From the Unseen to Unwavering Faith: A Lawyer’s Path to Islam

Ever felt that chill down your spine, the sense that there’s something more than what we see? What if that feeling could lead you on an unexpected spiritual journey? In this blog post, we’ll explore the fascinating story of Muhammad Marria, a lawyer whose early fascination with the supernatural led him down a path that ultimately brought him to Islam.

Muhammad’s story isn’t your typical conversion narrative. He didn’t come from a place of trauma or hardship. Instead, his intellectual curiosity and relentless search for answers propelled him toward a profound understanding of faith. Let’s uncover how a childhood in London, coupled with a thirst for the unknown, shaped his extraordinary path. A Lawyer’s path to Islam.

A Childhood in Southwest London: Where Cultures Intertwined

Muhammad’s upbringing in Southwest London was a melting pot of cultures. Growing up surrounded by Asians and Afro-Caribbean communities, he developed a deep appreciation for diversity. “We loved each other’s food,” he recalls, “we all loved our spicy food.” This early exposure to different traditions and perspectives laid the foundation for his open-minded approach to life.

Food was a central part of this cultural exchange. Muhammad fondly remembers enjoying dishes like aki and saltfish, bammy, plantain, cheese buns, and patties alongside chicken curry, rice, and roti. These shared meals weren’t just about food; they were about building connections and understanding different ways of life.

How did this diverse upbringing influence his future? Muhammad believes it gave him a significant advantage. He learned to connect with people from all walks of life, building bridges and finding common ground. In a world where social divisions seem to be growing, this ability to foster understanding is more valuable than ever.

Advantages of a Diverse Upbringing

Muhammad emphasizes two key benefits of his childhood:

• Acquiring Knowledge: He gained a wealth of knowledge from interacting with diverse cultures, understanding different perspectives, and learning about their histories and beliefs.
• Building Relationships: Understanding someone’s culture makes it easier to connect with them, build relationships, and find common interests.

The Allure of the Supernatural: A Quest for Answers

Muhammad’s journey to Islam began with an unusual fascination: the supernatural. It started with an article in Exchange and Mart about black magic and the unseen world. This sparked a curiosity that led him to explore topics many shy away from.

Early Encounters and Experiences

Like many, Muhammad grew up watching horror movies, which sparked a sense that evil was more powerful than good. This led to a curiosity about the unseen.

• Exploring “haunted” locations: He ventured into places like Box Hill, seeking to experience the supernatural firsthand. “I always would feel a presence,” he says, “I always feel there’s something lingering around.”
• Dabbling in the Occult: Reading books and practicing small spells further fueled his interest. However, this led to a crucial realization: the need for a superior good to protect against evil.

The Bible and the Search for Answers

Driven by a desire to understand the nature of good and evil, Muhammad turned to religious texts.

• The Omen and “666”: The movie The Omen and its reference to the number “666” intrigued him, leading him to buy a Bible in search of answers.
• Searching for answers: He read the Bible to research the mark of the beast.

The Islamic Perspective

Ultimately, it was the Islamic perspective that provided the answers he was seeking.

• Learning about the Jinn world: Studying the Jinn world within the Islamic context gave him the details and peace he craved.
• The missing details: The answers he found in Islam were more comprehensive and satisfying than those he found elsewhere.

Confronting the Darkness: Challenging the Foundations

Muhammad’s path to Islam wasn’t a simple acceptance; it was a rigorous intellectual challenge. He actively tried to disprove the religion, questioning its tenets and seeking inconsistencies.

“Every Door Opened”

Despite his skepticism, every question and challenge led him back to Islam. “It was like every door I opened, I found the answer,” he recalls. The more he investigated, the more convinced he became of its truth.

The Unseen and the Quran

The Quranic perspective on the unseen played a crucial role in his journey.

• Surah Al-Baqarah 2:3: This verse highlights that the believers are those who believe in the unseen, including Allah, angels, and the Jinn.

From Devil’s Church to Islam: Facing Fear, Finding Faith

Muhammad’s early experiences with the supernatural included dabbling in Ouija boards and visiting “Devil’s Churches.” These experiences, while unsettling, ultimately contributed to his spiritual awakening.

Story of Devil’s Punch Bowl

He recounted his trip to Devil’s Punch Bowl where they all experienced strange and unexplainable events.

The Need for Good

Experiencing these made him realize there has to be a superior good that’s more powerful than evil.

Belief in God’s Control

Ultimately, he understood that God controls everything. Evil became a figment of the imagination, a test of faith rather than an all-powerful force.

The Turning Point: Overcoming Negativity

Muhammad reached a point where negativity and fear threatened to consume him. “I’ve hit rock bottom,” he realized, “now how much more evil can there be?” This realization marked a turning point in his life.

• Realizing the Power of the Creator: He shifted his focus to the good, recognizing the power and supremacy of the Creator.
• Becoming Fearless: This understanding transformed him into someone without fear. He realized that evil resides in the mind and can be overcome through faith.

He sought a connection to something bigger than himself to get out of the circle of negativity. The story of Umar (RA) highlights this, showcasing a level of conviction so strong that even Shaytan would avoid him. This conviction is what Muhammad strived for.

How did this shift impact his mental health? Muhammad emphasizes the positive impact, explaining that his faith created an “immunity” to fear and negativity.

Taste of Home: Finding Halal in London

Even in the midst of his spiritual journey, Muhammad found comfort in the familiar flavors of his childhood. Discovering a Halal Afro-Caribbean shop in London brought back cherished memories.

• Cultural Food: Recalling patties, Anona hot pepper chili sauce, and windmill sauce.
• The appeal of Halal: Reflecting on the growing popularity of Halal food and its association with quality ingredients and ethical practices.

While acknowledging the debate surrounding the authenticity of some Halal options and the rise of genetically modified foods, Muhammad emphasizes the importance of gratitude. “Even though some of the things may be genetically modified and not 100% Halal, you still praise God the Almighty for the good and blessings He bestows upon you.”

Taking the Step: The Journey to Shahada

Muhammad’s intellectual and spiritual journey culminated in his decision to take the Shahada, the declaration of faith, in a Masjid.

Reading Islamic Books and Then Attacking

The journey began with reading books about Islam and the Jinn world, but he started attacking the religion.

Unbiased Point of View

“The truth is out there if you seek it in the right way.”

Turning the Tables

Why think there is more than one God? There can’t be two prime ministers. It doesn’t make sense.

Learning Salah

He faced challenges learning the prayers, especially with a non-Arabic background. He recalls his family laughing at his attempts to recite Surahs, but he persevered.

Islam and the Law: Merging Faith and Profession

Muhammad’s newfound faith profoundly impacted both his personal and professional life. He integrated Islamic principles into his daily routines and sought to use his legal expertise to help others, particularly within the Muslim community.

While working hard in his profession, he ensured that he balanced it out with his faith and family.

His journey also challenged misconceptions about who embraces Islam. He defied the stereotype that only those with traumatic backgrounds turn to the faith.

A Direct Connection: Finding Peace in Prayer

For Muhammad, prayer became a direct line to the Divine. “When I pray and put my head on the ground, I’m talking to my Creator,” he explains. This direct connection brought him immense peace and comfort.

• Evil vs Good: Muhammad says that it’s important not to allow any evil entity to get to you.
• No such thing as depression: He believes one should strengthen their faith and stop depression.
• Comparison to the Church: He highlights a key difference between Islam and other faiths. In Islam, there’s no intermediary needed to connect with God. He finds direct contact with the Almighty through prayer.

He emphasizes the importance of understanding what Allah has said, not the interpretation of other people. Culture should never be mixed with the religion.

Advice and Reflections: A Message for the Audience

Muhammad offers profound advice based on his experiences:

• Awareness of the Unseen World: Be aware of the unseen world, but do not interact with it.
• Dangers of Magic: Stay away from any form of magic, because those who practice magic are seeking to use the evil entities for their own personal gain.
• Advice for Muslims: Strive to be better, and take Islam seriously.
• Born Muslims: Don’t take Islam for granted, seek to study and understand the religion properly.

The Inevitable Truth: Preparing for the Hereafter

Muhammad’s journey is a reminder of the inevitable truth: we all face death.

• Everyone is going to die: We all have to go back to the Creator.
• Story of the wealthy person: You come with nothing, you leave with nothing.
• Three questions in the grave: God has given us the answers to live by.

Muhammad urges us to reflect on what we’re taking with us when we meet our Maker. It’s not wealth or status, but our deeds that truly matter.

Muhammad Marria’s journey from fascination with the supernatural to unwavering faith in Islam is a testament to the power of seeking truth and the importance of an open mind. His story reminds us that the path to faith can be unexpected, but the destination is always worth the journey.

We leave you with the greetings of peace, As-salamu alaykum.