Questions:
Salam. I want to convert my
religion to Islam as I love this religion since childhood and many of my
friends are Muslims. I know the first kalima, but I don’t know how to convert
and I am jobless and homeless. Is there any facility available for a few days
where I can accept Islam and get a job somewhere so I can survive as my parents
won’t allow me after converting to Islam.
Answer:
Salam Dear Dheeraj,
Thank you very much for your
question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
We pray to Allah Almighty to
help you and guide you in your search for the truth of Islam.
The word “Muslim” means one who
submits to the will of God, irrespective of their race, color or nationality.
Becoming a Muslim is a simple
and easy process that requires no pre-conditions; it is a spiritual
transformation that automatically takes place within the soul of a person.
However, outwardly a person
becomes a Muslim, when he or she bears witness to the truth of Islam in the
presence of others.
All the same, those who adopt
Islam as their religion can register themselves as Muslims with the concerned
official agency, as this procedure will be helpful for them in many matters,
including marriage, and the possibility of performing Hajj (Pilgrimage) and
Umrah.
The Shahadah
In fact becoming a Muslim, as
indicated above, is very easy and there is no complex ritual or practice about
it.
If anyone is strongly convinced
that Islam is the true religion ordained by God, then he/she should take the
Shahadah.
The Shahadah is as follows:
Ash-hadu anlaa Ilaaha illallaah
wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah.
It means: “I bear witness that
there is none deserving of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad
is the messenger of Allah”.
The first part of the Shahadah
is the acknowledgement that there is no one worthy of our whole-hearted
devotion and unconditional obedience except Allah who is the One and Only God
of the universe.
The second part is the
acceptance that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the Servant and Messenger of
Allah.
You may take the Shahadah in
the presence of an Imam (i.e the one who leads prayers in a mosque) or a couple
of Muslims preferably in an Islamic Center.
It is good that you accept a
Muslim name (though it’s not a must) and take the steps to make the necessary
changes in the official records.
And once you take the Shahadah,
you should be ready to follow the teachings of Islam as contained in the Quran
and the Sunnah (Example of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).
The Shahadah is the first and
the most important of the five pillars of Islam.
With the outward expression of
this testimony with sincere belief and conviction, one enters the fold of Islam.
After Shahadah
As one enters the fold of Islam
purely seeking the Pleasure of God, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven,
and one can start a new life of piety and righteousness. And such a 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 enrich his life with as many
good deeds as possible.
As for changing one’s name, it
is not a necessary factor in embracing Islam, although many people choose to
use Muslim names as the sign of their new identity.
If one’s name contains some
suggestion of meaning opposed to the tenets of Islam, then changing it becomes
obligatory.
Otherwise one may keep one’s
old name if one so desires. But one should not change the name of one’s family
or father’s name that usually follows one’s personal name such as the “last”
name, in order not to blur the familial lineage.
God in the Holy Quran stresses
the importance of humans following Islam:
{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)
This means that all forms of
worship must be directed to God and to God alone. And so worship is not just
the ritual performance of deeds commanded by God, but the whole of one’s life,
which is sincerely lived in accordance with the will of God.
The second part of the Shahadah
implies that one follows the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
One must believe in what the
Prophet has said, practice his teachings and avoid what he has forbidden, as
all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations
conveyed to him by God.
The foregoing means that to
truly adhere to the second part of the Shahadah one must follow the Prophet’s
example in all walks of life.
Learning & Practicing Islam
After your declaration of the
testimony of faith, you need to learn more about Islam, by attending the
classes by religious teachers or by reading authentic books on Islam and by
visiting good Islamic websites.
Once you accept the right
creeds and start performing the religious duties of a Muslim, you should also
take care to observe the following in your life:
Be honest and truthful; be fair
and just; be charitable and helpful to others; avoid all evil things and
practices; give good advice to people wherever and whenever you can.
And do not forget to:
Pray for Allah’s help in all
things, under all circumstances; give thanks to Allah and praise Him for all
the blessings, and remain prayerfully patient in suffering and misfortune;
depend on Allah’s Mercy; seek His forgiveness.
Be constantly conscious of
Allah, know He is ever watchful.
Read the Quran, study it and
learn the Hadiths as much as you can.
Take care to help people in all
good things; don’t help people in wrong things.
Remember that the intention
behind your actions is very important. So, wherever you are about to do
something, think for a moment, whether it is something that Allah would bless
or something Allah is displeased with.
You should direct all your
actions to Allah Almighty, for His acceptance and reward.
Your Muslim friends can help
you in this matter.
May Allah Almighty bless you
and guide you in your efforts to lead a life in Islam!
I hope this helps and please
keep in touch.
Salam.
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