My Journey Into Haneef Kareem
I was born as “Charles Harris” in 1969 to Catholic parents in Chicago. Although I went to a Catholic school growing up, I was indirectly exposed to Islam as my mother used to tell me a great deal about Malcolm X. She considered Malcolm X to be a strong man and wanted black men to be like him so they could defend themselves in the society.
My other connection to Islam was that when I got into high school people used to tell me that I resembled Mr. Farakhan of the Nation of Islam. Some even thought that I was his son! As a result I started thinking about Nation of Islam, had friends in the movement, and attended their mosque as well. My exposure to the Nation of Islam made me learn about the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).
Unfortunately I dropped out of high school and started running the streets. I got involved with the “Black P Stone Nation” under the teachings of Jeff Fort. It was an organization with some Islamic teachings and symbolism, and was organized to defend the neighborhood. I developed some Islamic customs as well, for example, I stopped eating pork when I was around 20. I also accepted Allah as One and True God, and stopped praying to any man or Jesus. I realized that all honor belongs to Allah, and never deviated from that belief.
However, while I believed in Allah, my personal life did not reflect that. I ran the streets a lot during this time. I sold drugs, I mistreated people, and even physically hurt them. I made a lot of money, I had credit cards, and probably made almost a million dollars all together. But it was all through wickedness and foolishness, and one day it all came back to me.
I started using drugs myself, and now others hurt me, both physically and emotionally. I was shot five times, and became physically and mentally damaged. Finally I lost all my “empire”, and at the age of 30 found myself back on the street. I had no money, no place to live, and did not even have money to eat.
In this state of helplessness I had to make a decision. I was either going to go back to the street into the life of Shaitan, or I was going to make a deal with Allah for a clean spiritual life. While it was a very hard decision, I was sick and tired of being on drugs and alcohol. So I told Allah that I was ready for change, and that I meant it. I asked Him to remove this affliction from me, as I did not have the power to do it myself. I pledged that if He helped me, I would remain sober for the rest of my life. I made the decision to go for righteousness, and Alhamdolillah I have been clean since then (1999).
Today I am here in 2008, trying to walk the righteous path that Allah has set for all of mankind. I was fortunate to accept the Promised Messiah of the time a little over a year ago.
How did I get to know Ahmadiyyat? I had a childhood friend by the name of Brother Muhaimin Kareem. He was someone who not only myself but the entire neighborhood admired. We knew he was special as he wasn’t like the rest of us. I think I first met him when I was 13, and he was around 11 years old. He lived across the street from me, and was someone that everyone looked up to.
While I knew Brother Muhaimin in childhood, we lost touch for a while until 2005. Brother Muhaimin ran a barber shop and I went there to get a haircut. I was very happy to see him. There was something about him that made him special. He was my teacher … in fact he was the teacher for all of us.
Once brother Muhaimin realized that I was back in Chicago, he invited me to come visit Al-Sadiq mosque. I went there and felt very warm and comfortable. It was like no other mosque I had been to before. Everyone was very kind to me and I knew then that this was the place for me. I got to know many brothers like Abdul Karim, Sultan Latif, Rafique, Noor Makin, Wadud, Atif and Micah, who all had an effect on me. I was like “Wow”! Where did all these people come from? I wanted to stay quiet in the mosque so I could listen more and learn.
I started learning about the Promised Messiah (as), such a kind and compassionate and gentle human being. He dedicated his life to save the world and help humanity. Learning about him was very interesting and it captured my attention. I felt that if I wanted to follow anything it was the nature of the Promised Messiah (as) which was also the nature of Ahmadis that I met.
Brother Muhaimin now continued to teach me so many things about Islam that I did not know before. I spent my very first Ramadhan in 2006 through brother Muhaimin. He taught me the mechanics of fasting and how it can be easy through prayer and concentration. I fell in love with the month of Ramadhan and walked through Aitkaaf without problems.
the mosque and brother Muhaimin became my constant teacher and support. He taught be the meaning of the name “Haneef”, which I really liked and decided to adopt it. Brother Muhaimin was just a true reflection of a man standing for righteousness. It was a tremendous shock to us all when he was martyred in his barber shop on Christmas eve 2006. Brother Muhaimin was shot dead by armed robbers as he came to the aide of his co-worker.
It was after the passing away of Brother Muhaimin Kareem that I signed my bait form and chose to add “Kareem” as my last name. Now I, Haneef Kareem, have been a convert for a year and a couple of months. I speak about Ahmadiyyat to everyone because it changed my life. The teachings of the Promised messiah (as) are wonderful. I have love and honor for all our Khalifas. If all men and women took the time to read about Ahmadiyyat, I am convinced that they will become a part of this wonderful movement as well.
All praise be to Allah for converting me to Ahmadiyyat and reforming me. I thank Allah for surrounding me with such wonderful brothers in the jamaat. I cannot think of going anywhere else.
Assalamo Alaikum
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