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:
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 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.