Can you imagine giving up your religion? Regardless of whether we are practicing believers or not, the thought of just giving it up seems unimaginable. So what is it that makes people change their faith? Especially convert to Islam? It is the most controversial and misunderstood religion today and over the years Islamophobia has been trying to win over the west.
“They don’t believe in God; they worship a black box in the desert; they kiss the ground 5 times a day, – they are hijackers! – Kidnappers! Terrorists!”
Despite all this hatred and bigotry, an ever increasing number of non-Muslims are embracing Islam. What is their motivation? The answer lies in their stories.
He belonged to a deeply religious Christian (Protestant) family that not only practiced their faith but also actively participated in propagating it. His father was an ordained minister who built churches and had close ties with famous anti-Islam Christian personalities like Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell and Pat Robertson. As a young man he took an active interest in learning about all denominations of Christianity. BUT today he is a well known Muslim preacher who travels all over the globe to spread the message of Islam. This is the story of the transformation of Sheikh Yusuf Estes.
Skip Estes was brought up in the conservative state of Texas, USA. For the first forty years of his life he devoted himself to learning about Christianity and became a music minister in churches. In addition to his religious activities, he also ran a successful music business together with his father. Despite gaining a thorough understanding of Christianity and earning great success and wealth in his business, some fundamental questions about the existence and purpose of life kept bothering him all these years.
Until the age of 47 his views about Muslims and Islam were similar to those help by most Christians, especially the clergy.
“To be honest, I was a ‘dedicated Christian’ and a good ‘ole boy from Texas. I hated anything and everything about those “Mozlems“, just like you are supposed to, here in the West.”
He would have continued on this course but providence had other plans for him.
On His Way to See the Light
In 1991, his father started doing business with an Egyptian Muslim. He asked Skip to meet with him but he was apprehensive about it and told his father that he didn’t want to meet this man. However, he finally agreed to meet with this man, Mohamed Abel Rehman. This could be his first chance to convert a ‘Moslem’, he thought!
His first encounter with a ‘Moslem’ occurred on a Sunday after the church service. He had his bible and the family by his side during the meeting. The first look at the ‘Moslem’ shocked Skip Estes; that man was nothing like he had believed. In front of him was a middle-aged man without a beard and with a pleasant personality and warm gestures. Skip asked him various questions about basic Christian beliefs and was surprised to find that Muslims also believed in the same things. How could this be? Anyway, the conversation continued for hours and convinced Skip that Mohammed is a prime candidate for conversion to Christianity. As a result he agreed with his father that it would be a good idea to do business with Mohammed. He was determined that after spending time with this man, he will surely convince him to convert to Christianity.
Fate kept paving the way for Yusuf to see the light. After sometime, Mohammed moved into Skip’s family house. Around the same time Skip met with a Catholic priest and was again surprised to find that the priest knew a lot about Islam. He invited the priest to also stay at his house. Now regular gatherings of the people of two faiths, Islam and Christianity, started to take place in the Estes house. While living in the house, one day the priest asked Mohammed to take him to the mosque. A few days later the priest again asked Mohammed to accompany him to the mosque. This time they were gone for hours and returned with a surprise. Along with Mohammed came a man in a white robe and a cap. It was the priest… he had embraced Islam!
What a shocker!
The same night Skip’s wife confided that she too was going to embrace Islam. This was too much and too soon!
The Transformation of Skip into Yusuf
That night Skip spoke with Mohammed at great length till the crack of dawn.
Hear in his own words how he asked Allah for guidance.
“I went out back behind my father’s house and found an old piece of plywood lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.
Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: “O God. If you are there, guide me, guide me.” And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something. No, I didn’t see birds or angels coming out of the sky nor did I hear voices or music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes. What I did notice was a change inside of me. I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me to stop lying and cheating and doing sneaky business deals. It was time that I really work at being an honest and upright man. I knew now what I had to do. So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was ‘washing’ away the sinful old person that I had become over the years. And I was now coming into a new, fresh life. A life based on truth and proof.”
The next morning Skip took the ‘shahadah‘ (the Islamic testimony of faith) before Mohammed, and lo and behold, the former priest became Yusuf Estes.
After only a few minutes his wife also took the ‘shahadah‘.
His father didn’t wait too long and after a few months he also submitted to Islam. Their family’s journey for the truth concluded when his step mother also converted later.
subhanallah !
Allahu Akbar ! Allah is Great !
Allah give strength, to all of us, so that We also can spread Islam ?
SUBHAN ALLAH! what a great experience, hope many more christian find the true essence and purppose of life which is ISLAM the only RELIGION accepted by ALLAH the creator of heaven and earth and all the exist inbetween, ALLAHU AKBAR!
Allah is Great!
Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillahi,
Allahumma Aizzal islam wal muslim, wa azillal shirk wal mushrik.
Ameen.
Ya Salam!!!!
La haula walaquwwata illa liLLAH.
ALLAH is the GREATEST
Masha ALLAH TabarakALLAH.
Allahu akbar kabeerah. Inna ddeena indaLlahi al islam
Amin. Pls my muslim family i need ur advice and help, there is dis guy who happen to be a christian, he asked my hand in marriage but i refuse and told him d reason why we d muslim ladies cannot marry d christian men, he tried to convince me still i refuse him, a week later he called me and dat he is willin to convert to a muslim because he does’t want to lose me for another, den i asked him why? He said everyth about u and ur religlon are perfect. Pls my brothers and sisters in islam advice me on wat to do. Pls. Ma-salam.
I would advice you not to marry him because his reason of becoming a muslim is just to marry you.He is emotionally inclined to you and he has discovered that the only barrier was because he isn’t a muslim.Their are several instances where after such marriages they revert back to their religion, leaving the wife without alternative.Be careful not to be a victim.If he wants to become a muslim he should be but not on basis of marrying you.Islam encourages sincerity which are not attach with worldly benefit.REMEMBER;Always put intelligence before emotions
I have seen many stories no were true in their promise. Except muslims other religion really doesnt make sense. A muslim cannot convernt, no doubt about it best example is we dont/cant sing a song which talk about other than Allah, we cant eat meat which was not cut on Allah’s name. See these basic things in other religion, before they sing a song they dont even bother to know what song says, before they eat dont confirm how it was cut. For them religion doesnt make sense, what make sense is just fullfill their life’s desires and nothing other than that.
Dear sister, do not do such mistake. Do not become emotional, there is no love, he wants you thats why he is ready to become muslim, tomorrow after he fulfil his requirement, might leave you becoz they are not trustable. May Allah protect you from wrong patch and show you right path.
Just to remind you, have seeeeeeeeeeeeeen many stories of this kind, guy become muslim to marry a muslim girl, then leave her and revert back to their religion.
Any suggestions feel free to mail me at aqeel.23@gmail.com
Masahallah.
May Allah Ta’Ala grant you long life
Jazakkallah
MashaAllah may ALLAH (SWT) give him good health and energy to disseminated the word of truth through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) …..Mabruk what an inspirational story .
May d gudness & mercy of almighty Allah continue 2 b wit us & also safeguard us 2 d right path.ameen
edayath givin by ALLAH only no body can stop it
Its nothing, just the kind blessing of Allah that invites someone to submit himself to Islam. May Allah blessed all non Muslims with faith..Ameen
Masha-Allaah! Allaahu-akbar, nasa-minal-lah!! Allaah has shown them the light and His mercies.
subhanALLah.
beshak voh Allah ki hi zaat ha ju insaan ko naiki ki takaat aur burai say bachny ki quwat aattaa farmata ha….
All praises be to Allah the most kind. He has bestowed his love on Sheik Yusuf. Let His kindness continue to be with Sheik and the entire Moslem Ummah. This is a lesson to all of us that we should always seek for knowledge. It is weightless, a treasure we can easily carry.
Yusuf is among those being guided by Allah. Praise be to Allah the lord of the world. May Allah make it easy for us all. Amin
o Allah! please guide us as you have guided yusuf etes. Ameen!
Allah is Great….Subhanallah
Allah have chosen you to the correct path. Masha allah
MashaALLAH!
You’re a true Savant!!! Keep up the good work Sheikh!!!
Al-Hamdul li-Lahi, what a way of becoming a MUSLIM. How i wish other non belivers will read our brothers history and make a u-turn and follow the right path before it will be too late to do so. May ALLAH (SWT) guide us aright. Aamin.
ALLAHU AKBAR! ALLAHU AKBAR!! ALLAHU AKBAR!!! THOSE CHRISTIANS WHO MOSTLY CONDEMN ISLAM CERTAINLY DO NOT HAVE THE TRUE DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF ISLAM……AND THOSE WHO DO AND DECIDE TO OPEN THEIR HEART END UP BEING GREAT MUSLIMS. ALLAHU AKBAR…CERTAINLY THE TRUE GUIDE IS GUIDE TO ISLAM…AND HE ALLAH ALMIGHTY ALONE IS THE GUIDE……MAY ALLAH CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR IMAN TILL OUR LAST BREATH ON EARTH…AMEEN.
Amazing experience, embraced Islam not a compulsion but through “hidayah” or call the soul because of Islam, the religion which never force people to follow and trust…..
Allah the Almighty stated:
“Verily, you (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are the guided.” (28:56) SUBHANALLAH :)
Amazing story! May Allah bless us.
Mubarak!. being blessed with guidance and now SubhanAllah you are amongst the ones from whom people are being guided. :)
MAY ALLAH GIVE ALL OF US GUIDANCE….AMEEEN
ashaduanla ilaha illalah wa ashaduanna mohammadur rasullullah!!!ma’ashallah! people on the globe less think islam possitively but in other way around..allahuakhbar!at times sheikh Yusuf Estes lightened up what a true islam really means as he lightened up till he finally embraced islam..brothers and sisters in Islam,let us all be reminded at first to remind myself is what an ISLAM trully means and that islam is no just a religion itself but it is us,in person makes what we trully believed..so as reminder,let us all share and show through ourself into the whole world the real meaning of islam as we moslems were in truth as we are a peace loving person lead by the almighty god righteously by in general and fair as what have taught to us as we follows prophet mohammad deeds and by obeying allah’s words and commands..let us all be guided with protections from allah,jizir allah,pleasing him as we pray constantly and asked for his mercy and forgiveness!!for allah is opt merciful and perfect..
JAZAKALLAH!!!
Allahu AkBar!!
Yaa ALLAH grant him and his family more Blessings and good health and keep him safe always with his family,and keep him away from fitnah so that he can make more Da’wah.inshaallah “…..
shiekh am jst a fan of urs & wen i read ur life history i was amazed .hope some more christians will join us wen they read dis ur article or wen they hear ur lectures .may Alllah (saw) guide us 2 d right part.
fatima i second ur pray….MAY GOD give all of us true gidence….ameen
Alhamdulil-Laahi allazii hadaanaa lihaazaa.
I believe that this is the time the Holy Quran made mention in Chapter 110.
“(1)When there comes the help of Allah and the victory, (2)And you see men entering the religion of Allah in companies, (3)Then celebrate the praise of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness; surely He is oft-returning(to mercy)” .
We therefore celebrate the praise of the Almighty Allah and we pray for forgiveness of our sins that have been committed before and those in the future. AMEEN.
am surprised by 2things.1.a christian priest of his order and of such family? 2.AN AMERICAN FROM TEXAS? WOW NONE HAS D RIGHT TO BE WORSHIPPED EXCEPT ALLAH SWT.BT WHY MY SURPRISE FLEW AWAY WAS THAT I REMEMBER A VERSE OF D QURAN WHICH SAYS HE EXTRACT A LIVING FROM D DEAD AND A DEAD FROM D LIVING.ALSO DAYS FROM NIGHT AND VICE-VERSA….this is bcos TEXAS IS A DEAD END 4D MUSLIMS BCOS OF THE ANTI ISLAMIC THUGS THEY HAVE PRODUCED.HOW I WISH D BUSH FAMILY ARE THOSE IN QUESTION.MAY ALLAH PRESERVE HIM AND HIS FAMILY
Allahu akbar wa lilahi l hamd,it is true dat no one think about it except the wise
nyc shear hassan! Keep on tryn. JAZAKALLAH.
If ALLAH wants to give the light of Islam to any one, no one in the word block this person to come in the light of ISLAM.
I love you brother Yusuf for the sake of Allah. You always inspire us with your character and knowledge. May Allah (SW) grant you the best of the world and of the hereafter.
sir yosuf Allah bestow hz mercy on you. Need of hour is to propogate islam in west. Dawah is fard on every muslim. Yet hundrens of peaple are yet in search of the true path. Allah u akbar. Allah guide us aameen
I really appreciate thus story even though I’m a Muslim it has put more faith in me.
jazakallahukhair. Islam z the reality former or later everyone z going to come to know. Islam z the relign of purity, relign of peace, relign thatz eternal. Itz is obligatory for every muslim to spread the message of truth that there z no god but Allah and Muhammad p.b.u.h z the last messenger of Allah. That z islam. Salaat, zakaat, sawm, hajj, the status of women in islam. Women z nt created for market women z the precious gift of Allah thatz to be treate with love, affection and care. The concept of hejaab subhanallah. I love you my creator, my master, my chresher and my sustaner my lord and the lord of the majestic throne. I am proud that i am muslim and ummah of MUHAMMAD MUSTAFA P.B.U.H. Allhumdillilah
alhamdulillah
Mr Yusuf I,ve a question please do reply me. SOME SINGERS SING NASHEEDS BUT THEY ADD MUSIC INTO IT.SO IS IT HARAM TO LISTEN SUC NASHEES? PLZ SIR HELP ME. And just plz reply me. Plz
Zohana,
The story has been written by us based on Sheikh’s life. Sheikh Yusuf isn’t directly connected to us and so he won’t reply because he might not even know about it but I will try to find the answer for you.
Thank you.
This will be my personal opinion base on experience. As long as our obligation fulfill & intention ( niat ) still on path, we shouldn be worry with other thought.
A-o-A Mr Yusaf music in Islam is haram in every condition .u cannot add music in nasheeds or in reading quran.
i am send u a address
ummqura@brain.net.pk
u can ask all typ of question here (ummqura@brain.net.pk )
Khuda hafiz
Mr yusuf i,m a great fan of ur,s. Believe me or not but i,ve always loved u. Ur story of embrasing Islam is so impressive.May Allah grant us guidance amin.
WOW…what an amazing srory Masha”Allah…thank yopu for sharing and will continue to share Insha”Allah..wow!!!
I believe that if a non muslim insist to know what is islam,he or she must finally convert to islam
Jazakal-llah
All Thanks be to Almighty ALLAH. In view of the above true life story of Yusuf Estes. You people over there go and search for the truth where ever you are!
Note that you should not die except you are a Muslim, start now before it be late.!
I watch videos of sheikh Yusuf every friday morning on metro tv in Ghana, he is an inspirational man and an example to all christians to emulate.
Ho what a change pls let this to be known to christians and let the man also let give his own opinion on tv station may almighty allah help islam
god is great, subhanallah.
Allah is Great… Not God Mohamad Sahib
The only difference between Allah and God is the word. Different people refer to Allah/God with different names but in the end it is the same and only Deity. :)
There is a lot of difference between God nd god.
God with capital G refers to ALLAH(The One) but gods refer to many gods like hindu believe ..