Along with it’s neighbours Sandton and Pretoria, Johannesburg city forms South Africa’s largest metropolitan area. Jozi - as it is affectionately known to locals, is the commercial hub of South Africa. A. W. Sadathullah Khan travelled to Cape Town and Johannesburg in the summer of April 21, 22 and 23, 2006 and April 28, 29 and 30, 2006 to conduct the three day “Discover Yourself” Workshop in these two cities.

The participants shared their experiences after the Workshop. This is a unique Workshop which is giving people across the world a positive breakthrough in their lives.

ISMAIL: Before I attended this workshop, I was absorbed in self-pity, anger, resentment, frustrations, guilt and the list goes on and on. Alhamdulillah, this workshop has been the answer to all my prayers, after performing Haj, umrah and a visit to Masjid -e- Aqsa. This workshop has helped me to set myself free from all my insecurities and my fears, with the result that I have regained my confidence and taken control of my life. It was an overwhelming experience.

SAMINA: When I came here I hated my husband, did not trust him, assuming that he does not love me, I considered myself useless and not good enough for him. He made me feel I am not a good mother to my child, who has a hearing problem. I had given up, thinking of a divorce, suicide. I cannot explain my life before I came to this workshop. But now Alhamdulillah I started loving myself, showing affection to my son and husband and trusting them, whether they trust me or not, breaking my fear of what people think of me. I forgave every body, including myself. Developed a positive attitude to life.

YUMNA: With the work you do, I am certain that there are thousands of people who want to express their gratitude to you and the way you have changed their lives. In the past four years of my life I have experienced such pain and anguish, and while I was aware that all around me, there were people suffering like me or even more so, it did not become real to me until this workshop, where I met people from all walks of life. You yourself have been through a difficult period. On the first day of the workshop, you told us that you are not better than we are, you are not extra-ordinary. While I admire your humility, I have to tell you that you are far from ordinary. Not everyone would have come out of adversity with the need to share this triumph with the world. You have passion and wisdom. This is your gift. I prayed to Allah for an answer, and he gave me my gift in YOU. You have brought me close to Allah and may He reward you for this. I thank you for opening my eyes from the bottom of my heart. For the rest of my life, I will make du’aa to Allah to bless you and your family in this life and in the hereafter. Jazakallah.

SUMMAYA: I overcame my biggest fear which really was irritating my husband. I could never drive myself anywhere although I had a license. Forget about driving at night, never in a million years I thought I would do it, because my night vision is not good. But guess what after the 2nd day of the workshop at 8pm at night I needed something from the café. I did not ask my hubby to go and get it, with out being afraid I took the car keys and went out and came back myself. That was a very big achievement. I have changed spiritually so much that I can feel Allah’s love in my heart and my life. I am at peace with everything around me. I am now out of the “World of Illusion”. I have come out of it. The whole world now looks different. Allah has blessed me with new vision. Thank you very much, may Allah reward you and your wife. From the bottom of my heart shukran. You are a gift to the Muslim Ummah.

AYESHA: I have recognised the tools that Allah has given us and learnt how to use them. I am peaceful now. I was a highly stressed, rigid, perfectionist, never happy or satisfied with any situation. Always making my husband wrong. Not hopeful of a good future with him and for my children- thinking he was the cause of my unhappiness. I now realised that I have the power to mould my future. I have never felt like this before.

Workshop Diary