The Robert Davila Story: “My Journey to Embracing Islam”
Robert Davila is one of those people who inspire us with their ability to overcome adversity. Robert was born in September 1980 in Bridgeport, Texas. He grew up and graduated from Bridgeport High school in 2000. Growing up, Robert was not religious, leading a life of instability and loss.
At just 20 years old, Robert’s life changed forever. In 2001, in Decatur Texas, Robert was involved in a car accident. When he woke up at the hospital, he found himself unable to move. The accident left Robert paralyzed from the neck down. The doctors’ diagnosed him as quadriplegic, and was told he will never eat, drink, breathe on his own, or walk again. “It was a nightmare come true!”
At first, Robert was only able to eat and drink through a tube in his nose. Soon he started training himself to chew food, and was finally successful. He regained his ability to chew his food and swallow.
Robert has since resided at The Longmeadow Care Center in Justin, Texas. He became best friends with his roommate, Mark. Robert and Mark talked about many things including religion. In 2004, Mark died due to complications in his condition. That was devastating to Robert!
When Mark died, Mark’s sister gave Robert his big cross and Robert asked for the cross to be hung above his bed as a reminder of his best friend and God. Being paralyzed for several years, and with the loss of his best friend, Robert decided to seek help from God. He didn’t know which way to turn! All his family members are devout Christians, and so was Mark.
Robert started reading about different religions, Christianity, Buddhism, and more, until he read about Islam. Islam was the only religion that made sense to him. He read the story of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), read the Quran translation, and ahadeeth.
In September 2011, 10 years after the accident, Robert had a dream that changed his life once again. Robert said: “I went to sleep and it was so real. I was in the middle of the dessert; I saw hills and winds blowing the sand in all directions. At a distance, I saw a man, about 5’ 11” surrounded by other mean listening to his speech. He was doing hand gestures. The moment I looked at the man, I knew it was Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Prophet pointed at my cross (In the dream, it looked like a life-size cross) and said: “Look at the Prophet Jesus, he eats food like us, he walks like us, he even uses the restroom like us. He’s human not God.” Robert suddenly woke up from his dream, and unconsciously said: “Ashhaadu Ana La Ilaha Illa Allah, Wa Ana Muhamadan Abduhu Wa Rasooluh.”
أشهد أن لا اله الا الله وأشهد ان محمد رسول الله
Robert has never seen or been to a mosque, has never communicated with Muslims, and has never held the Quran. Because of a dream, Robert Davila converted to Islam. After three years of embracing Islam, Robert has become an inspiration to many Muslims in America. His story is being shared by many, including Nouman Ali Khan, founder, CEO and lead instructor at The Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies.
Today, Robert is seeking help from the International Muslim community. Robert has one dream now, to move near a Masjid. He wants to be able to go to the masjid every day, learn about Islam, and memorize the Quran. He wants to become a scholar and share his story. He believes his story will inspire many people, especially the Muslim youth. Robert needs a Wheelchair van to help him move around to and from the Masjid. To help Robert fulfill his dream, please donate to “The Robert Davila Story.”
https://baitulmaal.org/the-robert-davila-story-my-journey-to-embracing-islam/
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