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How To Become A Muslim?
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Some people are facing difficulties on the basis of their belief and wrong notion that entering into Islam fold require an announcement from the concerned person in the presence of high ranking scholars or shiakhs 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 matter is very easy and that none of the
above-mentioned conditions or obligations are required. For Allah, Almighty, is
above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hears. 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
Hajj and Umrah.
If
any one has a real desire to be a Muslim and his full convection and strong
belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah (SWT) 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
(SWT) has state:
In
another verse of the Holy Qur’an, Allah (SWT) has stated
“
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, 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
(SWT) has stated 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)
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(poor-due), fasting the month of
Ramadan, and performing Hajj.
The
shahada can be declared as follows :
“ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH WA ASH HADU ANNA MUHAMMAD ADUHU WARASUULUH”.
The
English translation is :
“
I bear witness that there in no deity worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and I
bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and messenger”.
However,
it would not be sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either
in private or in public; by rather, he should believe in it by heart with a firm
conviction and unshakable faith. If he is truly sincere and comply with the
teachings of Islam in all his life, he will find himself a new born 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 he
becomes the embodiment of that faith.
What
would be next after declaring himself a Muslim? He should then know the real
concept underlying this testimony which means the Oneness of Allah and meet its
requirements. He must behave accordingly, applying this true faith to every
thing he speaks or does.
What
do the words of the “ Shahada” signify?
The
significant point which every Muslim must know well is the truth that is no god
(deity) to be worshipped other than Allah. He-Glory be Him- is the only true
God. Who alone deserves to be worshipped, since he is the Giver of life and
Sustainer and Nourished of mankind and all certain with his unlimited bounties.
Man must worship Allah, who alone is worthy of worship.
The
second part of the shahada” i.e., Waashhadu anna muhamadan abduuhu wa
rasuluh” means that prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the servant and chosen
messenger of Alla. 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 teaching , 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
is simply 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
falls into tow categories :
1-
Visible (manifest or outward)
2-
invisible (concealed or
inward)
visible
worship includes acts such as uttering the tow parts of the “shahadah”,
performing prayers, giving Zakat (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 human body.
Invisible
worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgement, in the hereafter, in
the angles, 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).
The
type of worship does not involve movement of parts of the body but is surely has
bearing on one’s heart which subsequently affects his way of life.
It
should be borne in mind that any worship not dedicated for Allah alone will be
rejected as one form of polytheism and this causes apostasy from the Islamic
fold.
The
next step for a devoted (newly revert to Islam) is to purify himself by taking a
bath (total ablution). 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 of the righteous is one of the requisites of the motto of Islam –
that is , Laa Ilaha Illallahh has stated 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 materialises 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. Ameen
