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 Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject: Philobus, Egyptian Coptic Priest a priest who at one time ac |
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Al-Haj Ibrahim Khalil Ahmad, formerly Ibrahim Khalil Philobus, was an
Egyptian Coptic priest who studied theology and obtained a high degree
from Princeton University. He studied Islam to find gaps to attack
it; instead he embraced Islam with his four children, one of whom is
now a brilliant professor in Sorbonne University, Paris France. In an
interesting way, he reveals himself saying:
“I was born in Alexandria on the 13th of January 1919 and was sent to
the American Mission schools until I got my secondary education
certificate there. In 1942 I got my diploma from Asiut University and
then I specialized in religious studies as a prelude to join the
Faculty of Theology. It was no easy task to join the faculty, as no
candidate could join it unless he got a special recommendation from
the church, and also, after he should pass a number of difficult
exams. I got a recommendation from Al-Attareen Church in Alexandria
and another from the Church Assembly of Lower Egypt after passing many
tests to know my qualifications to become a man of religion. Then I
got a third recommendation from Snodus Church Assembly which included
priests from Sudan and Egypt.
The Snodus sanctioned my entrance into the Faculty of Theology in 1944
as a boarding student. There I studied at the hands of American and
Egyptian teachers until my graduation in 1948.
I was supposed, he continued, to be appointed in Jerusalem, had it not
been for the war that broke out in Palestine that same year, so I was
sent to Asna in Upper Egypt. That same year I registered for a thesis
at the American University in Cairo. It was about the missionary
activities among Muslims. My acquaintance with Islam started in the
Faculty of Theology where I studied Islam and all the methods through
which we could shake the faith of Muslims and raise misconceptions in
their understanding of their own religion.
In 1952 I got my M.A. from Princeton University in U.S.A. and was
appointed as a teacher in the Faculty of Theology in Asiut. I used to
teach Islam in the faculty as well as the faulty misconceptions spread
by its enemies and the missionaries against it. During that period, I
decided to enlarge my study of Islam so that I should not read the
missionaries books on it only. I had so much faith in myself that I
was confirmed to read the other point of view. Thus I began to read
books written by Muslim authors. I also decided to read the Quran and
understand its meanings. This was implied by my love of knowledge and
moved by my desire to add more proofs against Islam. The result was,
however, exactly the reverse. My position began to shake and I
started to feel an internal strong struggle, and I discovered the
falsehood of everything I had studied and preached to the people. But
I could not face myself bravely and tried instead to overcome this
internal crisis and continue my work.
In 1954, Mr. Khalil added, I was sent to Aswan as secretary general of
the German Swiss Mission. That was only my apparent position, for my
real mission was to preach against Islam in Upper Egypt especially
among Muslims. A missionary conference was held at that time at
Cataract Hotel in Aswan, and I was given the floor to speak. That day
I spoke too much, reiterating all the repeated misconceptions against
Islam; and at the end of my speech, the internal crisis came to me
again and I started to revise my position.
Continuing his talk about the said crisis, Mr. Khalil said, “I began
to ask myself: Why should I say and do all these things which I know
for sure I am a liar, as this is not the truth? I took my leave
before the end of the conference and went out alone to my house. I
was completely shaken. As I walked through Firyal public garden, I
heard a verse of the Quran on the radio. It said:
“Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to
the Quran). They said: We have really heard a wonderful recital! It
gives guidance to the Right, and we have believed therein: We shall
not join (in worship) any gods with our Lord.” (Quran 72:1-2)
“And as for us, since we have listened to the Guidance, we have
accepted it: and any one who believes in His Lord, has no fear of
either a short (account) or of any injustice.” (Quran 72:13)
I felt a deep comfort that night, and when I returned home I spent the
whole night all by myself in my library reading the Quran. My wife
inquired from me about the reason of my sitting up all night and I
pleaded from her to leave me alone. I stopped for a long time
thinking and meditating on the verse:
“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, verily thou wouldst have
seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of God...” (Quran
59:21)
And the verse:
“Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the
Jews and the Pagans, and nearest among them in love to the believers
wilt thou find those who say, ‘We are Christians’: Because amongst
these are men devoted to learning. And men who have renounced the
world, and they are not arrogant. And when they listen to the
revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes
overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: They pray: ‘Our
Lord! We believe, write us down among the witnesses. What cause can
we have not to believe in God and the truth which has come to
us,seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the
righteous?’” (Quran 5:82-84)
Mr. Khalil then quoted a third quotation from the Holy Quran which
says:
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they
find mentioned in their own (Scriptures), in the Taurat and in the
Gospel; for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is
evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits
them what is bad (and impure): He releases them from their heavy
burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who
believe in him, honor him, help him and follow the light which is sent
down with him, it is they who will prosper. Say: O men! I am sent
unto you all, as the Messenger of God, to Whom belongs the dominion of
the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: It is He that
giveth life and death. So believe in God and His Messenger. The
unlettered Prophet, who believeth in God and His Words: follow Him
that (so) you may be guided.” (Quran 7:157-158)
Philobus, Egyptian Coptic Priest and Missionary (part 2 of 2)
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/106/ |
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