South Korean Muslim Convert: 'Ahlul Bayt the Main Road to Islam'

A Muslim convert from South Korea in her attending at Imam Ridha holy shrine in Mashhad-Iran said, “After getting familiar with Islam and Shi’ite, the animating voice of Arafeh and Imam Hussein prayer (A.S.) was the main road connecting me to Islam.

Farideh Rigi along with a group of Muslim South Korean meanwhile visiting the holy shrine benefited the special programs of the Office of Non-Iranian Pilgrims of Astan Quds Razavi.

The newly Muslim girl of 26 referred to the effect of Arafeh prayer and Imam Hussein (A.S.) incantation and reminded, “When I was imposed to Arafeh prayer and Imam Hussein (A.S.) incantation, I found out that this is one of the most precious and important prayers quoted by the Infallible Imams (A.S.) and this way a love to Imam Hussein (A.S.) shaped in my heart and I know this insight coming from Karbala.”

Regarding her conversion to Islam, she said, “I made acquaintance with many Muslim friends and after converting to Islam many of my views changed as I did not know God previously.”

“After knowing about Islam I came to realize that I used to live in darkness and my disposition was in need of a prophet who guided to spirituality”, Rigi added.

“Shi’as have delicate souls and Imams have come to purify them. I learned many Islamic terms like affection, devotion, courtesy, knowledge, and generally the Shi’ite terms from Ashura”, she remarked.

Noting that in Iran all requirements for reaching God is provided, she said, “Through extensive investigations and frequent trips to Iran I realized that respecting women in Iran is much different from that in the west; I know all my ideological and mental changes a divine grace to me and will not give up Islam whatsoever.”

“Before embracing Islam I was always searching for something but as soon as I became a Muslim a queer feeling shaped in me that changed my life; I learned Islamic injunctions essentially as a result of the very voice of my disposition. I felt as if I have reborn since I have gone the wrong way and now I need a map for my life”, she reiterated.

As an employee of Samsun company in South Korea, she added, “Performing on time prayer and going on the pilgrimage to the holy shrine earns large profits in the life.”

Referring to the memory of performing her first prayer and wearing Chador, she said, “By wearing Chador and saying prayer for the first time I felt like I am flying; it was fantastic.”

“Razavi holy Shrine is very attractive and learning about different performances of Astan Quds Razavi is so valuable”, she pointed out.

Referring to the cultural invasion and the artistic attractions existing in the media today she said, “To counteract the false propaganda aired by the enemy of Islam we need to choose excellent artistic effects in order to foil their vain plots.”

She also admired the special programs planned by the Office of Non-Iranian Pilgrims for foreign pilgrims of the holy shrine and appreciated the programs presented to their group.

It is notable that some blessed packages and cultural items were dedicated to the group and they were also invited to the banquet hall of Imam Reza (A.S.).

Ahl-ul Baytṫ (Arabic: أهل البيت‎) is a phrase meaning, literally, "People of the House" or "Family of the House". Within the Islamic tradition, the term refers to the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (PBUT).

In Shia Islam, the Ahl al-Bayt are central to Islam and interpreters of the Quran and sunnah. Shias believe they are successors of Prophet Muhammad and consist of Muhammad, Fatimah, Ali, Hasan and Husayn (PBUT)(known also as the Ahl al-Kisa, "people of the mantle") and Nine descendants of Imam al-Husayn (as).



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