HOW TO BECOME A MUSLIM

All praises 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 handout is to correct a false idea spread
among those willing to adopt Islam as their faith. Some people are
facing 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 courts of justice 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 an
evidence to that effect.

We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none
of the above mentioned conditions or obligations are required. For
Allah; the 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 Muslims with the concerned governmental
agency, as this procedure may facilitate for them many matters
including the possibility of performing Hajj and Umrah.

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
(SWT) for all human beings, then, one should pronounce
that "Shahada" (The testimony of faith) without further delay. The
Holy Qur'an is explicit in this regard as Allah (SWT) has stated.

"Truly, the Religion on the sight of Allah is Islam." (3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has stated:

"And whosoever desires a religion other that Islam, never will it
accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of
those who are lost." (3:85)

In addition, Islam is the only Religion prevailing over all other
religions. Allah (SWT) has stated in the Holy Qur'an;

"And to thee. We have sent the Book in truth, (This Qur'an)
confirming the scripture that came before it, and a witness over
it…" (5:48)

Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon
him), said:

"Islam is based on five pillars: testifying that there is no God
worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is the
messenger of Allah and His servant; performing the prayer; paying
the Zakat (obligatory charity); fasting the month of Ramadan; and
perfuming Hajj."

The Shahada can be declared as follows:

''ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH HADU 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 the 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, but rather, one
should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction with the
teachings of Islam in all his life he will find himself a new born
person, (or new man).

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 be becomes the embodiment of that faith.

What would 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 the Oneness of Allah and
accept Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as the last of the Prophet, and meet
its requirements. He must behave accordingly applying this true
faith to every thing he speaks or does. What do the words
of "Shahada" signify.

The significant point which every Muslim must know very well is the
truth that there is no God (ditty) to be worshipped other than
Allah, (Glory be 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 "Sahada" i. e. "We ashhadu anna Muhammadan
abduhu wa rasuluh" means that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), 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 (PBUH), to believe him 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 of man whether explicit
or implicit and whether private or public.

Worship falls into two categories:

Visible (manifest or outward)

Invisible (concealed or inward)

Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of
the "Shahada" performing prayers, giving Zakat (Obligatory charity),
observing fast in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, recitation
of the Holy 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
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 his way of life. (Beliefs).

It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to Allah
alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism or shirk, which
amount to apostasy from the Islamic point of view.

The next step for a devotee (newly reverted 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,
Lailaha Illal Laah.

Allah has stated in the Holy Qur'an:

"… whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, hath
grasped the most trustworthy Handhold, that will never break…"
(2:256)

we have to consider that when we declare from our heart that "there
is no god (ditty) worthy to be worshipped but Allah." It implies on
our part of love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of
Islamic legislation which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is
requirement of "there is no god worty to be worshipped but Allah,"
to love for the sake of Allah and to reject for the sake of Allah.
This is the firmest anchor of belief which materializes 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 practices of the 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.




We advise you visiting :
http://www.islam-guide.com
http://www.thetruereligion.org
http://www.it-is-truth.org
http://www.beconvinced.com
http://www.plaintruth.org
http://english.islamway.com
http://www.todayislam.com
http://www.prophetmuhammed.org
http://www.islamtoday.net/english/
http://www.islamunveiled.org
http://www.islamic-knowledge.com

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http://www.islam-online.net

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