After a few months of carrying the Qur’an around with me, I read the chapter called “Joseph” [Yusuf]. I instinctively felt that, like Joseph, I, too, had passed through many stages. Joseph had been sold in the market by his brother, much as I was being sold in the market of the music world. About a year later — on a winter Friday in 1977 — I walked to the mosque in London’s Regent’s Park to declare my faith. I realised that I must get rid of my pride, get rid of my ego, and face God.

After jumu’ah [congregational prayer], I went up to the imam and declared my wish to become a Muslim. I was made to sit down and asked if I believed there was only one God and that He is absolutely unique without partners. I affirmed that. Then I was asked if I believed that Muhammad was the last of the messengers. It became absolutely clear to me that no prophet could come without God’s permission, and no prophet could create a true religion unless it was inspired by God.

I knew the Muhammad was exactly what he said he was: the slave of God and His messenger. To the imam, I affirmed my belief, saying, “I declare that there is no God except the one God [Allah]; and I declare that Muhammad is His servant and messenger” on earth.

From that moment on,I felt I was floating on a warm, invisible cloud of mercy, carrying me

upward from my past entanglements and worldly confusion. — Beliefnet.com