Why did I accept Islam?

Shared by Colonel DONALD ROCKWELL (American)

For a long time I had been impressed by Islam's clear logic and formal simplicity, by the magnetizing attraction felt towards its mosques, by the great solemnity and deep affection with which the adherents of that religion had devoted themselves to their faith, by the profound respect and pure sincerity in which Muslims all over the world had been prostrating themselves simultaneously five times daily.
A solemn and, at the same time, sentimental, attachment to life, [which was Muhammad's 'alaihis-salam' personal approach]; A mutually consultative method in doing daily chores;
A habitually soft behavior flavored with mercy and compassion in social lives, indiscriminately; charity for the poor; property rights, which women had been given for the first time; all these things, which were only a few of the many other revolutions that could only be evaluated as 'the most tremendous', and how aphoristical and concise a language it is through which Muhammad 'alaihis-salam' expresses these concepts!
Contrary to Europeans' assertions, the Islamic religion commands everybody first to do their best and only then to put their trust in Allahu ta'ala.
Qur'an al-karim acknowledges the prophethoods of the other prophets as well, beginning with Adam 'alaihis-salam' and including Musa and Isa 'alaihim-as-salam'. This is an exalted sense of faith and a great model of justice, which other religions do not possess.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Islam is that it has completely purified itself of idols. Whereas pictures, icons and signs are still being worshiped in Christianity, things of this nature do not exist in Islam. This is an indication of how pure and unstained a religion Islam is.
The facts stated and taught by Muhammad 'alaihis-salam', the Messenger of Allahu ta'ala, have reached our time without any interpolation. And the Qur'an al-karim, which is the Word of Allah, has been preserved in its pristine purity, exactly as it was revealed, without losing anything from the limpidity it had in the time of Muhammad 'alaihis-salam'.
The qualities of freedom and equity inherent in the Islamic religion have always magnetized me towards it. Muslims perform their acts of worship side by side in mosques. There are not any special places allotted for the leadership.
Muslims hold the belief that there is not a third person to act as an intermediary between Allahu ta'ala and His born slave. The Islamic acts of worship are performed between Allahu ta'ala and the slave. Every Muslim is the only person responsible for his personal behavior.
Adapted:http://serenityfountain.org/default.asp/Recommended