My name is
Roger Hadden, and I am originally from Dungannon in Northern Ireland. I am a
dentist currently working in England. I have lived in Northern Ireland and
Scotland, and I am now based in England. I was raised as a Christian, and my
parents are born-again Christians.
Although I was
raised with the teachings of the Bible, I did not particularly adhere to its
principles. I suppose I was like most British youth, in that I liked to have
fun but maybe didn't know where the limits were set. While I did not practice
any religion, I always believed that there was a God.
I was
scientific minded, but realized that acknowledging there was a Big Bang did not
necessarily rule out the possibility of there being a God who controlled and
planned this event. We could not have come out of nothing, and we did not
create ourselves, so we must have been created. I thought about God from time
to time, but it never had a real impact on my heart. My first encounter with
Islam I suppose was the media, but I tend not to judge people or things until I
see or find out about them myself and hear both sides of the story.
When I went to
university I met many Muslims. At that time we discussed religion a little, but
I was not seriously thinking about becoming religious. My desires were too
strong, so I just wanted to enjoy myself. At that time, I knew that at some
stage I would want to change my ways and become a Christian. I then would also
want to find out about other religions and understand what makes people believe
in them.
When I was in
final year at university, I made plans to reform myself and become as my
parents, a "born-again Christian". So I started my research with
reading the Bible.
The concept of
the Trinity always bothered me, and it was my main aim to understand it. I
remember as a child wanting to ask God for something. I was not sure whether to
pray to God or to pray to Jesus. I decided to pray to God as I knew if He
created everything, then He will hear me and help me.
I spoke to
some ministers, and several attempts were made to explain the Trinity. None of
them convinced me. I continued to read the Bible, searching for the truth.
Obviously I am not a scholar in the Christian religion but the Trinity issue
bugged me. Why did the Old Testament prophets all pray to God and do righteous
acts hoping for God's forgiveness? Who did Jesus pray to?
There was no
mention of the Trinity in the Old Testament, and many argue none in the New
Testament. I knew God did not change, so there was a problem somewhere. I spoke
to my friends at University. Some were Sikhs, Catholics, atheists, and some
were Muslims.
When I found
out that Islam commands the worship of One God, and not to make any partners
with Him, I was very interested. I continued reading the Bible and Christian
sources but also started reading some Islamic books.
I read that Muslims
believe that God sent his message to mankind through different prophets since
Adam (peace be upon him) the first man. All the prophets believed in only One
God and they also believed that there was going to be a day of reckoning when
everyone will be raised and judged.
I realized
that this is what I believe, and what I thought the Bible was saying to me. I
discussed things with my parents, and they were not too impressed. Within a
couple of months by the grace of God I became a Muslim.
My conversion
changed my life completely, and looking back, I know I made the correct
decision, thank God. Instead of living my life in a selfish way pleasing my
desires, I try now to help others and please my Lord. I have now been a Muslim
for more than five years and I am still learning new and amazing things about
the religion.
Every time I
hear something "negative" about the religion, I get the issue
explained to me and it turns out to be a very positive and beautiful thing. I
am continuing to learn Arabic and the Quran. In my career it has made me much
more focused, and I now desire to do everything to my best ability. My friends
at university are often surprised with regards to my change, especially
relating to dentistry.
My parents
believed I was brainwashed, and many of my friends thought, and still think, it
is just a phase. As it has been over five years now, my parents know it is not
just a phase.
I first told
my parents that I was thinking of becoming a Muslim, and they told me that it
was a "hate religion" and that I should not do it. We talked about it
for a while, and as I was convinced, I was sure I had to do it. I did not want
to be punished in the next life.
A few months
later I took the best step and embraced Islam. The same day my Dad bought me a
car, not as a conversion gift, rather, it was his kindness and it just happened
to be on the same day.
Since
university, I have always lived away from my parents but I try to visit them a
couple of times a year. Overall though, I feel my relationship with my parents
has improved, as I try to be good to them as God commands in the Quran.
I have moved
on from university and lost contact with many of my friends, some I speak to
now and again, but as with life, we keep moving on and old friends we see less
of and new friends are made.
I am currently
working as a dentist in the UK. I am working and doing a part time masters
program. I am learning Arabic, and I regularly attend Islamic talks and
seminars in order to increase my knowledge.
I am married
to a very special lady and we have, by the grace of God a beautiful boy named
Ismael (Ishmael from the Bible). We are trying to improve as Muslims, and we
would like to travel abroad to a Muslim country. Ideally we would both love to
study Islam to a higher level, so we are looking for opportunities to fulfill
this dream.
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