Declaring shahadah for new Muslim

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Declaring shahadah for new Muslim
ABD
01/02/02 at 05:45:44
Assalamu Alaikum,

Sometimes non-muslims who wish to embrace Islam do not know how say the Shahadah. Not just in words, but how to say it with whom, and how to say it. Insha'Allah this'll help some of our non-muslim visitors. I hope I have not offended anyone, if I have, I ask for your forgiveness.

Wassalamu Alaikum,
Betul

I have read the many pages of your web site that instructs a non-believer. I
believe that there is only Allah (one God). Ibelieve that Muhammed is the
seal of the prophets. History bears this out. My question is: How do I
declare this (shahadah) if I do not speak arabic?  How do I perform the five
daily prayers (salah) without understanding arabic? Finally would I have to
change my name?

To the dear inquirer: I welcome you with a warm greeting.  I was besieged
with great joy as I discovered your question while browsing through the ten
questions which arrived during the past hour today, and it was the dearest
question for me.  This fact is not surprising, as how could our hearts not
open to a wise man who has discovered the truth and has acknowledged and
confirmed it for himself--one who wishes to embrace Islaam and asks about the
next steps?
In reality, everything that poses a problem for you is actually an easy
matter, and can be solved simply, God willing (in shaa' Allaah), so let's
take them one by one:

First:  all that is required of you to embrace this religion right now as you
are reading these lines is to pronounce al-shahaadatain, or the two
confirmations and attestations of faith, to the best of your ability.  
Perfect pronunciation of the Arabic letters is not required, and the
following is a transliteration of the phrases with English letters to help
you:
ash-hadu an laa ilaahah illallaah    (I bear witness and attest that there is
no god worthy of worship but the One God Allaah)

ash-hadu anna muhammad-ar-rasool ullaah (I bear witness and attest that
Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah)

After pronouncing them, you should promptly hasten to take a shower to purify
yourself and prepare to start performing your regular prayers which will be
an obligation as soon as you have declared your belief.

Second:  If you have not yet learned the manner and characteristics of
performing the prayer (i.e. at least the movements and positions), appended
to this message is a description from which you can learn.  What is requried
from you for the time being is to say in the beginning of the prayer and
between each movement between positions "Allaahu ak-bar" (a glorification of
Allaah).  While standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting, you should say
"subhaan allaah wal-hamdu lillaah wa-laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar."  
(Glory be to Allaah, and praise and thanks be to Allaah, and there is no god
but Allaah, and Allaah is the most Exalted and Great.)  Then conclude the
prayer by turning your head to the right then left, each time saying
"as-salaamu alaikum."
This way of performing salaat is permissible for you until you can learn and
memorize what should be said in each movement and position of the salaat.
Third:  You are not required to change your name, and in fact, a number of
scholars among the forefathers and modern-day Muslims have indicated declared
that your name is in fact the name of one of the prophets!


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