Why Japanese Buddhist Became a Muslim Samurai
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So I'm a descendant of samurai. My family is a Buddhist family. For me, religion is like a business. They just only increase the number of followers just to get the money from the believers. I found something different human being I found in Bangladesh. Somebody just simply because they are born in Japan, their health or education was secured. And some people are simply born in Bangladesh, they are very poor. I don't feel any justice there. So I found the Quran in the Japanese language. And I start reading. Then I found very like unique concepts of Akhirah (Hereafter), that is life after death, and Tawhid - the oneness of God or Creator.
Then it makes sense that is I myself have to become Muslim. As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you), Dr. Kyoichiro Sugimoto. Thank you so much for accepting our invitation at Towards Eternity. We are very happy to have you with us. Wa alaykumu as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (upon you be peace). It's my pleasure. So I will just start by asking who is Kyoichiro Sugimoto? Can you tell us briefly about your life, please? My name is Kyoichiro Sugimoto. Sugimoto is my family name. So this belongs to the Sugimoto clan. So Sugimoto clan is actually originally a samurai clan. So I'm a descendant of samurai. And I was born and raised up in Seki City, in Gifu prefecture.
It's, it's a very middle part of Japan. And, um, later on when I, uh, became a university student, I studied, uh, cultural anthropology to research different culture and I found Islam when I was 19 years old. And I, I reverted to Islam when I was 20 years old. And then I'm just serving, uh, as an imam (leader) or chairperson of Chiba Islamic Cultural Center in Chiba. It's just next to Tokyo. What were you believing before you became a Muslim? Actually, I do not believe any religion particular. So just name is maybe Buddhist because my family is a Buddhist family. But actually, there are no religion. Just only culturally, just like normal Japanese, they respect the ancestors.
I didn't believe any other religion, uh, because for me, like a religion is like a business, which means they just only, uh, uh, increase the number of followers just to get the money from the believers. And then, you know, they themselves become so rich. And then, so this is a kind of a business. That was my perception before. Most of the Japanese people they feel like this life is the end. So nothing waiting. That is a presumption anyway. And how did you first hear about Islam? Yeah, so when I was a university student, I met a student from Bangladesh. So he was for me is the first Muslim in my life. So he could speak only, uh, little Japanese and he need to communicate, right?
So I became friend with him because I want to practice English. So we spent time sometimes. Uh, eventually like, uh, we're eating together, we have good like conversation regarding our life. Then he invited me to visit Bangladesh during summer vacation. So I was interested in different culture. I visited Bangladesh as the first overseas trip for my life. It was a Muslim country. Then I found a big cultural gap. Because Bangladesh is very poor country. Then I found so difference. On the way, there are so many like, uh, street children, uh, the sleeping on the street. So I was very shocked, what is this? Because you cannot find this kind of people in Japan normally.
When I just after arrived at my friend's house, you know, his family, uh, parents and brother and sisters, they welcomed me. And they have very good hospitality, friendliness. So this was another culture shock because they respect or value the family. They have extended family system, still they maintain it. And then later, I visited the more countryside, the village. They are very energetic, you know, they are like very living. Yeah, that is something you cannot find in Japan, like. Because like everything like controlled, and then the city life. So when you see the people's eye, like in Japan so many people, their eye is dead. Because they have no purpose of life.
They don't know what they're doing. They have no realization what the real purpose of our life. So they are living for work or work for living, they don't know. Now, I found something different human being, I found in Bangladesh. They are although poor, economically, however, I see their eyes. It's coming like an aura, you know? However, the people, they are all farmers, and they see me like a first foreigner in their life, but they invited me for the cup of tea, you know, they say chai (tea), like milk tea, and the pitha, pitha is like a sweet dish. So come, come, you know? And then just eat. So I was just shocked. It never happened in Japan.
Like first time you see the foreigner and then suddenly you invite to your home, never happened. But I, I experienced that in, in Bangladesh. So, why like this? So that was the, you know, the starting point to think about Islam, because I know they are all Muslims, basically. So maybe their behavior, their attitudes based on Islamic value. So after coming back to Japan, I started searching, uh, books on Islam because that time is still 1996, no internet yet. So I could find on the information only, uh, from library or bookstores. So I found the Quran in the Japanese language. That is the main source of information about Islam. So I found it and I start reading the Japanese translation.
Then I found very like unique concepts of Akhirah (Hereafter), that is life after death, and Tawhid - the oneness of God or Creator. So that concepts is very new to me. I've never think about in my life. Because like in Japan people are so busy. How can people have time to think about life after death? Even one second, they never think in their, in their daily life, you know? And about the concept of God also. Like in Japan is very famous, like a polytheistic society, polytheism. And there is no definition of God in Japan. Nobody teach you who God is. And then that's why I, I just found, oh, there is a definition of God in the Quran. Clearly mentioned.
Like a Surah Ikhlas (a chapter in the Quran) for example, A'udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan), Qul huwallahu ahad - say He is Allah, one and only, right? It's very simple. But that is kind of surprise for me. Oh, there's a definition of God. So, and then I get very interested in reading, you know, other parts of, uh, Quran, what they actually written there. Uh, because it's like 600 pages long. So I, I need to check what this the Creator, Allah, is actually telling us. So I read it more personally, as if the Creator, Allah, is telling me personally. It's not 7th-century book, but a present like life lesson for me.
I was curious, maybe something I can learn from this book. So eventually, I really agree very basic concept about Akhirah and the oneness of God. Now why I agree about the Akhirah (Hereafter), like I explained, I was a big culture shock in Bangladesh because they are poverty, right? So I was thinking that time, why these people are poor, you know? Simply because they are born in poor country. So they are poor. I mean, somebody just simply because they are born in Japan, their health or education was secured. And some people are simply born in Bangladesh, they are very poor. I mean, who has a right to decide? I mean, we have no right to decide where we are born.
So it means our life is from the beginning is inequal. You cannot reject this. So from the very starting point, we have a huge gap, disparity in our life, and which you cannot really adjust in our life, short span. So it means like, I don't feel any justice there, because from the beginning is something already decided. However, after I read the Quran, I found the concept of Akhirah (Hereafter). Then it makes sense because, uh, whatever we are given in this life is just a test. Whether you are given much or less, it's nothing to do with the final result.
So let's say even someone born in Bangladesh and they are difficult condition, however, if they are doing good things in this life, their life will be preserved in the hereafter, which means they will enter paradise and they can live forever. And then we think about this life maybe maximum like 100 years, but the forever life is unlimited, right? When we compare 100 years in infinity is nothing, you know? Even less than one second. So that's why this justice of the Akhirah (Hereafter) gave me the meaning in this life. What was the deciding factor in your decision to embrace Islam? What made you think that I should become Muslim? Have you noticed something?
While watching this video you don't see any ads. Since Towards Eternity is a non-profit organization we can only produce these videos through your support. If you want to be a part of this good deed, donate to Towards Eternity and don't miss this golden opportunity. What was the deciding factor in your decision to embrace Islam? What made you think that I should become Muslim? As I mentioned, uh, these two concepts, the concept of, uh, Akhirah (Hereafter) and Tawhid (the Oneness of God), really makes sense for me. However, I need to check all the verses of the Quran, what is actually written in this 600 pages long book.
So I carefully check if there are any dangerous teachings or any strange teaching or not. However, the more I read, the more I realized, oh, this is something very natural for me. This is something, uh, we're supposed to follow or believe. So eventually, I felt that this Quran is not human-made, you know? It's something like coming from Creator, or Allah. So I'm more strongly believing this Quran is life-changing book. And then I want to follow it. Because I mean the Islam is not just reading the book, the Quran. It's a more practice or religious experience. So I want to know how Muslim are actually feeling or practicing Islam in their daily life.
And how I can gain that kind of internal knowledge? How, you know? The only one way, that is I myself have to become Muslim. I myself have to experience Islam. Otherwise, like a third person like a researcher, you know, you become keep distance for the sake of objectivity, just research, research, but you really cannot understand the internal aspects of Islam. This researcher will never gain. That knowledge I want to know it. That's what probably out of curiosity, I want to become Muslim. To want to know what actually Islam is. So what were the major difficulties you faced after converting to Islam? Yeah, so first is halal (permissible) food. Yeah. It's almost 28 years ago.
Now recently, Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah), we have so many options for halal (permissible). Uh, but that time almost even Muslim, they don't have so much access to halal (permissible) food. So that was number one challenge. Number two is a place of worship, a prayer. That time is only, I remember seven mosques in entire Japan. Today we have 151, more than 151 mosques. So how, where, how to establish prayer is another challenge. And another challenge is a prejudice, against Islam among Japanese non-Muslims. So of course people have almost no understanding of what Islam is. Like for the last 20 years, I try to explain Islam to my parents.
Although, I think most of the case due to this September 11, a negative image of Islam, you know, terrorism. So they did not want to listen, uh, Islam. So rather they have negative image. But I want to explain. Whenever we meet together, then I want to introduce Islam. But they are not really care of it. But I continue. I didn't insist, but I continue how Islam is beautiful and then the the logical. However, they start disliking. So, uh, one day, like when they come to Chiba from my hometown, Gifu, my father like, you know, oh, again, you know, my son talking about Islam. And then just he, just visited, just only, only few minutes, and then he just left. You know?
Because do not want to listen about Islam. So our relationship became sour. So I was thinking how we can normalize it. So I was start thinking, uh, different way like I have to send some gifts for them to make them happy. Uh, for my father giving coffee, he likes coffee, and then some nuts, some snacks, because he loves it. So I'm keep sending. And then, yeah, he became happy. And then allow us to visit my hometown again. So we visited my hometown from Chiba. Then, uh, my parents just, uh, told me that actually they have one concern about the house. Who going to take care of this old house, uh, which succeeded from my grandfather. So usually in Japan, the first son should take care of it.
So that is, uh, for me. So I said, don't worry, you know, I'll take care of this house. So they just I removed this one, uh, concerns. Then next concern, uh, the worry is about their health. Because they are already that time 75 years old. So in case, uh, you know, like we're going to be like hospitalized or like paralyzed, you know? It's not normal condition, what to do? So I said, don't worry. We're going to take care of you. Then we removed their another concern. Then my father asked me one question. Asked me, why do you have beard? Beard, you know? So, that is a very, uh, interesting question. It's related with Islam.
And that was a very question I was probably waiting, which means I do not directly answer that question, but rather I should say that, in order to understand your question or answer to your question more, I need to explain or you should understand the basics of Islam. So do you have 10 minutes? So my father said, okay. So which means I have now time to talk about Islam, just even for 10 minutes, Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah). Before he dislike even few, few minutes, you know, he cannot bear. But now I have 10 minutes, Alhamdulillah. I have to talk what I supposed to talk.
So we have the GORAP method, you know, the existence of God, oneness of God, and the revelation, prophethood. This essential part. So I have already trained, so I just talk, you know, in Japanese, in easy Japanese. Then, you know, they're listening, including my mother, listening. So then, after that, uh, my father eventually asked me, what do you want? Finally, just he said, what do you want? So that time my wife just listening just next to me. She felt, oh, it's something happened, you know? So she said, I want you to come together to enter Jannah (heaven). This is what my, my wife said. So then how, how, right? So that's why then I said, can you recite shahada (testimony of faith)?
You know? Because that the GORAP is all about shahada (testimony of faith), explaining there is no worthy of worship but Allah, and then Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a messenger of Allah. That is a message. So I have already explained, and then they somehow understood it. So only thing left is just to confess it or testify it. So that's why what I want, I want you to testify what just I have explained. So they just my father, my mother look at each other and then, okay. Wow. So, okay, we, we can decide, we can say. That was a really happiest moment. Then my wife and myself is immediately make sujud shukr (prostration of gratitude), you know? Yeah. it's really unexpected the result.
But Subhanallah (glory be to Allah), yeah, that what happened. Yeah. What was the thing that you were impressed the most about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? Yeah, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam (may peace and blessings be upon him). Well, for me, the first and foremost, he's a messenger of the Quran. So that is very significant because I was impressed by the Quran. So I was thinking how he could convey this, the message, the Quran, I mean, without any change, you know, for the last, uh, four, 1,400 years, right? So it's a miraculous thing. And then his great personality. The more I know him, the more I really admire or respect.
How is it possible that time, 7th century, is there no so-called civilization or like material support, you know, to do dawah (inviting others to Islam)? There is no cars and then no trains, right? There is no iPad or computer, right? But only 23 years, just 23 years in this barren land, how he could travel, you know, long distance, even just from Makkah to Madinah, and then doing dawah almost every day. And then finally, you know, Fath Makkah (the conquest of Makkah), opened the Makkah. That's really amazing. What differences do you see in yourself before Islam and after Islam? Yeah, the difference, uh, in just one word, is a stability of the heart or mind.
What Allah plans, everything good. But we don't know the end result because He are looking at the picture, but human being we can see only pixel. So from pixel perspective, maybe is something bad happens, but actually after we look back, you know, this event, incident after, uh, 10 years, 15 years, we realize a real meaning, why it happens. Let's say like this life today is like because IT and then rapidly changing society. Uh, everything like change, change, very instantly. And then financially also, you know, our business going up and down, it changing. Our health also like during COVID-19, people suddenly get sick and they died.
And our human relationship also, many people have different ideas and complaints and then different feeling, different opinions, is still unstable. So if we focus on these things what's happening, then our heart become unstable. However, Muslim, although we are living in such an environment, we establish prayers five times a day. We keep connecting with Almighty God, the Creator, Allah, who is a perfectly stable. That's why we can get the stability of the heart. So that is a kind of, uh, practical benefits or I could say internal religious experience. I, I can stabilize, especially to believe the qadar of Allah (divine decree), you know, qadar of Allah, predetermination of Allah.
So that is really relaxing factor because our life is up and down, you know, good and bad. For human perspective, maybe bad, but from Allah's perspective, everything is good actually, because He is a source of good. So how come we are expecting something bad from Allah? No. That is the real affirmation or conviction. So eventually what we can get is a stability of the heart. See? Whatever happens, good or bad, say Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah). So that is, uh, really something I could learn and then I felt like a difference before and after, yeah, embracing Islam.
Then it makes sense that is I myself have to become Muslim. As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you), Dr. Kyoichiro Sugimoto. Thank you so much for accepting our invitation at Towards Eternity. We are very happy to have you with us. Wa alaykumu as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (upon you be peace). It's my pleasure. So I will just start by asking who is Kyoichiro Sugimoto? Can you tell us briefly about your life, please? My name is Kyoichiro Sugimoto. Sugimoto is my family name. So this belongs to the Sugimoto clan. So Sugimoto clan is actually originally a samurai clan. So I'm a descendant of samurai. And I was born and raised up in Seki City, in Gifu prefecture.
It's, it's a very middle part of Japan. And, um, later on when I, uh, became a university student, I studied, uh, cultural anthropology to research different culture and I found Islam when I was 19 years old. And I, I reverted to Islam when I was 20 years old. And then I'm just serving, uh, as an imam (leader) or chairperson of Chiba Islamic Cultural Center in Chiba. It's just next to Tokyo. What were you believing before you became a Muslim? Actually, I do not believe any religion particular. So just name is maybe Buddhist because my family is a Buddhist family. But actually, there are no religion. Just only culturally, just like normal Japanese, they respect the ancestors.
I didn't believe any other religion, uh, because for me, like a religion is like a business, which means they just only, uh, uh, increase the number of followers just to get the money from the believers. And then, you know, they themselves become so rich. And then, so this is a kind of a business. That was my perception before. Most of the Japanese people they feel like this life is the end. So nothing waiting. That is a presumption anyway. And how did you first hear about Islam? Yeah, so when I was a university student, I met a student from Bangladesh. So he was for me is the first Muslim in my life. So he could speak only, uh, little Japanese and he need to communicate, right?
So I became friend with him because I want to practice English. So we spent time sometimes. Uh, eventually like, uh, we're eating together, we have good like conversation regarding our life. Then he invited me to visit Bangladesh during summer vacation. So I was interested in different culture. I visited Bangladesh as the first overseas trip for my life. It was a Muslim country. Then I found a big cultural gap. Because Bangladesh is very poor country. Then I found so difference. On the way, there are so many like, uh, street children, uh, the sleeping on the street. So I was very shocked, what is this? Because you cannot find this kind of people in Japan normally.
When I just after arrived at my friend's house, you know, his family, uh, parents and brother and sisters, they welcomed me. And they have very good hospitality, friendliness. So this was another culture shock because they respect or value the family. They have extended family system, still they maintain it. And then later, I visited the more countryside, the village. They are very energetic, you know, they are like very living. Yeah, that is something you cannot find in Japan, like. Because like everything like controlled, and then the city life. So when you see the people's eye, like in Japan so many people, their eye is dead. Because they have no purpose of life.
They don't know what they're doing. They have no realization what the real purpose of our life. So they are living for work or work for living, they don't know. Now, I found something different human being, I found in Bangladesh. They are although poor, economically, however, I see their eyes. It's coming like an aura, you know? However, the people, they are all farmers, and they see me like a first foreigner in their life, but they invited me for the cup of tea, you know, they say chai (tea), like milk tea, and the pitha, pitha is like a sweet dish. So come, come, you know? And then just eat. So I was just shocked. It never happened in Japan.
Like first time you see the foreigner and then suddenly you invite to your home, never happened. But I, I experienced that in, in Bangladesh. So, why like this? So that was the, you know, the starting point to think about Islam, because I know they are all Muslims, basically. So maybe their behavior, their attitudes based on Islamic value. So after coming back to Japan, I started searching, uh, books on Islam because that time is still 1996, no internet yet. So I could find on the information only, uh, from library or bookstores. So I found the Quran in the Japanese language. That is the main source of information about Islam. So I found it and I start reading the Japanese translation.
Then I found very like unique concepts of Akhirah (Hereafter), that is life after death, and Tawhid - the oneness of God or Creator. So that concepts is very new to me. I've never think about in my life. Because like in Japan people are so busy. How can people have time to think about life after death? Even one second, they never think in their, in their daily life, you know? And about the concept of God also. Like in Japan is very famous, like a polytheistic society, polytheism. And there is no definition of God in Japan. Nobody teach you who God is. And then that's why I, I just found, oh, there is a definition of God in the Quran. Clearly mentioned.
Like a Surah Ikhlas (a chapter in the Quran) for example, A'udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan), Qul huwallahu ahad - say He is Allah, one and only, right? It's very simple. But that is kind of surprise for me. Oh, there's a definition of God. So, and then I get very interested in reading, you know, other parts of, uh, Quran, what they actually written there. Uh, because it's like 600 pages long. So I, I need to check what this the Creator, Allah, is actually telling us. So I read it more personally, as if the Creator, Allah, is telling me personally. It's not 7th-century book, but a present like life lesson for me.
I was curious, maybe something I can learn from this book. So eventually, I really agree very basic concept about Akhirah and the oneness of God. Now why I agree about the Akhirah (Hereafter), like I explained, I was a big culture shock in Bangladesh because they are poverty, right? So I was thinking that time, why these people are poor, you know? Simply because they are born in poor country. So they are poor. I mean, somebody just simply because they are born in Japan, their health or education was secured. And some people are simply born in Bangladesh, they are very poor. I mean, who has a right to decide? I mean, we have no right to decide where we are born.
So it means our life is from the beginning is inequal. You cannot reject this. So from the very starting point, we have a huge gap, disparity in our life, and which you cannot really adjust in our life, short span. So it means like, I don't feel any justice there, because from the beginning is something already decided. However, after I read the Quran, I found the concept of Akhirah (Hereafter). Then it makes sense because, uh, whatever we are given in this life is just a test. Whether you are given much or less, it's nothing to do with the final result.
So let's say even someone born in Bangladesh and they are difficult condition, however, if they are doing good things in this life, their life will be preserved in the hereafter, which means they will enter paradise and they can live forever. And then we think about this life maybe maximum like 100 years, but the forever life is unlimited, right? When we compare 100 years in infinity is nothing, you know? Even less than one second. So that's why this justice of the Akhirah (Hereafter) gave me the meaning in this life. What was the deciding factor in your decision to embrace Islam? What made you think that I should become Muslim? Have you noticed something?
While watching this video you don't see any ads. Since Towards Eternity is a non-profit organization we can only produce these videos through your support. If you want to be a part of this good deed, donate to Towards Eternity and don't miss this golden opportunity. What was the deciding factor in your decision to embrace Islam? What made you think that I should become Muslim? As I mentioned, uh, these two concepts, the concept of, uh, Akhirah (Hereafter) and Tawhid (the Oneness of God), really makes sense for me. However, I need to check all the verses of the Quran, what is actually written in this 600 pages long book.
So I carefully check if there are any dangerous teachings or any strange teaching or not. However, the more I read, the more I realized, oh, this is something very natural for me. This is something, uh, we're supposed to follow or believe. So eventually, I felt that this Quran is not human-made, you know? It's something like coming from Creator, or Allah. So I'm more strongly believing this Quran is life-changing book. And then I want to follow it. Because I mean the Islam is not just reading the book, the Quran. It's a more practice or religious experience. So I want to know how Muslim are actually feeling or practicing Islam in their daily life.
And how I can gain that kind of internal knowledge? How, you know? The only one way, that is I myself have to become Muslim. I myself have to experience Islam. Otherwise, like a third person like a researcher, you know, you become keep distance for the sake of objectivity, just research, research, but you really cannot understand the internal aspects of Islam. This researcher will never gain. That knowledge I want to know it. That's what probably out of curiosity, I want to become Muslim. To want to know what actually Islam is. So what were the major difficulties you faced after converting to Islam? Yeah, so first is halal (permissible) food. Yeah. It's almost 28 years ago.
Now recently, Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah), we have so many options for halal (permissible). Uh, but that time almost even Muslim, they don't have so much access to halal (permissible) food. So that was number one challenge. Number two is a place of worship, a prayer. That time is only, I remember seven mosques in entire Japan. Today we have 151, more than 151 mosques. So how, where, how to establish prayer is another challenge. And another challenge is a prejudice, against Islam among Japanese non-Muslims. So of course people have almost no understanding of what Islam is. Like for the last 20 years, I try to explain Islam to my parents.
Although, I think most of the case due to this September 11, a negative image of Islam, you know, terrorism. So they did not want to listen, uh, Islam. So rather they have negative image. But I want to explain. Whenever we meet together, then I want to introduce Islam. But they are not really care of it. But I continue. I didn't insist, but I continue how Islam is beautiful and then the the logical. However, they start disliking. So, uh, one day, like when they come to Chiba from my hometown, Gifu, my father like, you know, oh, again, you know, my son talking about Islam. And then just he, just visited, just only, only few minutes, and then he just left. You know?
Because do not want to listen about Islam. So our relationship became sour. So I was thinking how we can normalize it. So I was start thinking, uh, different way like I have to send some gifts for them to make them happy. Uh, for my father giving coffee, he likes coffee, and then some nuts, some snacks, because he loves it. So I'm keep sending. And then, yeah, he became happy. And then allow us to visit my hometown again. So we visited my hometown from Chiba. Then, uh, my parents just, uh, told me that actually they have one concern about the house. Who going to take care of this old house, uh, which succeeded from my grandfather. So usually in Japan, the first son should take care of it.
So that is, uh, for me. So I said, don't worry, you know, I'll take care of this house. So they just I removed this one, uh, concerns. Then next concern, uh, the worry is about their health. Because they are already that time 75 years old. So in case, uh, you know, like we're going to be like hospitalized or like paralyzed, you know? It's not normal condition, what to do? So I said, don't worry. We're going to take care of you. Then we removed their another concern. Then my father asked me one question. Asked me, why do you have beard? Beard, you know? So, that is a very, uh, interesting question. It's related with Islam.
And that was a very question I was probably waiting, which means I do not directly answer that question, but rather I should say that, in order to understand your question or answer to your question more, I need to explain or you should understand the basics of Islam. So do you have 10 minutes? So my father said, okay. So which means I have now time to talk about Islam, just even for 10 minutes, Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah). Before he dislike even few, few minutes, you know, he cannot bear. But now I have 10 minutes, Alhamdulillah. I have to talk what I supposed to talk.
So we have the GORAP method, you know, the existence of God, oneness of God, and the revelation, prophethood. This essential part. So I have already trained, so I just talk, you know, in Japanese, in easy Japanese. Then, you know, they're listening, including my mother, listening. So then, after that, uh, my father eventually asked me, what do you want? Finally, just he said, what do you want? So that time my wife just listening just next to me. She felt, oh, it's something happened, you know? So she said, I want you to come together to enter Jannah (heaven). This is what my, my wife said. So then how, how, right? So that's why then I said, can you recite shahada (testimony of faith)?
You know? Because that the GORAP is all about shahada (testimony of faith), explaining there is no worthy of worship but Allah, and then Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a messenger of Allah. That is a message. So I have already explained, and then they somehow understood it. So only thing left is just to confess it or testify it. So that's why what I want, I want you to testify what just I have explained. So they just my father, my mother look at each other and then, okay. Wow. So, okay, we, we can decide, we can say. That was a really happiest moment. Then my wife and myself is immediately make sujud shukr (prostration of gratitude), you know? Yeah. it's really unexpected the result.
But Subhanallah (glory be to Allah), yeah, that what happened. Yeah. What was the thing that you were impressed the most about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? Yeah, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam (may peace and blessings be upon him). Well, for me, the first and foremost, he's a messenger of the Quran. So that is very significant because I was impressed by the Quran. So I was thinking how he could convey this, the message, the Quran, I mean, without any change, you know, for the last, uh, four, 1,400 years, right? So it's a miraculous thing. And then his great personality. The more I know him, the more I really admire or respect.
How is it possible that time, 7th century, is there no so-called civilization or like material support, you know, to do dawah (inviting others to Islam)? There is no cars and then no trains, right? There is no iPad or computer, right? But only 23 years, just 23 years in this barren land, how he could travel, you know, long distance, even just from Makkah to Madinah, and then doing dawah almost every day. And then finally, you know, Fath Makkah (the conquest of Makkah), opened the Makkah. That's really amazing. What differences do you see in yourself before Islam and after Islam? Yeah, the difference, uh, in just one word, is a stability of the heart or mind.
What Allah plans, everything good. But we don't know the end result because He are looking at the picture, but human being we can see only pixel. So from pixel perspective, maybe is something bad happens, but actually after we look back, you know, this event, incident after, uh, 10 years, 15 years, we realize a real meaning, why it happens. Let's say like this life today is like because IT and then rapidly changing society. Uh, everything like change, change, very instantly. And then financially also, you know, our business going up and down, it changing. Our health also like during COVID-19, people suddenly get sick and they died.
And our human relationship also, many people have different ideas and complaints and then different feeling, different opinions, is still unstable. So if we focus on these things what's happening, then our heart become unstable. However, Muslim, although we are living in such an environment, we establish prayers five times a day. We keep connecting with Almighty God, the Creator, Allah, who is a perfectly stable. That's why we can get the stability of the heart. So that is a kind of, uh, practical benefits or I could say internal religious experience. I, I can stabilize, especially to believe the qadar of Allah (divine decree), you know, qadar of Allah, predetermination of Allah.
So that is really relaxing factor because our life is up and down, you know, good and bad. For human perspective, maybe bad, but from Allah's perspective, everything is good actually, because He is a source of good. So how come we are expecting something bad from Allah? No. That is the real affirmation or conviction. So eventually what we can get is a stability of the heart. See? Whatever happens, good or bad, say Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah). So that is, uh, really something I could learn and then I felt like a difference before and after, yeah, embracing Islam.