I was born a Muslim. As I got on in years I learnt that I was what is termed as a "cultural Muslim" which is defined by Wikipedia as "religiously unobservant, secular or irreligious individuals who still identify with the Muslim culture due to family background, personal experiences, or the social and cultural environment in which they grew up". Smack in the face!
As far as Islamic rituals goes, I prayed seasonally, fasted every Ramadhan except for the time I had Shasha, paid zakat, did sedekah as and when the occasions presented themselves and read the Quran. I educated myself on religious matters sporadically - as and when I felt the urge.
I grew up at a time when "majlis ilmu" were almost unheard of, when "Ugama" was just an option paired with "Art", when "Jawi" was the script that "old" people, kids from Kedah, Johor and Kelantan, and the kids at religious schools read, when most of my peers here in KL were Quran-illiterate, when masjid were far and few and madrasah schooling was only for the boys. In short, I grew up in a secular environment which didn't promote religious awareness.
I am forever grateful to my parents for their efforts in ensuring that I could read the Quran well enough to not forget it in later years. Also the tauhid that they instilled in me that withstood the test of time.
I grew up in a strange time when all manner of so called Islamic doctrines were thrown in my face. This included the shortcut-to-heaven, hellfire and brimstone, and for-the-life-of-me-I-can't-imagine-this-is-Islam doctrines. The Qadiani cult is one I remember several people following. This old man would come and his followers would show utter devotion to him. I was told they did their pilgrimage in Penang. He was apprehended after a couple of years into his dakwah here in my kampung and most of his followers were successfully rehabilitated.
In college I was exposed to the tabligh style dakwah movement of the hellfire and brimstone sort. For the first time ever I sighted ladies in jubah and niqab - a vision I was totally unfamiliar with. I remember being given an unpleasant jolt when I encountered one, fully clad in black, in the dead of night! I actually stopped in my tracks and waited to see if she walked normally or floated. A good thing I wasn't of the "screaming" sort! It's sad, however, that the daies I met were mostly of the call-you-names and harassed-you sort - "Apa pakai macam ni ni?! Mari join usrah kita ajar you tentang Islam!". Extremely unappealing to an 18-year old who got put down in public for sure. In hindsight, it's amazing that, most times, I could zip my mouth and smile then - given my fiery nature. I guess I saw the truth in their rants.
The truth is the truth regardless of how it's thrown at you. I may resent it at times but I've always accepted it.
I believe that this attitude is what made me "turn"..... :)
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