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.