The most important information on this website for a person
who is ready to submit fully to the will of his Lord who is one, without
partners. Muslim means 'one who submits', understood in the context of
submission fully to the will of the Creator which includes entering His
Religion and following the rules prescribed therein. This in turn ensures
Paradise in the hereafter.
We have to consider that when we declare from our heart that
"there is no god (deity) worthy to be worshipped but Allah", it implies
on our part love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islaamic
legislations which are legally binding on all Muslims.
All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe.
May peace
and blessings of Allaa be upon Muhammad, His last messenger.
The purpose of this hand out is to correct a false idea
spread among those willing to adopt Islam as their faith. Some people have a
wrong notion that entering into the Islamic fold requires an announcement from
the concerned person in the presence of high ranking scholars or reporting this
act to courts of justice or other authorities. It is also thought that the act
of accepting Islaam, 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 these conditions or obligations are required. For Allah, Almighty,
is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hearts. Nevertheless,
those who are going to adopt Islam as their religion are advised to register
themselves as Muslims with the concerned governmental agency, as this procedure
may facilitate for them many matters including the possibility of performing
Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah) and ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage).
If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full
conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah
for all human-beings, then, one should pronounce the "Shahaadah", the
testimony of faith, without further delay. The Noble Qur‘an is explicit on this
regard as Allaah states:
"The Religion in the sight of Allaah is
Islaam." (Qur‘an 3:19)
In another verse of the Noble Qur'an, Allaah states:
"If anyone desires a religion other than Islaam
(Submission to Allaah), Never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter
he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the hell
fire)." (Qur‘an 3:85)
In addition, Islam is the only religion prevailing over all
other religions. Allah states in the Noble Qur'an:
"To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the
scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety:..." (Qur‘an
5:48)
Muhammad, the Prophet of Allaah (Peace and blessing of Allah
be upon him), said:
The superstructure of Islam is raised on five (pillars):
1. Testifying that there is no God (none truly to be
worshiped) but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah,
2. Performing the
prayer (meaning the formal obligatory daily prayer of a Muslim, other
non-formal prayers are not obligatory and may be performed when the person
wishes),
3. Paying the Zakaah (poor-due, an annual 2.5% {amount
varies depending upon what is the nature of the wealth, e.g. gold, money,
livestock etc} portion of your wealth which is to be distributed amongst the
poor),
4. Fasting the month of Ramadhaan (fasting from dawn to
sunset),
5. Performing Hajj (a pilgrimage to the Ka’bah (sacred house
built by Aadam and rebuilt by Ibraaheem) in Makkah, at least once in a lifetime
for the person who is able to).
The Shahaadah can be declared as follows:
"ASH-HADU ANLA ILAAHA ILL-ALLAAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA
MUHAMMADAN RASOOL-ALLAAH".
The English translation is: "I bear witness that there
is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allaah, and I bear witness that
Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah",
However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to only utter
this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he should
believe in it by heart with a firm conviction and unshakeable faith. If one is
truly sincere and complies with the teachings of Islam in all his 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 would be next after declaring oneself a Muslim?
One should then know the real concept underlying this
testimony which means the Oneness of Allaah and meet its requirements. One must
behave accordingly, applying this true faith to every thing one speaks or does.
What do the words of the "Shahada" signify? The significant point
which every Muslim must know very well is the truth that there is no God
(deity) to be worshipped other than Allah. He - glory be to Him - 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 Shahaadah (i.e., Wa ash-hadu anna
Muhammadan rasool-Allaah) means that Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi was
sallam - peace be upon him) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allah. No
one must have two opinions about this matter. In fact the Muslim has to obey
the commands of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi was sallam - peace be upon
him), to believe him in what he has said, to practice his teachings, to avoid
what he has forbidden, and to worship Allah alone according to the message
revealed to him, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations
and inspirations conveyed to him by Allah.
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 Allaah's commandments both in utterances and actions of
man whether explicit or implicit.
Worship fall into two categories:
Visible (manifest or outward)
Invisible (concealed or inward)
Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts
of the "Shahaadah", performing prayers, giving Zakaah (the poor-due),
recitation of the Qur‘an, supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him,
purifying our bodies before prayers, etc. This type of worship is associated
with movement of the parts of the human body.
Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of
Judgement (in the Hereafter), in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the
Prophets of Allaah, in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are
determined by Allaah alone). This type of worship does not involve movement of
parts of the body but it surely has bearing on one's heart which subsequently
affects one's way of life. It should be bore in mind that any worship not
dedicated to Allah alone will be rejected as one form of polytheism and this
causes apostasy from the Islamic fold (for the one who believes that
worshipping someone besides Allaah is good and correct, the one who may have
done this by mistake should immediately repent and seek Allaah's forgiveness).
The next step for a new revert to Islam is to purify himself
by taking a complete bath. He should then resolve to comply with the principles
and rules of Islaam in their entirety. He should disown 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 Islaam - that
is, Laa Ilaaha Illallaah. (none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah)
Allaah states in the Noble Qur‘aan:
"...whoever rejects evil and believes in Allaah hath
grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold, that never breaks..."(Qur‘aan
2:256).
We have to consider that when we declare from our heart that
"there is no god (deity) worthy to be worshipped but Allah", it
implies on our part love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of
Islaamic legislations which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a
requirement of "there is no god worthy to be worshipped but Allaah"
to love for the sake of Allaah and to reject for the sake of Allaah.
We conclude
with a humble prayer to Allaah that may He cleanse the hearts and souls of
those who are genuine seekers of truth and may He bless the community of
believers. Aameen.
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Source: This is an amended copy of "HOW TO BECOME A MUSLIM" originally prepared and published by the Co-operative Office for Call and Guidance - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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