At 85 years old, James traveled from Scotland to Saudi Arabia to complete the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. Interviewed by Sheikh Yusuf Estes in Jeddah, his story is a testament to the fact that the search for truth knows no age limit and that the Creator’s mercy is available to anyone who sincerely seeks it.
85 Years of Life Experience
James was born in Scotland into a middle-class family and spent a lifetime exploring different beliefs and experiences. Despite the physical challenges of performing Hajj at his age, he completed every requirement of the pilgrimage. For James, the decision to accept Islam was the culmination of a lifelong journey, and the Hajj was proof of his commitment to living his remaining years in full submission to Allah.
“I’ve struggled on and I think I’ve completed everything as it should have been done, insha’Allah. It really has been worth it.”
Who Is Allah?
- Allah is the Arabic name for the one true God, the same God worshipped by Abraham, Moses, and Jesus
- In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, God is called by a nearly identical name
- Arab Christians and Arab Jews have used the name Allah for centuries; it is not exclusive to Muslims
- Allah has no partner, no child, no equal; He is the self-sufficient Creator upon whom all creation depends
The Urgency of Seeking Truth
Not everyone will be blessed with 85 years to find the truth. Death comes without warning, and every moment of worldly pleasure exists only in the past tense. Paradise, on the other hand, is eternal and ever-increasing in beauty. The Creator is ready to forgive every sin and guide anyone who sincerely asks, but the first move must come from you.
“He loves you, He wants to guide you, and He will forgive all sins. But you’ve got to turn to Him and you’ve got to want it.”
What It Takes to Become Muslim
- Acknowledge that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth
- Accept that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His final messenger, in the line of Adam, Noah, Moses, and Jesus
- Begin implementing the five pillars: testimony of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage
- All previous sins are forgiven at the moment of accepting Islam; you become like a newborn, sin-free
