How To Become a Muslim ?

Praise be to Allaah. 

All praise be to Allah, the lord of the
universe. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Mohammad, His last messenger. 

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 th 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 accepting Islam, should, as a condition, have
a certificate issued by the authorities, as evidence to that effect.

We wish to clarify that 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 Hajj (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-being, 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 anyone 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 the 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 truly to be worshipped) 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 Hajj.” 

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 truly 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 requiremants. 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
abduhu wa rasuluh” means that Prophet Mohammad (Peace and blessing of
Allah be upon him) 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 (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him), to believe him in
what he has said, to practise his teachings, to avoid what ha has forbidden,
and to worship Allah alone according to the message revealed to him, for all
the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelation 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 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 the purify himself by
taking a cmplete 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 rigtheous. Such rejection of
evil and being righteous is one of the requisites of the motto of Islam –
that is, Laa ilaha illallah. 

Allah states in the Holy qur’an :

“…whoever rejects
evil and believes in the Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold,
that never breaks…” (Qur’an 2:256).

We have to consider that when 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 requiremant 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 practise, dissociate
himself completely from the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them,
both in wordly 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.