I enveloped myself in the study of Islam, the history of Muslims and the world history and devoted 14 years of my life in the search for answers. During this time, I completed eight years of the well-known Dars-e- Nizami of the “Islamic” Madrasahs. My initial impression of Islam:
- Belief in the Articles of Faith: Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book and the Prophets (2:177). Add to this the 6th “Imam-made” article of Taqdeer or pre-destiny.
- Belief in the Five “Pillars” of Islam: Kalemah, Prayers, Fasting, Charity, Pilgrimage.
- Recite the Kalemah after each call to prayers with much reverence.
- Saying Allahu Allahu Allahu aloud when possible.
- Daily recital of the Qur’an without understanding the meaning.
- Khatm (“Wrap up” the reading of the Qur'an individually, and in congregations.)
- Pledging allegiance to a saint.
- Visiting graves and praying to the dead.
- Prostrate at the Khanqahs (sanctuaries).
- Consider dirty clothes as the heritage of prophets.
- Amulets and Vird Auraad (repeated invocations) to help solve all problems.
- Considering the Prophet (S) as omnipresent and knower of the unseen.
- Arranging feasts for the Mullah to ward off evil.
- Listening to Qawwali (The Sufi poetry sung with music and clapping) as a way of achieving proximity with Allah.
- Consider every non-Muslim as unclean, defiled.
- Have Iman in Imam Abu Hanifa's Fiqh (jurisprudence).
- Consider the Six Right Ones (6 compilations of Hadith) as Wahi (Revelation).
- Ignore advancements made by the modern sciences.
- Consider one who thinks and reflects a heretic.
- Recite the Kalemah, and Paradise is yours.
- All difficulties are overcome with du'a (praying) and not with proper action.
- Reciting words without understanding, engaging in useless rituals in order to attain Paradise filled with palaces and houris. .......
