HOW TO BECOME A MUSLIM GUY ?

All praises be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad His last messenger. The objective of this handout is to correct a false idea spread among those willing to adopt Islam as their faith. Some people are facing difficulties on the basis of their mistaken belief that entering into the Islamic fold requires an announcement from the concerned person in the presence of high ranking scholars or sheikhs 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 an evidence to that effect. We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none of the above mentioned conditions or obligations are required. For Allah; the 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 Muslims with the concerned governmental agency, as this procedure may facilitate for them many matters including the possibility of performing Hajj 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 (SWT) for all human beings, then, one should pronounce that "Shahada" (The testimony of faith) without further delay. The Holy Qur'an is explicit in this regard as Allah (SWT) has stated. "Truly, the Religion on the sight of Allah is Islam." (3:19) In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has stated: "And whosoever desires a religion other that Islam, never will it accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who are lost." (3:85) In addition, Islam is the only Religion prevailing over all other religions. Allah (SWT) has stated in the Holy Qur'an; "And to thee. We have sent the Book in truth, (This Qur'an) confirming the scripture that came before it, and a witness over it…" (5:48) Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him), said: "Islam is based on five pillars: testifying that there is no God worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and His servant; performing the prayer; paying the Zakat (obligatory charity); fasting the month of Ramadan; and perfuming Hajj." The Shahada can be declared as follows: ''ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASUULUHU." The English translation is: "I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and I bear witness the Muhammad is His servant and messenger.'' However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to utter only this testimony orally either in private or in public, but rather, one should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction with the teachings of Islam in all his life he will find himself a new born person, (or new man). 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 be becomes the embodiment of that faith. What would be next after declaring the testimony of faith (Shahada) and then becoming a Muslim? He should know the real concept underlying this testimony which means the Oneness of Allah and accept Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as the last of the Prophet, and meet its requirements. He must behave accordingly applying this true faith to every thing he speaks or does. What do the words of "Shahada" signify. The significant point which every Muslim must know very well is the truth that there is no God (ditty) to be worshipped other than Allah, (Glory be Him). He is the only true God, Who alone deserves to be worshipped, since He is the Giver of life and Sustainer and Nourished of mankind and all creation with His unlimited bounties. Man must worship Allah, Who Alone is worthy of worship. The second part of the "Sahada" i. e. "We ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh" means that Prophet Muhammad (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 follow his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allah alone according to the message revealed to him. 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 and whether private or public. Worship falls into two categories: 1. Visible (manifest or outward) 2. Invisible (concealed or inward) Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the "Shahada" performing prayers, giving Zakat (Obligatory charity), observing fast in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, 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 human body, [actions]. Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgment, in the Hereafter, in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allah alone. This type of worship does not involve movements of parts of the body but it surely has a bearing on one's heart which subsequently affects his way of life. (Beliefs). It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to Allah alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism or shirk, which amount to apostasy from the Islamic point of view. The next step for a devotee (newly reverted to Islam) is to purify himself by taking a bath (total ablution). He should then resolve to comply with all the principles and rules of Islam in their entirety. He disowns 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 requisites of the motto of Islam that is, Lailaha Illal Laah. Allah has stated in the Holy Qur'an: “Who ever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, hath grasped the most trustworthy Handhold, that will never break…" (2:256) We have to consider that when we declare from our heart that "there is no god (ditty) worthy to be worshipped but Allah." It implies on our part of love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislation which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is 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 materializes 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 practices of the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters. We conclude with a humble prayer to Allah that He may cleanse the hearts and souls of those who are genuine seekers of truth and may He bless the community of believers. Ameen. Every good action or deed should be started with reciting Bismillah In This section we will quote some Authentic Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) regarding Bismillah - In the name of Allah .Saying Bismillah Is Recommended Before Eating: The Prophet (saw) said," Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat what is in front of you." [Bukhari 7/88, Muslim 2/207, Ahmad 17/92, Muwatta Malik 10/32 and Ibn Majah1/557] Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or three [Gulps]. Mention the Name of Allah when you start drinking and praise Him after You have finished Drinking .'' [Fath al-Bari 12/197 and Al-Trimidhi] The Prophet (saw) said," Make Wudu [Ablution] in the name of Allah" [An-Nasai 1/11 and Ibn Khuzaimah 1/84] one's wife: The Prophet (saw) said, "If anyone of you, when having sexual intercourse with his wife, says: In the name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and also protect what you grant us [i.e. Coming offspring] from Satan and if it is destined that they should have a child, then Satan will never be able to harm him ." [Sahih Bukhari 7/94 and Sahih Muslim 2/1058] Jabir (ra) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying," If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: `You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.' But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says [To his followers]; `You have found [A place] to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: `You have found [A place] to spend the night in as well as food ." [Sahih Muslim 2/206] The Messenger Of Allah (saw) said, " If anyone of you when leaving the house says In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no power and might except from Allah. Your needs shall be fulfilled, you shall be saved from difficulties and hardships. Shaitaan hearing these words leaves him ." [Al-Trimidhi 2/493] Anas (ra) reported that the Messenger (saw) of Allah sacrificed two Horne drams of white color with black markings over them. He also stated: I saw him sacrificing them with his own hand and saw him placing his foot on their sides, and recited in the name of Allah and Glorified Him [Bismillah Allaahu Akbar] [Bukhari 7/133, Muslim 2/181, Abu Dawud 3/230, An-Nasai 7/231, Al-Trimidhi5/76, Ibn Majah 2120] The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, " Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah" [Sahih Muslim 2/69] The Prophet Of Allah (saw) said" When you enter the toilet you should say, In the Name of Allah, I seekprotection in you from unclean spirits, male and female." [Abu Dawud 4/264, Ahmad 2/389 and Fath Al-Bari 1/254] Abul Malih said: I was riding on a mount behind the Prophet (saw). It stumbled. Thereupon I said: May the devil perishes! He said: Do not say: May the devil perish! For if you say that, he will swell so much so that he will be like a house, and say: By my power. But say Bismillah for when you say that, he will diminish so much so that he will be like a fly. [An-Nasai 6/142, Ahmad 5/59 and Abu Dawud 4946] Allah's Apostle (saw) said, " When night falls stop your children fromgoing out, for the devils spread out at that time. But when an hour of The night has passed, release them and close the doors and mention Allah's Name, for Satan does not open a closed door. Tie the mouth of your water-skin and mention Allah's Name; cover your containers and utensils and mention Allah's Name. Cover them even by placing something across it, and extinguish your lamps . " [Bukhari 7/527 and Abu Dawud 3722] The Prophet of Allah (saw) said, " When you are lowering the deceased in the grave you should say In the name of Allah and in accordance to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah." [Ahmad 8/58 and Al-Hakim 1/366] Uthman bin Abu al-As Al-Thaqafi reported that he made a complaint of painto Allah's Messenger (saw) that he felt in his body at the time he had become Muslim. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (saw) said: Place your hand at the place where you feel pain in your body and say in the name of Allah three times and seven times I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that I find and that I fear . [Muslim 2/280] Abu Sufyan said that the contents of the letter were as follows:" In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful, [This letter is] From Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your peasants ." [Bukhari 4/191, Muslim 2/91, Al-Trimidhi 7/500] said O chief! Surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me Surely it is from Sulaiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful