How & Why I became a muslim?

The story begins way back in 1982 when I first got to know my husband.  We were studying in the same college.   I will often be seen playing volleyball, badminton, ping-pong or tennis.  Yes, I was very active indeed cos I felt that by doing so, I can use my time wisely & I will not be bored staying in the hostel the whole day.

One evening, as usual I went down from my hostel to enjoy my evenings with some games. It was always my first choice to go to the volleyball court & I will normally be accompanied by Yap.  Nevertheless, on the fine evening, Yap did not turn up.  That leaves me, the only female player among all the men malay players.  The game was about to start when one malay college mate told me to get out of the court.  He did it in  a very course way, which definitely made me stamped out of the court & sat right beside my husband, Nif, who was watching the us all the while.  Somehow or other, I told him, "Tengoklah kawan awak tu, dia halau saya dari gelanggan.  Saya nak main pn tak boleh."  On hearing my complain, Nif took the opportunity to explain to me some of the dos and don'ts of Islam & of course, some of what he said made me ponder about what I did.  As I looked at the court once again, then did I realize that I was the only female player if I were to continue playing in the court.  Still I could not see where my fault was in wanting to play with everyone.  My world view is only a game where gender does not come into consideration.

So much for the volleyball court first getting to know session with Nif.  A few days later, we had a short briefing at the hall & everyone had to attend.  One of my seniors, PP, told me to look at Nif & she drew his portrait & showed it to me as she said, "handsome guy."  I agreed with her but just brushed off the whole thing.  Somehow or other, when I next went to the volleyball court, I could see that there were other female malay players playing in the court & I was so happy to join them. This time, I realize that Nif was at the court almost most of the evenings & we managed to have a few threads of chit chatting.  The normal chit chatting went on at the courts (at which ever court I was, he was there...."ada udang di sebalik batu").

One evening, after dinner, I went out to the fruit stall just right outside the college to buy fruits as usual with a friend.  At the stall, Nif was there sitting and waiting (he must have known that I often the stall after dinner.) When I stopped to buy some cut pineapples, he said, "Demo nok tok sih kito?" & I said, "Tok sih", he said, "Dalam bahasa Kelantan, Tok sih bermakna nak, sih bermakna tak nak" & of course I replied, "Sih2" & walked away with my friend but managed to hear the stall owner and the rest giving out a loud laugh. I brushed everything away & walked off.  The whole conversation went on for a few times and some how or other we became close friends.(so the conversation became a prayer come true.)

Nif taught me a lot of things about Islam, which I did not know before.  One evening, as usual, I went to the fruit stall after dinner.  As I was eating my fruit, I saw a group of muslim girls walking in a row, with the white prayer gown.  It was a bizarre sight for me.  Some how other the "nur"(light) was there.....the whole group of girls looked like shinning bright lights to me....it was a beautiful sight....which I can never forget.  The captivating sight will remain in me forever & I thank Allah that He had chosen me out of the many around me.