Imam Qasim’s path to Islam was anything but conventional. Born into a lively Christian household with a gospel-singing grandfather and church-loving family, his early religious experience was more about entertainment than spiritual truth. This first part of his story traces the journey from a Christian upbringing through Jehovah’s Witnesses to the crossroads that would eventually lead him to Islam — and it begins with a turban and a willingness to ask difficult questions.
Growing Up Christian: Entertainment Over Understanding
Church for young Qasim was about the choir, the activities, and the thrill of standing in front of people. When his parents divorced during his early teenage years, he was exposed to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, where he developed his public speaking skills. But even as he explored different Christian denominations, fundamental questions about God, Jesus, and the nature of salvation remained unanswered.
“The only thing that really kept me going to church was the entertainment — I loved singing in the choir, the activities, the opportunity to stand in front of people. But the deeper questions about faith were never really answered.”
Islam’s Teaching on Original Sin vs. Original Goodness
- No inherited sin: The Quran states that Allah does not place the burden of one soul upon another — every person is responsible only for their own deeds
- Every child is born pure: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said every child is born on the fitrah (natural inclination toward Islam) — it is the parents who raise them into other beliefs
- Children who die go to Paradise: Regardless of the religion of their parents, children who pass away are in Paradise, calling for their parents to join them
- Jesus confirmed this: “Suffer the little children to come unto me, for such is the kingdom of heaven” — aligning perfectly with Islamic teaching
- Accountability begins at puberty: A person becomes responsible for their deeds only when they reach the age of maturity and sound mind
From Original Sin to Original Goodness
“I did not convert to Islam — I reverted back to the original state of being one who submits himself totally to the will of God. That was my purpose of creation. There is nothing illogical in Islam because it comes from the Creator of the heavens and the earth.”
The concept of original goodness is both logical and liberating. Every human being is born pure, and maintaining that goodness is a daily process of submitting to the One True God. There is no “once saved, always saved” — it is a continual journey of doing good, seeking knowledge, and praying five times a day to stay connected with the Creator. For anyone questioning the doctrine of original sin, Islam offers an alternative that honors both divine justice and human dignity.
