By A. Muralitharan (Muhammad Yusuf Ali)

My name is Muhammad Yusuf Ali, formerly known as Muralitharan. I converted to Islam at the age of 15 in the year 2008 during the holy month of Ramadan, Alhamdulillah. Yes, I was 15 years old at the time, so you should have an idea of my age now.

A bit of background about my family: My mother passed away when I was 1 year and 10 months old and I have an eldest brother and an elder sister. My late father, who passed away in 2017, raised us single-handedly. As my sister and I were still studying, and my father’s health deteriorated due to kidney failure and diabetes, we faced financial difficulties at home. Consequently, I decided to quit school and started to work part-time to ease my financial situation. So, at the age of 15, I left school.

A few friends recommended me a job as a mover, a job that paid daily cash, which was suitable for my situation. Each day, I earned around $40 or $50, which was a significant amount for me, allowing me to manageOne day, while at the temple, I had some time before the prayers started so I stepped out of the temple to take a stroll. I bumped into a mosque officer outside Masjid Jamae Chulia and we had a small conversation. He inquired about the temple’s event, and I explained that there were prayers taking place. At the main entrance of the mosque, there was a mini exhibition featuring Islamic da’wah posters related to Christianity and Islam, as well as various brochures. The mosque officer then gave me some brochures on Islam. Initially, I did not pay attention to them, but later that evening, I became curious and decided to take a closer look.

The brochures contained simple explanations of the fundamentals of Islam, illustrated with pictures and logical comparisons, such as the question of whether there can be two drivers in a bus or two husbands in a family. This led me to ponder the concept of multiple gods administering the world.

The next day, after work, I headed to the temple again, arriving quite early at around 6:30 PM. I thought of saying hello to the brother I had met the previous day, assuming that he would be outside the mosque. When I reached the mosque’s main entrance, I met the Imam (religious leader) of the mosque. I told him that I was looking for someone named Ali and just wanted to greet him. The imam responded, “Ali isn’t working today, but why don’t you come in?” I accepted the invitation and entered the mosque.

A while later, the imam told me to take a seat and informed me that they were about to perform their evening prayers. He informed me that he would speak with me after the prayers. I found a spot in one of the corners of the spacious Masjid Jamae Chulia and observed them quietly. It was amazing that the whole crowded congregation came into perfect prayer order with the call of a single ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is the Greatest).

During their maghrib evening prayer, the imam began reciting Surah Al-Fatihah in the first rak’at, My heart was deeply moved by his recitation even though I did not understand Arabic nor comprehended what he was reciting. The recitation of Al-Fatihah had a profound effect on me. I felt an overwhelming sense of calm and tranquility enveloping me. This feeling persisted during the second rak’at when the imam recited Al-Fatihah again, and I just developed a strong desire to embrace Islam. my finances. In September 2008, I started a routine of visiting the temple in Chinatown after work. Right next to the temple is Masjid Jamae Chulia.

One day, while at the temple, I had some time before the prayers started so I stepped out of the temple to take a stroll. I bumped into a mosque officer outside Masjid Jamae Chulia and we had a small conversation. He inquired about the temple’s event, and I explained that there were prayers taking place. At the main entrance of the mosque, there was a mini exhibition featuring Islamic da’wah posters related to Christianity and Islam, as well as various brochures. The mosque officer then gave me some brochures on Islam. Initially, I did not pay attention to them, but later that evening, I became curious and decided to take a closer look.

THE RECITATION OF AL-FATIHAH HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT ON ME. I FELT AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF CALM AND TRANQUILITY ENVELOPING ME. THIS FEELING PERSISTED DURING THE SECOND RAK’AT WHEN THE IMAM RECITED AL-FATIHAH AGAIN, AND I JUST DEVELOPED A STRONG DESIRE TO EMBRACE ISLAM.

After the prayers, the imam came to me, and I asked him what he had recited during the prayer as it was so beautiful and soothing to my ears. I expressed my desire to hear it again. He explained that it was Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran. Without hesitation, I told him, “I want to become a Muslim.”

The imam informed me that he would introduce me to the congregation after the Ishak night prayers. The main prayer hall was filled with worshippers attending the Ramadhan Terawih prayers. He announced to the congregation that there is a brother present who wished to embrace Islam and asked for their support. I recited the Shahadah, the declaration of faith, and the entire congregation warmly embraced me as their new brother in Islam.

ašhadu ʾan lā ʾilāha ʾillā -llāhu, wa-ʾašhadu ʾanna Muḥammadan rasūlu -llāh

“I testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

All Praise is due to Him ﷻ who guided me to become a Muslim. I later shared this news with my sister, who was very supportive of my decision. Eventually, my relatives learned about it as well, and they saw the positive changes in me as I strived to become a better person and a respectful family member. They had no objections to my conversion as they realised the positive impact that it had on my life. It is also important to note that the most effective form of da’wah (inviting others to Islam) is through mutual respect, kindness and positive actions.

Just before my late father passed away, I also had the privilege of reciting the Shahadah into his ears and may Allah ﷻ accept his Shahadah.