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There is something beautiful about the faith and search for the truth of those who embrace Islam after a long journey.

Their understanding and perspective often offer unique insights that enrich the broader Muslim community.

This is the incredible journey of Dr. Abdallah Rothman, a seeker whose quest for truth led him across the world and ultimately to Islam.

Before pursuing his PhD in psychology, he traveled extensively, immersing himself in various spiritual traditions in search of humanity's essence.

His quest led him first to the teachings of Hinduism.

Under the guidance of Baba Hari Dass, a silent Hindu master who communicated through a chalkboard, Dr. Rothman delved into the spiritual practices of yoga—not merely the physical postures but the disciplines of breath control.

He witnessed remarkable feats achieved through mastery of the breath: bending steel rebar with the soft part of the throat, tearing phone books in half, and demonstrating the untapped potential within the human being.

Yet, despite the deep wisdom and practical benefits he found, the theological aspects of Hinduism did not fully resonate with him.

He yearned for a path that aligned more closely with his innate sense of the Divine.

Seeking further, he embraced Buddhism's mindfulness and meditation practices.

He spent time in Thailand, living simply in the jungle with a Buddhist monk.

Their days were marked by deep contemplation, fishing from rivers, and a harmonious existence with nature.

The emphasis on compassion and mindfulness appealed to him, but again, something was missing—a certain completeness he couldn't quite articulate.

His journey then took him to the hills of Jamaica, where he lived among the Rastafarian community.

He even grew dreadlocks and immersed himself in their spiritual tradition, which emphasized a connection to the original human roots in Africa and a life untainted by colonial influences.

The Rastafarians taught him about a lineage of kings and a way of life that sought purity and authenticity.

While he admired their devotion and the sense of communal identity, he also sensed a limitation in their approach.

Continuing his quest, Dr. Rothman found himself in Palestine, living as a shepherd.

He resided in a barn, slept on hay bales, and tended to sheep and goats.

He fully embraced pastoral life, playing the flute in the fields and reflecting deeply on the nature of existence.

Yet he still felt lost.

Throughout his travels, a recurring theme troubled him: to be considered righteous or saved, one had to belong to a specific tribe, adopt certain teachers, or claim a particular bloodline.

This exclusivity contrasted with his inner conviction that the path to the Divine should be accessible to all, unburdened by human-imposed barriers.

Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Rothman encountered a community of Muslims who embodied their faith in a manner that captivated him.

They were devout in their practice yet extended respect and humility to him.

Despite his not being a Muslim at the time, they treated him as if he could be on a spiritual level equal to or even higher than their own.

They recognized that the actual state of a person's soul is known only to Allah and refrained from any form of judgment or presumption.

Here was a community that practiced their faith with conviction yet left the judgment of others entirely to the Divine.

They did not need him to believe as they did to treat him with kindness and dignity.

This humility and openness resonated deeply with him and what he had been seeking.

He learned that their approach was influenced by Shaykh Muhammad Jamal from Palestine, the caretaker of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Shaykh understood that many in the modern world yearn for spiritual truth but are wary of religious constraints.

He observed that people often desire light without heat—the essence of spirituality (halaqah) without the discipline of sacred law (sharia).

Recognizing this, the Shaykh presented the sharia by highlighting its profound wisdom and capacity to heal spiritual and physical ailments.

As Dr. Rothman delved deeper into Islamic teachings, everything began to connect.

He realized that the various "gems" he had collected from other traditions were all present within Islam, unified and perfected.

He realized the sharia was the missing thread that held it together.

This path made sense of his previous experiences and elevated them.

The framework connected the inner and outer dimensions of spirituality, offering him a complete way of life.

Subhanallah, what a beautiful journey,

Dr. Abdallah Rothman is now the founder of Dar al-Shifaa Hospital and co-founder and Executive Director of the International Association of Islamic Psychology.