Dāwūd (Sheldon) Darroux (Comm. of Dominica)

In the Name of Allāh, The Most Merciful, The Giver of Mercy

On Finding the Truth

“Allāh leaves to stray those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases. He is exalted in Power, full of Wisdom.” (Soorah Ibrahim 14:4, Qur’an)

Religious Background

In the heart of Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica where I lived, there lies an almost two-century-old Catholic Church close to my home. In a house of four, there was a tug-of-war between Catholicism and secularism as the case in many lands in the west. Though the Sunday Mass and school was the tradition, I completed my elementary education at the Roseau Seventh Day Adventist School (RSDA). It was an institution of studying secular subjects as well as memorizing many verses from the King James Version Bible. Afterwards, I attended the St. Mary’s Academy where I had the full dose of Catholicism. I had many questions and problems with my immediate world, which resulted in my quest to find answers: Psychology and Anthropology. I had difficulties with many fundamentals of Christianity such as the trinity, confession of sins to the priest, the rosary and many others too numerous to mention. After I graduated from the St. Mary’s Academy, I began my research on comparative theology, both from its authentic and critic sources. Then, I began the elimination process that left me with the doctrines of the Jehovah Witnesses or the Assembly of Yahweh.

My First Islamic Encounter

One cool afternoon on Four Corners, close to my home in Roseau, there was a Ministerial Servant, Troy Dorsett, a firm Jehovah’s Witness engaged in ‘Magazine Work’. I was enquiring about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the findings of the Gospels of St. Thomas, The Gospel of the Egyptians, and The Philippians along with others in 1948 in Nag Hamdi, an old library that archaeologists discovered in Egypt. Towards the end of the lengthy discussion, a man with locks, Yusuf Ali Muḥammad Mathurine called from upstairs Universal Elegance, a store owned by Muslims. It was evening time. He said, 

“You are an intelligent fella.”

I asked,

“What are you doing up there since the store is closed?

He replied,

“It have Muslims upstairs dere.”

“What! Muslims!” I exclaimed. 

I went upstairs to the Islamic Centre and I saw recitation of Qur’an by young and old, men with huge, wet beards and wet hands, feet and faces. To me, it was a different world seeing a different prayer style, men with gowns. When I walked in, an Arab huge bearded man dressed in white, Iylias Nassief, told me to come in. We introduced ourselves then he calmly explained to me about Islām. I was astonished when along with the talk came the co-operation, goodwill as well as brothers eating from the same plate.

My Religious Struggle

I had to struggle to find the truth but I knew it was not going to come easy. I had sleepless nights. I kept coming for more knowledge about Islām. I read books upon books upon books about Islām. After brother Iylias left for his first year of study in Saudi Arabia, I never came back to the Islamic Centre. It wasn’t until one year (passed) before my life changed drastically. I fellowshipped with the Jehovah’s Witnesses because I found that they tried their best to pattern their lives using the principles of the bible, however I found contradictions in their beliefs and the striking difference between the New World Translations of the Scriptures and of the King James Version. I decided that this was my end on my quest on Christianity.

On Embracing the Truth

Iylias was just behind me in the queue at the bank. It was a year later. He reminded me about submission to the will of Allāh and the importance of Tawḥīd (Islamic Monotheism) in one’s life. He invited me to the Islamic Centre once again. That night, there were about six Muslims from Kuwait. After some time before Isha, that June summer, 2000, I was convinced. I told Iylias I would like to take the shahadah (testimony of faith). He told me to make the ghusl (a ritualistic bathing) after explaining it. After my spiritual bath in accordance to the teachings of the prophet Muḥammad (may Allāh raise hHis rank and grant him peace), I declared the testimony of faith. Then after, I was told, “You’re muslim!” It was a feeling of enlightenment. I felt as if a huge rock removed from my back. Moreover, they said that now all what you did in the past was forgiven by Allāh. What a merciful and loving creator Al hamdu lilah (The Praise if for Allāh). Finally, I had a great meal with the Muslims, eating in the same plate (altogether)!

What Has Allāh and This Wonderful Way of Life Called Islām Done for Me?

When you strive to obey Allāh and the Prophet Muḥammad, it’s like a snake shedding its skin or it is like when one comes his hair, the old hairs comes off and it’s replaced anew. Islām teaches you patience in facing difficulties, humility even when you are oppressed, putting the desires aside to do righteous deeds that benefits Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Everything in Islām that a person does, there is proof in the divine sources of Islām, the Quran and the aḥadīth – the sayings and actions of the prophet Muḥammad. Can you imagine Allāh rewards one for having sexual intercourse with his or her spouse while Allāh punishes one for fornication and adultery? Is not this a balanced way of life? This is the answer; I pray never to go astray. I pray that you O reader accept the truth one day. Ameen. Islām can do the same for you and even more. What Islām can do for you it is just too many to mention.

In Conclusion

When you read this, examine your situation and ask yourself, 

1. Why do I follow the way of my parents?
2. Is Islām really, what the media, orientalists and critics say about it? 
3. Would you like someone to propagandise incorrect information about you?
4. Who truly deserves worship unconditionally and does your way of life teach you to do this?
5. Finally, if you are to die now what are you going to tell your Lord after worshipping Jesus, your desires and others along with Allāh?