An Invitation

invitation

islamwich extends an invitation to all. It is a simple invitation, but it is the best of invitations.

It is an invitation to ignore what the media has told you. It is an invitation to really and honestly seek the truth. It is an invitation to hear what your Creator is telling you.

It is an invitation to Islam. All are welcome, young, old, black, white, Arab, American, even the British. It is an invitation to all mankind for all time.

Islam (meaning peace through voluntary surrender to God) is not a new religion. Each prophet (Moses, Abraham, Jesus, Muhammad- peace be upon them all) came with the same message: Worship God alone and follow his prophets as the best of examples. This is Islam. Simple.

It is not a culture. It is a way of life.

It is not just for Arabs, only 20% of the world’s Muslim population hail from the Middle East.

The word Allah, is just the word for God in Arabic, and it is a better word than “god” because it can not be plural and its etymology excludes false gods.

Allah is the same creator and sustainer of the universe that sent the ten commandments. Allah is the same God that sent Jesus and allowed him to perform miracles. Allah is the same God that sent all the prophets to guide us to the worship of Him alone without partners.

The purpose of life is to worship Allah alone. That is all. When we do not fulfil our purpose, we feel it missing from our lives. We feel a void, and we try to fill it with other worldly things.

We were created to worship Allah. When we don’t do what we were created to do, we try to find a substitute. What ever we obsess about, whatever we would do anything for, even sin for, is what we worship, whether it is a person, money, alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, love, our own desires, or our own limited logic/reason. It is our nature to worship, and we seek it out.

All these worldly things are created and all these things cannot help us without the Creator’s permission. Allah is in control of all things. You will always be let down by worshipping other than Allah.

Allah sent to us messengers to follow as examples of how best to worship Him, how best to live a life free from harming others and own our souls. Allah sent messengers and it is in our nature to follow their example. When we do not follow them, we find sad substitutes to follow.

We follow celebrities who are destroying themselves. We follow rock stars who fade and become a source of ridicule in a few short years. We follow fashion-istas whose style will be out-dated in a few months. We follow public figures, politicians, or scientist who will eventually be disproved or exposed in some way.

None of these people have been given any kind of guidance from their creator. They are a sad substitute for the example of the prophets. They will tell you how to waste your money and how to be cool. But they are only pawns and have themselves been bought and are being sold to you. They will lead you to destruction, as they have destroyed themselves.

Islam was sent by Allah to mankind to teach us how He wants us to worship Him.

We can be spiritual, but we will not have discipline over our own base nature. Has indulging in a desire ever satisfied? We always want more. More money, more things, more drugs, more sex, more! We end up harming ourselves with disease and addiction because we wanted, wanted, wanted and still end up being empty and unsatisfied.

We can be religious and not know how Allah wants to be worshipped. If your mother asks you to be respectful of her, and you agree, but you do not follow her criterion for respect. Instead you “respect” your mother by never talking to her or by only running to her when you need help, is this real respect?

If we do the same thing to Allah, make up a religion and pretend that we give Allah his due as our creator and sustainer by what we concocted in our own minds, will Allah consider it a true religion? Will Allah consider us having given our due respect to Him?

Islam offers spirituality and religion in a way that Allah deems appropriate, AND in a way that is congruent with our nature. Islam brings peace when practiced, when we submit our will to the one who created us.

We can be at peace by not going against our own nature, by worshipping the only one worthy of worship. We can be at peace by following the prophets who give an example of how Allah wants us to worship him, and give an example of how to minimize the damage to ourselves in this life and the life after death.

We can be at peace by following those guided by Allah. We can be at peace by refusing to follow those who have no guidance other than their own limited reason, their own whims, or pop culture.

Islam is nothing new. The Quran confirmed what has come before in the Torah the Bible. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came with the same message that all previous prophets.  But the Quran is the only revelation from Allah that has not been changed by man. And the example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the only verifiable record of a prophet’s life that still exists.

Islam still exists today in its original version, unchanged by man.

Everyone has the choice. There is no compulsion in religion. You do not have to worship your creator. But you will worship something that will let you down. You do not have to follow the best of examples- the prophets. But you will follow those who know nothing of truth. You have a choice to learn about Islam and find peace in this life and in the eternity of the hereafter, but you don’t have to.

This is reality- not because it is what I say, but because it is what Allah says. It makes no difference to me whether you believe or do not. And you will not harm Allah if you disbelieve. Allah is not in need of us. We are in need of him.

It is up to you.

To accept this invitation, to become a Muslim who submits his will to the will of his or her creator all you must do is truly believe in and say: I bear witness that there is no other God but Allah and that Muhammad is his slave and messenger. (أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله  Ash-Hadu Ina La E-LaHa illa Allah wa Ash-Hadu Ina Mohammad Rasoul Allah -in arabic.)

Then learn about the religion of Islam, learn how Allah wants to save you from harming yourself, learn about how Allah wants us to worship Him alone. Learn about your own nature.

May Allah guide all of us.

For more information please, as always, feel free to look through my previous posts and go to http://www.islam-guide.com/ or email us at islamwich@yahoo.com. You can visit http://invitetoislam.org/ for even more info. Or you can live chat an expert on eDialogue.org.

And as always you can ask questions in the comment section below or email me at islamwich@yahoo.com.

New Muslims, there are so many resources for you:  http://www.muslimnow.org/ and http://www.newmuslimcare.com/  There are also a number of support groups on Facebook. Comment below, send a message to islamwich@yahoo.com or like islamwich on Facebook and I can direct you to them.

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60 thoughts on “An Invitation”

      1. Dear Miss Corbin: just a note regarding part of your paragraph above…change the “I BARE witness…” to “I bear witness…”. I love reading your pages. Peace to you.

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      3. miss corbin i am a 13 year old Muslim convert and a hip hop fan.But just recently the muslim rap group deen squad was formed.I really like there music but people keep telling me there music is haraam.I was wondering,can you do a blog about Deen squad?

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      4. Thank you for the commenting and the great post idea. I am also a HUGE hip hop fan. I haven’t heard of Deen Squad, but I will check them out. I love Narcy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXVyQiEPqbI). Have you heard of him? You are blowing my mind with the fact that you are so young and have come to Islam. And for people to overlook your struggle and comment on something so trivial as whether music is haram or not is just breaking my heart. I would love to post about all of this and will do so very soon inshaAllah. Also please do not hesitate to ask me anything or just vent. My email is islamwich@yahoo.com thanks again for reading and commenting.

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  4. Such a logical and non-overbearing approach to da’wah. Masha’Allah…..I wish we lived closer and could sit together and discuss. I feel you are a great teacher!

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    1. I would LOVE it if you lived closer. Coffee with Stephanie would be heaven. Too bad we missed the chance when we both lived in Mobile (But I am not sad we both got the heck up out of there). I don’t know if I am a great teacher but I think I can be a good collaborator, especially when it is with a great gal like you.

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  6. Ma’am, I am confused.
    You say you are a feminist. But are you aware that the Quran allows wives to be beaten by their husbands?

    Surah 4:34 says, “Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband’s] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance – [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.”

    Also, the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir on this verse says, “وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ
    (beat them) means, if advice and ignoring her in the bed do not produce the desired results, you are allowed to discipline the wife, without severe beating.”
    — http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=672&Itemid=59

    So, can you please explain to me how you can say you are a feminist and still follow a book that allows beating of wives? Those two things are completely opposed to each other in my mind. Maybe you can explain how those two things can mesh together. Or, perhaps you don’t know what your religion teaches??

    Thanks,
    John

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    1. Sir, why is it that your ilk insist on assuming that I am naive and somehow dimwitted by my choice of Islam? And that somehow I have no idea what feminism means. Like I am a bumbling idot that just likes to throw around fancy words. This assumption is very insulting and proves that feminism still has a long way to go. So let’s do this if you wish for me to demystfy this verse for your confused male mind.
      Surah 4:34 first sentence- The man is responsible for protecting and providing for his wife. Oh, The horror! How can we be expected to live in a world were God tells men to make their wives feel safe and provided for?!! And no this does not mean that women must marry or that she has to live under a male family member her whole life. Muslim women are allowed to choose who they marry, if they marry or if they wish to remain single and provide for and protect themselves. But if a woman does enter into a marraige, God has given these two tasks of to the husband. This also does not mean she is not allowed to earn her own money or protect herself once she is in a marraige. Not at all, if she does not wish to exercise her right over her husband. And that whole “what God has given over the other” thing- do you deny that men are in reality and on average stronger than women by way of an increased testosterone-induced muscular hypertrophy? God has also given men more of the share in inheritance because they must spend this money on their dependants (wives and children) where as women are entitled to do with their inheretance and their income as they wish.
      Second sentence: So when a woman is in a marraige where she is to be protected and provided for, she shouldn’t give away her husband’s property, money, or have sex with someone else in her husband’s absense, or ever! I Know what your thinking, You probably love it when your wife has sex with someone and gives away all your cash, especially when you are out of town. And I am sure that feels great, but not everyone feels that way.
      Third Sentence: But if your wife does not protect your wealth and her chastity <-you might want to look this word up- then first give her advice. Not advice!!! Where are the human rights?! If that doesn't work then give her the cold shoulder- harsh, right?! And finally, if none of that worked and your wife is still stepping out, leave her. The word that SOME translators use here is beat, but many scholars beleive that the correct translation of the word means to leave, part ways with your wife. See this is what us Muslims feminists are trying to work towards. Yes, absolutely we beleive in the Quran as divine revelation, but we also beleive that interpretation is from man. Women are capable of tafseer and taweel and we are taking our God given right to become scholars and have our voices heard in such matters and in matters of jurisprudence, as our foremothers under the first several caliphs did.
      So, if you don't mind, sir, do not condescend to me.
      Thanks,
      A Muslim and a freaking feminist

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      1. BA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! INTERPRETATION NOW EH???? Yeah, just like the christians, gonna start ‘picking and choosing’ and using double talk. “oh it doesn’t mean that, it’s just the wrong translation”. Yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night. Islam fully opposes LGBTQ rights, that is HATE.

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      2. Yes, Beesleybuzz, you make a clever point … except you don’t. See the Bible is already an interpretation upon interpretation upon interpretation of translation of translation with chapters and books taken out and added in with multiple councils who have met to see what it is they still really want in their Bible and editions and for each sect with fiction authors being commisioned to create “funner” editions. While the Quran remains in its original language in it’s original text. EVERY. WORD. With the same methodology of interpretation still intact from the time of revelation with an entire science dedicated to the authenticity of the converyors of that methodology of interpretation. So when I say that one word in the original 7th century Arabic and how it was understood by the people who received the revelation is mistranslated by 19th and 20th century translators after the language evolved know that it is entirely different. Make no mistake that comparing Muslim scholars questioning lingusitc authenticity when interpreting the Quran to Chrisitians interpretting the Bible you are comparing apples to orange scented window cleaner.

        And if you want to talk about spreading hate, maybe you should think about not calling people you don’t even know all manners of evil crap on twitter. That is hate speech and slander in a public forum. I blocked you on Twitter for a reason, and it is not becasue I don’t care about the humanity of the LGBTQ community, it was because of your vile, abusive and hateful language toward me. Buh-Bye!

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      3. What’s with these western men assuming that we Muslim feminists are dimwits in need of their saving and enlightenment?! Really good on you to put across those points.

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      4. I know this is an old post; I’m trying to learn about Islam from all perspectives (hereditary Muslims, convert Muslims, ex Muslims etc). I find it alarming that you’d answer a legitimate question in such a fashion. This man asked a general question without slinging personal insult at you; you had a perfect opportunity to explain the feminist stance on said subject. Instead, you belittled him, accused him of being from some sort of ilk, accused him of calling you several names that aren’t present in his comment/question to you (he didn’t call you dimwit, or a bumbling idiot, nor did he accuse you of using fancy words to throw around, called his wife’s fidelity into question, told him what he enjoys (using filthy innuendo) pertaining to his wife whom you don’t even know….and really didn’t answer his question. I thought that was your calling and part of your Islamic teaching (to demystify and dispel misconception about Islam). What you’ve done here instead, and I hope it’s just because you were having a really bad day and that he hit a nerve that you weren’t prepared to validate, is make yourself appear unable to answer the question he asked. Your goal here is to speak truth and clear up misconception. The gentleman asked you to clear up a very COMMON misconception about Muslims and Islam, to which you should have been willing to supply a well thought out answer. Instead, you supplied an answer filled with fear and insecurity, name calling and discouraging attitude to this man and others who may have the same question. You leave people to believe that you don’t have an answer for that; which would be OKAY! Just say “I don’t have an answer, I’m sorry”. Just looking out for you woman to woman!

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      5. You are absolutely right. And I am ashamed. I was having a horrible month. I was being attacked by hundreds if not thousands (literally) of people on the internet. Everything started to look to me like an attack. And you’re right, I was wrong and should have done better. But seriously I was traumatized by the non-stop threats and verbal abuse I was receiving for weeks and weeks. I have, since this time, written an article (two parts) about the issue if you are interested in anything I have to say, considering how horrible my conduct was toward this commentor. http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/im-feminist-beat-husband-p-1/ and http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/im-a-feminist-beat-my-husband-p-2/ To be clear, though I wasn’t intending to accuse his wife of anything. I was being hypothetical.

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    2. John, I owe you an apology. Your comment came at an incredibly difficult point in my life. People were attacking me by the hundreds online night and day. I received death threats and pleas form people to kill myself. It was horrible. Everything started to look like at threat or an attack. And so when your questions came, I saw it as another attack, and it wasn’t. And I am sorry for the way I responded. If you are still interested here is an article (two parts) I have written about this very topic. Again, I am sorry for the way I attacked you. You had an honest question and I had no right to attack you. http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/im-feminist-beat-husband-p-1/ and http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/im-a-feminist-beat-my-husband-p-2/

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  7. I came here after reading your article on Cnn.com. I really enjoyed reading your article because it gave me a fresh perspective on a religion that I know very little about. I just wanted to say keep up the good work! Your courage and conviction is very inspiring.

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    2. This is very heart warming to see your considerate sentiments, I have to agree with you 100% in echoing that Theresa Corbin is an extremely inspirational and strong woman indeed.

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  9. Dear Miss Corbin

    Which sect of Islam did you accept? Are you Sunni or Shia? What was your family and friends reaction upon your conversion? Do you feel that you fully accepted in your society being a convert? Apologies for questions
    Thanks

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    1. No apologies necessary. When I converted, I did not accept a particular sect of Islam. I accepted the basic belief in Muhammad as the messenger and God as one. This is true for all sects, at least nominally. As I studied further, I idenfitfied as sunni but further than that I do not claim a sect, as we are told not to divide into sects.

      The reaction to my conversion was not enthusiatic acceptance. But most of my friends and family gave an effort to understand why I chose Islam. There were a couple of people who disowned me, one family member whom I was very close to me previously, disowns me off and on. And that has been hard. But I cannot live my life for other people.

      As for society at large, I can say that I am treated drastically different. Either strangers come up and talk to me and are infinitely kind and curious; or they scowl and stare daggers at me; or assume I don’t speak English and when I do speak they ignore me completely. You never know what kind of reaction you will get from someone. And those who don’t treat me so well, I always assume that it is just a lack of information they are suffereing from.

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  10. Dear Miss Corbin
    Thank you very much for your swift response. It’s really heart warming to read your reply but it also shows the pain that you have gone through especially when someone so close to you, ignored you. The hardest thing in life is to give up your habits and change your religion. Therefore, I really salute you and admire you for what you are. May I take this opportunity to invite you to a better Islam. I agree to some extent that we are told not to divide into sects but we are also told that Messiah will come and you have to accept him. Mash’Allah, you are intelligent and can differentiate between right and wrong so I am not going to inform you any further. I belong to Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and I reached to this page through one of the link provided by Ahmadis so I believe you know them. May I request you to please google Ahamdiyya Muslims and read about them. Insha’Allah Allah will guide you and reward you.
    Once again greetings and warm wishes for accepting Islam
    Jazakillah
    Wassalam

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  11. I am beyond grateful to have found your blog, Ms. Corbin. Just a little feedback, I tried to open the link for further questions for Christians but it did not work. I suppose it should be this one http://www.irf.net/Christianity.html? If yes, it would be great to update it as I believe it would be useful for peole out there 🙂 Lastly, do keep up the wonderful work!

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    1. I am so glad that you have found this blog too!! Thank you so much for the feedback. I will fix it ASAP. They must have changed the address b/c I put this page up over a year and a half ago. Or -and this is perhaps more likely- I got the address wrong to begin with. It is so good to have readers looking out for me 🙂

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  13. Nice article. Thought I´m most likely not going worship any God who thinks punishing people longer than age of our solar system (4,6 billion years btw) is just.

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      1. Why do you need to worship anything at all? Why can’t goodness come from within yourself, without the need to look for it in the “revelations” of some Medieval nomad? Why do you need a set of nonsensical rules to guide your life when common sense and decency will suffice? Pork may have been “haram” in Medieval times because it could make you sick then; why is it “haram” for you today? Because the “Prophet” said so? Why can’t Muslims use their own intellect instead of deferring like robots to a set of archaic rules that are long outdated? Why?

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      2. Do you really want to know? I will gladly answer you if you aren’t just trying to feel superior or argue with me. I don’t have time to feed egos or arguments. Thank you for your consideration.

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  14. Salam sister Corbin glad to be muslim very happy .i need some books or articles teach new muslims how to make Wudu ablution and hOW TO PRAY .THANK YOU this is my blogger i have the honor to visit it welcom2islam.blogspot.com

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  15. Pingback: 5 (More) Questions about Islam & Other Things – islamwich

      2. InshaAllah I would love too. I just read ibn Katheer’s story of the prophets and I think there is a lot people don’t know about these amazing people.

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    1. yes i read that book wonderful it give you whoole stories of prophets their life ,strugle ….their message .do you have facebook ? i publish posts about islam here my facebook :
      – https://www.facebook.com/mohamedhatimhtm
      – my websites :
      – http://maryinislam.blogspot.com
      – https://mohamed-hatim.blogspot.com/
      and this is my pages :
      – spiritual pictures : https://www.facebook.com/spiritualpictureshatim/?ref=ts&fref=ts
      – Mary-and-Jesus-in-islam : https://www.facebook.com/Mary-and-Jesus-in-islam-1382664515093851/?ref=ts&fref=ts
      – my facebook group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092458160813734/?ref=ts&fref=ts
      – my google+ : https://plus.google.com/112261625787207477719

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  19. I am very happy I found this page again after searching for it for weeks and now I am enjoying scorlling through it.

    Though, there is one thing that disturbed me – why do you link a website which, when opened up, shows on the one hand the representer of Saudi Arabia (a government that is by a lot of Muslims not appreciated at all due to all its misconceptions) and Dr. Naik – a man which way of talking I experience as very onesided and nearly dogmatic…?
    I am really appealled by your way of writing, the more I wonder why I should listen to his words.

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    1. Neenaa, I am glad to have you here on islamwich. And glad you are enjoying it. Please let me know which website you are referring to. I have tons of links on this site. I am no fan of Saudi for sure. I have no opinion of Dr. Naik one way or the other. If the link to his site is correct and true Islamically, then it is the truth I am promoting, not him. Please let me know which links you are referring to so that I can review them and determine if they should be deleted. Thanks so much.

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  20. Asalaamu’alaykum Corbin. I am a new revert to Islam and I’ve been wanting to thank you ever since I read this invitation (and most of your other posts) 6 months ago. I really struggled with making the decision to revert formally and more so having to tell my mother, who I hold very dear to my heart and love very much. Through the toughest of times, I turned to your blog for help and motivation to continue on my journey to Islam. Alhamdulilah! Words could never express the gratitude I have for you. I have no doubt your blog will assist others as it has helped me, inshaa Allah. Thank you for everything.

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    1. Walaikum Asalam, you have no idea how much this means to me to hear that you are benefiting from this blog. Most days I feel like it is not reaching the audience I intend to help. But I am so happy that Allah has guided you here to benefit from my and my cobloggers words and experiences. May Allah make your journey one of ease and peace. And please do no hesitate to send me a message through email if you have any questions or just want to talk islamwich@yahoo.com

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  21. My brother convert to coptic christianity.I speam with him and he dont want to return to Islam.What i must do now?

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    1. I am sorry to hear that. The first thing you can do is show your brother compassion and be patient with him. People only leave Islam because of a lack of knowledge. Talk to him about his choice. Try to understand it and help him learn more about Islam. The next thing you can do is supplicate to God for his (and all of our) guidance. Ultimately guidance is from Allah alone. Don’t force any ideas on him. This will only make him reject even more. It is not up to you to make him come back to Islam, but it is up to you to be a good brother, to be patient with him, and a good example of how an Islamic life is lived. May God put faith in all of our hearts.

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  22. Salamu alaykum sister cobin, may Allah reward you andbsafegaurd you please be take caution from suspicious visitors, there are coptic christians disguised as muslims who aim to mislead people, please be cautious of “mary in islam”

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Commenting was a privilege that the trolls have ruined it for everyone. No more comments accepted. Buh-bye