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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.