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.