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HOW TO BECOME
A MUSLIM
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May the peace and blessings of
Allah be upon Muhammad; His last messenger.
The objective of this literature is to correct a false idea spread among
those willing to adopt Islam as their faith. Some people face difficulties
on the basis of their mistaken belief that entering into the Islamic fold
requires an announcement from the concerned person in the presence of high
ranking scholars or sheikhs, or reporting this act to the courts or other
authorities. It is also thought that the act of accepting Islam, should, as
a condition, have a certificate issued by the authorities as evidence to
that effect.
We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none of the
above conditions or obligations are required. For Allah, the Almighty, is
above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hearts.
Nevertheless, those who wish to adopt Islam as their religion are advised to
register themselves as Muslims with the concerned governmental agency, as
this procedure may facilitate many matters for them including the
possibility of performing Hajj and Umrah.
If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has the full conviction and
strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah for all
human beings, he should pronounce the "shahada" (testimony of faith) without
further delay. The Noble Qur'an is explicit in this regard, as Allah has
stated:
" Truly, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam."
)Qur'an, 3:19 ) .
In another verse of the Noble Qur'an, Allah has stated:
"And whosoever desires a religion - other than Islam, never will it be
accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who
are lost."
(Qur'an, 3:85) .
In addition, Islam is the only religion prevailing over all other religions.
Allah has stated in the Noble Qur'an:
"And to thee We have sent the Scripture in truth (This Qur'an) confirming
the Scripture that came before it, and a witness over it...."
( Qur'an, 5: 48 ) .
Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him), said:
"Islam is based on five pillars; testifying that there is no god worthy to
be worshipped but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and His
servant; performing the prayer; paying the Zakat (the purification due) ;
fasting the month of Ramadan; and performing Hajj."
The shahada can be declared as follows:
"ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH, WA ASHHADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA
RASUULUH ."
The English translation is:
"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshipped but Allah,
and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."
However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to utter only this testimony
orally either in private or in public. One should believe in it from the
heart with a firm conviction and unshakable faith. If he is truly sincere
and complies with the teachings of Islam in his daily life, he will find
himself a new born person.
This will move him to strive more and more to improve his character and draw
nearer to perfection. The light of the living faith will fill his heart
until he becomes the embodiment of that faith.
What should be next after declaring the testimony of faith (Shahada) and
then becoming a Muslim? He should know the real concept underlying this
testimony, which means accepting the oneness of Allah and the Prophet
Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), as the last of the Prophets, and meeting its
requirements. He must behave accordingly applying this true faith to
everything he says or does. What do the words of "Shahada" signify?
The significant point, which every Muslim must know, is the truth that there
is no god to be worshipped other than Allah, (Glory be to Him). He is the
only true God, Who alone deserves to be worshipped, since He is the Giver of
life and Sustainer and Nourisher of mankind and all creation with His
unlimited bounties. Man must worship Allah, Who alone is worthy of worship.
The second part of the "Shahada" i.e. "Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa
rasuluh" means that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is the servant and chosen
messenger of Allah. No one should be in any doubt about this matter. In
fact, the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), to
believe in what he has said, to follow his teachings, to avoid what he has
forbidden, and to worship Allah alone according to the message revealed to
him.
What is the meaning of worship? It simply means rendering sincere service,
showing reverence for Allah. In a deeper shade of meaning, it implies total
submission and complete obedience to Allah's commandments both in utterances
and actions, whether explicit or implicit and in private or public.
Worship falls into two categories:
1- Visible (manifest or outward)
2- Invisible (concealed or inward)
Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the "Shahada",
performing prayers, giving Zakat (the purification due), observing the fast
in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, recitation of the Noble Qur'an
supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him, purifying our bodies before
prayers, etc.
This type of worship is associated with the movement of the parts of human
body. (actions).
Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgment, in
the Hereafter, in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the Divine Decree of
destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allah alone).
This type of worship does not involve movements of parts of the body but it
surely has a bearing on one's heart which, subsequently, affects one's way
of life (beliefs).
It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated completely and
sincerely to Allah alone, will he rejected as one form of polytheism or "shirk", which amounts to apostasy, from the Islamic point of view.
The next step for a devotee newly converted to Islam is to purify himself by
taking a bath (total ablution). He should then resolve to comply with all
the principles and rules of Islam in their entirety. He disowns all forms of
polytheism and false beliefs. He should reject evil and be righteous. Such
rejection of evil and being righteous is one of the requisites of the motto
of Islam that is, Laa ilaaha illaa Allah..
Allah has stated in the Noble Qur'an:
"...Whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, hath grasped
the most trustworthy handhold, that will never break..." (Qur'an, 2: 256 ) .
We have to consider that when we declare from our hearts that "there is no
God worthy to be worshipped but Allah" it implies on our part love,
devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislation which are
legally binding on all Muslims. It is a requirement of "there is no God
worthy to be worshipped but Allah", to love for the sake of Allah and to
reject for the sake of Allah. This is the finest anchor of belief which
makes material the meaning of "AL-WALA" and "Al-BARA." It means that a
Muslim should love and be loyal to his Muslim brothers. He should, as a
practice, dissociate himself completely from the practices of unbelievers
and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters.
We conclude with a humble prayer to Allah that He may cleanse the hearts and
souls of those who are genuine seekers of truth and may He bless the
community of believers. Ameen.
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