By Liza Nerva Abdullah

I was born in a family of mixed parentage. A multi-talented musical heritage, right down from my ancestors. A strict, staunch roman catholic lineage. Taken care by my maternal grandfather as my mother separated from my father. I was given away at 3 days old. I never knew my mother till I was 12 years old, and my father was never around. At the age of 12, when I finally met my mother, it was only for a short while, as she had a mishap working on a liner as a chef. Her body was never found and it made big headlines in the news. I studied in a catholic school convent. My grandfather was exceptionally strict and conservative, though musically inclined. My grandfather had a big family, singing in choirs in churches and was well-known. I remember sleeping in those churches, especially when it came to bible lessons in school. My relatives and I only met during weddings, funerals and school holidays.

I converted very early, as my travels led me to marriage. My grandfather threw a chair at my face when I told him that there is only one God, and I wanted to convert to Islam. At that time, Jamiyah was the official place to convert in the late 70s. That was where I recited the shahada. I had a deep yearning for Islam, but had no one to guide me so I had to find out for myself; through books and meeting elders.

Besides my singing career, every free moment I had, I travelled to Johor all by myself to attend the lectures given by missionary Ahmed Deedat, on Christianity and the Bible.

I attended lectures in stadiums by Yusof Islam (Cat Stevens), and even Ustaz Al-Jufri in Malay Language. As I had a distinction in the Malay Language, I was able to translate the words in my mind to English. I was also able to attend Ba-alwie Ratib on Thursdays. I have always felt the presence of Allah ﷻ around me, guiding me at all times. I’ve had trials, tests and tribulations, to the extend that my family members wanted me to go back to being a catholic. But, I stood firm in my Islamic faith.

What keeps me going in life? Well, to spread the teachings of Islam and do da’wah. I made trips to Darul Arqam, and that was when Allah ﷻ introduced me to my teacher, Ustaz Sameer.

As a singer and entertainer, I’ve always kept a low profile, apart from my popular artiste and celebrity friends. I was busy, sending my son and daughter to the best of religious schools and madrasahs, and even down to my grandkids. All while on events of my singing career.

I had a lot of trials, tests and tribulations in life with my family, but I never had the nerve to question Allah ﷻ. I’ve assisted two humble souls to Islam by the favour of Allah ﷻ, but I am still trying, in the midst of arguments, to educate my family of staunch catholics with rosaries on their necks about the beauty of Islam.

Allah ﷻ moves in mysterious ways, and on my last journey, I met Ustaz Sameer again. Many moons ago, Ustaz Sameer was still working in Darul Arqam. Whilst sending my grandkids to Madrasah Ma’arif, I would pop by to see if Ustaz Sameer would assist me in finding titles like “The Gospel of Barnabas”, “The Choice” and other books that would help me to explain the difference between catholicism and Islam, so as to gain insights to share the Islamic faith. Ustaz Sameer was always there to answer my questions and answers logically. Then I found myself attending his classes at Joo Chiat and following him to Umrah in 2022.

In December 2023, I was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 3, with 6cm bleeding tumour during the blood test. I had to do surgery for it. It all happened so suddenly, but I did what Ustaz taught me, which is the practise of Muraqabah; to zikr throughout my surgery.

Of course, I was terrified, but calmness envelopes me, and I put my trust in Allah ﷻ, and nothing else mattered. Eight cycles of chemotherapy shook me, together with cancer pills every two weeks for eight months. Still, I went to classes, and Ustaz motivated me and encouraged me with zam-zam water and zikr.

I am not alone. I am with Allah ﷻ. By His Mercy, He sent me my new family of loving and caring brothers and sisters. He sent me a guide; Ustaz Sameer, a teacher in my final journey home. I am truly blessed and grateful to Him. I have found my peace, tranquility and sanctuary amongst my brothers and sisters in Islam, guided by an indescribable Ustaz who loves the Ummah.

Alhamdulillah, Ya Rabb. May Allah ﷻ accept all of our deeds and strive and accept all of us in Jannah. May my final journey home come with a good ending, a Husnul Khatimah. Ameen.

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