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Islam and Muslims
The Arabic word ‘Islam’ means ‘submission’, and isderived from a word meaning ‘peace’. As such, the religion of Islam teachesthat in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one mustsubmit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law.
Islam is not a new religion because ‘submissionto the will of God’, i.e. Islam, has always been the only acceptable religionin the sight of God. For this reason, Islam is the true ‘natural religion’,and it is the same eternal message revealed through the ages to all of God’sprophets and messengers. The main message of all the prophets has always beenthat there is only One True God and He alone is to be worshipped. Theseprophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Johnthe Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them all. God says in the Holy Quran:
“We did notsend before you (O Muhammad) any messenger but We revealed to him: ‘none hasthe right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.’” (Quran 21:25)
However,the true message of these prophets was either lost or got corrupted over time.Even the most recent books, the Torah and the Gospel were adulterated and hencethey lost their credibility to guide the people to the right path. Therefore600 years after Jesus, God revived the lost message of previous prophets bysending the Prophet Muhammad with His final revelation, the Holy Quran, to allof mankind. Since the Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet, God Himself haspromised to preserve His last revealed words so that it is a source of guidancefor all humanity till the Last Day. It is now imperative for everyone tobelieve and follow this final message from God. God Almighty says in theQuran:
“We have notsent you (O Muhammad) but to all mankind as a giver of good news and as awarner, but most people do not know.” (Quran 34:28)
“Whoeverseeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in theHereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)
The word “Muslim” means one who submits to thewill of God, regardless of his/her race, nationality or ethnic background.Hence, any person who is ready to submit to the will of God is eligible tobecome a Muslim.
Benefits of Converting to Islam
There are many benefits of converting to Islam.Some of them are:
• Oneforms a personal and direct relationship with God by worshipping Him alone,without the need of intermediaries. One feels this personal relationship andis aware that God knows everything and is there to assist him/her.
• Aperson realizes the true purpose of his or her life, which is to recognize Godand follow His commandments.
• Aperson is provided with a light, which guides him/her through life. Thereligion of Islam has answers to all situations, and one will always know theright steps to take in all aspects of life.
• Onefinds true happiness, tranquility, and inner peace.
• Uponconverting to Islam, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts anew life of piety and righteousness. And as a Muslim, when one makes a mistakethereafter, he/she can always repent to God who forgives the sins of those whorepent to Him sincerely. There are no intermediaries or created beings to makeconfessions to.
• Oneachieves salvation from Hellfire, which all prophets have warned against.
• Thegreatest benefit is that a Muslim is promised by God the reward of eternalParadise (Heaven). Those who are blessed with Paradise, will live eternally inbliss without any sort of sickness, pain or sadness. God will be pleased withthem and they will be pleased with Him. Even the lowest in rank among thedwellers of Paradise will have ten times the like of this world, and they willhave whatever they desire. In fact, in Paradise there are pleasures that noeye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no mind has ever thought of. Itwill be a very real life, not spiritual only, but physical as well.
To know more about some of the benefits in convertingto Islam, you may read this article “TheBenefits of Converting to Islam (3 parts)”.
How to Convert to Islam - The Testimony of Faith (Shahada)
Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process.All that a person has to do is to say a sentence called the Testimony of Faith(Shahada), which is pronounced as:
I testify “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadrasoolu Allah.”
These Arabic words mean, “There is no true god (deity)but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” Once aperson says the Testimony of Faith (Shahada) with conviction andunderstanding its meaning, then he/she has become a Muslim.
The first part, “There is no true deity butGod,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that Godhas neither partner nor son. The second part means that Muhammad was a trueProphet sent by God to humankind.
To be a Muslim, one should also:
- Believe thatthe Holy Quran is the literal word of God, revealed by Him.
- Believe thatthe Judgment Day (Resurrection Day) is true and will come.
- Believe inthe prophets that God sent and the books He revealed, and in His angels.
- Accept Islamas his/her religion.
- Not worship anythingnor anyone except God.
Itis that easy! To hear the Testimony (Shahada), click here or click on“Live Help” for immediate assistance by chat.
The conversion can be done alone, but it is muchbetter to do it with the help of one of our advisors through the “Live Help”,so we may help you in pronouncing it right and to provide you with importantpieces of information and advice that is especially prepared for new converts,to help them get started with their newfound faith.
Alternatively, we can call you over the phone tohelp you with the conversion process. In this case, please leave us your phonenumber and the suitable time to call through our Contact Us form.
You are Not Alone
If you have followed the guidance above andconverted to Islam by yourself, then rest assured that you are not alone, ratherthe same faith is shared by 1.7 billion people. We highly recommend that youinform us now through the Contact Us form or through the “Live Help”, so that we canprovide you with useful resources and advice, suitable for you as a new Muslim.
We congratulate you on your decision, welcomeyou to Islam, and will try our best to help you in any way we can! :)
Some Common Misconceptions
Some people may postpone their conversion toIslam, though they believe it to be the true religion of God, due to somemisconceptions. They may think that things like changing their name, knowingsome Arabic, informing others of their conversion, knowing some Muslims, or nothaving committed many sins, are conditions for conversion – however the realityis that none of these are valid excuses for delaying the conversion.
If you would like to learn more about these andother similar misconceptions, please read the article, “Iwant to be a Muslim but... Myths about Converting to Islam (3 parts)”.
For Those Not Yet Convinced
Islam claims to be the true way to God. Whatmakes one religion valid over other ideologies is the proofs it offers for itstruthfulness. Hence, one needs to look at these proofs, weigh them and takean informed decision. One needs to be sincere in one’s endeavour and above allseek the help of the Almighty to guide him/her to the right path.
If a person is still not convinced of thetruthfulness of Islam, then he/she can further look at the proofs Islamoffers. Islam offers overwhelming proofs of its truthfulness and is the onlyreligion that completely appeals to common sense.
Some of the proofs Islam offers are: thescientific proofs in the Quran, the miracles performed by the Prophet Muhammadand the prophesies of his coming in previous scriptures, the foretold eventsmentioned in the Quran that later came to pass, the unmet challenge of theQuran to bring even a chapter like it, and the divine wisdom in the laws andteachings of Islam that cover all aspects of life. To learn more about theproofs of Islam, please check the articles under this section, “Evidence Islamis Truth”.
If you would like to learn more about Islam andits fundamental beliefs and practices, then please refer to the article “What isIslam? (4 parts)”.
Our everlasting life in the Hereafter depends onwhat faith we choose to follow in this transient life, hence let us give thisstruggle the priority it deserves.
FAQs
How do I convert myself to Islam? ›
Becoming a Muslim
You have to believe that there is only one God, Allah, who created the entire universe, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his final messenger on earth. If you recite this, with total sincerity, in front of two witnesses, you have become a Muslim. It really is as simple as that.
What do you say to convert to Muslim? ›
haː. dah] ( listen), "the testimony"), also transliterated as
What should I do after converting to Islam? ›
Perform wudu. To be Muslim, you must believe with full conviction in the oneness of God, that there is no God but Allah (S), and that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is His last and final messenger. This is essentially the shahadah, or testament of faith, that one says when they convert to Islam.
How long does it take to convert to Muslim? ›
Converting to Islam is basically the acknowledgment that the prophet Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and Allah is the one God. But Flower says his research is showing that it takes converts from six to 12 months between discovering Islam and that final step.
What religions dont accept converts? ›
Sects of some religions, such as the Druze, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, and Yarsans, do not accept converts at all.
Is converting to Islam OK? ›
Conversion by Muslims to other faiths is forbidden under most interpretations of sharia and converts are considered apostates (non-Muslims, however, are allowed to convert into Islam). Some Muslim clerics equate this apostasy to treason, a crime punishable by death.
What can Muslims not eat? ›
Halal food requires that Allah's name is invoked at the time the animal is killed. Lamb, beef, goat and chicken, for example, are halal as long as a Muslim kills them and offers a prayer. Fish and eggs are also halal. All products from pork, carrion and blood are forbidden (
How many Islam converts a year? ›
Studies estimated about 30,000 converting to Islam annually in the United States. According to The New York Times, an estimated 25% of American Muslims are converts, these converts are mostly African American.
What should I read before converting to Islam? ›
- No God But God by Reza Aslan. ...
- The Story of Reason in Islam by Sari Nusseibeh. ...
- Journey Into Islam by Akbar S. ...
- The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam From the Extremists by Khaled Abou El Fadl.
Who is the first to accept Islam? ›
The first converts to Islam at the time of Muhammad were: Khadija bint Khuwaylid - First person to convert and first free female convert. Ali ibn Abi Talib - First free male child in Muhammad's family to convert. Zayd ibn Harithah - First freed slave male convert.
What means Mashallah? ›
(Islam) Expressing the speaker's gratitude for a blessing or their recognition of divine intervention in its occurrence. God willed it. quotations ▼ (Islam) Expressing the speaker's wish for a fortune to be maintained, especially against the evil eye; used in congratulation.
Can you take shahada by yourself? ›
You can take your
How do you pray Allah? ›
Place your head, knees and hands on the floor. While "sujood" (prostration) make sure that your forehead and nose touch the ground. This is the position called "sajdah." When you are positioned fully, say Subhanna Rabbiyal A'laa (Glorious is my Lord, the most High) three times.
Which religion is most educated? ›
A Pew Center study about religion and
Can I convert my religion twice? ›
The Court held that he has the right to be reconvert to any religion in this world. And further held that there is no limit for re-conversion. And held that the respondent is liable to be punished for bigamy as he did not get divorced from his first wife and he should maintenance for his wife.
Is converting religion a crime? ›
In India, the freedom to choose and practise one's religion is guaranteed by the Constitution. There's no such legal scenario of religious change in India. However, there are some restrictions on this right. For instance, the Constitution prohibits the conversion of religion by the use of force or fraud.
Can Muslims smoke? ›
A tobacco fatwa is a fatwa (Islamic legal pronouncement) that prohibits the usage of tobacco by Muslims. Arab Muslims tend to prohibit smoking (despite Saudi Arabia ranking 23rd in the world for the percentage of its population that smokes) and, in South Asia, smoking tends to be considered lawful but discouraged.
How do Muslims convert? ›
' ” Conversion in Islam is a simple process in which a person says the testimony of faith with witnesses present. It's typically done at a mosque in front of a large gathering, with hugs and well wishes from the congregation afterward.
Can you take Shahada by yourself? ›
You can take your
Can a girl convert to Islam? ›
One can say with high measures of certainty that in contrast to their male counterparts, the treatment of female converts to Islam in early Islamic sources is almost always in relation to a male figure.
Do you need witnesses to take Shahada? ›
Shahadas must be conducted with two Muslim witnesses present.
Can I convert to Islam just for marriage? ›
It is absolutely legal to convert and get married. However merely converting for the sake of marriage is not right, both legally and in Islam as well. A person willing to convert to Islam must do so of his own free will and without any force or burden and faith is an essential part of conversion.
What means Mashallah? ›
(Islam) Expressing the speaker's gratitude for a blessing or their recognition of divine intervention in its occurrence. God willed it. quotations ▼ (Islam) Expressing the speaker's wish for a fortune to be maintained, especially against the evil eye; used in congratulation.
What is the correct Shahada? ›
Transliteration: “Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah.” Translation: “There is no God but God (Allah – i.e. there is none worthy of worship but Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Can a woman touch her breasts in Islam? ›
Exposing the intimate parts of the body is unlawful in Islam as the Quran instructs the covering of male and female genitals, and for adult females the breasts. Exposing them is normally considered sinful.
Can Muslims smoke? ›
A tobacco fatwa is a fatwa (Islamic legal pronouncement) that prohibits the usage of tobacco by Muslims. Arab Muslims tend to prohibit smoking (despite Saudi Arabia ranking 23rd in the world for the percentage of its population that smokes) and, in South Asia, smoking tends to be considered lawful but discouraged.
What is a female called in Islam? ›
The experiences of Muslim women (Arabic: مسلمات Muslimāt, singular مسلمة Muslimah) vary widely between and within different societies.
Can a woman be a witness in Islamic marriage? ›
The status of women's testimony in Islam is disputed. Muslim societies' attitudes range from completely rejecting female testimony in certain legal areas, to conditionally accepting (half-worth that of a male, or with a requirement for supporting male testimony), to completely accepting it without any gender bias.
Who can I not marry in Islam? ›
Prohibited marriage partners
Marriage between a woman and her father, stepfather, husband's biological father, uncle, grandfather, great uncle, great-grandfather, etc. Marriage of a man with women who are sisters or stepsisters of his mother or father.
Can nikah be done without converting? ›
According to Muslim Law, a
Does Islam accept civil marriage? ›
Heterosexual (male-female) Muslim couple.
They must contract a Muslim marriage. Parties do not have the option of a civil marriage unless either one or both parties renounce their Islamic faith.