[http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:64pfRPRlVgEXqM:http://affcmtg.com/images/bismillah.gif] Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem [http://muslimwebpage.com/islamicpages/books/aoa68.gif] As Salaam o Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatuh! [cid:[email protected]] [cid:[email protected]] Those whom Allah (in His Plan) willeth to guide He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying He maketh their breast close and constricted as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe. {Al An'am (06:125} Danny Williams' journey into Islam http://www.islamictimes.co.uk/content/view/78/43/ WHEN British heavy weight Danny Williams stepped into the ring to face Mike Tyson, most experts believed that the talented fighter didn't have a chance against the former undisputed champion of the world. Instead of buckling under the pressure, Danny stepped up to the challenge and knocked out Tyson. Then he stepped up another level and fought Vitali Klitschko for the world title. Even though he lost the title fight, Danny gained respect from many sections of the boxing community including Klitschko to whom he lost the title fight. The defeat has made him more determined than ever to win the title. "I just want to get that belt round my waist before I retire. I want to end my career as world champion," explains Danny. Like his boxing, the softly spoken fighter's approach is well thought out and very methodical. It is clear that fame and fortune has not got to Williams head, retaining a humble nature, and thinking about each answer before hitting the target with his replies. This attention to detail can be traced back to his childhood. "When I was born, my father had a dream for me to become the world champion." Although Williams admits that he didn't enjoy boxing at first and only did it because his father pushed him into the sport, he soon found that he was good at it. Williams started training from the age of eight and used fighters like Rocky Marciano and Muhammed Ali as his role models. After he turned professional Williams quickly rose through the ranks and gained worldwide acclaim when knocked out fight legend 'Iron' Mike Tyson. The devout Muslim credits one of the greatest upsets in recent boxing history to him converting to Islam. Williams believes that allowing Islam into his life made him become a better fighter because it made him more comfortable. "I was always a nervous fighter. Since I have become a Muslim, I am more relaxed in the ring. I was so relaxed that I dreamt that I was going to knock Tyson out in the fourth or fifth round and it came true. I believe Allah fulfilled my dream." Born and raised in Brixton by his West Indian parents Danny was brought up as a Christian with his two brothers and sister. Then he went on a whole new journey when he converted to Islam in 1999. "It was a gradual process. It took a few years of searching before I converted to Islam. I was not comfortable with the Bible because there seemed to be too many contradictions. Also I didn't feel that worshipping Jesus was right. I started reading about other religions and when I came across Islam and it grew on me." Williams admits that an incident in Turkey, also guided him towards the faith. "I remember hearing the call to prayer and it gave me goose pimples." Although Williams found himself being drawn to Islam, for a short while there was a battle inside his head until he started to look for answers. "Every time I tried to prove the Islamic faith wrong, my belief in it became strengthened; there was an answer to every question I asked. I used to watch a lot of Ahmed Deedat's debates, particularly the Christianity versus Islam debates." Williams cites Deedat as one of his main inspirations in becoming a Muslim and reveals that his close family and friends were very supportive of his decision to become a Muslim, "Most people could see it was going to happen, it was a matter of 'when' and not 'if' I was going to do it. A few years later my wife converted and now she prays five times a day." The talented heavy weight is not letting boxing interfere with his faith and prior to the Klitschko fight he trained during Ramadan as he was unable to eat during the day. Confident of getting another chance to fight for the world title towards the end of this year, the hunger and desire to win the title is evident in his voice and he proudly admits that he wants the title for all Muslims as well. "Before the Klitschko fight many Muslims would come up to me and tell me to win the title for them. So it upset me even more when I lost. But it was the will of Allah, he knows best." Away from boxing the devoted father likes to spend as much time as possible with his family because his work is always taking him away from them. "I am always at home, I rarely go out. After a fight I try and spend as much time as I can with my family." Talking about his daughters reminds him of a saying from the Prophet (peace be upon him), "Who so ever has two daughters and treats them well; they will be a shield for that person against the fire of hell." He talks about chapter 102 (Al-Takathur - striving for more) because he thinks the chapter aptly describes many people of today. "Everyone is so obsessed with making money and not thinking about the next life and will only remember Allah once they're in their graves," says Danny. Out of the ring, Danny says it is important for him to emulate the behaviour of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) as much as possible. Williams explains that if he is seen as a role model he wants to set a good example. "I personally feel that the best role model we have is the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)." *** Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni! OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me! (Aameen) ~ Please join ~ ~Precious_Teachings_Of_Islam~<http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/Precious_Teachings_Of_Islam/join> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/Precious_Teachings_Of_Islam/ <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Light_Of_Allah/join> ~Divine_Light_Of_Allah~<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Light_Of_Allah/join> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Light_Of_Allah/join <http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Lights_Of_Allah/> ~And learn more about Islam~ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better; then the enmity between him and you will become as if it were your friend and intimate! 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