How To Become A Muslim
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How To Become A Muslim
Based on a booklet by The
Cooperative Office for Call and Guidance - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the
universe. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Mohammad, His last messenger.
The purpose of this hand-out is to
correct a false idea spread among those willing to adopt Islam as their faith.
Some people have a wrong notion that entering into the Islamic fold requires an
announcement from the concerned person in the presence of high ranking scholars
or shaikhs 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 evidence to that effect.
We wish to clarify that the whole matter
is very easy and that none of these conditions or obligations are required. For
Allah, 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
advised to register themselves as Muslims with the concerned governmental
agency, as this procedure may facilitate for them many matters including the
possibility of performing Hadj (Pilgrimage) 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 for all human-beings, then, one should pronounce the "Shahada",
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"
In another verse of the Holy Qur'an,
Allah states:
- "If anyone desires a religion
other than Islam (Submission to Allah), 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 hell fire)."
In addition, Islam is the only religion
prevailing over all other religions. Allah states in the Holy Qur'an:
- "To thee We sent the Scripture in
truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in
safety:..."
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
none worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is the
Messenger of Allah" | 
