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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| I want to be Islamic |
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| Spirit_Soul |
| 10/26/03 at 19:12:27 |
| quite simply... I want to be Islamic, are there any rules and regulations for this ? How this is done? do I just say "hi allah, I accept you? "... lol forgive my ignorance but I don't know where to start! :( |
| 10/26/03 at 19:13:02 |
| Spirit_Soul |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| bhaloo |
| 10/26/03 at 19:54:14 |
| [slm] I think you meant you would like to become a Muslim, if I understand you correctly? ??? The part in bold is the part you have to say (you can say it privately if you want, although its good to go to a masjid and introduce yourself there so the other Muslims can help). 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 truely to be worshiped) 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 Hadj". 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 truely 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 requirements. 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 rasul-Allah) means that Prophet Mohammad (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 practice his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allah alone according to the message revealed to him, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations 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 of 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 to purify himself by taking a complete 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 righteous. Such rejection of evil and being righteous is one of the equisites of the motto of Islam - that is, Laa Ilaha Illallah. Allah states in the Holy Qur'an: "... whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold, that never breaks..." (Qur'an 2:256). We have to consider that when we 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 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 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 practice, dissociate himself completely from the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly 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. [quote author=Spirit_Soul link=board=madrasa;num=1067209948;start=0#0 date=10/26/03 at 19:12:27]quite simply... I want to be Islamic, are there any rules and regulations for this ? How this is done? do I just say "hi allah, I accept you? "... lol forgive my ignorance but I don't know where to start! :([/quote] |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| bhaloo |
| 10/26/03 at 20:02:01 |
| [slm] After you've made the declartion of faith and taken a purification bath, you should start praying at the appointed times, (if you go to http://www.islamicfinder.org and type in your zipcode, it will come up with the prayer times for your area along with masjids near you that you can visit). Obviously learning what to say in the prayer moviements will take some time. Sheikh Munajjid said: 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 This was the prayer movements that Sheikh Munajjid referred to: http://www.islam-qa.com/html/prayer.shtml Please ask questions, as we are all hear to help you and welcome you into the faith. :) |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| timbuktu |
| 10/26/03 at 20:21:29 |
| [slm] dear sister when i posted my reply I saw that brother bhaloo had already written very beautifully, (& he has more knowledge), so i thought of taking my post back, but i will let it stand, for correction if need be. I have taken your words to mean that you want to become a muslim (i.e. one who submits to Allah). Although it is easy to convert, & it will give us great pleasure, i think i should tell you that one must first be sure that one accepts what Islam means in terms of belief. When one has accepted that, one has to be physically clean. The best way to do that is by having a shower or a bath. The first thing in Islam is belief. What we recite at conversion (or as a statement of our belief) is this: "ash-hadu anla ilaha illallah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadan-Rasulullah" meaning: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, & i bear witness that Muhammad [saw] is HIS (last) prophet". so WHO is ALLAH? ALLAH is ONE, the only GOD, who has no partner, no spouse, no children, HE was when there was nothing, HE will be when everything is destroyed. HE is the Creator who created everything, who knows & meets everyone's needs, HE knows what is our hearts, & much besides ......... HE created mankind, & sent down prophets (peace be upon them) for our guidance, & revealed books through them. & HE sent the last prophet Muhammad [saw] through whom HE perfected HIS religion for mankind, & revealed the Quran, which his Allah's last book to mankind, & which is free of any alteration or addition/ subtraction. We muslims believe in all the prophets (pbut), in all the revealed books (Zabur, Torah & Ingil, etc.), and that the Quran is the last book that Allah (swt) has revealed. We also believe in angels, & in Heaven & Hell. I am sure that the sisters (& brothers) here will be willing to help further. i think there need to be two witnsses for saying the shahadah. if there is a mosque nearby, you can go there & meet the Imam, & tell him about your intention, or meet some muslim women in the mosque & tell them that you want to be a muslim. becoming a muslim means we decide to submit to Allah (swt) to the best of our ability. This is a beautiful part. When some women came to the prophet & wanted to convert, he [saw] added this phrase at the end of their pledge. When you become a muslim, saying prayers 5 times a day becomes obligatory, so does fasting in Ramadan, paying some money on your "savings" every year, & the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca once in your life, if you can afford it. but i suggest, you tell us more of what you understand Islam to mean, & get a feedback from us, particularly the reverts. You see, Islam is for keeps. You cannot keep changing this belief back & forth. You must learn & ask yourself if this is what you believe in. When you take the jump, your previous sins are not just washed off, they are converted into merits. You get double the merits than us born muslims. & if you keep the promise by & large, Allah is very Merciful, & HE will overlook your minor sins, & you should ask HIM for forgiveness, & HE will do so, & admit you to Paradise, where you will reside frever, & you will have every satisfaction you desire. may Allah (swt) help you & guide you always & grant you the best in both worlds. |
| 10/26/03 at 20:38:24 |
| timbuktu |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| superFOB |
| 10/26/03 at 22:03:02 |
| [slm] Sister, you have been here for a few days only and the discussions must have left a deep impression on you. But, you must reflect and not hurry. You must learn more about islam that how the three Abrahamic religions are connected and how Islam is the only way of salvation in this world and the hereafter. You are not just changing your religion, you are accepting a different way of life. Talk to sisters here on the board (in private), especially the reverts, and then by the will of Allah (SWT), recite the shahadah with the sincerest of hearts. According to our faith, Allah looks at our intentions and neither at the words we recite nor the deeds we do. Allah has declared that satan is our eternal enemy and he is always there to put doubt. I am not trying to scare you away or discourage you from this beautiful deen in any way, Allah forbid. But even then, please realize the gravity of this decision--don't act on impulses and don't make a hasty decision. Just my humble opinion. |
| 10/27/03 at 01:21:52 |
| superFOB |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| WhiteSomali |
| 10/26/03 at 22:15:26 |
| [slm] ;D Bro SuperFOB, don't take this personally, but Spirit Soul the sooner you say your Shahada (words of witness... basically what makes you a Muslim ;D) the better. If you feel that Islam is God's religion than you should recite Ashadu anla illaha illAllah wa ashadu anna Muhammun Abduhu wa RasulAllah. Don't worry about pronunciations. Don't worry about doing it at a mosque; you can always do it again as a mosque. You should say these words as soon as possible, because none of us knows when we're going to die. For all I know my roof is going to fall on me right now and kill me. I would hate to die in the state of being a non-Muslim, because nothing good is going to come of that. The sooner you become a Muslim the better, you can and definately should learn more about Islam after you've recited your Shahadah. It's a biiiig gamble to take, not reciting your Shahadah when you know Islam is the right religion. Anything I can do to help, holla at me. [slm] ;D |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| Spirit_Soul |
| 10/26/03 at 23:22:39 |
| I guess I can follow most rules , but I cannot see how I can follow this one : " He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters. " No one in my family is Muslim, I cannot have any other association except of the non muslim people... how do I stop being influenced by them? I like Islam because of the rules that it has and yes I was impressed by the readings and the devotion and faith most people here and some muslim friends I know in life show to God. I understand what you are trying to say superFOB and this thought entered my mind only today, only after reading about Islam here. I will not make a hasty decision, I will still have to research more into this but I want to know how to practice it first (practice is enlightenment) and trying to follow this religion will not hurt me, may be if allah truly wants me as a muslim then he will make me into a muslim :) Anyway, thank you for the very nice websites baloo, I looked over the second one :) it is awesome. thank you again. I will read it, clean myself and do the prayer. |
| 10/26/03 at 23:23:23 |
| Spirit_Soul |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| Spirit_Soul |
| 10/26/03 at 23:27:47 |
| [slm] Oh yes! thank you I will come back if I have any questions [wlm] |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| timbuktu |
| 10/27/03 at 02:07:32 |
| [quote author=Spirit_Soul link=board=madrasa;num=1067209948;start=0#6 date=10/26/03 at 23:22:39]I guess I can follow most rules , but I cannot see how I can follow this one : " He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters. " No one in my family is Muslim, I cannot have any other association except of the non muslim people... how do I stop being influenced by them? [/quote] don't be frightened by that. there are many reverts on this board who are the same, & they are coping. You ask Allah (swt), & HE helps. & I think there is a misunderstanding. You don't have to disconnect with them, but you have to resolve that you will submit to Allah (swt) to the best of your ability. This is the beautiful part of Islam. I assure you, it may (or may not) be dificult, but Allah will make it easy. You must be sure of it yourself, though. Like Ahmed, we would like to welcome you to Islam immediately, but prudence tells us that you must ask your heart if this is what you want for keeps. & I guess Ahmed is rigth, you need to believe in your heart, & say it with your tomgue. you don't need witnesses. I mentioned the mosque, because you need to learn the deen & get in touch with the community. There is a revert in Canada whose family gave her a tough life, but after going to the mosque & getting in touch with the community, she feels stronger. Ask us muslims, we can give up everything but Islam. & may Allah (swt) make your heart decide on the true faith soon, & may you enjoy the inner peace that comes with shahadah, & may Allah shower you with all the blessings of this world & the Hereafter. aameen |
| 10/27/03 at 02:14:49 |
| timbuktu |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| Tesseract |
| 10/27/03 at 10:33:19 |
| Assalamu 'Alaikum, Spirit_Soul, please go through this link, it has some useful information, and my humble request to others also who posted in this thread, please go through this link. [url]http://www.al-sunnah.com/onlyforyou.htm[/url] Wassalam. |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| superFOB |
| 10/27/03 at 12:23:05 |
| [slm] Nice website for about-to-embrace-islam folks, quite easy to follow. Large bodies of text intimidate me and I react by skimming over them. I prefer dumbed-down step-by-step instructions, just like this one. http://www.islamic-knowledge.com/Guide/Guide.htm Another one: http://www.todayislam.com/everything/ An extract from this website: [color=black]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-beings, then, one should pronounce the "Shahadah", 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)[/color] |
| 10/27/03 at 12:29:14 |
| superFOB |
| Re: I want to be Islamic |
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| AbdulJalil |
| 10/27/03 at 18:23:44 |
| You can visit these websites too. http://www.discoverislam.com/ http://www.whyislam.org/ http://www.islam101.com http://www.islam-guide.com http://www.islam-guide.com/more http://www.beconvinced.com http://www.sultan.org http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic http://www.muslimheritage.com |
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