I was given the name Muhammad Aadam when I accepted Islam in 1991. My family name was Alden or Al-deen. I integrated that into my given muslim name. I was 16/17 years old when I started getting interested in African Culture. I had an inner desire to learn about my African ancestory. I guess because alot of rap stars, singers and other folks were wearing African medallions and wearing African Kufi's. So that got me interested. In school I was good and close to this dude named prophet. He was muslim and he was so cool. This guy was from New York and he always wore a black kufi.

 

Me and prophet used to always have debates on Islam and Christianity. Him and I used to rap. We were pretty good rapping back then. I used to freestyle (improvization of lyrics) alot so we used to always battle against each other (competing in rapping). Well in the midst of my high school days, I found out that few of my buddies were muslim. So I read about the life of Muhammad (pbuh&hf) which intrigued me to the point that in my heart I accepted Islam. I had then and at that point bore witness that there was no God worthy of worship but Allah. I went to the islamic Centre of Southern California and accepted Islam. I got a certificate and everything that i still keep to this day under lock and key sort of speak. I treasure that moment always. 

 

There weren't computers at that time (like the ones we have today) so I went the old fashion way and went to the library alot and read about the African Muslim Kingdoms. I was so taken by reading about these kingdoms, that I got more and more interested in the Deen. I noticed that Islam brought a beauty out of people. It brought the best out of African people whether in the homeland of Africa or when they/we got taken into slavery. The muslims that were taken captive, had the mindset that "I will die fighting or die in bondage before these kafirs touch me or our women!" I studied about that experience then corrolated that with the Muslims of many diversed backgrounds in oppressed conditions. Upon accepting Islam, a person was now told to do something NOW! That a muslim is not allowed to oppress or be oppressed. Just knowing that Rasool (pbuh&hf) mentioned that at Ghadeer Khum, along with many other things, muslims from those unfortunate backgrounds were naturally brought up out of those conditions.

 

That's what happened to me.I was no longer oppressed in my way of thinking nor in my way of living. I was living according to how God wanted me to live. From the time I said the Kalima, I have studied Arabic (reading, writing and speaking) as well as Farsi (reading and writing). I remember that day in my high school class when having that dialog. My Mom accepted Islam before she passed away in 2000 and my sisters have accepted shortly thereafter. Allah is God. Islam is my love.

 

Ma-Salaama,

 

Muhammad Abd'Shaheed Al-Deen Aadam