How a British Army Veteran Joined Abdullah Hashem's Community

Thomas Simon served in the British Armed Forces for over a decade, with multiple deployments to Afghanistan. After faithfully serving his country, he has now joined the community of followers around Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq.

Please introduce us to who you are.

My name is Thomas Simon. I'm originally from St. Andrews, Grenada, and I’m 39 years old. I’ve spent much of my adult life living in the United Kingdom, but I still carry the values of home with me: resilience, community, and quiet strength.

Please tell us about your professional history.

I graduated in 2003 as an Electrical and Electronic Installation Technician. Shortly after, I joined the British Armed Forces. After completing my army training, I was sent to Kenya, Canada, and a few other countries to prepare for deployment.

Although I was initially meant to go to Iraq, developments in the Afghanistan conflict led my regiment to be reassigned. I ended up deploying to Afghanistan three times over a 12-year career.

Three years in, I was selected to become an All-Arms Physical Training Instructor (AAPTI), a role that allowed me to lead physical training for soldiers across various regiments. After leaving the military, I trained to become a Renal Technician at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Why did you choose to serve in the British Armed Forces for so many years?

I was drawn to the job by a deep sense of duty, a desire to protect people, not just physically, but by creating space where they could live without fear. What I loved most was the clarity of purpose. Every moment required discipline, presence, and adaptability. It taught me how to stay calm when others can’t afford you to panic.

Are there rewarding moments you remember from working in your job?

Yes! There were many. One that stands out was during my second deployment to Afghanistan. I had to lead a fitness program for a group of soldiers who had just returned from a difficult mission. Many of them were physically drained and emotionally strained. Through consistent training and encouragement, I watched them regain strength not just in body, but in spirit.

That moment reminded me that leadership isn’t about barking orders, it’s about restoring people, helping them rise again. It’s the same spirit I now see in this religion.

So how did you hear about this religion? And why did you decide to join?

I came across it on Instagram. A short video of Aba Al-Sadiq popped up in my feed. I scrolled past it three times, but something kept pulling me back. Eventually, I stopped and watched it, and what he said triggered something inside me. I visited his YouTube channel right after.

It was the way he presented his knowledge that felt divinely inspired. After watching his videos, I felt a connection. He explained scripture in a way I had never heard before. Questions that had gone unanswered by preachers for years, he addressed them directly.

Then I read The Goal of the Wise, and that sealed it for me. I became convinced this man was sent by God. No one could explain such deep truths unless they were guided by the Holy Spirit. His message didn’t just teach, it revealed.

How can you use the skills you learned in the British Armed Forces in this religion?

My military and healthcare experience taught me the importance of structure, discipline, empathy, and clarity under pressure, all of which are vital for this spiritual journey. In the army, I trained others to be stronger physically and mentally. Now, I can help others grow spiritually with patience, resilience, and unwavering faith.

Also, my ability to follow instructions, adapt to change, and teach others are qualities I now bring into this faith. Where I once guarded physical lives, I now hope to guard spiritual truths.

What would you like to tell other people who are still working in your profession today?

I’d tell them this: never lose sight of the why. Whether you’re in uniform or not, your role has always been about service, protecting what matters. But don’t ignore the call of your soul. We train the body, we train the mind, but the spirit often gets neglected.

Don’t wait for war or tragedy to awaken you. Seek truth while you still have the strength to live it.