Sheikh Ahmed Amin al-Antaki
Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki’s birth and upbringing
The full name of Sheikh al-Antaki is Ahmed son of Yousif son of Ali son of Qanbar al-Haza . Sheikh al-Antaki was born in a village called ‘Ensow’ on the outskirts of Antakia. The village of Ensow comprises of two words, one of the words being in Arabic and the other in Turkish, the literal meaning of Ensow means eye of water, this name was given to it due to its watery riches and resources.
The Sheikh was born Sunni to a Shafeei sect, he underwent his first classes under the teaching of his father. Sheikh Antaki was born in the year 1893(1311 in the Islamic calendar).
Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki’s academic life
-Sheikh Ahmed was brought up as a Shafeei and obtained his knowledge from his father at the beginning, he then went to study under the guidance of one of the Sheikhs in their village where he studied the basis of his education such as grammar, logic ,etc.
After, Sheikh Ahmed directed his way towards Antakia where he attended classes under the teachings of one of the Sheikhs in the area known as Shiekh Ahmed al-Taweel, furthermore Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki and his brother attended additional classes which included studying under the teachings of Sheikh Saed al-Arfei.
After spending many years attaining his educational foundations, Sheikh Ahmed decided to travel to the ‘city of knowledge’- the Holy Azhar, to continue his strive for attaining knowledge and build upon his education. Upon deciding to travel to Azhar, his brother Sheikh Mohammed agreed to join him on the quest of gaining knowledge.
The Sheikh attended in al-Azhar many classes such as Islamic Theology, Arabic grammar, etc. Sheikh Ahmed received his Islamic theology teaching from the Theologian Mohammed Abu Taha and al-Sheikh Mohammed Bakhit. Both of whom were the teachers in Egypt in the past. Mohammed al-Samloot and Sheikh Hasanian were also teachers of Sheikh al-Antaki.
In the same period of time, the Sheikh of the al-Azhar institute was the deceased Sheikh Mohammed Abu al-Fatheel. After completing his studies at al-Azhar, the Sheikh decided to return back to his homeland and spread the knowledge which he had obtained on his quest to al-Azhar to his friends and family. The sheikh returned to Antakia, however, the Sheikh did not prolong his stay there due to continuous occupation of the area by French forces.
Sheikh al-Antaki’s journey to Hijaz:
The sheikh was invited to a trip to Hijaz, the sheikh received knowledge that the city of Hijaz implements Islamic Sharia at the best of levels.
The sheikhs teaching were generally accepted and appreciated in Syria where he received an invitation from Abdul Aziz al-Saudi where he was given an opportunity to accept a position as Judge of Sharia, however what he observed on his trip from the Salafie’s and Wahabee’s disbelief towards other Muslims generally was the main reason for him not accepting the position as Islamic Judge (which was a position which couldn’t be rejected).
Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki resided in a city in Syria called Halab after the occupation of the evil Mustafa Atartork. The sheikh was appointed as representative in the area by Sheikh Saed Areif who was the head of the Islamic Council at the time.
Sheikh al-Antaki’s conversion to Shia Ithna Ashari faith:
Reason for the change
The change from faith to faith or from sect to sect requires a balance between the two extremes. So whenever the facts become apparent of the faith or the sect, apparent to the logic that is, then a change is required. This is exactly what happened with sheikh Ahmed when he figured that the truth is with the Shia with a the reality of logic used between the two extremes: Shia-Sunni.
It was because of reasons of doubtfulness that the Sheikh first realised about the Shafiee school of thought and the Sunni faith in general. The faith contained disagreements as well as contradictions which disregard the fundamental bases. The sheikh notes this in his book ‘The way I became Shia’ the following:
“we realised that the Shafiee school of thought for example allows the marriage of a girl who is a prostitute to her father, the bases of this argument is that the water of a prostitute is not haram, as the daughter is not linked to the father so its allowable for the father to marry her. Abu Hanifa forbids this.” ( The way I became Shia-page 16).
A further reason of why the Sheikh converted to Shia Ithna Ashari sect was because of his ability to obtain a book by the name of “Morajaat- The right path” by Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen al-Amili, he says about this:
“ I took and browsed through the pages astonished at the literature I was reading, I was really happy with what I was reading, it made me think about this book and its contents from its discussions between Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen (may Allah bless his soul) and Sheikh Saleem al-Bashree. Sheikh Saleem al-Bashree was a scholar at al-Azhar institute, he was asking Sayed Abdul Hussain many questions which the Sayed was answering in the book…..”
When the sheikh was initially given the book, he first rejected it, as it was known to him to be a bias Shia book. The sheikh says about this:
“ my brother sheikh Moraeey must have come across it and said: take this book and read it you will be surprised about it, think about it. I replied to him: from which sect is he from? He replied to me that he is from Jaffari, so I said to him : take this book away from me as I am not interested in it, as I hate the Shia. He told me to read it and not to implement any of its words and he emphasised that reading it will not affect me. Prior to this incident a discussion arose between us in the village of ‘al-Faewa’ and this is the incident took place in a area called ‘adalab’ ‘’ (about his book-page 17).
Another reason which had an impact on his conversion ot the Shia school of thought was to due to reading the book entitled “Abu Horayra” whose author is also Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen al-Amili, where he found out that many hadiths were made up as they did not obey logic neither did it comply with the Quran or the teaching of the Prophet (PBUH). An example is that Prophet Muse (PBUH) slapped the face of the angel of death Izrael and so He opened his eyes. Or for example Musa (PBUH) was walking naked between the children of Israel (bani Israel), or that Allah (SWT) created Adam (PBUH) like his picture?! And many more alike. The author of the book has written it in such a way which allows the reader to realise that “Abu Horayra” who befriended the Prophet (PBUH) for three years or less, was the companion of the Prophet who spread his teachings to the greatest. However the proportion of what the four khailafs saw in comparison to what Abu Horayra saw was only 27% from his traditions!!!.
The availability of strong facts which were not created and which are accepted by both Shia and sunna
- there exists many traditions in regards to household of the Prophet (PBUH), however one tradition which especially caught the Sheikhs attention was about the ark which the Prophet (PBUH) says: “My Household to you is like Noah’s ark, whosoever got on the ark survived, and who neglected the ark drowned” (‘Mostadreek Al Hokom- The book of Laws’ chapter 2, page 342 and Ibin Hijir ‘Sawaiqa’ page 153’)
Also the tradition of the “Thaqalaayn’ where the Prophet (PBUH) says “ I have leave for you two weighty things, the Holy Book of Allah and My household, whosoever keeps with them will never go astray. The two weighty things will not separate until they return to the pond in paradise, so observe how you will do contrary to what I have stated”( tradition contained in Sahih Muslim ch.2 page 238 also contained in Ahmed Ibin Hanbal ch.3 page 17 and Sahih Tarmadi ch.2 page 308).
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has compared his household to (who comprise of Ali, Fatemah , Hasan, Hussain and the nine infallibles sons of Hussain) to Noah’s ark as the survival is only guaranteed with them as the ark was the only means of survival to the people at the time.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also compared his household to the Holy Quran which is the strongest proof that his Household are the most knowledge of people in the contents of the Holy Quran, and that they are all infallible.
For more guidance we highly recommend you to read the book ‘Morajaat- The right Path’ whose author is Sayed Abdul Hussain Sharf al-Deen al-Amili who has noted the most important references against the sunna’s and the truth of the household of the Holy Prophet(PBUH).
These are some of the reasons why Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki converted to the Shia Inthna Ashari school of thought.
The above was a short piece of literature belonging to a humble individual who was guided to the correct path. Sheikh Ahmed al-Antaki has a book called “the way I became Shia” where he outlines the exact procedure of how he converted. Sheikh Mohammed Moraeey al-Antaki also has a book called “why I chose the Shia school of thought” both books are available at all good Islamic bookstores.
Al-Hajj Makbool Ahmed ibin Ghathnfr Ali
Birth and upbringing
Al-Hajj Makbool Ahmed ibin Ghathnfr Ali was born in the year 1870 in the country of India. His mother passed away while he was breastfeeding, his father passed away when he was just seven years of age, so his elder brother had to take care of him for the remaining years of his life. Al-Hajj Makbool lived an area called (Panipat) in a city called (Aowtarbadish).
Educational Life
Al-Hajj Makbool Ahmed ibin Ghathnfr Ali finished much of his acknowledge education in his home city. After which he migrated to Daly where he enrolled into an Arabic/English school. Where he received a great deal of attention from the head master of the school due to the great capacity of his knowledge.
Al-Hajj Makbool Ahmed ibin Ghathnfr Ali spent a large majority of his time gaining knowledge. He also had a strong liking towards reading books of other faiths and religions.
Al-Hajj Makbool received his Islamic teachings from the respected Sayed Aftab Hussain, and says when he went to the Sayed asking him for lessons. He said: “how can I teach you and you are from the Sunni faith? So he replied I prefer it in that manner”. The deceased Sayed taught him some of the different books of antiquate and with this he was able to build up a understanding of the correct way of how to research about the truth within the Islamic schools of thought.
Point of conversion:
Al-Hajj Makbool Ahmed ibin Ghathnfr Ali resumed his academic studies as well as his religious studies, concentrating on in Islamic law, Jurisprudence, history. In the year 1886, he finally found the truth and abided by the Shia Ithna Ashari School of thought, his conversion took place in front of a large audience in Daly. Brother Makbool didn’t stop he also attempted to convert the scholars of the other muslim faiths to the path of Ahlul Bayt (AS).
Makbool begin to spread the message of Ahlulbayt to the population of India, where he started study circles, in no time he was recognise as one the most prominent speakers in India and Pakistan. The unique feature that Makbool attained during his years of speaking is that he was always equipped with sunni books ready for any discussion that would take place. This dedication to spread the word of Islam made him well known within the communities.
Spreading the message was not the only feature of brother Makbool, he is an author of many books, and he was very much acquired with the knowledge of medical sciences.
He was known as being a respected speaker and righteous individual.
He spoke the English as well as the internal languages in India which allowed him to talk to people in any environment he also played an important role as a defence lawyer in the courts where there were cases against Shia’s in the cities of Faythabad and Jownpoor. The Muslim in the area appreciated his work and regarded him highly.
There was no limit for his help, he tried as much as possible to extend a helping hand to all those individuals who needed it be it to individuals or organisations on a whole.
The below is a list of books written by Al-Hajj Makbool Ahmed ibin Ghathnfr Ali:
Praising of Islam
Translation (Hilia al Motaqeen – The respected Majlisi)
(accepted actions) – in duaas and elegies
Translation of the Holy Quran and its Tafseer
The Keys to the Quran
The respected brother also has many articles where is counterattacks those scholars from the Sunna School of thought about their tafseer of the Quran. In the year 1921 he passed away in Daly.
Ahmed Akib Kowleybaleey
Birth and upbringing:
The respected Ahmed Akib Kowleybaleey was born in the city of Mabtey in the year 1967, in the democratic republic of Malay, which is located west of the African continent. The respected Ahmed Akib Kowleybaleey was brought up as a Muslim, following the Malikey school of thought. The Malikey school of thought is the most followed sect in the area where brother Ahmed was living.
The respected Ahmed Akib Kowleybaleey achieved certificate of higher education in Science of religions, from this certificate he attained social and religious skills that allowed him to be chosen as the Vice-leader of a mosque in an area called (Misser) after this he migrated to the capital city Bamako where he was appointed president of the school of Islamic Science and religion, and also appointed president of the school of education in addition to him being a teacher at both institutions.
In the capital city he was given more opportunity to research about different schools of thoughts, this is where he came across the Shia school of thought.
Point of Conversion:
While the respected Ahmed Akib Kowleybaleey was in the capital city, he came across an institution concerning the Household of the Prophet (PBUH), with time brother Ahmed started going to this institute and started becoming involved with the institute by attending the occasions in the place. At the same time, brother Ahmed started enquiring about the Shia school of thought, after some time, his relationship with those individuals in the institute became stronger, he also became part of the institute of the Iranian Islamic education in the Republic of Malay. There he was introduced to one of the Malayan Shia’s, he explained to him the main reason of why he came to this Islamic centre, he asked him for a few books to learn more about the shia faith. Thankfully the brother provided Ahmed with the books that he was seeking. Brother Ahmed begun to read the books that where given to him delving deep into the meaning of the books and their ramification, Ahmed discovered new thing that had never crossed his mind before. Ahmed spent many hours debating and discussing with the head of the Iranian Islamic education institute, they discussed certain issues he was not sure about in the Shia faith. He also recommended a few titles, that are a must read for those interested in the shia faith such as; Then I was guided, To be with the Truthful ones, Ask those who know, The right path. Those books benefited Brother Ahmed vastly about the Shia school of thought and its link to the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and his pure Household. He further says “I read in this book that the Shia are the greatest of lovers to the Holy Prophet (PBUH)” and this was the first point which triggered his conversion to the Shia school of thought. At the same time there were additional points that triggered his conversion such as: the attitude of the Shia, especially those who preached the concept of Ahlulbayt in the area of his residence, and there true love to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and lastly there firm stance with those actions they believe in.
Firm Position:
Those individuals who have been guided to the correct path, the majority of them are guided due to their knowledge, or because they were influenced by friends/society. Hence their guidance towards the path of Ahlulbayt is due to their broad knowledge/ education. Those individuals have become true seekers of knowledge, Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic history. The respected Ahmed Akib Kowleybaleey was one of those who was guided, and is now:
1. Head of department of preaching in the Patreet channel in the capital city.
2. head of school and library Fatema al-Zahraa in Bamako
3. Secretary-general to those presenters in Arabic language on the Bamako television channel.
4. Imam at mosque in al-Maser al-Owla – Bamako
5. President head of Islamic Festivals in the Institute for Ladies in Malay.
Bassim Turki Al Fahadawy
Birth and Upbringing
Brother Bassim Turki Al Fahadawy was born in 1965 in the province of Al-Anbar in Iraq. He was brought up in a Sunni family who follow the Hanafi school of thought as most of the Arab Sunnis in Iraq are Hanafis.
The Beginning
It is well known in the province of Al-Anbar, whose centre is the town of Al Ramady, that its population are rather fond of the Ummayads. In fact many of the schools and mosques in the area are named after the Ummayad Caliphs.
However Brother Basiim Al Fahadawy says did not have such affiliations towards the Ummayads for he says: ‘ From my childhood I used to have great respect for Imam Ali (AS) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) so I had good foundations even though I was in the wrong environment.
The Change
Brother Bassim left the province of Al-Anbar and to live in the capital city of Iraq, Baghdad. In Baghdad there are many Shias, as well as the Shrines of Imam Al Kadhim and Imam Al Jawad, and so this was an opportunity for brother Bassim to learn more about Shiism.
Brother Bassim discussed with many Shas the differences between Shiism and Sunnism and he also read many books such as Al Murajaat (The Right Path), Then I was Guided, Knowing Immamah, Why I Choose the Shia Sect and he also looked at and checked the Sunni sources and saw that what his Shia friends were saying was true and that the Ahadith they used to argue their case were all in the Sunni books.
One night, Brother Bassim saw an enlightening dream. He saw Imam Hussain (AS) in his Holy Shrine in Karbala . The Imam was allowing some people entry into his Holy Shrine and prohibiting others from entering his Holy Shrine. Bassim saw himself from the people who were prohibited from entering the shrine of Imam Hussaiun (AS) because he did not have a strong link with Imam Hussain (AS). Bassim woke up and acknowledged that the only way to have a special link with Imam Hussain is to become Shia and so he became a Shia and followed the illuminating path of Ahlul Bait (AS).
Tania Pauling
Birth and Upbringing
Sister Tania Pauling was born in 1976 in Germany. Her country of birth is recognised as a very developed country of great importance in Europe and the World, whose population is approximately sixty-five million of whom three million are Muslims. These Muslims are mainly of German, Turkish, Iranian and Arabic origin and the majority of them reside in Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Hanover. Thus Sister Tania was brought up in a Christian family that has traditions that every Western family follows.
Life of the person in the West
The one who is most fit to speak upon a society is the one who is brought up in the society, and Sister Tania talks upon her society from a conceptual point of view:
‘ I do not exaggerate when I say that none of us were alive. We did not plan with foresight our future. In fact, none of us had the courage to ask ours
Selves: Why I’m I alive? Why was I born? From where did I come? And to where do I go?
We knew that we were all on a path that was leading us astray taking us nowhere. We all wanted to go about a life of commonalty, living like the others, and did not think of a tranquil life and abode as if we were lost’.
These are clear statements that this woman is advocating on how a person is lost through fabricated slogans of development and freedom.
She adds: ‘Over 60% of teenagers live in a state of loneliness despite friendships and family relations whom only a few experience, and most of the people live their lives alone in a room or a flat isolated from others’.
And so in her eyes this is the loss of the people regardless of how nice the cities look, the reason being the sense of purposelessness and spiritual emptiness and the concentration of people to just satisfy their temptations and desires.
The beginning
Sister Tania remembers how she was introduced to Islam and says: ‘It starts like this- I was out with my friends one day in Hamburg’s Market and I saw this Muslim girl wearing the veil. I tried to mock her because she was wearing the veil and so I said: What illness has caused you to cover your body like this? The Muslim girl responded: And what illness has caused you to expose your body in such a manner?
And so the Muslim girl discussed with me the fact that modesty, shyness in dress and chastity add to a woman’s honour and personal satisfaction’. These words stuck into Tania’s head, she was amazed at how this Muslim girl had such confidence and cared so much about her religion, so she began to come closer and closer to Islam.
The Change
Sister Tania says: ‘I went to Imam Ali (A.S) Mosque in Hamburg, so I debated and discussed religious issues with a group of brothers and sisters who were of different origins. A period of time passed when the intellect and rationale of Islam was coming through to me in such a beautiful way. My body and spirit were submitting and following Islamic thought and principles until I reached a stage where I felt I was a Muslim’.
Sister Pauling gives details of the reasons why she converted to Islam and decided to follow the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (AS):
The special relationship that Muslims have with God: they are in constant communication with Him.
The strong ties and unity between Muslims and their strong family links.
The clear purpose in the lives of Muslims.
Muslims practise their religion without isolating themselves from society. They are social people because their religion takes care of social issues in a thorough way.
The Result
Sister Tania talks upon the most important results that she attained and says: ‘
I had everything except God! And so I used to feel empty, lonely and lost. I was in despair. However today I have found my true self that I had lost for twenty years, and I have come to know my God. So I now have all that I want because of Islam’.
Thus this is the meaning of true freedom. Islam gives to a person a most beautiful spirituality and purpose in this life and the hereafter. Moreover, one can see the light of this religion emitted from personalities such as the Messenger of Allah and his Holy Progeny who always made noble stands and sacrifices so that humanity may be guided into the right path.
The Future
Sister Tania says: ‘I ask God that He may guide my father and mother into Islam’ and wishes that she may have a good Muslim family of her own.
Sayed Abdullah Ahmed Al-Osayri
irth and Childhood
Sayed Abdullah Ahmed Al-Osayri was born in the city of Mahaweet in Yemen in the year 1977. With respect to his academic studies, he was a medical student, however with respect to his religious studies; he attended lessons for Wahabis in one of the institutions in his area for a period of three years as well as taking part in the propagation of Wahabism for a period of one year.
The Beginning
Abdullah talks about the events which led to his guidance. ‘In the beginning I took a decision to live according to the laws of God, and to strive with respect to Islamic principles because it is the best way to live in this life and the hereafter. I had nothing but Islam, but in the Wahabi way. When I attended the lessons I was told to ridicule my intellect for according to them intellect leads man astray and so I believed them for three years learning from them and preaching for them. So brother Abdullah was misguided by the Wahabi ideology that does not permit one to use his intellect to think.
Coming closer to Shiism
Abdullah says: ‘I was lucky that I knew Shaykh Ali Al-Herazi because we had a family tie as well as a good friendship and one day I heard from his family that he became a Shia. So I went to him with an intention to guide him, according to my views at that time. We started by discussing the issue of combing the two Salaats, and he told me that it is permissible to combine the two prayers and that this was verified in Sahih Bukhari.
On the next occasion of their meeting, the discussion was about theological issues rather than Fiqh (jurisprudence) issues as the last time. Sayed Abdullah says: ‘We started talking about Allah (SWT) attributes for the Wahabis say that Allah is physically present on his throne so my Shia friend asked me from where we had this ridiculous ideology ?. I replied from the Sahih hadiths. Then we discussed the issue of hadiths and the correctness of the hadith books. I argued with him although I could not answer his questions at all. However, I wrote down all the points he mentioned and decided to go to my Wahabi teacher and get a response.
I went to my Wahabi teacher immediately and informed him of the discussion I had, and gave him the paper on which I wrote all the points. He promised me to give me a response the following day. So I went to him the next day and he recited the words of Ibn Tamiyah: The Shia are polytheist and are misguided and talking to them is dangerous. I said to him that I know that but I wanted a reply to convince my Shia friend and in a more general way it is important that when preaching I should show the people that I am on the true path and that the Shia are wrong. He said to me that if Allah (SWT) had wanted to guide my friend then he would have and no one can be Shia and be guided’.
This is the way in which Wahabis run away from the truth- false accusations and never ever answering questions or points made to them that prove the Shia are on the right path. It is because the Wahabis are based on a vicious falsehood, a lie, and they are truly misguided.
The Change
Sayed Abdullah recalls how he felt: ‘
For the first time I lost respect for this sect, Wahabism, for it admits that it has no answer to reply the Shias, and that it does not know anything except saying that the Shias are misguided. Why? Just because Ibn Taymiyah said so. I took from my Wahabi teacher a book about the Shia. He gave me a book called ‘he wide lines regarding the religion of Imamah’ so I took the book and went to my Shia relative Shaykh Al-Herazi and I mentioned to him the accusations that the book made about the Shias, one after the other and he was very patient with me. The Shaykh replied each one until I acknowledged with certainty that the Shias have not fabricated the Holy Quran, and the correctness of their beliefs regarding the companions of the Holy Prophet and his wives, and also the correctness of temporary marriage: mutaa.
Then we entered into a discussion about Islamic history after the death of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and we discussed the political system in Islam. We debated whether the Shura is a system of leadership or whether the Immamah is the system of leadership in Islam. We talked about how the Prophet clearly stated that Ali was the leader of the Ummah after him and how Abu Bakr usurped the Caliphate. After a long discussions regarding these matters, the Shaykh gave me a book called ‘Al-Murajaat’ and this book just convinced me that the Shias are on the right and all my previous beliefs were ridiculous. After that, I learnt of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and I changed to a person who was on an enlightened path following the ways of the Prophet (SAW) and his Holy Infallible progeny (AS).
The Wahabis- troublemakers
The Wahabis started making trouble for Abdullah. They caused fitnah and problems between him and his older brother and family. Furthermore, they turned everyone against him and started making more problems for him so that he did not get his wages.
However, Saye d Abdullah Ahmed Al- Osayri was never dissuaded and was patient. He preached the glorious path of Ahlulbayt so that his family, including his older brother, and his friends were all guided to the correct path of Shiism.
Mohammed Ismaeel Khalaf Deobandi
The respected Mohammed Ismaeel Khalaf Dewbandi was in the city of Punjab in the year 1335 (Islamic year) in India. He studied in the school of Wahbi school of thought in Dewband, this is how he got his surname.
The respected Mohammed Ismaeel Khalaf Dewbandi was a leader at one of the mosques in the city, he was blessed to have a high capacity of knowledge and an in-depth reasoning ability. This is what allowed him to memorize a lot and debates in all levels of the community in subjects such as Islamic faith, history. Brother Mohammed was one of the top in the Sunni school of thoughts in the area, and this vital fact was why he became known across the community.
One day brother Mohammed was able to be introduced to a known Shia scholar who posses a high scope of knowledge in their belief. So during their meeting, brother Mohammed discussed with the Shia scholar some of the differences which are apparent between the Shia and the Sunni schools of thoughts, such as the khilafa, the Shia scholars replies were convincing and straightforward, this lead to brother Mohammed enquiring further into the Imami Ithna Ashari belief, and the Shia scholar answered and debated with brother Mohammed in regards with the queries. After the discussions occurred, brother Mohammed released that the Shia school of though holds no contradictions in its beliefs.
After receiving in-depth information regarding the Shia school of thought, he decided to take upon the task of preaching the belief of Alulbayt, he’s preaching took place from the mosque he lead the daily prayers in, during which brother Mohammed counterattacked all those individuals from his previous school of thought, in a very committed and determined approach. Brother Mohammed engaged long hours convincing the listeners about the word of Ahlulbayt (AS). Some of the governmental courts were places brother Mohammed also debated with people. This is the way the name of brother Mohammed spread amongst the people. Whenever brother Mohammed was to debate , he will take with him on the podium books belonging to the Sunni schools of thought, most importantly he will have with him the two ‘Sahihs’- Muslim and Bukhari.
In the year 1396(Islamic year) brother Mohammed passed away and was berried in India.
Mohammed Habib Sow
Birth and upbringing:
Brother Mohammed Habib Sow was born in a village called Gambia which is linked to the province of Labey, in the year 1968, in the country of Ghania. He was raised and brought up practicing the Wahabi school of thought.
The Beginning:
Brother Mohammed gained his primary teachings from his father who was an educated and respected individual. Mohammed’s father strived in every possible way to educate his son in the best of knowledge, for this reason, Mohammed’s father decided to send Mohammed to the capital city Kownakreey to continue his studies and also to learn both languages Arabic and French. Brother Mohammed kept going back and forth between both neighbouring places to increase his knowledge. During the school holidays Mohammed would return back to his Mohammed land and spread what he had learned to the inhabitants of the area.
The Wahabi school of thought:
No one can disregard the atrocious lies made by the Wahabi’s to spread their devilish demands, which many Muslims have accepted. The reason for this is because Muslims view things through only one eye, i.e. if one hears a piece of news or reads an article he will stop and contemplate and even believe what they had previously read/listened to. For this reason, the Wahabi’s distribute ‘cheques’ of disbelief amongst other Muslims in every manner possible, and at the same time they leave the enemies of Islam to carry on with their own worldly affairs!!! this very point was noted by brother Mohammed Habib Sow in detail, he further says “ the preacher of Tawheed (ones of Allah) headed by the Wahabi’s what they say is what people believe, before I converted to Shiaism there was a major Wahabi population in the area I was residing in and also in the capital city, however as well as this I still had my doubts about what the preacher was saying, so I decided to travel to Saudi Arabia to see what this school of though is really about, I spent many months there learning about those deviated people. I spent three months of which in prison! Those Wahabi’s are more animalistic than the worst of animals!
This is just one live event which an individual was able to engage in.
Point of conversion:
Brother Mohammed witnessed the atrocious attitude and monstrous behaviour of the Wahabi’s, he also read their books and listened to their talks and understood their words. So he contemplated what the Wahabi’s were saying and what the household of the Prophet (PBUH) preached .He also read many books written of the household of the Prophet (PBUH) including authors such as al-Amili, al-Insani, al-Jihadi…… he witnessed the striking difference between the two schools of thought. Brother Mohammed once said “ the Wahabi’s imprisoned me for three months, I was going back and fro between basements and they made me really tired and after I left the prison I also left Saudi Arabia to Ghania and there I quickly converted to Shiaism in-front of many observers, I then asked for water and performed ablution in-front of Wahabi’s and wiped my foot, they were extremely distressed at what they were observing!!.
All thanks is due to Allah for helping me to the straight path.
Points which made him convert:
The points which made brother Mohammed convert to the path of Ahlul-Bayt were many, and were as follows:
1. Reading, observing and analysing what was present in the references of Shia school of thought.
2. Understanding the truth about Wahabi’s and their monstrous behaviour
His role:
Brother Mohammed takes part in many activities of spreading the word of Ahlulbayt in Ghania in addition to being in charge of his Hawza studies. As well as managing on of the religious schools where most of its students are of Sri Leon nationality. In addition to this he writes reports in magazines which are published monthly/annually. There have been reports also which suggest he is thinking of building a Mosque, where all Islamic rituals will be practiced throughout the Islamic months.
Wariton Karbasi
Birth and Childhood
Brother Wariton Karbasi was born in the French town of Fontanblo that is fifty kilometres away from the French Capital Paris. In 1951 he left France to continue his studies in Britain in the field of electronic engineering after which he returned to Paris.
In 1956, Wariton Karbasi attained a contract with an airline for work in Mehrabaad Airport in Tehran, Iran. After a while he returned to live in Iran. He then spent three years and he worked as a translator in different institutes of translations.
Allah in every Matter:
Wariton Karbasi occupied a lot of his spare time reading and learning other Islamic faiths generally and the Shia School of thought in particularly. Brother Wariton started to read the holy quran to gain the valuable knowledge between its covers. During which brother Wariton was suffering from Degenerative Muscular disease, after days of being diagnosed with the disease, the pain of the disease became at its climax. The physicians decided to operate on him. However, even after the operation, brother Wariton did not get better. And he stayed with the hope of getting better!.
Point of conversion:
The pain of his disease occurred during the sacred month of Muharram, Wariton says: “surrounding my house, are massive houses used to commemorate well known Islamic occasions were there used to be held commemorations on Islamic occasion on deaths of Imams, lectures and tributes would be paid to the Imam who’s anniversary it was celebrated”. On one night, I was offered a glass of tea, which was part of the service included in the ceremony, brother Wariton was asked “Respected brother, would you like to drink a glass of tea of Imam al-Hussain (AS)? So he accepted the glass in open hands. As soon as I drank the tea I felt I was cured, I felt a sort of light encompassed my mind, so I asked my Lord ‘O Lord, with the mercy of Imam al-Hussain and his rank to you, please show me a miracle and cure me from this disease and ease me from this distorting pain’ the next day, as I was getting up from my bed I witnessed a miracle, and it was then when I proclaimed my conversion to Islam.
After that I travelled to the Holy city of Qum, where I studied under a great scholar where I bare witnessed that there is no Lord but Allah and Mohammed (PBUH) is the final messenger of Allah (SWT). And I changed my name to Hussain Ithna-Ashari.
Sayed Yahya Talib
Birth and upbringing
Sayed Yahya Talib was born in the province of ‘Jawof’ in the year 1974 in Yeman.
He obtained a diploma in academic studies in addition to this he has 7 years of knowledge of religious studies, 4 years of which were completed in a religious institute in Jawof and the remaining three years in ‘Saada’. He also taught, and led prayers in an Islamic centre in Jawof.
The Beginning
Although Sayed Yahya Talib was known as a follower of the Zaydi School of thought, he was however not an extremist nor was he closed minded. He was however and individual who was open to all discussions, this attitude allowed him to read Shia books which enabled him to understand further of this sect and their belief.
Sayed Yahya Talib’s social life did not limit him to any boundaries within the individuals in the society comprising of different Islamic faiths, he used to pray congregational prayers with the remainder of the Muslims. Sayed Yahya Talib one day met with a Shia individual from the city of al-Iehsaa in the Arabic islands. And between them a discussion arose which was the differences amongst the Muslims generally, and within them the Shia and the brother from the city of al-Iehsaa clarified some of the points and concerns that the sheikh was carrying.
The point of Conversation:
This is how Sayed Yahya Talib friendship with the brother from al-Iehsaa started, from this the Sayed started reading Shia references and books and started discussing topical issues concerning the Shia school of thought. He says: “we started the research/discussion together, and we noted many surprises throughout history, also there were many important points which were clarified and our minds were glorified with vast pieces of knowledge specifically in concern with the question of Imama and vicegerency. At the end of the journey the falsehood of Zaydism was proven, furthermore, the Ithna Ashri sect was the closet sect to the truth”. This research extended to a period of eight months, he and his friends proved the truth of the household of the Prophet (PBUH) and that their supporters were the true survivors.
Points of guidance
From some of the points, which attracted Sayed Yahya Talib to the stride of Ahlul Bayt(AS) were:
The subject of Imama, and the lack of knowledge of the subject in the Sunni belief though more specifically in the Zaydi school of thought, however in the Shia school of thought it was contrary.
The subject of infallibility, the theoretical and practical explanation by Shia.
The vast reading of literature, without forgetting the book of his teacher al-Tijani and a few other Zaydi books which contained many proofs.
His listening to many recorded Islamic lectures and especially to those topical issues which were opposed to the household of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
