Siraat as-Salaam

Journey to Peace





The Journey Begins

Clement wiped the sweat off his brow as he stared down at the bag of his possessions
between his feet. J am-packed with people, firewood, baskets of vegetables and a few
chickens, the matatu bounced along the dirt road that headed out of his village. The journey to
Nairobi was long, but his family was convinced there was no choice. Too many little mouths
to feed as well as the lack of farmland and forest meant that he had to leave his fathers
village and try to find work in the capital.
Relieved that there was no accident on the highway or problems at the police checks,
Clement got out of the matatu in Nairobi and started walking toward the Kibera slums where
his uncle lived. It had been many years since Clement had seen him and his uncles family
had grown since then although his house had not. His uncle still welcomed him but Clement
was aware that he would need to find work soon.
After several weeks of walking out of Kibera along paths lined with filth and contacting
the people who his father and uncle knew, Clements prayers were answered when a family
friend gave him a job loading trucks at a flour mill. It was hard work and long hours, but the
pay was decent and people said the owner was an honest man. At last he was able to bring
food home to his uncles house.

A Foreigner Arrives

Riding on top of the cargo in the back of a lorry is a miserable way to travel through
northern Kenya. But it was J umas only hope to reach Nairobi. Even as he choked back the
clouds of dust, he was grateful that the bribe he had to pay to cross the border was not as high
as he had feared it would be. As the truck rumbled on, he could not help but recall the militia
raid on his village in Somalia that destroyed his family and started him on this journey.
After arriving in the crowded lorry yard in Nairobi, he searched for a mosque where
performed ablutions in time for the evening prayers. After prayers, he began asking for a
place where he could lodge. A group of worshippers mentioned the name of Abu Ahmad, who
turned out to be an elderly figure who patiently listened to J umas story.
You must agree to assist with the work in the house while you look for a job. Inshallah
some of the people I know will be able to help.
Alhamdu-lillah! exclaimed J uma. May Allah reward you, sayyid. I will be most
willing to help, of course. My father told me that if I needed help in a foreign land, I should
ask at the mosque, and I see that his words are true.

J uma spent the next weeks walking through the streets of Nairobi pursuing any contacts
that Abu Ahmad could provide. As he became more familiar with the matatu routes, he was
also slowly improving his broken Swahili.

A New Face, A New Path

Not long after Clement began working at the factory, a new pair of hands began working
at the dock unloading bags of grain. The hands belonged to J uma, who had recently arrived
from Somalia. Although J uma could not speak a lot of Swahili, his actions showed that he
was willing to work hard and help his fellow workers. It was also evident from his speech and
actions that he was a Muslim, for on Fridays he would go to the mosque for prayers at noon.
Soon it became clear that Clement could not stay any longer at his uncles house. When
he mentioned this to J uma at the morning chai break, J uma told Clement that he could stay
with him.
Where do you live, J uma? asked Clement.
I live with a group of men who are like my brothers, he said. Come and see.

It was about an hour walk to the house where J uma lived. Although it was in a poor
neighborhood, the house and the front courtyard were well-kept. After taking off his shoes at
the door, he was shown around the living quarters and kitchen area. The various house duties
were divided among the residents and the room where he would have a mat to sleep on was
also used for prayers.
J uma introduced Clement to Abu Ahmad, who said, You can stay in our house if you
are willing to work. We do not have much, but we can offer a place to spread a blanket. We
share the duties here as well as our food.
But you know that I am a Christian, blurted out Clement. Will you still let me stay?
Of course, replied Abu Ahmad gently. Allah says in Al-Quran that there is no
compulsion in religion
1
. It also says that Christians and J ews who fear Allah and do good
deeds have nothing to fear
2
. We are a community that seeks peace and truth.
Clement said, When you say the name Allah, do you mean God?
Abu Ahmad replied, Of course! Allah Taala, the Exalted, is the Supreme Ruler, maker
of the universe, the God of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), whom you Christians call Abraham,
and who sent prophets to the people of Israel. We believe that he revealed in the Quran to
Muhammad (s.a.w.) that his name is Allah.
Clement said, Yes, my father said that we follow the teaching of J esus, but Muhammad
came later and taught something different.
That is not true! said Abu Ahmad. Muhammad (s.a.w.) himself claimed that he did
not bring a new message, but he confirmed the messages which Allah had sent
before.[footnote]
What was this message? asked Clement.
Abu Ahmad replied, It was simply this: there is no god besides Allah. All people
should turn away from worshipping false gods and submit to Allah, the one true God. In fact,
the meaning of Islam is submission, and one who submits to Allah is called a Muslim.
Clement said, If you say it that way, then I am a Muslim, too, for I too am submitted to
the one true God!
Well I dont know about that, replied Abu Ahmad. For us, submission to Allah
also means following the teaching and ways of Muhammad.
I see, said Clement, but you just said that Muhammad taught the way to the one true
God like the prophets before him, which I already believe in.
That is true, but we should discuss this with our imam, who knows more about such
things. Still, we welcome you as a person who respects the Lord of the Worlds
3
and who

1
Al-Quran 2:256
2
Al-Quran 2:63
3
Arabic: Rabb-il alameen
seeks truth. At the end of the world, all men will have to stand before Allah and give an
account for their deeds. Surely no man can understand the wisdom of Allah.

Discovering New Territory

Clement was grateful to have a more peaceful environment to live in. Although he loved
children, the clamor of many undisciplined little mouths in his uncles house had been
sometimes hard to bear. Clements new quarters were still cramped but there was an
orderliness to the house which created an atmosphere of harmony. He found himself
exploring a new world of experience that his new Muslim friends inhabited. He watched them
do wudu, the ritual washing before prayers. He sat and watched them perform salat, the
prayers in which they bowed down before Allah, sometimes in unison, sometimes
individually. He was intrigued by the melodic chanting of the Quran. He thought to himself,
Could what they say be true? They seem so sincere and devout. They really believe they are
worshipping the Creator God. How could this be?
After prayers, Clement said to J uma, Tell me about how Muhammad received this
message.
J uma replied, Let me start at the beginning. Muhammad (s.a.w.) was orphaned at a
young age. When he was a young man, he was hired by Khadijah, a wealthy widow, to
manage her camel caravans. He became quite successful in his work and then married
Khadijah. He saw much idolatry around him in Mecca because the Arabs at that time were
pagans and idol-worshippers. When he travelled to Damascus, he saw Christians kissing icons
in churches and thought that was just as strange. He heard stories from Arab Christians and
J ews about the true prophets of old and became convinced that there must be only one true
God, who was known as Allah in Arabic to those Christians and J ews. He was concerned by
the idolatry he saw in Mecca where he lived, so he began going up to a cave in the mountains
to be by himself and fast and pray to Allah.
Well, there are not many people who are that serious about finding truth, are there?
said Clement.
No, there are not, J uma replied. That is why Muhammad (s.a.w.) is a great example
for us. On one of those times, the angel J ibreel came to him and said Recite: in the name of
your Lord who created.
4
That was the beginning of the message that Muhammad (s.a.w.)
received. He was afraid and told Khadijah his wife about what he had heard. She said that this
must be a message from Allah and that he must tell others about this message. So he began
telling his friends and family, who became the first Muslims by turning away from idols to
worship Allah.
What happened next? asked Clement.
J uma continued, When the Muslims began growing in number, they began to be
persecuted by the pagan Arabs because Muhammad (s.a.w.) said that all the idols in the
Kaaba, the place where they worshipped, were false. At one point they had to flee across the
sea to Ethiopia where the Christian king gave them refuge. The pagan Arabs sent
representatives to the Ethiopian king to say, These Muslims are rebels. You should turn them
over to us. The king said to the Muslims, What do you have to say to this accusation? The
Muslims said, Sir, we worship Allah, the God who sent Ibrahim (a.s.), Musa (a.s.), Dawood
(a.s.) and Isa (a.s.). These Arabs are killing our people just because we say that Allah is the
only true God and that idols are false gods. The king said to the Muslims, Then I give you
refuge because what you say is true. It is like the sunlight coming through those two windows.
The source is the same although the light falls in different places. Eventually, the Muslims

4
Al-Quran 96:1
had to flee to Medinah where more Arabs became Muslims. When they grew stronger in
number, they were able to return to Mecca and remove all of the idols from the Kaaba.
Throughout this time, Muhammad (s.a.w.) received revelations and his followers memorized
them. We call all of this revelation Al Quran Al Karim, and it is what gives us guidance.
Because Muhammad (s.a.w.) brought a message from Allah, we call him rasul Allah. The first
step to becoming a Muslim is say this proclamation:
Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallah, which means: I testify that there is no god except
Allah.
Next, you say: Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah, which means: And I
testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
That is fascinating, said Clement. I can see that Muhammad was a man who tried to
turn people from idols to the one true God. In my tribe there are many who make sacrifices to
the tree spirits. But I know that all prophets told people not to devote their hearts to earthly
things. What did Muhammad teach about J esus? He is the one I have heard most about.
J uma replied, Well, First of all, we call him Isa (a.s.). From the Glorious Quran, we
know that Isa (a.s.) was born the son of Maryam (a.s.) when she was a virgin. With Allahs
permission he did many miracles such as speaking from the cradle when he was a baby,
healing the sick, raising people from the dead and making clay birds and bringing them to life.
Allah gave him the Injil, the gospel. This was a message from Allah that was a confirmation
of the Tawrat, which Allah had given to Musa (a.s.) who had come before. Isa (a.s.) called to
himself disciples, whom he taught. They were true Muslims who followed the way of Allah.
5

Isa (a.s.), who is called Al-Masih, taught that there is one God, not three. We believe that Isa
(a.s.) was not killed on a cross, but it only appeared that way. And at the end of his life, he
was taken up into heaven.
How can this be? protested Clement. So many things are just what I have heard in
the church, but some things are different. I am surprised, because I was told that believing that
J esus, or Isa, died on the cross and rose from the dead is the most important thing! I dont
understand! So many things you have said until now sound very good to me. It is through the
teachings of Isa I learned in the church that I have myself learned to turn away from idols and
from sin and toward the one true Creator God.
Allah Taala is all-knowing and all wise, replied J uma. Clearly, he has led you
toward the light of truth away from idols. You can be glad about that. But since you are
human, it should not surprise you if there are sometimes errors in the way you think. You
should pray that he would reveal the truth to you.

Exploring an New Path

Clement thought about what J uma had said for many days as they continued living and
working together. He watched the way J uma and his friends lived and worked and talked, and
he was intrigued by this similarities and differences he saw. Although they were not perfect in
every way, their belief in Allah strongly influenced the way they acted and talked. He was
fascinated by the emotive chanting of the athaan that called them to pray. He observed the
repeated motions of bowing and prostrating when they prayed together or alone, sometimes in
unison and sometimes individually. When asked, J uma told Clement that during their prayer,
they recited phrases such as God is great, Glory to my Lord the Highest and God listens
to those who praise Him. He learned the meaning of Al Fateha, the opening chapter of the
Quran, which was frequently recited during the prayers. He learned that its meaning was:


5
Al-Quran 5:111
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
Guide us in the right path;
the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have
deserved wrath, nor of those who stray.

What could be wrong about this prayer? Clement thought to himself. Surely these
people are making an effort to do what is right and they are praying for guidance. They call
Muhammad a messenger of God. He said many good things that I already agree with, though
there are other things that I do not understand.
I am certain there is nothing wrong with the first part of the shahadah, which says that
there is only one God. As to the second part, I have learned that Muhammad (s.a.s.) confirms
the message of the other prophets, including Isa (a.s.), and preached that there was one true
God. As long as I know in my heart that I am praying to the God of Ibrahim, why should I not
join my new friends in prayer? I too believe that Isa is the al-Masih, and arent these people
praying to the God of Ibrahim as well?

It was with this in mind that Clement decided to pray with his Muslim friends. J uma was
delighted to show him how to wash his face, hands and feet properly. How refreshing it felt
on a hot day! He was a bit nervous as he stood side by side and after the call to prayer, but
J uma assured him not to worry if he did not do the motions exactly right. The important thing,
he was told, was to have a reverent heart before Allah. The part he enjoyed most was sitting
on his knees in quietness at the end of the prayers, aware that he was praying to the Almighty
Creator. This was quite different from enthusiastic singing he had experienced as a boy in
church. Yet in a way, there was a familiar solemnity, a seriousness about coming into the
presence the true Sovereign of the world. Also, there was a peace that came from trying to
turn his heart toward God.
After the prayers, Clement felt a new bond with his Muslim friends. Yet he knew that
his friends and relatives in his village would not understand him. In his heart, he was not
abandoning his faith in God that he had previously, he was just practicing a new expression,
yearning to find out more about this community and what it meant to pray to Allah. He could
not resolve in his mind the disparity between the teachings about J esus (a.s.) and Mohammad
(s.a.w.) but he hoped that God would show him the truth. He remembered a verse saying that
Gods thoughts were much higher than mans thoughts, so he did not concern himself that he
did not fully understand what was happening.
He said to himself, I have now come to a place where I can embrace the major
teachings of both religions and I can enter into both communities. In my heart I believe in the
God of the prophet Ibrahim (a.s.), who is the father of Muslims and Christians, not to mention
the J ews! They say that Allah told Ibrahim to leave his town and go to a place he did not
know, but that Allah would show him. I wonder where this journey of mine will take me?

Juma goes exploring

The following week, J uma said, I have shown you my world of faith, but I know
nothing of yours. Why do Christians refuse to believe that Muhammad is a prophet?
That is hard for me to explain, said Clement.
Can you take me to someone who can?
We can go to a church and ask the pastor.
They went to the church that Clement knew best. There were many things that J uma
found strange, even repulsive. Walking into a house of worship with shoes on? Singing
songs? Praying to the prophet Isa? People standing in front of the congregation playing
guitars and drums like a concert? People shouting and jumping? Was this how to worship
Allah the Almighty?
Clement himself felt very uncomfortable when he saw this church with new eyes, when
it used to be so familiar.
Then a man who Clement said was the pastor, or the teacher, got up in front and began
to speak with great emotion, sometimes shouting, and eliciting many responses of Amen
from the people. From what J uma understood, he was explaining the teaching of Isa that
people who were poor, humble, who pursued peace and suffered for doing what was right
would receive blessing from God. Finally he was finding something that made some sense!
The most impressive thing for J uma was a woman who got up after the sermon and told the
people how her baby had been very sick and the doctors could not help her. She asked the
church for help and the pastor and elders came to her house to pray for the baby in the name
of J esus. The next day the baby was healed! So she knew she must praise God and thank Him
before all the people.
J uma saw her tears of relief and joy as she held her baby. He wondered how such a thing
could happen when the peoples beliefs were so wrong, and then he remembered how Isa had
healed many people when he was on earth. Could the name of Isa still be powerful?

After the people were dismissed, Clement and J uma made their way over to the pastor.
Clement introduced his friend. After listening to what they said, the pastor looked down and
was silent for a few seconds. Then he looked at the two friends and said in a very subdued
voice that was quite the opposite of his sermon, I am not the one to answer your questions.
Come back in one hour and I will take you to a friend of mine.
When they came back, the pastor took them to a waiting van. He said, We must got to
Bwana Odingo. He owns a flour distribution company.

Clement and J uma looked at each other in surprise.

In a short while, they stopped by the gate of a moderate-sized compound. They were
ushered inside the gate and seated under a tree.
When Bwana Odingo came out, he greeted the pastor warmly and then turned to his
guests. as-Salaam aleykum, brothers you look familiar.
Sir, we work on your loading dock, J uma replied. I am J uma and this is Clement.
Of course! the businessman replied, I remember you now! You two seem to be quite
inseparable. The pastor has told me something of your questions over the telephone. Please
tell me more.
First Clement briefly told his story, then J uma asked his question:
Why dont Christians accept Muhammad as a prophet?

Bwana Odingo began, That is not an easy question, and there is no easy answer. But I
believe it begins with who Christians believe Isa is.
From the Glorious Quran we understand that two names of Isa are Al-Masih and
kalimat-ullah. Both of these names are important to Christians as well. Al-Masih means
chosen king. It comes from the time of the prophet Dawood (a.s.), who was himself a king.
It is from the name of a ceremony where a prophet announced that Dawood (a.s.) was chosen
by Allah Taala to be a king over Beni-Israel. But Allah also revealed to Dawood (a.s.) that
one of his descendents would be a king forever. So Beni-Israel waited hundreds of years for
al-Masih to come. Allah revealed through other prophets even more details about the coming
al-Masih what town he would be born in, that he would be born from a virgin, how he
would die and many other details. When Isa (a.s.) was born, some people realized that the
prophesies were coming true, others saw the miracles that Isa (a.s.) did, and they believed that
he was al-Masih. Many J ews, however, did not believe in him. In fact, the religious teachers
hated him because he threatened their authority. They wanted to kill him, but because the
Romans were in power, the J ews got them to do their dirty work.
But doesnt Al Quran say that he was not crucified? protested J uma.
Well, it says that they did not kill him, it was made to appear that way. replied
Bwana Odingo. Muslim scholars have different interpretations as to what that means. Some
say that his body was killed, but not his soul. Isa (a.s.) himself said, No one can take my life.
I lay it down of my own free will. He said he could have called many angels to save him.
When he was interrogated by the J ews and the Romans, he only said the things that would
incriminate himself and make them want to kill him.
Why would he to that? asked J uma, shocked.
Isa (a.s.) knew that the revelations given to the other prophets showed that this was the
will of Allah. In fact, you could say that Allah killed Isa (a.s.), not the humans, but he made it
appear that way.
But why would Allah want to kill prophet Isa?
To understand that, we must look at the other name of Isa that I mentioned kalimat-
ullah. When Allah (c.c.) creates something, how does he do it?
He just says Let it be and it is, replied J uma. He is all powerful and wise.
Exactly. He speaks a word. When I speak a word, J uma, is it part of me?
Well it comes from you, so in a way it is.
If I were silent, how would you know what I am thinking? asked Bwana Odingo.
How would you know who I am and what I want? My words are an extension of me, because
they reveal and testify to my very being. In fact, without my words, I do not exist in your
mind.
When I give a command at the factory, I can speak it or have it written down. It is
similar with Allah (c.c.). Except in one case, that Word became a prophet, the man Isa (a.s.).
How did Maryam become the mother of Isa (a.s.)? We cannot know for sure, but I think he
spoke the word Isa and it became a baby in her womb. This is the testimony of Yahya (a.s.),
one of the disciples who was closest to Isa (a.s.).
"How can I know this is true? J uma protested. Perhaps that testimony was changed by
the Christians.
J uma, said Bwana Odingo gently. The Glorious Quran itself testifies that the Injeel
and Tawrat are true books that contain guidance. Ibrahim, Musa, Dawood and Isa were true
prophets with reliable messages from Allah. Therefore, their messages must all be part of the
same message. Since I know that Allah is all-powerful, I cannot believe that he would allow a
few weak and misguided Christians and J ews to corrupt the Words He has spoken that reveal
who He is. Especially when He confirms them with the Quran.
All that you have said is very hard for me to understand, said J uma.
As you told me, interjected Clement, Allah Taala is all knowing and all-wise. Since
we are human, it should not surprise us that we cannot understand all he has revealed. We
should pray that he gives us understanding.
I must take some time to think about these things, said J uma.
Of course! said Bwana Odingo. You are on a journey, J uma, and Allah Taala is
showing youre the way. J uma, when Muslims go to Hajj these days, they can get on an
airplane and be there in a few days. But in the days of the Caliphs after Muhammad (s.a.s.) it
some times took weeks of tiring and dangerous travelling on a camel or donkey. It is the same
with your journey, J uma. The journey upward toward Allah is not easy.
Isa (a.s.) said that the path to life is like a pearl merchant who travelled long distances
to far places buying and selling pearls. When he found a very precious pearl, he went home
and sold all he had so he could return and buy that pearl. He knew it was more valuable than
the possessions he owned, so it was a worthy exchange. You see, only those who seek will
find anything. But that which is valuable does not come cheap, it is costly.
Are you saying I must become a Christian to find this pearl?
No, I am not! replied Bwana Odingo. Yahya and the disciples of Isa were not
Christians. According to the Glorious Quran, they were true Muslims! But they believed that
Isa was al-Masih and kalimat-ullah. Isa (a.s.) and Muhammad (s.a.s.) were true prophets of
Islam. They had this message in common: turn away from idols and from nefs and submit to
Allah above all else. This is the path that leads to true peace in our life. Our desire to approach
Allah Taala and obey his commands must be greater than our desire for selfish things which
come from our nefs. This is something that cannot happen without the mercy and power of
Allah Taala. Allah-u-akbar must mean that Allah is greater than anything else in our life. So,
go! May Allah be your helper on your journey!