Maik Jahnke was a famous hip-hop-star in Germany before he had a bad car accident. This car accident changed his life and he eventually accepted Islam.
Life Was Good
I grew up in a normal German family. I went to school, learned a profession and then worked. Music has always been my passion. As soon as I earned my own money, I bought musical equipment. I wrote my own songs and composed my own music. I slowly worked my way up in the music business.
Together with my music partner we were able to get a first contract, then the second. Eventually we scored with one of the biggest record labels in Germany. We played everywhere, including MTV. Life was good. Money was good. Then, one morning, I had a horrible car accident.
Nothing Was the Same
After my car accident, nothing was the same. I became very thoughtful. I wondered about this life. The essence of this life. The reason for this life. Why was I here? What was this life for?
At night I stepped out on my balcony and looked up in the sky. I looked at the moon. I thought: “What was the purpose of all this? What role was I to play?”
Talking to God
I had always believed in God. I was never an atheist. But I never had much to do with any official religion.
During the time after my accident, my writings changed. The object of my writings was God. I wrote about Him. I wrote to Him. And I was looking for Him. In my writings, I found consolation. But the questions remained. What was the whole purpose of this life?
A Wake-Up Dream
Then one night, I had a strange but amazing dream. I was in a different time. In a time when there were no cars or airplanes. I stood in a desert outside the city walls of a town. I could see the camels in a caravan walking towards the city.
And next to me was a handsome man with black hair and a beard. He had a stick in his hand. He used it to write something in the sand. Then he looked up at me. He asked me whether I understood what he was writing. I did not. Then I woke up.
This dream shook me. And I cried for two hours.
A Dream About Islam
Later I told this dream to different people. And several of my friends interpreted this dream as being a dream about Islam.
Seeing me in the state of searching and questioning my existence, they told me to follow that dream. And that is what I did.
I started reading about Islam. And then I just went to the city of Aachen, where we have a big Islamic center. And I spoke my shahadah.
Becoming a Better Person
After I spoke my shahadah, I started to learn what it means to be a Muslim. I learned the five daily prayers. I started reading Quran.
Becoming Muslim takes time. I found answers to my questions about my existence and the true purpose of this life. I found peace and contentment in my worshiping God. And I found a new community. And I certainly became a better person. I became more tolerant.
Before becoming Muslim I did not like foreigners much. But learning about the diversity of the Muslim community, I gave up every bit of racism still left inside me. I left my old life in the show business behind.
Visiting God’s House
Going on Hajj and Umrah were amazing experiences for me. Seeing this beautiful diversity of people who all worship God was astonishing.
Pondering the history of our human community from the first Prophet Adam, Prophet Ibrahim, father of the three main world religions, and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) was truly humbling.
For those who are still searching: look at the sky. Look at this amazing creation. Look how perfectly everything is created. Listen to your heart. And you will find God. You will find Islam. You will find the purpose in this life. And you will find the peace you need. And the contentment you are looking for.
InshaAllah.
(From Discovering Islam’s archive)