Islam made easy for new Muslims

 

Dear friends, Islam is comprised of many different aspects and rulings: these consist of the Five Pillars of Islam, the Six Pillars of Faith (Iman), and the rules and regulations of Shariah Law.
However Islam today has been made to appear difficult and complicated and therefore discourages and in fact scares many people away from the actual simplicity of this beautiful religion.

If Islam had been introduced in the form it exists in today, I am sure that there would have been far fewer followers and it would have been far more difficult to spread. Old and contemporary rulings given by scholars known as fatwas, different schools of thought, different traditions of Muslim countries with the elaborate ideas and dress codes, have complicated the religion.

When it was first introduced to the world, Islam was so simple and so easy that within 50 years of its birth, it had spread to over half of the world.

It is only due to manmade complications and additions to this faith that Islam appears to be so unappealing to many.

It is important to remember that Islam was established over a period of twenty three years. It did not happen overnight. It took this long for the Qur'an and the rulings and regulations of Islam to be revealed to mankind.

As an experienced Da'ee (a person who spreads the message of Islam (Islamic missionary )), who has been active in propagating Islam for many years, I find that many people are reluctant to enter Islam due to the complications they think they will be faced with.

An example of this is the belief that they are required to wear Arab or Asian clothing, or should immediately wear the head scarf and long dress that was designed and adopted by eastern countries centuries ago. Some believe they will have to follow an imam who cannot even speak English, and will have to learn a new language and speak in a foreign tongue.

But in actual fact, if all these old traditions and cultural additions to Islam were stripped away, subtracted and set aside, the true simplicity and clarity of Islam will shine forth for all to see.

 

This section is intended to provide the reader with the basic essentials of Islam and its principles. We have, in a sense, stripped it down to the bone to provide a skeleton model for new Muslims to follow. All basic aspects have been covered and many common questions and concerns have been addressed.

 

Step 1- Embracing Islam

Firstly, I shall demonstrate how easy it is to enter Islam and become a Muslim. All a person needs to do to become a Muslim is to believe sincerely that: “Almighty God is the God of the universe and to believe that the Prophet Muhammad was His last and final Prophet".

Then you need to say the following words in Arabic which confirm this.

"La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasool Allah" which means:

“There is no God except the Almighty God and the Muhammad is His last prophet”.

This is the Declaration of Faith, known in Arabic as the ‘Shahadah',.

Declaration of the Faith can be said in Arabic but if it is too difficult to pronounce it may be declared in any other language. All are equally acceptable and Almighty God, who made all languages, can perfectly understand your language and your intention. Therefore there is no need to worry about what language you use.

Note: It is important to remember that the intention is very important and without the sincere intention to become a Muslim, the Shahadah is not accepted. To ensure that you have the right intention, you need to truly believe that there is One God and to believe that the Prophet Muhammad was His last and final Prophet.

The Shahadah can be said at any time and in any place. It is a contract between you and your Creator and it has nothing to do with any other person. It is a good tradition to declare the Shahadah in front of two practicing Muslims witnesses.

If you wish to become a Muslim in a mosque or with an imam, this is of course encouraged, however it does not make one a better Muslim than one who has said their Shahadah, for example, over the internet, over the phone or by themselves. Allah knows best
Once you have taken your Shahadah, it is recommended to take a full shower with the intention to purify yourself.

After the Declaration:

 

Now if you have made the declaration of the faith with true sincerity you have entered Islam, congratulations.

May Allah accept your Islam and fill your heart with His lights, Ameen.
Now, you have entered a new chapter of your life and are starting afresh.

You are now pure and clean. Islam holds that all good deeds that you performed before will be brought forward and all your previous wrong doings will be forgiven. However it is now up to you to keep this chapter and the chapters to come clean and pure.

Taking this first step will guarantee you a place in paradise if you retain the sincerity and belief in Allah in your heart. (God knows best). No matter what you do from this point forward, the most important thing is to preserve your faith.

When attempting to live your life as a Muslim, I would advise you to do what you can and do not over stretch yourself and do not rush to learn everything at once.

Remember that everyone is different and made for different purposes. Everyone has their own requirements and limits. Although all Muslims are the same in that they all belong to the religion of Islam, some go on to become very pious and some do not. But, both are Muslims and both deserve to go to paradise in next life (Allah knows best).

Remember this verse of the Quran in which Allah declares:

 

"Inna Allaha la yaghfiru an yushraka bihi wayaghfiru ma doona thalika liman yashao waman yushrikbiAllahi faqadi iftara ithman AAatheeman" Quran Chapter 4:,Verse 48.

“I do not forgive anyone who associates partners with me, but I forgive whoever I please after that”

 

"Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth;" Quran Chapter 4:,Verse 48.

This verse shows that Allah is prepared to forgive anyone who believes only in Him, no matter what they have done. The only sin He does not forgive is ascribing partners to Him.
Now, my dear brother or sister, if you wish to know more about Islam and how to perform a simple prayer, please proceed to the next section.

 

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