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Vol.%%04,%No.%01,%January%2024%
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https://doi.org/10.46799/ijssr.v4i01.662%
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The$Quran$and$the$Transformation$of$Beliefs$(Review$of$
Republika's$Report$on$the$Rubric$$of$Converts)$
!
Zulkarnaini
1
,!Dedi!Masri
2#
Institut%Agama%Islam%Negeri%Langsa,%Indonesia
1%
Universitas%Islam%Negeri%Sumatera%Utara%Medan,%Indonesia
2%
Email:%[email protected]
1
2%
Keywords)
!
ABSTRACT!
The$Qur'an,$Transformation$of$faith,$
Rubric$of$Converts.!
!
This!study!aims!to!explore!and!analyze!how!the!Quran!influenced!
a! n um ber!of! figures!or! scientists!who!later!changed!their!beliefs!or!
beliefs,! as! well! as! trace! the! background! of! their! lives! that!
contributed!to!the!change!in!outlook!on!life.!This!phenomenon!is!
especially! observed! through! the! study! of! figures! who! have!
embraced! Islam! after! studying! the! Quran,! as! recorded! in! the!
Converts! rubric! in! the! Republika! Newspaper.! The! research!
methodology!uses!a!socio-religious!phenomenon!approach!with!a!
focus!on!the!critical!interpretation!of! hermeneutics! towards! the!
lives!of!converts.!The!selected!figures!will!be!analyzed!based!on!
their! life! background,! r e lig io us! experience! before! embracing!
Islam,! and! how! the! Quran! had! a! significant! impact! on! their!
conversion.!The!results!showed!that!the!Quran!has!a!tremendous!
influence!on!human!life,!both! psychologically,! intellectually,! and!
socio-culturally.! The! beauty! of! the! language! of! the! Qur'an,! its!
miracles,!and!satisfactory!answers!to!life's!problems!are!the!main!
factors! that! stir! the! hearts! of! converts.! Some! characters! choose!
Islam! because! of! inner! conflicts,! questions! related! to! religion,!
conflicts!in!family!life,! or!because!of! sho ck!at!the!reality!of!Muslims!
that! do! not! conform! to! initial! prejudices.! The! benefits! of! this!
research! include! strengthening! the! arguments! of! the! mufassir!
regarding! the! miracles! of! the! Quran,! providing! stronger!
motivation! for! Muslims! to! explore! the! study! of! the! Quran,! and!
presenting!valuable!lessons!for!Muslims!regarding!the!closeness!
of!the!Quran!to!the!human!heart!and!life.!This!research !is!ex p ec te d !
to!provide!deeper!insight!into!how!the!Quran!can!be!a!driver!of!
changes!in!people's!beliefs!and!outlook!on!life.!
!
!
!
INTRODUCTION)
The%Qur'an%refers%to%itself% as%a%guide%for%pious%people,%even%a%guide%for%humans%without% exception.%
This%shows%the%great%attention%of%the%holy%book%of%the%Quran%to%human%life.%As%a%holy%book,%the%Qur'an%
presents%itself% as%the%controller%of% life%and%the%determinant% of%the%direction%of% life%for%everyone.%The%
Quran%also%guarantees%that%its%instructions%are%to%save%humanity%from%the%disasters%of%the%world%and%the %
Hereafter%(Naik,%2014;%Zarkasyi,%2006).%
%Although%the%Qur'an%focuses%people's%success%on%their%own%charity%and%creativity,%man's%beliefs%
about%himself,%God,%and%the%universe%have%not%escaped%the%attention%of%the%Qur'an.%These%beliefs%greatly%
influence%the%steps,%planning,%activities%and%all%human%behavior.%Therefore,%the%Qur'an%emphasizes,%in%
particular,%the%need%for%true%faith%(in%which%the%attributes%of%God%are%mentioned%in%detail,%occult%matters%
are%revealed,%and%several%commandments%and%prohibitions%are%affirmed)%(Katsir,%1999;%Shihab,%1998).%
However,%such%faith%must%refer%to%open%awareness%and%maximum%use%of%reason.%Therefore,%religion%has%
no%compulsion,%for%truth%and%heresy%are%clear%(Leeuw,%2006).%
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%At%the% time% of%the%Qur'an's%descent,%history%has%proven% that% the% listeners% of%the%Qur'an%were%
amazed%and%could%not%deny%the%superiority%of%the%Qur'an%both%in%terms%of%content%and%beauty%of%its%
language%(DELİSER,% 2023;%Rahman% &% Arifin,% 1992).% Although%many% people% refused% to% believe% in% the%
Qur'an%at%that%time%(when%the%Prophet%was%alive),%they%still%recognized%the%superiority%of%the%Qur'an.%In%
modern%times,%many%Qur'anic%scholars%have%had%similar%experiences%(Qureshi%&%Haider,%2019).%Some%of%
them%still%refuse%to% believe% in% the% Quran%as%the% word% of% God% even% though%they%still%acknowledge%its%
greatness,%while%others%choose%to%believe%after%properly%analyzing%the%contents%of%the%Quran.%
%Newspaper% Republika$ since% two% years% ago% (January% 2009)% until% now% every% week% presents% a%
section%called%Digest%Islam%in%which%there%is%a%rubric%Converts%(Candra%&%Ab%Rahman,%2010).$This% section%
presents%the%story%of%the%journey%of%many%non-Muslim%figures%who%then%chose%Islam%as%their%faith.%From%
these%stories,%it%can%be%seen%that%several%people%changed%their%beliefs%because%the%contents%of%the%Quran%
moved% them.% They% embraced% Islam% after% studying% the% Quran% and% discovering% the% wonders% of% the%
contents%of%this%holy%book.%This%phenomenon%attracted%the%author's%attention%to%examine%the%influence%
of%the%Quran%on%several%figures%who%changed%their%faith%in%Islam.%This%study%specifically%pays%attention%
to%some%of%the%figures%in%the%report%Republika%to%examine%their%Islamic%background,%especially%related%to%
the%influence%of%the%Quran.%
The% purpose% of% this% study% includes% efforts% to% strengthen% the% arguments% of% the% mufassir% in%
explaining%the%miraculous%side%of%the%Qur'an%and%provide%stronger%motivation%to%Muslims%to%explore%the%
study% of% the% Quran% seriously.% The% position% of% the% Quran,% which% is% considered% holy% amid% Muslims,%
sometimes%makes%it%feel%too%far%away%and%difficult%to%reach,%so%its%substance%is%sometimes%forgotten.%
Through%this%research,%it%is%hoped%that%Muslims%can%realize%how%close%the%Quran%is%to%their%hearts%and%
lives%and%gain%valuable%lessons%to%understand%this%holy%book%more%deeply.%%
The% formulation% of% this% research% problem% emphasizes% the% fundamental% question% of% how% the%
Qur'an%influences%figures%or%scientists%to%change%their%beliefs%or%beliefs.%The%focus%of%the%research%also%
involves%analyzing%the%background%of%the%character's%life,%especially%related%to%his%outlook%on%life,%so%that%
the%factors%that%make%them%so%influenced%by%the%Quran%can%be%identified.%
%
METHODS)
%This% study% used% an% approach% to% socio-religious% phenomenon,% moving% from% vision% to% social%
phenomena%related%to%one's%religion.%The%study%begins%by%finding%suitable%figures,%as%reported%by%the%
newspaper% Republika.% They% (from% several% figures% in% the% paper)% will% select% the% more% relevant% ones%
directly%related%to%their%conversion%experience%with%studying%the%Qur'an.%These%figures%will%be%analyzed%
by%examining%their%life%background%and%religious%experiences%before%they%embraced%Islam.%The%results%
of%this%study%will%serve%as%the%basis%for%the%development%of%arguments%for%the%miraculous%power%of%the%
Qur'an.%
% The%analysis%model%applied%is%Hermeneutical%critique%(critical%study%of%hermeneutics),%which%
provides%a% critical% interpretation%of% the% phenomenon%of% the% life%of% one% or%a% group% of% people,%that% is,%
converts%in%the%context%of%this%study%(Ferguson,%1986;%Palmer,%1969).%%
Some%points%need%to%be%raised%about%this%approach:%First,%it%is%an%approach%in%the%study%of%reality%
that%has%been%finished%or%called%the%text%in%the%book%study.%It%must%be%realized%that%a%phenomenon%(as%
well%as%text)%cannot%be%used%as%an%object%in%scientific%research%or%analysis.%Phenomena%must%be%treated%
as%finished%realities,%which%reveal%themselves%in%a%world%of%their%own,%in%which% one%must%be%prepared%to%
leave%one's%world%if%one%wants%to%enter%it.%The%phenomenon%is%not%understood%through%the%so-called%%
"anatomy% of% criticism"% but% through% "humanistic% understanding."% The% phenomenon% or% text% must% be%
approached%with%a%sense%of%humanity.%It%is%not%dissected%for%its%contents%but%dives%into%living%with%the%
meanings%it%contains.%%
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Second,% understanding% one's% life% is% always% related% to% events,% history% and% the% past.% So,% the%
historical%process%that%gave%birth%to%a%phenomenon%of%life%is%a%very%important%factor%to%consider.%This%is%
done%by%looking%at%the%background%of%the%lives%of%the%people%being%critically%studied.%
% Third,% a% person's% life% who% has% become% a% phenomenon% must% also% be% seen% as% a% language% and%
symbols%expressed%in%a%particular%time%and%place.%This%time%and%place%needs%to%be%broken%through%to%
gain%a%brighter%and%more%relevant%meaning%and%understanding%of%perhaps%different%realities%of%life,%which%
Ferguson%called%to%span%the%gap%between%the%past%and%present.%Many%experiences,%thoughts,%and%feelings%
are%rewarded%in%a%person%from%time%to%time.%This%situation%presents%diverse%faces%of%life,%and%the%values%
adopted%become%out%of%tune.%This%is%the%task%of%hermeneutics:%to%understand%and%interpret%it%critically%
(Setyo,%2021).%The%keywords%in%this%approach%and%analysis%model%are%Understanding.%%
%
RESULTS)
The!Quran!as!a!Miracle!
This%study%begins%by%paying%a%little%initial%attention%to%the%question%of%miracles%because%the%main%
discussion%is%concerned%with%the%question%of%the%causes%of%one's%conversion%to%Islam%in%relation%to%one's%
emotional% and% intellectual% interaction% with% the% Qur'an,% which,% in% this% context% is% believed% to% have%
miraculous%power%or%in%Islamic%literature%is%called%miracles.%
% "Miracle"%is%a%familiar%word%in%Muslim%society.%In%lay%and%learned%circles,%the%term%miracle%has%
been% understood% to% mean% extraordinary% events% that% occur% to% the% prophets% of% God.% Miracles% were%
believed% to% be% God's% grace% to% the% prophets% to% subdue% his% enemies% and% to% prove% that% he% was% God's%
messenger.%Without%miracles,%a%prophet%would%be%underestimated%by%his%people%and%have%no%defense.%
In% the% Quran,% for% example,% it% is% said% that% the% Prophet% Moses% defeated% Pharaoh's% hired% sorcerers% by%
turning%his%staff%into%snakes%and%devouring%all%the%snakes%resulting%from%the%sorcerer's%magic%action.%
Jesus%was%able%to%heal%the%sick%without%going%through%a%common%treatment%and%even%raise% the%dead.%Such%
events%in%Islamic%literature%are%called%miracles%(Warraq,%1995).%It%contains%the%following%elements:%divine%
intervention,%incredible,%invincible,%and%only%happens%to%the%prophets%of%God.%
% The%greatest%miracle%of%Prophet%Muhammad%was%the%Quran.%This%book%has%defeated%those%who%
challenged%it% when%it% was%revealed%(Guillaume% &% Ibn-Isḥāq,% 1955;% Rizvi,% 1988).% The% influence% is%
amazing.%Anyone%who%listens%to%it%will%feel%amazed.%Some%of%the%Jinns%at%the%time%of% the%Prophet%had%also%
listened%to%the%Qur'an%and%believed%because%they%believed%in%the%wonders%of%the%Qur'an%and%the%amazing%
instructions.%Some%of%these%things%will%be%discussed%in%this%chapter%before%a%more%focused% analysis%of%the%
miracles%of%the%Qur'an%affecting%the%human%heart%is%given.%
Location!of!the!Miracles!of!the!Quran!
% The%Quran%is%the%Holy%Book%of%Muslims,%which%is%a%book%that%is%believed%to%be%a%collection%of%
revelations%revealed%by%Allah%to%the%Prophet%Muhammad%to%be%used%as%a%guide%by%humans%in%carrying%
out%their%lives%in%the%world%to%obtain%salvation%and%happiness%in%the%world%and%the%Hereafter.%As%a%Holy%
Book,%the%Qur'an%certainly%has%advantages%and%even%properties%that%transcend%the%normal%lines%of%logic%
and%natural%laws.%The%Quran%is%the%greatest%miracle%of%the%Prophet%of%the%last%days.%The%question%is:%where%
are%the%miracles%of%the%Qur'an?%
% In% various% Islamic% literatures,% scholars% of% the% Qur'an% have% explained% various% aspects% of% the%
miracles%of%the%Qur'an%by%referring%to%several%historical%realities%and%phenomena%related%to%nature%and%
human%life%revealed%by%the%Qur'an.%
% When%referring%to%the%Qur'an%itself,%the%Qur'an%seeks%to%draw%people's%attention%to%things%that%
are% more% rational% and% digestible% to% common% sense.% The% Quran% rejects% Muhammad's% prophetic%
dependence%on%miracles%in%the%form%of%"strange"%or%magical%events%and%contradicts%The%Law%of%Nature%
(natural%law).%The%inconsistency%of%natural%events%is%no%more%amazing%than%their%consistency.%The%Qur'an%
refers%to%"normal"%and%consistent%natural%events%as%admirable%signs%of%God's%power.%Nature%itself,%with%
all%the%phenomena%in%it,%is%a%miracle.%The%sun%rises%daily%from%the%east%and%sets%to%the%west,%which%is %more%
amazing%than%the%coming%out%of%a%dove%from%a%magician's%handkerchief.%Man%should%meditate%on%it%to%
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live%out% God's% majesty% and% find% true%faith.% When% an% infidel% asks:% "Who%brought%to% life% the% shattered%
bones?"%the%Qur'an%reminds%him%to%look%back%when%they%were%not%there:%Who%created%it?%So%the%Qur'an%
replied:%"Say:%he%was%made%alive%by%(God)%who%created%him%first,%and%He%knows%all%creation."%
% Likewise,% the%Qur'an%criticizes%opponents%of%the%Prophet%who%desire%"extraordinary"%and%bizarre%
miracles.%According%to%the%Quran,%the%Prophet%was%just%an%ordinary%man%sent%by%Allah%to%deliver%His%
revelation.%The%revelation%should%be%man's%primary%concern,%not%his%deliverer.%The%revelation%must%be%
pondered%and%lived%out,%as%well%as%all%the%lessons%contained%in%it.%The%Prophet,%on%the%other%hand,%can%
only%be%used%as%a%model%of%the%teachings%contained%in%God's%revelation%because%the%Prophet%has%become%
a%person%or%person%who%is%integral%to%the%teachings%of%the%revelation%he%brings.%
% The%main%concern%of%the%Qur'an%in%responding%to%the%challenges%of%the%infidels%of%that%time%was%
on%his%unparalleled%superiority,%as%well%as%on%the%existence%of%the%Prophet%(as%a%reader%or%presenter%of%
the%Qur'an),%who% was%neither%a%poet%nor%a%poet.%In%a%serious%tone,%the%Qur'an%invites%those%who%still%doubt%
its%truth%to%try%to%match%it.%But%no%single%piece%of%historical%evidence%shows%anyone's%ability%to%match%the%
Qur'an.%Even%the%opponents%of%the%Qur'an%themselves%are%forced%to%acknowledge%the%superiority%of%the%
Qur'an%and%its%extraordinary%uniqueness%(as%will%be%discussed%in%the%following%section).%
% In%Islamic%literature,%especially%tafsir%and%'Ulūm$al-Qur'ān,%much%discussion%has%been%related%to%
the%Qur'an's%miracles.%Many%works%in%Indonesian%have%also%been%written%about%the%miracles%of%the%Qur'an.%
In%general,%these%works%feature%various%phenomes%extraordinarily%related%to%the%Quran's%language%and%
content%or%content.%The%language%of%the%Qur'an%has%a%high%literary%value,%as%well%as%the%beauty%of%the%
arrangement%and%regularity%of%its%sentences.%In%terms%of%content,%the%Qur'an%covers%various%problems%of%
human%life%and%the%universe%comprehensively%and%beyond%its%time.%Even%in%some%letters,%some%verses%
are%revealed%predicting%events%that%happened.%
% So%the%Qur'an%itself%–%its%inner%birth%–%is%a%miracle;%from%whatever%aspect%is%revie wed,%the%Qur'an%
is%a%Miracle.%He%always%fascinates%anyone%who%wants%to%approach%him,%and%even%those%who%are%hostile%
will%be%amazed%if%he%analyzes%him%closely%and%honestly.%
Some!Historical!Records!
% At%first,%people%who%were%not%interested%in%Islamic%da'wah%were%not%so%hostile%to%the%Prophet%
Muhammad%(Gibb,%1953).%But%they%cannot%remain%silent%when%the%call%has%reached%the%claimants%of%
religion%or%tradition%and%their%gods.%They%attacked%the%Prophet%and%his%followers%again.%Their%hostility%
and%hatred%grew%when,%in%reality,%the%followers%of%the%Prophet%Muhammad%increased.%They%began%to%look%
for%the%cause%and%wondered%what%power%Muhammad%had%that%easily%influenced%the%growing%masses%
(Davies%&%Ruse,%2021).%They%eventually%discovered%that%the%main%cause%was%the%Quran.%It%is%this%Quran%
that%has%caused%them%frustration,%and%since%there%is%no%rational%reason%they%can%explain%to%oppose%the%
Quran,%they%accuse%it%of%witchcraft.%
% At%the%time%of%revelation,%some%people%hostile%to%Islam%were%reported%to%have%embraced%Islam%
for% listening% to% Quranic% recitations;% some% even% rejected% Islam% even% after% listening% to% the% Quran% and%
acknowledging%its%beauty.%Therefore,%some%Quraysh%figures%who%are%hostile%to%Islam%warn%their%people%
to%be%careful%not%to%listen%to%the%Qur'an%because%it%is%feared%that%they%will%be%influenced%by%it.%The%Quran%
is%accused%of%having%magical%powers%that%can%affect%people,%namely%their%opponents,%or%referred%to%as%
magic%that%can%separate%a%person%from%his%family%or%father%from%his%child%(Al-Ghazali,%1999).%
% 'Umar%ibn%al-Khaṭṭāb%had %embraced%Islam%because%he%was%very%impressed%when%listening%to%the%
verses%in%Surat%Ṭāhā.%Similarly,%Sa'ad%ibn%Mu'adz%and%Usayd%ibn%ḥuḍayr%embraced%Islam%because%they%
were% influenced% after% listening% to% the% Quran,% which% they% found% very% beautiful.% Perhaps% even% more%
amazing,%as% quoted% by% al-Bāqillānī,%is%Jubayr%ibn%Muṭ'im,%who%embraced% Islam% after%listening% to% two%
verses%(7-8)%in%Surat%aṭ-Ṭūr.%Because%of%the%influence%of%the%Qur'an%among%Arab%listeners,%the%enemies%of%
Islam%strongly%hate%those%who%recite%or%recite%the%Qur'an%to%others.%One%day,%with%the%permission%of%the%
Prophet's%companions,%Ibn%Mas'ūd%deliberately%came%to%where%the%Quraysh%had%gathered%and%recited%
the%Quran%to%them%aloud%or%loudly.%The%unbelievers%of%Quraish%immediately%got%up%and%beat%him%until%he%
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was%bruised%and%bleeding,%then%returned%to%his%place,%and%the%companions%of%the%Prophet%forbade%him%
to%do%the%same%again.%Still,%he%replied,%"If%you%want,%I%will%repeat%it%tomorrow."%
% All% this% confirms% how,% from% the% beginning,% the% Qur'an% has% aroused% tremendous% charm% and%
hostility%from%those%who%are%hard-hearted%and%harsh%and%have%no%desire%to%accept%the%truth%openly.%At%
first%glance,%it%also%appears%that%admiration%for%the%Qur'an%in%this%context%may%be%innate%or%linguistic%only%
rather% than% in% its% content% or% content,% as% Adonis,% a% Modern% Arab% writer,% supposed.% However,% when%
referring%to% the%entire%historical%process% at%that%time,%there% is%no%doubt%that%there%was%a%dialectic% of%
culture%and%faith%struggle%between%two%opposing%camps,%the%defender%of%the%Qur'an%and%its%opponent%or%
enemy.%This%is%not%hostility%to%the%outer%shell%but%latent%hostility%that%concerns%all%aspects%of%life,%from%
prestige,%self-respect,%faith,%and%concepts%to%economic%issues%and%power%politics.%The%Qur'an%is%feared%
not%only%for%its%tremendous%influence%on%people%in%terms%of%the%beauty%of%its%language%but%also%because%
its%extraordinary%movement%changed%the%mindset%of%the%Arab%people%at%that%time.%But%the%persona%born%
of%the%Qur'an%is%certainly%more%visible%because%of%its%more%exposed%nature%and%striking.%
% Another%narration%mentions%that%some%unbelievers%of%Quraish%had%gone%to%listen%to%the%Quran%
recited%by%the%Prophet%Muhamm ad%in%his%house%in%prayer.%They%left%individually%secretly% w ithout%telling%
each%other.%But%after%listening%to%the%Quran%directly,%they%cannot%resist%the%beauty%and%height%of%its%charm%
and%its%greatness%in%influencing%the%listener.%This%has%caused%them%to%hate%the%Quran%even%more.%
% Some%of%the%inhabitants%of%Medina%who%visited%Makkah%had%heard%this%amazing%thing%from%the%
Qur'an,%and%they%believed%in%it.%After%returning%from%Makkah,%they%spread%the%religion%to%the%people%there,%
so%no%house%in%Medina%does%not%have%the%Quran.%It%is%narrated%that%some%say:%"Great%cities%have%been%
conquered%by%war,%while%the%Quran%conquered%Medina."%
% This%historical%record%illustrates%the%development%of%Arabic%language%and%literature%and%how%its%
people,%since%that%time,%have%paid%special%attention%to%the%systems%and%concepts%of%communication%that%
humans% use% either% in% relation% to% others% or% to% other% supernatural% realms.% Words,% especially% those%
expressed%in%the%form%of%voice,%are%believed%to%have%powers%that%can%influence,%arouse,%and%even%mislead%
and%harm%others.%Therefore,%although%recognized%as%great,%the%Qur'an%may%be%regarded%as%a%bad%force%
that%disrupts%and%undermines%various%traditions%and%existing%socio-cultural%orders.%%
Views!of!modern!scientists!
! Several%contemporary%scholars%and%scholars,%whether%Muslim%or%non-Muslim,%have%studied%the%
content%of%the%Qur'an,%its%history,%and%its%development.%Serious%scholars%and%scientists%have%paid%special%
attention% to% various% aspects% of% the% study% of% the% Qur'an,% both% in% terms% of% etymology,% content,% and%
aesthetics%and%various%statements%of%the%Qur'an%related%to%science%and%modern%science.%
% Non-Muslim% professors% of% Islam% have% given% their% own% views.% Prof.% Gibb,% for% example,% has%
pursued%Islam%in%depth%in%terms%of%its%history%and%culture.%He%later%became%famous%as%a%Professor%of%
Arabic%and%Islamic%Studies.%In%his%book%Mohammadanism,%he%expressed%his%various%views%on% the%Qur'an.%
Although%much%can%be%criticized%from%his%thinking,%he%has%spent%much%of%his%life%studying%the%Quran.%Gibb%
asserts%that%the%Qur'an%can%never%be%matched%by%his%opponents,%and%this%proves%its%miracles.%%So%did%Sir%
William%Muir%(1896),%who%pursued%Islamic%history%and%wrote%about%the%life%of%the%Prophet%Muhammad.%
He%admitted%clearly%that%the%content%of%the%Qur'an%really%covers%various%aspects%of%science.%Both%of%these%
figures%were%modern%orientalists%who%began%to%pay%objective%attention%to%the%study%of%Islam,%in%stark%
contrast%to%their%predecessors%who%saw%Islam%as%full%of%malice%and%subjectivity.%There%are,%of%course,%a%
string%of%other%names%made%up%of%people%like%them,%but%it's%out%of%place%to%be%described%in%detail%here.%
% Other%scholars% have%given%a%more%concrete%appreciation%of%the%greatness%of%the% Qur'an.%Gary%
Miller,%for%example,%a%Canadian%mathematician%who%later%converted%to%Islam,%has%written%a%long%article%
that%reviews%the%various%contents%of%the%Qur'an%related%to%modern%science.%In%his%view,%the%Qur’an%is%truly%
a%book%unparalleled%in%history,%and%there%has%never%been%found%a%holy%book%that%equals%the%Qur'an%in%
terms%of%content,%language,%and%various%other%aspects,%especially%science,%which%is%very%amazing.%We%also%
know%other%names%in%the%Islamic%world,%such%as%Harun%Yahya,%Zakir%Naik,%and%Afzalur%Rahman,%who%are%
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modern%Muslim%scholars%who%have%given%special%analyses%of%the%content%of%the%Qur'an%in%relation%to%
modern%science,%and%what%they%produce%are%works%that%should%be%welcomed%with%great%appreciation.%
The!Quran!and!the!Transformation!of!Beliefs!(Review!of!the!Republika!Report!!on!Converts)!
Why%did%they%convert%to%Islam?%How%the%Qur'an%can% influence%their%outlook%on%life%and%how%they%
become%prepared%to%face%the%challenges%resulting%from%a%life%policy%they%take.%This%is%the%basic%question%
you%want%to%elaborate%on%in%this%section.%A%brief%explanation%of%Republika%as%an%Islamic%mass%media%that%
has%played%a%very%significant%role%in%the%country%will%begin%this%chapter.%This%is%because%this%mass%media%
is%a%basic%reference%for%tracking%converts%to%be%researched.%Then,%it%will%be%followed%by%a%brief%description%
of% the% converted% figures% used% as% studies.% After% that,% the% discussion% will% enter% the% "transition%space,"%
namely%the%description%in%subchapters%D%and%E,%followed%by%research%analysis.%
Republika!and!the!Role!of!Islamic!Media!
% Republika%is%among%the%Indonesian%print%media%(in%the%form%of%newspapers)%that%cares%about%
Islamic% issues% and% news% about% the% Muslim% community% and% the% Islamic% world,% nationally% and%
internationally.%Since%the%early%1990s,%Republika%has%filled%itself%with%a%supplement%called%"Islam%Digest"%
and%the%rubric%"Converts".%%This%includes%a%very%distinctive%section%and%attracts%the%attention%of%many%
readers.% Several% figures,% such% as% Professor% Imam% Suprayogo% (Rector% of% UIN% Maulana% Malik% Ibrahim,%
Malang),%Dr.%Hidayat%Nurwahid%(former%Chairman%of%the%People's%Consultative%Assembly%of%the%Republic%
of%Indonesia)%and%Professor%Dr.%Yunahar%Ilyas%(Chairman%of%the%Central%Leadership%of%Muhammadiyah)%
have%given%very%positive%comments%and%consider%these%supplements%and%rubrics%to%have%a%major%impact%
on%the%development% of% the% insight%of% the% Indonesian%Muslim% community.% The%information% about% the%
history%of%Islam%and%Muslim%figures%and%scholars%is%interesting%and%inspiring.%The%same%is%the%case%with%
stories%about%Western%scholars%or%non-Muslim%figures%who%embraced%Islam,%which%are%packaged%in%the%
rubric%"Converts".%
% Da'wah%was%the%first%expression%the%Prophet%showed%in%his%commitment%to%God's%teachings%and%
appeals.% Da'wah% is% inviting% and% informing% the% truth.% Islam% without% da'wah% is% like% a% vehicle% without%
wheels.% Da'wah% is% a% movement% to% change% the% lives% of% mankind% to% a% better% and% more% perfect% state.%
Therefore,%It%is%not%surprising%that%from%the%beginning,%the%Quran%has%underlined%the%basic%principles%of%
da’wah:%professional,%sincere,%patient,%and%wise.%
% The%role%of%mass%media%as%it%is%carried%out%in%Republika%is%one%form%of%professionalism%in%the%role%
of%Islamic%da'wah.%There%have%been%many%mass%media%in%various% forms%in%Indonesia%that%display%the%role%
of%Islam%and%invite%truth%and%goodness.%This%is%indeed%worthy%of%appreciation.%But%Republika$has%come%
up%with%its%own%unique%and%interesting%format.%Special%appearances%in%presenting%historical%stories%of%
the%role%of%Islamic%figures%and%the%development%of%the%Islamic%world%are%indeed%very%distinctive%and%
impressive.%This%study%may%be%a%form%of%appreciation%for%this.%
% What%Republika%presents%about%converts%is%very%concise%and%informative%and%in%the%form%of%news%
as%it%is.%As%material%used%as%a%reference%source%for%a%study,%it%is%certainly%inadequate.%Many%things%must%
be%studied%about%the%life%of%a%convert%to%truly%understand%what%is%happening%to%him%when%he%decides%to%
convert% because,% as% discussed% and% will% also% be% discussed,% the% phenomenon% of% conversion% is% not%
something%that%is%not%complicated%both%psychologically%and%socio-culturally.%Therefore,%the%materials%for%
this% study% from% Republika% newspaper%sources% were% collected% as% much% as% possible% to% get% a% broader,%
although% not% in-depth,% picture.% This% material% is% analyzed% using% the% cross% method,% which% provides%
comparisons%between%one%another%wherever%there%is%relevance%and%suitability.%Some%other%material%of%
course,% inevitably,% must% be% sought% to% bring% together% concepts% and% theories% about% conversion.%
Nevertheless,%this%paper%has%provided%a%fairly%interesting%basic%reference%for%this%study%material.%
Appointed!Figures!
% Various%figures%are%sampled,%ranging%from%religionists,%scientists,%ordinary%people%to%journalists,%
reporters,%lecturers%and%artists.%One%of%their%characteristics%is%an%open%attitude%and%wanting%the%truth.%
They%do%not%tolerate%fanaticism%and%always%struggle%to%find%answers%to%questions%about%the%phenomena%
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of% their% lives% and% religions.% Many% times,% it's% that% dissatisfaction% that% leads% them% to% do% intellectual$
adventure,%Explore%the%world%of%science,%philosophy%and%religions%to%reconcile%thirsty%hearts%and%minds.%
% In%this%study,%the%figures%studied%were%divided%into%two%categories,%namely%those%who%embraced%
Islam%because%of%the%influence%of%the%Quran%and%those%who%embraced%Islam%because%of%various%other%
influences.%As%will%be%explained%later,%the%influence%of%the%Qur'an%that%has%caused%a%convert%to%change%his%
religious%orientation%is%different:%some%are%impressed%by%the%outward%beauty%of%the%Qur'an%and%others%
by%admiration%for%the%content%of%the%Qur'an%which%he%believes%to%be%very%rational.%There%are%also%others,%
embracing% Islam% because% they% see% the% miracles% of% the% Qur'an% in% terms% of% its% harmony% with% modern%
science.%
% These%selected%figures%are%all%taken%from%the%report%Republika%Randomly,%from%2009%to%2010,%a%
total%of%59%(fifty-nine%people).%In%terms%of%religious%background,%they%are%divided%into:%Jews,%Christians,%
Hindus,% atheists% and% some% are% not% reported% religious% background.% Geographically,% they% come% from%
Europe,%America,%Asia,%Africa%and%Australia.%
%
Table!1.!Converts!Based!on!Previous!Religions!
No.%
Region%
Sum%
Percentage%
1.%
Jew%
2%
3,39%
2.%
Christian%
40%
67,80%
3.%
Hindu%
7%
11,86%
4.%
Atheist%
1%
1,69%
5.%
Unknown%
9%
15,25%
%
Sum%
59%
100,00%
%
Table!2.!Converts!by!geography!
No.%
Region%
Sum%
Percentage%
1.%
America/Canada%
17%
28,81%
2.%
Europe%
19%
32,20%
3.%
Asia%
16%
27,12%
4.%
Australia/New%Zealand%
2%
3,39%
5.%
Afrikaans%
3%
5,08%
6.%
Unknown%
2%
3,39%
%
%
59%
100,00%
%
% Among%the%highlights%of%the%above%comparison%is%that%it%turns%out%that,%as%far%as%the%Republika%
report%goes,%most%converts%are%of%Christian%background%and%generally%come%from%America%and%Europe.%
Here%is%a%background%study%to%provide%a%deeper%understanding%of%the%process%of%conversion%and%how%the%
life%experience%of%our%converts%came%to%such%an%important%conclusion,%as%well%as%how%it%relates%to%the%
influence%of%the%Qur'an.%
Various!Life!Backgrounds!
% From% any% background,% one% can% change,% as% long% as% one% has% a% passion% for% self-search% and%
development.%People%will%easily%experience%change%if%they%have%the%belief%that%there%are%no%absolutes%in%
this% world.% Change% is% a% good,% if% directed% correctly.% Denying% change% is% stagnation,% which% makes% one%
fanatical%and%easily%justifies%mistakes%and%shortcomings%in%others.%In%this%case,%the%background%of%life%
becomes%unimportant.%Change%is%largely%determined%by%one's%perspective%on%the%world%and%the%truth.%
% However,%a%change%in%outlook%on%life%or%conversion%or%conversion%has%a%significant%meaning%and%
relationship%with%the%experience%and%background%of%life%that%a%person%lives.%Such%changes%sometimes%
occur%suddenly;%Sometimes%it% also% happens% very% slowly,%where% a% person% changes% gradually% and% at% a%
certain%time%he%experiences%a%very%meaningful%peak%of%change%and%will% appear%outward%as%something%as%
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if%new%or%suddenly%happened.%The%first%model%change,%which%is%sudden,%usually%occurs%due%to%a%very%
emotional%influence;%while%the%second,%due%to%intellectual%wanderings%or%unsatisfactory%search%for%truth.%
However,%both%conversion%models%have%the%same%characteristics,%namely%that%there%is%a%crisis%o r%conflict%
between%the%doctrine%or%belief%held%and%rationality%or%thought%that%continues%to%move%dynamically.%The%
difference% is%only% in%how% to% respond% to% the% conflict;% The% former% is%more% pent-up%while% the% other% is%
creatively%developed.%
% The%cause%of%a%person%experiencing%a%change%in%outlook%on%life%often%comes%from%small%or%trivial%
things.%It$may$be$some$text$often$heard,$said%G.%Van%Der%Leeuw,%that$suddenly$appeals$to$the$mind$with$
extraordinary$ force.$Ordinary%things%sometimes%become%extraordinary%all%of%a%sudden.%Some%dreams%can%
change% a% person's% life% so% that% he,% for% example,% changes% his% religion.%This% was% experienced% by% Sugen%
Threen,%a%Hindu%who% later% wandered% to%Catholicism% and%eventually% embraced% Islam.% He%dreamed%of%
wearing%robes%and%turbans.%He%told%the%dream%to%a%scholar%who%said,%"Good%dreams%come%from%Allah,%
nightmares%come%from%Satan."%That%was%the%beginning%of%Sugen's%desire%to%embrace%Islam,%which%was%
then%accompanied%by%long%and%deep%reflection%before%deciding%to%pledge%himself%to%become%a%Muslim.%
Another%experience%was%felt%by%Wahyu%Soeparno%Putro,%a%Caucasian%man%born%in%Scotland%who%later%
lived%in%Indonesia.%He%lives%in%Yogyakarta%near%a%mosque,%and%therefore%he%complains%of%being%annoyed%
every%morning%by%the%sound%of%the%dawn%call%to%prayer.%But%without%realizing%it,%the%sound%of%the%call%to%
prayer%has%also%changed%his%lifestyle%and%accustomed%him%to%getting%up%early%and%being%disciplined.%When%
he%began%to%realize%that,%the%sound%of%the%call%to%prayer%became%something%he%longed%for.%This%astonished%
him%and%finally%what%he%felt%led%him%to%the%path%of%Islam.%Cindy%Claudia%Harahap%experienced%an%event%
that%seemed%simpler.%One%night,%he%and%a%friend%"chatted"%while%lying%on%the%grass%and%looking%up%at%the%
clear%sky.%Suddenly,%he%gasped%in%awe,%looking%at%the%crescent%moon%adjacent%to%the%brightly%shining%star.%
A%feeling%of%awe%came%in%his%heart,%and%he%wondered%what%was%happening%to%him.%His%friend%told%him%
that%it%was%the%symbol%of%the%mosque.%Then%he%said:%"Lest%this%is%a%hint,%if%we%have%to%go%to%the%mosque."%%
This%simple%event%led%him%to%the%shahada%after%he%had%studied%Islam%and%the%Quran's%contents.%
% The%conversion%also%occurred%as%the%culmination%of%a%long%heart%or%intellectual%struggle,%which%
Leeuw% referred% to% as% an$ eruption$ of$ what$ has$ for$ long$ been$ accumulating$ beneath$ the$ threshold$ of$
consciousness% It% is% an% eruption% (explosion)% of% what% has% long% been% accumulated% and% buried% in% the%
threshold%of%consciousness,%and%finally%can%no%longer%be%hidden.%This%is%experienced%by%many%thinkers%
or%intellectuals%who%live%and%are%raised%in%an%indoctrination%of%beliefs%contrary%to%the%mind%and%various%
results%of%the%intellectual%journey%they%experience.%This%eruption%results%from%a%crisis%or%internal%conflict%
that%has%been%long%and%long%and%finally%found%its%own%way.%Jeffrey%Lang,%a%professor%of%mathematics%at%
an%American%university,%is%an%example%of%this.%He%was%born%and%raised%in%a%Roman%Catholic%family,%but%
his%intellectual%journey%into%mathematics%led%him%to%atheism.%He%did%not%believe%in%God,%and%the%religion%
was% considered% unnecessary.% However,% their% religious% upbringing% in% childhood% and% adolescence%
remained%in% his% heart.% He% always% wondered%about%the%various%issues%presented%by%the% scriptures% to%
which%his%faith%referred.%He%discussed%religion%with%his%friends%and%students.%Finally,%the%one%who%gave%
him%a%satisfactory%answer%was%the%Quran.%Lang%converted%to%Islam.%
% The%converts%studied%came%from% different%family%lives%and%even%professions%and%beliefs%that%were%
not%uniform.%But%they%have%one%thing%in%common,%which%is%what%is%called%Longing$for$Truth$(longing%for%
truth),%and%they%are%generally%critical%people%in%thinking%and%creative%in%working.%
% Some% converts% reportedly% come% from% blended% families,% for% example,% Muslim% fathers% with%
Christian%mothers,%or%vice%versa.%This%often%happens%in%Indonesia.%They%felt%oscillated%between%two% faiths.%
But%it%brings%a%silver%lining:%a%stronger%spirit%of%search%grows.%They%also%hang%out%with%friends%of%different%
religions,%which%gives%them%a%wider%input%of%knowledge%and%becomes%a%comparison%material.%
Deep-rooted!Religious!Spirit!
% Abandoning% a% belief%is% not% easy.% There% is% a% heavy% psychological%pressure% that% everyone% who%
opposes%the%beliefs%that%once%grew%in%his%heart%feels.%In%addition,%social%pressure%from%his%loved%ones%or%
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the%community%around%him%is%not%a%light%thing%to%bear.%These%are%among%the%things%that%many%people%
experience%when%converting.%%However,%from%the%experiences%of%the%converts%studied,%it%appears%that%a%
core%of% fundamental%and%strong%beliefs%persist.%Conversion%does% not% necessarily% mean%conversion%of%
"faith"%because%they%considered%the%religion%they%previously%professed%not%as%a%belief%but%rather%as%a%
"forced"%tradition.%
% Most%religious%conversions%occur%precisely%in%those%who%have%a%strong%religious%spirit.%They%care%
deeply%about% their%religion,% always%paying%attention%and%pondering%the%meaning% of%the%religion%they%
believe%in.%This%deep%passion,%as%well%as%the%critical%attitude%and%earnestness%in%seeking%the%true%meaning%
of%religious%teachings,%leads%them%to%a%stance%that%they%must%take%in%a%firm%way,%namely%conversion.%
% In%the% examples% of% converts% mentioned% above,% it% appears%that% they% found%compatibility% with%
Islam%through%a%period%of%transition,%during%which%they%wanted%to%discover%the%true%meaning%of%their%
faith%but%had%rational%difficulties%when%trying%to%look%into%the%Islamic%tradition,%especially%at%its%central%
source,%the%Qur'an,%they%found%a%match.%They%are%not%"stubborn"%dissidents%and%do%not%see%religion%as%
vain;%It's%just%that%they%are%eager%from%the%beginning%to%get%the%true%meaning%of%the%teachings%of%the%
religion% they% believe% in% but% always% find% it% difficult.% The% anxiety% then% finds% another% way% that% can% be%
reassuring.%That%is%Islam.%
% Walter%Houston%Clark%mentions%there%are%four%stages%of%a%person%experiencing%the%conversion%
process,%namely:%(1)%conflict$and$mental$struggle,$(2)%relaxation$or$surren der,%(3)%a$sense$of$peace,$release,$
and$inner$harmony,%and%(4)%the$concrete$expression$of$conversion.%So%Conversion,%according%to%this%theory,%
is%the%movement%of%life%that%proceeds%naturally.%Conversion%does%not%necessarily%mean%conversion,%but%
rather%a%spiritual%development%in%which%one%processes%one's%soul%to%peace.%Cases%of%conversion%in%the%
form%of% conversion%to%Islam%generally%demonstrate%the%existence%of%such%a%process.%Converts,%spiritually%
and%intellectually,%are%like%travellers%looking%for%something%lost.%When%discovering%Islam,%specifically%the%
Quran,%they%believed%they%had%found%what%they%had%been%looking%for.%
% It%is%difficult%to%define%what%a%person%is%looking%for%in%his%life%in%relation%to%his%feelings,%soul,%and%
spiritual% needs.% But% the% various% life% experiences% of% converts% make% that% reality% so% evident% in% their%
testimony.%The%misery%resulting%from%the%inner%pressure%of%practising%an%unreasonable%religion%was%so%
real%to% them.% Likewise,%the% inner% satisfaction% in% religion% after% finding%a% teaching% that% can% solve% life's%
problems%is%a%very%concrete%and%satisfying%experience.%Inner%experience%is%no%longer%a%mere%concept,%
imagination,%or%hope%but%a%real%enlightenment%that%has%a%tremendous%effect%on%real%life.%
% Some% converts% have% experienced% the% beginning% of% a% change% with% feelings% Shock% or% shock.%
Kenneth%L%Jenkins,%a%pastor%in%America,%experienced%this%while%visiting%Saudi%Arabia%and%found%the%life%
of%the%Muslim%community%very%different%from%what%he%had%known%so%far.%Jenkins%thought%Muslims%were%
just%as%Christian%in%religion,%or%worse.%Jenkins%found%many%Christian%religious%leaders%who%perverted%
from%religious%teachings;%and%instead%find%such%a%polite%Muslim%community%that%guards%each%other%from%
the%various%paths%that%lead%to%possibility.%Muslim%women%who%cover%their%aurat%began%to%be%understood%
values%and%wisdom%by%Jenkins%after%hanging%out%intimately%in%the%midst%of%the%Islamic%community.%Shock%
turned%into%admiration.%The%spirit%of%religious%teachings%in%him%grew%again%and%found%its%way%in%Islam.%
Courage!and!Sincerity%
% Leaving% a% faith% or% religion,% let% alone% having% been% practised% and% practised% for% a% long% time,% as%
mentioned% above,% is% not%easy.% Even% more% so% when% he% is% abandoned% for% having% found% another% faith.%
Psychologically,%the%conversion%of%beliefs%will%occur%when%a%person%continuously%finds%his%beliefs%provide%
dissatisfaction,%both%intellectual,%emotional,%and%social%satisfaction.%Only% when%a%person%feels%it%is%painful%
enough%will%he%commit%the%"reckless"%act%of%conversion.%This%means%the%person%has%discovered%a%new%
world%that%can%satisfy%him.%
% The%psychological%challenge%for%a%religious%convert%is%the%most%basic%because%it%relates%to%the%
religious% process.% There% will% be% inner% pressure% that% plagues% a% person% in% moments% of% change% or%
transformation% of% beliefs.% The% demand% to% defend% what% has% been% believed% on% the% one% hand% and% its%
rejection,%due%to%various%processes%of%life%experience,%on%the%other%hand,%will%leave%a%person%who%wants%
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to%change%his%religion%in%bitter%internal%conflict.%Man%defends%the%religion%or%belief%he%professes.%However,%
when%psychologically%religion%cannot%satisfy%the%inside,%there%will%be%an%inner%impulse%to%find%a%way% out.%
This%is%experienced%by%those%who%care%about%their%religion%and%make%it%an%important%part%of%their%lives.%
% The%most%difficult%challenge%in%social%life%is%the%alienation%of%family,%friends,%loved%ones%and%even%
loved%ones.%These%challenges%impact%social%roles%and%daily%life,%where%a%convert%will%find%it%difficult%to%
interact%in%society.%When%a%person%is%known%to%have%adop ted%a% teaching%that%is%considered%deviant%by%his%
social%community,%he%will%be%seen%as%a%stranger%who%does%not%deserve%to%be%given%certain%trust.%He%will%
find%it%difficult%to%get%support%for%various%needs%of%life.%So%when%a%person%has%been%alienated%in%belief,%he%
will%also%be%socially%alienated.%This%is%due%to%the%social%dependence%of%a%community%on%the%same%beliefs%
they%profess.%In%general,%the%social%strength%of%a%community%is%centered%on%the%togetherness%of%a%vision%
of%life%and%a%religious%mentality.%
% Thus,%culturally%the%impact%of%a%religious%conversion%will%also%be%felt%greatly%on%a%person%and%his%
social%community.%Changes%in%a%belief%will%usually%be%followed%by%various%changes%in%behaviour,%way%of%
dressing,%family%order,%and%of%course%on%changes%in%the%orientation%of%thought%and%also%the%direction%of%
children's% education%(Ansari% &% Thiele,% 2018;% Clark,% 1959).% All% of% this% can% be% why% a% person% who% has%
changed%religion%often%feels%compelled%to%look%for%another%environment%completely%different%from%the%
environment%in%which%he%has%lived%all%this%time.%Not%all%converts%experience%the%same%cases,%because%the%
characteristics%of% their% communities%vary.% In% traditional% societies,% issues%of% religion% and%belief% (even%
schools%and%sects)%are%very%sensitive.%Differences%in%religion%and%sect%are%sometimes%enough%grounds%for%
conflict%and%quarrels.%But%in%a%more%educated%and%modern%society,%attitudes%are%fairer,%And%tolerance%can%
be%found,%although%not%a%few%also%experience%converts%who%are%just%the%opposite.%%%
% The% experience% of% religious% conversion% is% also% inseparable% from% one's% intellectual% struggles.%
Knowledge%and%education%play%a%role%in%developing%one's%belief%formation.%Paul%Davies%reminds%us%that%
many%factors%influence%a%person's% beliefs,%ranging%from%rational%argumentation%to%blind%tactics.%Faith%and%
belief% can% form,% develop% and% change% due% to% personal% experiences,% education,% social% interaction,%
indoctrination%and%even%evocative%dreams.%
% Many%converts%have%a%spiritual%experience%in%a%dream%or%in%a%simple%natural%phenomenon,%as%
discussed%above.%Some%feel% amazed%at%the%art%of%calligraphy,% the% sound%of%the%call%to%prayer%and% the%
recitation%of%the%Quran.%Still%another%experience%is%an%intellectual%odyssey.%Most%scientists%and%religious%
figures%experience%this.%Some%Christian%chroniclers%who%embraced%Islam%said%that%intellectual%difficulties%
in%understanding%their%religion%had%caused% them% to% struggle% with% exhausting% intellectual% challenges,%
which%eventually%led%them%to%Islam.%
% The%challenges%above%show%how%much%courage%is%needed%to%navigate%the%sea%of%ideology,%build%
more%convincing,%and%reconcile%life%principles.%Some%people%may%not%be%so%worried%about%their%beliefs%
because%they%believe%everything%is%settled.% He% found% no% blemishes% in% his% religion,% nor% was% there% the%
slightest%room%for%criticism%of%his%own%beliefs.%Perhaps%there%are%not%many%intellectual%struggles%that%a%
person%like%this%faces,%or%he%may%not%want%to%be%confused%by%debates%that%seem%never-ending%in%the%
history%of%mankind.%Or,%it%may%be%that%he%has%found%an%inner%satisfaction%that%no%longer%needs%to%be%
disturbed.%Another%possibility%is%that%the%person%has%been%indoctrinated%with%a%conviction,%and%the%entire%
acceptance% of% the% faith% baptized% to% him% has% descended% into% (and% is% neatly% stored% in)% his% conscious%
threshold%brain.%
% Sincerity% is% a% source% of% strength% that% can% move% a% person% to% see% life's% problems% clearly% and%
transparently,%without%fear,%and%without%hesitation%to%take%important%steps%to%change%his%life%for%the%
better%and%reassure%the%soul.%That%remarkable%spiritual%feat%stood%out%to%most%of%the%converts%studied.%
Sincerity%also%means%the%courage%to%take%all%risks%due%to%the%life%policies%taken.%As%mentioned%above,%
stepping%into%another%religion%is%entering%the%wilds%of%life%that%are%socioculturally%full%of%obstacles.%But%
the%mental%readiness%to%do%so%is%evidence%of%a%remarkable%commitment%to%a%convincing%decision%of%faith.%
International)Journal)of)Social)Service)and)Research)https://ijssr.ridwaninstitute.co.id/%
IJSSR)Page%76
Such%decisions% are%certainly%not%made%arbitrarily,%but%based%on%maturity%of%thought%or%various%adequate%
intellectual%and%emotional%considerations.%
Analysis!and!Interpretation!
% We%are%not%born%with%the%choice%of%what%religion%we%will%follow.%We%are%born%with%freedom,%but%
then% grow% up% and% are% raised% in% an% environment% of% a% certain% faith.% This% is% the% reality% that% humanity%
experiences.%We%are%taught%to%believe%in%a%particular%belief,%sometimes%without%choice,%or%through%an%
influence%that%is%difficult%to%challenge%because%there%is%already%a%norm%that%forbids%such%opposition.%Islam%
recognizes%this%reality,%as%the%Prophet%said:%that%every%child%is%born%of%fitrah;%It%was%his%parents%who%
jewished%him%or%tortured%him%or%promoted%him.%Again,%this%hadith%is,%of%course,%talking%about%reality,%not%
about%true%faith%and%human%fate.%In%reality,%man%is%indeed%greatly%influenced%by%the%world%outside%himself.%
% Confidence%has%tremendous%power.%A%person%will%willingly%die%to%defend%his%beliefs.%The%history%
of%war%and%bloodshed%is%often%linked%to%faith.%What%makes%that%belief%so%remarkably%affect%a%person's%
personality?%
% Life%is%impossible%to%live%without%faith.%Man%depends%on%something%he%does%not%fully%know%and%
master,%And%man%will% not%be%able%to%master%everything.%But%man%can%develop%himself%and%his%knowledge%
infinitely.%That%is,%human%beliefs%themselves%may%still%change%or%develop,%along%with%the%development%of%
knowledge%and%experience.%One%such%form%of%change%is%religious%change%or%conversion.%
% Some%people%convert%because%they%think%they%have%lost%their%way,%or%they%may%even%leave%religion%
altogether%because%they%think%religion%is%just%folly.%He%became%an%atheist,%believing%neither%in%God%nor%in%
anything%supernatural%or%irrational.%
% The%cases%of%Muslims%who%convert%to%other%religions%are%not%small,%as%well%as%those%who%choose%
to%leave%the%religion%altogether.%They%are%generally%people%who%received%a%half-baked%and%intellectually%
immature%Islamic%education.%Some%of%them%even%rose%with%emotional%fervor%to%berate%Islam,%the%Quran%
and%the%Prophet%Muhammad.%They%lament%the% backward,%illiterate,%ignorant,%and%often%narrow-minded,%
fanatical,%and%extreme%condition%of%the%Islamic%world%and%Muslims.%All%these%phenomena%they%refer%to%as%
the%error%of%Islam%as%a%very%dangerous%teaching%and%religion.%Psychologically,%they%are%influenced%by%their%
inability%to%accept%the%harsh%reality%of%Islamic%world%life,%which%is%materially%far%behind%the%Western%
world%and%modern%Europe.%They%also%denounced%his%traditional%education%as%having%no%clear%purpose,%
fanatics%and%superstition.%Reading%the%Quran%in%villages,%taught%solely%for%worship%and%ritual%without%
meaning% and%passion,%has%become%a%very%foolish%experience%for%them,%and%seeing%it%as%a%very%bad%blemish%
as%a%result%of%Islam.%Ibn%Warraq%(pseudonym)%has%written%a%tome%recounting%his%life%experiences%in%a%
Muslim%family,%which%he%reproaches.%He%also%tried%hard%to%criticize%Islam%and%the%Quran%based%on%his%
superficial%knowledge.%Muslim%thinkers,%and%even%objective%orientalists%like%W.%Montgomery%Watt,% were%
not%spared.%He%and%others%like%him%are%typical%unrestrained%"free%thinkers"%who%are%shocked%to%see%the%
development%of%the%Western%world.%At%the%same%time,%he%has%just%escaped%from%the%entanglement%of%his%
environmental%fanatics%who%supply%his%head%with%traditional%doctrines%that%are%actually%only%part%of%the%
interpretation%and%understanding%of%Islam%born%and%developed%in%a%very%distinctive%environment%and%
should%not%be%considered%to%reflect%the%nature%and%spirit%of%Islam%more%broadly%and%universal.%In%fact,%as%
Abou%El%Fadl%says,%what%Ibn%Warraq%wrote%only%repeats%the%sentences%of%orientalists%and%Islamophobes,%
nothing%more.%Some%sites%on%the%internet%have%also%become% a%place%to%express%themselves%in%the%form%of%
freedom%of%opinion%that%often%does%not%escape%immature,%emotional%and%superficial%attitudes.%
% On% the% contrary,% the% experience% of% entering% Islam% is% mostly% found% in% those% who% deliberately%
struggle% to% find% the% truth% and% resist% even% inner% pressure.% They% are% scientists,% researchers,% religious%
figures,% and% people% who% were% critical% of% various% religious% views% and% thoughts,% both% traditional% and%
modern.%
% For%the%purposes%of%this%study,%some%of%the%converts%were%divided%into%two%groups:%those%who%
embraced%Islam%because%of%the%direct%influence%of%the%Qur'an%and%those%who%embraced%Islam%because%of%
various%other%influences%(Deedat%et%al.,%2000).%Nevertheless,%in%the%end,%all%of%them%refer%to%the%Quran.%
For%example,%several%converts%embraced%Islam%because%they%saw%strong%values%of%brotherhood%among%
International!Journal!of!Social!Service!and!Research,%%
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Muslims%and%no%discrimination%due%to%race%and%skin%color%among%Muslims.%Most%who%are%impressed%by%
such%social%phenomena%are%those%who%have%experienced%the%bitterness%of%discrimination%in%their%own%
non-Muslim%society.%Although%basically%very%impressed%by%such%social%realities,%they%generally%then%find%
out%why%Muslims%are%so%tolerant%and%fraternal%in%this%way,%where%they%later%discover%that%the%Quran%has%
taught%universal%human%values.%
% As%already%discussed,%the%Qur'an%has%had%a%tremendous%influence%since%its%inception.%It%impacts%
people% personally% and% communities% willing% to% unite% their% hearts% for% a% more% universal% humanitarian%
mission.%The%Qur'anic%messages%received%by%the%Arabs%at%the%time%of%revelation%had%such%a%profound%
impact% on% radical% and% real% change% that% anyone% would% be% tempted% to% justify% the% phenomenon% as% an%
extraordinary%force%unparalleled%in%history.%
% This%power%is%especially%evident%in%its%exterior,%as%it%is%transmitted%orally%and%directly%addressed%
to%those%familiar% with% traditional%culture's%dialectic%and%uphold%linguistic% aesthetics.% So,% it% is% easy% to%
understand%why%the%evocative%spirit%of%the%messages%of%the%Qur'an%is%formulated%in%a%unique,%distinctive%
narrative.%Even%though%it%is%outside%the%entire%order%of%the%format%of%ignorant%Arabic%literature,%it%still%
merges%with%the%spirit%of%perfect%Arabic%aesthetics.%This%astonished%and%amazed%his%listeners%so%much%
that%it%was%like%a%bewitch,%and%therefore,%his%enemies%accused%him%of%being%Muhammad's%magic.%But%it% is%
undeniable%that%magic%was%performed%by%people%completely%different%from%Muhammad%in%character,%
behaviour,%commitment%principles%and%purpose.%The%Arabs%recognized%no%sorcerer%traits%in%Muhammad,%
and%he%never%created%enmity%with%anyone.%
% It%is%this%exterior%area%that%has%influenced%some%converts%to%embrace%Islam.%The%art%of%recitation,%
calligraphy% decoration,% and% the% feeling% of% peace% when% reading,% understanding,% or% meditating% on% the%
verses%of%the%Quran%seem%simple%to%be%used%as%reasons%for%someone%to%change%his%religion.%But%isn't%art%
a%greatness?%Has%he%not%separated%man%from%other%creatures%living%without%civilization?%
% Entering%the%deeper%regions%of%the%Qur'an%has%amazed%several%people.%Some%converts%have%read%
the%Quran%(understand%its%contents)%before%embracing%Islam%and%found%lessons%and%influences%he%had%
never% experienced.% Jenkins,% mentioned% above,% completed% the% translation% of% the% Quran% within% four%
months%before%he%converted%to%Islam.%Israel%Ponty%Moletsane%has%wrestled%with%questions%about%the%
paradoxes%she%has%found%in%her%religion%for%years.%He%was%relieved%and%satisfied%after%reading%the%Quran%
because%all%his%questions%were%answered%after%reading%this%holy%book%of%Muslims.%%
% The%interior%area%of%the%beauty%of%the%Qur'an%is%the%core%of%the%source%of%enlightenment.%The%
satisfaction%that%the%Qur'an%gives%in%this%area%is,%of%course,%remarkable%and%impressive%because%it%touches%
the% deepest% part% of% human% consciousness.% The% satisfaction% of% the% soul% due% to% the% disappearance% of%
doubts,%the%intellectual%satisfaction%of%finding%solutions%to%the%problems%of%life,%and%the%peace%of%heart%
due%to%the%light%of%guidance%are%part%of%the%power%of%the%influence%of%the%Qur'an%on%most%converts.%This%
last%part%(related%to%guidance)%is%a%phenomeno n%that%is%difficult%to%explain.%This%is%the%greatest%miracle.%
!
CONCLUSION)
It%can%be%concluded%that%the%Quran%has%had%a%tremendous%impact%since%the%time%of%the%Prophet%
until%today.%The%testimony%of%Qur'anic%listeners%at%the%time%of%the%Prophet%reflects%its%profound%influence,%
influencing%life%psychologically,%intellectually,%and%socio-culturally.%Some%early%Muslims%chose%to%follow%
the%Prophet%Muhammad%because%they%were%fascinated%by%the%beauty%of%the%language%of%the%Quran%which%
was%considered%imitable.%The%study% of%Scripture,%especially%in%the%Western%world,%confirms%that%religion,%
history,%and%philosophy%have%a%major%role%in%the%development%of%human%civilization,%with%the%Qur'an%as%
the%main%driver%of%changing%the%orientation%of%life.%Scientists%who%studied%the%Qur'an%also%admired%its%
extraordinary% content% and% explanation% of% the% amazing% phenomenon,% even% changing% their% hearts% to%
embrace%Islam.%
The% experience%of%converts%shows%that%the%recitation%of%the%Quran%provides%satisfactory% answers%
related%to%life,%converts%their%beliefs%and%encourages%conversion%to% Islam.%Some%converts%were%impressed%
International)Journal)of)Social)Service)and)Research)https://ijssr.ridwaninstitute.co.id/%
IJSSR)Page%78
by%the%tolerance%of%Muslims%and%the%calmness%of%Sufism,%led%them%to%a%deeper%study%of%Islam,%and%were%
eventually%convinced%that%the%Qur'an%was%the%source%of%truth%sought%all%along.%Various%reasons%that%drive%
converts%to%Islam,%such%as%inner%conflicts,%religious%conflicts%in%the%family,%shock%at%realities%that%are%
different%from%initial%perceptions,%and%the%discovery%of%the%beauty%of%life%in%Islam,%are%evidence%that%the%
Quran%has%a%strong%appeal%in%changing%people's%lives%and%beliefs.%
%
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