A Call To Faith: Convert Inspired By Al-Fatihah Performs Haj With Wife

From Amirul Mohd Sajadi

MAKKAH, May 2 (Bernama) -- What began as a simple stop to listen to the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah from outside a mosque turned into a life-changing moment for a man of Chinese descent, eventually leading to his conversion to Islam and the opportunity to perform the haj with his wife.

Mohamad Zamarul Hafiz Ho Abdullah, 54, from Masai, Johor, said the experience of hearing the congregational “Amin” echoed in unison deeply touched his heart and sparked his curiosity about Islam.

“I was sitting outside the mosque during Maghrib (dusk) and heard the recitation of Al-Fatihah. When everyone said ‘Amin’ together, it felt different… my heart became calm. I saw that Islam is one, united,” he said when met here recently.

The father of five said the experience gradually drew him closer to the mosque, even though he had not yet embraced Islam and did not understand the basics of worship at the time.

“I quietly entered and sat at the back. When people invited me to pray, I just followed even though I did not know what to recite. But I felt at peace,” he said.

His curiosity about the uniqueness of Surah Al-Fatihah later drove him to learn it on his own by transcribing its pronunciation into Romanised text before deciding to embrace Islam in 2006.

Although the decision 20 years ago was met with opposition from his family, even leading to him being expelled from his home, it did not weaken his conviction. Instead, the trial strengthened his determination to deepen his understanding of Islam, with support from his wife, Kamariah Othman, 45, whom he married in the same year.

Kamariah, who is also performing the haj, said their married life was filled with challenges, including raising children under severe financial constraints.

“We used to eat the same dish every day. One of our children also had health problems. But we faced everything together,” she said.

Despite the hardships, their dream of fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam never faded. Mohamad Zamarul, who runs a small bread-making business, began saving little by little despite an unstable income.

“We forced ourselves to save every month. If there was extra money, we would set it aside. From a small amount, it eventually grew. Alhamdulillah, that effort bore fruit when we were able to perform the haj this year, although it initially seemed impossible,” he said.

More meaningfully, Mohamad Zamarul’s life transformation after embracing Islam also inspired both his parents to convert in 2012.

Recalling his experience in the Holy Land, Mohamad Zamarul , now residing in Jitra, Kedah, said the feeling of being in Makkah was indescribable.

“When we arrived here, the sense of peace was overwhelming. We feel so small. Everything we chase in this world seems insignificant,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kamariah described the opportunity to perform the haj as an answer to her heartfelt prayers.

“I only prayed silently to be able to come here before I die. I never expected Allah to grant it,” she said.

-- BERNAMA