With the spreading of alters where other than Allah is worshiped..
Al Hamdulillah..we found the effect of Quran in Japan!
My name is Ikoda Atsoshi, and I’m a Professor at the university of Keio
I’m now inside a lecture hall in Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.
And in a lecture about Islam for Professor Kamal Ikoda
My name is Okoda Atsushi, and I’m a Professor of Political Systems at Keio University
He climbed up his career ladder till he became an important personnel among the Japanese community.
Under the supervision of Dr. Kamal Okoda, a generation of Muslims was produced
He is a role model by his great attitude and his place among his community..
We would like to learn about the life of Professor Kamal before Islam..
How was your life like?
And what was your goal in life?
Before Islam my life was ignorance ..
Very barbaric! Ignorant..I didn’t know the truth!
How did you learn about Islam?
How did you convert to Islam?
I want to know about this! I was told that you rarely talk about it..so I’d like to know..
I studied about Islam in my sixth year in college
There was a lecture about the Islamic legislation..so I attended..
At that time I didn’t know much about Islam, only a little bit
And I didn’t know how to be friends with people or even get to know them
Until I found a research left on one of the tables, so I scanned through it and my eyes fell on an Aya from the Quran
And it said that all humans were created from sand
What did you feel when you read this Aya?
I want to know your feeling, because it was the first Aya you ever read and it’s a great Aya!
As I told you, my relationship with people wasn’t very good..
So I asked myself “Why is my relationship with people isn’t that good and we’ve been created from the same sand?”
And I found that the reason was that I was a bit snobby..
After I read this Aya, my heart felt peaceful
“And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth].”
We’re all from Adam
And Adam is from dust..
So why is arrogance among us?
Before I read the Aya I was very egocentric
And after I read it my whole view of people, the world and myself changed completely and my heart was at peace..
After this change was my first introduction with Quran and its Ayat
However, at that time I never ever thought of Islam..
My only concern was knowledge and comparative studies between Islamic legislation and other religions..
Dr. Kamal took an interest into the Islamic legislation
And how detailed it is in caring about the human being
He moved to Aleppo to continue his studies and to learn Arabic.
And he was influenced positively by his teacher in Syria
He always told me that “Islam is a complete religion..
While studying with this teacher, I found a perfect model for applying Islam in one person.
And that was when I started to consider converting to Islam
But at that time I did not think of announcing my conversion to Islam
There was a voice in my head telling me “You’re Japanese! why do you want to convert to Islam?!
“This is strange!” and that was what the voice was telling me!
And before I converted I started thinking of how I’d cope as a Japanese and a Muslim at the same time..
The lack of knowledge and the lack of communication between the Muslims and the Japanese people are the main reasons for the slow spreading of Islam in Japan!
The moment of Shahada was closing in on Dr. Kamal!
And one day, in a meeting with a man he had to meet in a mosque in Aleppo to complete his academic research..
When we started talking
The time of prayer came
The Azan was being recited
I thought to myself, I must exit the mosque!
Because I’m not a Muslim!
The Imam said the Azan, and Dr. Okoda felt embarrassed..
and he exited the mosque..the weather was very hot at that time..
While soaking in his sweat, he asked himself a question..
Why am I not a Muslim?
this is very strange!
I like Islam! and I’m studying Islam! and I’m there! and there are keys to the future!
That was what I was thinking inside me but I didn’t convert to Islam! This is very strange!
Then I thought again to myself!
At that moment! I converted to Islam..
I believe that this is the greatest gift from Allah!
In my life!
He says that “Islam is the greatest gift from Allah in my whole life!”
I started learning with Dr. Okoda from my first year in University..He was teaching me Arabic and Islam
At first I felt that he was strict
Then that feeling changed completely when he started teaching us Arabic classes which attended by a few
I saw how he’s a very amazing, humble man who cares about his students and addresses their every need
The behavioral indirect Da’wa with his students
We definitely need more examples like Dr. Okoda in every university in the world!
A professor who’s unique by his knowledge and attitude!
I would like to know about the Japanese student before he starts school
What is the image of Islam before studying it?
Of course as you know, their image of Islam is not good!
before studying it! Yes!
And through learning Arabic and Islam I learned about the existence of Allah and I felt like I want to walk this path to Allah!
Towards the end, most of the students tell me that they liked Islam very much!
And some of them will convert to Islam, if God wills
And in Jordan, I told the Professor that I’d like to start praying after we return to Japan
So the Professor told me that before praying I must say the Shahada!
That was the beginning and thanks to Allah I’ve been a Muslim for 2 years now
Because of him, ten students, at Keio University, converted to Islam.
I feel that Islam is a very easy religion and I’m very happy that I was able to convert to it even though I wasn’t born with it.
Dr. Okoda is my favorite teacher and he was the reason for my conversion to Islam
The Quran was the first to attract people to Islam!
And it was a main reason for his guidance
That is why he is committed to teaching its meanings and understanding the Ayas of Quran
What is the Quran to you?
First of all, I’d like to tell you a word that I love in the Quran!
And it is “The straight path”
Guide us to the straight path
“Guide us to the straight path”
“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.”
The straight path
This sentence is very important!
Not just for Muslims but for all human beings..
If we walk the straight path our life and afterlife will be full of happiness!
Allah says “and this is Allah’s straight path! follow it!”
Quran encourages and orders us to gain knowledge and understand its Ayat!
Quran is what guides us! Quran gives us the basics and we need to search on our own and understand these Ayat!
Even though Islam hasn’t been in Japan for much longer than 100 years but the approach of the people to learn Arabic and Islam is increasing day by day!
Arabic is a very difficult language! and I envy you that you were born speaking Arabic!
What is special about Arabic is that you can speak to God with it!
I’d like you to read the Quran differently! I’m not sure if we’re reading it in a way that would please Allah or not!
The mission of Da’wa that we assigned to Dr. Okoda, is to make a research contest for the students
a comparison between the reality of Islam and what is shown in the media..
And we have a prize for the winning paper
This research is very important because it benefits Islam and the students but I’d like to hear your opinion!
Do you approve?
Of course I approve!
Quran is the reason for my guidance
It is the path of guidance to the whole world too!