given by God because He loves you, because you repent, believe in him and do what he wanted. It was really clear and simple," said Ismail. While in Christian, according to Ismail, rescue difficult enough for its adherents.
"First you have to believe first and crucifixion cruel murder of an innocent person, in which blood was shed to save your sins. You were created with the original sin. God put yourself in the world with sin in your heart or soul. All that it does not reflect the God's justice, "he said.
Ismail assess forgiveness and salvation in Islam is more than reasonable. "Forgiveness is God's, God's gift of love, because we ask Him, because we believe in Him," he said. "Indeed, in the Gospel also no words that contain the truth. But Islam is superior and logically correct. For me it was amazing," he added.
All this time Ismail always imagined Islam as a religion of violence, such as advocating murder. "But when I read the Qur'an I find a lot of peace, the sentence containing the peace, silence and enlightenment. That's why I decided to become a Muslim.
Ismael now believes God is god and devoted his life to Him. "He is my savior king once in this world and hereafter. By this I also believe Jesus confirmed the teachings of Jesus as a Muslim," he said.
Currently Ismael take discipline of Islamic studies at the college. In the last ten years he has traveled to six Muslim-majority country and read dozens of books on Islam and Comparative Religion. He even had enough to talk fluent in Arabic. In his YouTube account Ismail wrote, "I love God because He first loved me.
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