Book of Signs Foundation » Narratives

How to Convert to Islam and Become a Muslim

obaloch — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:01:23 +0000

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process that requires no pre-requisites. One may convert alone in privacy, or he/she may do so in the presence of others.

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion of God, then, all one needs to do is pronounce the “Shahada”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The “Shahada” is the first and most important of the five pillars of Islam.

With the pronunciation of this testimony, or “Shahada”, with sincere belief and conviction, one enters the fold of Islam.

Upon entering the fold of Islam purely for the Pleasure of God, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new life of piety and righteousness. The Prophet said to a person who had placed the condition upon the Prophet in accepting Islam that God would forgive his sins:

“Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?” (Saheeh Muslim)

When one accepts Islam, they in essence repent from the ways and beliefs of their previous life. One need not be overburdened by sins committed before their acceptance. The person’s record is clean, and it is as if he was just born from his mother’s womb. One should try as much as possible to keep his records clean and strive to do as many good deeds as possible.

The Holy Quran and Hadeeth (prophetic sayings) both stress the importance of following Islam. God states:

“…The only religion in the sight of God is Islam…” (Quran 3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Quran, God states:

“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 Hellfire).” (Quran 3:85)

In another saying, Muhammad, the Prophet of God, said:

“Whoever testifies that there in none worthy of being worshipped but God, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Prophet, and that Jesus is the Slave of God, His Prophet, and His word[1] which He bestowed in Mary and a spirit created from Him; and that Paradise (Heaven) is true, and that the Hellfire is true, God will eventually admit him into Paradise, according to his deeds.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet of God, may the blessing and mercy of God be upon him, also reported:

“Indeed God has forbidden to reside eternally in Hell the person who says: “I testify that none has the right to worship except Allah (God),’ seeking thereby the Face of God.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The Declaration of the Testimony (Shahada)

To convert to Islam and become a Muslim a person needs to pronounce the below testimony with conviction and understanding its meaning:

I testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”

The translation of which is:

“I testify that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a Messenger (Prophet) of God.”

When someone pronounces the testimony with conviction, then he/she has become a Muslim. It can be done alone, but it is much better to be done with an adviser through the “Live Help” at top, so we may help you in pronouncing it right and to provide you with important resources for new Muslims.

The first part of the testimony consists of the most important truth that God revealed to mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God. God states in the Holy Quran:

“We did not send the Messenger before you without revealing to him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.’” (Quran 21:25)

This conveys that all forms of worship, whether it be praying, fasting, invoking, seeking refuge in, and offering an animal as sacrifice, must be directed to God and to God alone. Directing any form of worship to other than God (whether it be an angel, a messenger, Jesus, Muhammad, a saint, an idol, the sun, the moon, a tree) is seen as a contradiction to the fundamental message of Islam, and it is an unforgivable sin unless it is repented from before one dies. All forms of worship must be directed to God only.

Worship means the performance of deeds and sayings that please God, things which He commanded or encouraged to be performed, either by direct textual proof or by analogy. Thus, worship is not restricted to the implementation of the five pillars of Islam, but also includes every aspect of life. Providing food for one’s family, and saying something pleasant to cheer a person up are also considered acts of worship, if such is done with the intention of pleasing God. This means that, to be accepted, all acts of worship must be carried out sincerely for the Sake of God alone.

The second part of the testimony means that Prophet Muhammad is the servant and chosen messenger of God. This implies that one obeys and follows the commands of the Prophet. One must believe in what he has said, practice his teachings and avoid what he has forbidden. One must therefore worship God only according to his teaching alone, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations conveyed to him by God.

One must try to mold their lives and character and emulate the Prophet, as he was a living example for humans to follow. God says:

“And indeed you are upon a high standard of moral character.” (Quran 68:4)

God also said:

“And in deed you have a good and upright example in the Messenger of God, for those who hope in the meeting of God and the Hereafter, and mentions God much.” (Quran 33:21)

He was sent in order to practically implement the Quran, in his saying, deeds, legislation as well as all other facets of life. Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, when asked about the character of the Prophet, replied:

“His character was that of the Quran.” (As-Suyooti)

To truly adhere to the second part of the Shahada is to follow his example in all walks of life. God says:

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love God, then follow me.’” (Quran 3:31)

It also means that Muhammad is the Final Prophet and Messenger of God, and that no (true) Prophet can come after him.

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you but he is the Messenger of God and the last (end) of the Prophets and God is Ever All-Aware of everything.” (Quran 33:40)

All who claim to be prophets or receive revelation after Muhammad are imposters, and to acknowledge them would be tantamount to disbelief.

We welcome you to Islam, congratulate you for your decision, and will try to help you in any way we can.

Footnotes:
[1] God created him through His statement, “Be!”

By IslamReligion.com

Modesty Making a Slow Come Back: Headscarves & Veils Inspire Top Fashion Designers

obaloch — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:43:29 +0000

While some in western society want the headscarf banned, the world’s top fashion designers are embracing it as a trend. Headscarves, veils and other head coverings have featured in the collections of top (non-Muslim) fashion designers over the past two years, including Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Paul Smith, Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwood.

This video is a selection of some of the head coverings that have appeared on the catwalks/runways in 2007 and 2008.

Fashion commentators believe the headscarf revival reflects a wider return to values of modesty in fashion.

Domenico Dolce of Dolce & Gabbana:

“We wanted to revamp the headscarf, give it a new life and introduce it to a younger generation. Our aim was to give it a modern and cool twist.”

Some of the designers have challenged the conventional form of the headscarf or veil, exploring the concept of partial or full concealment of the hair and face.

Paradise Found: Islamic Architecture and Arts

obaloch — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:31:24 +0000

A Good Overview of Islamic Architecture…

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How A scientist Becomes Muslim

obaloch — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:51:36 +0000

The following is an interesting and simple clip of how intellectuals respond to the Quran. In this clip after every few sentences an Arab Muslim translates the words of the scientist. However, it is really worth as you will see…

After 9/11– From Angry Questions to Conversion

obaloch — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:49:13 +0000

After 9/11, the world has started to focus to Islam and Muslims. Here is the story of three people.

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Cat Stevens– A Guided Man

obaloch — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:28:42 +0000

Cat Stevens, abruptly stopped music, to start a new life as “Yusuf Islam”, after reading the Quran.

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Children in England Turn To Islam

obaloch — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:08:48 +0000

An Islamic Documentary featuring a group of children in a North England city who are attracted to Islam and spend much of their time at the mosque near there home. This documentary features life of a young British girl living with a Muslim environment in England

Catechism declares Muslims also worship the one true Merciful God

obaloch — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:42:27 +0000

841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day”

Pole showing respect to the Quran

Looking inside the Catechism:

Introduction from John Paul II
1. The Process and Spirit of Drafting the Text

…The editorial committee, for its part, assumed responsibility for writing the text, making the emendations requested by the commission and examining the observations of numerous theologians, exegetes and catechists, and, above all, of the Bishops of the whole world, in order to produce a better text. …

… It can be said that this Catechism is the result of the collaboration of the whole Episcopate of the Catholic Church, who generously accepted my invitation to share responsibility for an enterprise which directly concerns the life of the Church. …

2. Arrangement of the Material

A catechism should faithfully and systematically present the teaching of Sacred Scripture, the living Tradition in the Church and the authentic Magisterium…

3. The Doctrinal Value of the Text

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved June 25th last and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. …

Therefore, I ask all the Church’s Pastors and the Christian faithful to receive this catechism… This catechism is given to them that it may be a sure and authentic reference text for teaching catholic doctrine… The Catechism of the Catholic Church, lastly, is offered to every individual who asks us to give an account of the hope that is in us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15) and who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes.

Given October 11, 1992, the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, in the fourteenth year of my Pontificate.

signiture of authentication

Islam in America: Islamic Stars & Stripes – 26 Oct 08

obaloch — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:06:39 +0000

In the second part of his journey across the US, Rageh Omaar looks at how America’s Muslims have coped with the aftermath of the events of 9/11, exploring the demands of patriotism and belief.

Mike Tyson interview about islam muslim

obaloch — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:48:11 +0000

Mike tyson converted into islam.
Check also a interview from another boxing legend Muhammad Ali why he chosed Islam and about other religions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7YF58…