My Private Shahada

June 6, 2011
The night before I wanted to go outside
I was at my grandparents' house
The backayard was full of nature
Tall trees all around, no huge houses near
I sat down in a white chair across the place where we roasted marshmellows in the winter time
Good memories there
I looked over at the broken swing
I heard that it would be fixed on that Wednesday, the last day I'd be there for the week
Good memories there
Then the idea hit me
Why don't I take my private Shahada?
Zanna has told me this idea multiple times
I could say it now and then when I'm eighteen, I could say it publically with Shadia and have Alaya, Lissete, Melissa, Holly, Danya, Asiya, and Zanna watch in awe
I figured I'd do it the next day
I went online right away to write the Shahada down in Arabic and English
I then posted the new status on Facebook thanking my closest online and life friends for their support
I would do it on Tuesday, June 6, 2011 at 5:27 p.m. pacific coast time
My grandparents were gone at a meeting, so I had plenty of time
I took out my notebook where the Shahada was written
I took out my world religion book and put a place holder on the page where it said the first seven versus of the Quran, since I couldn't touch the Quran at the time
At first when I opened the book to a random page, the page was the Islamic section opener with the Islamic symbol of the crescent moon and the star
That gave me comfort
I looked in the mirror making sure to wear my hood and have the least bit of hair showing
I walked out to the yard and sat in the same white chair as the night before
I sat down for thirty second and then said the Shahada:
"Ashadu an la ilaha illa Allah wa ashadu ana Muhammadan rasulu Allah.
I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is God's messenger."
I said it twice and then spoke to Allah
I told Him that I promised to convert in public four years from then with Shadia
Danya, Zanna, Asiya, Alaya, Lissete, Holly, and Melissa would witness this event along with other Muslims
I would be in Tacoma, Washington
Not my hometown of Santa Rosa, California
I would become a better Muslim
When I could touch the Quran again, I would read it every night and try to remember some of it
I would try to remember the Ninety Nine Names of Allah
I would be more modest in my dress because I couldn't wear the hijab yet
I wouldn't eat pork
I would learn how to pray correctly
I said the Shahada another two times to make sure
I walked off a Muslimah
I said the Shahada four times, so I was sure that I actually became Muslim
I really want to thank these people for all their support:
*Danya- Thank you so much. Without you, I wouldn't know what to do. That day we talked, you opened my eyes to the haram things I was doing. You've answered all my questions. You're even letting my friends and I come to Tacoma. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
*Zanna- You gave me this idea in the first place. Thank you so much. I never thought of it before. You've answered all my questions. You try to look out for me and give me awesome advice. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
*Alaya- From Nissou to Jose to you know who, you've been there for me. Thank you so much. You've supported what I've done. I'm glad your mom supports me too. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
*Lissete- You've supported me so much. No matter what I've done, you've always been there. When I had guy problems, you would listen fully and help me out. The same thing goes for religious problems. I can't ask for a better friend. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
*Melissa- You've helped me out with school, ATS, guys, religion, everything. I really appreciate it all. You've helped me even when you knew I was wrong. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
*Holly- We had so much fun at your house when we did the end of the year project for Ms.Tryer. There were some good memories there. You've helped me with dealing with my problems. Some things were hard to solve, but you were there. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
*Asiya- We just met, but you've still helped me. Talking to you is so cool. We're learning Arabic together and you've adapted my saying "akeed w noss". I hope to get to know you more. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
*Arsalan- You've helped me through my problems and I've helped you through your problems. Thank you so much. We've talked for hours and hours and have rarely ran out of things to talk about. At times, one of us gets "unshater", but we get through it all. By the way, you're even more speal since you're the only guy listed here. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...
*Shadia- You'll always be my twin. You've helped me through literally everything. From my parents to Islam, you've been there. I automatically start to miss you if I don't talk to you for a day. We're learning Arabic together and sharing different kinds of music. You're like my twin who got adopted at birth. You know everything about me and I know everything about you. You correct my Spanish when it's wrong and I correct your English when it's wrong. I taught you "w noss". Now, we both do this: XD after you just doing that. I hope we never ever lose touch. I can't thank you enough. May Allah bless you.

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[Glen Yumang Manese]

Did you put this in the wrong area...not a poem...but a story...