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How
to become a Muslim
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 shaikhs 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 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 Hadj (Pilgrimage)
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 for all human-beings,
then, one should pronounce the "Shahada", the testimony
of faith, without further delay. The Holy Qur'an
is explicit on this regard as Allah states:
"The Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam."
(Qur'an 3:19)
In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah states:
"If unyone desires a religion other than Islam
(Submission to Allah), 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 Holy
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)
Mohammad, the Prophet of Allah (Peace and blessing
of Allah be upon him), said:
"The superstructure of Islam is raised on five (pillars):
testifying that there is no God (none truely to be
worshiped) but Allah, and that Mohammad is the messenger
of Allah, performing the prayer, paying the Zakah
(poor-due), fasting the month of Ramadan, and
performing Hadj".
The Shahada can be declared as follows:
"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH
WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH".
The English translation is:
"I bear witness that there is no deity (none truely
to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness that
Mohammad is the messenger of Allah",
However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to
only utter this testimony oraly 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 Allah 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 Shahada (i.e., Wa
ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasul-Allah) means that
Prophet Mohammad (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 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 Allah'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 "Shahada", performing prayers, giving
Zakah (the poor-due), 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 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 Allah, in
the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are
determined by Allah 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 borne 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.
The next step for a newly revert to Islam is to purify
himself by taking a complete bath. He should
then resolve to comply with the principles and rules
of Islam 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 equisites of the motto
of Islam - that is, Laa Ilaha Illallah.
Allah states in the Holy Qur'an:
"... whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah
hath grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold, that
never breaks..." (Qur'an 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 Islamic legislations
which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a
requirement of "there is no god worthy 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 materialise
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 the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by
them, both in worldly and religious matters.
We conclude with a humble prayer to Allah 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.
This is an ammended copy of "HOW TO
BECOME A MUSLIM" originally prepared &
published by Cooperative Office for Call and Guidance
- Riyadh.
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