Hosai Mojaddidi – Meredith’s Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)

That was Elijah was Salam o Allah should have an MBA will mursaleen

say that our marina where have you been on Muhammad sallallahu alayhi

wa sallam while he was trying to sell them for Steven cathedra

Assalamu alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and hamdulillah your

brothers and sisters, what an amazing and incredible opportunity

before us here we are joined by sister Meredith and I don't want

to mispronounce your last name as it heute or who to vote. A Masha

Allah she is actually calling in on the Zoom call all the way from

across the world, from the city of a men in Jordan, Mashallah. And

she's joined here by a friend that she's made sisters. And of course,

as part of our community here at MCC, they formed a relationship.

And Hamdulillah I was requested a few days ago, to be here to

facilitate the shahada of our dear sister Meredith Mashallah. So I'm

really excited to be with her and sister, Xena, but all of you

today, and I want to hear more from Sister Meredith. So Meredith,

we had a little bit of a conversation before this. But

please tell us and those who are going to be watching this video,

what brought you to this point? How did this all come about where

you found yourself? Wanting to become a Muslim? If you can give

us your more background? About you? And maybe your religious

background? If you had any at all? Love to hear more from you?

Bismillah?

Yeah, thank you. Um, oh, gosh, where do I start? Um, yeah. So I

mean, obviously, I'm very young, because I've not, I'm 17 I've not

had, you know, a huge, long time, to, you know, explore everything.

But I've always been very interested in religions. My

parents, I was baptized, because my grandparents are Catholic. And

that was something that they wanted. But I never practiced with

my parents. They're not religious people. They are somewhat

spiritual, but not, they don't really subscribe to any really

religion specifically. So I always, it was always something

that I felt like very connected to, and I always wanted to learn

about new religions. So and I went to a school actually went to a

Waldorf school, I don't know if any of you know that is. Yeah, but

we learned about a lot about just different religions around the

world.

And I remember there was one teacher there who was Muslim, and

she taught the unit in middle school on Islam.

And I remember just that that was something that really hit me when

she was talking about the history and the beliefs as just something

that felt more right than other things. And going into high

school, I wanted to know more about religions. And at this

point, I wasn't really sure. Like, if I really believed in God,

I felt spiritual, but not like, I wasn't sure if any religions were

like, real or something, you know.

So I started researching, I started reading the Bible.

And yeah, just at some point, I remembered back to this class as

learning about Islam was like, maybe that's something I should

look into. But when I did, I was like, Oh, wow, like, this is not

something I had expected to resonate so much. But as I looked

more into it, it just like, it really felt like the truth.

And I like I've always like, like, felt that there was something like

there. But like, I never knew how to like, connect with God, or

really feel like God was there. But I remember I wanted to learn

how to pray because I was learning about that. And I thought that it

was interesting. And when I did, I was like, Oh my gosh, this is

actually like, I feel something here. This is like, really, like

some connection. And that was, I think, when I knew like, this is

something that I really need to like, devote more time to and I

need to try to incorporate into my life. So I started praying, I

think my story is more of like a roundabout than other people's,

you know, they discovered Islam, and then they converted and then

they started praying, but I actually started praying like

first because that was the thing that I felt like I had always been

looking for, like that sense of groundedness and peace.

And so as I started doing that, I started learning how to like

actually pray and the words and the arrogance.

And I mean, just at some point, it was like, like, I was saying it

and I really believed in it.

And, yeah, it was kind of a gradual thing, but it just became

something that at some point was like I was like, Oh, this is

really like I really

any Muslim like and this is something that is really a part of

my identity.

And so yeah, I started reading the Quran and and trying to pray every

day and yeah and now I'm here Hamdulillah

he got me like in tears, what a powerful story. You are clearly

very wise for your years you're mashallah 17 But you speak so

eloquently and so maturely you sound Mashallah. So much while

older, for that reason, but, you know, as you were speaking, I was

reminded in learning a long time ago that that age of middle school

is actually when a lot of conversions happen, because it is

the age of awakening, you know, a lot of people start thinking very

deeply. So I think it's just so beautiful that the seed was sort

of planted for you in your middle school class. And then Subhanallah

a lot, just, you know, was incrementally right, like with

different events and experiences, drawing you closer and closer. And

now, here you are, and the fact that you've been praying you

mentioned earlier with litho in our previous conversation that for

six months, mashallah you've been praying consistently, it's just

such a, it's just so incredible. Wow.

Really powerful, powerful testament, how is your family

responded? Because you're so young, how have they received this

news? Or do they know?

Yeah, that's actually recently, it's become more complicated.

They've, they've always been very supportive of me supporting me

exploring like things.

And so I was from the beginning, just very open with them about

that I was researching this and, like, if I wanted to go to mosque,

or if I wanted to pray, like, I would just be very open with them.

And looking back, I'm not sure if that was the best strategy because

I've never been someone who ever, like lied to my parents, I just

like, I don't have the energy to do that.

So, but now thinking back, like maybe I wasn't, like, gradual

enough with them, I didn't they because I feel like maybe, like, I

didn't get a chance to like learn enough to like to teach them and

they were just maybe, like, kind of observing. And I think that at

some point, that was something that started to concern them.

Because they they're very open to different things, but they're also

they want me to be like that, which makes sense because, you

know, they want to be close to me. But actually recently, like I told

him, I wanted to wear a hijab and I think seeing me in the hijab was

just like too much for them

too much maybe like feeling like I was drifting away which is not

where I'm at because of course like family is like very very

important to me and very important in this one. But I'm hoping that

soon this is something that they can accept and that maybe this

study abroad distance I don't know will give us time to reflect and

to learn.

But yeah, it's a tricky dynamic right now but inshallah like it

will be better in the future inshallah inshallah Allah may

Allah open their hearts and like you said, it's very similar

experiences that other people who've come into the faith have

had because as you said, you know, the family feels as though your

the changes are so rapid that they're losing someone when with

time they learned that mashallah they just get a better version.

So, hopefully your parents will really appreciate all of the

wonderful changes that you're going to start to reflect because

of your, your increased spirituality and your new identity

in sha Allah when Allah when mashallah, you know, you've had

this you formulate this religion of Zainab. So how did that begins?

And I've had you and Meredith connect. And what have you guys

been talking about? nationala

Brotherman near connected us like what last week, Myrna thought two

weeks ago? Like very shortly before you left for Jordan, right?

Yeah, this is actually only a few weeks ago. It was a few weeks ago.

But yeah, did we via email, I think we emailed a little bit, and

then I shoot, I shot you like a text. And we've just kind of been

chatting from there, just about her journey. And then she told me

she was going to Jordan, which is amazing. And so I have the

opportunities as well, but I hope you're enjoying it there. And then

brother Minear. I think he asked me if you had taken your shahada

and I didn't know. And so then I asked you and then he was like,

why don't we try to do like a more like public one if that's

something you're interested in. So that's how we got to the point we

are right now. That's awesome. Now I'm so glad you told me that

because I was actually going to

Ask me, like what? What inspired you to reach out to MCC? Because

you're all the way in Jordan. And I wasn't sure like if, you know,

there was a backstory to there, you just basically shared that

backstory. So because we've had my show a lot of people from outside

of our community in Pleasanton want to do shahada with us? And

I'm always interested, like, what is it that you know, draws them to

our community, me, I kind of, you know, kind of know, because I have

a bias towards this community, mashallah beautiful community. But

I'm also just interested to know if there's something more so that

makes sense, so that you guys had this connection, and then my shot

came from you. So sisters interview, invited, Meredith Well,

I thank you for on behalf of our community, because this is such an

inspirational story. You're so young, as I said, and I know, a

lot of the community will really appreciate you sharing and wanting

to do your shadow with us. So with that said, I feel like everybody's

probably who's gonna be watching this going, come on, let's see the

main event here. So I like I said, I could talk to you forever

motional I feel like there's so many questions I have for you

personally. But I would love to now begin this beautiful process

of bringing you or, you know, formally into the faith. So

because Michelle, you've studied Islam, and you've been studying

and even praying, you know that the shahada is a very short and

pretty simple process where I will repeat the declaration of faith,

the shahada in Arabic, and then you can repeat after me, and then

we'll just, you know, mentioned the translation for, again, those

who are watching, so that they know exactly what the words are.

And that's it, that's pretty much the the process. And then, of

course, if you have any questions, after that, you can feel free. But

just another thing that I didn't want to mention before, because

you mentioned your Catholic background, Marshall, a lot of the

converts that I've personally facilitated shahada for, and have

also witnessed also come from a Catholic background, and I think

it's really, you know, there's something there because the, the

not only do, you know, a lot of the faith, or the, the, you know,

the, the components or the the aspects of their previous faith

match with what they find in Islam. But there are also other

things that they really appreciate, like the prayer like

the, you know, we have, we have, we use prayer beads, we have a lot

of similar ritual, you know, acts that I think they find a sense of

familiarity, and just, you know, comfort and so Inshallah, the

transition, as you continue on your journey, I think will be

facilitated for that. And, of course, you know, the centrality

of, of, or the, the, the emphasis that our faith has on all of the

prophets, and affirming all of the prophets that came before the

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him really do help, especially with

those who come from a more Christian or Catholic background,

to just feel like this is, you know, really, again, something

familiar to them, essentially. So, of course, his mother, many of

you, I'm sure know, how important they are, they're, they're

mentioned in the Quran, an entire chapter on her story and his

story. So the all of these things, inshallah you've read through

these, I'm assuming, because again, you're so wise, but any

questions pertaining to, to those, you know, to the previous

messengers, or any of the articles of faith in Islam, you know, as

Muslims, we have very part of our creed, right is to believe, of

course, and the oneness of God. So, you know, that's, that's, I'm

sure, again, you know, that the messengers, the books, the angels,

heaven, and how, and so all of these and then and then

destination, you know, affair or, or fate. So these are things that

I just wanted to mention, just to make sure that you have a solid

understanding of these points. And and if you had any questions prior

to the Shatter, now would be the time. So did you have any

questions or anything that you might be interested to know before

we proceed?

I'm sure that I have like a million questions that I would

love to ask. I think I can reach out to you later about them. But

right now, I don't think there's anything specific that I feel like

I need to discuss, but thank you. Great, well, I will absolutely

make my information available to you. And of course, you have

Zeno's contact. So we can, you know, find out or answer any of

those questions afterwards, the 100 as long as you are clear on

those matters, and inshallah we can go ahead and proceed

Bismillah. So, again, the shahada is one line, so I will repeat it

and we can just go word by word. So we begin Bismillah R Rahman r

Rahim and then say them because you're here as well and brother

said, Man, if you're watching and anyone else in Charlotte's really

good, and I remind myself to you know, kind of remember as we bring

someone or help someone come into the

Ah, that we're also you know renewing our own testimony of

faith so it's really good to just kind of get into that mindset that

the words are not just for Sister Meredith but for all of us

watching as well. To really again renew our own faith inshallah. So

Bismillah we will begin now

Smilla Rahmanir Rahim ash hadoo

en la ilaha

IL Allah

what ash had ash haben Anna and Muhammadan

rasul Allah Russell

ash had

ash heavy and La ilaha

IL Allah

Allah what ash had what ash hadn't Anna and Muhammadan

rasul Allah Rasul Allah, Ash had

ash how Anla ILA

ilaha IL Allah

Allah what a shadow who is having Anna and Mohammedan what can be

done Rasul Allah, so, Allah

Allah Allahu Akbar, welcome to the faith that you already had

Meredith mashallah because again you are more Muslim than that

maybe those who have been in this faith for longer so just by your

sincerity in your practice male lion crease you preserve you

welcome, masha Allah Our dear sister, this is resented did you

have anything to say or share? I don't know if you heard me. I said

take Vir. Oh, did you know I did it? Oh, okay, we need to do that

again. Yes, they can really take cares about Allah Allahu Akbar. So

the meaning, of course of the words that you just recited,

Meredith are for those again who are watching. You're testifying

that you believe I testify that there is no God, other than God,

the One God, right? And that Muhammad is the final messenger of

God. And so that is, in a nutshell, what you just repeated

three times with this is of course, the declaration of faith

that we say every day as Muslims every day in our prayers, we're

constantly renewing our faith and so mashallah, again, welcome mail

as part of that protect you and increase you, you even Michelle,

you're so young. So I doubt that you've had too many sins prior to

this moment. But we always want to remind those who come into the

faith that you are now completely renewed, and you are in fact

sinless. Because mashallah, you it's a brand new day for you, this

is the beginning, right, and a lot of people who come into Islam,

they see this as kind of, you know, like, the beginning of

their, their, their lives, and they'll have actual, new shahada

birthdays that they are that they celebrate so shahada,

anniversaries, or whatever they call it, but it's really a very

momentous time for you, your DWIs are very powerful. So we ask that

you please keep us in our community in your guys because

mashallah, again, you're pure. You're in this pure state. And

yes, I really actually can't wait to continue correspondence with

you because your story is just so fascinating at 17 years old to

find yourself in a foreign country. And this time, right,

it's like 2022 ended up pandemic but you know, that Allah guided

your heart to travel all the way across the world and you're taking

Arabic. Are you also taking any Islamic Studies any Puranic

courses on Quran or Hadith or anything like that?

I am not the inshallah I will find some here in English.

But yes, that's another thing I would love to actually connect

with you on because I do know people who have contexts that

could be very useful for you, in case you would like to explore

more studies while you're there. But mashallah, again, we're so

happy. Typically, if you are with us, you'd have a line of people

waiting to hug you and embrace you. So we're extending some

Virtual hugs to you.

Love it. We're really happy to have you part of our community. I

don't know what state you your family is in Are you in California

or are you somewhere else is your family somewhere else? We're

actually in Novato. So we're, like about an hour away? Not too far.

Okay, awesome. Well, you are always welcome to this community.

I actually really look forward to meeting you in person when you

were

returned to California and inshallah we pray and I ask all of

those who are going to be watching this, to keep you in their diet

and also your family. Because you know, this is you know, certainly

we want to make sure that when you come back and sha Allah, that we

can provide resources and be helpful to you but there's so much

that we can also that we should wish for in terms of your family,

being open and more supportive and really embracing your new identity

inshallah. So, inshallah everyone make the offer sister Meredith and

her family and her to be safe and shot law. And yes, I just thank

you again, on behalf of everyone in our community for for allowing

us to witness this beautiful moment for you. And may Allah

increase you and protect you and preserve you. Thank you so much,

just remember to

Yeah, Jessica Lochhead for doing this with me and I hope you all

insha Allah have a good rest of your day and that you have ahead

of you. Thank you very much I get I just I'm so impressed by your

Arabic Your accent is perfect, as much as beautiful. It's like

really, really very pure. So Inshallah, I think you're going to

do very well in your studies. I hope you continue to succeed in

that and that again, I'll protect you and preserve you and thank you

what yaqi inshallah we will be in touch, sister, Xena, please. I

wanted to just say Meredith, thank you for becoming my friend and

allowing me to have this opportunity to starting my day

with such a beautiful event and being a part of this. Absolutely.

MashAllah was Brother Munir asked me I was like, Oh my gosh, you

know, because it's so early. I was like, of course what an honor. So

you really honored us to start off as sisters as I've said the rest

of our day with this thank you Cena for also being here. Whether

it's a man for facilitating the recording, and sister read

inshallah for again inviting us to be witness to this. May Allah

protect you and increase you and we will be in