Starting-point for one who wants to enter Islam
Q: I want to know is there a starting point
for a man who Is interested in the true religion of Islam. I have
been given many different answers.
A: Yes, there is a very important
starting-point, which is to pronounce the Shahaadatayn (Declaration
of Faith). This is the only answer to your question. (For more
details please see the questions and answers under the heading:
'Aqeedah (basic tenets of faith) - important matters for those who
wish to enter Islam.
We extend the warmest of welcomes to you, and offer our
congratulations for the new direction you are about to take. May
Allaah protect you from all evil.
Islam Q&A
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 face
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 the courts 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 the above conditions or obligations are required. For Allah, the
Almighty is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of
all hearts. Nevertheless, those who wish to adopt Islam as their
religion are advised to register themselves as Muslims with the
concerned governmental agency, as this procedure may facilitate
many matters for them including the possibility of performing Hajj
and Umrah.
If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has the full
conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion
ordained by Allah (SWT) for all human beings, he should pronounce
the "Shahada" (testimony of faith) without further delay. The Holy
Qur'an is explicit in this regard, as Allah (SWT) has stated.
"Truly, the Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam." [3:19].
{إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللّهِ
الإِسْلاَمُ}
Transliteration: 'Inna Ad-Dīna `Inda Allāhi Al-'Islāmu
In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has stated:
"And whosoever desires a religion -other that Islam, never will it
be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of
those who are lost." [3:85].
{وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإِسْلاَمِ
دِيناً فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ
الْخَاسِرِينَ}
Transliteration: Wa Man Yabtaghi Ghayra Al-'Islāmi Dīnāan Falan
Yuqbala Minhu Wa Huwa Fī Al-'Ākhirati Mina Al-Khāsirīna
In addition, Islam is the only Religion prevailing over all other
religions, Allah (SWT) has stated in the Holy Qur'an:
"And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this
Quran) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and
Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old
Scriptures)..." [5:48].
{وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ
بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ
وَمُهَيْمِناً عَلَيْهِ}
Transliteration: Wa 'Anzalnā 'Ilayka Al-Kitāba Bil-Ĥaqqi
Muşaddiqāan Limā Bayna Yadayhi Mina Al-Kitābi Wa Muhaymināan
`Alayhi
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,
that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and His servant; performing
the prayer; paying the Zakat (obligatory charity); fasting the
month of Ramadan; and performing Hajj»
The Shahada can be declared as follows:
"ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH
HADUANNAMUHAMMADANABDUHUWA RASUULUH."
The English translation is:
"I bear witness that there is 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 utter only this
testimony orally either in private or in public. One should believe
in it from the heart with a firm conviction and unshakable faith.
If he is truly sincere and complies with the teachings of Islam in
his daily life he will find himself a newborn 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 should 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 accepting the
Oneness of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as the last of
the Prophets, and meeting its requirements. He must behave
accordingly applying this true faith to everything he says or does.
What do the words of "Shahada" signify.
The significant point which every Muslim must know is the truth
that there is no god to be worshipped other than Allah, (Glory be
to 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 "Shahada" i.e. "Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan
abduhu wa rasuluh" means that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the
servant and chosen messenger of Allah. No one should be in any
doubt about this matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the
commands of the Prophet (PBUH), to believe in what he has said, to
follow his Teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to
worship A11ah 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, whether explicit or
implicit and in private or public.
Worship falls into two categories:
1. Visible (manifest or outward) 2. Invisible
(concealed or inward)
Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the
"shahada", performing prayers, giving Zakat (obligatory charity),
observing the 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 the 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 one's 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
amounts to apostasy, from the Islamic point of view.
The next step for a devotee newly converted 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].
{فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ
وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ
انفِصَامَ لَهَا}
Transliteration: Faman Yakfur Biţ-Ţāghūti Wa Yu'umin Billāhi Faqadi
Astamsaka Bil-`Urwati Al-Wuthqá Lā Anfişāma Lahā
We have to consider that when we declare from our hearts, "there is
no god 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 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 finest anchor of belief which make material 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 practices of 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.
By www.Islamunveiled.com
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