Dawah and Interfaith

How Abu Bakr (Ruben) Came to Islam

Published

December 15, 2007

Omar Usman

This is a great video. It’s by an Australian brother who came to Islam telling about his journey through different religions. I know that these types of stories are very common, but I thought this one particularly was not only heartwarming, but actually had me laughing out loud at my computer (not an easy thing to do, I’m not a big fan of “lol”ing away on my own).

Part 1:

[youtube 3fvE1kgP_R0]

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Part 2:

[youtube xJ_mf8-ncN4]

Also, I believe the ‘Abu Hamza’ he referred to is the same one who did this amazing CD on Jinns and magic – available at IlmQuest.

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Omar Usman

Omar Usman is a founding member of MuslimMatters and Qalam Institute. He teaches Islamic seminars across the US including Khateeb Workshop and Fiqh of Social Media. He has served in varying administrative capacities for multiple national and local Islamic organizations. You can follow his work at ibnabeeomar.com.

16 Comments

Faisal

December 15, 2007 at 11:34 AM

As salaam alaikum,

Is it me or i think the parts are reversed? Part 1 should actually be part 2 and vice versa. Then again I could be wrong.

*You were right… its been fixed now. Jak -MM*

Reply
Umar AlFarooq

January 7, 2008 at 3:13 PM

Salam,

This is the first time I’m writing this down.

I accepted Islam around 1994. My journey to Islam was very slow but Al Hamdulillah, steady.

Up til that point in my life, I had 2 best friends in my life and both of them were Muslim. Born to a Brahmin family, I was so sheltered from Muslims that in a country where 20 to 30 percent are Muslims, I only knew 2 Muslims in the 12 years I lived in India.

I had also transitioned from being a Hindu to Atheist.

After coming to the US, I knew 1 after 4 years (Misbah). Through him I met another Muslim named Azim. Eventually I met Azim’s his family. I took a fancy to Azim’s sister though she never suspected.

So I accepted Islam in order to stand a chance at marrying this Muslim girl. I was so impressed with how this family was so respectful to the father. I had never seen that before.

Soon enough, my parents got to know about this and my father went to this girl’s house and said “Your daughter has ruined my son’s life”, etc…and that was the end of that.

Just as I accepted Islam to thumb my nose at Muslims for “religious bias”, I felt that my parents had no right to impose their beliefs on me. Aside from this fact, I didn’t really have a great life at home and went through quite an abusive childhood.

So I saw this opportunity to leave my parents’ house.

I still wasn’t a Muslim except by claim. I would tell my atheist friends that I was not a Muslim and tell my Muslim friends that I was.

Finally I decided to read the Quran. The first chapter seemed inspirational but it wasn’t until I started reading the 2nd chapter that fear struck my heart so much that I quickly shut the book and put it away. I even looked around to see if anyone saw me.

It was the verses 8 through 10.

After this I started taking Islam a lot more seriously and in about a year or so of constant questioning, I accepted Islam. Al Hamdulillah!

Jazakallah Khair wa Salam,

-Umar.

Reply
- Kamaluddin Abdul Rahman
  
  July 10, 2011 at 11:44 PM
  
  God gives wisdom (knowledge that is useful) to whom (according to all that order). And whoever is given wisdom, he indeed has given much good. And nothing can take the lessons (and warnings) except men of understanding.
  – [Surah Al-Baqarah 269]
  
  Reply
Ahmad AlFarsi

January 7, 2008 at 4:18 PM

mashaAllah Br. Umar, it’s amazing to see how the message of the Qur’an goes *straight* to the heart of man, forcing him to contemplate and reflect. May Allah keep you and all of us steadfast upon the deen. Aameen.

Reply
Ruth Nasrullah

January 8, 2008 at 9:28 AM

Asalaamu alaikum, Br. Umar – thank you for sharing this! It’s good to hear stories with shades of gray, and I agree with you and Br. Ahmad that the words of the the Qur’an can change anyone’s heart.

Reply
Pingback: How Abu Bakr (Ruben) Came to Islam « Gems of the Traveler
Faiez

May 22, 2008 at 3:03 PM

I know this post is old, but does anyone know what verse Ruben read that made him become Muslim?

Reply
Pingback: An Open Invitation to Islam « Adhere to Islam
Pingback: An Open Invitation to Islam « Adhere to Islam
hello

December 8, 2008 at 2:38 AM

salaamz,
i thinks it either 2:118 or 3:118

Reply
Siraaj

December 8, 2008 at 3:25 AM

Never saw this one, amazing story (and hilarious), give it a watch for a huge eman rush.

Siraaj

Reply
azedah

February 25, 2010 at 7:42 PM

THANK YOU ALLAH
Artist: Maher Zain
Album: Thank You Allah

I was so far from You
Yet to me You were always so close
I wandered lost in the dark
I closed my eyes to all the signs
You put in my way
I walked everyday
Further and further away from You

Oh Allah, You brought me home
I thank You with every breath I take

Alhamdu lillah
All praises to Allah

I never thought about
All the things You have given to me
I never thanked You once
I was too proud to see the truth
And prostrate to You
Until I took the first step
And that’s when You opened the doors for me
Now Allah, I realized what I was missing
By being far from You

Alhamdu lillah
All praises to Allah

Allah, I want to thank You
I want to thank You for all the things that You’ve done
You’ve done for me through all my years I’ve been lost
You guided me from all the ways that were wrong
And did You gave me hope

Oh Allah, I want to thank You
I want to thank You for all the things that You’ve done
You’ve done for me through all my years I’ve been lost
You guided me from all the ways that were wrong
I want to thank You for bringing me home

Alhamdu lillah
All praises to Allah

Alhamdu lillah

Reply
nurain

August 12, 2010 at 11:16 AM

Assalamualaikum :)

Really, I love the story about Ruben Abu Bakar. Firstly, I opened the song’s video in Youtube “OPEN YOUR EYES” and I thought it’s Maher Zain who converted to Islam. At the last of the song, I saw the name Abu Bakar and I keep thinking, “what’s the connection between Maher Zain and Abu Bakar?”. And now, I still don’t understand, who is Maher Zain? Is he really Islam since he was born? And what about Ruben Abu Bakar? Maybe, I will post something about them in my blog. Perhaps, everybody would read it :)

And HAPPY RAMADHAN AL-MUBARAK :)

Reply
- Maryam
  
  October 23, 2010 at 3:04 AM
  
  Maher Zain is a born muslim of Lebanese origin living in Sweden. Abu bakr is an Australian revert and his story has been attached to the song, cos it relates to the song.
  
  Reply
Muslimah

November 18, 2015 at 5:09 AM

How old isruben Abu Bakr?

Reply
Zia-e-Taiba

October 25, 2016 at 9:15 AM

Brief Introduction about Hazrat Abu Bakar siddique

Reply