The New Convert

Two neighbors, a Muslim and a Christian, were on friendly terms.

Having concern for one another, they used to inquire after each other’s health and exchanged views from time to time.

The Muslim being a devout and religious man spoke highly of his religion and as a result the Christian friend embraced Islam.

As the night progressed and it was nearing the dawn, the Christian, a new convert, heard somebody knocking on his door. Surprised and restless he shouted:

“Who is it?”

From the back came a loud voice, “I am so and so,” identifying himself.

It was the Muslim neighbor who had the honor of converting him to Islam.

“What do you want at this late hour?”

“Be quick! Put on your clothes and perform ablution, so that we may go to the Mosque together.”

The new Muslim performed ablution (Wudu) for the first time in his life and set out to the Mosque behind his Muslim friend.

They had arrived early. It was time for the recommended, not obligatory, prayer after midnight. They prayed until dawn, the time for the morning prayer.

They prayed the morning prayer and were engaged in benedictions and invocations till it became perfectly clear. When the new Muslim made a move towards the door, his friend, the Muslim neighbor interrupted:

“Where are you going?”

“I am going home. Since I have finished my morning prayer, there is nothing else to do now.”

“Wait awhile and recite the benedictions until the sun rises.”

“Very well,” said the new Muslim.

The new Muslim sat and continued reciting the same benedictions until the sun rose. When he stood up to go, his friend, the Muslim neighbor placed the Holy Qur’an in his hand saying, “Read it till the sun rises a little higher. I advise you to fast today. Do you know how many virtues and rewards there are in fasting?”

The new Muslim did as he was advised and sat reciting the Holy Qur’an till it was nearing noon.

The Muslim neighbor said, “Now it is almost noon. We better perform the noon prayer in the Mosque.” Then the noon prayer, Zuhr, was performed.

Then Muslim neighbor said again, “After just a short time, the afternoon prayer, Asr, will be performed. We should do that also at the proper time.”

The afternoon prayer, Asr, was performed. Then the Muslim neighbor said, “It is almost evening now.” He detained the new convert until it was time for the evening prayer, Maghrib.

When new convert rose up to break his fast, the Muslim neighbor said, “There is one more prayer remaining. It is named Isha or the sleeping-time prayer.”

So they waited nearly one hour for the proper time of this prayer.

After that the new Muslim got up and went away.

Next day at the same hour of night the new convert again heard knocking at the door.

“Who is there?”

“I am so and so your Muslim neighbor. Be quick! Put on your clothes and perform ablution so we can go to the Mosque together.”

“As soon as I returned from the Mosque last night, I resigned from your religion.

Please go away and find some other idle man who has nothing to do in this world, so that he may be able to spend his whole time at the Mosque.

I am a poor man having wife and children to feed. It is best I go work to earn my livelihood.”